Minutes of the Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 8 September 2015 at 7:00pm.
Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, George Elliott, George Elliott Snr., Bernadette Oliver, Ian Quinn 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 present the Police Report.
46. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Margaret Elliott, Eileen Dickinson, Margaret Hughes, Julie Thompson and Keith Thompson. Resolved that the above apologies be accepted.
47. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
48. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There was one member of the public in attendance. The attendee made the following suggestions:
• That the grass verges on the Watch Bank be planted as a wild meadow;
• That the four Durham County Council shrub beds on Salters Lane be removed as they are overgrown; and
• That the 6 wooden flower planters be re-located from adjacent to the bus shelter on Salters Lane to the grassed area opposite.
Resolved that the Clerk liaises with Durham County Council regarding the proposals submitted.
49. POLICING IN THE PARISH
Sergeant Alex Clarke presented the Police Report for the period 9 July 2015 – 8 September 2015
TRIMDON VILLAGE
Burglary (other) – 3 incidences
Criminal Damage – 2 incidences
Assault – 5 domestic related assaults
Theft – 1 incident & 2 shoplifting offences
Other – 2 incidences
ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
All ASB 59 incidences (no change on same period of 2014)
Youth ASB 27 incidences (no change on same period of 2014)
TRIMDON GRANGE/COLLIERY
Burglary (dwelling) – 1 incident
Criminal Damage – 2 incidences
Assault – 4 domestic related assaults
Theft – 2 incidences & 1 shoplifting
ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
ALL ASB 28 incidences (down 18% on same period of 2014)
ASB 11 incidences (no change on same period of 2014)
Sergeant Clarke was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting.
Resolved that the above report be noted.
50. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 JULY 2015
Resolved that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 14 July 2015 (previously circulated) be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
51. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE LAST MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL 0N 14 JULY 2015
• Update on additional street lighting: 35-38 Northside Buildings, Trimdon Grange – the Clerk confirmed that DCC had advised that they would not be able to provide an estimate for the work until the end of September.
Resolved that following receipt of a quotation from DCC, the Chairman be authorised to approve this work in order to expedite the work
• Removal of tree stumps, village green – the Chairman advised that he had visited the site and this work is not necessary.
Resolved that the above be noted.
• Request for football pitch – The Chairman, Vice Chairman and Clerk had visited the site with a representative from Trimdon Juniors Under 8’s and it was agreed that one goal post be installed and the football pitch be marked.
Resolved that the above be noted.
52. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following planning application was submitted for consideration:
DM/15/02237/FPA 12 Hall Farm Court,Trimdon Village
Erection of two storey side/front extension
Resolved that no comment be offered in respect of the above planning application.
53. 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 August 2015 and 30 August 2015.
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.
c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 August 2015 and 30 August 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 August 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 August 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.
54. CLERK’S REPORTS
a) Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA): Play Area Safety Inspection Reports and Action Plan
The Clerk submitted a report on the above stating the RoSPA had carried out an inspection of the three Parish Council Play Parks during the month of July. The feedback from RoSPA was, again, very positive with recognition that the Play Parks are in good condition and considerable resources and work have been put into the sites. The Clerk submitted an Action Plan identifying the outstanding work required to the Play Parks. In addition, two written quotations had been sought from local suppliers for the removal of bird droppings, as recommended by RoSPA.. Only one written quotation had been received from Paul Dinsley Tree & Garden Services.
The Clerk also advised that DCC is proposing changes to the current Service Level Agreement (SLA) in respect of their inspection of the Play Parks.
Resolved:
1. That the Report be noted
2. That the summary of the RoSPA Play Area Safety Inspection Reports be noted.
3. That the RoSPA Play Area Safety Inspection Report Action Plan be approved.
4. That the proposed changes to the SLA with DCC be noted.
5. That the written quotation for the removal of bird droppings be noted.
6. That the Grounds Maintenance Staff be authorised to attend the training on inspection of Play Parks to be facilitated by DCC.
b) Parish Benches Audit and Action Plan
The Clerk submitted a report advising that she had carried out an Audit of the 32 benches throughout the Parish. An Action Plan was submitted recommending that those benches highlighted as Category A be replaced.
Resolved:
1. That the Report be noted.
2. That the Action Plan be approved.
3. That all seats categorised as Category A be replaced with the appropriate seat.
4. That parishioners be invited to purchase a bench in commemoration of a loved one.
c) Memorial Bench Policy
The Clerk submitted a report recommending that the Parish Council adopts a Memorial Bench Policy to ensure that it can adequately deal with requests for commemorative benches to be installed on public spaces owned by the Parish Council.
Resolved:
1. That the Report be noted.
2. That the proposed Memorial Bench Policy be approved.
d) Quotation for replacement ride on grass cutter – the Clerk advised that she had received a quotation from Carrs Billington to replace the current ride on grass cutter.
Resolved that two further quotations be sought for consideration at the next meeting.
e) Quotations for steam cleaning of bus shelters – the Clerk advised that she had requested two local companies to supply a written quotation for the steam cleaning of the 14 polycarbonate bus shelters throughout the Parish. Only one written quotation had been received from Paul Dinsley Tree & Garden Services.
Resolved that Paul Dinsley Tree & Garden Services be approached to see if he would be prepared to provide a reduced quotation if he was able to secure the contracts for both the removal of the bird droppings from the Play Parks and the steam cleaning of the bus shelters.
55. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Letter from Durham County Council: Medium Term Financial Planning and 2016/2017 Budget setting – correspondence has been received detailing the anticipated level of precept and Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme Grant due to be paid for 2016/2017.
Resolved that the above be noted.
b) Letter from Durham County Council: Register of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Registerable Interests – correspondence has been received reminding Members that they must inform the Monitoring Officer of any change to any of their Registered Interesests.
Resolved that the above be noted.
c) Letter from Durham County Council: Durham County News – Christmas Lights Switch On – correspondence has been received advising that articles advertising the Christmas Lights Switch On are being invited for inclusion in the Durham County News.
Resolved that the Clerk requests an article advertising the Christmas Lights Switch On scheduled for Friday 4 December 2015 be included in the Durham County News.
d) Trimdon Village Hall Association: Letter of thanks for donation – a letter has been received from Trimdon Village Hall Association thanking the Parish Council for their recent grant.
Resolved that the above be noted.
56. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE
• The present Chief Executive (George Garlick) is scheduled to retire in January 2016 – his replacement is likely to be an internal candidate.
• Special Labour Group Meeting held to discuss the Syrian Crisis.
• In November changes will be announced to the School Transport programme following a reduction in the funding available.
57. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
• Old Sign Post, corner Front Street, Trimdon Village – the Clerk was requested to liaise with Durham County Council regarding the replacement of the location sign to a more sympathetic sign, more in keeping with the age of the sign post.
• Trimdon Foundry Council are holding a Proms in the Park Event – admission £2
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Trimdon Parish Council Meeting 8th September 2015