Minutes of the Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 10 January 2017 at 7:00pm.

Present:  Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, George Elliot, Margaret Elliott, Robert Gilbert, Bernadette Oliver, Margaret Hughes, Ian Quinn, David Smith, Keith Thompson and Paul Trippett.

Anne Delandre (Clerk to the Council) was in attendance to record the minutes and Councillor Peter Brookes was in attendance to update on County Council matters.  Sergeant Alex Clarke and Inspectors Sarah Honeyman and Steve Thubron were also in attendance to report on Police matters.

93. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Julie Thompson.
Resolved that the above apologies be approved.

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

95. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public in attendance.

96. POLICING IN THE PARISH
PC Todd attended the meeting to present the Police Report for the period 8 December 2016 to 13 December 2016.

TRIMDON VILLAGE 

Burglary – 3 incidences
Harassment  – 3 incidences
Assault – 3 incidences
Theft – 2 incidences
Criminal Damage – 2 incidences
Theft of Vehicle – 1 incident

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)

All ASB –  all incidents (17% lower than same period in 2016)
Youth ASB – 3% lower than same period in 2016)

TRIMDON GRANGE/COLLIERY

Burglary – 2 incidences
Theft from Motor Vehicle – 2 incidences
Threats to Kill – 1 incident
Theft – 2 incidents
Criminal Damage – 2 incidences
Assault – 1 incident

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All ASB incidents (10% lower than same same period in 2016)
Youth ASB – (6% lower than same period in 2016)

97. ATENDANCE BY MR JOHNS, REGISTERED MANAGER, PARKWOOD
The Clerk confirmed that Mr Johns was unable to attend the meeting, but had offered to attend the February meeting.
Resolved that Mr Johns be invited to attend the meeting held on 7 February 2017.

98. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 13 DECEMBER 2016
It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2016 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman. Resolved that the above be noted.

99.  UPDATE ABOUT PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE MEETING HELD ON 13 DECEMBER 2016

a)    Incident at Park House Farm – the Clerk confirmed that she had been advised by the Chairman not to write to the Chief Constable regarding the incident at Park House Farm as the MP had arranged a meeting with representatives from Durham Constabulary, Trimdon Parish Council and Trimdon Foundry Parish Council to discuss this matter and other incidents of crime across the Trimdons.

Inspectors Honeyman and Thubron re-affirmed the assurances that were made at the meeting held with the MP that the Police presence across the Trimdons was as robust as resources allowed.  Concerns were raised that residents are often too frightened to report crime for fear of repercussions.  This was acknowledged, but councillors were asked to encourage residents to report incidents – email is also an acceptable form of reporting.

It was noted that the MP is holding a Surgery on 17 February and it is hoped that residents may take this opportunity to report incidents of crime.

Resolved that the above be noted.

Sergeant Clarke and Inspectors Honeyman and Thubron were thanked for their attendance and left the meeting.

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

 

100. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a)    Notification of Appeal Hearing Date – Combined Planning and Enforcement Appeals: Plot 1, Tyersville Stables and Plot 2 Amerston Holding and Land at Kelloe Bank, Trimdon Grange – Change of use of land to create 2 no. traveller pitches comprising 1 no. mobile home, 6 no. touring caravans and part change of use of existing stables to provide living and work areas (part retrospective)

The Clerk advised that a Planning Hearing is scheduled for 10:00am on 17 January 2017 at County Hall to discuss the above.

Resolved  that the Parish Clerk attends to confirm the Parish Council’s objections to the planning application.

b)    There were no planning applications for consideration.

Resolved that the above be noted.

101. 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 December 2016 and 31 December 2016
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.

c)    The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 December 2016 and 31 December 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 December 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 December 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.

102. CLERK’S REPORTS

a)    Report on the Budget and the setting of the Parish Precept 2017/2018

The Clerk submitted a report detailing the proposed budget for 2017/2018, together with the current financial situation and the anticipated balances as at 31 March 2017.

Resolved;

1.    That the draft budget for 2017/2018 be approved
2.    That Trimdon Parish does not increase the parish precept for 2017/2018 and requests a precept of £148,761

b)    Quotation for the crowning and felling of trees: Bluebell Meadow Primary School and Hart View Allotment Site, Trimdon Village
The Clerk gave details of the quotation received for the above work.
Resolved that the quotation from Paul Dinsley Tree & Garden Services be accepted.

103. CORRESPONDENCE

a)    National Association of Local Councils Magazine: Winter 2016 – circulated with the Agenda
Resolved that the above be noted.

104. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE

Councillor Brookes is one of a number of County Councillors taking up the challenge of living on £58.50 a week, following a presentation to Council by a care leaver regarding the level of benefit paid

Meeting held at TCCA to discuss refurbishment work – £30K designated from Neighbourhood Budget to refurbish the gym to make it suitable to host functions

Issue of caravans on old Locomotive PH site referred to DCC Enforcement Team

Resolved that the above be noted.

105. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY

A Public Consultation on Hurworth Burn Reservoir is taking place at Trimdon Village Hall on Monday 16 January 2017 between 2:00pm and 6:00pm.

 

January 2017