Minutes of the Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 8 March 2016 at 7:00pm.
Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, George Elliott, Margaret Elliott, Margaret Hughes, Ian Quinn, Bernadette Oliver, 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.
119. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Keith Thompson and Julie Thompson.
Resolved that the above apologies be approved.
120. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest. Resolved that the above be noted.
121. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public in attendance. Resolved that the above be noted.
122. POLICING IN THE PARISH
Sergeant Alex Clarke presented the Police Report for the period 2 February 2016 to 8 March 2016.
Trimdon Village
Burglary (dwelling) 1 incident – person arrested and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment
Burglary (other) – 1 incident
Criminal Damage – 3 incidents
Theft – 3 incidents
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All ASB – 118 incidences (down 19% on same period as last year)
Youth ASB – 59 incidences (down 32% on same period as last year)
Trimdon Grange/Colliery
Burglary (other) – 2 incidents
Criminal damage – 1 incident
Harassment – 1 incident
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All ASB – 71 incidences (down 37% on same period as last year)
Youth ASB – 26 incidences (down 27% same period as last year)
Resolved that the above report be noted.
Sergeant Clarke was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting.
123. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2 FEBRUARY 2016
It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2016 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
124. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE LAST MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL 0N 2 FEBRUARY 2016
a) Update on Casual Vacancy
The Clerk confirmed that David Smith of 25 Rothbury Close, Trimdon Grange had expressed a written interest in the current vacant position with the Parish Council. It was agreed that he be co-opted onto the Parish Council. Following his signing of the Declaration of Acceptance of Office he was invited to join the meeting.
Resolved that the above be noted.
125. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a) Planning applications:
DM/16/00107/OUT
Land to the South of Three Ways, Hurworth Burn Road, Trimdon Village
Erection of up to 138dwellings, a Health Centre and provision of open space
DM/16/00508/VOC
Food2Go
4A Commercial Street, Trimdon Colliery
Variation of condition 1 pursuant to 7/2013/0224/DM
Relating to extension of opening hours
Resolved that both applications be supported. In addition, the Clerk be requested to write to the Practice Manager of Trimdon Village Surgery regarding the rumours and speculation that the Surgery may be closed to request clarification of the situation.
126. 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 February 2016 and 29 February 2016
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.
c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 February 2016 and 29 February 2016
Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.
d) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 29 February 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 29 February 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.
127. CLERK’S REPORTS
a) Appointment of Seasonal Gardener
The Clerk requested permission to advertise for a Seasonal Gardener to cover the period 11 April 2016 to 28 October 2018. It is proposed that adverts be placed in the Noticeboards and on the website with a closing date of Friday 18 March 2016.
Resolved
1. That the position of Seasonal Gardener be advertised.
2. That the applicants be interviewed and the successful candidate be appointed by the Parish Clerk and Senior Grounds Maintenance Officer.
3. That the successful candidate be offered the position on the Durham ‘Living Wage’ of £7.43 per hour.
b) Proposal to host a Scarecrow Competition 2016
The Clerk submitted a Report proposing to host a Scarecrow Competition across the parish between 1 and 12 June 2016, with judging taking place on Monday 13 June 2016.
Resolved
1. That the Report be noted.
2. That the Parish Council hosts a Scarecrow Competition between 1 and 12 June 2016.
3. That the prize money offered by £100 for 1st prize; £50 for 2nd prize; and £25 for 3rd prize.
4. That the Parish Council requests a suitable person to judge the competition.
c) Report of restoration of street sign: Trimdon Village
The Clerk submitted a report on the restoration of the street sign located at the junction of Front Street and Hurworth Burn Road, Trimdon Village.
Resolved
1. That the Report be noted.
2. That the quotation from Signpost Restoration Limited by accepted.
3. That the funding from County Councillor Peter Brooke’s DCC Neighbourhood Budget be noted.
4. That the Parish Council funds any shortfall in the cost of the restoration of the street sign.
d) Update on problems with drainage, Trimdon Grange Cemetery
The Clerk confirmed that she had carried out a site visit with the Chairman and the Senior Grounds Person and it had been agreed to undertake a small amount of excavation work to improve the drainage and to plant two sycamore saplings.
Resolved that the above be noted.
e) Quotation for new barrel planters and floral fountains.
The Clerk advised that she had received a quotation to purchase three additional floral fountains; two for the bottom of Front Street, Trimdon Village and one for Trimdon Colliery and for the purchase of 20 barrel planters to be placed on the grassed area to the east of Salters Lane, Trimdon Grange. DCC has granted permission for the planters to be placed on this grassed area providing the Parish Councils undertakes the grass cutting and weed control.
Resolved that the quotation be accepted.
f) Quotation for grass cutting: Summer 2016
The Clerk confirmed that she had received a quotation from the current contractor detailing his charges for the new season.
Resolved that the quotation be accepted.
128. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Letter from Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments Limited (SAAA): External Audit for Smaller Authorities
Correspondence has been received advising that authorities wishing to opt out of the SAAA arrangements and appoint their own auditor must opt out by 31 March 2016.
Resolved that the Parish Council takes no action and thereby will have external audits carried out from 2017 by external auditors appointed by SAAA.
129. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE
- DCC finalised Annual Budget – will be levying 2% tax to fund Adult Social Care in addition to 1.9% general increase in Council Tax in order to deal with unprecedented financial cuts
- Consultations taking place on Youth Service and Home to School Transport Service
- Durham Constabulary has been voted the best Police Force in the country
- New offer for Teaching Assistants has been proposed
- Devolution Poll – 21% response. Majority in favour of progressing with an elected Mayor with limited powers
130. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Consideration needs to be given to the DCC dog foul bin at Trimdon Colliery being re-located. The Clerk agreed to forward this complaint to DCC.
Resolved that the above be noted.
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