Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from CouncillorE. Cartie and J. Reid.

Unless already entered in the Council’s Register of Members’ interests, members are required to disclose any personal interest (which includes any disclosable pecuniary interest) they may have in any of the items included on the agenda for the meeting in accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council on 4 July 2012, and are reminded that if they have any personal interests of a prejudicial nature (as defined under paragraph 17 of the Code Conduct) they must not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must leave the room. NB Any member needing clarification must contact Legal Services by email at monitoringofficer@northumberland.gov.uk Please refer to the guidance on disclosures at the rear of this agenda letter.

Councillor Simpson disclosed an interest in item 4(b)(i) as she had signed the petition being presented.  

Councillor Humphrey disclosed an interest in item 4(b)(ii) as he had also raised the issues in the petition and had worked with the lead petitioner.

This item is to:? 

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(a) Receive any new petitions:?to receive any new petitions. The lead petitioner?is?entitled?to briefly introduce their petition?by providing a statement in writing, and a response to any petitions received will then be organised for a future?meeting; 
 

(b) Consider reports on petitions previously received:? 

(i) Response to Petition for Dogs on Leads at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Promenade. 

(ii) Response to Petition for Speed Calming Measure along South Newsham Road (B1523)  

(c) Receive any updates on petitions for which a report was previously?? considered:?any updates will be verbally reported at the meeting.

(a) Members were informed of a new petition titled; “Make Hirst Playing Fields a no dog area”. It was opened on 21^st January 2022 and closed on 21^st February. It had received 278 signatures and would therefore be brought to a future Local Area Council meeting. 

(b)(i)DOGS SHOULD BE KEPT ON LEADS ON NEWBIGGIN-BY-THE-SEA     PROMENADE 

Members were read an extract from the lead petitioner which outlined their reasons for creating the petition. Her comments were as follows:- 

With mental wellbeing at a low and with many individuals benefiting from fresh air and daily exercise, the promenade of Newbiggin by the sea is a popular place to use. Unfortunately, due to the amount of unleashed, out of control dogs this prevents this from happening and it is being avoided by some. 

Having lived in Newbiggin by the sea all my life, a dog owner and someone who uses the promenade on a daily basis I have noticed an increase of out of control dogs. I have personally been verbally attacked on more than one occasion from owners whom I have asked politely to recall their dogs if they have viciously approached myself and my leashed dog. I not only feel intimidated when I am approached – the dog and said owner but nervous and uneasy of what outcome the situation may result in, i.e. an altercation, dog fight or vet bill. This can turn into a very stressful experience when in fact going for a walk on the promenade should be an enjoyable one. 

I feel strongly that locals and visitors alike should feel comfortable and safe whilst using the promenade. It is the biggest attraction of the village and used all year round. Users should not feel anxious or be worried about being approached or in the vicinity of aggressive dogs. 

Although I am a dog owner and appreciate they need exercise, a pedestrianised area is not the place. Dogs can and should be walked on a leash to make the area fully accessible for all users, that being other dog walkers, children, pushchairs, wheelchairs and those with poor mobility without fear of being approached by out of control dogs. These dogs are often causing nuisances, chasing balls the owners throw for them or running around in groups causing potential trip hazards. If the owners can be encouraged to do so elsewhere this would make the promenade a more user-friendly walkway. I have witnessed owners separated from their unleashed dogs, not knowing where they actually are and certainly not noticing them fouling, therefore unaware to pick their faeces up. This in itself is a very big problem. If all dogs were leashed whist walking the promenade I feel confident this fouling problem would decrease, the average owner would surely feel compelled to pick it up rather than plead ignorance/innocent and walk on by. 

I look forward to the findings from the Enforcement Officers who will be patrolling during 2022, I hope that they will be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive a verbal update from the Area Managers from Technical Services and Neighbourhood Services in attendance about any key recent, ongoing and/or future planned Local Services work for the attention of members of the Local Area Council, who will also then?have the opportunity to?raise issues with the Area Managers.? 

The Area Managers have principal responsibility for highway services and environmental services, such as refuse collection, street cleansing and grounds maintenance, within the geographic boundaries of the Local Area Council.

R. Welleans, Neighbourhood Services Area Manager, gave an overview of recent work carried out: 

Ashington and Blyth Neighbourhood Services Operational Update:? 

NEAT?? 

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Winter works continue at a rate we expect.?? 

Since the last Local Area Council, we have experienced a mild winter period.?? 

This has helped our teams recover some ground we lost to storm Arwen.?? 

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• Continued to work a 28-hour week during the winter period this ended on the 25^th of March when all Grounds staff revert to a 43.75-hour week to take advantage of the lighter evenings from the 28^th of March. 
• Progress through scheduled work had been a challenge but successful.? 
• We were continuing work to complete scheduled winter works tasks.? 
• Please alert me at your earliest convenience if you believe any requested work had not been completed.? 

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We have finalised preparations for the upcoming grass cutting season. All grass cutting equipment has either been serviced or is scheduled to be serviced.?? 

• Grass cutting was started in most areas and will continue depending on ground conditions?? 
• The Routes had been reviewed and agreed with Teams in all areas.? 

• Seasonal grounds maintenance positions for this year were in the process of been filled with all seasonal staff in place within Stakeford Depot and recruitment ongoing for Blyth NEAT (Neighbourhood Environment Action Teams) with 2 vacancies to fill, there was a low application rate this year and we were finding it difficult to engage seasonal workers in some positions but were going to use the Councils Staff bank to fill any vacant positions to ensure all staff were in place to start the season well.? 

Weed control activities will be undertaken in-house again this year.?? 

• The blue dye would be used?this year as it was well received pre-pandemic.? 

?Street Cleansing? 

• Business as usual.?? 

• We anticipated that the increase in footfall experienced last year (due to the pandemic – staycation) will reduce this year, this should ease pressure on our cleansing teams.? 
• Newbiggin: Cleansing routes ongoing within the area and in addition the Town Council have agreed to renew the partnership this year for 2 additional Seasonal operatives to carry out a variety of duties determined by the Town Council. The work on Newbiggin Beach to install a deterrent for windblown sand has been completed and we will be scheduling a clean-up of the sand within the Promenade area.? 
• Cambois and Sleekburn areas: cleansing routes were being followed; The Mechanical Sweeper was scheduled for the area week commencing the 21^st of March.? 
• A litter-pick and cleanse will be scheduled for Brock Lane, I will speak with SUEZ about vehicles leaving without securing there sheeting systems to prevent litter coming off the wagons when leaving the transfer station.? 
• Ashington: We have agreed new Zones with ATC with all areas now cleansed on a set day, we will be monitoring progress and monitor all areas with our Total Mobile LEQ inspections.? 

• Maple and Chestnut bin compounds, we continue to monitor the compounds as we have issues  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Details of the Ashington & Blyth Members Local Improvement Schemes for the period 2021-22 are provided for information only. 

RESOLVED Members noted the information.

To note the latest version of agreed items for future Local Area Council meetings (any suggestions for new agenda items will require confirmation by the Business Chair after the meeting)?

RESOLVED Members noted the plan.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 13 April 2022.

The next meeting would be held on Wednesday 13^th April 2022 at 4.00 p.m.

To consider such other business, as in the opinion of the Chair, should, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency

With agreement from the Chair, Cllr Nisbet raised a concern regarding the Blyth Beach Huts. The following was read out:- 

We recently wrote collectively to you about the Blyth Beach huts. We found your response disappointing. The Beach Huts in Blyth are being made inaccessible to local people because of the changes being made. Will you actively lobby Active Northumberland to look again at keeping these community assets accessible to local people for one off bookings? Not everyone can afford to block book the huts and while we welcome tourism into Blyth it mustn't be at the expense of local people.? 

??? 

Response? 

Active Northumberland had not made a firm decision on the availability of the Beach Huts for daily rental due to considerations regarding the national Covid-19 situation.? I can now confirm that the Beach Huts will be available for daily rental, this Summer, on the same basis as pre pandemic.?The Officers liaised with Active Northumberland and they have confirmed that the Beach Huts have only every been available for hire during June, July and August. 

Members felt it was still a concern as it’s stated that they were only used during June, July and August however it was believed that they used to be hired out daily all year round. They were hired out by different groups all year round and they had been an asset to Blyth Town Council for many years. 

The huts were built for the people of Blyth but there were now only 6 allocated to a daily rental and others were allocated to yearly rentals which made it difficult for people to book them. It was felt that they should be allowed to be booked all year round. It was hoped that Officers would look into it more and respond.