Minutes of the Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 14 March 2017 at 7:00pm.

Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, Rob Gilbert, Margaret Hughes, Bernadette Oliver, Ian Quinn and Paul Trippett.

Anne Delandre (Clerk to the Council) was in attendance to record the minutes, Councillor Peter Brookes was in attendance to update on County Council matters and Sergeant Alex Clarke was in attendance to report on Police matters.

119. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from George Elliott, Margaret Elliott and David Smith.
Resolved that the above apologies be approved.

120. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
John Burton declared a Registerable Interest in Item 128(a) St Mary Magdalene Church: Garden of Remembrance, East Cemetery, Trimdon Village. Resolved that the above be noted.

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

122. POLICING IN THE PARISH
Sergeant Clarke presented the Police Report for the period 7 February 2017 – 14 March 2017

TRIMDON VILLAGE
Burglary – 1 incident
Theft from Motor Vehicle – 2 incidences
Assaults – 6 incidences
Criminal Damage – 3 incidences
Thefts – 5 incidences
Public Order Offences – 2
Sex Offences – 2 incidences
Miscellaneous Offences – 3 incidences
Harassment – 6 incidences

Sergeant Clarke advised that, of the 30 reported crimes in Trimdon Village, 13 victims did not want further Police involvement and would not co-operate with the Police investigation.

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All ASB – all incidents (7% lower than same same period in 2016)
Youth ASB – 4% lower than same last year)

TRIMDON GRANGE/COLLIERY
Arson – 1 incident
Burglary – 3 incidences
Parkwood – 7 incidences
Assaults – 4 incidences
Harassment – 1 incidences
Sex Offences – 1 incident
Theft – 1 incident
Public Order Offences – 3 incidences
               
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
All ASB incidents (3% lower than same same period in 2016)
Youth ASB – (21% higher than the same period last year)            

Sergeant Clarke stressed the importance of residents reporting incidences of anti-social behaviour and advised that even reports made anonymously would be recorded and investigated.
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.

The Council offered their congratulations to Durham Constabulary who have been named as the top performing Force in the country after receiving the highest possible grading by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

Sergeant Clarke was thanks for his attendance and left the meeting.

123. ATENDANCE BY MR JOHNS, REGISTERED MANAGER, PARKWOOD
The Clerk advised that Mr Johns recently confirmed that he is no longer the Registered Manager at Parkwood. He has passed the Council’s request for the replacement Manager to attend a Parish Council meeting to his successor. Resolved that the above be noted.

124. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 7 FEBRUARY 2017
It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2017 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman. Resolved that the above be noted.

125. UPDATE ABOUT PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE MEETING HELD ON 7 FEBRUARY 2017
a) Planning Appeal – County Councillor Brookes advised that the Planning Inspector has now visited the site at Plot 1, Tyersville Stables and Plot 2 Amerston Holding and Land at Kelloe Bank, Trimdon Grange and her determination is awaited. Resolved that the above be noted.

126. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a) Planning applications

DM/17/00249/FPA 26 Rothbury Close Trimdon Grange
Erection of replacement front porch and canopy

DM/17/00161/FPA 8 Holmeside Avenue Trimdon Grange
Installation of 1.7 metre radio antenna on chimney

DM/17/00570/FPA 21 Skerne Avenue Trimdon Village
Erection of first floor/two storey side extension and loft conversion

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

b) Letter from Durham County Council: Outline planning permission (including means of access) for the erection of 138 dwellings, a Health Centre, provision of open space and associated infrastructure at land to the South of Three Ways, Hurworth Burn Road, Trimdon Village.

The Clerk confirmed that correspondence has been received from DCC advising that they have received amendments to the above proposal. The Clerk advised that the amendments mainly relate to the access to the site.

The meeting acknowledged that, as a result of the concerns regarding the closure of the current provision due to the shortage of qualified staff, it is important that a new Health Centre is built in the Parish.

Resolved that the Parish Clerk writes to DCC confirming the Parish Council’s support for this planning proposal, and reminding DCC that a more suitable location for the provision of a new Health Centre would be on the land of the former Primary School, Church Road, Trimdon Village

127. 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 2017 and 28 February 2017
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.

c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 February 2017 and 28 February 2017
Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.

d) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 28 February 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 28 February 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.

128. CLERK’S REPORTS

a) St Mary Magdalene Church: Garden of Remembrance, East Cemetery, Trimdon Village – a report regarding the Council offering assistance with the administration and preparation for the interment of ashes had been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved
1. That the report be accepted
2. That Trimdon Parish Council provides assistance to St Mary Magdalene Church with the administration and preparation for the interment of ashes at the Garden of Remembrance, East Cemetery, Trimdon Village

b) Appointment of Seasonal Gardener – The Clerk requested permission to appoint a Seasonal Gardener for the period 10 April 2017 – 3 November 2017
Resolved
1. That the request to appoint a Seasonal Gardener be approved
2. That a Job Vacancy for a Seasonal Gardener be advertised in the Parish Noticeboards and on the Parish Council website
3. That the closing date for return of applications be 4 April 2017
4. That the salary paid be the ‘Durham Living Wage’ of £8.09 per hour
5. That interviews be held on 4 April 2017 – interviews to be carried out by the Clerk and Senior Grounds Person

c) Trimfest 2016: Nomination and Shortlisting for Journal Culture Awards 2017 for Best Event Durham – the Clerk advised that GemArts’ work with Trimdon Parish Council on Trimfest 2016 has been nominated and shortlisted in the Journal Culture Awards 2017 for Best Event Durham, alongside Kynren: An Epic Tale of England and From Out a Darker Sea, East Durham Creates. An Awards Ceremony will take place on 11 May in Hexham Abbey.
The Council has been offered two free tickets to attend.
Resolved that the above be noted and that the Council purchases eight additional tickets to allow members of the Parish Council to attend the Awards Ceremony.

d) Trimfest 2017 – the Clerk confirmed that Trimfest 2017 will be held between 19 and 29 October 2017.
Resolved that the above be noted.

129. CORRESPONDENCE

a) The Pension Regulator: Automatic enrolment duties – the Clerk advised that the Pensions Regulator has confirmed that Trimdon Parish Council has completed a declaration of compliance with the Pensions Regulator under the Pensions Act 2008.
Resolved that the above be noted.

b) St Alban’s Luncheon Club – the Clerk confirmed that a letter of thanks has been received from St Alban’s Luncheon Club for a donation towards their members attending a Christmas pantomime
Resolved that the above be noted.

c) Trimdon Community College – the Clerk confirmed that a letter of thanks has been received from Trimdon Community College for a donation towards Christmas activities for children and young people.
Resolved that the above be noted.

130. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE

• DCC Budget approved – cuts in expenditure £38M for 2017/2018 and £64M for 2018/2019
• DCC looking to ‘market’ Durham differently – to use theme of County of Life
• Council elections to be held 4 May 2017. Purdah starts on 23 March 2017
• Awaiting Electrical Engineer’s Report on proposed refurbishment of Gym, Trimdon Community College
• Fly Tipping reduced across the county by 20%
• The Good Samaritan (Trimdon Colliery Banner) Project has now started

Resolved that the above be noted.

131. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
There were no items raised. Resolved that the above be noted.