Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Community College, Trimdon Village on Tuesday 14 January 2020 at 7:00pm.
Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Denise Davison, Eileen Dickinson, Eileen Dickinson, George Elliott, Margaret Elliott, Margaret Hughes, Bernadette Oliver, Leslie Oliver, Ian Quinn, 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.
Prior to the meeting commencing, the Chairman advised those present that Rob Gilbert is currently ill in hospital. The Clerk was asked to send a Get-Well Card to Rob expressing the best wishes of the parish council for a speedy and full recovery from his illness.
88. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Rob Gilbert and Keith Thompson.
Resolved that the above apologies be approved.
89. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest
Resolved that the above be noted.
90. ATTENDANCE BY POLICE TO TALK ABOUT RECENT INCIDENTS OF ARSON
Sergeant Lee Hobson and PCSO Shauna Foreman from Durham Constabulary were in attendance to update the meeting about the incidents of arson that took place over the holiday period. They advised that an arrest has been made in connection with these incidences and this person has pleaded guilty to the offences.
It was advised that the local PACT meetings are to be re-introduced and it was confirmed that the parish council will assist with the publicity of these meetings.
It was reported that there were also incidences of anti-social behaviour involving bikes in Trimdon Grange and Trimdon Village, and Sergeant Hobson advised that he would request that Sergeant Clarke attends the next parish meeting to give an update.
The officers from Durham Constabulary were thanked for their attendance and left the meeting.
Resolved that the above be noted.
91. GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TRIMDON AREA
Gary Shears, Durham County Council Senior Ecologist, and Giles Drake-Brockman, Forestry Officer, were in attendance. Gary began by advising of Durham County Council’s response to the ongoing climate emergency and their proposal to create a site for bio-diversity on county council owned land to the rear of Meadow Road, Trimdon Village. The area will be planted with wild flowers and trees to enhance the appearance and to create a habitat for wildlife. As part of the wider consultation process, the parish council was requested to support this scheme.
It was reported that the parish council made a decision at the November 2019 meeting to cease cutting the grass at the former recreation area in Trimdon Grange. As well as saving money, the area is currently sterile of wildlife. Initial discussions with Durham County Council have indicated that this site could be improved to increase wildlife, as well as reducing carbon emissions from grass cutters by creating an area of trees and meadowland that could also include: areas of natural beauty; picnic areas; a circular walkway and the preservation of the current right of way.
Giles Drake-Brockman circulated plans indicating his first thoughts regarding a potential scheme. It was stressed that no decisions have been made and that this was the first time these plans have been shared with the parish council.
Officers from Durham County Council were thanked for their attendance and left the meeting.
Resolved
1. That the above be noted.
2. That Trimdon Parish Council supports Durham County Council’s proposal to create a site of bio-diversity on last to the rear of Meadow Road, Trimdon Village.
92. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were ten members of the public in attendance. A number of attendees lived adjacent to the proposed site for environmental improvements at Trimdon Grange (see Item 91). They expressed their concerns at the parish council’s decision not to cut the grass as they state that the area is currently used by local children, as well as residents using it for other recreational activities such as football and golf. In addition, concerns were raised regarding the potential for increased anti-social behaviour if youths congregate in this location as a result of the change of use.
It was suggested that the parish council forms a Sub-Committee to discuss the above scheme, with a number of local residents being invited to join. Names of residents who would be interested in forming part of the Sub-Committee were sought.
Resolved
1. That the above be noted.
2. That the parish council forms a Sub-Committee to discuss the proposed scheme at Trimdon Grange and a number of local residents be invited to attend.
93. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR PETER BROOKES
County Councillor Peter Brookes reported on the following items:
- In recognition of WASPI Women (Women against state pension inequality), it has been agreed that those women most affected (born between 6 December 1953 and 5 November 1954) will be eligible to apply for a bus pass from 1 February 2020
- A budget of £63M has been agreed to improve and build a number of Leisure Centres across the county
- Road closure at Hurworth Burn will continue until the end of January
- Abandoned car reported to Durham Police
- A request has been received from residents of Bank Top Terrace for a lay-by to be installed on part of the village green to alleviate parking problems. The Parish Clerk agreed to make enquires with Durham County Council regarding the implications for part of the village green being removed, should this be agreed.
Resolved that the above be noted.
94. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 10 DECEMBER 2019
The minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2019 had been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved that the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 10 December 2019 be approved and signed by the Chairman.
95. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE LAST ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 10 DECEMBER 2019
a) The Parish Clerk confirmed that she had spoken to the Manager of the Voyage Care Home at Front Street North who has agreed that she will speak to all staff and advise that they should not be parking on the grass verge at Front Street North.
b) The Parish Clerk advised that she had visited the site of the public right of way at Trimdon Grange with the Chairman of the parish council. The farmer has placed a number of wooden poles across the entrance to his fields to prevent vehicle access. The parish council’s grounds staff had removed the barbed wire from one of the poles. It was also confirmed that there is pedestrian access to the public right of way via a ‘kissing gate’ and that the public right of way is not impeded.
Resolved that the above be noted.
96. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
There were no planning applications for consideration.
Resolved that the above be noted.
97. FINANCIAL
a) The Clerk reported that 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 December 2019 and 31 December 2019
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.
d) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 December 2019 and 31 December 2019.
Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.
e) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 31 December 2019. 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 31 December 2019. 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.
98. CLERK’S REPORTS
1. A report on the income and expenditure for the financial period to the end of December 2019 had been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved that the report be noted.
2. A report on the Annual Budget and the setting of the Parish Precept for 2020/2021 had been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved
1. That the proposed draft budget for 2020/2021 be approved.
2. That Trimdon Parish Council requests a precept of £159,792.60 for the financial year 2020/2021, which will result in an increase of 2% in the Council Tax levied by the parish council.
99. CORRESPONDENCE
There were no items of correspondence for consideration.
Resolved that the above be noted.
100. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
The Parish Clerk was asked to look at the possibility of installing two floral planters on the grass verge at St Paul’s Road, Trimdon Colliery to prevent vehicles driving onto the grassed area.
Resolved that the above be noted.
Page added 29th June 2020
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