THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 12TH DECEMBER 2012
PRESENT:- COUN J GRIGG (CHAIR)
Mesdames:- L Grigg & D Kelly
Messrs:- N Kell & B D Ferguson
861. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
862. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
863. POLICE MATTERS
864. PLANNING MATTERS
865. CORRESPONDENCE
866. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
867. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
868. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
869. CLERK’S REPORT
870. FINANCIAL MATTERS
871. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
861. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been submitted and were accepted on behalf of Councillors A Jackson & County Councillor Nicholls.
862. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.
Matters Arising
(a) Minute Number 845 – it was noted that this had been the first time the service had been held in the Community Centre. RESOLVED the information given be noted.
(b) Minute Number 849 – a site meeting had been held in relation to parking issues at Luke street, opposite the Drs surgery. It was suggested that DCC may be amenable to selling land for parking purposes but this would require the necessary consultation. These suggestions were to be given back to Trimdon Parish Council for their consideration. RESOLVED progress be awaited.
(c) Minute Number 853 – Correspondence
It was reported that following representations made by the Parish Council they had been successful in getting the main arterial road in the village re classified as a Category 1 for gritting purposes. RESOLVED the information given be noted.
863. POLICE MATTERS
Unfortunately both the Police and the Street Wardens were unable to attend the meeting that evening.
864. PLANNING MATTERS
The Chairman welcomed Mr Allum and Mr Russell from the Planning Section, Durham County Council to the meeting. The Officer had come along to speak to the Parish Council on any concerns they may have on aspects of the Local Plan recently published. Members explained their main concern and issue that needed addressing was access to transport, education, social deprivation the planners explained their looking at potentially suitable sites for housing under 1.5 hectares; the Chairman explained the parish did not need more houses. He spoke about derelict land and land not being developed in the village main issue was completing the housing sites that had been partially started. Members advised residents had been asking had the village been forgotten service wise? Members suggested what was needed was small industrial sites in the village which would provide work. The issue of absentee landlords was also one which caused many problems in the village and had been taken up with the Local MP Phil Wilson. The recent drainage problems were also given to the planners. The Officers assured they would take these concerns back to their colleagues for attention.
The Chairman thanked the officers for their attendance at the meeting and asked for feedback on issues raised.
865. 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) that the correspondence received since the last meeting be noted and received;
(ii) a donation of £70 be made to the Durham County Council Benevolent Fund.
866. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
(i) It was requested that the grit bin at the bottom of Windsor Street to be filled. RESOLVED this be actioned.
(ii) Parking on the Former Matt Watchman Site/land South of Rydale Court – corner was still an issue. RESOLVED this be monitored.
(iii) Issues with the utility works – former St Pauls Church
(iv) 20 mph hour speed limit progress was requested. RESOLVED the Clerk follow this up with the Police.
(v) It was asked that a traffic assessment of traffic speed in the village be requested. RESOLVED this request be made.
(vi) County Councillor’s Progress Report – derelict sites; gritting; donations to the luncheon club and Toothill Boxing Club,
(vii) Chairman’s Report
The Chairman gave his report covering various matters. He reported he had met with Phil Wilson MP on numerous issues; held several site meetings and reported pot holes in Malvern, Margaret and Windsor Street needed filling. RESOLVED the pot holes be reported.
867. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
The resident in attendance at the meeting asked for progress on the erection of signs in the recreation area and path way to the recreation area, and the Chairman gave a progress report. RESOLVED the information given be noted.
868. 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.
869. CLERK’S REPORT
Consideration was given to the Clerk’s report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and had matters in it relating to:-
a) Cemetery
b) Valuation of the Allotment/Garage Sites
c) Allotment Sub Committee
d) Gateway Signs
e) Memorial Garden Scheme
f) Maintenance of Playground & Equipment
RESOLVED:-
(i) a final report be once again request from the Valuation Office;
(ii) a rule be implemented that private renting tenants would be considered for a garden or garage plot, however, preference would be given to those buying a property in the vicinity or in Luke Street/Rodwell for a garden or garage plot;
(iii) in view of this the request received from the owner occupier of 19 Luke Streets that he take on the garden opposite the property be agreed and the decision made at last months meeting be rescinded;
(iv) contact be made with the Estates Section, Durham County Council, to advise of the Parish Council’s land ownership of the allotment garden and garage sites to try and avoid further ownership uncertainties;
(v) Endorsement be given to the fencing repairs that had been made at the memorial garden site at the cost as indicated in the report;
(vi) Progress with the gateway signage be awaited.
870. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i) Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the action taken in paying accounts totaling £3,060.39 be endorsed.
(ii) Bank Reconciliations
Members were circulated with the Bank Reconciliation for November 2012. RESOLVED that the reconciliation be accepted.
(iii) Budget Setting
RESOLVED a preliminary budget be considered with a 4% increase, but a final decision on the amount to be requested, be made at the January meeting when information in relation to the Tax Base would be known.
871. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 9th January 2013 at 6.30pm