Minutes of the March Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 11 March 2014 at 7:00pm.

Present: Councillor George Elliott Snr. (in the Chair) and Councillors Sheila Appleton, Denise Davison, Ian Quinn, Eileen Dickinson and John Burton.

Anne Delandre, Clerk to the Council, was in attendance and Sergeant Alex Clarke (Durham Constabulary) was in attendance to present the Police Report.

There was one member of the public in attendance.

1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Sheila Appleton declared a personal interest in the feedback in the request for additional fencing at Skerne Avenue, Trimdon Village (recorded under Clerk’s Report) and took no part in the discussion.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Paul Trippett, George Elliott, Margaret Elliott, and Margaret Hughes.

3. POLICING IN THE PARISH
Sergeant Alex Clarke, 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 11 February 2014 to 11 March 2014 are as follows:-

TRIMDON VILLAGE	TRIMDON GRANGE/COLLIERY
Burglary (Dwelling) – Nil	Burglary (Dwelling) – Nil
Burglary (Other) – 1 incident	Burglary (Other) – 2 incidences
Criminal Damage – Nil	Criminal Damage – 1 incident
Vehicle Crime – 2 incidences	Vehicle Crime – 1 incident
Violent Crime – Nil	Violent Crime – 2 incidences
	(both domestic violence)
Theft – Nil	Theft – 2 incidences
Drugs – Nil	Drugs – Nil
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) – 6 incidences	Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)– 8
	Incidences

Sergeant Clarke reported that Trimdon Village has seen a 17% fall in ASB from the previous year’s figures, whilst the Colliery/Grange has seen a 3% increase. Youth ASB has seen a

24% fall in the Village and a 58% fall in the Colliery/Grange.

The PACT priority for has been identified as Speeding for Trimdon Colliery/Grange and the County Council is installing sensor monitoring equipment for one week to monitor traffic speed.

Sergeant Clarke 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 14 FEBRUARY 2013
Resolved that the Minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 14 February 2014 (previously circulated) be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

6.PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following Planning Application was considered:

7/2014/0056/DM	P Scott	Erection of larger
	2 Broadway Avenue	replacement porch to
	Trimdon Village	front and erection of
		Storage building in
		garden

Resolved that no comment be offered in respect of planning application 7/2004/0056/DM.

7.ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
The following accounts were submitted for payment:

8. CLERK’S REPORT

UPDATE ON REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FENCING, SKERNE AVENUE

The Clerk reported that confirmation had been received that the resident of 19 Skerne Avenue has requested that a thick prickly hedge be planted behind the fence to the rear of Skerne Avenue rather than a replacement fence.

Resolved that the request be refused at this would not be an appropriate course of action, nor an appropriate use of resources .

2014/2015 BUDGET FOR APPROVAL

The Clerk submitted the 2014/2015 Budge for approval.

Resolved that the 2014/2015 Budget be approved.

RECRUITMENT OF SEASONAL GARDENER

The Clerk requested to advertise for a Seasonal Gardener for the period 1 May to 31 October 2014. It is proposed that the Job Advert will be placed on Parish Notice Boards and on the Website, with the closing date for return of completed application forms as Friday 28 March 20214.

Resolved that the Clerk be authorised to advertise for the post of Seasonal Gardener for the period 1 May 2014 to 31 October 2014.

PROPOSED EON APPLICATION FOR “THE ISLES” WIND FARM SCHEME –

NOTIFICATION OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING TO CO-ORDINATE RESPONSE

The Clerk reported that confirmation has been received that Eon are due to submit their application for The Isles Wind Farm Scheme in the near future. A meeting of Parish Councils likely to be affected by this application are invited to a meeting on Friday 14 March 2014 to co-ordinate their responses.

Resolved that the Clerk and Councillor John Burton attend the meeting.

UPDATE ON REPLACEMENT OF PANELS IN BUS SHELTERS

The Clerk advised that broken/missing panels in the bus shelter at Church Road, Trimdon Village and at other locations throughout the parish had been replaced. The Clerk was also pleased to report that County Councillor Peter Brooks has agreed to fund this work, at a cost of £2,148, from his Neighbourhood Budget.

Agreed that the above report be noted.

CLERK ENROLMENT FOR CiLCA – notification of increase in fees

The Clerk reported that the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) fees are due to increase from £150 to £250 in April 2014. If enrolment is registered prior to 1 April the current fee will apply.

Resolved that the Clerk be authorised to enrol for CiLCA.

TRIMDOM GRANGE COMMUNITY CENTRE – ANNUAL DONATION FOR 2013/2014

The Clerk requested approval to award Trimdon Grange Community Centre their annual donation of £1,000.

Resolved that Trimdon Grange Community Centre be awarded a donation of £1,000 for 2013/2014.

DURHAM BRASS BAND ASSOCIATION – REQUEST FOR SMALL DONATION

A request has been received from Durham Brass Band Association for a small financial donation towards their funds.

Resolved that a donation of £100 be approved to Durham Brass Band Association.

OAK TREE BARN – OUTCOME OF TRIMDON ENFORCEMENT APPEALS DECISION

The Clerk reported that Durham County Council has confirmed that the planning appeal in respect of the above failed. The owner has 26 weeks in which to comply with the requirement of the Notice (expiry 19 August 2014).

Agreed that the above report be noted.

QUOTATION FOR PLUMBING WORK, CEMETERY LODGE

A quotation of £500 has been received from Kevin McMenam (Gas & Heating Engineer) for necessary plumbing work at Cemetery Lodge.

Resolved that the quotation from Kevin McMenam be accepted.

REQUEST FOR TREES TO BE PRUNED, GROSVENOR TERRACE, TRIMDON COLLIERY

A request has been received for the trees opposite Grosvenor Terrace, Trimdon Colliery to be pruned. Following a site visit the Clerk recommended that the large tree opposite No. 17 Grosvenor Terrace be pruned and that a number of trees that had not established be removed.

Resolved that the tree opposite 17 Grosvenor Terrace be pruned and trees that have not established be removed.

9. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR PETER BROOKES

Apologies were received from Councillor Peter Brookes who was unable to attend the meeting.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

John Burton advised that it has been recommended that the Parish Council requests Durham County Council to include Trimdon Village Library on its List of Assets of Community Value to allow the Parish Council to consider the possibility of buying this asset should it become available for sale.

Agreed that the Clerk investigates the Community Right to Bid Scheme and report to the next meeting.

Complaints have been received regarding vehicles parking on the footpath on Front Street North between the Red Lion and 45 Front Street North.

Agreed that the Clerks investigates this complaint.

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Resolved that the April Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council be held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 8 April 2014 at 7:00 pm.

 

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