THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 10TH MARCH 2010

545. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
546. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
547. POLICE MATTERS
548. PLANNING MATTERS
549. CORRESPONDENCE
550. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
County Councillor’s Progress Report
Chairman’s Progress Report
551. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
552. ALLOTMENT WORKING PARTY REPORT
553. CLERK’S REPORT
554. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
555. FINANCIAL MATTERS
556. LANDSCAPE SCHEMES
557. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING

PRESENT:- COUN J GRIGG (CHAIR)
Mesdame:- D Kelly
Messrs:- B D Ferguson, J France, A Jackson, N Kell & M Nicholls

545. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been submitted and were accepted on behalf of Councillor Mrs L Grigg, (ill).

546. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.
Matters Arising
Minute No 537(iii) - Donations – British Red Cross and Playscheme
RESOLVED that no donation be made to the British Red Cross and the information given on the National Play Day, be received and the donation confirmed.

547. POLICE MATTERS
The Sgt Steve Hawkes gave an update on the crime statistics since the last meeting attended along with the annual figures.  He also reported on issues raised previously and on recent successful operations.  Sgt Hawkes gave a very positive report on work carried out with social landlords and then went on to explain the new Community Speedwatch Scheme, the Clerk referred to a recent e mail from Maxine Stubbs which she had circulated around the meeting.  PC Mellantham reported that the Police were to support a film club for young people at the Community Centre. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted and a request be made for the Community Speedwatch Scheme to be carried out in the village.

548. PLANNING MATTERS
The Clerk advised receipt of details of the following:-
Approval
Land Adjacent Station House, Dormer Bungalow & double garage extension for Mr G Elliott
RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
Planning Requirements
St Paul’s Church, Commercial Street, Conversion from Church to Dwelling
A copy of a letter from the Solicitors dealing with the sale of the property was circulated for Member’s information.  RESOLVED that authority be given for the Clerk to engage a solicitor to deal with negotiations on the future maintenance of the church clock on the Parish Council’s behalf.
Request for Support-Probe into Potential Wind Turbine Sites
RESOLVED that the letter be received.

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549. 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:-
(i)a donation of £50.00 be made towards Hartlepool & District Hospice’s 30th Anniversary & Victim Support;
(ii)the Parish Council support option two which would create a three-member Trimdon & Thornley division which incorporates all four Trimdon Villages; in going for this option it is important to stress that both parish councils should be maintained and each be allowed to keep it’s own identity and character;
(iii)the remainder of the correspondence, be noted.

550. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
EDFE – Wind Farm Funding
The Parish Council’s representative on this body reported on progress with funding applications.  It was to be re-branded as the County Durham Community Foundation and there had only been two applications made to date which were to be considered further. RESOLVED that the information given be noted.
Play Area & Smith Site
Progress reports were requested on these two items.  The Play Area was covered in the Clerk’s report and the Clerk reported on progress with the Smith Site.  It was confirmed that all reports were being made to DCC and that the next steps were being considered.  RESOLVED that progress be awaited.
Speeding Cars
A Local Member gave details of a car speeding though the village with no exhaust on it.  It was suggested if possible the registration number be taken down and given to the clerk to report to the Police.  RESOLVED that this course of action be followed.

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County Councillor’s Progress Report
Progress reports were given on the repair to the chicanes, replacement tubular fencing, traffic calming scheme at May Crescent, former Chapel site, double yellow lines.  He also reported that he had made a £5,000 contribution to the Youth Bus that would cover this area.  RESOLVED that the information given be noted.

Chairman’s Progress Report
The Chairman reported on various site meeting she had during the month.  He had walked the former railway line footpath and reported problems with dog fouling and fly tipping.  There was also fly tipping at the rear of Station Road East and it was asked that these be reported.  The cabin roof in the recreation area had been repaired and the various leaks would be repaired when the weather improved.  Concern was expressed at the state of the green areas in the village, particularly the one next to Malvern Crescent and it was suggested that an approach be made to see if a “No dogs and horses” sign could be installed.  The Chairman was also concerned at the cross border policing issues that were still apparent even with the establishment of the new Unitary Authority. RESOLVED that action be taken as detailed in the report.   

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551. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
Winter Maintenance Concerns
It was reported that concerns about the level of gritting carried out had been forwarded to Phil Wilson MP.  A copy of the reply received from Durham County Council was supplied to the Clerk outlining the way that gritting was approached over the recent spell of bad weather.  RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
Dogs
It was reported that security chips for dogs were available in Coxhoe and details of warden patrols etc was given.  RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.

552. ALLOTMENT WORKING PARTY REPORT
The Working Party had met before this meeting.  Items discussed included the need to identify exactly who was renting which plots; finding out who owns other areas identified as allotment gardens in the village; rules and regulations for the renting of plots – it was felt that those living outside the village should not be considered for garage plots; sub letting was definitely not allowed.  Specific items were – Mr Underwood had taken his fence down; Mr Raynor’s plot, (now vacant) could be split in two and offered for rent.  It was agreed that these meetings be held quarterly.  The Chairman thanked Councillors Mrs Grigg, Kelly and Jackson, along with the Clerk for their suggestions and for taking the time to meet.  RESOLVED that:-
(i)The Working Party be held every quarter and recommendations be reported back to all Members;
(ii)The rules be amended to include that any future enquiries for a garage plot not be accepted from those living outside the village;
(iii)The cost of renting a plot be considered further, in particular large plots;
(iv)The Clerk arrange for the immediate removal of a garage and abandoned car.
 
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553 .CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk’s report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, was considered under the following headings:-
Burials
Garage and Garden Rents
Home Housing – Proposed Play Area
RESOLVED that this matter be considered further at the next meeting.
Capital Works
RESOLVED that these works be approved at the costs indicated:-Works to Car Park entrance – Recreation Ground-£934.13
Tarmac Footpath at the end of Nattress terrace – £264.38
Overlay existing tarmac from roadway – £932.36
Obstructed Path to the Rear of Gatenby’s Store, Commercial Street
RESOLVED that once this obstruction was removed the Parish Council seek to register the pathway as a right of way.

554. 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.

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555. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i)Accounts for Payment                  
RESOLVED that the accounts as listed totalling £905.32 be passed for payment.

(ii)Bank Reconciliation – February 2010
The bank reconciliation was presented for February 2010. 
RESOLVED that the bank reconciliation for February be accepted.

556. LANDSCAPE SCHEMES
The Chairman asked for Member’s consideration of two landscaping schemes for the noticeboard area and the former memorial garden area.  The Clerk had contacted four landscaping firms in December about preparing proposals for this work and had only one scheme with costings returned.  A copy of this was shown around the meeting for consideration.  Members were agreeable to this work being carried out, subject to the appropriate insurance cover being provided.
RESOLVED that the proposals received from Ian Howe Landscaping Ltd of Washington at a total cost of £31,373 be accepted and this work be commenced as soon as possible. 

557. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED that the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 14th April 2010 at 6.30pm.


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