5 March 2024

Parish Councillors are hereby summoned to a meeting of Neasham Parish Council on Tuesday 5 March 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 6 February 2024, as previously circulated.
  4. Matters arising from the previous meeting.
  5. PACT Meeting.
    Next PACT meeting to be held 29 February at 6.00pm at Dinsdale Court, Middleton St George. Contact established with the PCSO for the Hurworth Ward.
  6. Roads and footpaths.
    • Update on the recording the condition of the existing main roads running through the village.
    • Update on reported issues on the condition of the road to Low Dinsdale and also the works requiring a temporary road closure.
  7. Environment Agency Matters.
    • Agency work in respect of curtailing mole activity in the flood bank.
    • Erosion to flood bank around small tree reported to the Agency for remedial works
  8. Village Green.
    • Proposed maintenance work in March to the Gardens and renewal of order for maintenance of verge adjacent Kent Beck bridge
    • Reinstatement of goal posts damaged by recent floods.
    • Replacement of wooden planter at east end of village with a new plastic one.
    • Placing of order for flowers for planters, purchase of compost.
  9. Planning.
    • Applications received since last meeting:
      24/00068/FUL 40 Teesway, Neasham, Darlington, DL2 1QU – Enlargement of existing bungalow with two and single storey extensions to front elevation, first floor extension over existing with balconies to rear elevation, removal of existing conservatory and erect single storey extension to rear and detached store in garden.
    • Neasham PC are not now notified of decisions on planning applications, item will not be included in future agendas.
    • 22/00875/FUL Dinsdale Park Golf Club application, response awaited regarding complaint to Darlington BC about the process of approval of the application.
    • Any development on the Appeal against the enforcement notice for the siting of 4No mobile caravans and associated works at Skipbridge, Neasham Road.
  10. Risk Management.
    • There were no defects raised in February.
    • There were no scheduled inspections due in February. Scheduled Inspections due in March (subject to conditions) are Trees and Village Green which now includes pump house, gardens, verges etc.
    • The annual All Risks Checklist is currently being compiled for approval by the members.
  11. Finance.
    • Previously approved payments made in February:- No payments were made.
    • The sum of £55.72 in interest for 2023 had been paid into the NS&I account.
    • The sum of £427.36 for the VAT refund claim to 31 January had been paid into the current account.
    • Proposals for the expenditure of the outstanding monies (£425.00) in respect of the Levelling Up Fund second grant has to be agreed at this meeting and the monies spent by 31/03/24.
    • The Chair has contacted P Allen, who has agreed to carry out the internal audit of the Neasham PC 2023/24 accounts.
    • Email from ICO reminding that subscription due in March. Neasham PC receive £5 discount by paying by Direct Debit.
  12. Reaching Out and Communications.
    • A message had been displayed when logging in, for a short period at the beginning of February, stating “SSL Certificate Expired”, AC Media informed the server who corrected their error.
    • Review with P Walters regarding Facebook page.
    • The PCSO had agreed to forward posters advertising future PACT meetings for posting on the village notice boards. It had also been agreed previously to post a list of local contacts.
    • Preparation of Chairs annual report.
  13. Ward Councillor Matters.
  14. Correspondence (as circulated in February).
    Email from NALC regarding Chief Executive’s bulletin (08/24). Query raised with NALC regarding limited numbers received. Various emails regarding the February CLCA meeting have been sent direct to the Vice Chair. All for information only.
  15. Other village matters.
    • A belated invitation to nominate a NPC member to be included in a draw to attend a Buckingham Palace Party had been received, after consultation it was agreed to forward the Chair’s name. Update – email (22/02/24) received from NALC stated that Chris Tams of Sketon and Brotton PC had been successful in the draw.
    • In a conversation with the PCSO, reference was made to a Bully XL dog which Neasham PC had been unable to confirm that the dog was of that breed. The PCSO had been made aware of this issue directly by others.
    • Dates for the Annual Meeting and Annual Assembly to be confirmed.
  16. Date of the next ordinary Parish Meeting has been set as Tuesday 2 April 2024.