7 June 2021

Parish Councillors are hereby summoned to a meeting of Neasham Parish Council on Monday 7 June 2021, 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 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 4 May 2021 as previously circulated.
  4. Approval of Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 4 May 2021 as previously circulated.
  5. Matters arising from previous meeting.
    Minute 21/032 – Progress on filling the vacancy on the parish council for a new councillor.
  6. PACT Report – no meeting.
  7. Roads and footpaths.
    Update on contact with Darlington BC to discuss the Right of Way through the New Lane development.
  8. Environment Agency Matters.
    Update on Environment Agency meeting on site and any action on concerns by Neasham PC regarding uneven paving slabs and other matters.
  9. Village Green.
    • Brindle Construction have completed their works. The refixing of the notice board and re-siting of three bench seats to the seating area are in progress. The Chair is to construct an additional planter.
    • Six tubs for the seating area have been donated and additional compost and flowers for planting to these have been ordered.
  10. Planning.
    • Applications received since last meeting:- 
      21/00300/OUT – Manor Farm, Low Dinsdale – Erection of agricultural worker’s dwelling.
    • Decisions received since last meeting:-
      None.
    • Update on appeal on traveller sites and further unauthorised development.
  11. Risk Management.
    • Scheduled Inspections due in May – Flower tubs (to be done when planted), Electrics pre-use inspection (Not applicable as no application to hold the Duck Derby had been received).
    • No defects raised in month, with three existing defects remaining open.
    • A revised Village Green Public Safety Risk Assessment is presented for approval.
  12. Finance.
    • To approve payments of £14.39 Zoom May (via J Walker), Middlemass Machinery £23.05, Brindle Construction £2400.00, Spanglefish £20.95 (via J Walker).
    • Invoices anticipated in June are Flowers for Tubs (Neasham Nurseries), Moving Seats (M Harrison), Timber for planter (Westwood), Additional Compost (Wilkinson), Clerk’s Salary and PAYE.
    • The current total for reclaimable VAT is £411.84, a claim will be submitted on receipt of invoice for flowers.
    • There are no further monies available from the budget for ongoing support in respect of the website, could members consider approval of a maximum of 4 hours per year (suggested) for any support as needed.
  13. Updating of Policies and Procedures Documents.
    • Neasham PC have recently simplified their position regarding the Code of Conduct by adopting the NALC version. Unfortunately, NALC have now issued a revised edition of the Code and members are asked to consider whether we should update our document again to bring in line with this revision.
    • Data Protection procedure and a review of the Asset Register are still to be completed, G Crute and clerk to meet to discuss amendments.
  14. Provision of New Website.
    • The new website has been live for 5 weeks. Although it is not known how many hits there have been on it, no difficulties have been reported.
    • The clerk is currently undertaking additional training on the use of the website.
  15. Ward Councillor Matters.
  16. Correspondence (all as circulated May).
    • Various emails from NALC regarding MHCLG consultation, Chief Executive’s bulletins, Covid update and Newsletters dated 5, 6, 10, 12, 14, 19 and 24 May (for information only unless any member has any matter arising).
    • Email from Mazars 17 May confirming receipt of the Certificate of Exemption from external audit.
  17. Other village matters.
    • Broadband in Neasham.
    • L Puchala and G Sandick have confirmed the booking of the Neasham Reading Rooms for the remainder of the financial year. Commencing in July the meetings will be held on a Tuesday, the room hire cost has yet to be confirmed.
    • It is not yet confirmed, but is anticipated that a Parish Assembly will be required later in the year.
  18.  Date of next meeting as Tuesday 6 July 2021.

John Walker
Clerk to Neasham Parish Council