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

Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Sheila Appleton, Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, Margaret Hughes, Ian Quinn, Keith Thompson and Paul Trippett.
Anne Delandre, Clerk to the Council, was in attendance; County Councillor Peter Brookes was in attendance to report on Durham County Council issues.
One member of the public was also in attendance.

70. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Eileen Dickinson declared a personal interest in Item 79(f) and took no part in the discussion.
Resolved that the above be noted.

71. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Julie Thompson, George Elliott Snr., George Elliott, Margaret Elliott and Bernadette Oliver.
Resolved that the above apologies be accepted.

72. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no issues raised by members of the public in attendance.

73. POLICING IN THE PARISH
Sergeant Alex Clarke, Durham Constabulary, was unable to attend the meeting. The following crime figures for the period 9 September 2014 – 14 October 2014 were reported via the Clerk.

TRIMDON VILLAGE
Burglary (dwelling) – 3 incidences
Criminal damage – 3 incidences
Vehicle crime – 1 incidence
Other crime – 2 minor assaults

TRIMDON GRANGE/COLLIERY
Burglary (other) – 1 incident
Assaults – indecent
Public order – 1 incident
Minor drugs offences – 2 incidences

Update from last meeting – Shaun Birch pleaded guilty to dwelling house burglary at Cleveland Avenue last summer and received an 18 month custodial sentence.

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB):

TRIMDON VILLAGE
All ASB 77 incidences (up 8% on 2013)
Youth ASB 39 incidences (up 11% on 2013)

TRIMDON GRANGE/COLLIERY
All ASB 45 incidences (down 15% on 2013)
16 incidences (up 60% on 2013) – but based on very low figures

The NPT are aware of the impact of burglaries and all available resources are being committed to the Trimdon area.

Resolved that the above report be noted.

74. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 14 OCTOBER 2014
Resolved that the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 14 October 2014 (previously circulated) be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

75. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE LAST MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL ON 14 OCTOBER 2014
There were no updates reported.

76. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a) To receive the following planning application:
DM/14/ 03174 18 Willow Drive Trimdon Village
Single storey front and rear extensions

Resolved that no comment be made in respect of the above planning application.

77. FINANCIAL
a) The Clerk advised that she had incorrectly made out her expenses cheque and had been over-paid by 5p. Resolved that the above be noted.

b) Details of expenditure requiring payment by cheque were submitted.
Resolved that the payments be approved.

c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of payments made between 1 October 2014 and 31 October 2014.
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.

d) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 October 2014 and 31 October 2014.
Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.

e) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 31 October 2014. This was cross referenced with the Bank Statement.
Resolved that the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) be approved and the Chairman sign the Bank Statement as confirmation of the balance.

f) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Current Bank Account) for the period ended 31 October 2014. This was cross referenced with the Bank Statement.
Resolved that the bank reconciliation statement (Current Bank Account) be approved and the Chairman sign the Bank Statement as confirmation of the balance.

g) The Clerk advised that HMRC had confirmed that the Parish Council still owed the sum of £231.68 in respect of Class 1 NICs for the current financial year.
Resolved that the Parish Clerk be authorised to pay the shortfall in Class 1 NICSs.

78. CLERK’S REPORTS
a) Report on the Establishment of Neighbourhood Plan Sub-Committee

The Clerk submitted a report recommending that the Parish Council establishes a Neighbourhood Plan Sub-Committee in order to progress the development of a Neighbourhood Plan.
Resolved that a Neighbourhood Plan Sub-Committee be established comprising John Burton, George Elliott Snr., Paul Trippett, Ian Quinn, Bernadette Oliver, Keith Thompson and Peter Brookes (ex officio member).

b) Update on Wellness on Wheels (WOW) Bus

It was reported that the Trimdon Community College has an opportunity to work with DCC to improve the gym facilities at the Community College. It has also been proposed by DCC to place the WOW bus at the Community College in the New Year in order to encourage people to visit the Community College in preparation for the refurbished gym.
Resolved that permission is granted for the WOW bus to be located on the Car Park, or adjoining grassed area, as required

79. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
a) An offer has been received from Hope Construction Materials for a representative to attend the next Parish Council meeting to explain the proposals to extend the quarry.
Resolved that a representative from Hope Construction Materials be asked to attend at 6:30pm prior to the meeting of the Parish Council commencing at 7:00pm.

b) Correspondence has been received from the Great North Air Ambulance thanking the Parish Council for their intended donation.
Resolved that the above be noted.

c) A letter of thanks has been received from the Leaning Library for the Parish Council’s donation towards their work.
Resolved that the above be noted.

d) CDALC Durham Association News Issue 49 (October 2014) was circulated to all members with the Agenda.
Resolved that the above be noted.

e) The Clerk reported that a quotation had been received from Abacus Lighting for the replacement of the bulbs in the floodlights at Trimdon Grange Play Park. An alternative method for the bulbs being replaced via the hire of a Cherry Picker was also discussed.
Resolved that the Clerk makes further enquiries regarding a more economical way of replacing the bulbs.

f) A request has been received from St. Albans Church for a donation towards the pensioners’ Christmas Party.
Resolved that a donation of £100 be made under the Local Government Act 1972 s.137.

80. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR PETER BROOKES

  • Mary Robinson, Community Garden, had received a DCC Community Award, but had unfortunately fallen and broken her hip at the event. The best wishes of the Parish Council to be conveyed to Mary.
  • As DCC continues to face financial pressures they are asking Parish Councils if they would like to take over services currently delivered by the County Council. A Toolkit has been prepared. Caution was, however, expressed that local taxpayers should not be asked to pay via their Council tax for services that are delivered for free by the County Council in other parishes.
  • The Viewing Platform at Trimdon Village will no longer go ahead as a result of access issues. This will result in more money being available for other initiatives throughout the Parish.
  • Groundwork is progressing with the Woodland Trail at Trimdon Grange.
  • The fencing and litter bins at Church Road, Trimdon Village are to be re-painted with the cost being funded from Peter Brooke’s Neighbourhood Budget.
  • Peter Brookes to provide funding via Neighbourhood Budget towards the appointment of a Development Worker to work across the various Community Centres within the Trimdons.
  • Funding of £30K will be available from the Neighbourhood Budge for the financial year 2016/2017 – need to think of project(s)that could benefit from this funding.

81. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION
The Clerk was asked to enquire as to who has been having trees felled on an open area to the south of the village green.
Resolved that the above be noted.

 


Trimdon Parish Council Meeting 11th November 2014