THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2008
328. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
329. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
330. POLICE MATTERS
331. PLANNING MATTERS
332. CORRESPONDENCE
333. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
Chairman’s Report
334. CLERK’S REPORT
335. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
336. FINANCIAL MATTERS
337. Remedial works
338. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
PRESENT:- COUN. J GRIGG (CHAIR)
Mesdames:- J Freak, D Kelly, L Grigg
Messrs:- B D Ferguson, K McGonnell, A Jackson, M Nicholls, B Wilson
PRIOR TO THE START OF THE MEETING THE CHAIRMAN WELCOMED COUNCILLOR BRIAN WILSON, COUNTY COUNCILLOR, TO THE MEETING.
328. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies for absence received.
329. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.
330. POLICE MATTERS
A letter of apology was read out by the Chairman from Neighbourhood Inspector Paul Harrison explaining the reason he could not attend the meeting. Sgt Hawkes and his colleague were in attendance and reported that there had been a great improvement in the crime statistics for this month. It was reported that Wayne Marsden was moving on and that Steve Rowe would be covering until a replacement was appointed. An update was given on operations to do with manhole and gulley cover theft and both the Police and the Clerk were to make contact with Police Headquarters Traffic Management to get progress on work being carried out in the village.
RESOLVED that the information given be noted and the results of monitoring by the Police on speeding traffic be awaited.
331. PLANNING MATTERS
PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEM BOTH THE CHAIRMAN J GRIGG AND COUNCILLOR L GRIGG DECLARED AN INTEREST AND TOOK NO PART IN THE DISCUSSION WHICH ENSUED.
COUNCILLOR J GRIGG VACATED THE CHAIR AND COUNCILLOR B D FERGUSON TOOK THE CHAIR FOR THIS ITEM
Proposal Two Storey Side & Single Storey Front Extension
At 8 Malvern Crescent
For Mr D Longstaff
Consideration was given to this application and to the plans of the proposal. Members felt that the proposal required careful consideration in terms of its size and appearance in the street scene. Reference was also made to access by emergency service and to services such as the drains.
Following discussion and consideration it was RESOLVED that an objection be made to this application on the grounds of size, affect on the street scene, visual obtrusion and concerns be expressed with regard to fire safety and access to sewage pipes.
AT THIS POINT COUNCILLOR J GRIGG RE-TOOK THE CHAIR.
Proposal Change of Use from A1 to A5 Hot Food
At Unit 3 Wingate House, Front Street
For Mr J Pike
Consideration was given to this application for a change of use for this building. Whilst supporting the use of this semi-derelict building and new business to the village, Members felt that the location of the proposal was unsuitable in terms of traffic movement, road safety, parking, noise and nuisance for residents and agreed that an objection should be made on this application.
RESOLVED that an objection be made on the grounds given.
Planning decision
Proposal Erection of polytunnel and portable building and alterations to vehicular access to B1278, at the Four Acre Field, Salters Lane, for Mr S K Knight
RESOLVED that the details of this decision be noted.
332. CORRESPONDENCE
Consideration was given to a list of correspondence received since the last meeting, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member. The Clerk asked for Member’s consideration of the letter received from the Clerk of Trimdon Parish Council regarding Area Action Partnerships. Members were concerned that power may be vested in these partnerships they not being an elected body and not accountable. They did not feel they had an affiliation with Peterlee nor Durham City but were in favour of a partnership with other rural villages/areas and had a willingness for Trimdon to be classed as one parish/area.
The Clerk read out for Members a letter of resignation from Councillor Neil Young.
RESOLVED that:-
(i)support be given to Area Action Partnerships in principle, but a need to know more about their representation be expressed;
(ii)Councillor Young’s resignation be accepted and the District of Easington be advised of Neil Young’s resignation; and
(iii)the remainder of the correspondence be received.
333. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
Wind Farm Funding
The Council’s representative once again reported that Durham County Council Foundation were to administer grant applications from the EDF funds. He was concerned that the initial £10,000 of funding was no longer available. He intended to keep Members updated on this matter. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
Transport for School children
It was pointed put in the meeting that both Councillor Nicholls and Councillor McGonnell had put a lot of effort into achieving the end result of obtaining transport for children of the village to their chosen school even though they were not available to take part in the photo shoot with the local press. Members acknowledged this and thanked the Members concerned. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
Rydale Court
A progress report was given with the full adoption of this development as well as the positive approach by the developer to a tidying his part of the site known as the former Matt Watchman Garage site. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
Windsor Street – Traffic Calming
The County Council had confirmed that the speed humps were the correct size and number. Members asked for additional measures to be put in place to slow traffic down at the entrance at Luke Street to complement those already in place in Windsor Street. It was suggested that the Clerk request a site visit be held to consider this request. May/Russell Crescent had also put forward requests for traffic calming measures. The introduction of more dropped kerbs was also suggested. County Councillor Wilson was to hold a site visit to consider these requests. RESOLVED that the Clerk make a request to Durham County Council for a site visit to Luke Street and progress with the remaining items be awaited.
Rear of Commercial Street
Reference was made to this rear access still being blocked off. To date no action had been taken by either District of Easington or Durham County Council on this issue although it had been reported. RESOLVED that further reports be made.
Representation by members of the public
It was reported that two members of the public that had recently attended the Parish Council meetings had chosen to object to the way they were treated, how the meeting was conducted and how they were asked to leave at the point where matters were considered private and confidential at the meeting of a nearby Parish. Both the Chairman and the Clerk were extremely disappointed by these comments and hoped that the public in question would attend a future meeting of this Parish Council to allow a right of reply. The Chairman asked those present what their opinion was on how the meetings were conducted. Everyone present agreed that they are conducted well and that members of the public were always made welcome. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
Anti Social Behaviour – Recreation Area
A Local Member was extremely concerned at the level of anti social behaviour by youths in the recreation area resulting in lots of broken glass and damage. This, it was agreed, was not acceptable but was a known issue. RESOLVED that this concern be passed on to the Street Wardens and the Police.
Former Methodist Church
A Local Member expressed his concern at an incident that he had made the Police aware of with lead being stolen from this roof and people climbing up and into the building which he felt was very dangerous. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
North East Ambulance Service
Progress was given on discussions with this matter with regard to the re-location of the Fishburn Ambulance Station. RESOLVED that further progress be awaited.
Chairman’s Report
The Chairman reported on various site meetings he had throughout the month.
Work on the trees and hedges that were overgrown on the path to the Post Office was completed by the District of Easington. The footpaths next to the new Wimpey estate required attention. The petition for a school bus was handed to the Local MP Phil Wilson. It was reported there were two garages next to the memorial garden, one had an old car in it and appeared to have an asbestos roof; it was asked who they belonged to. The question of emergency access to the Recreation Area was discussed and it was agreed that a price be obtained as a matter of urgency as this work would be required to be completed before the fireworks event. It was asked if an update on planning issues in particular Parklands and St Paul’s be requested.
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and action be taken where appropriate.
334. CLERK’S REPORT
Consideration was given to the Clerk’s report covering the following items:-
Maintenance of Playground Equipment
RESOLVED that the playground inspections be carried out every other month.
St Pauls Church
RESOLVED that the Parish Council raise the matter of financial compensation directly with the applicant’s chartered surveyors.
Section 106 Funding
Progress was given on this application for funding that had been successful.
CCTV Monitoring – Recreation Area
This had been included in the original estimates received for the street lighting works, and was now given as a separate price with a higher specification on the equipment.
Cemetery
Progress on works by the contractor was given.
Maintenance of the Bowling Green
A further report would be submitted.
Former Matt Watchman Garage Site
Progress on tidying of the site was given
Royal British Legion Remembrance Sunday Service
Approval was requested to order a wreath to be used at the Parade. RESOLVED that approval be given.
Fireworks Display
Approval was requested to finalise arrangements for this year’s display, to engage security, St Johns Ambulance and ask the Round Table if they wished to attend. RESOLVED that approval be given.
335. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
IN VIEW OF THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED THE COMMITTEE PASSED THE FORMAL RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS & PUBLIC FROM THE MEETING, PURSUANT TO THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSIONS TO MEETINGS) ACT 1961 AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION), ACT 1985.
336. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i)Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the accounts as listed totaling £1,590.15 be passed for payment.
(ii)Bank Reconciliation – August 2008
RESOLVED that the Bank Reconciliation for August 2008, be accepted.
(iii)Review Fees & Charges
Members gave consideration to the report of the Clerk in relation to the review of fees and charges for the various Council services.
RESOLVED that the fees and charges remain as at present, as detailed in the report.
337. Remedial works
The Clerk advised that prices have been obtained for various works that need carrying out in the village, as follows:- works to fencing along from St Aidans Terrace, Remove and dispose of old post and rail fence in the area of gas sub station at the end of Malvern Crescent and Trim back hedge at the allotments at the end of Windsor Terrace.
RESOLVED that the action taken, in consultation with the Chairman to have the works listed carried out at the prices included in the Clerk’s report, be endorsed.
338. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 8th October 2008 at 6.30pm.
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