Minutes of the Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 17 November 2015 at 7:00pm.

Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, Bernadette Oliver, Ian Quinn, Keith Thompson, Julie Thompson and Paul Trippett.

Anne Delandre (Clerk to the Council) was in attendance to record the minutes, County Councillor Peter Brookes was in attendance to report on Durham County Council issues.

Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Chairman announced that George Elliott Snr. (Vice Chairman) is ill in hospital. The Chairman asked that George be remembered in everyone’s thoughts and prayers.

71. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Sheila Appleton, George Elliott Snr., George Elliott, Margaret Elliott, and Margaret Hughes.
Resolved that the above apologies be accepted.

72. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Eileen Dickinson declared a Registerable Personal Interest in the £50 donation to the Royal British Legion for the Remembrance Service wreath.
Agreed that the above be noted.

73. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were two members of the public in attendance who expressed concerns at the rumours that a number of Syrian refugees are to be placed in Tremeduna House, Trimdon Village. It was confirmed that there is no truth is this rumour and livin (the owners of Tremeduna House) are still hoping to demolish the building and replace it with social housing. County Councillor Peter Brookes also confirmed that he is part of DCC’s Humanitarian Committee and there have been no details yet as to how many refugees are likely to be placed in County Durham (if any) as part of Central Government’s decision to house 20,000 refugees over the next five years.

Resolved that the above be noted and that the Clerk be requested to contact livin for an update on their proposals for Tremeduna House, along with timescales for the development.

74. POLICING IN THE PARISH
Sergeant Alex Clarke was unable to attend the meeting. The Clerk provided details of the Police Report for the period 13 October 2015 – 10 November 2015.

Trimdon Village
Burglary Other – 2 incidences
Theft – 1 incident
Other – 4 incidences

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All ASB – 78 incidences (-6% on same period as last year)
Youth ASB – 39 incidences (down 15% on
same period as last year)

Trimdon Grange/Colliery
Arson – 1 incident
Other – 2 incidences

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All ASB – 45 incidences (down 18% on same period as last year)
Youth ASB – 16 incidences (same figure as last year)

Resolved that the above report be noted.

75. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13 OCTOBER 2015
It was noted that Item 67(b) NALC Fly A Flag for the Commonwealth had incorrectly stated the date of 14 March 2015 instead of 14 March 2016.
Resolved that, with the above amendment, the Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 13 October 2015 be accepted as a true record to be signed by the Chairman.

76. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE LAST MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL 0N 13 OCTOBER 2015

a) The Clerk advised that she had written to an occupant of a property on Front Street South regarding continued parking on the village green and the potential legal action that the Parish Council could take. This resident had responded and confirmed that they would no longer park on the village green. The Clerk also advised that DCC had confirmed that there was evidence of this resident carrying out a car repair business from the property.

Resolved that the above be noted.

b) The Clerk gave details of the request for funding for the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) to be able to continue their Health Buddy Service, including the number of residents who will benefit from this service. County Councillor Peter Brookes advised that he may be able to make a financial contribution towards the scheme and requested that the Clerk set up a meeting with himself, the AAP and the PCP to progress this.

Resolved that a grant of £6,000 be made to the Pioneering Care Partnership under the Local Government Act 1972 S.137 and that the Clerk sets up an appropriate meeting to discuss potential additional funding.

77. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
There were no planning applications submitted for consideration: Resolved that the above be noted.

78. 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 October 2015 and 31 October 2015.
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.
c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 October 2015 and 31 October 2015.
Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.
d) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 31 October 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 31 October 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.

79. CLERK’S REPORTS

a) Quotation from Durham County Council for additional street lighting at Northside Buildings, Trimdon Grange

The Clerk confirmed that DCC had provided a quotation of £10,798 to carry out this work. This figure was considerably more than anticipated and had not been specifically budget for in the current financial year’s expenditure. In view of this it was recommended that a decision be deferred until the end of the financial year to see if there is an overall underspend on the Parish Council’s budget.

Resolved that a decision regarding the installation of the additional street lighting be deferred until the end of the financial year.

b) Report on arrangements for 2015 Christmas Lights Switch On
The Clerk submitted details of the arrangements for the annual Christmas Lights Switch On to take place on Friday 4 December 2014 between 6:00pm and 7:30pm.

Resolved
1. That the Report be accepted
2. That the quotation from R&B Cooper, Carnival Funfairs to provide Funfair Rides be accepted.

c) Consecration of parts of extension to Trimdon Parish Council Cemetery

The Clerk advised that it is necessary to consecrate parts of the extension of Trimdon Grange Cemetery. She is liaising with the Durham Diocesan Registry regarding the arrangements for the Service which will take place on Tuesday 22 December 2015 at 10:00am.

Resolved that the Consecration of parts of the extension of Trimdon Grange Cemetery takes place on Tuesday 22 December 2015 at 10:00am.

80. CORRESPONDENCE

a) Sedgefield Town Council: Invitation to Christmas Carol Service – 10 December 2015
The Clerk gave details of the above event. Resolved that the above be noted.

b) Letter from Fishburn Aviation Limited: Planning application from Garmondsway Wind Turbines
The Clerk gave details of a letter from the Director of Fishburn Aviation Limited regarding a planning application for two wind turbines adjacent to the airfield. The Chairman advised that he had visited the site at the request of Fishburn Airfield and expressed his concerns at the planning application and the impact on the future sustainability of the Airfield.

County Councillor Brookes advised that the planning application had already been passed, but that it was under review.

Resolved that the Clerk writes to DCC expressing concerns regarding the placing of the two wind turbines and the impact on the future sustainability of the Airfield.

c) Request from Trimdon United FC Under 16’s: Request for funding to attend Blackpool Football Tournament
A request for funding has been received from Trimdon United FC Under 16’s to assist them financially to attend Blackpool Football Tournament in May 2016

Resolved that a donation of £500 be approved under the Local Government Act 1972 S.137.

d) CDALC: Notification of North East Region Parish and Town Council Event – 9 March 2016
The Clerk gave details of the above event. Resolved that the above be noted.

81. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE

• Devolution – the proposal for a North East Combined Authorities has been signed by seven authorities (including Durham). This proposal means that an elected Mayor must be appointed. Durham is to poll all of its electors in the new year
• Trustees of DLI Museum have agreed to locate to Palace Green in order to attract more visitors
• Lumiere taking place 12 – 15 November 2015
• Planning approval for 30 houses in Broadway Avenue, Trimdon Village will generate £30K Section 106 funding to be spent on sporting facilities

82. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY

• Remembrance Event taking place at Winterton Church Memorial
• Owner of field at Horse Close Lane has been served a Notice by DCC to re-instate the hedge recently removed
• Complaints of rubbish left in the back yards of properties at Victoria Terrace, Trimdon Colliery
• Proposed amalgamation of Community Infant School and Junior School in Trimdon Village could result in the Infant School closing. Concerns were raised at potential vandalism if the school is left empty and not demolished quickly. Clerk to contact DCC to seek an assurance that the school will not be left empty.

 


Trimdon Parish Council Meeting 17th November 2015