Trimdon Station Community Association Meeting 20th February 2025
Date: 20th February 2025
Location: Trimdon Welfare Community Centre
Chair: Martin Tully
Minutes Taken By: Sue Sowerby-Scott
Attendees:
Jean B, Angela H, Jean L, John L, Elaine G, Steven G, John P, Martin T, Sue SS, Alan SS, Dave G, Zoe G, Toby S, Tracey H, Michael S, Cllr J. Miller, Cllr L. Hovvells, Julie J, Rob K, Helen R, Elizabeth C, Ann F, Rob K, Jeanette M, Melanie P, Farrah, and other members of the community.
Meeting Overview
Martin Tully opened the meeting by outlining its purpose: to bring the community together to address local concerns, collaborate with the council, police, and other agencies, and ensure accountability where necessary.
He provided an update on the Community Action Team (CAT) initiative run by Durham County Council, noting that progress had stagnated since their period of investigation ended.
He cited a recent Northern Echo article as evidence that many issues remain unresolved. Martin stressed that by uniting as a community, residents could hold the council accountable and work towards restoring the village to its former standard.
The meeting's primary focus was on identifying the main problem areas within the village and forming a residents' group to take coordinated action. Martin welcomed input from the broader Trimdon Station community at future meetings.
To facilitate engagement, Martin distributed contact forms for those interested in becoming a point of contact or actively participating in the group. Additionally, residents were given survey forms to outline their priorities for village improvements. The collected responses will be analyzed to determine key areas of concern and shared with the community.
Based on the strong turnout and evident interest, attendees agreed to move forward in establishing an official Residents' Association. Martin committed to laying the groundwork alongside a core group of residents who helped organize the meeting.
Key Discussion Points & Councillor Responses
Due to high emotions and strong resident engagement, not all questions and responses could be recorded verbatim. However, the following key exchanges were noted:
Q: Cllr Hovvells, do you believe this is a good area to live in?
A (LH): I live in Trimdon and enjoy it. I regularly visit local schools to engage with children. The Parish Council has also allocated funding for youth initiatives. Additionally, vinyl boarding will be installed on the disused Post Office to improve its appearance. We are working with the youth division on various levels to provide support.
Q: Why were residents not invited to the recent walkabout?
A (LH): I do not wish to comment on that matter at this time.
Cllr Hovvells also acknowledged that arson incidents have affected multiple areas, including Trimdon Grange and children's play areas. She assured residents that efforts are ongoing with other agencies to address these issues.
Q: Is it true that Taylor Wimpey has purchased land behind Cinnamon Drive for 150 new houses?
A (LH): I am not aware of this but will investigate and check with the Land Registry.
Q: How many fixed penalty notices were issued in January?
A (LH): I do not have that information at present but will provide an update at the next meeting.
Cllr Hovvells also committed to identifying the point of contact for the existing residents' group based in May Crescent, Trimdon Station, to improve communication and collaboration.
Resident Concerns & Next Steps
Residents raised several pressing concerns, which have been categorized as follows:
• Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour:
Issues related to intimidation, fear, fires (including arson), drug and alcohol abuse, and general public safety.
• Housing & Property Conditions:
Concerns over empty properties, poor property conditions, and issues with private landlords.
• Environmental Issues:
Fly-tipping, rubbish accumulation, street cleaning, missing bin collections.
• Traffic & Transport:
Speeding motorbikes and cars, road and path repairs, road obstructions in rear lanes, parking difficulties.
• Community & Infrastructure:
The need for improved community facilities and activities, maintenance of the field behind Station Road East, closure of the footpath, and ongoing concerns about the welfare of horses.
Residents voiced particular concern regarding recent fires in terraced homes on Station Road West and East, emphasizing the potential risk to life due to open loft spaces.
Councillors took notes and agreed to investigate and report back at the next meeting on some of the matters raised at the meeting.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to arranging the next session, which is provisionally scheduled to follow the upcoming PACT (Police and Communities Together) meeting. Details will be shared with residents once confirmed.
Notes:
A new Facebook group has been created for members of the Trimdon Station community to connect and stay informed. This group will serve as a platform for updates regarding meetings and other matters related to the Trimdon Station Community Association (TSCA). You can also find updates on the ‘Trimdon Times’ Website at www.trimdon.com
If anyone would like to become actively involved in the TSCA please get in contact with us via the Facebook group ‘Trimdon Station Community Association’.
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Page added 5th March 2025