Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Community College, Trimdon Village on Tuesday 10 March 2020 at 7:00pm.

Present:  Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, Margaret Hughes, Bernadette Oliver, Les Oliver, David Smith 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.

112. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
     Apologies for absence were received from George Elliott, Margaret Elliott, Rob Gilbert, Ian Quinn and Keith Thompson.
     Resolved that the above apologies be approved.

113. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
     Councillor Bernadette Oliver declared a registerable interest in Item 9(f) - Application for financial grant from Trimdon Village Hall Association, and 10(b) - Trimdon Village Hall Association’s request to use council-owned car park and playing fields.

     Councillors John Burton, Bernadette Oliver and Les Oliver have been granted a dispensation permitting them to participate and vote on any business concerning Trimdon Community College Association (Item 10(c) refers) as without the dispensation, the number of persons prohibited from participating in any particular business would be so great a proportion of the body transacting the business as to impede the transaction of the business
     Resolved that the above be noted.

 

114. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
     There were three members of the public in attendance.
     Resolved that the above be noted.

 

115. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR PETER BROOKES
     County Councillor Peter Brookes was unavailable to attend.
     Resolved that the above be noted.

 

116. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 4 FEBRUARY 2020
     The minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2020 had been circulated with the Agenda.
     Resolved that the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 4 February 2020 be approved and signed by the Chairman.

                                               

117. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE LAST ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 4 FEBRUARY 2020
     There were no items for discussion.
     Resolved that the above be noted.

 

118. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
     There we no planning applications for consideration.
     Resolved that the above be noted.

 

119. FINANCIAL
     a) There were no items of expenditure approved by the Chairman under Section 4.1 of the Financial Regulations.
     Resolved that the above be noted.

     b) The Clerk detailed expenditure requiring payment by cheque/BACS.
     Resolved that the payments be approved.

     c) The Clerk submitted the schedule of payments made between 1 February 2020 and 29 February 2020
     Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.

     d) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 February 2020 and 29 February 2020.
     Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.

     e) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 29 February 2020. 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.

     f) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Current Bank Account) for the period ended 29 February 2020. 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.

 

120. CLERK’S REPORTS
     a) Two members of the public were in attendance to request the parish council review its decision not to cut the grass at the former playing fields, Trimdon Grange until a decision has been made regarding the long-term future of this area. They suggested that if the decision was reversed, then a reduced number of cuts could be considered to minimise the overall cost.
     Resolved that the grass at the above location be cut on a monthly basis during the Season 2020.
     Councillor Paul Trippett requested that it be recorded that he voted against the above decision

     b) The Parish Clerk requested permission to appoint the Seasonal Gardener for the period 14 April 2020 until 20 October 2020.  The successful candidate will be paid the Durham Living Wage of £9.39 per hour.
     Resolved that the Clerk be authorised to advertise for the post of Seasonal Gardener.

     c) A report on the review of the Cemetery Fees for 2020 had been circulated with the Agenda. It was proposed that no changes be made.
     Resolved
     1:That the report be noted.
     2:That the Cemetery Fees proposed for 2020/2021 be approved.

     d) A report on the Annual Investment Strategy had been circulated with the Agenda.
     Resolved
     1:That the report be noted.
     2:That the Annual Investment Strategy for 2020/2021 be approved.

     e) A report on the Risk Register for 2020/2021 had been circulated with the Agenda.
     Resolved
     1:That the report be noted.
     2:That the Risk Register for 2020/2021 be approved.

     f) An application for a grant of £2,000 has been received from Trimdon Village Hall Association to assist with essential repairs.
     Resolved that a grant of £750 be awarded under the Local Government Act 1972 General Power of Competence. Councillor Paul Trippett requested that it be recorded that he voted against the above decision.

     g) Following the previous decision that the parish council does not replace the Toro Groundmaster 7210 grass cutter, two quotations have been received from local companies wishing to purchase the machine.
     Resolved that the quotation from Frank Johnson be accepted.

 

121. CORRESPONDENCE
     a) Correspondence has been received from Durham County Council regarding the proposal by BT to remove the public telephone box located at Church Road, Trimdon Village.
     Resolved that the parish council opposes the removal of the telephone box as it is the only remaining public telephone box in the village and there is evidence that it is still being used.
     Councillor Paul Trippett requested that it be recorded that he voted against the above decision.

     b) A request has been received from Trimdon Village Hall Association for permission to use the council-owned car park and playing fields for a community event to be held on Monday 25 May 2020.
     Resolved that permission be granted, but that the Trimdon Village Hall Association be advised that they must ensure that have adequate insurance for the event.

     c) Trimdon Community College Association are undertaking a Big Spring Clean Up with their young volunteers on Saturday 21 March 2020. They have also requested a small donation towards refreshments.
     Resolved that the above be noted.  The request for funding was refused, however, John Burton (Chair) and Bernie Oliver (Vice-Chair) made a joint personal donation of £60.

     d) A Briefing Note from DCC regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) had been circulated with the Agenda.
     Resolved that the above be noted.

     e) The National Association of Local Council Magazine: Winter 2020 had been circulated with the Agenda.
     Resolved that the above be noted.

 

122. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
     There were no items for discussion.
     Resolved that the above be noted.

 

 

Page added 5th October 2020

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