THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING TRIMDON FOUNDRY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TRIMDON ON WEDNESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2009

466. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
467. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
468. POLICE MATTERS
469. PLANNING MATTERS
470. CORRESPONDENCE
471. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
Chairman’s Report
County Councillor’s Report
472. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
473. CLERK’S REPORT
474. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC
475. FINANCIAL MATTERS
476. Proposed Play Area - Home Housing
477. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING


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

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

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

468. POLICE MATTERS
The PC Gooden gave an update on the crime statistics since the last meeting and then a progress report was given on issues raised at the last meeting.  Details were given of a meeting organized to discuss the rowdy nuisance at St Aidans.  Further issues were reported with the recreation area being used for drinking parties; youths wandering around the village; drunken girls lying on the road in the early hours of the morning and other rowdy nuisance and anti social behavior.    RESOLVED that the information given be noted and details of discussions at the joint meeting, be awaited.       

469. PLANNING MATTERS
(i) Appeal by Mr James Smith, Site at Land off Wingate Road, Trimdon Station – Inspector’s decision
Details of the appeal decision advising the appeal had been dismissed had been circulated to each Member.  Details of progress with enforcement action following this decision were reported to the meeting.  The Clerk advised that she had been asked to clarify points relating to alternative access to the site which she had done. Following considerable discussion it was RESOLVED a further letter be sent to Durham County Council confirming the Parish Council’s position in relation to alternative access to the site in that this could not be granted and fully outlining the reasons why.
(ii) Planning Applications
Proposal: Hay Shed
At Emerald Cottage, Wingate Lane, Trimdon
For Mrs Smyth

Proposal: Creation of horse riding arena
At Land at Horse Close Lane
For Mrs Readman

Proposal: Dormer Bungalow & double garage
At Land Adjacent Station House
For Mr Elliott

RESOLVED that the Parish Councils concerns at the access to the proposal on land adjacent to Station House be forwarded and no further comments be made on the application details submitted.

(iii) Church Commissioners – draft scheme providing for the sale of the closed church of St Paul, Trimdon Station to be converted to residential use
RESOLVED that the information given be noted and no further comment be made.
To Note
East Howle Traveller’s site, East Howle, Ferryhill – redevelopment of existing traveller’s site
RECOMMENDED that the information given, be noted.

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470. 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 a donation of £50.00 be made to the Hartlepool & District Hospice and the Butterwick Hospice.  FURTHER RESOLVED that the remainder of the correspondence be received.

471. MEMBER’S INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
Rubbish Bins
It was reported that rubbish bins had still not been replaced.  The Clerk assured she had chased this matter up and it was treated as urgent. RESOLVED that this be reported once again.
Speeding Traffic
The Local Member expressed his concern at the continuing problem with speeding traffic at Luke and Rodwell Street.  The post at this location was also slack.  RESOLVED that this be reported.
Grit Bins
It was asked when these would be placed out again and filled.  This would be done shortly.  RESOLVED that arrangements be made to place out the grit bins purchased by the Parish Council.
Street Cleaning – Luke Street/Rodwell Street
It was asked if this could be taken up once again.  RESOLVED that this be taken up once again.
Wind Farm Meeting
It was reported that the next meeting was to be held on 6th October 2009 and one application had been received from the Headmaster of Cassop School.  RESOLVED that progress be awaited.
Former Chapel & Front Street
A Local Member expressed her disgust at the state of the shop fronts and the derelict site of the former chapel and the run down impression this gave of the village.  She felt that the village was being forgotten about, this sentiment was echoed by other Members at the meeting.  RESOLVED that this matter be taken up with Durham County Council.
Roundabout
Local residents had contacted the Local Member expressing their dissatisfaction with the appearance of the vandalized figure on the roundabout for Trimdon/Wheatley Hill/Thornley asking what was happening with it.  It was understood that residents had helped to fund the original figure and it was asked if this could be taken up on their behalf.   RESOLVED that an approach be made to Wheatley Hill Parish Council about repairing or planting this roundabout, with an offer of part funding works.
Noticeboard Area
It was suggested that a planting scheme/.environmental improvement scheme should be drawn up for this prominent corner in the village.  It was understood that the noticeboard in Trimdon had been improved under the regeneration scheme.  It was suggested that the noticeboard at Beech Grove should be repaired.  RESOLVED that an environmental improvement scheme for the main noticeboard area be investigated further and the noticeboard at Beech Grove be repaired.
Planters
A request was made for further planters to be placed out in the village to improve the environmental appearance of the village. RESOLVED that prices be obtained and reported back for approval at the next meeting.

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Chairman’s Report
The Chairman reported that works to install the cctv monitoring system at the recreation was soon to be completed.  He had a further site meeting following the request made to extend the yellow lines on the main street and assurances had been given that this work would be done.  It was understood negotiations with the utilities companies was holding up work on dropped curbs and it was asked if the Clerk would chase this up.  The area to the front of the Fish Shop had been tidied up and the area where the old play equipment had been was now being cut.  The fencing at the top of the recreation area had been damaged and subsequently repaired.  The vandalized gate to the bowling green had been repaired.  Several areas were given as a concern:- the former Matt Watchman site was becoming overgrown again; there was alleged tipping at Station Road and the footpaths from the new estate at Cinnamon Drive along to the Fish Shop needed attention.
A letter had been received from a local resident about the possibility of extending their allotment garden.  The Chairman offered to have a look at the site with the Clerk and report back to the next meeting.
RESOLVED that the information given be noted and items be reported where appropriate.

County Councillor’s Report
This report was given in Councillor Nicholls’ absence.  He was making every effort to get progress on the clearing of the former Chapel site with Dere Developments.  RESOLVED that the information given, be noted.

472. RESIDENT’S REPORTS
Renaissance/regeneration scheme
Residents asked why the street environmental improvement scheme had not extended to entire length of the front street.  RESOLVED that this request be taken up with DCC.

Fence – 5 Nattress Terrace
It was asked what was the position with this fence that had been put up.  The Clerk confirmed she had met with Ms Carter about the fence.  The fence had been erected without any planning permission, permission from the landowner or the landlord. RESOLVED that a letter be sent by the Parish Council asking for the fence to be taken down immediately.

Resident’s Association – Kids Club
The children sent along their thanks for the donation made towards craft equipment.

Speed Humps – May/Wood Crescent
It was asked if this issue could be progressed.  RESOLVED that the Clerk make investigations.

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473. CLERK’S REPORT
Consideration was given to the Clerk’s report covering the following items:-
Cemetery – no of burials since the last meeting
Fireworks Event – Sunday 8th November 2009- progress with arrangements
Maintenance Inspection Play playground Equipment
RESOLVED that action taken by the Clerk in arranging for items to be attended to as detailed in the report, be endorsed.
Installation of CCTV
RESOLVED that endorsement of the action taken in agreeing for the ducting and pole works to be carried out be granted.
Trimdon Station Recreation Ground
RESOLVED that approval be given to the Draft Order under section 16 of the Charities Act 1993, received from  Charity Commission, and the contents approved by the Council’s solicitors to be actioned and the action taken in arranging for works to be carried out on the Parish Council’s behalf as detailed in the report, be approved.
Footpath Claim – Station House – advice that this was not to be pursued any further.
Trimdon Magazine
The person who produced the Trimdon Magazine recently, Victoria Tiffin, has asked for regular updates/articles for the next edition.  
Non Domestic Rate Refund – rate relief granted to the Parish Council
Speed Activated Signs
It was thought that this was speed cameras.  The Clerk confirmed that these were speed activated signs.  RESOLVED that the information given be noted and details be obtained on speed cameras.
Boxing Gym – an approach made for a suitable venue
Bowling Green
Examination Success
RESOLVED that approval be given for the Clerk to be awarded one salary point in recognition of attaining the Certificate in Local Council Administration as per her Contract and under National Terms and Conditions.

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474. 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.

475. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(i) cheques paid urgently in August 2009
RESOLVED that endorsement of action taken in paying the urgent accounts be given.
(ii) Accounts for Payment                  
RESOLVED that the accounts as listed totaling £3,909.39 be passed for payment.

(ii) Bank Reconciliations – July & August 2009
Bank reconciliations were presented for July and August 2009.  RESOLVED that these be accepted.

(iii) Audit of Accounts
The Clerk reported that the audit report was awaited but that she had spoken to Audit on the Council’s submission.  RESOLVED that the final report be awaited.

476. Proposed Play Area - Home Housing

The Clerk was pleased to report a positive reply from Home Housing.  Unfortunately any agreement would be subject to a stipulation for suitable reinstatement of the land and/or relocation of the facility should there be a possibility that Home Housing would require the land in question for development purposes.  Following considerable discussion it was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council could not commit to such a scheme and at the level of expenditure required, on such a basis.  It was suggested that the play area could be located in such a way that would not preclude the main part of the area being –redeveloped.  RESOLVED that further contact be made with Home Housing to see if this could issue be resolved.   


477. DATE & TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED that the date and time of the next meeting be Wednesday 14th October 2009 at 6.30pm.


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