THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 14TH MARCH 2012

769. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
770. TRIMDON STATION ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL & PROPOSED CENOTAPH
771. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
772. POLICE MATTERS
773. PLANNING MATTERS
774. CORRESPONDENCE
775. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
776. CLERK’S REPORT
777. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
778. FINANCIAL MATTERS
779. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING

PRESENT:- COUN J GRIGG (CHAIR)
Mesdames:- L Grigg
Messrs:- B D Ferguson, N Kell, J France & County Councillor M Nicholls

769. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence had been submitted and were accepted on behalf of Councillor A Jackson.

770. TRIMDON STATION ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL & PROPOSED CENOTAPH
The Chairman welcomed Joanne Ashworth, Senior Project Officer, Groundwork North East to the meeting.  Copies of the Environmental Appraisal prepared by Mrs Ashworth were circulated for each Member.  Chairman suggested Members be given the opportunity to read the document and make comment at the next meeting, and this course of action was agreed.
As well as speaking about the Appraisal Mrs Ashworth also spoke to Members about the possible cenotaph/memorial project and offered several suggestions.  She also gave details of working in partnership with the Partnership on the Heritage Trail Project.  She had brought along photographs of several war memorials and mining memorials and showed a selection of local projects.  She suggested that the site of the former memorial garden which had already been improved with the car park fencing and she felt this could be developed further.
She asked what ideas did the Parish Council have for the project what level of expenditure they wished to make; what issues the Landscape Architect needed to be aware of.  It was agreed that if this was the preferred site a smaller/pedestrian gate to the entrance from the road needed to be added.  Mrs Ashworth advised that the Police can assist to “design out crime”. The Chairman asked if any Members had questions.  It was agreed community appraisal be considered at the next meeting.  In the meantime the Groundwork Landscape Architect would come out and visit the site and draw up some schemes.  RESOLVED further progress be awaited.

771. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.

772. POLICE MATTERS
The Chairman welcomed PC Rob Mellentham to the meeting.  He gave the statistics for the month he detailed the incidents of anti social behaviour, the majority of which were to do with youths throwing stones.  He gave progress with the youths being approached and their parents being visited.  The threat of the bus service being lost was very real and the Police assured they would work in partnership with the bus company to try and resolve this matter.
Details were given on parking issues around the village which the Police assured they would investigate.  Details were also given of dangerous driving.  RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.

773. PLANNING MATTERS
(i) Land to the Rear of Nattress Terrace – Progress Report
(ii) Neighbourhood Plans
(iii) Mill Cottage, Thornley Road – Garden room extension
(iv) The Paddock, Wingate Road, Trimdon – extension of stables

RESOLVED no comments be made on the details submitted but the Enforcement Officer be invited to attend the next meeting to speak to the Parish Council on outstanding issues.

774. 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 correspondence received since the last meeting be noted and received.

775. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
(i) Manhole Covers missing/damaged
It was reported there were two covers were damaged in the recreation area.  RESOLVED this be attended to immediately.
(ii) Fly Tipping
The fly tipping to the rear of Purvis Terrace had still not been removed.  RESOLVED this be reported again for clearing.
(iii) Policing Issues
It was reported that a four wheel drive vehicle had been seen driving dangerously around the village.  It was felt there was a lack of communication with the police, border issues and false boundaries still existed; there appeared to be a lack of integrated working; lack of Police presence.  The Local Member said he had contacted Durham Constabulary and he desperately wanted the situation to improve.  RESOLVED that the information given be noted.
(iv) Flower displays
It was asked that arrangements be made for the tubs and containers to be filled.  RESOLVED this work be arranged.
(v) Home Housing
Progress was requested with the play area proposal and the lease of land to achieve this.  The Clerk advised that she had not heard from Officers at Home Housing and that she would continue to chase this up.  RESOLVED that progress be awaited.
(vi) Leak Opposite Wood/May Crescent – Green area
It was reported that no action had been taken with this problem.  RESOLVED that it be reported again.

(vii) County Councillor’s Progress Report
County Councillor Nicholls reported that there had been many meetings taking place and cutbacks were getting worse, and would do so over the next five years.  The final report of the waste disposal recycling sites was due out.  He gave details of the “blight initiative” where areas had been assessed by Officers in order to determine priorities.  He was pleased to be supporting the improvement to the access/parking at the Primary School.  RESOLVED the information given, be noted.
(viii) Chairman’s Report
The Chairman advised he had attended a recent meeting on the future of Community Buildings.  He was extremely concerned at the future of the Community Centre and the Centre Worker and the work and value they have to the community.  It was agreed that the Parish Council looks favourably on the dedication and value of the Community Facility and it was RESOLVED the Clerk carry out a feasibility study on what role the Parish Council can play in to assist with the running costs of the building and assist in maintaining it and its future.

776. 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
Bowling Green
Valuation of the Allotment/Garage Sites
Health & Safety Issue
Cenotaph and village appraisal
Pit Pony Figure/Statue
The donation of £500.00 towards this work has been requested via Wheatley Hill Parish Council.
Anti Social Behaviour
Contract Renewal
Contracts have been returned to DCC for the summer and winter maintenance of the cemetery and recreation area.
Former Matt Watchman Site – Vermin Report
Bogus Callers
RESOLVED the information given, be noted and progress be awaited on the items given in the report.

777. 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.

778. FINANCIAL MATTERS

(i) Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the accounts as listed totalling £1,739.17 be passed for payment.
(ii) Bank Reconciliation – February 2012
RESOLVED that the bank reconciliation for the month of February 2012, be accepted.
(iii) Review of Fees & Charges – Consideration
RESOLVED the cemetery fees be increase by the rate of inflation from 1st April 2012.
(iv) Review of Risk Management & Internal Controls
RESOLVED the updated review be agreed and accepted.

779. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 11th April 2012.