THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2013

883. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
884. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
885. POLICE MATTERS
886. PLANNING MATTERS
887. CORRESPONDENCE
888. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
889. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
890. CLERK’S REPORT
891. FINANCIAL MATTERS
892. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING

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

883. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been submitted and were accepted on behalf of Councillors Kelly and Kell.

884. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.
Matters Arising
Progress on the drainage scheme at the recreation area was given but works were outstanding from Durham County Council and improved mapping was required before the project could be completed. RESOLVED these issues be progressed so that the works could be completed.

885. POLICE MATTERS
Two PC’s attended the meeting and gave the statistics report with 63 incidents in total since the last meeting, 20 incidents which involved anti social behavior. Details were given of a recent series of incidents involving one location and Members expressed their concern at this type of crime in the village and it was asked if there could be a more visible Police presence.

RESOLVED the Officers be thanked for their attendance and views be fed back.

886. PLANNING MATTERS
There were no planning application details to consider but a letter had been received from Infinis a copy of which had been circulated to each Member. RESOLVED the information given be noted.

887. CORRESPONDENCE
Consideration was given to a list of correspondence received since the last meeting, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member. The Clerk advised she had also received an e mail form a resident about dog mess and she advised on the reply made. RESOLVED that the correspondence received since the last meeting be noted and received.

888. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
(a) Conduct at Meetings
A Local member reported that he had a member of the public visit him about a letter he had received from the Clerk regarding the expected conduct at Parish Council Meetings. It was explained that the Parish Council did not expect members of the public to be aware of how to conduct themselves at a meeting and it was appreciated that usually when members of the public came to a meeting it was to speak on an issue of concern to them and this could be emotive. RESOLVED that the Chairman explain the rules of conduct and the procedure to be followed to the public before a meeting starts so that everyone understood and were clear.

(b) Footpath along the boundary of the Recreation Area
The Local Member asked that this be progressed shortly with Durham County Council as the land owner had promised to re instate this path in the Spring. RESOLVED that the Clerk contact Durham County Council on this issue.

(c) 20mph Speed Limit – Station Road & Traffic Monitoring
Progress was requested on this matter. The Clerk assured she would take this up once again with the Police and Durham County Council. RESOLVED this request be made again to both the Police and Durham County Council.

(d) Grit Bins
It was asked if additional bins could be located at the Top of Cinnamon Drive, next to the school and at Watson Crescent, opposite the Top Shop. RESOLVED these be agreed and an order be placed for them.

(e) County Councillor’s Report
The County Councillor gave his report which covered various issues including his support in assisting vulnerable residents (as detailed in the Police report), various sets of fencing that required repair; wind farms; County Council Budget Cuts; Welfare Reforms; the re location of public health services; the advice line currently being taken forward; issues of travel concession passes and grants made to the Luncheon Club and Toothill Boxing Club. RESOLVED that the information given be noted and thanks be recorded for all of the support given by the County Councillor to the Parish Council and the residents of this Parish.

(f) Chairman’s Report
The Chairman gave his report covering various matters. He reported that the former Matt Watchman site had been tidied up; he advised that a local resident was still repairing cars at his home; and gave details on the street light repairs at the Recreation Area. He asked for approval from the Parish Council to pay for the maintenance of the CCTV system at The Community Centre and this was agreed.

RESOLVED the report be accepted and approval be given to the payment of the CCTV maintenance at The Community Centre.

889. 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.

890. 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
RESOLVED the action taken by the Clerk in making sure the snow was cleared to assist with a recent funeral, be endorsed.
b) Valuation of the Allotment/Garage Sites
c) Gateway Signs
Members were asked for their views on the design for the new signage and they asked if a pit wheel could be included. RESOLVED that this request be given to the sculptor.
d) Putting the Parish on the Map
RESOLVED this be considered further when all Members were present at the meeting.
e) Village Clock
It was reported the clock engineer came on site on 10th January 2013 and established that the main chime motor was faulty on the clock. It had now been reported the strike motor was failing due to its age and should be rewound in order to continue to work. Smiths report the faulty motor had no bearing on the previous work carried out in 2011. A quotation had been submitted for this work in the sum of £1,100. RESOLVED an order be placed for this repair.
f) Street Lights in the Recreation Area
g) Civil Parking Officers
h) No Horse Signs – Recreation Area
i) Gritting and Snow Clearing in the Village
RESOLVED the remainder of the report be accepted.

891. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i) Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the action taken in paying accounts totaling £1,404.64 be endorsed.

(ii) Bank Reconciliations
Members were circulated with the Bank Reconciliation for January 2013. RESOLVED that the reconciliation be accepted.

892. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 13th March at 6.30pm, it being noted that the next meetings were to be held on 17th April and 7th May 2013.