Minutes of the Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 12 April 2016 at 7:00pm.

Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, George Elliott, Margaret Elliott, Ian Quinn, Bernadette Oliver, David Smith 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 County Council matters and Sergeant Alex Clarke attended part of the meeting to report on Police matters.

131. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Eileen Dickinson, Margaret Hughes, Julie Thompson and Keith Thompson.
Resolved that the above apologies be approved.

132. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Under the Localism Act 2011 s.31(4) John Burton requested an application for dispensation to allow him to speak and vote on Item 139(a) – specifically in relation to the financial grant to Trimdon Community College Association – as without the dispensation the number of persons prohibited from participating in any particular business would be so great a proportion of the body transacting the business as to impede the transaction of the business.

Paul Trippett and Bernadette Oliver declared an interest in Item 139(a) – specifically in relation to a financial grant to Trimdon Community College Association – and left the meeting.

John Burton declared an interest in Item 137(a) – Planning Application DM/16/00675/FPA
Resolved

1. That John Burton be granted a dispensation under the Localism Act 2011 s.134 in relation to the financial grant to Trimdon Community College.
2. That the declarations of Paul Trippett and Bernadette Oliver in respect of Item 139(a) be recorded.
3. That the declaration of John Burton in respect of planning application DM/16/00675/AD be noted.

Resolved that the above be noted.

133. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public in attendance. Resolved that the above be noted.

134. POLICING IN THE PARISH
Sergeant Alex Clarke presented the Police Report for the period 8 March 2016 to 12 April 2016.

Trimdon Village
Burglary (other) – two incidences
Theft – 3 incidences
Assaults (non serious injuries) – 3 incidents
Harassment offences – 3 incidents
Theft of mobile phone – 1 incident
Minor drug offence – 1 incident

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All ASB – 100 incidences (down 25% on same period as last year)
Youth ASB – 42 incidences (down 36% on same period as last year)

Trimdon Grange/Colliery
Burglary (other) – 3 incidences
Criminal Damage – 1 incident
Theft – 1 incident
Assaults (minor injuries) – 2 incidents
Making off from a taxi – 1 incident
Firearms offence (loaded air weapon in a public place – 1 incident)

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All ASB – 47 incidences (down 36% on same period as last year)
Youth ASB – 20 incidences (down 26% on same period as last year)

Resolved that the above report be noted.

Sergeant Clarke was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting.

135. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8 MARCH 2016
It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2016 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

136. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE LAST MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL 0N 8 MARCH 2016

a) Appointment of Seasonal Gardner – the Clerk confirmed that Steven Wilson had been appointed as the Seasonal Gardener. Resolved that the above be noted.

b) Skerne Medical Practice – the Clerk confirmed that correspondence has been received from Neil Bunney, Practice Manager, Skerne Medical Group advising that they are undertaking a full review of their branch surgeries, of which Trimdon Village is one. They are working with the CCG to consider all options for the future of the practice at Trimdon Village, including the new proposed housing development medical facility at Trimdon Village.

Resolved that the above be noted and the Review of the Skerne Medical Group Sites be recorded as an Agenda Item for the next Parish Council meeting in order that the Parish Council can fully consider the implications of the review of the branch surgeries and the impact of any potential closure of the Trimdon Village surgery.

137. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a) Planning applications:
DM/16/00785/FPA
Northside Stores, Northside Terrace, Trimdon Grange
Change of use from ground floor retail including replacement front elevation and front garden boundary wall

DM/16/00806/FPA
Units 3 & 4 Trimdon Grange Industrial Estate
Change of use to storage/distribution with retail

DM/16/00675/AD
St Mary Magdalene Church, Front Street North, Trimdon Village
Installation of Notice Board

Resolved that no comment be offered in respect of application DM/16/00806/FPA and letters of support be submitted in respect of applications DM/16/00785/FPA and DM/16/00675/AD.

138. 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 March 2016 and 31 March 2016
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.

c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 March 2016 and 31 March 2016
Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.

d) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 31 March 2016. 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 March 2016. 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.

139. CLERK’S REPORTS

a) Approval of Grants 2016/2017
The Clerk submitted a report detailing the award of grant to local community associations and other bodies.

Resolved:
1. That the Great North Air Ambulance be granted £500 under the Local Government Act 1972 s1.37
2. That Trimdon Concert Brass Band be granted £1,000 under the Local Government Act 1972 s1.37
3. That Trimdon Community College Association be granted £22,000 under the Local Government Act 1972 s.133
4. That Trimdon Grange Community Centre be granted £5,000 under the Local Government Act 1972 s.133
5. That Trimdon Village Hall Association be granted £5,000 under the Local Government Act 1972 s.137
6. That Trimdon Colliery Community Association be granted £2,000 under the Local Government Act 1972 s.133
7. That 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
8. That Trimdon United Juniors be granted £,1000 under the Local Government Act 1972 s.137
b) Approval of Asset Register
The Clerk submitted the Asset Register as at 31 March 2016 to reflect purchases and disposal of equipment during the year.
Resolved that the Asset Register as at 31 March 2016 be approved.

c) Quotation from DCC for additional street lighting: Northside Buildings, Trimdon Grange
The Clerk reminded members that they had agreed to re-consider the request for an additional street light at Northside Buildings at the end of the financial year 2015/2016.
Resolved that the quotation from DCC be accepted for the installation of an additional street light at Northside Buildings, Trimdon Grange.

140. CORRESPONDENCE

a) Invitation to SLCC 2016 Regional Road to be held on Wednesday 6 July 2016 at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield.
Resolved that the Parish Clerk attends the event on behalf of Trimdon Parish Council.

b) Email from Limestone Landscapes Project – Tony Devos, Programme Manager, Limestone Landscapes Project has confirmed that the bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Village Atlas was unsuccessful again.
Resolved that the above be noted.

c) County of Durham School Benevolent Fund – a request for funding has been received to assist needy families in County Durham with the purchase of shoes and winter coats for their children.
Resolved that a donation of £250 be granted under the Local Government Act 1972 s.137.

d) Trimdon Community College – a request for funding has been received to run an Emergency First Aid Course for volunteers are Trimdon Community College. County Councillor Peter Brookes offered to fund this from his DCC Members Initiative Fund.
Resolved that the above be noted.

e) National Association of Local Councils: Spring 2016 Magazine circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved that the above be noted.

141. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE

  • North East Combine Authorities – Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead has now withdrawn. DCC sceptical of process and will not proceed until clarification of future funding has been sought.
  • European Referendum – Labour Group passed motion detailing benefits for County Durham. Overall support to remain in EU
  • Teaching Assistants – New pay offer proposed.
  • DLI Museum now closed and future exhibitions to take place on Palace Green.
  • £2K funding approved for floodlights/lockers at Trimdon Community College.
  • £2K funding approved for restoration of sign post, Trimdon Village.
  • £2K funding approved for Deaf Hill Play Park.
  • DCC served enforcement notices for illegal siting of caravans on Kelloe Bank.

 

142. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
There were no items for discussion.