Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Community College, Trimdon Village on Tuesday 15 December 2020 at 4:00pm.

Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Keith Thompson, George Elliott, Margaret Elliott, David Smith, Denise Davison, and Paul Trippett.
Anne Delandre (Clerk to the Council) was in attendance to record the minutes. Joseph Hobson, the newly appointed replacement Parish Clerk was also in attendance.

25. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Eileen Dickinson, Ian Quinn, Rob Gilbert, Margaret Hughes, Les Oliver and Bernadette Oliver
Resolved that the above apologies be approved.

27. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
It was confirmed that Councillors Burton, B. Oliver and L. Oliver have been granted a dispensation allowing them to participate and vote on any future parish council business concerning Trimdon Community College Association 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 (Item 21 (b) refers)
Resolved that the above be noted.

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

29. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR PETER BROOKES
Councillor Brookes reported that the last meeting of Durham County Council was held via Zoom and needed to be abandoned due to technical problems. He further reported that the Local Government Elections in May 2021 are still scheduled to take place, however, given the current Covid-19 issues advised for people to register for a postal vote.

Councillor Brookes updated the Council regarding recent improvements and refurbishment at the Village Hall, including new toddler play equipment.

Resolved that the above be noted.

30. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 27 OCTOBER 2020
The minutes of the meeting held on 27 October 2020 had been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved that the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 27 October 2020 be approved and signed by the Chairman.

31. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following planning items were submitted for consideration:

DM/20/03293/FPA
10 Sunnyside Terrace, Trimdon Grange
Single storey front extension

Resolved that no comment be made in respect of the above planning application.

32. FINANCIAL

a) Mazars LLP External Auditor Report and Certificate already circulated. The report identified no issues or recommendations for the Council to action.
Resolved that the above be noted.

b) The Clerk gave an update on expenditure approved by the Chairman under Section 4.1 of the Financial Regulations
Resolved that the payments be approved.

c) The Clerk gave a verbal report of the details requiring payment by cheque/BACS. The Covid-19 lockdown has resulted in most payments now being paid via BACS.
Resolved that the payments be approved.

d) The Clerk submitted the schedule of payments made between 1 November 2020 and 30 November 2020
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.

e) The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 November 2020 and 30 November 2020.
Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.

f) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 30 November 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.

g) The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Current Bank Account) for the period ended 30 November 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.

h) The new Parish Clerk gave a verbal report regarding the need for the Clerk to be issued with a Bank Debit Card for the account to reduce the need of purchasing items using their personal card and seeking reimbursement from the Council. This would result in greater transparency and improved accounting.
Resolved That the Clerk should make arrangements with the bank for the issuing of a Debit Card.

33. CLERK’S REPORTS

a) Report on the approval of the 2021/2022 parish precept had been circulated.
Resolved the 2021/2022 precept was agreed and signed by the Chairman

b) The Internal Audit Interim Report identified no issues or recommendations for the Council to action.
Resolved that the report be noted.

c) The Parish Clerk advised that the updated Risk Register as circulated has been updated.
Resolved the Asset Register as at 31 March 2020 be approved.

d) A verbal proposal was made by the Clerk that as the Council was not funding any Christmas celebrations this year due to Covid-19, the Council may wish to provide a donation towards TCCA’s effort to provide children with a selection box and activity pack.
Resolved a grant of £1,000 be given to TCCA.

e) An email had been circulated by CDALC regarding the issue of double taxation with regard to some services, to which the Clerk gave a verbal report proposing that the Council gave their support to the matter.
Resolved the Clerk send an email in support.

f) The new Clerk gave a verbal request to purchase a laptop computer. Covid-19 had identified a number of issues which could affect business continuity due to the Clerk working some of the time from home. A request to spend a maximum amount of £350 was made.
Resolved the purchase of a laptop be approved and authorisation be delegated to the Chairman.

g) Proposal of a new parish council logo was made verbally by the new Clerk. A discussion was held and the view was that any new logo should look to the future of the parish and not necessarily to the past in terms of mining images.
Resolved when Covid-19 restrictions allow, a working group be formed to look at ideas for a logo.

34. CORRESPONDENCE

a) A letter from Trimdon & District Angling Club for improvements to Trimdon Pond and request for funding.
Resolved that no funding be made available in support of the club until it is resolved that the ponds are accessible for public use.

b) A letter has been received from the Grant North Air Ambulance thanking the Council for the financial donation made.
Resolved that the letter be noted.

c) A letter of thanks has been received from Haswell & District Mencap for the financial donation made by the Council
Resolved that the letter be noted.

35. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

Resolved that the Clerk will liaise with members once the new Covid-19 restrictions are known.

 

 

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