THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2009

506. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
507. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
508. POLICE MATTERS
509. PLANNING MATTERS
510. CORRESPONDENCE
511. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
County Councillor’s Report
Chairmans Report
512. Resident’s Reports
513. CLERK’S REPORT
514. “DON’T SEPARATE US WITH BOUNDARIES, VILLAGERS PLEAD”
515. PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING – WOOD VIEW, INITIAL CONSULTATION
516. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
517. FINANCIAL MATTERS
518. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING

PRESENT:- COUN. J GRIGG (CHAIR)
Mesdame:- L Grigg & D Kelly
Messrs:- B D Ferguson, J France & M Nicholls

506. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been submitted and were accepted on behalf of Councillor A Jackson & B Wilson.

At this point in the meeting the Clerk advised that she had the agenda for last month’s meeting sent to Councillor Anderson “return to sender not known at this address”.  The Clerk reported that Councillor Anderson’s most recent attendance had been at the AGM in May 2009 and therefore fell under the “six month rule”.  Under section 85 of the 1972 Local Government Act, a councilor vacates office if he/she fails to attend any meeting of his/her Council for six consecutive months after his last attendance, unless before the expiry of the period the Council approves a reason for his/her absence.  This had not been done.
RESOLVED that Councillor Anderson be disqualified from being a Member of Trimdon Foundry Parish Council by virtue of his non attendance.  FURTHER RESOLVED that the election procedure be initiated.
 
507. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.

508. POLICE MATTERS
The PC Mellentham gave an update on the crime statistics since the last meeting.  He also reported on issues raised at the last meeting.  In relation to speeding vehicles a comprehensive reply had been received from the Traffic Management Officer, Strategic Road Policing Unit, Operational Support Department, Durham Constabulary commenting on the issues raised. 
RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.

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509. PLANNING MATTERS
(i)Mr & Mrs Smith, Land at Wingate Road
The Clerk circulated at the meeting a letter received from Trimdon Station Resident’s Association.  Reports had also been made to the relevant authorities by the Parish Council on recent activities at the site.  County Councillor Nicholls advised on progress with the issue.
RESOLVED that the Parish Council support the Resident’s Association, a copy of their letter be sent to the Enforcement Officer and further developments be waited.

(ii)Waycot Convenience Store, Wingate Road
Members were advised that there was already had an outline consent on the land for residential development.  Mr Atwal is required to submit an application for Approval of Reserved Matters.  This was the detail of the development.  An application had been submitted but the applicant was advised to withdraw and re-submit after revising the drawings and had until February 2010 to do this.  The application would include details of the access arrangements.

RESOLVED that further developments be awaited and the Parish Council’s concerns relating to the unsuitable access to the site stand.

(iii)Dormer Bungalow, (re submission), Land Adjacent Station House, Elliott
RESOLVED that the action taken by the Clerk in objecting to this application on the grounds as expressed previously, be endorsed.

(iv)Beaumont Nursery, Wingate Road, Proposed Dormer Bungalow and Detached Garage
RESOLVED that no comments be made on this application.

(v)Blackthorne House, Thornley Road, Two Storey Rear Extension, detached double garage & gym (re submission)
RESOLVED that no comments be made on this application.


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510. CORRESPONDENCE
Consideration was given to a list of correspondence received since the last meeting, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member.  RESOLVED that:-
(a)a donation of £50.00 be made to the County Durham School Benevolent Fund;
(b)a donation of £25.00 be made towards the Royal British Legion;
(c)the remainder of the correspondence be received.

511. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
Footpaths next to the Fish Shop
It was reported that some of the footpaths had received attention but those next to the Fish Shop/next to Cinnamon Drive had not been repaired and were in a disgraceful state of repair.  RESOLVED that these paths be reported for attention.
Rear of Rodwell/Windsor Street
A Local Member asked that the large potholes in the road at this location be reported.  RESOLVED this problem be reported.

County Councillor’s Report - Various Matters
A progress report was given on various matters including the traffic calming measures at Wood View/May Crescent and the Smith Site.
RESOLVED that the information given be noted.
Landscape Project – Noticeboard and Former Memorial Garden Area
Councillor Mrs Grigg had met with a landscape firm to give input into a proposed scheme.  Arrangements had also been made for a further two firms to meet up and prepare schemes for consideration be the Council.  RESOLVED that the proposals be awaited.
Private unadopted Road
It was asked who was responsible for the road in between the paper shop and the Nursing home as it was in a poor state of repair.  It was understood that this road was un adopted and privately owned.  RESOLVED that investigations be made into this.
Public Walkway – Former Railway Line
It was reported that the entire length of this footpath through the village was constantly flooded and unusable.  It was suggested that contact be made with the Clerk of Wingate Parish Council as it was understood that they had had their walkways and paths improved.  RESOLVED that this course of action be followed.
Gritting
A Local Member was pleased to note from the Winter Maintenance Leaflet that the section of carriageway requested in the village had been included as a priority 2 in the gritting programme which was an improvement  in the previous year’s classification.  RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.

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Chairman’s Report
The Chairman advised on the various site meetings he had attended relating to the repair of fencing at the top end of the Recreation Area and the notice board getting repaired at Beech Grove.  He reported that the dog bin at Rivendell had been replaced and the grit bins were now placed out for the winter.  He commented on the area to the rear of Purvis Terrace, site of the former allotment gardens, that needed tidying along with areas next to the black path and next to Knorwood, and he asked for approval to get a price from the DCC to do this work.
He gave progress reports on the yellow lining and dropped kerbs.  He was still very concerned at the continuous problems with dog fouling on the main street.  RESOLVED that the items that required attention be reported and arrangements for these works to be added on to the existing winter maintenance contract with DCC.
 
512. Resident’s Reports
Mr & Mrs Smith, Land at Wingate Road
Concerns were raised once again with this matter.  RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.

513. CLERK’S REPORT
Trust Deed for the Recreation Area
The Clerk asked for confirmation of action taken in this regard in removing a section of land not related to the application.  RESOLVED that the action taken be endorsed and progress be awaited.
Contractors – Cemetery & Bowling Green
RESOLVED that arrangements continue with Mr Tully, (bowling green maintenance) and Mr Dinsley, (cemetery maintenance) for a further twelve months.
Site Meeting/Visit Tuesday 10th November 2009 with Officers of DCC
Garden & Garage Rents
In considering the sending out of this year’s rental demands Members discussed the issue of allotment/leisure gardens and garages.  They felt that in with the rules/tenancy agreement it should be stated that it was the Parish Council’s preference that the garden/garage went with the associated house.  If a person was to move out of the village then they would have to give up their garden/garage.  The cost and size should also be relevant.  It was suggested that an gardens/garages Working Party be set up to consider this issue in more depth and report back to the Council with their recommendations.  RESOLVED that a Working Party be established and the composition of this group be agreed at the next meeting.
Section 137 Appropriate sum level for 2010/2011
Play Area Inspection
RESOLVED the action taken by the Clerk in arranging for works listed in the report for attention, be endorsed.
Land and Footpath – Home Housing
RESOLVED that further developments with the site for the proposed play area and maintenance to the black path, be awaited.

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514. “DON’T SEPARATE US WITH BOUNDARIES, VILLAGERS PLEAD”

Members were circulated with a copy of a press article that had appeared in the Northern Echo and the replies in response to the article sent into the newspaper by the Chairman and his wife.  Members supported the action taken and agreed that this had caused such strong feeling as there had been no prior consultation with this Parish Council on the article before it was published.  It was felt to start up a petition and not to consult was not a demonstration of partnership working or positive communication.  It was generally agreed that all Trimdons should be one but not at the expense of losing village identity or either of the Parish Councils.  The view that Trimdon Station and Trimdon Colliery should be coterminous, as forwarded to the Commission, was re -enforced.
The press were to contact the Chairman for his right of reply and Members gave their support to him expressing the views as given at the meeting, on behalf of the Parish Council.   RESOLVED that this course of action be agreed. 

515. PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING – WOOD VIEW, INITIAL CONSULTATION

Members were circulated with the consultation on the draft proposals for the introduction of traffic calming at Wood View.  The effect would be to introduce traffic calming humps at the location given in the plan.  This was an initial consultation on the proposals only and should the scheme progress the Parish Council would be consulted again on the full contents of the Traffic Regulation Order as part of the statutory consultation process.  RESOLVED that no comments be made and progress be awaited.

516. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
IN VIEW OF THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED THE COMMITTEE PASSED THE FORMAL RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS & PUBLIC FROM THE MEETING, PURSUANT TO THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSIONS TO MEETINGS) ACT 1961 AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION), ACT 1985.

517. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i)Accounts for Payment                  
RESOLVED that the accounts as listed totalling £12,568.59 be passed for payment.

(ii)Bank Reconciliation – November 2009
The bank reconciliation was presented for November 2009. RESOLVED that this be accepted.

(iii)Estimates of Expenditure 2010/2011
The Clerk circulated for Members consideration a report to allow consideration of the setting of the precept for the Parish Council.  RESOLVED that a standstill budget be accepted and the precept be agreed to remain the same as last year at £60,414.00.


518. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED that the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 13th January 2010 at 6.30pm.


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