Neasham Parish Council

21/052 - WELCOME

J Weighell welcomed Councillors to the meeting.  Apologies for absence were accepted from   P Dunn (Prior commitment). The Chairman also introduced M Hannaford.

21/053 – DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Declarations of Interest were declared by:

• K Sandick in respect of planning application 21/00667/FUL
• E Miller in respect of planning application 20/00967/FUL

21/054 - MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

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

21/055 – MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING / PROGRESS REPORTS

Minute 21/032 – Vacancy for Councillor. Mark Hannaford was the only person who had expressed an interest in being co-opted. Mark signed the “Acceptance of Office” in the presence of the members, handed over the “The Register of Members Interests” and was formally co-opted to the Council.

21/056 – PACT REPORT

No meeting was held in June. It was reported that there had been two incidents involving quad bikes roaming through the village and green area and with multiple passengers shouting obscenities. The police were informed and a PCSO attended site. The PCSO confirmed that the vehicle was legally on the road. In the other incident a quad bike parked on farm land with the occupants trying to open a container. Police were informed and an officer and PCSO attended site but the intruders had fled.

21/057 – ROADS AND FOOTPATHS

1. Issue of the right of way through the New Lane development. K Sandick reported that no progress could be made until Bethan Hacker returned to work sometime after 19th July.
2. A letter had been sent to Darlington BC regarding the condition of Dibdale Road towards the golf club (raised as a defect by Neasham PC). Their response stated that the road had recently been inspected and identified various patch repairs required, which had been included in their program for later in the year.

 

21/058 – ENVIRONMENT AGENCY MATTERS

The Chair reported that the Agency had been on site strimming the river bank and had wanted access to Dobinson’s field on Sockburn Lane, when informed as to why this was not possible, they cut the chain to gain access and provided a new chain and lock. They also strimmed the nearby footpath.

21/059 – VILLAGE GREEN

1. A graffiti gang had targeted the Kent Beck bridge (and other locations) on 14th June. This was quickly removed from public areas by Street Scene. Many thanks to Brian Graham and his men for organising such a rapid response.
2. An email had been received from Kate Carrick of the Tees River Trust enquiring about approval for a tug of war event on the Neasham river bank on 26th September (World Rivers Day), which was agreed in principle. M Hannaford agreed to liaise with the Trust, should the event go ahead.
3. The Chair reported that he had to strim the grass growing under the communal area seats and consideration be given to the laying of a membrane and gravel to form a border next year.
4. Following a NALC query over a policy on flag flying, it was agreed that a formal policy was not required. The issue of flying political or private flags was raised and it was agreed that they would vetted by the members to ensure that they were not offensive or discriminatory.
5. G Crute had carried some maintenance work to trees and mulching during June and was awaiting a date from Miss Trees to carry out works to two other trees and the leylandii hedge.
6. The clerk had written to Darlington BC enquiring what types of trees were available under the “free issue” scheme. Following a request Darlington BC, Neasham had forward them a plan of the proposed tree planting area. A response as to what type of tree is available is awaited.
7. A proposal to name the communal seating area as “the Square” was agreed, as was the wording on the two commemorative plaques. The planter plaque would be brass A4 size at an estimated cost of £50 was approved. The flagpole base was not square to the paving and G Crute offered two alternative stones plaques one with an angled top, the other irregular shape. The angled top plaque at a cost £197 (plus VAT) was approved.
8. L Tostevin queried whether Neasham had received their allocation of 6 trees, bench seat and a plaque which Darlington BC were giving to villages in memory of people who had died due to Covid. Neasham had not received any allocation and L Tostevin agreed to follow up.

21/060 – PLANNING

1. Applications received since last meeting:-
   • 20/00967/FUL – Skipbridge and Neasham Springs Farms – Conversion of barns into 8 dwellings. E Miller was asked to leave the room. G Crute stated that there were 69 documents attached to this application and it was difficult to gauge the impact of the proposal from the portal. It was agreed for members to visit site on 10th July to judge the visual impact. The clerk was instructed to request  an extension of four weeks to the deadline for the return of the response to allow the site visit to be made and any investigation. Post meeting: Darlington BC would only allow a one week extension.
   • 21/00667/FUL Spa Wells Variation to Condition 2 – Change of use to include vodka and gin distilleries.  K Sandick was asked to leave the room and the response was agreed as No Comment.
2. Decisions received since last meeting:- None
3. GC stated that had looked on the appeals portal and that there had been no developments regarding the appeal against the planning refusal to the traveller sites.

21/061 – RISK MANAGEMENT

1. The quarterly Risk Management Report has been circulated which showed one defect remaining open (see also paragraph 21/057). No defects raised in month.
2. Scheduled Inspections carried out in June – Flower tubs, Old Pump House, (Notice boards and verges now included with Village Green). Electrical Inspections were not carried out as no Duck Derby held.

21/062 – FINANCE

1. A copy of the Finance Report dated 30th June 2021 has been circulated.
2. Approved payments made in June:- .
   • Eden Landscapes (Moving seats) £90.00.
   • Neasham Nurseries (Flowers for planters) £238.68.
   • Clerk (Salary first quarter) £440.04
   • HMRC (PAYE) £109.80
3. The one point spinal increase in the Clerks salary (as letter 13/08/19) was approved, no other increase.
4. A VAT Refund Claim for the period to 30/06/21 in the sum of ££472.54 has been submitted to HMRC.
5. Pre-renewal documents have been received from CAME & Co in respect of our insurance policy which is due for renewal 20 September. The current level of cover for street furniture including speed signs is £17k. The clerk was instructed to agree an amendment of £2500 for cover of the communal seating area. It was confirmed that the defibrillator was insured under the core sums insured package.

21/063 – UPDATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES DOCUMENTS

1. G Crute outlined the methodology of Local Authority valuation of asset which is different to the commercial approach and the draft Asset Register “Proper Practice” for Valuation was approved.
2. Data Protection procedure and a review of the Asset Register are still to be completed, which is currently ongoing with G Crute and the clerk.
3. The “Information for Clerk” document prepared by Tina Murray is currently being updated by G Crute and a draft will be circulated for approval at the September meeting.

21/064 – PROVISION OF NEW WEBSITE

1. Minor adjustments to the site are currently being undertaken following experience from going live.
2. The “enquiries to Neasham PC” facility on the website is operational and several queries received.
3. Training for the clerk on the use of the website is ongoing.

21/065 – WARD COUNCILLOR MATTERS

L Tostevin reported that the Scarlet Band bus service to Neasham would cease at the end of July. However the Teesflex on demand service was proving very successful since it’s launch in 2020. The operators had contacted the Reading Rooms with a view to holding another “drop in” session to encourage more parishioners to take advantage of this service. The members were in favour of another “drop in” and the Chair agreed to liaise with the Reading Rooms on the matter.

21/066 – CORRESPONDENCE

1. All as previously circulated with no issues raised by the members.
2. 09/06/21 Email from Boundary Commission England (forwarded by Darlington BC) regarding an 8 week consultation period ending on 02/08/21 regarding revisions to parliamentary boundaries. Sedgefield will disappear and Neasham become part of Stockton West. The general consensus was that the Hurworth Ward (including Neasham) should be part of the Darlington constituency with whom there was a greater affinity with local issues. The clerk was instructed to write to the commission on this basis. 
3. NALC email 29/06/21 setting out the results of the HMLR Land Ownership Survey carried out earlier.
4. NALC email 29/06/21 advising of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations on 02/06/11. The clerk was instructed to write to Lee Puchala (Reading Rooms) to discuss a joint approach with the parish council in organising any event. It was also agreed more research was required on the lighting of beacons.
5. Darlington BC email 29/06/21 advising of road closure to Dibdale Road on 6th July for up to 5 days. The works were completed on the 6 July but did not include the repair works requested by Neasham.

21/067 – OTHER VILLAGE MATTERS

1. K Sandick confirmed that there will be no increase in the Neasham Reading Rooms charge for the hire the room for the Parish Council meetings.
2. It had been queried whether the parish council should organise a new round of training in using the defibrillator. After discussing the matter, it was agreed not pursue this suggestion at this time.
3. An email had been received from Doug Oliver (Constituency of Paul Howell) setting out an offer by the MP to meet with the parish council. It was agreed to leave this open until the September meeting.

21/068 – DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next ordinary Parish Council meeting was set at Tuesday 7 September 2021.

The meeting concluded at 7.55pm