THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 14th JULY 2010
592. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
593. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
594. POLICE MATTERS
595. PLANNING MATTERS
596. CORRESPONDENCE
597. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
County Councillor’s progress report
Chairman’s Progress Report
598. CLERK’S REPORT
599. PROPOSED BARRIER – LETTER FROM HEINE PLANNING CONSULTANCY
600. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
601. FINANCIAL MATTERS
602. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
PRESENT:- COUN J GRIGG (CHAIR)
Mesdames:- L Grigg
Messrs:- B D Ferguson, A Jackson, J France, N Kell & M Nicholls
592. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been submitted and were accepted on behalf of Councillor D Kelly.
593. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.
594. POLICE MATTERS
The Police gave an update on the crime statistics since the last meeting. Members were concerned that there had seemed to be no Police follow up following a local resident having a near miss accident when a motor bike had ridden past her in the recreation ground. An assurance was given that this would be followed up. It was also reported that there had been a lot on youths drinking in the recreation area and Member asked for an increased Police presence in the area. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted and the Officers be thanked for their attendance.
595. PLANNING MATTERS
The Clerk advised receipt of details of the following:-
Applications
(i) Proposed Detached garage
At 3 Russell Crescent
For Mr E Clemmet
(ii) Proposed 2 no semi detached and 1 no detached dwelling (resubmission)
At land adjacent 10 Windsor Street
For Mr B Ferguson
Approvals
(i) Proposed Change of use from Barn to stables
At Salters Lane, for Mr M Ayre
(ii) Proposed Dormer bungalow & garage
At Land adjacent Station House for Mr G Elliott
RESOLVED that the Parish Council’s concerns on access and traffic movement stand for the application relating to the resubmission of proposals for 2 semi detached and one detached dwellings on land adjacent 10 Windsor Street, and no further comments be made on the application details submitted.
FURTHER RESOLVED that should any urgent application details be received during the recess period a Special Meeting be held to agree the Parish Council’s response.
596. 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 donation of £550.00 be made to the CAB but a letter regarding the support and service currently given to the Parish Council be sent. FURTHER RESOLVED the contents of the remainder of the correspondence list, be noted.
597. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
Notice Board Area
EDF Meeting
A progress report was given following attendance at the recent meeting. Details were given of schemes that had been considered which included fencing to a walkway, that had been refused; Christmas lights which had been approved; cleaning of pond which was refused and ets clocks for pigeon racing which was approved. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
Changes to the Health Care System
A report was given on the changes that were taking place with health care in the North East which were agreed were facing a critical situation with what was seen as a massive reduction in the level of care in the community. RESOLVED that further developments be awaited.
Road Traffic Accident
It was reported that there had been a road traffic accident next to the Top Shop. It had happened at around 7.45 and fortunately the group of school children nearby had not been involved. It was suggested that a request be made for a site meeting to DCC. RESOLVED that a site meeting be requested.
No Ball Games Signs
It was requested that signs be erected on the greens at Malvern Crescent and next to Beach/Ash Grove. RESOLVED that a request be made for these signs to be erected.
Pit Pony – Roundabout
It was asked what progress had been made to replacing this damaged figure. An assurance was given that this had not been lost and discussions were being held with local schoolchildren and artists to commission a replacement. RESOLVED that progress be awaited.
Proposed Play Area – Wood Crescent
Progress with this matter was requested. The Clerk confirmed that she was to arrange to meet with a representative of Home Housing to progress this proposal. RESOLVED that progress be awaited.
Concrete Base of the former cricket pavilion
It was asked if prices could be obtained for these works to be considered. RESOLVED that prices be obtained.
Noticeboard Area
Members were pleased with the completed scheme but were worried that it may be misused by people on cycles running across it. It was suggested that this be monitored and if it was the case, then prices be obtained to put a low level post and rail fence around the area. RESOLVED that this course of action be followed.
County Councillor’s progress report
An offer was made for a contribution towards large speed signs for Tobin Street. Details were given on the Smith Site where an invitation had been made for a new planning application to be submitted. He was trying to get progress in funding works to the unadopted road at Windsor/Rodwell Street. Unfortunately there was a total of £60m of unadopted roads in the County. He advised that approval had been given to the yellow lines at Gatenbys. He gave brief details of the BSF and schools that had put in for Academy Status, where an objection could not be made. He explained that DCC was facing cuts of 25-33% for the next financial year. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
Chairman’s Progress Report
The Chairman reported on site meetings during the month. He was pleased to report that the street light to the rear of Rodwell Street/Windsor was now to be adopted by DCC. The pot holes had been filled in at the cemetery turning circle. The CCTV needed a new sensor and an order had been placed for the works. Paths from Foundry Mews were still not repaired. He asked that further investigations into who had removed the bollards at the end of Windsor Street. The former Matt Watchman site was still very untidy. The dog fouling situation seemed to have improved. He was sort out the keys for the recreation ground and he was pleased to report a local resident had been helping out with the opening and closing of the playground. He was concerned at the future of the community buildings in the County, particularly the Community Centre and on behalf of the Deaf Hill Ward Regeneration Partnership he thanked the Parish Council for their donation. RESOLVED that action be taken where appropriate.
598. CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk’s report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, was considered under the following headings:-
St Pauls Church
The Clerk advised that she had attended a meeting at 12 noon, on site on Thursday 1st July 2010 with the Church Commissioners, the Grays Chartered Surveyors and the purchaser. It had been asked again if the Parish Council would give consideration could be given to the chimes being silenced during the hours of darkness, 9pm until 7am. Following considerable discussion and consideration it was RESOLVED that a compromise agreement be suggested with the chimes being silenced 11pm – 6.00am. If this was not agreed then a public meeting be called to consider this issue further.
Burials
Audit Report
Consultation
Allotments/Garages
RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
599. PROPOSED BARRIER – LETTER FROM HEINE PLANNING CONSULTANCY
Members were circulated with a letter received from Heine Planning Consultancy regarding the height and width restriction barrier that was to be put in place by the Parish Council to prohibit unauthorized access to the recreation area. The Clerk had circulated a suggested reply for Member’s consideration. Concern was expressed following a recent road traffic accident and also the extension to the Top Shop it was felt made the hazard worse for both motorists and pedestrians alike. All bar one Member felt the barrier should go up. Again frustration was expressed that the person was not made to leave the site following the Planning Appeal decision being handed down last August 2009 and the lack of enforcement action was a huge disappointment. Reference was made to discussions at the informal meeting held in April 2010. It was suggested that advice given to the Parish Council from an Officer of Durham County Council be confirmed in writing. It was also agreed that the Parish Council should take this matter up with the Local Government Ombudsman.
RESOLVED that:-
(i) written advice be requested from DCC;
(ii) that the barrier be erected;
(iii) an appropriate reply be made to Ms Heine;
(iv) this matter be pursued through the local Government Ombudsman.
600. 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.
601. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i) Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the accounts as listed totaling £12,527.78 be passed for payment.
(ii) Bank Reconciliation – June 2010
The bank reconciliation was presented for June 2010.
RESOLVED that the bank reconciliation for June be accepted.
602. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED that a recess be agreed and the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 8th September 2010.
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