Call for action to provide new cemetery in Northumberland town

It is hoping part of the former first school site owned by Northumberland County Council can be used.

The wider site has been earmarked for housing but there are no immediate plans.

Cllr Mark Mather, parish council chairman, said: “We have got roughly two years of burial ground left in the cemetery. It will get at least two years to get a new cemetery up and running so we need to get moving on it.”

The parish council is ready to step in if needed with its Covid-19 work. Earlier in the year it helped coordinate medication and food parcel deliveries across the Glendale area.

“We’re still here and there’s still a Covid-19 plan in place should it be needed,” said Cllr Mather.

A proposal to tidy up the car park area at the bottom of Ramsey’s Lane is being investigated.

Catherine Dunn, who has improved the town’s floral displays in recent years, wants to put planters there.

The parish council has expressed interest in the idea but wanted the land ownership checked.

Cllr Mather said: “I’d like to thank Catherine for all the work she has done over the summer because the planters have looked good and the flower fountain has looked fantastic.”

The parish council is seeking financial assistance from Northumberland County Council towards the increased costs of cleaning the public toilets at the bus station.

"Covid means they’re getting cleaned three times a day instead of once,” said Cllr Mather. “It looks like Covid restrictions could be here for an extra six months so we’ve asked the county council how the shortfall can be funded.”

He also expressed disappointment that the council had been unable to access the county council’s Community Chest Fund despite it now being available to parish councils. Cllr Anthony Murray, local county councillor, said he would press the issue.

Members were told that Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, is scheduled to visit on October 15.

Cllr Mather said: “I think it’s important we go along to voice our views on rural crime and making sure we keep local policing in the town.”

The parish council has two new councillors, Helen Leighton-Rose and Helen Deane-Hall.

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