Minutes of the Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 20 September 2016 at 7:00pm.
Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, George Elliot, Margaret Elliott, Margaret Hughes, Ian Quinn, David Smith, Keith Thompson and Paul Trippett.
Anne Delandre (Clerk to the Council) was in attendance to record the minutes; PC Keith Todd was in attendance to report on Police Matters and County Councillor Peter Brookes was in attendance to report on County Council matters.
44. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Bernadette Oliver and Julie Thompson.
Resolved that the above apologies be approved.
45. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
46. CASUAL VACANCY
The Clerk confirmed that Lesley Oliver had withdrawn his initial interest and only one expression of interest had been received. This was from Robert Gilbert of 4 Front Street North, Trimdon Village.
Resolved that Robert Gilbert be co-opted onto the Parish Council and, following his signing of the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, he be invited to join the meeting.
47. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public in attendance.
Resolved that the above be noted.
48. POLICING IN THE PARISH
PC Todd attended the meeting to present the Police Report for the period 12 July 2016 to 20 September 2016.
TRIMDON VILLAGE
Burglary (Dwelling) – 2 incidences
Criminal Damage – 6 incidences
Assault – 11 incidences
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All ASB – all incidents (51% lower than same period in 2015)
TRIMDON GRANGE/COLLIERY
Burglary – 2 incidences
Assault – 5 incidences
Criminal Damage – 3 incidences
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All incidents (46% lower than same period in 2015)
Resolved that the above be noted.
PC Todd was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting.
49. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 20 JULY 2016
It was agreed that the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 20 July 2016 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
50. UPDATE ABOUT PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE MEETING HELD ON 20 JULY 2016
a) Consultation on approval to remove street lights – DCC has confirmed that they are preparing costings for the Parish Council to take over the maintenance of the street lights.
Resolved that a request be made to DCC for a site visit to receive more information on the proposal.
b) Re-marking of Parish Council owned car park, Trimdon Junior School. The Clerk confirmed that confirmation has been received from DCC of the level of work proposed to be carried out at the Youth Room at the Community College and that this is acceptable to Trimdon Community College Association.
Resolved that approval is granted to Durham County Council to re-mark the car park at Trimdon Junior School to improve the number of parking spaces.
51. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a) Planning applications:
DM/16/01438/FPA
Land East of Salters Lane, Trimdon Village
Permanent retention of traveller site pursuant to planning approval ref:7/2010/0348/DM
DM/16/02614/FPA
42 Front Street,Trimdon Village
Erection of single storey rear extension
DM/16/02725/FPA
22 Beckwith Drive, Trimdon Village
Erection of two storey extension and insertion of new windows in both gable walls at first floor level
Resolved that no comment be offered in respect of planning applications DM/16/02614/FPA and DM/16/02725/FPA. In respect of planning application DM/16/01438/FPA, a recommendation that approval is only granted for an additional five years to allow Durham County Council time to provide suitable alternative Traveller site provision, and on the proviso that the number of caravans is limited to four.
52. 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 2016 and 31 August 2016
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.
c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 August 2016 and 31 August 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 August 2016. This was cross referenced with the Bank Statement.
Resolved that the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) be approved and the Chairman signed the Bank Statement as confirmation of the balance.
e) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Current Bank Account) for the period ended 31 August 2016. This was cross referenced with the Bank Statement.
Resolved that the bank reconciliation statement (Current Bank Account) be approved and the Chairman signed the Bank Statement as confirmation of the balance.
53. CLERK’S REPORTS
a) Update on Hart View Allotment Site, Trimdon Village – the Clerk advised that a request has been received from the Hart View Allotment Society for a number of large boulders to be placed on the road to prevent cars speeding around the allotment site.
Resolved that a site visit be carried out by the Clerk together with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Parish Council.
54. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Letter from BDO – Correspondence has been received from BDO (external auditors) confirming that they had completed Trimdon Parish Council’s audit for the year ended 31 March 2016 and there were no matters which came to their attention which required the issuing of a separate additional issues report.
Resolved that the presentation of the annual return, including BDO’s certificate, be approved and accepted.
b) Letter from DCC: Medium Term Financial Planning and 2017/2018 Budget Setting – correspondence has been received from DCC advising of the updated Tax Base figures and the forecast for the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the financial year 2017/2018.
Resolved that the above be noted.
c) Letter from DCC: Payphone kiosk removal – correspondence has been received from DCC advising of BT’s intention to remove payphone kiosks at Watson Crescent/Wingate Road, Trimdon Colliery and land opposite St Paul’s House, Commercial Street, Trimdon Colliery.
Resolved that the above be noted.
d) Letter from Sho Shin Kai Shotokan Karate Club – a request for funding towards students/instructors ‘pilgrimage’ to Japan in August 2017 has been received.
Resolved that more information is requested regarding how many residents of the parish will benefit from any funding approved.
e) Letter from DCC Committee Service: Register of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Registerable Interests – correspondence had been circulated with the Agenda reminding councillors of their obligation to keep their Registered Interest details up to date.
Resolved that the above be noted.
f) CDALC Durham Association News: Newsletter 58 (September 2016) – the Newsletter had been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved that the above be noted.
g) Letter from Friends of the Heritage Trail – correspondence has been received advising of the proposed plans to improve the walkway from Wingate to Trimdon Grange within Trimdon Foundry
Resolved that the above be noted.
h) Letter from Trimdon Community College – a request for retrospective funding has been received to help fund the Summer Programme that ran from 22 July to 19 August 2016.
Resolved that a donation of £500 be awarded under the Local Government Act 1972 s. 137
i) Letter from Trimdon Village Hall Association – a request for funding towards the over 60’s project.
Resolved that the above request be placed on the Agenda of the next Parish Council meeting and, in the meantime, more details be obtained regarding the cost of the project, the number of people benefiting from the project and the financial donation required from the Parish Council.
j) Letter from Big Lottery Fund – the Clerk was pleased to advise that, following a bid to the Big Lottery Fund towards the Trimfest 2016 festival, confirmation has been received that the Parish Council has been awarded a grant of £9,600 from the Celebrate Fund.
Resolved that the above be noted.
55. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE
• Final offer made to Teaching Assistants – two year’s salary as compensation
• North East Regional Assembly – plans on hold following no guarantee from Government regarding future funding
• Consultation to take place on budget cuts; further £130M to be cut by 2020. Spending on the designated priorities of Highways (winter maintenance), Children’s Services and Adult Services to be protected as much as possible
• Neighbourhood Budget – £15K proposed for TCCA for changing facilities and alterations to Gym and £2K to Parish Council towards Trimfest 2016
• New Village Bus Service announced – hourly service from Trimdon Village to Easington Lane
56. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
There were no items for discussion.
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