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

Present: Councillor George Elliott Snr. (in the Chair) and Councillors Sheila Appleton, Ian Quinn, George Elliott, Margaret Elliott, Eileen Dickinson, Bernadette Oliver, Paul Trippett, Margaret Hughes, Keith Thompson and John Burton.
Anne Delandre, Clerk to the Council, and County Councillor Peter Brookes were in attendance.
There was one member of the public in attendance.

1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Denise Davison and Julie Thompson.

3. POLICING IN THE PARISH
Sergeant Alex Clarke, Durham Constabulary, forwarded his apologies and Crime Figures were reported by the Clerk.
The crime figures for the period 12 March 2014 to 7 April 2014 are as follows:-

TRIMDON VILLAGE
Burglary (Dwelling) – Nil
Burglary (Other) – 1 incident
Criminal Damage – Nil
Vehicle Crime – Nil
Violent Crime – Nil
Theft – 5 incidences of lead theft
Drugs – Nil Drugs – Nil
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) – 5 incidences
TRIMDON GRANGE/COLLIERY
Burglary (Dwelling) – Nil
Burglary (Other) – 2 incidences
Criminal Damage – Nil
Vehicle Crime – 1 incident
Violent Crime – Nil
Theft – 1 incident
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)– 5
Incidences – 3 off road motorcycle complaints

Details of the next PACT meetings were reported.

Resolved that the above report be noted.

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 11 MARCH 2014
Resolved that the Minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 11 March 2014 (previously circulated) be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

6. MATTERS ARISING
The Clerk reported that Lee Potts had been appointed as the Seasonal Gardener.

The Clerk reported that she had a meeting with staff from Trimdon Library to progress the Community Right to Bid Scheme in respect of the library.

Agreed that the above information be noted.

7. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The following Planning Applications were considered:

DM/14/00350/FPA
Change of use of outbuildings To Thai Boxing Club
Outbuildings to rear of Red Lion Public House,
(Retrospective) Front Street North, Trimdon

DM/14/00435/FPA
11 Broadway Avenue, Trimdon Village
Erection of first floor/ two storey side extension, conversion of existing garage to habitable space

DM/14/00506/FPA
21 Sunnyside Terrace, Trimdon Grange
Erection of two storey  rear extension

DM/14/00622/FPA
5 Redesdale Court, Trimdon Grange
Change of use to bridal boutique

DM/14/00736/FPA 15 Front Street South, Trimdon Village
Erection of single storey extension

Resolved that no comment be offered in respect of the above planning applications.

8. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

The following accounts were submitted for payment:
403665 Molebusters 245.00 Mole Treatment DD Black Horse 335.14 Van Lease 403666 Durham County Council 1,510.85 Council Tax - Cemetery Lodge 403667 Durham Brass Band Assoc. 100.00 Financial Donation 403668 Gas & Heating Engineers 850.00 Repairs to Heating System - Cemetery Lodge 403669 Spoilt Cheque 403670 Trimdon Community Coll. Assoc. 15,000.00 Grant 403671 Durham County Council 1,636.02 Recharge - Playground Maintenance 403672 Trimdon Village Hall Assoc. 198.00 Grant - CAB DD Fleet One 224.35 Fuel 403673 IT Training Solutions Ltd. 234.00 Clerk - IT Training 403674 HMRC 1,197.70 Tax & NI 403675 T W Walton 156.00 Skip Hire - Cemetery Lodge 403676 D Jordan 186.00 Security - Skerne Play Park DD Sage One 12.00 Payroll & Accounts 403677 Durham County Pension Fund 663.79 Pensions DD British Gas 26.74 Lighting - Trimdon Play Park 403678 MKM 18.50 Equipment 403679 CDALC 809.96 CDALC Subscription 2014-2015 403680 Anne Delandre 79.93 Clerk's Expenses 403681 Spoilt Cheque 403682 Greater Durham CAB 2,500.00 Grant - CAB 403683 Trimdon Grange Community Centre 4,000.00 Grant 403684 Information Commisioners Office 35.00 Registration Fee 403685 Commutaports 2,148.00 Repairs to Bus Shelters

 

9. CLERK’S REPORT

REPORT OF CLERK ON DRAFT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR APPROVAL

The Clerk presented a report on draft policies and procedures for approval:

Standing Orders
Sections 3(f), 3(g) and 3(h) be approved as proposed.
Section 9(b) – agreed that Matters Arising and Any Other Business be removed from future Agenda, however, Members Individual Reports to be included as an agenda item to allow members to raise parish issues for further consideration.
Section 14(b) – where complaints relate to the Proper Officer, the Leader of the Group to assume the duties of the Proper Officer in relation to the complaint.
Section 16(a) – the council to appoint either the former Parish Clerk or the Clerk of a neighbouring Parish Council to undertake the work of the Responsible Financial Officer when the Responsible Financial Officer is absent.

Resolved that with the above proposed amendments the draft Standing Orders be approved.

Financial Regulations
Section 2.2 – John Burton nominated as the member to sign the reconciliations and the original bank statements as evidence of verification.
Section 6.16 – John Burton nominated as the member authorised to approve changes to account details for suppliers.

Resolved that with the above proposed amendments the draft Financial Regulations be approved.

Donations Policy

Resolved that the proposed draft Donations Policy be approved.

Public Participation Policy and Statement

Resolved that the draft Public Participation Policy and Statement be approved.

Schedule of Fixed Assets

Resolved that the Schedule of Fixed Assets (31 March 2014) be approved.

APPROVAL OF 2013/2014 FINANCIAL GRANTS

The Clerk reported that she had only recently been made aware that the Parish Council has historically approved grants to Trimdon United Juniors and Trimdon Colliery Community Association.

Resolved that Trimdon United Juniors be granted £100 under the Local Government Act 1972 s.37 and Trimdon Colliery Community Association be granted £1,000 under the Local Government Act 172 s.133 in respect of the financial year 2013/2014.

APPROVAL OF 2014/2015 FINANCIAL GRANTS

The Clerk submitted the following grants for approval for the financial year 2014/2015

Resolved Trimdon Community College Association be granted £15,000 under the Local Government Act 1972 s.133
Resolved Trimdon Village Hall Association be granted £4,000 under the Local Government Act 1972 s.133
Resolved Trimdon Grange Community Association be granted £4,000 under the Local Government Act 1972 s.133
Resolved Trimdon Colliery Community Association be granted £1,000 under the Local Government Act 1972 s.133
Resolved Sedgefield & District Citizens Advice Bureau be granted £2,500 under the Local Government Act 1972 s.142
Resolved Trimdon Village Hall Association Citizens Advice Bureau be granted the funding to run the weekly CAB sessions under the Local Government Act 1972 s.142
Resolved Trimdon United Juniors be granted £100 under the Local Government Act 1972
s.137

PAYMENT OF COUNCIL TAX 2014/2015 – Cemetery Lodge

The Clerk reported that the Council Tax bill in respect of Cemetery Lodge is due. This is paid by the Parish Council, to be repaid by the occupier on a weekly basis.

Resolved that the Council Tax bill for 2014/2015 be paid.

UPDATE ON WIND FARM MEETING

The Clerk reported that she had attended the meeting held on 14 March 2014 with John Burton. E-on is due to submit a planning application to Durham County Council for a 24 turbine wind farm. Parish Councils are asked to object to this proposal.

Resolved that the Clerk be approved to submit the Parish Council’s objections to this proposal when the planning application is submitted.

REMOVAL OF SIGNATURES FROM BANK ACCOUNT

The Clerk reported that, as part of the review of the approved signatories for the Parish Council, the names of a number of Parish Councillors need to be removed as they are now deceased or have retired and are no longer contactable.

GW Terrans – Deceased
R Welsh – Deceased
AR Passfield – Retired
A Varty – Retired
C Varty – Retired
Resolved that the names listed above be removed as approved signatories on behalf of Trimdon Parish Council.

10. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

Request for donation – The Villages Methodist Church

Resolved that the Secretary be advised that the Parish Council has now adopted a Grants and Donations Policy and an application form be sent for completion.

County of Durham School Benevolent Fund – a letter of thanks has been received for the donation of £200 towards the Benevolent Fund.

Resolved that the letter of thanks be noted.

11. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR PETER BROOKES

• The County Council has agreed to the closure of five residential homes across the county, although none are located in the Trimdon Parish.

• Savings of up to £224M are now required between 2010 and 2017 – the savings indentified for 2014/2015 are £84M. This is going to be extremely challenging and the Labour Group has an ‘Away Day’ scheduled for 9 May 2014. The meeting will be kept updated.

• The three County Councillors are arranging for Surgeries to be held – details are to be displayed in the Parish Notice Boards.

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

POST OFFICE, CHURCH ROAD, TRIMDON VILLAGE

It was noted that the Post Office has been closed sporadically due to ill health but there are currently no plans to close this branch. It was reported, however, that the staff at Trimdon Colliery Post Office are due to retire and if these positions cannot be filled then the staff from the village Post Office may re-locate.

Resolved that the above information be noted.

APPROVED AS A TRUE RECORD
Signed ………………………………………………………………..
Date …………………………………………………………………..