Minutes of the Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 14 June 2016 at 7:00pm.
Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, George Elliott, Margaret Elliott, Bernadette Oliver, David Smith, and Paul Trippett.
Anne Delandre (Clerk to the Council) was in attendance to record the minutes and County Councillor Peter Brookes was in attendance to report on County Council matters.
19. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Ian Quinn, Margaret Hughes, Keith Thompson and Julie Thompson.
Resolved that the above apologies be approved.
20. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
21. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public in attendance.
Resolved that the above be noted.
22. POLICING IN THE PARISH
Sergeant Alex Clarke forwarded his apologies that he was unable to attend the meeting as he had been called away on an urgent Police matter.
Resolved that the above be noted.
23. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 10 MAY 2016
It was agreed that the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 10 May 2016 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
24. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 10 MAY 2016
It was agreed that the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 10 May 2016 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
25. UPDATE ABOUT PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE MEETING HELD ON 10 MAY 2016
a) Proposed Medical Centre – The Clerk advised that correspondence has been received from Stuart Timmiss, DCC Head of Planning and Assets, advising that he is happy to investigate the issues raised regarding the possible relocation of the proposed Health Centre and that he is happy to discuss in detail if members would find this useful.
Resolved that a meeting be arranged between Stuart Timmiss with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman,Parish Clerk and Peter Brookes (County Councillor) to progress this further.
b) Update on Casual Vacancy – the Clerk advised that she is still awaiting confirmation from DCC that, following the expiry of the Notice of Vacancy, the requisite number of signatories to call an election have been received. In the event that this is not the case, then the position can be filled via the co-option process.
Resolved that the above be noted.
26. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a) Planning applications:
The Clerk advised that planning application DM/15/01714/OUT had incorrectly been placed on the Agenda. This application has already been determined.
Resolved that the above be noted.
27. FINANCIAL
a) Alan Brown, Alan Brown & Co (Accountants), the appointed Internal Auditor, attended the meeting to report on the Annual Internal Audit of Accounts 2015/2016.
He advised that there were no areas of concern, noting that there had been an increase in income of 2% and an increase in expenditure of 38%. At the end of the financial year there had been a surplus of income over expenditure of £3,795.
Resolved
1. That the Accountant’s report be noted and that the Chairman and Parish Clerk (as the Responsible Financial Officer) be authorised to sign the Annual Return for submission to the External Auditors.
2. That a Special Meeting be arranged to prepare a Business Plan to prioritise Council spending for the next three years.
b) Details of expenditure requiring payment by cheque were submitted.
Resolved that the payments be approved.
c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of payments made between 1 May 2016 and 31 May 2016
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.
d) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 May 2016 and 31 May 2016
Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.
e) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 31 May 2016. This was cross referenced with the Bank Statement.
Resolved that the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) be approved and the Chairman sign the Bank Statement as confirmation of the balance.
f) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Current Bank Account) for the period ended 31 May 2016. This was cross referenced with the Bank Statement.
Resolved that the bank reconciliation statement (Current Bank Account) be approved and the Chairman sign the Bank Statement as confirmation of the balance.
28. CLERK’S REPORTS
a) Report on Scarecrow Competition 2016 – the Clerk circulated a Report on the Inaugural Scarecrow Competition held across the Parish. More than 50 entries had been received and the feedback had been very positive. The entries were judged by Mike Dixon, Deputy Leader of DCC. The successful entries were:
1st Prize – Trimdon Village Community Infant and Nursery School
2nd Prize – Mayfield Stables, Trimdon Grange
3d Prize – Elaine Coulson, Harwood Court, Trimdon Grange
Resolved
1. That the above report be noted.
2. That the prize winners be noted.
3. That the Parish Council agrees to make this an annual event.
4. That a letter of thanks be sent to Mike Dixon for judging the entries.
5. That a letter of thanks be sent to all the entrants.
6. That a letter be sent to Trimdon Foundry Parish Council asking if they would like to consider hosting their own Scarecrow Competition next year.
b) Report on improvements to Trimdon Grange Cemetery – the Clerk submitted a report requesting approval for expenditure on specialist cemetery safety equipment. Two companies had visited the Cemetery and demonstrated their products and had provided appropriate quotations.
Resolved
1. That the above report be noted.
2. That the quotation received from Gravshore (based on the quality of the product and recommendation from a neighbouring Parish Council) be accepted.
c) Report on Cultural Event: October 2016 – the Clerk submitted a report requesting approval for expenditure to host a community event to be held within the parish. A series of productions (involving local residents and schools) will take place across the Trimdons between 20 October and 30 October 2016 and the event will be marketed as ‘Trimfest’.
Resolved
1. That the above report be noted
2. That the Parish Council agrees expenditure of £15,000 to host ‘Trimfest’ 2016.
d) Quotation for seats – the Clerk requested approval for expenditure to replace a number of seats to compliment the seats that were replaced during the last financial year.
Resolved that an additional five seats be purchased and the quotation from Broxap be approved.
e) Gemini Safety Consultants: Report on Water Hygiene Risk Assessment: Cemetery Lodge – the Clerk advised that a Legionella Risk Assessment had been carried out at Cemetery Lodge. The summary findings are that the current water system has a Risk of Priority 2 (Moderate). The report did, however, highlight that the water tanks in the loft and above the cylinder boiler are both contaminated and need cleaning.
Resolved
1. That the above report noted.
2. That quotations be obtained to replace the current heating and water system.
3. That the Clerk explores whether the Parish Council is entitled to Government funding towards the cost of the replacement boiler.
29. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Trimdon Grange Banner Association – a request has been received from Trimdon Grange Banner Association for a donation their attendance at the Durham Miners Gala on 9 July 2016.
Resolved that a donation of £350 be granted under the Local Government Act 1972 s.137
b) Great North Air Ambulance – a letter of thanks has been received from the Great North Air Ambulance thanking the Parish Council for their continued support and generous donation.
Resolved that the above be noted.
c) Trimdon United Juniors FC – a letter of thanks has been received from Trimdon United Juniors FC for the Parish Council’s generous donation and continued support.
Resolved that the above be noted.
d) National Joint Council for Local Government Services – the Clerk confirmed that staff employed under NJC conditions had been awarded a 1% pay award from 1 April 2016 and 1 April 2017.
Resolved that the above be noted.
e) Trimdon Brass Band – a letter of thanks has been received from Trimdon Brass Band for the Parish Council’s generous donation.
Resolved that the above be noted.
30. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE
• DCC Structure approved – separate Child and Adult Services established
• Teaching Assistants – issue has been very contentious. New contracts being issued resulting in pay cut. Staff offered one year’s salary and reduction in working week as compensation
• Gateshead MBC not progressing with combined authority – DCC currently still progressing
• 2 Labour Group Away Days planned – to discuss budget cuts for 2017/2018
• DCC passed motion ‘Fair Tax Mark’ to reward tax justice for companies working with DCC
• Looking at providing £30K capital to support Community Transport Scheme
• £9K available to support other capital initiatives across the parish
• Undertaking cycle ride to support Chairman’s Charity: Dementia Durham
31. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
• The Clerk was requested to liaise with DCC regarding the possibility of siting an additional Dog Litter Bin near the woodland close to North Moor Avenue
Resolved that the above be noted.
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