Neasham Parish Council

21/085 - WELCOME

J Weighell welcomed Councillors to the meeting. The Chair reported that he had received an email from Geoffrey Conlin tendering his resignation from the council which was reluctantly accepted by the members.

21/086 – DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no Declarations of Interest.

21/087 - MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 7 September 2021 were confirmed as a correct record.

21/088– MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING / PROGRESS REPORTS

There were no matters arising from the previous meeting.

21/089 – PACT REPORT

No meeting was held in September, it is possible that these monthly meetings will be resumed in October.

21/090 – ROADS AND FOOTPATHS

1. The Chair and Cllr. G Crute updated members on recent events concerning the public right of way through the New Lane development. The Darlington BC Right of Way Officer had attended site and fixed way markers to the pedestrian gate. These had been removed the same day. Some members had received verbal reports concerning blockages of the gate. Inspection indicated that the gate had a locking mechanism which appeared to be remotely controlled. Cllr. G Crute read to members a series of e-mail exchanges during September between relevant parties. Cllr. G Crute also outlined to the meeting the statutory provisions which were relevant to the issue of obstruction to and signage of rights of way, empowering the Highway Authority: (a) to ensure that the gateway provided access at all times, (b) to require unauthorised signage to be removed, and (c) to take action regarding  wrongful removal of the  Highway Authority’s signage.
   
   Following discussion, members resolved unanimously to follow the two courses of action proposed, namely:
   
   i) that having regard to the provisions of sections 130(6) and 130A(1) of Highways Act 1980, the Parish Council make representation pursuant to s. 130(6) and deliver notice pursuant to s. 130(A)(1) to the Highway Authority concerning unlawful obstruction of the pedestrian gate.
   
   ii) that having regard to the provisions of sections 131(2) & 132(1) of Highways Act 1980, the Parish Council request the Highway Authority to make investigation as to the placing of unauthorised signage on the gate contrary to s.132(1), and the removal of authorised signage contrary to s. 131(2), and subject to the results of that investigation to take the necessary actions in accordance with their statutory powers.
   
   ​​​However, members opined that a negotiated solution was to be preferred if the apparent breaches of statutory requirements could be regularised. The Clerk was requested, prior to implementing the above resolutions, to arrange for Parish Council representatives to discuss with the Highway Authority a solution which conformed with legal requirements, with a view to the Authority being able to implement that solution without the need for formal action.
    
2. A request had been received from the Tees Valley Combined Authority requesting public participation in a transport survey which had been posted on the Parish Council website and Facebook page.
    
3. The Chair reported that Highways had been observed repairing potholes on Sockburn Lane and also that they had carried out major repairs to the length of Teesway.

21/091 – ENVIRONMENT AGENCY MATTERS

No matters to report on.

21/092 – VILLAGE GREEN

1. Trees made available by Darlington BC to parish councils for planting in agreed areas of the parish. L Tostevin had made enquires and had been informed that Darlington BC will shortly be inspecting locations to confirm suitability. A further email has been received from Darlington BC regarding the Woodlands Trust also offering of free trees as part of the Queen’s Canopy celebration which includes orchards and hedgerows. It was agreed to await the outcome of the Darlington BC offer before any consideration to that of the Woodlands Trust.
2. The Chair reported that the bench donated by Mr and Mrs Dobinson had now been delivered and that it would be fixed by M Harrison next week, payment of Marmax’s invoice was approved.

21/093 – PLANNING

1. Applications received since last meeting: -
   None
2. Decisions received since last meeting:- 
   None
3. Update on appeal on traveller sites and further unauthorised development.
   G Crute reported that he had checked the Planning Inspectorate portal and confirmed that there had been no movement on these two appeals. He also confirmed that he had checked separately and there had been no progress on the Sockburn Hall application.

21/094 – RISK MANAGEMENT

1. Scheduled Inspections carried out in September were Trees and Village Green (incorporating verges, accessible spaces and notice boards). The Chair reported that several seats had been re-located and G Crute will be revising the inspection sheets accordingly. The inspection of the planters will be carried out at the time they are emptied of plants.
2. One defect, for a damaged dog waste bin, was raised in September which was forwarded to Darlington BC and which had now been rectified and closed. One Defects remains open.
3. The Risk Management Report to 30 September had been circulated.

21/095 – FINANCE

1. The balance in the current account stood at £8,993.64 as at 24 September 2021 with two further cheques issued in September which had been recognised in the Finance Report.
2. A copy of the Finance Report to the 30th September 2021 had been circulated.
3. To confirm previously approved payments made in September of £424.76 CAME and Co (Insurance), £439.84 Clerk (Salary), £110.00 HMRC (PAYE).
4. CAME and Co have issued the insurance policy documents following receipt of payment. They also  informed us that they are rebranding with a name change to Gallaghers, our  policy is not affected.
5. Members were reminded that Darlington BC require us to forward our precept request to them in December, which means the budget has to be approved at the December meeting. Members should be considering any items they wish to be included before then.

21/096 – UPDATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES DOCUMENTS

Nothing to report.

21/097 – WARD COUNCILLOR MATTERS

L. Tostevin reported that following complaints from residents of Low Dinsdale about the state of the road to the area, she had been informed by Darlington BC Highways regularly inspect it and a recent  inspection found it to be in a satisfactory condition.

21/098 – CORRESPONDENCE

1. All as previously circulated with no issues raised by the members.
    
2. G Crute referred to the NALC email 09/09/21 on online events in particular the event on Levelling up the environment though biodiversity to be held remotely on 27 October and queried whether this was something Neasham PC should involve themselves in and it was agreed it would beneficial if he attended the event. L Tostevin reported that Darlington BC had prepared a Climate Change Action Plan which she would forward as it may be useful for Neasham PC to use as a template.

21/099 – OTHER VILLAGE MATTERS

1. Liz Conlin had received an email from the North East Ambulance Service advising that the defibrillator should now be registered with a national data base named “the Circuit”. Liz agreed to carry out the registration on behalf of Neasham PC as she held all the relevant information and it was agreed that Neasham PC would be registered as the owner with Liz as the guardian.
2. As instructed the clerk had enquired with Doug Oliver (Constituency Officer of Paul Howell) as to what items Paul would like to discuss and also invite him to attend one our meetings. Their reply gave no indication of discussions proposed, but did say that it would be impossible for him to attend our meetings as they were held on Tuesdays and offered a Zoom meeting as an alternative. Unfortunately there is no internet coverage available where the parish council meeting are held and therefore it is not possible to hold a Zoom conference. The clerk to inform Doug Oliver of this.
3. Remembrance Day Service in Neasham. G Crute reported that it had been agreed that a wreath would be laid on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of Durham (Susan Snowdon) and he was still negotiating with P Howell’s aide for him to lay wreath as he did last year. The chair stated that the Neasham PC wreath was also ready to be laid. It was agreed that the service would commence at 1.45pm with the 2 minutes silence at 2.00pm. K Sandick would play the bugle, 2 volunteers were still needed as readers.
4. It had been agreed at the September meeting to take an allocation of poppies to sell in support of the RBL to help them invigorate sales to offset the previous year’s loss. G Crute reported that poppies, together with tribute crosses and knitted poppies would be advertised for sale on predetermined dates  from 28 October to 11 November at the Square. A locally manufactured glass picture may be available for raffle depending on availability of materials. It was agreed that the Chair and G Crute should agree on site the location where the wreaths are to be laid. It was resolved to purchase a Remembrance Day flag at a cost of £25.00 plus VAT. It was hoped to have the event advertised in the Northern Echo in addition to the noticeboards and website.
5. No Airport Consultative Committee meeting had been held recently and it was anticipated that the next meeting would be in January.
6. As recent events with Covid have demonstrated unexpected events can arise, it was suggested that an item be included on the next agenda to discuss arrangements for cover should any volunteer to be unavailable.
7. Darlington BC had confirmed that Sam Walter’s nomination for the “Best of Darlington” had been carried forward to this year, as last year’s event had been cancelled.
8. P Dunn reported that the flowers in the planters were lasting longer than anticipated and would leave them for now. Pam also has concerns about the deteriorating condition of the wedding tier planter and suggested that replacement with a raised bed, which was agreed in principle should it be required. There had recently been a lot of drone activity over private property which was causing concern.

21/100 – DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next ordinary Parish Council meeting was set at Tuesday 2 November 2021.

The meeting concluded at 8.05pm