THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON TUESDAY 11TH JUNE 2013

PRESENT:- COUN B D FERGUSON (CHAIR)
Mesdames:- G Elliott & L Grigg
Messrs:- G Elliott, J France & J Grigg
County Councillor L Hovvels

931.   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been submitted and were accepted on behalf of County Councillor Nicholls.

932.   THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING & ANNUAL PARISH MEETING OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTORS, copies of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.

Matters Arising

(i)      Minute Number 918 – Election of Vice Chairman
RESOLVED it be noted that the Vice Chairman was Councillor A J Finkel-Gates, not Councillor Mr G Elliott as previously recorded.

(ii)       Minute Number 924 – Correspondence
RESOLVED places be also be reserved on the new Councillor Training for Councillors Mr & Mrs Eliott on 9th July 2013.

933.   POLICE MATTERS
The Police had attended but as there was a large public session it was RESOLVED their report be e mailed to all Members instead of delaying the Police Officer unnecessarily.

934.   PLANNING MATTERS
(i)      Proposed Housing Development
The Chairman welcomed representatives from Swan Property Consultants on behalf of Esh Property Services, the Planning Officer, County Councillor and local residents to the meeting.

He also welcomed local residents Martin Tully and Barbara Nuttall who had previously requested they be given the opportunity to attend and speak on this item on behalf of the “saveourfields.org.uk”.  Other local residents were also in attendance and as far as it was possible, were given the opportunity to speak at the meeting.
The Chairman advised that he understood residents were at the meeting to air their views and he assured he would do his best to allow them the opportunity to do just that.  He asked the developers to firstly the proposals of the development for the meeting.

The meeting was then opened up for a question and answer session.  The main points of which were:-

  • The need to consider existing empty properties that were difficult to rent/let;
  • it was felt very strongly there was not need for further housing development in the village;
  • The potential increase in traffic;
  • The drain on local services that further developments would have ie school places;
  • the lack of suitable levels public transport to support such a development.

It was outlined that the public consultation period came to an end on 26th June 2013 at that point the developers would decide whether or not to submit a planning application.  If a planning application was submitted it was assured a Special Public Meeting would be called by the Parish Council for the residents to speak and make their views known.  It was stressed however that the Parish Council were not the planning authority and could only give their comments on applications.

RESOLVED further developments with the planning application be awaited and a Special Meeting be called in consultation with the Chairman as and when necessary.

(ii)             Demolition & Erection of 12 Residential Properties at Ashley House, Thornley Road for Four Winds Care Home
Members were concerned on several issues relating to this application including the number of units; access/egress and traffic movement in and around the site; was the sewerage system adequate to support this development; parking and style of the development being in keeping with nearby properties.    RESOLVED a Planning Officer from Durham County Council be invited to come along to the next meeting to discuss this application in more detail.  In the meantime a holding concern be forwarded on the number of units proposed for the site.  (Ref PL/5/2012/033 on the web site)

(iii)    Land West of Premier Court, Barn (retrospective) including proposed erection of piggery and cattle shed for Mr Miller
Members were concerned at the potential for noise, odours, the correct disposal of sewage, vermin amongst other issues.  RESOLVED concerns be expressed on the noise and smells that would come form this development, and that it had been submitted retrospectively, and further information on the application be requested.

935.   EDF FUNDING
The Clerk explained Ms Brenda Dye, Fund Manager, County Durham Community Foundation had offered her apologies and asked for a brief from Members for her to come along to the next meeting.  Members wished to speak on the criteria used for funding applications and what was the process for applying for a grant for this area.  RESOLVED this information be forwarded to Ms Dye for the next meeting.

936.   CORRESPONDENCE
Consideration was given to a list of correspondence received since the last meeting, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member.  There were several further letters received which were reported to Members.

COUNCILLOR MR & MRS ELLIOTT DECLARED AN INTEREST IN THE REQUEST FOR A WAYLEAVE FROM POWER GRID AS THIS RELATED TO THE POWER SUPPLY TO THEIR NEW HOME, AND TOOK NO PART IN THE DISCUSSION OR CONSIDERATION OF THE ITEM.

RESOLVED:-
(i)      approval be given to the wayleave requested from Power Grid to lay an electricity cable along the grass verge on land as indicated in their plan;
(ii)     support be given if possible, to Jordan Williams to attend the WKA World Championships in Italy in October and a donation of £50.00 be made via East Durham Trust;
(iii)    the letter of thanks from Deaf Hill Ward Regeneration Trust be accepted and their request for future years support to be increased be discussed at the time of considering the budget for 2014/15 in November/December 2013;
(iv)    support be given to the local charity www.4lewis.com and a donation of £50.00 be made;
(v)     The remainder of the correspondence be accepted. 

937.   REPORTS:-

(1)     Chairman’s Report
The Chairman, Councillor B D Ferguson, reported he had undertaken a site visit around the village following the recent severe wet weather and was concerned at the number of drainage issues he had seen all around the village.  He was collating drawings from his archives and felt as the weather was undergoing changes for the worse he wanted to try and get an improvement in the drainage to cope with these future changes.  He made reference to the rubbish and litter to the rear of St Aidans Terrace.  He asked for further representations to be made about getting a traffic monitor in the village and pushing for the 20mph restrictions on Station Road.  In closing the Chairman made reference to the Health Care Group that he sat on for the North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals.  RESOLVED the Chairman’s report be noted.

(2)     Member’s Individual Reports
(a)  Recreation Area
It was asked that a request be made for the recreation area to be cut.  RESOLVED a request be submitted.  At this point the Clerk asked for approval to send a letter of appreciation and best wishes to the former Head of this Section, Mr John Lowes on his retirement.  RESOLVED such a letter be sent on behalf of the Parish Council.
(b)  Fencing – Horse Close Lane
It was reported that all of the fencing bar one section had now been repaired by Durham County Council.  RESOLVED the outstanding work be re reported.
(c)   Rear of St Aidans Terrace
It was reported that this area needed tidying as a matter of urgency.  RESOLVED this be reported once again for attention.
(d)  Dog Fouling
It was asked that a request be made for the Street Wardens to visit the village and carry out enforcement in the village against negligent dog owners.  RESOLVED this request be made.
(e) 
Public Walkway to the Rear of Malvern Crescent
It was reported that this walkway was badly overgrown and in need of repair.  RESOLVED this be reported to Durham County Council for attention.

(3)     County Councillor’s Report

County Councillor Hovvels explained that she would be representing her fellow County Councillors at this meeting and they would regularly appraise each other of issues current and relevant in the various Parishes that they all covered.  Councillor Hovvels outlined the various areas that she was responsible for and the current important issues that the Parish Council needed to be aware of such as the Welfare Reforms.  She offered to progress several issues on the Parish Council’s behalf on the speeding and traffic monitoring and 20 mph request and clearing of St Aidans Terrace.  In closing she commented she was looking forward to working in partnership with the Parish Council.  RESOLVED the report be noted.   

(4)     Resident’s Issues
Progress with the feasibility study on the proposed play area was requested.  The Clerk assured that she was working on this document and hoped to submit it to Members for their consideration soon.  RESOLVED progress be awaited.

(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.       Memorial Garden Scheme – Phase 2
3.       Gateways Scheme
4.       Request to use the Parish Council’s facilities to play football
5.       Re naming of the Parish Council- progress
6.       Register of Interest Forms
7.       Basic Parish Allowance for all elected Members
6.       Audit 2012/13
7.       Society of Local Council Clerks – Renewal of Membership
8.       Playground Equipment – Inspection

It was reported a request had been received requested via the Trimdon Times web site from the Men’s Team from The Royal that used to play on fields in the Recreation Area in the past.  They wished to play 11 a side football again in the recreation area.  Following consideration and discussion it was clear Members supported this request and were keen for the recreation area to be used more.  They asked for further investigations to be made into areas such as insurance cover, the use of the changing rooms/showers/toilets, the cost of goal posts and the Chairman offered to prepare a feasibility study into this use.  Other Local Members also offered to meet with some of the footballers and report back to the next meeting as time was of the essence for this to happen before the football season.

RESOLVED:-
(i)      the Parish Council renew the Clerk’s membership to the SLCC at a cost of £145.00;
(ii)     the request to use the recreation area to play football be agreed in principle subject to areas being clarified and reported to the next meeting;
(iii)    the remainder of the report be accepted. 

938.   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.

939.   FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i)      Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the action taken in paying accounts with cheque payments totaling £3,404.03 be endorsed.
(ii)     Bank Reconciliations
Members were circulated with the Bank Reconciliation for April & May 2013.  RESOLVED that the reconciliations be accepted.
(iii)    Finalised Summary of Receipts & Payments
Members were circulated with a final copy of the financial statement for 2013/14 for the Parish Council.  RESOLVED this report be accepted.
(iv)    Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2013 – To approve Section 1
Members were circulated with a copy of Part 1 of the Annual Return for approval.  RESOLVED the contents be accepted and the return be submitted to the Parish Council’s Auditors, BDO Stoy Hayward, for their consideration.

940.   DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING
It is suggested that the next meeting be on Tuesday 9th July 2013 at 6.30pm.