THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2012
848. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
849. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
850. POLICE MATTERS
851. DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST
852. PLANNING MATTERS
853. CORRESPONDENCE
854. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
855. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
856. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
857. CLERK’S REPORT
858. FINANCIAL MATTERS
860. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
PRESENT:- COUN J GRIGG (CHAIR)
Mesdames:- L Grigg & D Kelly
Messr:- N Kell
848. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been submitted and were accepted on behalf of Councillor A Jackson, J France, B D Ferguson & County Councillor M Nicholls.
849. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.
Matters Arising
Minute Number 842 – Resident’s Reports
The Clerk advised that she had received a reply from Trinity Medical Properties Limited they would extend the car park if it was at all possible. They assured the surgery would put up a notice in the waiting area requesting that patients did not park on the roadside outside of the surgery and also suggested an application be made to Durham County Council as Highways Authority for a yellow lining scheme. The County Council had responded to this explaining that they felt this would not alleviate the problems.
RESOLVED this issue continue to be monitored.
850. POLICE MATTERS
The Chairman welcomed the Police and the Neighborhood Wardens to the meeting. Officers John Seymour and Brian O’Connor had come along to the meeting. They covered the Trimdons, Sedgefield and Fishburn area and they confirmed the report made at the last meeting by Acting Sgt Gooden relating to the hub and spoke with control addressing reports to the nearest resource. Officers mentioned the voice connect and extension of the Neighbourhood Watch schemes. Progress reports were given by both the Police and the Street Wardens. It was noted that year to date there had been a reduction of 17% in incidents reported to the police and 34% in anti social behavior reports. RESOLVED the report be noted and the Police and Neighborhood Warden be thanked for their attendance.
851. DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST – REQUEST FOR A DISPENSATION
RESOLVED that a dispensation be granted to Councillors J & L Grigg, D Kelly and N Kell to discuss budget issues.
852. PLANNING MATTERS
(i) Installation of bio fuelled power plant incl means of access and enclosure, Land to the West of Salters Lane, (south of electricity installation), to the south west of Trimdon
Application Approved – for information
(ii) Erection of Stable Block, East Holdings Horse Close Lane, Trimdon Colliery for Mrs Readman – Application
(iii) Stables/Storage building with hardstanding & retention of access, land at Kelloe Bank west of Trimdon Grange for Mr David Scattergood – Application
RESOLVED that no comments be offered on these planning applications.
853. 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 £50.00 be made to both the Great North Air Ambulance and Royal British Legion;
(iii) the Parish Council’s grave concerns be expressed to Durham County Council at the mis classification of the roads in the village in the winter salting routes guide.
854. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
(a) Indiscriminate Parking – Luke Street
A Local Member reported that frequently vehicles were being parked in the middle of the street, prohibiting any access for residents, for long periods of time. She was concerned that this would stop the access of emergency vehicles if it was needed. It was suggested that residents should report this to the Police on the 101 telephone number. It was also reported that the pot holes had not been repaired. RESOLVED that this issue be monitored and the pot holes be re reported.
(b) Car Parking Across the footpath next to Tobin Street
It was reported that this vehicles was continuing to block pedestrian access to the footpath at this point in the village. RESOLVED that this be reported again
(c) County Councillor’s Report
County Councillor Nicholls had given his apologies but had spoken to the Chairman on various items including derelict sites and a site meeting had been arranged to consider parking at Luke Street.
RESOLVED the information given, be noted and progress be awaited.
(f) Chairman’s Report
The Chairman gave his report covering:
The need to increase the budget to cover floral displays in the village; seats being repaired at the cemetery; progress with the drainage works in the Recreation Area; progress with the Memorial Garden; concern at the changes in the bus services and routes; issue of horses being ridden in the recreation area – vandalism of the signs that had been erected; horses to the rear of St Aidans Terrace; buildings being erected next to the nature Reserve; works to fencing at the recreation area. RESOLVED a letter of appreciation be sent to the Trimdon Brass Band for their part in the Remembrance Day Service. FURTHER RESOLVED concern be expressed to Arriva on the changes to the bus services in the village.
855. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
There were several residents in attendance at the meeting and they gave the following issues for attention by the Parish Council:-
Proposed play area – request on progress; horses on the recreation area and problems with trees in a property next to the recreation area.
RESOLVED that problem with trees be investigated further.
856. 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.
857. 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) Boundary Footpath – Public Footpath No 27
This matter had been reported immediately following the last meeting. This field edge footpath was inspected by the Public Rights of Way Officer, Durham County Council, and it was found a section of the land next to part of the walked path had been ploughed over. Recent wet weather meant that the path was also covered with soil from the field. The ROW Officer spoke to the landowner about the matter and he told him it was a contractor’s mistake and would not happen next year. The ROW Officer was prepared to accept this but assured he would monitor the path in the Spring when the crops start to grow to ensure that the path is not encroached by crop. Members were not entirely satisfied with this solution but accepted it and assured that the Parish Council would also monitor this and feedback to the ROW Officer. RESOLVED this situation be monitored in the Spring.
c) Valuation of the Allotment/Garage Sites
A further progress report has been requested on the valuation work and assurances have been given that this was being attended to but to date no full reply has been received. RESOLVED this matter be actively pursued by the Clerk.
PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEM COUNCILLOR L GRIGG DECLARED AN INTEREST AS THE THIS WAS A FRIEND’S SON AND SHE TOOK NO PART IN THE DISCUSSION WHICH ENSUED.
d) Request to Rent a Garden
A formal application from the new owner of 19 Luke Street to have the garden transferred to him had been received. He had been under the impression that the tenure of the garden to the rear of the property would automatically be transferred to him. Member’s views were requested and it was reported there were currently 11 persons on the waiting list. RESOLVED:-
(i) this request be refused, along with the request received from Mr Underwood of 3 Luke Street;
(ii) Dennis Dowen be contacted and they be asked to remove any reference to gardens being available with properties for sale or rent by them, when the garden belonged to the Parish Council. (iii)that householders with their properties currently up for sale or rent, be contacted to advise they could not and should not offer the garden or garage plot they currently rent from the Parish Council, to a new owner/occupier;
(iv) an Allotment Working Party be held to consider current issues and make progress.
e) Gateway Signs
RESOLVED a further report be awaited.
f) Village Clock, former St Pauls Church
RESOLVED the clock be monitored.
g) Budget Setting
The Clerk gave several items for consideration when making preliminary decisions about the budget for 2013/14. They included:-Election Costs 2013 – a rough guide has been given that 25% be added to the last election costs; Council Tax Support Scheme and Review of Empty Property/Second Homes Discounts: Forecast impact on Town and Parish Councils. RESOLVED progress continue with the Parish Council’s budget setting process at the next meeting.
858. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i) Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the action taken in paying accounts totaling £4,492.91 be endorsed.
(ii) Bank Reconciliations
Members were circulated with the Bank Reconciliation for September 2012. RESOLVED that the reconciliation be accepted.
(iii) Budget Setting
• 2013/14 – Information from Durham County Council and CDALC
• Initial consideration of the budget for 2013/14
RESOLVED the following items be noted and included in discussions at the next meeting:- increase in the budget for floral displays; elections increase of 25% on costs four years ago and fencing and pedestrian access memorial gardens.
860. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 12th December 2012 at 6.30pm.