Neasham Parish Council

1. Chair’s welcome and apologies for absence.
    
2. Declarations of interest in items on the agenda.
    
3. Approval of Minutes as previously circulated.
   • Approval of the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 2 November 2021.
   • Approval of the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 2 November 2021 to which press and public were excluded.
4. Matters arising from previous meeting.
   The vacancy for a councillor had been advertised on notice boards and websites with a deadline of 19th November for parishioners to request of an election. This deadline has now passed and Darlington BC have confirmed that a suitable candidate can now be co-opted to fill the position.
    
5. PACT Report – no meeting.
6. Roads and footpaths.
   • General update on the Issue of the public right of way across the New Lane development. Because of the confidential nature of the issue, a motion will be tabled to exclude the press and public for the duration of the debate of this item.
   • Installation of an additional sign indicating the direction of the public right of way through the New Lane development on adjacent approach.
7. Environment Agency Matters.
   • The Chair had reported an intrusion of moles into the river embankment to the agency.
   • The Chair also had reported to the agency that a large conifer had blown over near the style on the embankment which was blocking the Teesdale Way.
8. Village Green.
   • K Sandick outlined the arrangements for the Christmas Carol service to be held on 13 December.
   • Christmas tree lighting switch on.
   • Trees made available by Darlington BC to parish councils for planting in agreed areas of the parish. Proposed site inspection by Darlington BC still awaited.
   • E Conlin had reported to the Clerk that NEAS had advised her that the defibrillator now needs to be registered with the Circuit (the National Defibrillator Network). E Conlin had supplied the required information and the clerk had completed the registration. Thanks again to Liz for maintaining the unit to such a high standard. The defibrillator had been removed from the cabinet by NEAS on 29th September and had been returned unused.
9. Planning.
   • Applications received since last meeting:- 
     None.
   • Decisions received since last meeting:-
     ​​​​​​​None.
   • G Crute had sent an email (16/11/21) to Darlington BC regarding the modifications to the Darlington Local Plan document which had been discussed at the Neasham PC meeting on 7 November. The email confirmed that the concerns raised on the original consultative document had been addressed by the modified document and other matters clarified. Therefore, Neasham PC had no further comments except an expression of support for the modifications.
10. Risk Management.
    • There was one scheduled Inspection due in November which was the Christmas tree light pre-use inspection.
    • No defects were raised in November and no defects remain open.
11. Finance.
    • The balance in the current account stood at £7,529.37 as at 19 November 2021 with one cheque in the sum of £20 as yet unpresented.
    • To confirm one previously approved payment made in November of £20.00 to the Royal British Legion as a donation for the wreath.
    • Agreement of the budget and precept for 2021/22 as draft circulated. The Chair has requested £250 to be included for prizes for any event for children as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The 2021/2 precept is an 18% increase on 2020/1, but includes several projects.
    • It had been agreed to approach the Reading Rooms with regards to them making a contribution towards the cost of installing the lectern and honours board at the proposed shrubbery area.
    • G Crute has requested authority for expenditure of £60 for early preparatory works for planting to the new shrubbery area in early summer. As this would be carried out in this financial year funding would be from the village green contingency sum.
12. Updating of Policies and Procedures Documents.
    • Following the publication by Darlington BC of their draft revised Code of Conduct, G Crute had an exchange of emails on the draft with Luke Swinhoe and had also participated in a remote briefing. G Crute had prepared a report and recommendation on the subject which had been circulated.
    • Civility and Respect Newsletter issued 19/11/21 – page 3 suggests a Bullying and Harassment statement should be added to websites.
    • G Crute has requested that we re-visit the issue of official email addresses for members.
13. Ward Councillor Matters.
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14. Correspondence (all as circulated November).
    • Various emails from NALC regarding Newsletter (10), Chief Executive’s bulletins (8, 15, 22, 29), Online Events (23), LGA Survey (12) Funding Bulletin (15). For information only, unless any matters raised.
    • Legal Topical Note LTN5E – Parish and Community Meetings, remote meetings not allowed.
15. Other village matters.
    • The inaugural meeting of the Darlington Association of Parish Councils was to be held on 24 November but had to be cancelled at short notice due illness of Lee Tate (Chairman Elect) and will be re-arranged for January. Their clerk was informed that K Sandwick would represent Neasham.
    • The Neasham Remembrance Day Service was held on Sunday 14th November was undoubtedly successful. This is shown by the acknowledgements from the principal participants which had been circulated to the members. The members may wish to wish to propose a vote of thanks for all those involved in making this event such a success.
    • Report on the successful “poppy” fund raising activities in support of the RBL and the total raised.
    • No Airport Consultative Committee meeting had been held in November.
16. Date of next meeting as Tuesday 1 February 2022.

John Walker
Clerk to Neasham Parish Council