Belford Parish Council round-up

The Northumberland Association of Local Councils (NALC) is creating the portal to host sites for any town or parish councils which choose to sign up as part of a new initiative to ensure local councils are meeting new transparency requirements.

Members first heard about the scheme at their meeting in May last year, which was attended by Stephen Ricketts, NALC’s chief officer,

For the first year, there will be no charge as Mr Ricketts has managed to source some external funding.

This may apply to the second year as well, but if not, the cost will be £75 a year.

Chairman, Coun Brenda Stanton, said: “It will make transparency a much less fraught issue.”

The website will require two administrators and it was agreed that this will be the parish clerk and Coun Tracy Bell.

Members are also to agree four photos to be used as a montage on their site.

Currently, the parish council has a page, over which it does not have direct control, on the Belford Village website, while agendas and minutes are also posted in the village’s closed Facebook group.

• Members heard that there had been four crimes in Belford since the parish council met in January. PC Alan Morton said that there had been an assault, a public-order offence, damage to a dwelling and dealing foreign goods, all of which had been dealt with.

• There are currently two vacant allotments in Belford if any residents of the parish are interested in taking one of them on.

The rent is £25 a year and anyone interested in having one of the allotments should speak to Coun Chris Rosby or contact the clerk on [email protected]