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

Prior to the meeting commencing, Councillor Burton advised that County Councillor Morris Nichol had sadly passed away suddenly. He will be remembered for the support he offered to his fellow county councillors, local parish councils, including Trimdon Parish Council, and Phil Wilson, the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield

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

Anne Delandre (Clerk to the Council) was in attendance to record the minutes and County Councillor Peter Brookes was in attendance to report on County Council matters.

36. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Eileen Dickinson and David Smith.
Resolved that the above apologies be approved.

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

38. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public in attendance. Resolved that the above be noted.

39. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 13 JUNE 2017
It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting be agreed as a true record, and signed by the Chairman.
Resolved that the above be noted.

40. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE LAST MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL 0N 13 JUNE 2017

There were no items for discussion. Resolved that the above be noted.

41. MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 21 JUNE 2017
It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting be agreed as a true record, and signed by the Chairman.
Resolved that the above be noted.

42. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 21 JUNE 2017

A Public Meeting was held on Monday 26 June 2017 to discuss the announcement by Skerne Medical Group to temporarily close Trimdon Village Doctor’s Surgery, and a large number of residents were in attendance. Two Doctors from the Surgery were also in attendance.

The decision of the Parish Council to fight the closure was unanimously supported by the residents. There appears to be no will on behalf of the Medical Group to continue to keep open Trimdon Village Surgery, and it was noted that there are plans to build a large extension onto the Sedgefield Surgery.

It was reported that the Surgery would temporarily re-open on the 17th July 2017 (it will have to close for one week to accommodate staff holidays) but there was no commitment that this would be sustained in the long term.

Paul Trippett is meeting with the Primary Care Group (PCG) to encourage the practice to cut some services at Sedgefield in order to spread the service around the other surgeries, ensuring that all patients get an equitable service.

Residents were encouraged to complain, in writing, to their MP and the Commissioning Care Group objecting to the closure – a draft letter is available in the Chemist for guidance.

Peter Brookes has queried the status of the proposed new housing development, and the possibility of a new surgery and it was asked what savings the surgery is making as a result of the proposed closure of the facility in Trimdon Village. Steve Pilkington, DCC Planning is to speak to the developer’s Agent to clarify the position regarding the proposed housing development.

Resolved that the above be noted.

43. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a) Notification of Planning Inspectorate’s decision: Appeal from Mr G Thompson, Mrs L Tyres, Tyresville Stables, Kelloe Bank, Trimdon Grange and Amerston Holding, Trimdon Grange and Amerston Holdings

The Clerk gave details of the Planning Inspectorates decision on the above appeals

Appeal A was dismissed and the enforcement notice is upheld
Appeal B was dismissed and the enforcement notice is upheld
Appeal C was dismissed and that a reasonable period for compliance be 12 months

Resolved that the above be noted.

b) The following planning application was considered:
DM/17/01987/FPA 1 Myrtle Grove, Trimdon Village
Erection of single storey rear extension
Resolved that no comment be made in respect of the above planning application.

44. FINANCIAL

a) The Clerk submitted the schedule of payments made between 1 June 2017 and 30 June 2017
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.

b) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 June 2017 and 30 June 2017
Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.

c) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 30 June 2017. 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.

d) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Current Bank Account) for the period ended 30 June 2017. 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.

45. CLERK’S REPORTS

a) Trimdon Parish Council’s Scarecrow Competition 2017 – the Parish Clerk gave details of the Scarecrow Competition. Listed below are the winners:

Winner Resident Award – Mayfield Stables, Trimdon Grange
Highly Commended Residents Awards – 7 Rothbury Close, Trimdon Grange and 14 Church Road, Trimdon Village

Winner Community Award – Trimdon Community Garden, Trimdon Village
Highly Commended Community Award – Trimdon Community College and Trimdon Grange Community Centre

Resolved
1. That the report be noted
2. That the Parish Council holds a Scarecrow Competition in 2018

b) A copy of the draft revised Charter between DCC and local councils in County Durham. The proposed revised Durham Local Council’s Charter had been circulated with the agenda.
Resolved that the draft revised Charter between DCC and local council is County Durham be agreed.

c) Proposal for spring bulb planting scheme – the Clerk advised that she has been in discussions with DCC’s Civic Pride Service regarding a spring bulb planting scheme to involve the community. Trimdon Grange Community Centre and Trimdon Community College are keen to become involved and will include this as part of their half-term activity programme.
Resolved
1. That a sum of £1,000 be allocated for a spring bulb planting scheme
2. That the Parish Council works with DCC Civic Pride Service and Trimdon Grange Community Centre/Trimdon Community Centre to help with the planting scheme

46. CORRESPONDENCE

a) The Clerk advised that a number of emails had been received advising that Durham Police would no longer attend parish council meetings or provide a Police report.
Resolved that the Clerk writes to the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner expressing concerns regarding this decision.

b) The Clerk advised that correspondence has been received from County Durham Association of Local Councils (CDALC) regarding changes to the role of the person directly employed by CDALC. This matter has been discussed by the Executive Committee and a number of resolutions recommended to be discussed and approved by Association members at the October AGM.
Resolved that the resolutions proposed be supported by Trimdon Parish Council.

c) A Letter of thanks has been received from the Great North Air Ambulance Service for the recent donation.
Resolved that the above be noted.

d) A copy of the Durham Association News: June 2017 Newsletter had been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved that the above be noted.

e) A copy of the National Association of Local Councils: Summer 2017 Magazine has been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved that the above be noted.

47. COUNTY COUNCILLOR UPDATE

  • The death of County Councillor Morris Nichol had been acknowledged by the Chairman. Councillor Nichol was the longest serving Councillor at Durham County Council and was affectionally known as the ‘Father of the House’
  • A new offer has been made to Teaching Assistants involving new gradings and JD’s. This has currently been rejected by Unison
  • DCC is required to make further savings of £44M by 2020 – Labour Group to discuss and identify priorities for spending

 

48. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY

  • North Moor Avenue, Trimdon Grange – rocks to be removed to allow grass cutting – Clerk to investigate
  • It was noted that the new Trimdon Colliery Miners Banner was paraded for the first time in 120 years at Durham Miners Gala, alongside Trimdon Grange Miners Banner