Minutes of a Meeting of Trimdon Foundry Parish Council held on Tuesday 10th September 2019 at 6.30 pm in May Crescent Community House

080/19 Present:
Councillors Carole Bell (Chairman), Gail Elliott, Gary Elliott, Mike Gilvin, Brian Ferguson, Jean Loverance

081/19 Apologies:
Councillor M Lenehan-Ferguson (dispensation)

082/19:- In Attendance
County Councillor L Hovvels Parish Clerk Kate Holmes Three members of the public.

083/19 Notice of Motion
The notice of motion to call the meeting was proposed by CIIr C Bell and seconded by CIIr Gail Elliott. This was carried.

084/19 Declaration of Interest
CIIr Bell declared an interest in Agenda Item 10

085/19 Dispensations for Declared Interests
It was RESOLVED that CIIr Bell be granted a dispensation to participate in the discussion under Item 10, but not to vote.

086/19 Exclusion of the Press and Public
It was RESOLVED that the discussion of the proposed amendment to the annual AGAR return (agenda item 8, final part) would be of a confidential nature such that the Press and Public were to be excluded for this item.

087/19 Open Session

088a/19 Police and Wardens' Report
PCSO Foreman had supplied the usual report, which showed an ongoing reduction in reported incidents.

088b/19 County Councillor's Report
Cllr Hovvels provided a verbal report of the following:

• She had acted on all the matters raised at the previous meeting (July 2019).
• Richie Brown is in charge of the Community Wardens, and therefore the best contact for issues of fly tipping etc.
• Public consultation is underway about the future of the Skerne Medical Its future is in question, as its lease of the building will be due for renewal shortly. It was agreed that all present wish to keep it and the associated pharmacy in the village. This led on to discussion of the letter received from a resident complaining about parking and driving behaviour of those visiting the practice. It was noted that staff there are aware of the problem, and are actively encouraging good behavior.
• She had made contact with the recent victims of house fire to advise them
  how the Council could help. Many people are unaware that emergency
  accommodation or rehousing can be provided in such circumstances.
• It was noted that increasing levels of poverty in the community was encouraging use of food banks, and of clothing banks for school outfits.
• Further fly tipping in yards was noted during a parish walkabout before the house fire took place nearby.

 

088c/19 Public Participation
The representative from the Friends of Deaf Hill School and Community explained the request to be discussed under Item 10.

She informed the meeting that the Friends are seeking partnership funding for banners and/or A-frame noticeboards to deter inconsiderate or illegal parking of cars near the school. She was advised to submit a request to Sweety Sahani, Principal Private Secretary to Durham Police, Crime and Victims' Commissioner, who had encouraged such approaches in her meeting with Council Members prior to this meeting.

She also informed the meeting that an ice rink and snow machine have been hired for the school on Friday 29th November.

089/19 Minutes
It was RESOLVED to accept the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 16th July 2019 as a true record.

090/19 Policy Review
No new or updated policies presented.

091/19 Request to use Changing Rooms
It was RESOLVED to allow the Friends of Deaf Hill School and Community to use the Parish's container at the recreation ground.

092/19 Finance
It was RESOLVED to accept all automatic payments reported by the Clerk, as evidenced by initialling by the Chairman and a Member.

It was RESOLVED to approve all due payments reported by the Clerk, as evidenced by initialling by the Chairman and a Member..

It was RESOLVED to approve all the potential payments proposed by the Clerk, to the most appropriate supplier of goods or service identified, as evidenced by by initialling by the Chairman and a Member..

093/19 CCTV Provision in Playground Area
There has been no progress in provision of an electrical supply for cameras in the former bowling green area.
Cllr Bell suggested that she would visit a local supplier to investigate battery-powered cameras.

094/19 Planning
No applications had been received from within the Parish.

095/19 Chairman's Report
Cllr Bell reported that following repair and repainting, the fence along Station Road now looked very good. Cutting back of trees previously requested has also been carried out.

Trimdon Concert Brass Band leaves for the National Finals on Friday 13th September. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk should send a Good Luck card on behalf of Members.

It was RESOLVED to move the annual Christmas lights switch-on from its normal date of 1st December to Friday 29th November, to link it to the skating rink event at Deaf Hill Primary School. It was suggested that Kevin Mangles be booked as Santa with his sleigh to lead a procession from the school to the parish centre. The Clerk to contact him to arrange, and also to ask contact about provision of a burger van. The lights are to be permanent lights in an existing tree. Stuart Dunn of Coxhoe is possible electrician contractor for this.

096/19 Clerk's Report
Because of length of meeting so far, it was RESOLVED that members should review the Action List after the meeting and notify the Clerk directly of any concerns.

097/19 Councillors' Reports
Cllr Gary Elliott reported that he had obtained a price of £50-E60 to clear the hard standing and other refuse left in a vacated allotment. It was RESOLVED to have this work done, and then invoice the former tenant, as had been stated in previous letters.

A new litter bin is needed by the Samaritan Tree. CIIr Elliott will supply picture to the Clerk to order.

Clir Elliott has completed the repair needed to timber fencing, and has arranged for the vandalized strip of play surface to be filled in. It was noted that a fence panel from the playground had been pulled down and left.

Traps have been set for the rabbits in the cemetery.

CIIr Ferguson reiterated the Council's support for the continuing presence of the Skerne Medical Practice in the parish, and observed that parking behavior in the vicinity seemed to be getting worse.

Clir Gilvin confirmed that he had arranged places for himself and the Clerk on the forthcoming DCC WordPress and Accessibility workshops.

098/19 Samaritan Tree
Clerk's question online to Street Lighting team about power source had been closed unanswered. To pursue, via CIIr Hovvels if necessary.

099/19 VE Day 75th Commemorations — 8th May 2020
Letter sent recently to Deaf Hill Ward Regeneration Partnership about use of Community Centre. Response awaited.

100/19 Correspondence Received (*)
E-mails on the appended list were forwarded to online Councillors

101/19 Items for Future Agendas
It was RESOLVED that a forward plan of events is needed.

102/19 Exclusion of Press and Public
The Members discussed the former Clerk's employer pension contributions.

103/19 Close of meeting
The business of the meeting was concluded at 8.55pm.

These minutes were agreed as a true record at the meeting of Council held on 15th October 2019.

Signed:

(Chairman)