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

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

The Chairman welcomed members of the public and Members to the meeting.

941.   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
No apologies for absence had been submitted.

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

Matters Arising
(i)      Minute Number 934(i)   Proposed Housing Development

RESOLVED the minutes be altered to read: “The Parish Council  would, however, support the residents of the Parish and would do everything they could to assist them”, this would take the place of “They could however act as a pressure group and the Chairman assured the public of this village would be given their voice and he would make sure its voice was heard”.

Councillor J Grigg felt very strongly that the stance of the Parish Council was not recorded in the previous minutes.

It was felt until the planning application was submitted there was little else could be considered or any decision could be made.  It was agreed a Special Meeting be called to advise Members of the planning process.  It was stressed that the Parish Council should not be compromised in any way on this matter.

RESOLVED a Special Meeting be held with Planning Officers from Durham County Council to understand the planning process fully.

PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER COUNCILLOR L HOVVELLS DECLARED AN INTEREST AND TOOK NO FURTHER PART IN THE DISCUSSION WHICH ENSUED.

(ii)     Minute Number 936(ii) Donation – Jordan Williams, at the last meeting it had been agreed 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.  The Clerk advised that under the powers granted to the Parish Council under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, support for individuals was not eligible and therefore a donation could not be made.  RESOLVED a donation not be given in this instance as it was not permitted.

To assist with future consideration of such applications the Clerk had prepared for Member’s consideration a grants and donations policy along with an application form that could be used.  It was agreed that requests would be considered by the Parish Council as and when received rather than at one meeting.  RESOLVED this policy be re drafted with this amendment and submitted to the next meeting for approval.

943.   POLICE MATTERS
The Police were not in attendance at the meeting.

944.   PLANNING MATTERS
(ii)      Demolition & Erection of 12 Residential Properties at Ashley House, Thornley Road for Four Winds Care Home
It was reported that this application had been withdrawn.  RESOLVED that the information given be noted.

(iii)    Land West of Premier Court, Barn (retrospective) including proposed erection of piggery and cattle shed for Mr Miller
The Clerk gave further details on this application advising that local residents and County Councillor Brookes had withdrawn their initial objections on the application.  Members, whilst not feeling they now needed to object, asked that the number of animals kept on the site be closely monitored by the Enforcement Officers.  RESOLVED that this be communicated to the appropriate DCC Officers.

945.   CDCF FUNDING
Ms Brenda Dye, Fund Manager, County Durham Community Foundation to speak on the criteria used for funding applications and what was the process for applying for a grant for this area.
Ms Dyer gave a brief summary of what the criteria was and how to make an application for funding.  She felt it was relevant to explain where the money came from which included government funds, wind farm owners, companies, philanthropic business men/women.  Some donors may make stipulations ie to the areas their grants were to be used.   CDCF then apply their criteria in that the application had to be from a properly constituted group, then they consider the need for a project and what evidence there was the community was interested and the community involvement in the project, value for money with the project.  CDCF never funded projects that were in the pursuit of religion or politics; did not fund retrospectively; and one of the main reasons for rejection was an organization holding more than a years running costs in reserves.  She then went on to how to apply for funding and she clarified the process.  The Chairman opened the meeting up for a question and answer session which included issues including other Parish Councils being successful with applications; how could the Luncheon Club apply, Ms Dyer explained it needed to be classed as a separate entity with its own mini constitution and she encouraged all groups to do this.

The Chairman thanked Ms Dyer for coming along to the meeting to inform Members which had been very useful.

946.   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.

RESOLVED:-
(i)      the letter of thanks received from the local charity www.4lewis.com and following a donation of £50.00 being made be noted;
(ii)     The remainder of the correspondence be accepted. 

947.   REPORTS:-
(1)     CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Chairman, Councillor B D Ferguson, reported he had undertaken a site survey of the proposed football field and he felt the whole area needed attention especially the football field to bring it up to a playable standard.  Councillors J Grigg & G Elliott had met on site with the Team to discuss their requirements.  They were happy with the site and preparations had started on making it into a playable pitch with the Team being happy to help and carry out some of the works in time for the season.  The pitch needed to be cut and rolled, marked out and goal posts erected.  RESOLVED approval be given for these works to be carried out and the contents of the Chairman’s report be noted.

(2)  MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
(a)    Councillor A Finkel Gates
Accounts
It was asked that he be given the opportunity to review the past three years accounts.  RESOLVED these be provided to the Member in question.

Local Flooding
Councillor Finkel Gates reported he had visited a few local homes that had suffered from recent flooding and he had escalated the report made to Durham County Council to see what solutions they could offer.  It was agreed, as discussed previously that drainage throughout the village needed serious investigation.  Councillor J Grigg advised that the drainage works in the recreation area could now be completed as Durham County Council had resolved the outstanding issue.  RESOLVED that drainage issues be a permanent agenda item. FURTHER RESOLVED approval be given for the completion of this drainage work by the contractor who had carried out the initial stages of the work on behalf of the Parish Council.

(b)     Councillor Mr G Elliott
Councillor Elliott confirmed he had met with the footballers and had obtained two prices for the purchase and installation of goal posts.  Following discussion it was RESOLVED authority be given for the fields to be prepared and marked; the goal posts to be ordered and installed; and appropriate arrangements for the car park and changing rooms be made.  FURTHER RESOLVED that no charge be levied for this service as the Parish Council were prepared to fund sporting activity in their village.

(c)      Councillor Mrs G E Eliott
There was nothing to report from Councillor Mrs G Elliott.

(d)     Councillor J France
Councillor France reported that the bowling green had suffered from flooding for many years and this was not a new issue.
He asked that a further report be made that the public footpath to the top of the Recreation Area had still not be re instated, as had been assured by the farmer.  RESOLVED this be reported to Durham County Council.

(d)     Councillor Mr J Grigg
Street cleaning & weed killing

It was asked that a request be made for the street cleaner and the streetscape Teams be requested to attend to the kerbs and footpaths around the village that were looking untidy.  RESOLVED a report be made.

Fencing to the allotment site
It was reported that the other side to this fencing now needed replacing. RESOLVED approval be given for the repair of this fencing.

Enforcement of Double Yellow Lines
It was asked that the Civil Parking Enforcement Officers be asked to make visits to the village to enforce the double yellow lines on the walk to school route.  RESOLVED this request be made.

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.

(e)     Councillor Mrs L Grigg
Public Walkway to the Rear of Malvern Crescent

It was reported that this walkway was badly overgrown and in need of repair.  Rubbish needed clearing and there was fly tipping to the rear of Wood View.  RESOLVED this be reported once again to Durham County Council for attention.

Public Footpath Windsor Street
It was reported that local residents had asked that this footpath be fully re instated and rubbish cleared following recent building works.  RESOLVED this request be made to the builder.

(3)     COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
County Councillor Hovvels 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.  She had held a walk about with Officers and was to develop a multi agency approach to blitz the area and she wanted to reassure residents that issues would be addressed.  She asked that if they were not for residents to get in touch with her.   Councillor Hovvels had requested a community speed survey be carried out in the village and would report back to the next meeting with progress. RESOLVED the report be noted.   

(4)     RESIDENT’S ISSUES
Rear of St Aidans Terrace
Residents thanked the County Councillor for her assistance and they ask for reassurance and to see positive results in improving and regenerating the area.  They felt they had hit rock bottom with rubbish, fly tipping, vandalism and people not caring about their environment and where they live.  They felt it was time to put some pride back into the community.  The Chairman explained that social landlords could not be forced to join a licensing scheme and the issue was a difficult one.  Councillor Grigg reported the issue of private landlords had been one which the Parish Council had taken up numerous times previously with the Clerk and himself meeting with Phil Wilson MP in an effort to promote action in relation to private landlordsDuring discussions it was suggested what may assist in promoting action would be a Local Neighbourhood Plan and perhaps the Parish Council could take this on.  RESOLVED the County Council’s assistance be requested in drafting such a document.

Proposed Play Area
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 at the next meeting.  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 II
3.       Gateways Scheme
4.       Request to use the Parish Council’s facilities to play football
5.       Re naming of the Parish Council- progress
6.       Playground Equipment – Inspection & approval to do the works required
7.       Fireworks Display – Sunday 3rd November
8.       Gardens
9.       Planting throughout the village – approval for additional watering
10.     Wayleave Works
11.     Locks on the various gates at the Recreation Area
12.     VAT Refund
13.     Permission to change the date of the October Meeting to 15th October
14.     Proposed Play Area

RESOLVED endorsement of the action taken as detailed in the report, be given and the remainder of the report be accepted. 

948.   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.

949.   FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i)      Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the action taken in paying accounts with cheque payments totaling £6,542.31 be endorsed.

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

950.   DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed a recess be held for August and the next meeting be on Tuesday 10th September 2013 at 6.30pm.