THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 9TH JULY 2008

293. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
294. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
295. POLICE MATTERS
296. PLANNING MATTERS
297. CORRESPONDENCE
298. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
299. RESIDENT’S ISSUES
300. CLERK’S REPORT
301. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
302. FINANCIAL MATTERS
303. RECREATION AREA – REAR OF NATTRESS TERRACE
304 .DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING

PRESENT:- COUN. J GRIGG (CHAIR)
Mesdame:- D Kelly
Messrs:- B D Ferguson, A Jackson & K McGonnell  

293. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors L Grigg, J Freak, M Nicholls & N Young.

294. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, were approved.

295. POLICE MATTERS
Crime Statistics
The Chairman welcomed the Police and Street Warden representatives who gave an update on crime figures in the Ward, and responded on the matters raised at the last meeting. The issue of speeding traffic was raised and it was confirmed that a letter had been sent by the Parish Council to Traffic Management at Police Headquarters.  During discussions it was suggested that Chief Inspector Paul Harrison be invited to a future meeting to allow Members and those that came along to the monthly meetings an opportunity to raise matters of concern with him directly.   RESOLVED that this course of action be agreed.

296. PLANNING MATTERS
Applications
(i) Proposal: Polytunnel & Portacabin
At The Four Acre Field Site, Salters Lane
For Mr K Knight
Members suggested that this application did not fall within the Ward boundaries. RESOLVED that the Clerk advise EDC accordingly.
(ii) Proposal: Conversion of Church to 2 No Dwellings
At St Pauls Church, Commercial Street
For Durham Diocesan Board of Finance
It was reported that owing to response deadlines the Clerk had previously circulated details on the application for the conversion of the church to all Members and asked for their comments in order that a response could be collated by the due date.
RESOLVED that the response as circulated by the Clerk in relation to the conversion of the Church, be endorsed and a reply be awaited.

Decisions
Proposal: Erection of Building for Use as coffee shop, farm shop & general sales area, Green Lane Nurseries
For Mr F Trainor

Proposal: Conversion of old farm building to dwelling
Plot A, Old Wingate Farm, Green Lane
For Mr & Mrs P & J Cherry
RESOLVED that the details be noted.

REFUSAL
Proposal: Stables & Storage Building (Resubmission), at Land South of Hardy’s Lodge, Wingate Road
For Mr & Mrs Smith
The Chairman gave an update on this matter and confirmed that many agencies were now involved with this application.  There was considerable concern as this application had been refused but works had been carried out. The Enforcement Section was now involved. 
RESOLVED that further developments be awaited.

297. CORRESPONDENCE
Consideration was given to a list of correspondence received since the last meeting, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member. 
RESOLVED that:-
(i) a donation of £50.00 be made to Mencap;
(ii) the remainder of the correspondence be received.

298. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
(a) Army Presentation
The local member had gone along to a recent event and advised that the Army wanted to become more visible and were willing to come out to do talks and demonstrations at local events.  It was suggested that they be invited to come along to the Trimdon Summer Festival. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
(b) Esfon Funding
The representative had no further progress to report.  RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
(c) New Unitary Authority
It was reported that the newly appointed Chief Executive was to be Mr George Garlic. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
(d) Fishburn Ambulance Service
It was reported that representations had been made to the local MP regarding the closure of the ambulance station.  RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
(e) Citizens Advice Bureau
It was reported that a letter was to be sent out assuring organizations that the out reach services would continue. RESOLVED that the letter be awaited.
(f) Windsor Street Traffic Calming
It was reported that this matter was in hand.  RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
(g) Chairman’s report
The Chairman reported on the handrail that needed replacing on the “sustrans footpath”; the damaged rail at the Fish Shop had been removed and now needed replacing; the unused and broken pieces of playground equipment had been removed and the area landscaped; the gate had been installed for the bowlers’ use at the recreation area; DCC Cabinet were to be taking up the making up of the back street at Rodwell Street; no attention had been given to the flower beds in the cemetery; he gave an update on the environmental improvements planned and explained he was continuing to pursue progress with prosecutions for fly tipping. In closing he explained he was extremely concerned at the speeding vehicles being driven through the village.
RESOLVED that the items given in the report be noted and actioned where necessary.

299. RESIDENT’S ISSUES
Street Sign – Rodwell Street
It was suggested that this sign had been put up in the wrong place and that it should be next to the give way position in the street where it would be more visible.  The sign had still not been put in place for Commercial Street. RESOLVED that this be passed on to EDC.
Request for a Dog Bin
A local resident reported that dog owners were throwing bags with dog foul in them in the bushes are there were no bins provided on the footpath out of the village on the way to the cemetery. RESOLVED that a request be made for at least one bin to be erected on this footpath, more if possible.
Fly Tipping
It was asked what progress had been made since the official enforcement notice had been issued. RESOLVED that this be investigated and reported back at the next meeting.
Footpaths at Laburnam Crescent and Purvis Terrace
What was locally known as the “black path” was reported to be in need of repair. The footpath was well used by residents and it was RESOLVED that this be reported to the County Council for attention.
Footpaths to the front of Rodwell Street
These footpaths were improved under the renaissance scheme and residents reported that they were in need of attention. RESOLVED that this be reported to the County Council for attention.
 
300. CLERK’S REPORT
Consideration was given to the Clerk’s report covering the following items, Recreation Area
Removal of Rocking Rockette
RESOLVED that the action taken in arranging for this work, in consultation with the Chairman, to be carried out by Collingwood at a cost of £253.80, be endorsed.
Gate to the Bowling Green
RESOLVED the action taken in consultation with the Chairman in arranging for the gate to the bowling green by Russell Taylor at a cost of £130.00 be endorsed.
Complaint – Cemetery
RESOLVED the complaint received from Mrs Bown of Greenbank Close, be noted and the remedial action proposed be taken.
Service Mapping Questionnaire
RESOLVED that the action taken in completing this questionnaire be endorsed.
County Councillor
It was confirmed that the newly elected County Councillor Councillor Wilson was to attend a future meeting of the Parish Council. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
 
301. 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.

302. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i)Accounts for Payment         
RESOLVED that the accounts as listed totaling £2,048.56 be passed for payment.

(ii)Bank Reconciliation – June 2008
RESOLVED that the Bank Reconciliation for June 2008, be accepted. 

303. RECREATION AREA – REAR OF NATTRESS TERRACE
The Chairman advised that he and the Clerk were investigating the Parish Council’s landownership and responsibilities, particularly in relation to the Recreation Area and they had made a visited to the parish Council’s Solicitors, W Murray Humphrey and Son in Seaham to seek advice and were to visit the Land Registry Office in Durham.

Reference was made to the document which detailed a list of trustees for the land in question.  RESOLVED that authority be given for this matter to be pursued further and Members be kept fully informed.

304 .DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 13th August 2008 at 6.30pm.