Within their electoral review of Northumberland, the Boundary Commission propose linking Brinkburn and Hesleyhurst Parishes to the Longhorsley Division. In doing this, the Boundary Commission has ignored the opinion of the Parish Council, and all residents responding to the consultation, that the parishes should be linked to the Rothbury Division.
We the undersigned request that the Boundary Commission change its decision and link our parishes to the Rothbury Division.
There are clear reasons why the parishes should sit in the Rothbury Division. Our natural affinity is with Coquetdale. The Boundary Commission appears to be purely concerned with electoral equality across the County and takes little cognizance of our strong links historically, culturally, socially & economically. Our cultural and community identity, shared community provision and effective local government are with Rothbury & Coquetdale. Brinkburn & Hesleyhurst holds a key position as the main entrance into the Coquetdale Valley.
The benefits of Brinkburn and Hesleyhurst being part of the Rothbury Division include:
Health, Care & Well-being services. Our doctors, community hospital, respite and residential care, & other health services are situated in Rothbury.
Schools and Education. Nursery, first & middle school provision for the majority of our families is provided within Rothbury.
Emergency Action. Formal links for emergency provision. Rothbury was the central hub for the Coquetdale community during Storm Arwen and has developed an effective Emergency Action Plan a service offered to all of Brinkburn & Hesleyhurst.
Shopping, social &community facilities which for many are centred around Rothbury
Close Links with the National Park & Dark Skies. Part of Brinkburn & Hesleyhurst is within the National Park and we are proud to be linked to its Dark Skies initiative. Holiday accommodation within the Parishes is used by ‘dark sky’ tourists.
Transport & Highways provision. The B6344 is the spine that runs the length of the Coquet Valley and is the arterial link that services the communities within it. All of which is maintained and co-ordinated by NCC Northern Highways.
Employment. For those who work locally, they do this mostly within the Coquet Valley.
Local Government. The County Councillor for Rothbury strongly supports the people of Coquetdale. Local Government in the Longhorsley Division has few links if any with Coquetdale. Brinkburn & Hesleyhurst Parish Council is an active member of the Coquetdale Cluster of Parishes which provides the hub for collective Coquetdale matters.
Burial & Cemetery Provision: Joint burial arrangements with other Coquetdale parishes within the Rothbury Joint Burial Committee where local people are buried at the Rothbury Cemetery
Climate Change & Biodiversity: Topographically BHP lies within the Coquet Valley with similar flora and fauna. There is a keen interest in biodiversity and currently parishes within the valley including Brinkburn & Hesleyhurst are considering the development of a Coquetdale Climate Change and Biodiversity Action Plan.
There are few if any similar links between Longhorsley and Brinkburn & Hesleyhurst and therefore our view backed up by the evidence provided, is that a move into the Longhorsley division must have a profound detrimental impact on the daily lives of residents. Including Brinkburn and Hesleyhurst in the Rothbury Division would be popular with our residents and cement existing links.