4 June 2024

Parish Councillors are hereby summoned to a meeting of Neasham Parish Council on Tuesday 4 June 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 Annual and ordinary meeting both held on 7 May 2024, as previously circulated.
  4. Administration Matters
    • Following the resignation of J Grainger the vacancy was advertised inviting parishioners to request an election. This vacancy on the parish council has been advertised on the Darlington BC and Neasham PC websites from 29 April and any request had to be submitted to Darlington BC no later than midnight 20 May 2024.
    • A request had been submitted to Barclays to remove J Grainger and add K Sandick as a signatory to sign cheques.
  5. PACT Meeting.
    A meeting had been held at Dinsdale Court on 23 May, next meeting 4 July at Hurworth Grange will probably be cancelled as it clashes with the General Election polling. The PCSO had booked the Reading Rooms for a meeting there on Thursday 29 August.
  6. Roads and footpaths.
    • Concerns over state of roads and update on works to road to Low Dinsdale. Contaminated “orange” water in the ditch to Neasham Road, samples taken results awaited.
    • Alternating direction of buses to Hurworth, it is unlikely that additional paths will be constructed for permanent stops due to short remaining period of provider’s contract.
  7. Environment Agency Matters.
    A meeting had been held on 8 May 2024 between The Chair, Vice Chair and D Inch (Environment Agency) to discuss weed killing by Street Scene leaving bare soil, overgrowing vegetation backing onto the embankment affecting soil stability and other matters.
  8. Village Green.
    • Report on the planting up of the flower tubs.
    • Eden Construction repair of the warped boarding to the raised bed. The excavations and backfill would be needed prior to other gardening work in this area.
    • Report on necessary maintenance to the Millennium and Memorial gardens including any necessary additional support work by Pretty Gardens.
    • Review by M Hannaford of stickers and signs throughout the village green including signs related to the pandemic.
    • Repair works to Pumphouse stonework.
    • Approval of request from Neasham RR to hold an event on the green on Saturday 22 June 2024.
    • Remedial work required to Sockburn noticeboard.
  9. Planning.
    • Applications received since last meeting:-
      None (as at 30 May 2024).
    • Decisions posted since last meeting: -
      None.
    • The appeal on the refusal to the siting of 4 caravans on the site at Skipbridge has been has been upheld by the Planning Inspector, subject to conditions. Subsequently a retrospective planning application was made for an access road from Neasham Road. This lies within Hurworth Parish but it is understood that this has been rejected.
    • A communication had been received from Middleton SG Parish Council setting out their view on a proposed diversion of a footpath in a field off Roman Way. Although Neasham PC are aware of the proposals, no formal approach has been made. It is proposed to provisionally include an item on the July meeting agenda for discussions.
  10. Risk Management.
    • Planters (inspection to be carried out when planted up), Electrical supply for village green event (assumed supplied by Reading Rooms).
    • No defects raised as at 22 May 2024.
  11. Finance.
    • Previously approved payments made in May:- P Dunn £48.53 Manure etc, RBLI £24.98 D-Day Flag, Hurworth Grange £15.22 Post mix, CLCA £109.27 Membership.
    • The dates for the 30 day period of the Exercise of Public Right to Inspection had been agreed as commencing on 10 June, location for inspection to be confirmed.
  12. Reaching Out and Communications.
    • Disappointing turnout for the Parish Assembly, feedback on discussions at event.
    • Biodiversity Net Gain – Draft Response to Planning Applications. Circulated for information only and possible discussion at future meeting.
  13. Ward Councillor Matters.
  14. Correspondence (as circulated in March).
    • Various emails from NALC regarding Chief Executive’s Bulletin (23/05 x2), Newsletter (23/05 x2), Events (23/05), New Publication (23/05), New Model Financial Regulations (23/05), Legal Bulletin (23/05). All listed for information only.
    • Micro Councils Network – Invitation to Join (23/05).
  15. Other Village Matters.
    ​​​​​​​Any other matter members wish to raise, that does not require a formal notification.
  16. Date of the next ordinary Parish Meeting is Tuesday 2 July 2024.