Minutes of the Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 11 April 2017 at 7:00pm.

Present:  Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, George Elliott, Margaret Elliott, Rob Gilbert, Margaret Hughes, Ian Quinn, David Smith and Paul Trippett.
Anne Delandre (Clerk to the Council) was in attendance to record the minutes.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Eileen Dickinson, Bernadette Oliver, Keith Thompson and Julie Thompson
Resolved that the above apologies be approved.

  1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.
Resolved that the above be noted.

  1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

There were no members of the public in attendance.

  1. POLICING IN THE PARISH

The Police were unable to attend the meeting so the Police Report for the period 14 March 2017 – 11 April 2017 was presented by the Clerk.

There were a total of 23 reported crimes:

Burglary x 3 incidences
Theft x 3 incidences
Domestic related assaults x 6 incidences (all have lines of enquiry)
Criminal damage x 2 incidences
Harassment offences x 4 incidences
Other thefts x 5 incidences          

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
TRIMDON VILLAGE
All ASB –  all incidents (3% lower than same period in 2016)
TRIMDON GRANGE/COLLIERY
All ASB incidents (5% lower than same same period in 2016)

  • Margaret Hughes reported a wagon with digger parking on the footpath at evenings and weekends at St Paul’s Road which is causing an obstruction.
  • Paul Trippett advised that the MP is meeting officers from Durham Constabulary, together with the Police and Crime Commissioner, to explore part of Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill being managed from Peterlee Police Office, rather than Sedgefield. All present were in agreement that this would be welcome in dealing with crime across the Trimdons.

The website www.durhampolice.uk details a range of ways residents can contact the Police for both emergency and non-emergency calls by highlighting the Contact Us tab at the top of the web page.

Resolved that the above be noted.

  1. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 14 MARCH 2017

It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2017 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
Resolved that the above be noted.

  1. UPDATE ABOUT PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE MEETING HELD ON 14 MARCH 2017
  • Appointment of Seasonal Gardener – the Clerk confirmed that Steven Wilson had been appointed as the Seasonal Gardener for the 2017 season.
    Resolved that the above be noted.
  • The Clerk confirmed that she had purchased an additional eight tickets for members of the Parish Council to attend the Journal Culture Awards 2017.
    Resolved that the above be noted.

 

  1. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
  • Planning applications
    DM/17/00970/FPA
    The Meadows, Horse Close Lane, Trimdon Village
    Erection of 1 no. dormer  bungalow with detached  garage and annex accommodation
  • DM/17/01067/FPA
    Units 1-6 Trimdon Grange Industrial Estate, Trimdon Grange
    Storage building (3-5 years temporary consent)

Resolved that no comment be forwarded in respect of both planning applications.

  1. 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 2017 and 31 March 2017
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.

c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 March 2017 and 31 March 2017
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 2017. 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 March 2017. 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.

  1. CLERK’S REPORTS
    a) The Clerk advised that the Standing Orders were approved in October 2014, with a review date of October 2016. They had been amended to reflect the Parish Council’s decision to pass a motion regarding diversity and tolerance.
    Resolved
    1: That the report be noted.
    2: That the Standing Orders be approved with a review date of April 2019.

    b) The Clerk advised that the Financial Regulations were last approved in April 2014 with a review date of April 2016. It was advised that the current regulations remain ‘fit for purpose’ with no amendments required.
    Resolved
    1: That the report be noted.
    2: That the Financial Regulations be approved with a review date of April 2019.

    c) The Annual Investment Strategy for 2017/2018 had been circulated for approval.
    Resolved
    1: That the report be noted.
    2: That the Annual Investment Strategy 201/2018 be approved.

    d) The Clerk reported that the Parish Council is required to ensure that there is a sound system of internal controls in place. In order to ensure this, a Risk Register for 2017/2018 has been prepared for approval.
    Resolved
    1: That the report be noted.
    2: That the Risk Register for 2017/2018 be approved.

    e) The Clerk advised that Parish Councils are required to review their fixed assets on an annual basis to reflect any purchase and/or disposal of their assets. The Register of Fixed Assets as at 31 March has been prepared for approval.
    Resolved
    1: That the report be noted.
    2: That the Register of Fixed Assets as at 31 March 2017 be approved.

    f) The Clerk advised that the use of variable Direct Debit and BACS should be renewed by resolution of the Council at least every two years.
    Resolved
    1: That the report be noted.
    2: That the proposed list of payments via Direct Debit and BACS be approved.

    g) A report on the review of children’s funeral costs had been prepared with a proposal that the Council considers waiving all fees in respect of children’s funerals for families currently resident within the parish.
    Resolved
    1: That the report be noted.
    2: That the Council waives all fees in respect of children’s funerals for families currently resident within Trimdon Parish Council.

    h) A report on the arrangements for the Parish Council Scarecrow Competition 2017 had been circulated.
    Resolved
    1: That the report be noted.
    2: That Trimdon Parish Council Scarecrow Competition be held between Thursday 1 June 2017 and Sunday 18 June 2017, with judging taking place on Monday 19 June 2017.
    3: That the holding of four Scarecrow Building Workshops be agreed.
    4: That the proposed prize money be agreed.
    5: That Trimdon Foundry Parish Council be notified on the timetable for the competition.

    i) The Clerk reported on a request for a CCTV Camera to be placed to monitor the Play Park and surrounding areas at Trimdon Colliery.
    Resolved that, in view of the cost of installing and monitoring a CCTV camera, the situation be monitored before any decision is made to install a camera.

    j) The Clerk advised that Durham County Council is to introduce a new Public Space Protection Order(PSPO) from 1 June 2017 and Parish Council owned fenced-off play areas can be added to the list of parks which will be subject to this PSPO.
    Resolved that DCC be asked to include the fenced-off play areas at the Play Parks at Trimdon Village, Trimdon Grange and Trimdon Colliery be added to the list of parks which will be subject to the PSPO.

    k) Change of Date for May 2017 Parish meeting. As a result of the elections due to be held on May 2017 it was proposed to move the Parish Council meeting to 16 May 2017 to ensure that the required notification of the meeting could be served.
    Resolved that the above be agreed.

    l) Quotation for steam cleaning – the Clerk gave details of the quotation for the bus shelters to be steam cleaned on two occasions during 2017.
    Resolved that the quotation be accepted.

    m) The Clerk was pleased to advise that both Dean Whitelock and Derek Whitelock had successfully completed a Playground Inspection and Maintenance (Operational level) Examination and Dean Whitelock had also completed the Register of Play Park Inspections International (RPII) examination.
    Resolved
    1: That the above be noted.
    2: That both staff receive a Gift Voucher to the value of £50 as recognition of this achievement.

 

  1. CORRESPONDENCE
    a) Invitation from the Directors of Franchise Investments Durham Limited: opening of new offices at Dyno, Trimdon Grange Industrial Estate on Thursday 29 April 2017
    Resolved that the above be noted and a number of Parish Councillors to attend.b) Trimdon Village Hall Association: Request for permission to use Council owned car park at Bluebell Meadow Primary School for Family Fun Day – 29 May 2017
    Resolved that permission be granted, but that Trimdon Village Hall Association be advised that Trimdon Parish Council will not be insuring the event.

    c) CDALC: Councillor and Chairman Training – July/August 2017.
    Resolved that the above be noted.

    d) National Association of Local Councils Magazine: Spring 2017 – enclosed with Agenda.
    Resolved that the above be noted.

 

  1. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE

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

  1. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY

The Clerk was requested to look into the following:

  • Broken manhole, St Paul’s Road, Trimdon Colliery
  • Damaged footpath adjacent to Trimdon Grange Community Centre
  • Damaged fencing, Harwood Court, Trimdon Grange
  • Walled area, Salters Lane, Trimdon Grange

Resolved that the above be noted.