THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON TUESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2013
PRESENT:- COUN B D FERGUSON (CHAIR)
Mesdames:- G E Elliott & L Grigg
Messrs:- G Elliott, J France & J Grigg
County Councillor L Hovvels
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
953. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
No apologies for absence had been submitted.
954. THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.
Matters Arising
(i) Minute Number 942(ii) – Grants & Donations Policy
It was asked that it be clarified if funding towards “day to day running costs” included wages costs. RESOLVED this be clarified and the policy be adopted accordingly with this amendment if necessary.
(ii) Minute Number 947(2)(e) – Public Walkway to the rear of Malvern Crescent
It was asked that this minute be amended to include to the rear of Malvern Crescent, Beach and Wood View along to the Wingate Boundary. RESOLVED this be amended.
(iii) Minute Number 947(2)(e) – Public Footpath, Windsor Street
It was reported the utility companies had assured this footpath would be fully re instated. RESOLVED progress be awaited.
(iv) Yellow lines
Details were given that the school road crossing patrol person, (at the junction of Malvern/Margaret/Horse Close Lane), was to retire shortly and would not be replaced.
(v) Minute Number 949 – Financial Matters – Accounts for Payment
There were several queries on the accounts paid and details were given to the meeting. It was suggested a session be held to consider and approve payments prior to the meeting. RESOLVED a session be held prior to the main meeting to examine and pass accounts.
955. POLICE MATTERS
Officers Nicola Bowman and Carol McCombe were in attendance at the meeting. A breakdown of the statistics was given, with 41 incidents reported in total since the last meeting. Good news reports were given for the area and also details of a scam involving “stop nuisance calls” that was a fraud, not backed by the Police, and warnings were given not to give bank details over the phone. It was reported PSCO Andy Robson was to be re located and replaced by PCSO Sarah Kinghorn. Details were given of the compilation of a “heat map” in relation to off road motor bikes and quads and the Police asked the public to make reports and give as much information as possible to assist in this work and detection.
The Chairman opened the meeting for both Members and residents to give matters of concern to the Officer. Issues with horses being ridden around the village, and buggys causing a danger and a nuisance.
RESOLVED the Officers be thanked for their attendance and support
956. PLANNING MATTERS
(i) Determined under delegated authority
Dr J Hancock West View Farm, Thornley Road
Two storey extension to rear, first floor extension & increase in ridge height of dwelling
RESOLVED the information given, be noted.
(ii) Approval granted
Mr A Miller Land West of Premier Court
Barn, (retrospective) including proposed erection of piggery & cattle shed
RESOLVED the information given, be noted.
(iii) Report of the Special Meeting held on 16th July 2013
957. CORRESPONDENCE
Consideration was given to a list of correspondence received since the last meeting, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member. It was agreed that Thornley Parish Council should be supported in their efforts regarding traveller encampments and activities. County Councillor Hovvells reported on the action taken and policies being applied by Durham County Council in this regard. The Chairman also gave details of a document which gave valuable guidance on dealing with illegal and unathorised encampments.
RESOLVED:-
(i) a donation of £100 be made to Trimdon Concert Brass Band;
(ii) the Parish Council gives its support to Thornely Parish Council on this issue of traveller encampments;
(iii) the relevant form be sent to the other parties applying for funding, as per the grants and donations policy;
(ii) The remainder of the correspondence be accepted.
958. STANDARD AGENDA ITEMS FOR PROGRESS REPORTS
Drainage issues
The Chairman advised that he had carried out a thorough site meeting and inspection of drains and areas during the recent very heavy downpour. Councillor Mrs G Elliott advised that she had residents from Windsor Street reporting issues with drains to her. The Chairman felt that the parish Council needed to prioritise and budget for the necessary improvement works to the drainage works in the recreation area. It was also pointed out the second stage of the works were still outstanding. RESOLVED this be considered at the time of setting the budget for 2013/14 and drainage issues be reported to Durham County Council for their attention.
959. FEASIBILITY STUDY
Members were circulated with a feasibility study prepared by the Clerk in connection with the provision of a play area in Wood/May Crescent, Trimdon Station. RESOLVED this be considered further at the next meeting.
960. REPORTS:-
(1) Chairman’s Report
The Chairman, Councillor B D Ferguson, reported he had attended the Universities Summer School in Oxford dealing with issues which included the locality Bill and the latest developments with the Town & Country Planning Act, Health & Safety Issues. He advised this had been very productive but very intensive and he had been able to establish direct communication with the Government on current pieces of legislation. He reported on the recent drainage issues. He expressed concern at cars using the roads in the village at high speeds. He then went on to discuss the issue of private landlords and the pressure that should be put on them to improve their properties. And what the Parish Council could do to improve the lives of the residents.
RESOLVED the contents of the Chairman’s report be noted.
(2) Member’s Individual Reports
(a) Councillor Mrs G E Elliott
Councillor Elliott reported the drainage issues given to her by local residents. RESOLVED these be reported to Durham County Council for attention.
(b) Councillor Mr G Elliott
Councillor Elliott asked if arrangements could be made to replace the dog waste bins at the end of Windsor Street. He also asked if further bins could be provided. The Clerk asked if he would prepare a list of areas so that a request could be made by the Parish Council for further bins. RESOLVED a list be awaited.
(c) Councillor J France
Councillor France reported that works were required to the footpath and entrance to the nearby Wingate Nature reserve. It was reported this had already been reported for attention. RESOLVED the information given be noted.
(d) Councillor Mr J Grigg
It was asked if arrangements had been be made to order grit and place out the additional grit bins, and had the locations been agreed. RESOLVED the costs be reported to the next meeting for approval. FURTHER RESOLVED the exact location of the bin in Cinnamon Drive be agreed at that time.
Councillor Grigg asked if the results of recent traffic monitoring were available. RESOLVED these results be requested.
Councillor Grigg thanked Councillor France and Elliott for their assistance in getting the football Team onto the pitch and playing their matches. He asked that further prices be obtained to achieve disabled access to the recreation area in replacing the kissing gate access and this be considered further. He reported on going problems with dog fouling. He also mentioned the access issues in recovering burnt out vehicles from the other side of the Parish Council’s land next to the recreation area. RESOLVED the items be attended to in the report.
(e) Councillor Mrs L Grigg
Items that she had to report had already been covered in the meeting.
(3) County Councillor’s Report
County Councillor Hovvels progress several issues on the Parish Council’s behalf. She had arranged and facilitated a meeting for local residents with the relevant Planning Officers. She had arranged for the road sweeper and for general footpath maintenance to be carried out in the village. She had arranged for “grumble sheets” to be issued to residents of St Aidans Terrace and she had picked up issues raised and hoped to be able to facilitate improvements in the area. She suggested she bring the relevant Officer to a future meeting to talk about how to bring pride back into the community and to help make a difference. She reported on the travellers, flooding issues, school crossing patrols, traffic issues including the 20mph zones being developed county wide and the re instalment of road markings being funded from her highways budget. In closing she assured she would continue with her efforts for the village. RESOLVED the information given in the report be noted.
(4) Resident’s Issues
Rear of St Aidans Terrace
The Residents reported that the meeting at Durham County Council had been helpful but for the moment everything was in a state of limbo waiting for the next draft of the Durham County Plan to see what the implications were for the village. The had met with the developers and would be coming back to them. A lot of people did not want to lose this area of green space and suggested it could be developed as a community area but the concern would be future maintenance and perhaps the Parish Council could support this. The issue of absentee landlords was discussed and again it was asked that the Parish Council strive to act as a pressure group with the County Council to get some positive action. He encouraged better communication between the County Council and the Parish Council as it seemed the Parish Council were “under the radar”. The Parish Council were extremely disappointed at this comment as they assured they worked tirelessly, and in a spirit of co operation with all of its partners, especially the County Council to get action for the village in many various ways. It was pointed out that on many past consultation documents and Plans etc the village did not even appear on the map and this was something that the Parish Clerk was working on rectifying with Ordnance Survey Mapping. RESOLVED the Parish Council continue to finds way to improve communication and feedback between themselves and the County Council on all matters and areas of concern.
(5) 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:-
1. Cemetery
2. Trimdon Gateways Signs – progress
3. Football Team – Progress
RESOLVED action taken in arranging these plumbing repairs at a cost of £140.00, be endorsed.
4. Re naming of the Parish Council- progress
The Clerk asked Members and residents for their feedback on this matter and suggested it be placed on the agenda again for the next meeting to consider more fully. RESOLVED this course of action be agreed.
5. Fireworks Display – Sunday 3rd November
6. Public Walkways
RESOLVED this footpath be identified as a future project and monies be allocated in the 2013/14 budget to prepare a scheme with the support of Groundwork North East.
7. Pay Award
RESOLVED approval be given to the payment of the 1% pay award to the Clerk, backdated to 1st April 2013.
8. Incident
9. Annual Return for the Charity Commission
This Annual Return would be completed as soon as the Audit files were returned by the Vice Chairman.
10. Updated Publications
11. Zurich Municipal, Local Council Advisory Service – Annual Seminars 2013
RESOLVED the action taken in reserving one place on this seminar to be held on 26th September 2013 for the Chairman to attend, be endorsed.
12. Neighbourhood Plans
Information was given on this matter.
RESOLVED endorsement of the action taken as detailed in the report, be given and the remainder of the report be accepted.
961. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i) Urgent Accounts – Signed out of Meeting
(ii) Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the action taken in paying accounts with cheque payments totaling £2,000.26 as urgent payments, and £3,785.15 presented at the meeting for approval, be endorsed.
(iii) Bank Reconciliations
Members were circulated with the Bank Reconciliations for July and August 2013. RESOLVED that the reconciliations be accepted.
(iv) Annual Return for the Year Ended 31st March 2013 – Approved
RESOLVED that it be noted the Audit had been returned with no issues raised.
(v) Medium Term Financial Planning & 2014/15 Budget Setting
Members were circulated with a copy of a letter from Durham County Council advising of reductions in local council tax support grant. RESOLVED these details be considered more fully when the budget was being set for 2013/14.
962. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed the next meeting be on Tuesday 15th October 2013 at 6.30pm, as agreed previously, a week later than usual.
963. 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 1960 AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION), ACT 1985.
964. MEMORIAL GARDENS SCHEME – PHASE II
Financial details of this project were reported along with the timescales now received from Groundwork North East. The project was due to start at the beginning of December 2013. RESOLVED progress be awaited.
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