Neasham Parish Council

22/104 – WELCOME

K Sandick welcomed Councillors to the meeting. No apologies for absence were accepted.

22/105 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no Declarations of Interest.

22/106 - MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING  

The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 1 November 2022 were confirmed as a correct record.

22/107 – MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

L Tostevin had raised the issue of poor road markings and hidden warning sign at the bottom of Dibdale Road with Highways whom informed her that it would be carried out in the next eight weeks. The Chair stated that this was not acceptable as it was dangerous. L Tostevin agreed to approach them again. (Post meeting Note: Highways have agreed to have the hedge cut back so that the warning sign can be seen clearly).

22/108– PACT MEETING

No meeting was held in November. Although no formal notification given a meeting had been arranged for 8 December in the Fox and Hounds, the Chair and J Weighell will attend. The Vice Chair that that a parishioner had tried all avenues to make contact without success and he requested this be raised at the meeting.

22/109 – ROADS AND PAVINGS

1. A parishioner had raised with Highways the issue of the poor condition in the East /West section of New Lane. L Tostevin raised the matter again with Highways who confirmed that they had repaired the two potholes over 40mm deep and were not prepared to do any more. The Vice Chair had examined the planning documentation and established that there was a planning condition for an inspection prior to the commencement of the development, but there was no information as to whether this had been carried out. It was agreed that there was very little action that Neasham PC could take and therefore could not currently proceed further in the matter.
2. The Clerk had written to Swarco regarding one of the two VAS speed signs. Swarco came to site, but a further visit required as the unit is mains powered. There had been no response to the Clerks’s email for an update on the position and the Clerk was instructed to send a reminder.
3. Complaints by parishioners raised directly with Councillor Tostevin regarding the condition of the road to Low Dinsdale. L Tostevin reported that Highways acknowledged that there was a problem with drainage along this road and were attempting to reach agreement with landowners to create “run off” areas.
    

22/109 – ENVIRONMENT AGENCY MATTERS

New personnel at the agency dealing with Neasham issues who had agreed to meet with the Vice Chair on site on 9 December. A Notice of Entry had been issued which it is anticipated will lead to the closure of all defects.

22/110 – VILLAGE GREEN

1. Miss Trees attended site 23/11/22 and carried out autumn works, unfortunately her vehicle had become “bogged” down and had to be towed out. Neasham PC agreed to make good the ruts. The Vice Chair had carried some maintenance work at the same time, with some mulching left to carry out later in the year.
2. Replacement of 2No notice boards, the Chair reported that although M Blundell had not yet provided a quotation for the works, he was considering possible alternatives. It was agreed that the work was not critical and deferred a decision.
3. B Crossen has completed the refurbishment of George V seat, large thank you for his sterling efforts.
4. Ownership of a bench at Low Dinsdale, no imminent response from Darlington BC anticipated.
5. Works in Memorial and Millennium Gardens have been delayed because of the waterlogged ground conditions and it was agreed that these two areas would be considered together for future works.
6. There had been no response from Highways regarding the hornbeam tree overgrowing a lamp standard. The Clerk was instructed to send a reminder.

22/111 – PLANNING

1. Applications received since last meeting:
   • Application 22/01199I/TF – Various tree works - 1 Riverside, Dinsdale Park, DL2 1UB. (APPROVED).
   • Application 22/01212/FUL – Demolish existing single storey extension and carry out various new works - 32 Teesway, Neasham, DL2 1QU. (APPROVED).
2. Decisions received since last meeting: - None.
3. A second letter of objection in respect of application 22/00875/FUL for various woks at Dinsdale Golf Club had been submitted to the planning authority.
4. The Vice Chair had noticed two planning application notifications (22/00780/LBC and 22/00781/FUL) fixed to a lamp post which referred to works at Neasham Abbey. The Clerk contacted Darlington BC who claimed they had been sent. Having checked all records, we are certain they have not been received.
    

22/112– RISK MANAGEMENT

1. Planters and Xmas lights inspections due in November. Planters are in the process of being forwarded.
2. 4No defects carried forward from previous month. The defect raised in respect of repairs to tarmac surfacing on East/West section of New Lane has now been closed.
3. The Vice Chair had prepared a consolidated list of items to assist members in observing defects generally. However he considered that it was essential that a twice yearly formal inspection was carried out, also it was important to spread the load of these duties. It was agreed to agenda this item for the next meeting.

22/113 – FINANCE

1. Previously approved payments made in November: - Reading Rooms £100 (Room hire), Clerk £3.29 (Stationary), RBL £70 (Donation), Miss Trees £180 (Tree works), Lights4fun £57.99 (Xmas Lights).
2. The proposed budget for 2023/4 was approved, this included a precept of £9,990. Although the government cap of 5% increase in Local Government does not apply to parish councils, it was felt that parishioners would be in agreement with this voluntary restriction.
3. The local government pay scales for 2022/23 were published 4/11/22, Clerk’s salary to be adjusted.

22/114 – UPDATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES DOCUMENTS

1. The Vice Chair presented two hard copies of the Governance Documents each with an electronic copy on a memory stick, one copy for the use of the Clerk, the other presented to M Hannaford. These documents included an introduction, Policies and principles, Procedures and guidance and Supporting information. The Policies and principles are published on the website, other documentation is available on request. The asset and planning registers are not yet available and will be posted on the website when they are.
2. The Vice Chair reported that the parish council currently had no cover in respect of a possible cyber-attack. Although it is less likely that a small parish could be the target of an such attack it was necessary to proceed with assessing the risk, a process which cannot be rushed. Many issues need to be examined included safety of personal computers and how well we carry out our housekeeping.

22/115 – CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES

The Vice Chair reported that a realisation is slowly developing that small villages/parish councils have a part to play in the issue and that local authorities need to engage with the local population and involve them.

22/116 – REACHING OUT AND COMMUNICATIONS

The Chair reported that a recent event in the Reading Rooms had gone well, but unfortunately many of the volunteers that night were not available for the next event. A request was for made for assistance which resulted in 10 new volunteers. The Chair felt that this type of communication was the way forward, if we involved parishioners in conversation over the next two months we would get our volunteers. J Weighell reported that a parishioner had expresses a willingness to collect information for circulation. In addition he had suggest that the issue of a leaflet advising what was going on in the village had been issued to new parishioners previously and which he felt should be revived.
 

22/117 – WARD COUNCILLOR MATTERS

L Tostevin reported that the appeal against the refusal on Application 20/00889/FUL (traveller site) due to be held on 15 November was delayed due to assessments needed by the Nutrient Neutrality requirements.

22/118– CORRESPONDENCE

Various emails from NALC regarding Newsletter (02/11, 09/11, 23/11). Chief Executive’s bulletins (07/11, 14/11), 28/11). Various events including Community Outreach/Engagement (01/11). The Vice Chair clarified the position with LTN 54 -protection of ownerless common land and village greens, that had been circulated. This technical note does not apply to the village green as Neasham PC has been the registered owner since 1970, with minor exceptions where ownership had been proved by others.

22/119– OTHER VILLAGE MATTERS

1. Darlington BC had forwarded a publication from the Boundary Commission for England setting out revised proposals had been circulated to the members. As no additional issues had been raised by any member and with a deadline for comments set at 5 December, Neasham PC had no further comment to make.
2. The Chair stated that the Remembrance Service had gone very well. The Vice Chair reported that he had sent thank you letters to the dignatories and received a warm response from them all. A retirement collection raised £70 which was forwarded to the RBL, who had sent a letter of thanks for the donation.
3. The Chair reported that everything was in place the Carol Service on 12th December at 6.30pm. The Chair had prepared a flyer advertising the event, P Dunn and B Crossen agreed to assist delivery in the village.
4. CU Medical had finally confirmed that no further recall of the defibrillator was required.
    

22/120 – DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Date of next ordinary parish meeting is Tuesday 7 February 2023. The meeting concluded at 7.50pm.