TRIMDON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Trimdon Parish Council held in Trimdon Grange Community Centre on Tuesday 10 May 2022 at 6:55pm.
Present: Councillor John Burton, Leslie Oliver, Bernadette Oliver, Ian Quin, Ian Coulson, David Smith, Margaret Elliott, Paul Stephens, Rob Gilbert and Paul Trippett.
There was one member of the public in attendance.
Joseph Hobson, Clerk to the Council, and County Councillor Chris Varty were also in attendance.
32/22 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors George Elliott and Keith Thompson.
Resolved that the above apology be noted.
33/22 ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON
Nominations were received for the appointment of John Burton as Chairperson for the forthcoming year.
Resolved that John Burton be re-elected as Chairperson for the forthcoming year.
34/22 CHAIRPERSON’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
John Burton signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office outside of the meeting.
Resolved that the Declaration of Acceptance of Office be accepted.
35/22 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRPERSON
Nominations were received for the appointment of Bernadette Oliver as Vice Chairperson for the forthcoming year.
Resolved that Bernadette Oliver be elected as Vice Chairperson for the forthcoming year.
36/22 APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES
- Trimdon Grange Community Centre
Resolved that David Smith be the Parish Council’s representative
- Trimdon Village Hall Association
Resolved that Bernadette Oliver be the Parish Council’s representative
- Trimdon Colliery Community Association
Resolved that Margaret Elliott be the Parish Council’s representative
- Trimdon Community College
Resolved that Leslie Oliver be the Parish Council’s representative
- Sedgefield District Relief in Need Charity
Resolved that the Rob Gilbert be the Parish Council’s representative
- AAP Area Local Council Committee
Resolved that John Burton, David Smith and the Clerk be the Parish Council’s representatives
37/22 TO AGREE MEETING DATES FOR 2022/2023
Consideration was given to the proposed meeting dates for 2022/2023 which had previously been circulated.
Resolved that the proposed dates be approved.
38/22 PERSONS APPOINTED TO PARISH COUNCIL SUB-COMMITTEES
- Personnel Committee
Resolved that Bernadette Oliver, Paul Trippett, Keith Thompson, Dave Smith, Ian Quinn, Margaret Elliott, and Paul Stephens be appointed to the Personnel Committee
- Health & Safety Committee
Resolved that David Smith, Ian Coulson, Denise Davison, Les Oliver, Margaret Elliott, Ian Quinn, and Keith Thompson be appointed to the Health & Safety Committee
- Allotment Committee
Resolved that John Burton, Ian Quinn, David Smith, George Elliott, Leslie Oliver, and Rob Gilbert, and Ian Coulson be appointed to the Allotment Committee
- Environment Committee
Resolved that John Burton, Paul Trippett, Denise Davison, Paul Stephens, Ian Coulson, Ian Quinn and George Elliott
39/22 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Bernadette Oliver declared an interest in respect of a grant request from Trimdon Village Hall Association.
Resolved that the declaration be noted.
40/22 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public present for the meeting.
41/22 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR Chris Varty
Councillor Varty reported Durham County Council was progressing matters relating to the application to become the County of Culture.
Councillor Varty further reported concerns she had received from residents at the slow response by the police to reports of anti-social behaviour in the Parish. Several examples were given where the police had either not attended incidents, arrived too late, or had given poor advice including ringing 101 during an emergency. Councillor Varty said that some residents had reported that they had given up reporting anti-social behaviour to the police. A meeting is to be held between the Police and Crime Commissioner, Chief Constable and elected members to discuss concerns relating to police response on 26 May 2022.
Resolved that the Clerk write to the PCC to raise concerns identified at the meeting.
42/22 MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 12 APRIL 2022
The minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 12 April 2022 was circulated with the agenda.
Resolved that the minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 12 April 2022 be approved.
43/22 UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF RESOLUTATION OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD 12 APRIL 2022
The Clerk reported that serious water issues continued at the Trimdon Village allotments and a further bill had been received for £2450.00. The Clerk has arranged for a new standpipe to be fitted and until the issue is resolved this would be the only place to access water on the site. However, there had been several incidences where plot holders had reconnected the old system and this had caused a significant financial cost to the Council. The Clerk said that he was looking at other options to deliver water to the allotments but that connections to individual allotments would not be reinstated. The Clerk further reported that a complaint had been made to the local MP to which he had responded with the Council’s position.
Resolved that the Clerk will bring proposals regarding the provision of water services to the next Allotments Committee to be held 14 June 2022.
44/22 FINANCIAL
- The AGAR and Statement of Accounts for 2021/2022 were circulated with the agenda
Resolved that the AGAR and Statement of Accounts for 2021/2022 be approved and signed by the Chairman.
- The Internal Auditors report for 2021/2022 was circulated with the agenda
Resolved that the Internal Auditors report for 2021/2022 be noted.
- The Q4 VAT return was circulated with the agenda
Resolved the Q4 VAT return be noted.
- Revised Risk Register, Financial Regulations and Standing Orders were circulated with the agenda
Resolved the Risk Register, Financial Regulations and Standing Orders be approved.
45/22 GRANT APPLICATIONS
- A grant application requested from Trimdon Grange Community Association for £500 towards Platinum Jubilee Celebrations was circulated with the agenda
Resolved a grant for £500 to the Trimdon Grange Community Association be approved.
- A grant application requested from Trimdon Village Hall Association for a contribution towards new heating was circulated with the agenda
Resolved that a grant for £500 to the Trimdon Village Hall Association be approved.
46/22 COMMUNICATIONS
- A letter from Councillors Stephens, Smith and Coulson relating to their disappointment as to how funds for the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations were approved, together with the Clerk’s response, were circulated with the agenda
A wide-ranging discussion took place regarding how the decision to allocate £2500.00 for the Parish Platinum Jubilee celebrations was made. The Clerk explained that there had been no move to formally change the recommendation made at the last meeting. It was clear that some newer members did know that they could have objected and moved an alternative proposal. The Clerk said that he would issue some guidance to members but that during his tenure Members had not taken any formal votes and, often a proposal to move had not been forth coming from Members, therefore, he had to draw inference from the debate about decisions made. Two members were concerned that their silence during a discussion may be viewed as agreement with the matter on the agenda.
Resolved that the Clerk would seek confirmation from the Chairman and request he formally seek a clear decision outcome where there clearly was not consensus.
- The Clerk verbally reported that the Council had received emails of thanks for grants made to Trimdon Colliery Banner Group and Trimdon Brass Band.
Resolved that the emails of thanks be noted.
47/22 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Resolved that the next meeting will be a meeting of the Allotments Committee to be held Tuesday 14 June 2022 at 7.00pm