Minutes of the Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 13 December 2016 at 7:00pm.

Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, George Elliot, Margaret Elliott, Ian Quinn, and Paul Trippett.

Anne Delandre (Clerk to the Council) was in attendance to record the minutes and PC Todd was in attendance to report on Police Matters.

81. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Margaret Hughes, David Smith, Bernadette Oliver, Keith Thompson and Julie Thompson. Resolved that the above apologies be approved.

82. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest. Resolved that the above be noted.

83. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were two members of the public present. One of the attendees updated the meeting on a recent incident that had taken place on his premises at Park House Farm. Following an extensive fire his haulage business of 32 years had been destroyed. PC Todd confirmed that the fire is being treated as a serious crime investigation by CID.

Members present expressed their concerns at the increasing number of arson-related offences taking place within the parish, and the neighbouring parish, and how Durham Constabulary is responding to these.

Resolved that the Clerk be instructed to send a letter to the Chief Constable, with a copy to the Police and Crime Commissioner, expressing concerns at the recent incident at Park House Farm, and other arson-related incidents.

84. POLICING IN THE PARISH

PC Todd attended the meeting to present the Police Report for the period 8 November 2016 to 13 December 2016.

TRIMDON VILLAGE
Burglary – 5 incidences
Criminal Damage – 2 incidences
Assault – 4 incidences
Theft – 1 incident
Other – 8 incidences
Parkwood – 5 assaults, 1 theft and 1 criminal damage. At the request of the local NPT, the main perpetrator has been relocated and there have been no further reported incidents.

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)

All ASB – all incidents (23% lower than All ASB incidents same period in 2015)
Youth ASB – 6% lower than same period in 2015)

TRIMDON GRANGE/COLLIERY
Criminal Damage – 2 incidences
Other – 3 incidences

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)

All ASB incidents (26% lower than same same period in 2015)
Youth ASB – (15% lower than same period in 2015)

PC Todd was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting.

85. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 8 NOVEMBER 2016
It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2016 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
Resolved that the above be noted.

86. UPDATE ABOUT PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE MEETING HELD ON 8 NOVEMBER 2016

a) Complaints regarding Parkwood Residential Home – it was re-affirmed that most of the recent incidents regarding residents of the home had taken place within the confines of the home.
Paul Trippett advised that the Manager, Daniel Johns, had offered to attend a Parish meeting to discuss recent complaints regarding residents.
Resolved that Mr Johns be invited to attend the January meeting of the Parish Council.

b) Consultation on proposal to remove street lights – quotation from DCC still awaited.
Resolved that the above be noted.

87. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following planning applications were considered:

DM/16/03127/FPA
Land to the South West of Mayfield Stables, Trimdon Grange 
Construction of stable block and general purpose building

7/2013/0453/DM
Development land at Briar Grove, Trimdon Village
Discharge of conditions
3 (materials to be approved),
7 (foul water drainage) and
8 (surface water drainage)

Resolved that no comment be offered in respect of the above planning applications.

88. 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 2016 and 30 November 2016
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.

c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 November 2016 and 30 November 2016
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 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 30 November 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.

89. CLERK’S REPORTS

a) The Clerk advised that she had received a quotation from Rialtas Business Solutions (RBS) to purchase the Allotment Management module. The purchase of this module will assist the Clerk to manage the three allotment sites across the Parish.
Resolved that the quotation be accepted.

b) At the recent County Durham Association of Local Councils (CDALC) AGM all councils were encouraged to adopt a motion concerning diversity. It is recommended that Trimdon Parish Council adopts the following motion:

‘We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, gender prejudice, xenophobia, homophobia, religious intolerance and hate crime have no place in our county. Trimdon Parish Council condemns all such intolerance and hate crimes unequivocally.

We will not allow hate to become acceptable and will work with the Police and Crime Commissioners and others to fight prejudice and hate crimes. We reassure all people living in the area that they are valued members of our communities’.

Resolved that the above motion be adopted.

c) Update on Christmas Lights Switch-On – it was unanimously agreed that the Christmas Lights Switch-On held on Friday 2 December 2016 had been very successful, with more people than ever attending. Ian Quinn and the Clerk were thanked for their contribution towards this event.
Resolved that the above be noted.

d) The Clerk requested approval to re-schedule the February 2017 meeting from 14 February to 7 February.
Resolved that the above request be granted.

90. CORRESPONDENCE

a) Correspondence from Mrs Eadsforth, Trimdon Grange – Thank You card regarding Memorial Bench at Trimdon Grange Cemetery.
Resolved that the above be noted.

b) Letter from Trimdon Toddlers – a request had been received for a contribution towards the Christmas party activities.
Resolved that a donation of £150 be awarded under the Local Government Act 1972 S.137.

c) Letter from St Alban’s Pensioners’ Luncheon Club – a request had been received for a contribution towards Christmas activities.
Resolved that a donation of £100 be awarded under the Local Government Act 1972 S.137.

91. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE

County Councillor Peter Brookes was unable to attend the meeting and had forwarded his apologies.
Resolved that the above be noted.

92. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY

There were no items raised.
APPROVED AS A TRUE RECORD …………………………………………….
DATE …………………………………………………….