4. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
It was resolved that the Minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 10 December 2013 (previously circulated) be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

5. MATTERS ARISING
In respect of the planning application 7/20/0453/DM (Erection of dwellings at Briar Grove, Trimdon Village) the Clerk reported that she had been contacted by a resident of Briar Grove advising that a number of residents were objecting to this planning application as a result of increased traffic, and associated safety issues for children, and the lack of parking for the two new properties. The issue of whether the decision taken at the last meeting was on the assumption that the land in question was the current compound owned by livin and not the land adjacent to the compound was discussed. The Clerk read out the objections placed on the DCC Planning website, together with the response from the DCC Highways Department.

It was resolved that the location of the site be noted, however, the original decision to offer no comment on the planning application is to stand.

Accounts for Payment – the Clerk reported that Cheque No 403610 (paid to DCC for bedding plants) had been returned as the words and amount did not match. Cheque No 403616 (paid to A Delandre for Clerks Expenses) had been mislaid.

The Clerk reported that Lex Autolease had agreed to reduce the cost of the lease of the new van to £279.28 per month.

Paul Trippett advised that the family of Nick Portues had requested a private funeral, therefore, a wreath had not been sent on behalf of the Parish Council. A memorial service is to be held in 2014.

The Clerk reported that she had sent a letter to the occupiers of 19 Front Street South regarding the parking of their car on the road in front of the property. She had received no response to this letter. Following liaison with Durham Constabulary an Officer has visited the property and advised that if the occupiers continue to park on the road they will be issued with a Parking Ticket.

It was agreed that the above updates be noted.

6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following planning applications were submitted for consideration:

7/2013/0373/DM	Mr Ian Harper	1 Commercial Street	Replacement shop
		Trimdon Colliery	front

7/2013/0446/DM	Mr Gary Wilson	The Old Locomotive	Erection of 3 no.
		Horse Close Lane	dwellings
		Trimdon Colliery
7/2013/0509/DM	Mr & Mrs Heale	The Firs	Erection of Boundary
		Land North of	Wall
		58 Front Street North
		Trimdon Village

It was resolved that no comment be made in respect of planning applications 7/2013/0373/DM and 7/2013/0509/DM and that a letter be sent supporting planning application 7/2013/0446/DM.

7. CLERK’S REPORT
The following accounts were submitted for payment:

403617	Durham County Council	3,205.47	Bedding Plants
403618	Dean Whitelock	29.95	Protective Clothing
403619	St Albans Church	50.00	Donation to Pensioners Christmas Party
403620	MKM	83.88	Building Supplies
403621	Ian Quinn	223.84	Christmas Tree Lights
DD	PWLB	689.84	Mortgage on Cemetery Lodge
	Northern Tree
403622	Transplanters	1,417.20	Christmas Trees
403623	Durham County Council	1,789.61	Bitmac Patching Works
			Water Rates, Allotments, Trimdon
DD	Northumbrian Water	65.85	Grange
DD	Northumbrian Water	268.59	Water Rates, Allotments, Trimdon Village
			Water Rates, Allotments, Trimdon
DD	Northumbrian Water	29.40	Colliery
DD	Northumbrian Water	130.14	Water Rates, Cemetery Lodge
DD	Fleet One	178.16	Fuel
DD	Ford	379.86	Van Lease
DD	Carrs, Billington	162.56	Equipment
403624	CDALC	190.00	Clerk – CiLCA Mentoring Course
403625	D Jordan	180.00	Security – Skerne Playground
403626	Ian Quinn	63.00	Christmas Tree Lights
403627	Durham County Council	44.00	Trade Waste Contract upgrade
403628	HMRC	923.00	Tax & NI
403629	DC Pension Fund	663.79	Pensions
403630	Society of Local Clerks	165.00	Annual Subscription
403631	Anne Delandre	198.31	Clerks Expenses

DCC NOTIFICATION OF TAX BASE AND REQUEST FOR PRECEPT 2014/15

Confirmation has been received from DCC that the level of Local Council Tax Support Grant (LCTSG) for 2014/14 will be reduced by £2,661.01 in comparison to 2013/14. In order to maintain Council Tax at the current level ie a 0% increase the precept for Trimdon Parish would been to be set at £147,113.90. The official Precept Request for 2014/15 has to be returned to DCC by 31 January 2014 at the latest.

It was resolved that a Special Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council be arranged for Tuesday 7 January 2014 in order to set the precept for 2014/15.

LETTER FROM COUNCILLOR KEN BROWSE, CHAIRMAN OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS (NALC) CONCERNING LOCALISATION OF COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT GRANT (LCTSG)

Letter received confirming that NALC is meeting with CLG Minister Brandon Lewis MP on 26 November 2013 to request Government action for force billing authorities to pass on LCTSG to parish councils and not to introduce referenda/capping of precept increases. It was noted that DCC will passing on LCTSG to parish councils in 2014/15.

It was agreed that the above report be noted.

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO TRIMDON COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATION (TCCA)

It was noted that in previous years a financial donation of £15,000 has been paid to Trimdon College Association to assist with the running costs of the Association. The Clerk requested approval to make a payment for this financial year.

It was resolved that a financial contribution of £15,000 be awarded to Trimdon Community College Association.

DRAFT COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

The Clerk submitted a draft Complaints Procedure for consideration.

It was resolved that the Complaints Procedure be adopted and considered for review in December 2016.

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING – TRIMDON VILLAGE HALL

The Clerk advised that a request for additional funding of £4,000 for the financial year 2014/15 has been requested from Trimdon Village Hall. This would help to secure the position of a Caretaker following the withdrawal of funding from DCC. A discussion took place on the continued role of the Parish Council in supporting a number of community groups and whether consideration needs to be given to bring these groups together through a formalised Federation.

It was resolved that the Village Hall Association be notified that their request will be considered when the Parish Council sets the precept for 2014/15, however, they be advised that the Council is exploring how community groups can work together, including the possibility of developing a Federation to ensure that any future financial contributions achieves the maximum benefit.

DATA PROTECTION AND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COURSE

The Clerk advised the CDALC has arrange a training course on Data Protection and Freedom of Information to be held on 27 March 2014 at Shotton Hall, Peterlee.

It was resolved that the Parish Clerk attends the above training course.

COUNTY DURHAM ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS (CDALC) FUNDING FOR SECRETERIAT – PROPOSED CHANGES FROM APRIL 2016

Correspondence has been received from the Chairman of CDALC advising that DCC is to withdraw its financial support for the Association’s Secretariat from 31 March 2016. A Working Group is examining all options to ensure that the Association’s Secretariat can continue post

2016 and will advise in due course.

It was agreed that the above report be noted.

CONSULTATION ON NORTH EAST LEADERSHIP BOARD (COMBINED AUTHORITY)

A series on Consultation Events are being held to consider the proposal that the seven local authorities of Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland establish a more co-ordinated approach to important issues such affecting the whole regions such as transport, skills and attracting investment.

It was resolved that the Parish Clerk attends a Focus Group session.

FEEDBACK FROM TRIMDON VILLAGE ALLOTMENT SOCIETY MEETING

The Clerk advised that she had attended a recent meeting of the Allotment Society Meeting and the key points were:

• Alan Gressman agreed to take the post of Chairman
• The Society is able to contribute half of the cost of the pest control service required
• The Society is proposing to increase the annual fee to £25 at the next AGM

It was agreed that the above report be noted.

FEEDBACK FROM CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON

It was agreed that the inaugural Christmas Lights Switch On had been a great success and was a good platform on which to make this an annual event. It was suggested that once all costings are known, the Clerk submits a report on the financial implications in preparation for next year.

It was resolved that the Parish Clerk submits a report in due course.

REQUEST FOR NO BALL GAMES SIGN – DUNELM ROAD, TRIMDON VILLAGE

A request has been received from a resident of Dunelm Road that the ‘No Ball Games’ Sign be re-instated on the grassed area at Dunelm Road. It was noted that this land is not owned by the Parish Council, but is in the ownership of livin, having been transferred from the former Sedgefield Borough Council.

It was agreed that the above be noted and that the resident be advised accordingly.

8. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR PETER BROOKES

• DCC continues to have to make difficult decisions on proposed cuts as a result of financial constraints – currently under consideration is the closure of five Nursing Homes
• DCC has to make an additional £100M savings by 2017
• AAP Event – 842 voted at the event to distribute £85,000 of funding for 2014 – a number of Trimdon bids were successful
• Viewing Area – Councillors Brookes has pledged £8,000 funding and Northern Grid has pledged £4,000. The project is currently undergoing planning consultation
• Hope House Walkway – this is now complete, having secured some Central Government funding

9. QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
There were no members of the public in attendance.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

GEORGE STREET TO REAR GROSVENOR TERRACE – TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

Confirmation has been from DCC that the above road will be closed from Monday 16 December 2013 for a period of approximately five days in order to enable sewer repairs works.

It was agreed that the above report be noted.

REQUEST FOR WATER PIPE SERVICE

The Clerk advised that a request has been received from the owners of a property currently being built on land adjacent to 58 Front Street North, Trimdon Village for a water pipe service to be laid to the property over land owned by the Parish Council.

It was resolved that this request be granted, on condition that the ground is adequately re- instated.

TRIMDON JUNIOR SCHOOL CAR PARK

A meeting had taken place with representatives of the Parish Council, Trimdon Junior School, St William’s School and Durham Constabulary to discuss health and safety issues as a result of an increasing number of parents entering onto the school grounds/parish land in order to drop off and collect children. It was noted that it has only recently been established that the car park was on land in the ownership of the Parish Council and not DCC, as previously thought.

A number of suggestions had been considered to alleviate these problems and the most satisfactory solution proposed is to install gates at the entrance of the school that would be kept open (with the exception of two x 30 minute periods at the opening and closing of the school day) with the cost to be split four ways (Trimdon Junior School, St William’s School, Parish Council and County Councillor Peter Brookes).

A suggestion that part of Meadow Road be made ‘one way’ to assist further with traffic management is to be pursued with Durham County Council.

It was agreed that the above report be noted.

MANAGING THE FOREST ESTATE

DCC is currently commencing a programme of harvesting and management of its Forest Estate between January 2014 and March 2015 – this includes two woodland sites in Trimdon.

It was agreed that the above report be noted.

ENFORCEMENT NOTICE APPEAL – SITE AT OAK TREE BARN, OFF WATCH BANK, SALTERS LANE, TRIMDON VILLAGE

It was resolved that the Clerk contacts officers from DCC Planning Department and attends the appeal, if appropriate.

LAUREL CRESCENT, TRIMDON COLLIERY

It was requested that the Clerk investigates a complaint of overhanging trees at Laurel Crescent as these are scratching vehicles.

It was agreed that the above request be noted.

CHRISTMAS PHOTOGRAPHS

Malcolm Schofield had provided members of the Parish Council with photographs of the Christmas Lights Switch On.

It was resolved that a letter of thanks be sent for this kind gesture.

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 14 January 2014 in the

Community Centre, Trimdon at 7:00pm

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