Minutes of the Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 8 December 2015 at 7:00pm.
Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, Margaret Elliott, Bernadette Oliver, Ian Quinn, Keith 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 and Sergeant Alex Clarke attended part of the meeting to report on Police matters.
Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Chairman announced that George Elliott Snr. had sadly passed away since the last meeting. Everyone present was upstanding and observed a minute’s silence in his memory.
83. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Sheila Appleton, George Elliott, Margaret Hughes and Julie Thompson.
Resolved that the above apologies be accepted.
84. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor John Burton declared a Registerable Personal Interest in Planning Application DM/15/03490/AD.
Agreed that the above be noted.
85. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Three members of the public were in attendance regarding the proposed amalgamation of Trimdon Grange Infant and Nursery School, Trimdon Village Infant and Nursery School and Trimdon Junior School.
Councillors John Burton and Paul Trippett declared a Registerable Personal Interest in this issue and left the meeting. Councillor Ian Quinn chaired the meeting for the duration of this item.
The members of the public advised that, whilst they accepted the merits of Trimdon Village Infant and Nursery School and Trimdon Junior School amalgamating, they felt that the current proposal would disadvantage the children of Trimdon Grange and would be detrimental to the village as a whole. They requested that Parish Council members representing Trimdon Grange Ward support their objections to the proposal in its current form. It was noted that there are currently no Parish Councillors living in Trimdon Grange.
It was confirmed that it was not appropriate for the Parish Council to comment on the proposal amalgamation as a collective body, but rather individual Councillors make representations to Durham County Council as they feel appropriate.
The members of the public left the meeting following this item.
The Clerk confirmed that correspondence had been received from the Governors of Trimdon Village Infanct and Nursery School in support of the proposal.
Councillor John Burton resumed his position as Chairman for the remainder of the meeting.
86. POLICING IN THE PARISH
Sergeant Alex Clarke presented the Police Report for the period 10 November 2015 – 8 December 2015.
Trimdon Village
Thefts from Motor Vehicles – 4 incidences
Criminal Damage – 1 incident
Other – 3 x assaults, 2 x sexual assaults
1 x domestic related aggravated vehicle taking possession of kitchen knife x 1
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All ASB – 82 incidences (-5% on same period as last year)
Youth ASB – 36 incidences (down 14% on same period as last year)
Trimdon Grange/Colliery
Burglary – 6 incidences
Criminal Damage – 3 incidences
Other – domestic assault x 1, possession of kitchen knife x 1
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All ASB – 42 incidences (down 19% on same period as last year)
Youth ASB – 18 incidences (same figure as last year)
Concerns were expressed at the increase in crime figures.
Sergeant Clarke advised that the increase in the reported crime figures were primarily as a
result of pro-active intervention by the Police, particularly in relation to domestic related
cases, resulting in an increase in recorded crime.
Sergeant Clarke was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting.
Resolved that the above report be noted.
87. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17 NOVEMBER 2015
It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2015 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
88. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE LAST MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL 0N 17 NOVEMBER 2015
a) The Clerk confirmed that she had contacted livin to discuss rumours regarding Tremeduna Grange. livin confirmed that there are no plans to house Syrian refugees in
Tremeduna Grange. livin in still hoping to develop but the timetable has slipped due to Central Government intervention. A report is to be submitted to the Board in February 2016 for a decision regarding the future of the building. If it is not possible to redevelop then it will be demolished pending development at a later date.
Resolved that the above be noted.
b) The Clerk confirmed that the Consecration of part of the Cemetery, Trimdon Grange will take place at 10:00am Tuesday 22 December 2015 with a reception to be held afterwards at St Alban Church. All members are invited to attend.
Resolved that the above be noted.
c) The Clerk confirmed that a response had been received from the Corporate Director, Children and Adult Services at Durham County Council advising that, in the event of Trimdon Village Community Infant and Nursery School building being demolished then an application will be made to the Department of Education for it to be demolished as soon as possible after it is vacated.
Resolved that the above be noted.
At this point in the meeting, in view of the confidential nature of the following item to be discussed, the press and public would have been excluded from the meeting, pursuant to the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 and the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.
a) Report of Parish Clerk on Review of Grounds Staff Wages
The Clerk submitted a report in respect of the above.
Resolved
1. That the report be noted.
2. That the recommendations to regrade Derek Whitelock and Dean Whitelock be approved.
3. That the changes to the Employers’ NICs be noted.
4. That future Seasonal Gardeners be appointed on the ‘Durham’ Living Wage.
89. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
DM/15/03023/FPA Winterbourne 1 Vicarage Drive, Trimdon Village
New rear garden enclosure including repairs to retaining walls (retrospective)
DM/15/03490/AD St Mary Magdalene Church, Trimdon Village
Installation of Notice Board
Resolved that no comment be offered in respect of either application.
90. 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 November 2015 and 30 November 2015.
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.
c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 November 2015 and 30 November 2015.
Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.
d) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 30 November 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 30 November 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.
91. CLERK’S REPORTS
a) Notification of Casual Vacancy
The Clerk advised that a Casual Vacancy has arisen following the recent death of George Elliott Snr.
Resolved that the Clerk liaises with Durham County Council to issue a Notice of Vacancy.
b) Update of Christmas Lights Switch On 4 December 2015
It was noted that the lights has been switched on by Ron Hogg, Durham Police and Crime Commissioner. The feedback from the night had been very positive with significantly more numbers attending than previous years. It was proposed that a vote of thanks to Ian Quinn be recorded for his efforts and contribution towards the success of the evening.
Resolved that the above be noted and a vote of thanks to Ian Quinn be recorded.
c) Update on request for new gate at Hart View Allotment Site, Trimdon Village
The Clerk advised that a request had been received for a new gate to be installed. Following a site visit by the Chairman it was agreed that the existing barrier be utilised. All access to be prohibited, with the exception of loading and unloading, with this being arranged with the Secretary of the Allotment Society.
Resolved that the above be noted.
d) Notification of Funding: Durham County Council National Tree Planting
The Clerk confirmed that she had successfully bid for funding to plant two Flowering Cherry Trees to replace the two diseased trees that had to be removed earlier this year.
Resolved that the above be noted.
e) Request to re-schedule February 2016 Parish Council meeting to 2 February 2016
The Clerk requested that the February meeting scheduled for 9 February 2016 be brought forward to 2 February 2016.
Resolved that the above request be approved.
f) Guidance on Registerable Interests and Declarations
Guidance issued by CDALC circulated with the Agenda for information.
Resolved that the above be noted.
92. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Durham Cathedral: Request for donation towards major programme of development
A request for funding has been received from Durham Cathedral towards the new exhibition space: Open Treasure at Durham Cathedral.
Resolved that a donation of £250 under the Local Government Act 1972 s.137 be approved.
93. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE
• DCC have issued a Notice to owner of land at Horse Close Lane to re-instate the hedge
• Poll regarding devolution to be undertaken the 2nd week in January 2016
• Teaching Assistants Contracts – currently undergoing consultation programme
• DLI – proposals to move to Palace Green still being discussed
94. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
There were no items for discussion. Resolved that the above be noted.
–
–
Trimdon Parish Council Meeting 8th December 2015