THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 9TH JANUARY 2013

872. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
873. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
874. POLICE MATTERS
875. PLANNING MATTERS
876. CORRESPONDENCE
877. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
878. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
879. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
880. CLERK’S REPORT
881. FINANCIAL MATTERS
882. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING

PRESENT:- COUN J GRIGG (CHAIR)
Mesdames:- L Grigg & D Kelly
Messrs:- A Jackson, J France & B D Ferguson

872. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been submitted and were accepted on behalf of Councillors N Kell & County Councillor M Nicholls.

873. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.
Matters Arising
It was noted that at the last meeting the suggested precept increase was 4% and not 3% as stated in the minutes. RESOLVED the amendment be noted.

874. POLICE MATTERS
Unfortunately both the Police and the Street Wardens were unable to attend the meeting that evening however the crime statistics were circulated for Member’s attention. These were considered and discussed. Further issues relating to crime were discussed later in the meeting. RESOLVED that the information given be noted.

875. PLANNING MATTERS
There were three applications that were outside the Parish Boundary however Members were given the details for their information. RESOLVED the information given be noted.

876. 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) the e mail from the Larger Free Cycle Network be forwarded to the Trimdon Times web site to see if it could be linked there.

877. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
(a) Crime in the village
A Local Member made reference to the crime statistics and to two recent burglaries. There was also discussion on vehicle crimes where vehicles had been stolen from business people. Details were given of off roaders with no lights on driving through the village along with motorbikes with no silencers. RESOLVED the information given, be noted and reports be made to the Police for attention.

(b) Lights at the Recreation Area
It was reported that all of the lights were now off and needed repairing. RESOLVED that the Clerk make arrangements for this to be done.

(c) Poor condition of the roads and gulleys
A Local Member expressed his concern at the poor level of road maintenance in the village, in particular the number of un attended to pot holes and also blocked gulleys. Other Members also reported issues with pot holes. RESOLVED these be reported for action.

(d) Enforcement of the double yellow lines on Commercial Street
It was asked if this could be reported for attention and action. RESOLVED the Clerk make a request for the civil enforcement officers to visit the village and patrol this area.

(e) Off Road Buggy/Quad Bike
It was reported a couple of youngsters were causing a nuisance riding around the village on a four wheeled buggy. RESOLVED this be reported to the Police.

(f) No Horses Signs – Recreation Area
It was reported that signs had been erected by the Parish Council on two occasions at least and they had both been vandalised. The Local Member reported issues with horses on main green areas in the village whereby when the riders were approached the only response was verbal abuse. It was accepted this was a difficult issue, especially in the light of current discussions around rights of way footpaths being possibly re named bridleways. It was reported there were three horses currently on the former Smith Site. Details were also given of issues with riders on highways causing a danger riding two abreast. RESOLVED further notices be erected in the recreation area and photographic evidence be taken to show they had been put in place.

(g) 20mph Speed Limit – Station Road
It was asked if this request could be made once again as this was a school route and the traffic speeds were felt to be dangerous. RESOLVED this request be made again to both the Police and Durham County Council.

(h) Chairman’s Report
The Chairman gave his report covering various matters. He advised that the drainage works were still unfinished as repairs were required by Durham County Council before the Parish Council’s drainage improvement scheme could be completed. Arrangements had been made to prune trees on the boundary of the recreation area next to Purvis Terrace.

He gave details of the recent vandalism attack on the noticeboard area, where he felt the two nearby street lights being off had assisted in covering up the crime. Another Local Member reported he had observed this damage and had made a report to the Police. He was disgusted at this attack. RESOLVED the report be accepted.

878. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
(i) Garden Rent
A Local resident attended and paid her garden rent.
(ii) No Horses Signage
The resident in attendance at the meeting asked for progress on the erection of signs in the recreation area and the drainage at the recreation area, and the Chairman referred to previous discussions on these issues.

RESOLVED the information given be noted.

879. 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.

880. 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) Valuation of the allotment sites
(c) allotment sub committee
(d) Gateway Signs
(e) Maintenance of the Playground equipment
(f) Putting the Parish on the Map
(g) County Durham Plan

RESOLVED the Clerk pursue getting Trimdon Station included on the ordnance survey map. FURTHER RESOLVED consideration be given to the name of the Parish Council at the next meeting as it was felt that the parish needed to re –affirm its identity.

881. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i) Accounts for Paymemt
RESOLVED that the action taken in paying accounts totaling £9753.50 be endorsed.
(ii) Bank Reconciliations
Members were circulated with the Bank Reconciliation for December 2012. RESOLVED that the reconciliation be accepted.
(iii) Precept Options – Budget Setting
RESOLVED the precept for 2013/14 be agreed at £68,442.40 representing a 4% increase on total income. FURTHER RESOLVED a notice be placed on the Trimdon Times and the noticeboard explaining the increase and reasons for it.

882. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 13th February 2013 at 6.30pm.