THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2011
715. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
716. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
717. POLICE MATTERS
718. PLANNING MATTERS
719. CORRESPONDENCE
720. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
721. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
722. CLERK’S REPORT
723. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
724. FINANCIAL MATTERS
725. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
PRESENT:- COUN J GRIGG (CHAIR)
Mesdames:- D Kelly, & L Grigg
Messrs:- B D Ferguson, A Jackson & N Kell
715. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been submitted and were accepted on behalf of County Councillor M Micholls and Councillor J France.
716. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.
Matters Arising
(i) Former Chapel Site – it was reported the wooden supports had been installed to keep the metal harras fencing in place surrounding he former chapel site. RESOLVED that the information given be noted.
(ii) A site meeting had been held with the Enforcement Officer and a note was made of all of the sites in the village, environmental blackspots, that required action. RESOLVED progress be awaited.
(iii) Remembrance Day Memorial Service – it was reported that there had been positive feedback on the possibility of having a future Remembrance Day Service at the Community Centre and a visit was to be made on the 29th October 2011. RESOLVED that progress with this request be awaited.
(iv) Roundabout sculpture, it was reported that County Councillor Nicholls had offered to finance the majority of the cost of this work from part of his Neighbourhood Budget and it was asked if the Parish Council would contribute equally with Wheatley Hill Parish Council. RESOLVED that the Parish Council agree to contribute 50% of the shortfall of the cost of this work, in partnership with the County Councillor and Wheatley Hill Parish Council.
(iv) The Chairman asked for approval to identify locations, obtain and arrange to be planted planters throughout the village. RESOLVED that approval be granted for this work to go ahead.
717. POLICE MATTERS
One of the Street Wardens gave an update on the incidents reported to the since the last meeting. The Police had offered their apologies as they could not attend due to a road traffic accident.
Hilights of recent incidents were given and assurances were given that regular patrols would continue in the village. Attention was requested at the Aged Persons Bungalows next to Malvern/Margaret Terrace and the bus stop opposite Russell Crescent and rowdy nuisance in Rodwell Street. The Chairman gave Members updates on incidents in the village.
RESOLVED that the information given, be noted and issues be passed on to the Police.
718. PLANNING MATTERS
Approved Planning Application
74 Cinnamon Drive, Rear Conservatory, for Mr & Mrs Atkinson
RESOLVED the information given be noted and no comment be made.
719. CORRESPONDENCE
Consideration was given to a list of correspondence received since the last meeting, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member.
Arriva Bus Services
It was reported the 57B and 55 were to be removed as from January 2012. Various reports were made on buses not turning up.
RESOLVED:-
(i) A complaint be made about the bus services and progress be requested on the previous complaints made;
(ii) the information given be noted.
720. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
(a) EDF Windfarm Funding
It was reported that this fund was to be re named to NNB Community Benefit Fund and it was explained that there were few applications being received for funding, it was reported to the representative that this may be down to the restrictions being put in place in making an application for grant funding. A Local Member gave details on the income potential of these masts and of recent lobbying by objectors for other sites. RESOLVED that groups be encouraged to make applications to this funding body.
(b) Primary School
The Parish Council Member who was also a school Governor reported that the school had excellent results and was in the top four schools in the county. RESOLVED that a letter of congratulations be sent to the school.
(c) Proposed War Memorial
It was asked if Members would support the proposal to have a memorial erected in the village. Members felt this was an excellent idea and suggested perhaps questionnaires be circulated to residents on what they would like and where? Perhaps to have a public meeting was the way forward with this suggestion. There may be possible funding a memorial in the village for miners and soldiers, a cenotaph. It was felt a central location was needed and sites such as the former matt Watchman site were pin pointed. It was asked that the Clerk carry out a desk top study. The need to consult with the Diocese and liaise with the British Legion was also noted. The Chairman had already started the process by speaking to the British Legion on having a future memorial service at the Community Centre. RESOLVED the Clerk progress this matter.
(d) Bus shelter – Russell Crescent
An update was requested on this matter. RESOLVED that the Clerk seek a progress report on this item.
(e) Dirt on Roads
It was reported that there was an excessive amount of mud being deposited on the road through the Foundry past the top shop and it was worried that this would cause a serious skid risk. RESOLVED this be reported for action.
(f) Chairman’s Report
The Chairman gave his report which included the following items:-
He had attended the community buildings meeting at Murton Glebe Centre and it seemed there was an exercise of off loading the community buildings the Community Centre at Trimdon had been classified as being on the “A” list. Durham County Council seemed to be withholding monies for building repairs until these arrangements were finalised. It appeared that Community Buildings would continue to run but at a price. The draft version of the Community Appraisal report prepared by Groundwork was to be considered shortly. There was an empty garden reported opposite No 27 Luke Street and it was asked that this be included in the next site visit and consider its allocation to someone off the waiting list.
Consideration was requested of assistance towards the cost of transportation and carrying on the Luncheon Club.
BOTH COUNCILLORS MR & MRS GRIGG DECLARED AN INTEREST IN THIS MATTER BEING CLOSELY INVOLVED WITH THE LUNCHEON CLUB.
RESOLVED donation of £3,000 be made towards the Luncheon Club with the proviso that should things change with the funding towards the transportation then this be reviewed and possibly increased.
(xii) County Councillor’s report
Although unable to make the meeting Councillor Nicholls had given a progress report on various issues as follows:-
The walkway to the rear of Malvern Crescent was to be attended to; he reported that he understood the 55 Bus Service operated by ARRIVA was looking to remove this service as from January 2012. DCC were looking at ways that this could be reinstated. He was to look into progress with the bus shelter in the village that had been a problem for the resident that lived near to it in Russell Crescent. He was trying to assist in the arrangements for repairs to the Community Centre and also he was in contact with the Enforcement Officer on various issues considered during the recent site visit.
RESOLVED that the information given be noted and thanks be recorded for the efforts of the County Councillor on behalf of the Parish Council.
721. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
Boundary Review
A local resident explained that she had been approached to sign up to a petition on the proposed boundary review and she asked if Members could explain to her what this was all about. A Local Member reported that there were to be changes to the Sedgefield Constituency and he gave the details explaining that this would result in the number of MPs being reduced by around 50, the Member was thanked for his explanation. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
722. CLERK’S REPORT
Consideration was given to the Clerk’s report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member under the following headings:-
Cemetery
Maintenance of Playground & Equipment
Valuation of the Allotment/Garage Sites
Church Clock, St Paul’s
RESOLVED:-
(i) the public be asked for their feedback and comment on the proposal that the lock’s chimes would be silenced from the hours of 8pm until 8am;
(ii) the offer made by the Diocese to carry out the immediate repairs required to the clock, be accepted;
(iii) it be agreed that the Parish Council would continue to pay for the electricity supply to the clock and for the annual maintenance inspection of the clock;
(iv) it be made clear that the Parish Council did not accept any liability for the structure of the bell tower or sound proofing of the property and it be ensured that any future repairs to it would not be at the Parish Council’s cost.
723. 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.
724. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i) Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the accounts as listed totaling £2,701.73 be passed for payment.
(ii) Bank Reconciliation – September 2011
RESOLVED that the bank reconciliations for the month of September 2011, be accepted.
725. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 9th November 2011.