Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Community College, Trimdon Village on Tuesday 27 October 2020 at 2:00pm.
Present: Councillor John Burton (in the Chair) and Councillors Eileen Dickinson, George Elliott, Margaret Elliott, Bernadette Oliver, Les Oliver, Ian Quinn, David Smith 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 to observe the proceedings.
13. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Denise Davison, Rob Gilbert, Margaret Hughes and Keith Thompson
Resolved that the above apologies be approved.
14. 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.
15. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public in attendance.
Resolved that the above be noted.
16. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR PETER BROOKES
County Councillor Peter Brookes was unavailable to attend and had forwarded his apologies. He advised that the first full County Council meeting since February had taken place (via Zoom) and the main items were:
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The County Durham Plan was approved.
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The Chief Executive, Terry Collins, is retiring in December and John Hewitt, Director of Resources and Finance, has been appointed as interim CEO for the next 12 months.
Resolved that the above be noted.
17. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 11 AUGUST 2020
The minutes of the meeting held on 11 August 2020 had been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved that the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 11 August 2020 be approved and signed by the Chairman.
18. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE LAST ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 11 AUGUST 2020
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The Chairman confirmed that a selection process had taken place to appoint a replacement Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer and the successful candidate was Joseph Hobson.
Resolved that the appointment of Joseph Hobson as the replacement Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer be approved.
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The Parish Clerk, together with the Chairman and Paul Trippett had visited Millennium Green to inspect the shrubs/trees. They recommended that the work be carried out and that the quotation from Eden Dene Tree Services be accepted.
Resolved that the quotation from Eden Dene Tree Services be accepted to undertake the shrub/tree clearance at Millennium Green.
19. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following planning items were submitted for consideration:
DM/20/02654/FPA
Land East of 1-4 Commercial Street Trimdon Colliery
3no. terrace dwellings
Resolved that no comment be made in respect of the above planning application.
20. FINANCIAL
- The Clerk reported on an item of expenditure approved by the Chairman under Section 4.1 of the Financial Regulations.
Resolved that the above be noted.
- The Clerk detailed expenditure requiring payment by cheque/BACS.
Resolved that the payments be approved.
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The Clerk submitted the schedule of payments made between 1 August 2020 and 30 September 2020
Resolved that the schedule of payments be approved.
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The Clerk submitted the schedule of receipts received between 1 August 2020 and 30 September 2020.
Resolved that the schedule of receipts be approved.
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The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Instant Access Account) for the period ended 30 September 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.
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The Clerk submitted the bank reconciliation statement (Current Bank Account) for the period ended 30 September 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.
21. CLERK’S REPORTS
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A Report on the review of the Income and Expenditure for the financial year ended 30 September 2020, together with a detailed Income and Expenditure Account Code Report had been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved That the report be noted.
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A Report on the requests for Grants for the financial year 2021/2022 had been circulated with the Agenda. The Parish Clerk advised that if the parish council was prepared to use the £9K saved as a result of two community events having to be cancelled this financial year due to the Coronavirus pandemic (VE 75 Day and the Big BRASS Bash), then a budget of £45K could be maintained for the next financial year.
Resolved
1/ That the report be noted.
2/ That Trimdon Concert Brass Band be awarded a donation of £1,000 under the General Power of Competence.
3/ That Trimdon Community College Association be awarded a donation of £22,000 under the General Power of Competence.
4/ That Trimdon Grange Banner Group be awarded a donation of £350 under the General Power of Competence.
5/ That Trimdon Colliery Banner Group be awarded a donation of £350 under the General Power of Competence.
6/ That Trimdon Village Hall Association be awarded a donation of £5,000 under the General Power of Competence.
7/ That Trimdon United Junior FC be awarded a donation of £1,000 under the General Power of Competence.
8/ hat Trimdon Grange Community Centre be awarded a donation of £7,806.60 under the General Power of Competence.
9/ That Trimdon Youth Clubs be awarded a donation of £1,472 under the General Power of Competence.
10/ That a Grants/Donations Budget of £45,000 be approved for the financial year 2021/2022.
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A Report on the Asset Register as at 31 March 2020, together with a full list of the assets, had been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved that the Asset Register as at 31 March 2020 be approved.
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The Parish Clerk advised that, regrettably, the annual Christmas Lights Switch-on would not be able to take place as a result of the current restrictions regarding social gatherings due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Christmas trees in each of the three villages will still be illuminated. It was recommended that the Christmas trees be purchased from Croft Christmas Trees.
Resolved that the three parish Christmas Trees be purchased from Croft Christmas Trees.
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Quotations for the replacement of 3no. grass cutters and the supply of 1no. water bowser had been obtained. The Parish Clerk recommended that the items be purchased this financial year to be able to preserve the current price.
Resolved that the quotation from Peter Wilson be accepted and the items to be purchased the current financial year.
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A quotation for the supply of 3no. benches has been obtained. A request has been made that they be placed on the playing field area at Trimdon Grange. A request has also been received from St Mary Magdalene Church for the parish council to purchase 2no. benches of their behalf; the parish council to be re-imbursed for these items from the Church.
Resolved
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That the quotation from Broxap be accepted.
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That the 3no. benches be located on the edge of the playing field, Trimdon Colliery.
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That the parish council purchase two benches on behalf of St Mary Magdalene Church and the parish council be re-imbursed for these items from the Church.
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That the parish council purchases an additional bench on behalf of a resident in accordance with the Memorial Bench Policy (Item 21g) refers.
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A request has been received from a parishioner to place a Memorial Bench at the recreational ground at Trimdon Grange in accordance with the parish council’s Memorial Bench Policy.
Resolved that the above request be granted.
22. CORRESPONDENCE
1/ A letter has been received from Haswell Mencap for a financial donation following the theft of their minibus.
Resolved that a donation of £100 be awarded under the General Power of Competence.
2/ A letter has been received from the Grant North Air Ambulance for a financial donation.
Resolved that a donation of £50 be awarded under the General Power of Competence.
3/ A request has been received from a resident for the Trimdon Grange Christmas Tree to be re-located from Galbraith Terrace to the grounds of Trimdon Grange Community Centre. The parish councillor for Trimdon Grange was in favour of this request.
Resolved that the request be granted.
4/ The Parish Clerk advised that County Councillor has started a petition to oppose the closure of Trimdon Colliery Post Office and Sorting Office.
Resolved that the above be noted.
5/ The National Association of Local Councils Magazine: Summer 2020 had been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved that the above be noted.
23. COUNCILLOR MATTERS – FOR INFORMATION ONLY
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Paul Trippett advised that, as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic, the traditional Remembrance Service could not take place in church this year. Instead, a small service will now take place at the War Memorial in Trimdon Grange Cemetery at 11:00am on Wednesday 11 November 2020.
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It was confirmed that the three floral tubs removed from Front Street North will be replaced with new floral tubs to be purchased.
Resolved that the above be noted.
24. There were no members of the press or public in attendance.
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A Report on a request from the Grounds Staff to be paid holiday pay in lieu of accrued holidays had been circulated with the Agenda.
Resolved that the request be granted.
25. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Resolved that the next meeting be held on Tuesday 15 December 2020 (time to be confirmed).
Page added 16th December 2020