Belford Parish Council news in brief: Website, park and gullies

At last Thursday’s meeting, members heard that there are three options; paying an IT consultant to set it up, doing it themselves or the possibility of it being hosted on a NALC portal. There is transparency funding available.

The first would be the most expensive, the second would cost around £400 but does require a lot of work, while if NALC went ahead with the third option, it would require a small annual charge for each parish council on the portal.

NALC needs interest from enough parish councils to make it viable, but the clerk is to raise the issue with a number of smaller rural parishes for which she also works.

Play park project continues at pace

Chairman Brenda Stanton congratulated fellow parish councillor Tracy Bell on being named Belford Citizen of the Year for her efforts to renovate the play area on Williams Way.

An update was given to last Thursday’s meeting of the parish council at which it was confirmed that its new name is Belford Central Park.

The Belford Play Park Renovation Group is now a formally-constituted body and anyone interested in getting involved can show up at one of the group’s meetings.

Dates are posted on the Facebook page and in the window of the village newsagents.

The installation of new equipment in the play park has been slow recently due to the weather and people being busy over the festive period, but it should be picking up soon.

A set of picnic tables is also ready to be installed.

Applications have been made to two funding organisations for the next phase of the project, which is to install some equipment for toddlers, while a further funding bid is to be made to Belford Community Group.

The group is looking at buying some Marmax recycled plastic equipment.

The Santa Run, which took place before Christmas, raised £80, with a local woman making it up to £100.

l Concerns were raised about the drains and gullies in the likes of West Street, High Street, The Meadows and North Bank.

l A resident living on the corner of Dixon Road had complained about lorries turning round in their garden.

l Phyl Carruthers, who runs Bluebell Farm with her nephew, Coun Reg Carruthers, has joined the council.