Neasham Parish Council

21/018 – WELCOME

J Weighell welcomed Councillors to the meeting and it was agreed that the meeting could be recorded.

21/019 – DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no Declarations of Interest.

21/020 – MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The minutes of the ordinary meeting held on the 6 April 2021 were confirmed as a correct record.

21/021 – MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING / PROGRESS REPORTS

There were no matters arising.

21/022 – PACT REPORT

No meeting was held. The Chair reported an abandoned car on Teesway to the PCSO who confirmed the car lacked tax, test, insurance and registered owner and arranged with Enforcement for it’s removal.

21/023 – ROADS AND FOOTPATHS

K Sandick reported that the meeting with Bethan Hacker to discuss the New Lane Right of Way had not happened yet as she was still working from home and not currently allowed to meet on site.

21/024 – ENVIRONMENT AGENCY MATTERS

The Chair reported that eight EA staff had been on site and had walked around the whole area. It was agreed to leave it for two weeks to see if any response before raising any of our concerns with them.

21/025 – VILLAGE GREEN

1. The Chair reported that the wild flower area had been thoroughly scarified, prepared and seeded with the wild flower seed supplied by Darlington BC.
2. Brindle Construction had completed the basic site work to the Communal seating area, the Chair complemented them on an excellent job. The Clerk to inform the two unsuccessful tenderers. The Chair and G Crute to meet on site next week to finalise seating layout and other details. It was further resolved to obtain quotations for two plaques, one to the flagpole in recognition of the NHS and other frontline works, the other to the paving in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the end of the second world war and those members of the forces who served and died.
3. It was agreed not to relocate the laurels at Kent Beck bridge to the seating area.
4. Bishop Auckland Canoe and Kayak Club (BACK) had requested permission to litter pick on the Tees from Hurworth to Neasham, no objections, but Neasham could not accept any responsibility for this. The litter pick had gone well with BACK liaising with Street Scene for the removal of the rubbish.
5. G Crute stated that he had submitted to the Land Registry confirmation of the change of name of one of the named persons on the title deeds for the Pumphouse and land adjacent Kent Beck.

21/026 – PLANNING

1. There were no planning application forwarded to Neasham PC in April.
2. There were no planning decisions received from Darlington BC in April.
3. There has been no further information regarding the appeal on the two traveller sites.

21/027 – RISK MANAGEMENT

1. The Scheduled Inspection of the trees (including numbering) had been carried out in April. The inspection of the flower tubs will be done when planted up.
2. G Crute has updated the tree plan.
3. The were no defects raised in April.
4. The annual All-Risks checklist was presented and approved by the members.

21/028 – FINANCE

1. The Clerk reported that the precept for 2021/22of £8,034.00 had been received from Darlington BC.
2. Payments made in April:
   • J Walker Expenses (ZOOM April) £14.39
   • Wilkinsons (Compost) £48.00
   • CLCA (NALC membership) £109.78
3. Anticipated invoices for payment in May: ZOOM £14.39, Spanglefish £29.95, Brindle Construction £2000.00 (plus VAT), flowers for tubs (TBA), Skipbridge Signs (TBA).
4. It was resolved by the members that the old website by Spanglefish should be renewed for one year on the Gold Status package, which excludes adverts.
5. It was resolved by the members that the ZOOM Premium package should end after monthly subscription due on 11th May.
6. The Annual accounts for 2020/21 have been signed off by the internal auditor and were approved by the members.
7. As neither the gross income or expenditure for 2020/21 exceeds £25.000, Neasham PC are exempt from an external and the members agreed the issue of the exemption certificate.
8. The members approved the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2020/21 and which was presented for signature.
9. The dates for the 30 Day Period of Exercise of Public Rights were agreed as:-
   Commencement: 3 June 2021, Date to end: 14 July 2021 (both amended to suit requirements).
10. A letter had been received from NS&I confirming that J Grainger had replaced D Dodwell as signatory.
11. The Clerk’s Annual Appraisal had been previously circulated and was approved by the members.

21/029 – UPDATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES DOCUMENTS

G Crute stated that members had approved changes to various policies arising from changes in law, items missed earlier and formatting changes so documents are compatible with the website. Because of that and also examining the Model Publication Scheme he felt that many of these included procedure which were not necessary to publish on the website so it would be better to split them into separate documents and then combine into a Procedures Manual. This would leave two major items to be looked at:

• Data Protection a few issues need attention even though it is unlikely they would be picked up.
• Asset register to be reviewed and streamlined.

G Crute proposes storing the Procedures Register on a memory stick lodged with the Clerk to issue copies as requested. Also the Clerk to be responsible for ensuring the procedures are amended as necessary to ensure that they are up to date and relevant and reporting any amendments to council. The policies are all now posted on the website and a definitive copy will also be lodged with the Clerk. The Clerk is scheduled to meet with H Crute for training on the processes.

21/030 – PROVISION OF NEW WEBSITE

1. Matters relating to the new website are included in minute 21/025.
2. The Chair stated that strips with the new website address had been fixed to the information boards.

21/031 – WARD COUNCILLOR MATTERS

No matters to report on.

21/032 – CORRESPONDENCE

All as circulated with no issues raised by the members.

21/033 – OTHER VILLAGE MATTERS

1. The Chair reported a lot of work done recently for broadband, but knew no-one actually connected.
2. M Hannaford was interested in the vacancy on the Council. Clerk to invite him to meet the Chair.
3. P Dunn reported that the display flowers would be available at end of May. Two extra trays required.

21/034 – DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next ordinary Parish Council meeting was set at Monday 7 June 2021.

The meeting concluded at 8.00pm