6 February 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 5 December 2023, as previously circulated.
  4. Matters arising from the previous meeting.
  5. PACT Meeting.
  6. Roads and footpaths.
    • Progress on the recording the condition of the existing main roads running through the village for future reference in view of anticipated heavy traffic.
    • Response to the letter sent to Darlington BC regarding a complaint from a parishioner regarding the condition of access tracks across the grass verge between the service road and Teesway.
  7. Environment Agency Matters.
    • Update on works to carry out curtailment of mole activity in the flood bank.
    • Erosion to flood bank around small tree reported to the Agency for remedial works
  8. Village Green.
    • Outstanding works to the Memorial and Millennium Gardens including outstanding monies in respect of the second levelling up grant.
    • Reinstatement of goal posts damaged by recent floods.
    • P Dunn has reported that one of the planters has been damaged and needs replacing.
  9. Feedback on Christmas Event
    • Feedback on the very successful Christmas Event consisting of a Carol Service at the Square, followed by refreshments and Santa’s Grotto at the Reading Rooms all carried out in co-operation with the Reading Rooms committee.
    • Consideration to repeating the event in 2024, are grants available for this year. The end of project report has been submitted to Banks Renewals Fund.
  10. Planning.
    • Applications received since last meeting:-
      23/01129/FUL 1&3 Neasham Hill, Neasham DL2 1QY – Alteration works to form single dwelling, together with vehicular access to Dibdale Road. Due to required return date of 22/01/24 for comment, members were balloted and approved a response of approval subject to the conditions regarding traffic control suggested by the Vice Chair. This has been submitted to Darlington BC and confirmation of this decision is required at this meeting.
      23/01158/FUL Manor Farm, Low Dinsdale, Neasham DL2 1PN – Erection of new poultry house for improved welfare of poultry stock.
    • Decisions received since last meeting: -
      None.
    • 22/00875/FUL Dinsdale Park Golf Club application. Feedback on the submission of a letter or of complaint to Darlington BC regarding the process of approval of the application.
    • Update on Appeal against enforcement notice for the siting of 4No mobile caravans and associated works at Skipbridge, Neasham Road.
  11. Risk Management.
    • The Risk Management Report for 3Q 2023/4 had been circulated.
    • Scheduled inspections due in January are Christmas lights (post-use).
    • Two defects were raised in January both related to flooding, one referred to the Environment Agency, the other action deferred until safe to work in the area.
  12. Finance.
    • Previously approved payments made in December/January:- K Sandick £221.35 (Xmas lights, tree etc), RBL £60.00 (Donation), HMRC £154.80 (PAYE), Clerk £619.20 (Salary), Hurworth Grange £64.30 (Copying), H Crute £26.74 (Printing),  Clerk £25.29 (Stationary, postage), Reading Rooms £445.00 (Event refreshments, children’s presents) Hurworth Concert Band £150.00 (Carol Service), The Range £14.48 (Lights storage box) , Treemarker  £38.36 (Tree tags).
    • The requested precept for 2024/5 of £10,470 has been accepted by Darlington BC and will be paid in April.
    • The outstanding monies in respect of the Levelling Up Fund second grant has to be spent by 31/03/24.
    • Neasham PC expenditure marginally exceeds the value of the grant from the Banks Community Fun as detailed in the “end of project” report.
  13. Reaching Out and Communications.
    General review of publicity and IT issues.
  14. Ward Councillor Matters.
  15. Correspondence (as circulated in December/January).
    Various emails from NALC regarding Newsletter (13/12, 10/01), Chief Executive bulletin 07/12, 18/01, Events (12/12), Civility and Respect Newsletter (15/12) CLCA Revised meeting date (17/01). For information only.
  16. Other village matters.
    • Email from a parishioner reporting that he had observed a dog which he thought to be a Bully XL breed walking in the village without a muzzle and enquiring if there was anything the parish council could do. Although type of issue is not normally within parish council’s remit, it was reported that following a similar incident previously, it was understood that the dog concerned was not actually of this breed.
    • The NEAS informed us that the defibrillator may have been used. Initially this was thought to be a false alarm, but it transpired that it was collected for use, but fortunately was not required. We hope the person involved has now fully recovered.
  17. Date of the next ordinary Parish Meeting has been set as Tuesday 5 March 2024.