Progress on plans to open up school as community hub

The closure of the middle school, URC Church and Ferguson Hall, together with the loss of the Community Club, has left the village without a large meeting place.

Representatives from the Belford Village Hall Group have met again with school staff to discuss the possible use of the school in the February half-term.

Moving the community cinema from Bell View to the school is one of the ideas being discussed.

Coun Julian Cunningham, addressing Belford Parish Council, said: “It depends on the costs involved because there are issues to sort out, such as security doors to keep people out of classrooms, but it looks like we are making some progress.”

Meanwhile, members heard that an application for new signage by the A1 promoting the Blue Bell Hotel and Belford Golf Club had been submitted. The location is on the east side of the A1 near the junction with the B1342.

Coun Kerry Noble said: “I am all for supporting businesses in the village but there is already a lot of signage at that junction and I am also a bit dubious about what is being advertised.”

However, vice chairman Coun Ian Carruthers noted: “It’s no different to what he has had before.”

Councillors have also agreed to fund a new litter bin to replace one which was damaged by fire. However, it will be a different type, similar to that at North Bank, because it was cheaper.

Concerns were also raised about the absence of double yellow lines on a bend on the high street.

“It’s dangerous,” said Coun Noble.

It was agreed to ask local county councillor Guy Renner-Thompson to pursue the matter.

It was reported that potholes between Belford and Chesterhill had now been filled in.

Councillors have also agreed to keep the parish budget at £10,500 for 2020/21, the same as the current financial year.

“We should leave it the same,” said Coun Carruthers. “If it ain’t broke, it doesn’t need fixing.”