Minutes of the Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 10 March 2015 at 7:00pm.
Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Sheila Appleton, Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, Bernadette Oliver, George Elliott, Margaret Elliott, George Elliott Snr., Ian Quinn, and Paul Trippett.
Anne Delandre (Clerk to the Council) was in attendance to record the minutes; County Councillors Peter Brookes and Lucy Hovvels were in attendance to report on Durham County Council issues and PC John Seymour, Durham Constabulary, was in attendance for part of the meeting.
117. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest. Resolved that the above be noted.
118. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Margaret Hughes, Julie Thompson, Keith Thompson.
Resolved that the above apologies be accepted.
119. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were five members of the public in attendance. They wished to express their concerns and opposition to planning application DM/14/00244/FPA (Item 124 refers) on the grounds that the proposed location is currently open countryside, an area of special scientific interest and an area with a thriving wildlife and bird habitation and the source of the River Skerne.
County Councillor Brookes advised that he has contacted DCC Planning regarding this application and requested that, if staff are minded to approve the application, it be referred to a Planning Committee for determination.
Resolved that the above be noted.
120. POLICING IN THE PARISH
PC John Seymour, Durham Constabulary, attended the meeting and reported the crime figures for the period 10 February 2015 – 10 March 2015
TRIMDON VILLAGE
Robbery – 1 incident
Criminal Damage – 4 incidences
Theft – 3 Incidences
Other – 1 incident
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB):
All ASB 118 incidences (up 27% on 2014)
Youth ASB 59 incidences (up 34% on 2014)
Resolved that the above report be noted.
TRIMDON GRANGE/COLLIERY
Theft – 1 incident
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB):
All ASB 71 incidences (down 4% on 2014)
ASB 26 incidences (up 86% on 2014)
Resolved that the above report be noted.
Pc Seymour was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting.
121. PRESENTATION BY IAN HAULT, DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL’S NEIGHBOURHOOD PROTECTION MANAGER, ON ‘OPERATION STOP IT’
Ian Hault, Durham County Council’s Neighbourhood Protection Manager, gave a presentation on an initiative called ‘Operation Stop It’ aimed at tackling fly tipping.
The Parish Council is asked to identify ‘hot spots’ for fly tipping and to consider purchasing a camera system at the cost of £1,600 for use throughout the parish to help alleviate this problem.
Ian was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting.
Resolved that the above be noted.
122. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 13 FEBRUARY 2015
Resolved that the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 10 February 2015 (previously circulated) be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
123. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE LAST MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL ON 10 FEBRUARY 2015
There were no updates reported.
124. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
DM/14/00244/FPA
Amerston Holdings, Kelloe Bank, Trimdon
Change of use of land to create 2 no. Traveller pitches
Comprising 1 no. mobile home, 6 no. touring caravans and part change of use of existing stables to provide living and work areas
(part retrospective)
DM/15/00406/TCA
East End Graveyard, Trimdon Village
Proposed tree works
DM/15/00632/FPA
44 Main Road, Trimdon Village
Erection of first floor side extension
Resolved that no comment be made in respect of planning applications DM/15/00406/TCA
and DM/15/00632/FPA
Resolved that in respect of planning application DM/14/00244/FPA the Clerk be instructed to contact Durham County Council to register the Parish Council’s objections on the grounds that the proposed location is currently open countryside, an area of special scientific interest and an area with a thriving wildlife and bird habitation and the source of the River Skerne and if the application is to be referred to a Planning Committee the Chair and/or Clerk would wish to make representations.
125. FINANCIAL
a) Details of expenditure requiring payment by cheque were submitted.
Resolved that the payments be approved.
b) The Clerk submitted the schedule of payments made between 1 February 2015 and 28 February 2015.
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.
c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 February 2015 and 28 February 2015.
Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.
d) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 28 February 2015. 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.
e) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Current Bank Account) for the period ended 28 February 2015. 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.
126. CLERK’S REPORTS
a) Appointment of Seasonal Gardener: Summer 2015
The Clerk requested permission to appoint a Seasonal Gardener for a six month period to assist the current Grounds Maintenance Staff with their summer duties.
Resolved that a Seasonal Gardener be appointed for a six month period.
Resolved that an advert be placed on the Parish Noticeboards and on the Parish Website advertising the position with a closing date of Friday 20 March 2015.
Resolved that the job be advertised at the current minimum wage.
Resolved that the Parish Clerk and Senior Grounds Maintenance Officer carry out the interviews and make the necessary appointment.
b) Request for removal of 2 no. trees: rear of 22 Harwood Court, Trimdon Grange
The Clerk advised that a request has been received from the occupiers of 22 Harwood Court for two trees at the rear of their property to be pruned. An inspection of the trees by the Clerk and has confirmed that the trees appear to be dead.
Resolved that no decision be taken at the present time until it has been established whether the trees have any new growth.
127. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
a) Trimdon United Football Club Under 15’s: Blackpool International Football Tournament
A request for funding has been received to enable to the Football Club to attend Blackpool International Football Tournament.
Resolved that a donation of £500 be granted under the Local Government Act 1972 s.37.
b) Durham County Brass Band Association
A request for funding has been received from Durham County Brass Band Association to enable it to keep the Brass Band Heritage in the North East of England strong and ongoing.
Resolved that a donation of £100 be granted under the Local Government Act 1972 s.37
c) Citizens Advice County Durham
A request for a grant of £2,500 towards the continuation of the fortnightly CAB sessions in Trimdon for 2015/2016 has been received from Citizens Advice County Durham.
Resolved that a donation of £2,500 be granted under the Local Government Act 1972 s.142
d) Trimdon Village Hall Association
A request for a grant of £3,000 to support the work of Trimdon Village Hall for 2015/2016 has been received from Trimdon Village Hall Association.
Resolved that a decision regarding this request be deferred, pending a meeting with representatives from the Parish Council and the Trimdon Village Hall Association Management Committee.
e) County Association of Local Councils from Cleveland, County Durham and Northumberland: North East Regional Event 28 March 2015.
Details of the above event were circulated with the Agenda. Resolved that the above be noted.
128. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE
- Following the rejection of Durham County Council’s County Plan by an independent Planning Inspector, representations have been made to MPs and legal advice sought regarding its content, and it is hoped that the majority of the plan will remain intact.
- There are two forthcoming Labour Party ‘away days’ to discuss further financial cuts
- The County Council has raised its precept for 2015/2016 by 1.99%
- There is an Open Day of 19 March 2015 regarding the expansion of Durham NETPark
- Deaf Hill – the AAP is working with Trimdon Foundry Parish Council to improve the play area – funding of £24K has been secured
- The Cycle/Walkway through the parish has been completed
- Geoff Hamilton (Trimdon Village Hall Assocation) has been awarded DCC’s Chairman’s Medal
- The Chemist at Trimdon Colliery is to be re-located nearer to the Doctors’ Surgery
129. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
a) Trimdon Foundry Parish Council are holding a Proms in the Park event scheduled to take place on Saturday 12 September 2015 and would like to know if Trimdon Parish Council would like to be involved in the running of the event.
Resolved that a reply be forwarded advising that Trimdon Parish Council supports this event and will help in any way it can.
–
–
–