THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2010

603. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
604. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
605. POLICE MATTERS
606. PLANNING MATTERS
607. CORRESPONDENCE
608. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
Chairman’s Progress Report
609. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
610. CLERK’S REPORT
611. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
612. FINANCIAL MATTERS
613. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING

PRESENT:- COUN J GRIGG (CHAIR)
Mesdames:- L Grigg & D Kelly
Messrs:- B D Ferguson, A Jackson & N Kell

603. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been submitted and were accepted on behalf of Councillor J France & M Nicholls.

604. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING & SPECIAL MEETING OF THE 11TH AUGUST 2010, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved, subject to the declaration of interest made at the Special Meeting being amended to include that Councillor Ferguson declared an interest on account of him being a school governor.

605. POLICE MATTERS
The Police gave an update on the crime statistics since the last meeting. Members reported on a recent road traffic accident where a vehicle had been doing excessive speed coming from Wingate and there had been a head on collision at the t junction. It was asked that he yellow lines currently in place on the front street be enforced by the police. The police were asked for their support with this issue. Surprise was expressed at the response letters received from the police on the smith application. The beat officer confirmed that she had not been asked for her opinion/comment. Details were given on a motorbike that had been travelling though the village at very high speeds for the last two/three months. Details were given of two youths acting suspiciously in the early hours of the morning. The police stressed that reports must be made to them. It was reported that the anonymous post box available at the post office was to be reviewed as to date there had only been 2 or 3 letters ever received since its instigation. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted and the Officers be thanked for their attendance.

606. PLANNING MATTERS
The Clerk advised receipt of details of the following:-
Applications
(i) Proposed Stable Block
For Mr G Ashurst
At Land North of Luke Street
(ii) Proposed Application for a mobile home & associated general purpose building,
land East of Ashley House, Thornley Road for Mr Carr
RESOLVED that an objection be lodged on this application.
(ii) Proposed change of use to caravan site etc
For Mr & Mrs J Smith
At Land Rear of Waycott
Letter from Heine Planning Consultancy
Members considered the contents of the letter.
RESOLVED that it be discussed further at the next meeting.

The Clerk was concerned that the Parish Council’s response had not been posted on the web site. The Chairman assured the members of the public present that the Parish Council was doing everything within their power to object to this application. The application was to be considered by the Planning Panel on the 5th October and the Parish Council Chairman was to speak on the application.
It was stressed that the Parish Council would do all it could to protect the interest of the inhabitants of the village. It was agreed that a public meeting should be called and that the public deserved explanations from the relevant officers on this matter. This should be called before the application was considered by the Panel.

Approvals
Top Shop, Alterations to front and gable elevations (retrospective)
Mr Atwal

Detached garage, 3 Russell Crescent
Mr E Clemmet

Unit 2, Wingate House, front Street, change of use of basement area from storage to amateur boxing club
Mr Booth

2 no semi detached and 1 no detached dwelling (resubmission), land adjacent 10 Windsor Street
Mr B Ferguson

Refusal
Application for certificate of lawful use of mobile home & building,
land East of Ashley House, Thornley Road for Mr Carr

607. 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 the contents of the correspondence list, be noted.

608. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
Cemetery Lodge – Caravan
It was asked that contact be made with planning officers with regard to temporary permission granted for this caravan, that was still there. RESOLVED that the Clerk take this up.
Wimpey site
This was becoming an eye sore and it was asked that this be reported for action and attention. RESOLVED that this course of action be followed.
Mud on the Roads
Road sweepers were needed on roads through out the village. RESOLVED that a request be made for road sweepers in the village.
Footpaths – Foundry Mews
It was asked that another report be made on the condition of these footpaths. RESOLVED that a further report be made.
Traffic calming May/Wood Crescent
Progress was requested with this traffic calming scheme. RESOLVED that a progress report be requested.
Bus Trip
The Vice Chairman had taken part in the recent inspection of the Trimdons. He felt the visits highlighted how badly this village was being neglected. RESOLVED that the comment be noted.

Chairman’s Progress Report
The Chairman reported on site meetings during the month. He reported that the fencing around the sub station was an excellent job. RESOLVED that thanks be forwarded to NEDL for arranging these works.

609. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
Planning Issues
It was reported that many people were put off from making representations for fear of recriminations as their details would be posted on the web site.
The Chairman advised that he had made contact with the local MP and local County Councillors to ask for their support with this matter, and he shared residents concerns and that care should be taken to protect vulnerable people. Another resident advised of the petition supported by the Neighbourhood Watch which represented many residents.

Environmental Appraisal
It was reported that an environmental appraisal was being conducted by Groundwork East Durham and the Parish Council were invited to be included. RESOLVED that the Clerk make contact to arrange to have input in the survey.

It was commented that improvements to the village had been noticed. It was suggested that community litter picks should be arranged. The chairman reported on past initiatives and gave details of the Civic Pride Officers at DCC who could assist in arranging for litter picks.

610. CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk’s report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, was considered under the following headings:-
Cemetery
Fireworks Event – Sunday 8th November 2009
Road Traffic Accident
A site meeting to DCC was held on Thursday 29th July 2010; DCC were to come back with their suggestions on how to combat the problems of speeding traffic at this location.
RESOLVED that results of the site meeting be awaited from DCC.
Concrete Base of the former cricket pavilion
RESOLVED a further price be obtained for these works to be considered.
Memorial Gardens
RESOLVED the price from firm A in the sum of £3,475.65 be accepted to carry out works for a car park at the memorial gardens.
St Pauls Church
It was reported the sale had fallen though. The Church Commissioners had asked if they could meet with the Parish Council or its representatives to try and reach a solution to this matter. If this was not agreed then a public meeting would be called to consider this issue further. RESOLVED that progress be awaited.
Panel Repair to Fence at the Memorial Gardens
RESOLVED that the action taken in arranging for a repair, following vandalism a repair that was necessary at this site at a cost of £280.00, be endorsed.
Barrier
RESOLVED that these works be put on hold.
Noticeboard Area
RESOLVED that the use of this area be monitored.
Gatenby’s Shop – Progress
RESOLVED that the information on the progress with this matter, be noted.

611. 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.

612. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i) RESOLVED that the accounts as listed totaling £4,635.50 be passed for payment.

(ii) Bank Reconciliations – July & August 2010
The bank reconciliations were presented for July & August 2010.
RESOLVED that the bank reconciliations be accepted.

(iii) Audit – Annual Return for the year ended 31st March 2010

613. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED that a recess be agreed and the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 13th October 2010 and a meeting of the Allotment Working Party be called prior to the meeting.