3 September 2024

Parish Councillors are hereby summoned to a meeting of Neasham Parish Council on Tuesday 3 September 2024, 6:30PM, in Neasham Reading Room to transact the business listed in the agenda below.

Members of the public are entitled to attend Parish Council Meetings as a non-participating attendee (unless confidential matters are under discussion) but may speak only at the invitation of the Chair. Those wishing to speak on any matter during the meeting must give written notice giving brief details to the Clerk or Chair at least two days prior to the meeting.

Agenda

  1. Chair’s welcome and apologies for absence.
  2. Declarations of interest in items on the agenda.
  3. Approval of the minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 2 July 2024, as previously circulated.
  4. Administration Matters
    Suggestions for filling the vacancy for a councillor to serve on the parish council.
  5. PACT Meeting.
    PACT meeting held on 4 July at Hurworth Grange and meeting scheduled for 29 August in the Neasham Reading Room.
  6. Roads and footpaths.
    In view of new concerns nationally regarding contaminated land, are there any developments in the investigation into the site of the former tip on Neasham Road and the “orange” water in the adjacent roadside ditch.
  7. Environment Agency Matters.
    A parishioner had informed the parish council of a loose post to the embankment east steps and it was agreed he could make a temporary emergency repair. The Agency were informed who then inspected the works and intend to carry out permanent repairs at a later date.
  8. Village Green.
    • Maintenance and improvements to Memorial Garden and adjacent area, all as proposals submitted by P and P Dunn. Approval of indicative costings of £150-200 for alteration works and purchase of plants at a minimum cost of £500 for works to be carried out late September.
    • Replacement of missing traffic barrier post which had been thrown into the river.
    • Recent encampment on village green by travellers.
    • After being let down by Cestrian for the supply of replacement noticeboard at Low Dinsdale, consideration to be given to alternative suppliers (See Finance).
    • Removal of Sockburn noticeboard.
  9. Planning.
    • Applications received since last meeting:-
      24/00438/FUL – External alterations including re-roofing, new rooflights, new external doors and windows together with various external works to the Barns at Manor Farm. Low Dinsdale, Neasham, Darlington DL2 1PN.
      24/00721/TF – Various works to trees under Tree Preservation Oder as arborist’s report at Dinsdale Park, Middleton St George DL2 1UB.
    • Decisions posted since last meeting: -
      None.
    • Update on diversion of a footpath in a field off Roman Way, Middleton St George.
  10. Risk Management.
    • Scheduled Inspections due in July/August:- None. Village Green and Trees due in September.
    • One defect raised and closed on 15 July for emergency work for loose post at embankment east steps.
  11. Finance.
    • Previously approved payments made in July/August:- AC Media £105.60 (Website hosting and Domain Registration), Pretty Gardens £75.00 (Clear Memorial Garden), Neasham Reading Room £100.00 (Room hire 2024).
    • Approval of verbal quotation of £140.00 from Miss Trees for tidying up the leylandii around the pumphouse
    • Approval of quotation for Low Dinsdale noticeboard. 3 Quotations received (all with side hung doors and exc VAT) 1) Greenbarnes (Recycled plastic) £1611.26, 2) Noticeboard Warehouse (Recycled plastic) £1685.00, 3) Noticeboard Co (Trad 30 Painted aluminium) £1273.00 (alternative Breeze specification available), further extras - additional keys and magnetic pins to all to add)
    • Change of mandate for authorised signatories to Barclay’s bank account is ongoing.
    • Separate reference in minutes is required for change to NS&I signatories.
  12. Reaching Out, Communications and Events.
    • Arrangements for the Remembrance Day service in November
    • Consideration of arrangements for Christmas event including availability of grants.
  13. Ward Councillor Matters.
  14. Correspondence (as circulated in July/August).
    Various emails from NALC regarding Chief Executive’s Bulletin (11/07, 18/07, 25/07, 1/08, 15/08), Newsletter (08/08), Events (16/07, 13/08), Analysis of Parish Council Precepts (12/08), Hardwick in Partnership (26/07) Availability of Free Trees. All listed for information only.
  15. Other Village Matters.
    • Query raised on the wording for apologies for absence recorded in the minutes.
    • Any other matter that members wish to raise (that does not require formal notification).
  16. Date of the next ordinary Parish Meeting is Tuesday 1 October 2024.