Minutes of the January Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 11 February 2014 at 7:00pm.
Present: Councillor George Elliott Snr. (in the Chair) and Councillors Sheila Appleton, Denise Davison, Bernadette Oliver, Ian Quinn, Paul Trippett, Eileen Dickinson, Margaret Elliott, Margaret Hughes and George Elliott .
County Councillors Peter Brookes and Lucy Hovvels and Anne Delandre, Clerk to the Council, were also in attendance and PC John Seymour (Durham Constabulary) was in attendance to present the Police Report.
Members of the public in attendance – Margaret Easdforth and Pamela Duddin.
1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillors Paul Trippett and Sheila Appleton declared a personal interest in the request from the MP regarding Mrs Norton, 19 Skerne Avenue (recorded under Any Other Business) and took no part in the discussion.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received and accepted from John Burton, Julie Thompson and Keith Thompson.
3. POLICING IN THE PARISH
PC John Seymour, Durham Constabulary, attended the meeting to give an update on the crime figures for Trimdon Village, Trimdon Grange and Trimdon Colliery.
The crime figures for the period 14 January 2014 to 11 February 2014 are as follows:-
| TRIMDON VILLAGE | TRIMDON GRANGE/COLLIERY |
| Burglary (Dwelling) – Nil | Burglary (Dwelling) – 1 incident |
| Burglary (Other) – 1 incident | Burglary (Other) – Nil |
| Criminal Damage – 2 incidences | Criminal Damage – 1 incident |
| Vehicle Crime – 1 incident | Vehicle Crime – 1 incident |
| Violent Crime – Nil | Violent Crime – Nil |
| Theft – 1 incident | Theft – Nil |
| Drugs – Nil | Drugs – Nil |
| Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) | |
| ASB Personal – 3 incidences | ASB Personal – Nil |
| ASB Environmental – Nil | ASB Environmental – Nil |
| ASB Nuisance – 2 incidences (youth related ) | ASB Nuisance – 2 incidences |
| (youth related) |
Sergeant Clarke gave details of the forthcoming Police and Crime Together (PACT) meetings and advised of an initiative targeted at cycle crime called Operation Spoke.
The Clerk outlined details of the initiative to carry out target hardening of the allotments.
Resolved that the Parish Council funds Option 2 (paint, perimeter signs and Smartwater) at a cost of £297.03
PC Seymour was thanked for his Report and left the meeting.
4. QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
There were no questions raised by members of the public in attendance.
5. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10 DECEMBER 2013
Resolved that the Minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 14 January 2014 (previously circulated) be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
6.PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following Planning Applications were considered:
| 7/2014/0008/DM | Land East of Amble Way | Prior Notification for |
| Trimdon Grange | agricultural storage | |
| Building | ||
| 7/2013/0518/DM | Park House Farm, Horse | Change of use of |
| Close Lane, Trimdon | agricultural land to allow | |
| clay pigeon shooting | ||
| 7//2014/0025/DM | 58 Front Street North, | Rendering of existing |
| Trimdon Village | rear extension |
Resolved that no comment be offered in respect of 7/2013/0518/DM and 7/2014/0025/DM but that objections be raised in respect of 7/2014/0008/DM as the proposed building may result in the increased activity of the rearing of pigs in the locality which the Parish Council considers to be inappropriate as it is so close to residential properties.
7.ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
The following accounts were submitted for payment:
| DD | BT | 80.36 | Telephone – Cemetery Lodge |
| DD | British Gas | 35.12 | Floodlights, Trimdon Play Park |
| DD | Ford | 395.69 | Van Lease |
| 403644 | Anne Delandre | 267.92 | Equipment Re-Imbursement |
| DD | BT | 62.67 | Telephone – Cemetery Lodge |
| DD | Carrs, Billington | 8.35 | Equipment |
| 403645 | CDALC | 9.20 | Publication |
| 403646 | School Benevolent Fund | 200.00 | Financial Donation |
| 403647 | W&JM Clifford | 37.00 | Gas Bottle |
| St Mary Magdalene | |||
| 403648 | Church | 45.55 | Electricity Charge – Christmas Tree Lights |
| 403649 | Anne Delandre | 34.20 | Clerks Expenses |
| 403650 | Paul Trippett | 13.00 | Batteries for Megaphone |
| DD | Fleet One | 128.70 | Fuel |
| 403651 | D Jordan | 186.00 | Security – Skerne Playground |
| 403652 | P Dinsley | 150.00 | Hire of Wood Chipper |
| Donation towards Commemorative | |||
| 403653 | Trimdon CCA | 5.00 | Plaque |
| Integrated Office | |||
| DD | Systems | 84.23 | Photocopier Service Agreement |
| 403654 | HMRC | 958.16 | Tax & NI |
| 403655 | DC Pension Fund | 663.79 | Pensions |
| 403656 | Spoilt Cheque | ||
| 403657 | Zurich Municipal | 964.09 | Van Insurance |
8. CLERK’S REPORT
PURCHASE OF SAGE PAYROLL AND SAGE ONE ACCOUNTS
The Clerk requested authorisation to purchase the above two items of computer software to improve the quality of the payroll and accounting procedures.
Resolved that the Clerk be authorised to purchase the software requested.
LETTER OF THANKS FROM SEDGEFIELD & DISTRICTCITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU AND REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL DONATION FOR 2014/2015
Correspondence has been received from Sedgefield & District Citizens Advice Bureau thanking the Parish Council for their donation for the current financial year and requesting a financial donation for 2014/2015.
Resolved that the above letter of thanks be noted and that the current level of funding (£2,500) be maintained for 2014/2015
QUOTATION FROM COMMUTAPORTS FOR REPLACEMENT OF PANELS IN BUS SHELTERS ACROSS THE PARISH
Following a recent incident at the Bus Shelter in Church Road, Trimdon Village quotations have been received from the company that install the Bus Shelters (Commutaports) for the replacement of the panels in this Bus Shelter and 7 no. broken panels across the parish.
Resolved that the quotation of £1,875 (and sets of glazing panels at a cost of £25 per panel, if required) be accepted.
QUOTATION FROM C.E. & C.M. WALKER FOR GRASS CUTTING CONTRACT FOR 2014
The Clerk advised that a quotation has been received from the current company (C.E. & C.M Walker) of £382 per cut for the season of 2014. It was noted that this represents no increase on the current charge.
Resolved that the quotation be accepted.
PARISH COUNCIL CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS GATES TO THE ENTRANCE OF TRIMDON JUNIOR/ST WILLIAMS RC SCHOOL
The Clerk reminded the meeting that the Council had previously agreed to partially fund the gates to the entrance of Trimdon Junior/St Williams RC School to help alleviate the problems encountered when children are being dropped off and collected by car.
Confirmation has now been received that the Parish Council’s contribution towards this cost is £338.44
Resolved that that Parish Council agrees to contribute £338.44 towards the cost of the installation of the entrance gates.
QUOTATION FROM CARRS BILLINGTON FOR THE PURCHASE OF 2 X 21” LAWNMOWERS
The Clerk advised that it is necessary to purchase two lawnmowers for the summer season. A quotation has been received from Carrs Billington of £1,090.00 per lawnmower, which is less than the current list price. In addition, the list price will rise from 1 April 2014.
Resolved that two lawnmowers be purchased at the current cost of £1,090.00 per lawnmower.
FINANCIAL DONATION TOWARDS A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE, TRIMDON COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATION
Trimdon Community College Association has recently purchased a Commemorative Plaque in honour of Tommy Clogg and a donation of £5 towards the cost has been requested from the Parish Council.
Resolved that a donation of £5 be made towards the purchase of the Commemorative Plaque.
9. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLORS PETER BROOKES AND LUCY HOVVELS
Durham County Counci l (DCC) is proposing a small increase (1.99%) in Council Tax – this will result in an increase of £33 for Band A properties – to help to continue to fund essential services
Over 10,000 people participated in DCC consultation on cuts in public spending and the County Council has been nominated for an award for its consultation process
Concerns were raised that a suitable business has not yet been found to replace the providers of the Post Office in Church Road, Trimdon Village when the current lease expires. It was noted that the Post Office has no plans to close this business but a replacement needs to be found as a matter of urgency. Clerk to progress arrangements for a meeting with representatives from the Post Office to raise this matter.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
LETTER FROM PHIL WILSON, MP REGARDING FENCING AT SKERNE AVENUE
Correspondence has been received from Phil Brown, MP, requesting that the Parish Council again considers a request from Mrs Norton, 19 Skerne Avenue requesting that a sturdier fence be erected to the rear of her property.
Resolved that the Clerk visits the site and if it is confirmed that the current fence is still adequate, that this request be refused.
REQUEST FOR FUNDING FROM TRIMDON GRANGE COMMUNITY CENTRE
A request was received from Trimdon Grange Community Centre for funding for the financial year 2014/2015. As a result of the Asset Transfer by Durham County Council the Community Centre is losing their Caretaker and is having to find more volunteers to assist with the running of the Centre.
Resolved that a donation of £4,000.00 be awarded to Trimdon Community Centre for the financial year 2014/2015.
VENUE FOR FORTHCOMING PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS
It was recommended that the current location, Trimdon Grange Community Centre, but used as a venue for the Parish Council meetings for April, May and June, when a decision be taken regarding returning to Trimdon Community College for the meetings held in the summer months.
Agreed that the above be noted.
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Resolved that the March Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council be held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 11 March 2014 at 7:00 pm.
APPROVED AS A TRUE RECORD
Signed …………………………………………………………….
Date ………………………………………………………………
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