BUTTS BAYS: Work to build new parking bays on The Butts has not yet started. Coun Elliott said that as a matter of courtesy he spoke to Rob Burnett who lives next to the site of the new bays. Work will shortly begin on repairing the flood damage to Mr Burnett's home, and the council will try to work around this. It was agreed to proceed with the work to build the new bays.
POLE PULLED: Plans to remove a telegraph pole in Green Park have been scrapped. Coun Watson spoke to residents about contributing 50 per cent of the cost, but residents felt they would be unable to do so. The council did not see fit to spend £1,500 o
n the pole as it would only benefit a few people.
TREE HIT: Damage has been caused to a memorial tree planted after September's floods. Speaking at the meeting, Mike Smith told councillors that people parking cars in the overflow car park had caused the damage. He asked for a barrier to be put around the trees to protect them. Coun Elliott is to ask Dave Buddle to carry out the work and install a new memorial seat near the boat landing.
PAYING BACK: Painting work by the Probation Service has started in the village, on the birds tooth fencing near the Sun Hotel where another coat of green paint is to be added. The team has been approached to do other jobs in the village but requests must be made through the parish council.
VANDALS STRIKE: A play park in the village has been vandalised. The low fencing used to retain the bark chippings had been torn up at the Guilden play park and several pieces of the fencing were put on top of the slide. This fencing still had the nails attached and, when Coun Mrs Watson went to the park to check that some repair work had been carried out, was being played with by small children. All of the fencing pieces were cleared out of the park and Mr D Hall was engaged to repair and replace the fencing. A sign had also been ripped down, and it was agreed to replace it at a cost of £50. The incident has been reported to the local police.
PATH ON TRACK: The Birling footpath is to be repaired within the next few weeks. Coun Watson was told by Bill Batey from Northumberland County Council that the whole of the footpath will be redone in the future and that a major resurfacing of the road will take place in this financial year. During this period the road will be closed. Two loads of planings are also to be put in the Beach Road Car Park for spreading at a later date.
BIN DIRTY: The county is being informed after black bin bags and household rubbish were left beside the Pant.
GOOD SCORE: Grass on the football field at Beach Road has been cut and the goal mouth has been filled in.
PARISH VIEW: Photos of the council meetings are to be put on the council's website. Councillors thanked Mrs Robinson for the work she does on it.
STREET WORKS: Councillors are to consider putting a litter bin at the bottom of Cemetery Bank. An email to the council asked for the bin and also mentioned that an iron bar fitted into the pedestrian sanctuary on the old bridge was loose and no longer safe. The email also suggested improving road markings on Dial Place. The council is to write to the Highways Agency about renewing them.
CAUGHT SHORT: Toilets at Beach Road have been closed because of vandalism. The block will be closed until repairs have been made. It has been reported to police.
COMMON SENSE: Complaints were received about dogs not being exercised on leads at Monk's Walk, but councillors agreed that the issue was up to the owner's common sense and a sign would be largely ignored.
FLY TIPPING: An eye is being kept on an area near New Barns Farm.
The next meeting is on Thursday, July 2 at 7pm in the Memorial Hall.
