Acklington Parish - Parish Council

Seven years ago Acklington Parish Council, in conjunction with Acklington Community Team, invited people living in the parish to express their views on a range of everyday issues. The response rate was remarkably high - around 87% of all households in the parish participated. The results helped to shape the Parish Plan which has formed the basis of much of the parish council's work since 2005.

While the Parish Plan continues to guide the work of the Parish Council, many of the objectives contained within it have now been achieved. Others continue to form part of the council's ongoing work. However, it is important that we keep in touch with what people are thinking. For that reason the Parish Council from time to time conducts short surveys to discover whether the issues that concern people today are the same as were identified in the Parish Plan or whether new and more pressing matters have emerged.

The views of everyone living in the parish are very important to us. Only by knowing what you are thinking can we be confident we are representing your views.

WHAT HAS THE PARISH COUNCIL ACHIEVED SINCE THE LAST SURVEY ?

Traffic calming measures for Acklington Village.

New public footpath into the main housing estate.

Resisted plans for a parachute club at Chester House.

New notice boards around the parish to improve communication.

Scaled back plans for holiday village at Bank House Farm.

New seating benches and flower tubs.

Continued financial support for Acklington Village Hall and St John's Church.

New play area established off Churchill Way.

WHAT DO THE COUNCILS DO?

THE ROLE OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

The parish council is a group of local people elected as community leaders to represent the views, opinions and interests of residents living in the parish. It is the first tier of Local Government. Councillors work voluntarily but the Clerk is paid for her work (between 5-10 hours per month) and provides all the administrative support required.

The Council meets on the first Tuesday of every other month (Jan / Mar / May / July / Sep / Nov) at 7.30 pm in Acklington Village Hall. Additional meetings are held as required. Our County and District Councillors usually attend the meetings to report on matters of interest and they often liaise with their respective councils on our behalf.

The Parish Council is a statutory local authority in its own right, having a wide variety of powers and duties conferred by many statutes and as such undertakes a vital role within the local government system. The Parish Council works closely with our County Council and other bodies to ensure the needs of the Parish and its residents are not overlooked.

Briefly the Council’s role can be described as follows:-
Executive:
The power of decision in accordance with statutory functions and duties.
Representation:
For example expressing views about planning issues and consultation documents both locally and countywide.
Promotional:
Taking the lead on issues affecting the interests of the area, eg. highways, footpaths, general maintenance, trees, etc.
Financial:
The power to raise a precept from the local inhabitants and make financial decisions which will benefit the community. The precept is collected with the Council Tax by the District Council. The Council’s income and expenditure is very closely monitored and the Accounts are audited annually by independent Auditors.

Parish Councils can run play areas; look after rights of way; provide seats and shelters; publish newsletters; support rural transport initiatives; provide allotments; give grants to local groups; comment on Planning Applications within the Parish – to name but a few of the issues they can deal with.

THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL

The County Council is responsible for:

Education
Social services
Strategic planning
Highways
Transportation
Libraries
Trading standards
Housing services
Environmental health
Leisure, culture and museum services
Recycling, refuse collection, street
cleaning
Parks, grass cutting, public toilets
Tourism, regeneration and business
development
Local planning and building control
Council tax and business rate collections
Housing and council tax benefits
Licensing
Elections and electoral registration

ACKLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Welcome to Acklington Parish Council’s Web Page

Here you can find details of what the Parish Council has been doing and what it is planning and hoping to do in the future. You can also, if you wish, ask a question, make a point or raise a subject for discussion at a Parish Council meeting.

The Parish Council meets on the first Tuesday of every other month (Jan / Mar / May / July / Sep / Nov) at 7.30 pm in Acklington Village Hall. These meetings are open to the public.

ACKLINGTON PARISH COUNCILLORS

To be eligible to be a parish councillor you must be at least 21 year old and either: be on the electoral register for the parish; or live within 3 miles of the parish boundary; or have your principle place of work within the parish; or occupy property or land within the parish. Parish Councillors do not have to be a member of a political party, and most Parish Councils are non-political bodies. Parish Councillors must act within the law and must sign a declaration to the effect that they agree to abide by a code of conduct.

The present councillors on Acklington Parish Council are as follows:

	Jeff Newton (Chairman) How did someone who was born and raised on Teesside find himself living in Acklington? Largely by chance it must be said, but after 10 years it feels like home. So much so I put up with an almost-daily commute to Edinburgh where I work for one of the Scotland's financial institutions. Not surprisingly my free time is limited, particularly during the working week, but I see the parish council as a way of making my contribution to the community in which I live. I have been a councillor for nine years and chairman for the last three. This has presented some interesting challenges but I'm fortunate in in being surrounded by supportive fellow councillors. Living in Acklington also offers excellent leisure opportunities which, along with the people, is what makes it such a great place to live. Weather permitting, the Newton family can often be seen heading out of Amble harbour in its little boat (bright red - you can't miss it) or sampling the ice cream at Morwick.
	Eddie Critchlow (Vice Chairman) I have lived in the Parish since 2001 with my wife Tracey. We live at Bank House Farm, Guyzance. I am a home worker, producing software for use in hospitals throughout the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and Malaysia. My interests include keeping fit, rugby, fishing and hillwalking. I am also a member of the Acklington Village Hall committee. I became a Parish Councillor to become more involved with Parish life. Hopefully I can contribute to making the Parish an even better environment to live and work for all.
	David Barras I live in Acklington with my wife and daughter. We have been here since 2006. I am a learning disability nurse and work in the management of Care Services in Tyneside. I enjoy the quality of life in Acklington and I am keen to see that continue. In my spare time I enjoy sport, walking and history. I am an active member of the Western Front Association.
	Garry Budge I have lived in the village for the last eight years having moved from the Midlands through my job in the Prison service. I have two children the eldest of which is currently studying at Newcastle University. My son is currently studying for his G.C.S.E.s at Coquet High school. I help with Sports Club in the village hall on Friday nights. In my spare time my interests are Walking, Gardening, Genealogy and rebuilding a 1982 Mini with my son.
Photograph to follow	Tommy Corson Information to follow
	Lesley Craig I have lived in the beautiful parish of Acklington for over four years and was inspired to become a parish councillor because I want the beauty of the area to be maintained and not eroded by over development and reduced residential occupancy. I am a secondary headteacher and so am keen to make sure that young people are catered for in rural environments with adequate facilities to keep them occupied. I enjoy all sport and attempt to play golf. I also enjoy walking with my two dogs, good food and the occasional glass of wine.
Photograph to follow	Ian Monkhouse Information to follow
	Gerry Orr I have lived in Acklington for over 22 years and have worked at Acklington Prison as a prison officer for 24 years. I have served on Acklington Parish Council for a number of years including spells as vice chairman and chairman.
	Alison Sharpe I have lived in Acklington for 20 years. I think I am very lucky to live in Acklington Parish, it may not be the most beautiful place in Northumberland but the people in Acklington Parish are fantastic. I am one of the founder members of Acklington Community Team and I am also a member of the Village Hall Committee. I am married with a daughter. I love to cook and I enjoy swimming.
	Leonard Welch I have lived in the area for the past 40 years. I have a great interest in horses, tractors, and all countryside affairs. As sell as being a parish councillor I also serve on the Rural Affairs Panel for Northumberland. My passion and hobby of "vintage tractors" takes me to all parts of the country where I (together with other tractor fanatics) help to raise money for various charities. I get involved with cutting grass verges in and around Acklington Village and I am always willing to carry out jobs which benefit the community.
	Log on to Acklington Parish Webmail (for councillors only)

OUR PARISH CLERK - Lisa Hamlin

I am the Parish Clerk to Acklington Parish Council. This is a role that I enjoy as I feel I can help make a difference to the residents of the Parish. The role involves being in contact with the residents directly, and indirectly through the Parish Council, and the Local Authorities to ensure that issues important to the residents are dealt with in the best way possible, from pot holes to speeding, planning issues to service provider issues. I am also Clerk to Felton, Thirston, Newton on the Moor, Swarland and Warkworth Parishes so have quite a bit of experience and a lot of useful contacts. I moved to Bockenfield from Newcastle in May 2003 with my husband. In my spare time I play golf, read, look after my two dogs and three cats and try to keep on top of the garden.

I can be contacted by email: lisa.hamlin@onetel.com
or by telephone: 01670 783 495

OUR REPRESENTATIVE ON THE COUNTY COUNCIL - Jeff Watson

Our Parish is in the Warkworth Ward of Northumberland and our representative on Northumberland County Council in Mr Jeff Watson. Jeff lives at:
     3 Brainshaugh Farm Cottages
     Acklington
     Northumberland
     NE65 9AE
     Telephone - 01665 575373
                    or 07554114933

A good way to contact Jeff is by Email:
jeffreywatson@northumerland.gov.uk

OUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT - Sir Alan Beith

Our Parish is in the Berwick-Upon-Tweed Constituency which covers around 1,000 square miles and is one of the largest constituencies in England. Our Member of Parliament is the Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Beith MP (Liberal Democrat)

Sir Alan Beith's contact details are as follows:

Constituency Office - 54 Bondgate Within, Alnwick, NE66 1JD
Telephone: 01665 602901
or 01289 330039
Email: berwicklibdems@yahoo.co.uk

Parliamentary Office - House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Telephone: 0207 219 3540
Email: cheesemang@parliam.ent.uk
Website: www.alanbeith.org.uk

ENID'S RETIREMENT

Mrs Enid Carr was the parish clerk for Acklington Parish Council for 22 years. The picture on the left shows Enid at her last meeting receiving a surprise retirement gift from the chairman of the Parish Council Mr Jeff Newton. To see more photographs of Enid's retirement, please click on the picture of her retirement cake below.

Send Us Your Views

If you wish to have an issue raised at a Parish Council meeting, or if you have any comments or queries on any aspect of what we do, you can contact the chairman Jeff Newton directly on 0771 248 6190 or by sending an e-mail to jeff_newton@standardlife.com

If you'd prefer, you can use the form below to send us your comments. We will respond to you by e-mail if a reply is expected. If you prefer to send your comments anonymously, simply leave the name and e-mail fields blank. Bear in mind, however, that if you do not provide a return address we will be unable to reply to any questions you pose.