THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2009

492. DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
493. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
494. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING,
495. POLICE MATTERS
496. PLANNING MATTERS
497. CORRESPONDENCE
498. ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR/ REGENERATION OF ST AIDENS TCE/STATION ROAD
499. ELECTORAL REVIEW OF COUNTY DURHAM
500. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
Chairman’s Report
501.RESIDENT’S REPORTS
502. CLERK’S REPORT
503. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
504. FINANCIAL MATTERS
505. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING


PRESENT:- COUN. J GRIGG (CHAIR)
Mesdame:- L Grigg
Messrs:- B D Ferguson & J France

492. DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
The Parish Council had agreed to co-opt Mr Joe France on to the Parish Council.  Mr France signed and accepted the position as Councillor.  He also agreed to abide by the Code of Conduct.  The Chairman welcomed Mr France onto the Parish Council and offered his, Members and the Clerk’s support with his new role.
RESOLVED that Mr Joe France be accepted onto the Parish Council.

493. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been submitted and were accepted on behalf of Councillor D Kelly, M Nicholls & B Wilson.

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

495. POLICE MATTERS
PC Mellentham gave an update on the crime statistics since the last meeting.  He asked if there were any items of concern that Members wished him to look into.  Other than anti social behavior the main issues related to traffic; speeding vehicles; noisy backfiring vehicles; heavy goods vehicles not obeying weight restrictions and it was suggested that these be forwarded to Traffic Management at Ayckley Heads for attention.  The Clerk also reported confirmation that the issue of cross border policing had been discussed at the AAP meeting in September and had been passed to Inspector Andy Neill for attention.

RESOLVED that a letter be sent to the Police on the traffic issues discussed.

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496. PLANNING MATTERS
(i) Mr & Mrs Smith, Land at Wingate Road
The Clerk gave Members an update on this matter.  Following considerable discussion it was RESOLVED that a further letter be sent to Mr Garlick, Chief Executive, Durham County Council, enclosing a copy of the Planning Appeal Inspector’s decision.
(ii) Waycot Convenience Store, Wingate Road
RESOLVED that a letter be sent to the Corporate Estate Manager advising of the situation from the Parish Council perspective with this proposal.
(iii) The County Durham Plan: Core Strategy Issues Paper: October 2009, Public Participation under Regulation 25 of the Town & Country Planning, (Local Development) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008
RESOLVED that the contents of the document, be noted.

497. 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 reported a letter of thanks from the children who attend the Fun Club organised by the Resident’s Association.  
RESOLVED that the correspondence be received.

498. ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR/ REGENERATION OF ST AIDENS TCE/STATION ROAD
A copy of the letter received form a local resident was circulated to each Member for their consideration.  In discussing the contents Members referred to the confidential post box that had been in place a number of weeks and had not had a single report submitted and to very poorly attended recent Neighbourhood Watch Meetings. RESOLVED that a suitable reply be made to the resident on behalf of the Parish Council.

499. ELECTORAL REVIEW OF COUNTY DURHAM
Members were circulated with a copy of a letter received from Trimdon Parish Council and the reply made by the Clerk on the Parish Council’s behalf on this matter.  RESOLVED that the contents of the reply made be endorsed and further developments with the Review, be awaited.

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500. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
Fireworks
Positive feedback was given on the recent display which was very well attended by people in the village and positive remarks from residents had been made on the improvements made to the track and lighting.  It had been suggested that this event be extended to included music.  The Clerk also asked Members to confirm their preferred date for next year’s event and alternatives were considered.  RESOLVED that the fireworks display be held on Sunday 7th November 2010 at 5.30pm and investigations be made into increasing the length of the event.
Planting Schemes
A Local Member asked if there had been any progress with her request for a landscape scheme next to the Notice Board.  The Clerk confirmed that she had the details of four firms and would make progress in obtaining proposals and prices for consideration by Members.  RESOLVED that progress be awaited.  
Cemetery
It was reported that several positive comments had been passed on the appearance of the cemetery.  RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
Deterioration of the Kerb Lines
This work had been taken up with the County Council with the Head of Highways & Design.  RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
Anti Social Behavior
A Local Member expressed his concerns at the problem of youths congregating behind the Chapel and the surrounding area; he was also concerned at the problems of speeding traffic through the village.  These issues had been noted by the Police at the start of the meeting.  RESOLVED that the information given be noted.

Chairman’s Report
The Chairman reported on the various site meeting he had during the month; especially on the most recent meeting on Tuesday 10th November 2009 where a walkabout had been arranged with multi agencies which had been extremely productive.   Arrangements had been made for further planters to be put out and the grit bins were to be placed out shortly.  The dog bin next to Rivendell needed replacing and the Chairman asked for approval to action works to what was known as “the black path”, for which a price had been submitted previously by Collingwood Groundworks Ltd.  The fencing next to Knorwood needed to be repaired and the trees trimming.  The electricity sub station needed attention, at the site meeting it was suggested that a request be made to the electricity company to see if they could reduce the size of the kiosk.  The footpaths at Cinnamon Drive and next to the Fish Shop were in a bad state of repair.  The former chapel and access to the rear needed attention along with the issue of the unauthorized fence at Nattress Terrace. 
He asked for Member’s availability to go along and see how the CCTV system in the recreation area operated.
RESOLVED arrangements be made to have the black path repaired and any reports required be made by the Clerk.

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501. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
Access to the Recreation Area
It was asked if anything could be done with the access to the recreation area from the Sedgefield side.  It was reported that this had been taken up previously with Trimdon Parish Council and it was asked that this be investigated  again along with the tidying up of the walkways.  RESOLVED that this matter be taken up by the Clerk. 
Land at Wingate Road - Planning
Continuing complaints were made on the activity on this site.
RESOLVED that the information given, be noted and progress be awaited.

502. CLERK’S REPORT
Consideration was given to the Clerk’s report covering the following items:-
Surrender of Allotment Site
Former Matt Watchman Site
Budget Monitoring April – October 2009
Members were asked to identify schemes and/or projects they wished to be included in the budget for next year.  Two planting schemes had been suggested for the Memorial Garden and the Notice Board Area.
Fireworks Event
Cemetery
Damaged Bus Shelter Purvis Terrace
The Clerk confirmed that this shelter was to be replaced and gave details of the type of shelter proposed.  RESOLVED that progress be awaited.
Trimdon Station Recreation Ground – Order
It was confirmed that the Order and scheme for the recreation ground had now been authorized and the Clerk asked for endorsement of action taken in this being sent to the Solicitor to complete the negotiations.  RESOLVED that the action taken by the Clerk, be endorsed.
Notice to Quit Garden
Following repeated attempts to get the tenant of one of the Parish Council’s plots to tidy it a notice to quit the plot had been sent. RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.
Parish Council Logo
Consideration of the adoption of a logo was given, especially to be used on the larger planters in the village.
RESOLVED that the name of the Parish Council be used.

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503. 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.

504. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i) Accounts for Payment                  
RESOLVED that the accounts as listed totalling £4,872.97 be passed for payment.

(ii) Bank Reconciliations –October 2009
The bank reconciliation was presented for October 2009.  RESOLVED that these be accepted.

PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEM COUNCILLOR J. GRIGG DECLARED AN INTEREST AND TOOK NO PART IN THE DISCUSSION WHICH ENSUED.

(iii) Request for Financial Assistance
The Clerk reported receipt of a request for financial assistance from the Deaf Hill Ward Regeneration Partnership towards the costs of replacing recording equipment in the Community Centre. 

RESOLVED that the Parish Council make a contribution of £200.00 towards this equipment.



505. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED that the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 9th December 2009 at 6.30pm.


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