THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON TUESDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2013

 

PRESENT:- COUN B D FERGUSON (CHAIR)
Mesdame:- G E Elliott
Messr:- J France
County Councillor Mrs L Hovvels

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

978.   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been submitted and accepted from Councillors Mr & Mrs Grigg, Councillor G Elliott and Councillor A Finkel Gates.

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

Matters Arising
Minute Number 169 – County Durham Local Plan – Session arranged for Friday 22nd November 2013, 5 – 6.30pm
It was noted that the Planning Officers were to have a session in the village on Friday 22nd November and Members and residents were encouraged to attend.  RESOLVED this be advertised on the Trimdon Times web site.

980.   POLICE MATTERS
The Police were present at the meeting and the Officer gave a summary of the statistics and incidents reported to the meeting.  The Chairman opened the meeting for any concerns to be given to the Police for attention.  Details were given of a shed alarm scheme and a request for a patrol for an area in the village that was suffering from anti social behaviour was made.  RESOLVED the report be accepted and the Officer be thanked for this attendance.

981.   COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM
The Chairman welcomed John Goldsborough from the Community Action Team who advised that they were currently coming into the village for an eight week period.  He was to go along to the residents meeting the next evening and intended going into detail on the type of activity that would be taking place.  He asked residents to let him know what their issues and problems were and then a plan would be put in place and then into action.  He advised that the Team was part of a new initiative and there had been an excellent response to their work already, but he did stress they could not achieve progress working in isolation and they needed to work with various partners.  The Chairman thanked Mr Goldsborough for his attendance and commented that he was delighted that such a Team had been established and was to work in the village to improve conditions for residents.  RESOLVED progress be awaited.

982.   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 the correspondence be accepted. 

983.   STANDARD AGENDA ITEM FOR PROGRESS REPORTS
Drainage issues

It was asked that the Clerk follow up previous reports made to Highways Action Line.  RESOLVED this course of action be followed.

984.   REPORTS:-
Member’s Individual Reports
(i)     Councillor France
It was asked if there had been any progress with the drainage problems next to Mrs Nibbs’ house.  He also reported the footpath from St Aidans Terrace needed tidying.  There had also been some fly tipping in the field to the rear of the Top Shop.  RESOLVED reports be made to the appropriate Departments.  

(ii)     Chairman’s Report
The Chairman, Councillor B D Ferguson, reported on the recent Remembrance Day Service and also on the recent theft suffered by the Parish Council.  RESOLVED the contents of the Chairman’s report be noted.

(iii)    County Councillor’s Report
County Councillor Hovvels reported she had been busy working with the CAT Team and was making a difference.  She confirmed she was to assist with the funding for the Gateway Project into the village and lighting at St Aidans Terrace however all of her Member’s initiative fund had now been identified and was nearly spent, with several projects carrying over into next year.  She reported on National Tree week and issues with Travellers that she was heavily involved in.  She encouraged residents to go along to the AAP Session at Sedgefield to be held on Saturday 23rd November 2013.

(iv)    Resident’s Issues

Environmental Improvements
It was asked what progress had been made with regard to hanging baskets and details were given by County Councillor Hovvels.  It was commented that the roads and pathways needed cleaning urgently.  RESOLVED a request be made for footpath and street cleaning.

Land sold and land purchase suggestion
It was reported that local land had been sold for grazing purposes.  It was asked if perhaps a strip of land to the rear of St Aidans Terrace could be purchased and converted into parking space for residents.  It was reported that the land ownership was still in question and this would not be possible.  RESOLVED the information given be noted.

Village Walk about
A local resident reported that he had been involved in the recent walk about with the CAT Team and he had confidence that this work and initiative would make a difference.  It was hoped progress could be made in determining the ownership of the land to the rear of St Aidans Terrace.  RESOLVED the information given, be noted.

Parish Council web site
A resident commented that he felt there seemed not to be an appetite for the Parish Council to have its own web site and he felt it would be a positive move to make the Parish more identifiable and could provide a valuable tool for residents to become involved and feedback into the Parish Council. The Clerk once again reported that the Trimdon Times web site supported the Parish Council and worked well, keeping the public advised and up to date.  She assured there was regular interaction with the public and there was also the Guestbook/comments section and that felt whilst a separate web site could be produced, she felt the Parish Council and its residents were served well by the existing site and at no financial cost at all to the Parish and its community.  There was a lengthy discussion on this matter and it was RESOLVED this be considered once again at the next meeting.

Request for Financial assistance
The mother of a local athlete expressed her disappointment that the Parish Council did not support her son on his recent trip to the WKA World Championships in Italy in October 2013, and she was delighted to report how well he had done, coming back with a gold medal.  She asked was there any way the Parish Council could commend this local youth and his Club and their fantastic achievement.  RESOLVED a letter of congratulation be sent to Jordan Williams and his Club.

(vii)   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 the cemetery, fireworks, Trimdon Gateways, Phase II Memorial garden Scheme, playground inspection and break in.  RESOLVED contents of the report, be noted.

985.   FINANCIAL MATTERS
i)       Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the action taken in paying accounts with cheque payments totalling £2,876.14 presented at the meeting for approval, be endorsed.

(iii)    Bank Reconciliations
Members were circulated with the Bank Reconciliations for October 2013.  RESOLVED that the reconciliations be accepted.

986.   MODEL STANDING ORDERS – FOR ADOPTION 
Members were circulated with details of the new Model Standing Orders issued by NALC which had been adjusted to reflect the impact of the localism Act changes.  It was suggested that all councils consider adopting or adapting their Standing Orders to provide them with a comprehensive set of Standing Orders to adhere to when meeting.  RESOLVED of the model standing orders that were shown in bold type be adopted as they were statutory requirements; those not in bold designed to help councils operate effectively, but were not statutory requirements, would then be amended to suit this Council’s needs and issued to all Members for their use and reference.

987.   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.

988.   MEMORIAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT – TENDER REPORT
This matter had been discussed in the open section of the meeting, the members of the public being encouraged to be involved and participate in the project.  The tender report had been circulated for each Member’s consideration and it was RESOLVED that the lowest tender received from Sustrains Landscapes, at the price as given in the report, be accepted.  FURTHER RESOLVED the votes taken at the meeting be collated and counted and the successful artist be invited to a future meeting to make a presentation.

989.   GATEWAYS PROJECT – SCORING SHEET
Members were circulated with details of progress with this project which was now with the Neighbourhood Funding Team as an application for funding towards the scheme.  RESOLVED the scoring be accepted and the contract be awarded to Mr A McKeowon.

990.   DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED the next meeting be on Tuesday 10th December 2013 at 6.15pm.