Amble Town Council#157
NCC COMMUBITYPARTNERSHIP MEETING
It was wonderful to welcome the NCC North Area & Castle Morpeth Area Joint Community Partnership Meeting to Amble recently. It was brilliant to see so many new connections being made between different areas of our county and their representatives. Thank you to Chair and Vice Chair, Cllrs. Gordon Castle and Nicole Brooke for hosting and the team at the Dovecote Centre for the venue.
Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Guy Renner Thompson shared an update on the progress of the construction of the new James Calvert Spence school building as well as highlighting opportunities for more partnership working to deliver youth services in our town and local area.
The NCC Director of Transport & Environment, Paul Jones talked about the coming resolution to the long-standing issue with Coble Quay Walkway and leader of the County Council, Cllr. Glen Sanderson discussed some exciting opportunities in the pipeline for Amble to unlock new funding and investment.
AMBLE LITTLE SHORE – BATHING STATUS
The Little Shore is one of 13 new sites across the country to be considered for official bathing water status, and the only one in the North East.
The government is proposing to increase the number of officially designated bathing sites, and has drawn up the shortlist from submissions which were put forward last year. A six-week public consultation phase is now live – Consultation on Designation of 13 Sites as Bathing Waters – Defra – Citizen Space
The 13 proposed new sites on the government’s list include beaches, rivers and coastal waters that are already popular with swimmers, reflecting growing public interest in outdoor swimming and connecting with local blue spaces.
DEVELOPMENT OF 3G PITCH
Amble Town Council and Amble Development Trust representatives recently met with leader of Northumberland County Council, Glen Sanderson, to look at solutions to bring forward the timeline for the development of the 3G pitch in Amble. The meeting was very positive with solutions proposed for Northumberland County Council to consider.
DEVELOPMENT ON THE BRAID
Members of Amble Town Council, Warkworth Parish Council, Amble’s County Councillors and members of the Amble Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group met with NCC officers, including Director of Housing & Planning, Rob Murfin, to receive an update on the changes proposed by Wynyard Homes to the scheme located on the land south of the Braid known as Braid Hill.
Rob Murfin explained that a new application would be subject to full appraisal and public consultation. He confirmed that the County Council would be able to refuse or approve any proposed change. Amble Town Council plays no formal role in the determination of planning applications other than acting as a consultee,. However we remain committed to facilitating public discussion and engagement surrounding this development and will continue to work closely with local stakeholders to enable this.
NORTHUMBERLAND LIBRARIES
You can help shape the future of Northumberland Libraries by having your say on:
• how you use libraries now (or why you don’t use them)
• what you think about our proposals (changes to what libraries offer, who delivers the library offer and the hours they are open).
Take part by completing the consultation survey
https://nland.cc/libraries-survey
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
There continues to be anti social behaviour blighting the lives of residents in the town, most recently vehicular anti social behaviour in and around Morrisons car park and the A1068. We are working closely with partners on these issues hoping to achieve a suitable resolution as soon as possible.
NEW PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
We are delighted to report that after years of lobbying Northumberland County Council for a safer crossing point on Percy Drive, nr Fontburn, that works are now finally underway to have this installed. We would like to pass on our thanks to the Councillors involved in making this happen and making this particular stretch of road safer for our community.
COUNCILLOR’S CORNER
Sunday 8th of March 2026 is International Women’s Day. The theme for this year is Give to Gain. ‘Give To Gain emphasises the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organisations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it is intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.’
Amble is incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful women in leadership across the community. On the town council we have four women councillors; Claire Connolly, Ciara Dawson, Kath MacColl and Jenny Richards. Our council is supported by the diligent and talented staff team; our Town Clerk Vicki Smith and admin assistants Suzanne Moore and Sue Fletcher.
Amble Development Trust’s Julia Aston has been a shining light for the regeneration of Amble. Her work to support and cherish the unique people and places of Amble continues to help Amble go from strength to strength.
Anna Williams, editor of our community newspaper The Ambler creates opportunities for everyone’s voice to be heard, including championing aspiring young journalists.
We owe a debt of gratitude to Lara Young and her excellent team Jo and Chloe for creating safe supportive spaces for the future of Amble.
Katrina Cassidy’s important work with the cadets also creates spaces of support and belonging for our young people
Thank you to Lynne Morelli and her incredible team at Amble Food Bank who work tirelessly to relieve food poverty in our community, without you we would be lost.
The custodians of arts and culture, Frances Anderson and Paula Turner give us inclusive creative space at Dry Water Arts.
Our Mad Jam Woman Sandy Higson has paved the way for women owned businesses and put Amble on the map for award winning food.
I also want to give a special thanks to Margaret Hedley who keeps our bin men, health centre workers and pharmacy staff fed with sweet treats and kind words of thanks for their hard work.
Finally, I don’t think I would be where I am without the women of this community. Thank you to the amazing female friends I have made here who show selfless acts of care, love and support every day. We would be nowhere without the Mams, Grandmas, child minders, shopkeepers, bakers, care workers, health workers, Sisters and Daughters.
To all the women of our community, we see your never-ending hard work, we thank you and we celebrate you.
Cllr Ciara Dawson
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