PINFOLD TAKES SHAPE
Work on the Pinfold Commemorative Seat has begun on the site of the former village pinfold.
Generous contributions and offers from Craig’s, the builders, and the Lamb family have provided stone. Craig’s prepared the site and is helping moving stone from their site across the road.
The seat will have a gated entrance [designed and built by Stephen Mather of Holburn] which will face the end of the new pathway constructed to service the Village Meadows development.
Pictured below is mason and wall-builder Ivor Scott at work before the temperature dropped too low for the mortar to set.
COUNCIL VACANCY
As a result of the retirement of Councillor Lesley Bradbury, who has served the community for several years there is currently a vacancy on Lowick Parish Council.
If you’d like to know more about the role of a Parish Councillor and the role of a Local Council please take a look at the National Association of Local Councils publication Good Councillors Guide or contact the clerk.
If you feel you have what it takes and wish to be considered for the vacancy please contact Ann Gold, the clerk as soon as possible. Applications will be considered at the PC meeting on 23rd January 2020.
PLEASE NOTE:-
In order to be eligible for co-option as a Lowick Parish Councillor you must be a British subject, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union; and on the ‘relevant date’ (i.e. the day on which you are nominated or if there is a poll the day of the election) 18 years of age or over; and additionally able to meet one of the following qualifications set out below.
a) Be registered as a local government elector for the parish; or
b) During the whole of the twelve months preceding the date of co-option, occupied as owner or tenant, land or other premises in the parish; or
c) Your principal or only place of work during those twelve months has been in the parish; or
d) You have during the whole of twelve months resided in the parish or within 3 miles of it
Please note that under Section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972 a person is disqualified from being elected as a Local Councillor or being a member of a Local Council if he/she:
a) Holds any paid office or employment of the local council (other than the office of Chairman) or of a joint committee on which the Council is represented; or
b) Is a person who has been adjudged bankrupt or has made a composition or arrangement with his/her creditors (but see below); or
c) Has within five years before the day of election, or since his/her election, been convicted in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man of any offence and has been sentenced to imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for not less than three months without the option of a fine; or
d) Is otherwise disqualified under Part III of the representation of the People Act 1983 for corrupt or illegal practices.
This disqualification for bankruptcy ceases in the following circumstances:
i. If the bankruptcy is annulled on the grounds that either the person ought not to have been adjudged bankrupt or that his/her debts have been fully discharged;
ii. If the person is discharged with a certificate that the bankruptcy was caused by misfortune without misconduct on his/her part;
iii. If the person is discharged without such a certificate.
In i and ii above, the disqualification ceases on the date of the annulment and discharge respectively. In iii, it ceases on the expiry of five years from the date of discharge.
COMMUNITY AWARDS FOR 2019
The presentation of COMMUNITY AWARDS 2019 was made an the annual Christmas Lights and Pantomime Evening in the village hall, just before Christmas.
The awards this year were presented to ANN GOLD and REBECCA MAITLAND.
Both recipients received several nominations, and the decision to present was made by the Parish Council at its November meeting.
Ann Gold has served the community for many years and is currently the Clerk to the Parish Council. She is also secretary of the Village Hall Committee and an active member of the Quilters Group. For many years she served as a Meals on Wheels deliverer.
Rebecca Maitland was a member of the Parish Council, and organised the bidding and delivery of the Bus Shelter project last year. She now works for the Glendale Agricultural Society in Wooler, whilst living in the village.
DOWN MEMORY LANE
The Heritage Group announces its first coffee morning of 2020 – on Wednesday 8th January, 10.00 until 12.00. Coffee, cakes and conversation.PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSULTATION
The Library Service is about to embark on a public consultation with the residents of Northumberland to help decide the future of library services provided by Northumberland County Council. This will cover both branch libraries and the mobile library service across the county as a whole.
The Library Service needs to be redesigned to
- clearly identify it’s priorities for future provision, ensuring that it is a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ service
- determine the most effective way of delivering those priorities based on evidenced and agreed need
- deliver the national framework of Universal Offers pertinent to local needs and wants
- contribute more directly to the County Council’s vision “To make Northumberland a county which you regard as a great place to live, and in which you can access the things you enjoy, whilst having the opportunity to learn and thrive”
We will be seeking the views of users and non users alike – to understand how they use the library service at the moment; what services are important to them; what are the barriers that prevent them from using it and how we can improve these services in the future.
Whilst it is envisaged that there will be a digital core to the service with a number of hub libraries that will offer the full range of services that contribute to the Universal Offers, we need to test out opinion on the whole of the service provision and community appetite for involvement.
There will be a media campaign to raise awareness of the consultation that will run from 18th December 2019 to 18th March 2020.
During this time, there will be a drop in information session at each library.
- 14 Jan – Alnwick 9-12
- 14 Jan – Wooler 1-4.30
- 16 Jan Berwick 1-5 17 Jan Widdrington 10 – 12 Corbridge 2-4 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan Guidepost 10-12.30 Morpeth 2-6
- 24 Jan Berwick 10-2
The consultation will include a questionnaire that will be available online, see link below, and in paper format from libraries with reply paid envelopes for our Home and Mobile library customers.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NCCLibraryConsultation
We have also created an email address, libraries.consult@northumberland.gov.uk, to receive submissions from groups.
Where there are specific concerns, we will attend interest group meetings. Findings from the consultation will form the basis of a report to Cabinet. We welcome your support to raise awareness of the consultation and encourage participation within your communities. If you require any further information, please contact Alison Peaden, Library Services Manager – details as follows: tel: 07966326743 or email alison.peaden@northumberland.gov.uk
SPEED FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER
