6 July 2021

Parish Councillors are hereby summoned to a meeting of Neasham Parish Council on Tuesday 6 July 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 Ordinary Meeting held on 7 June 2021 as previously circulated.
  4. Matters arising from previous meeting.
    Minute 21/032 – Co-opting M Hannaford to fill the vacancy on the parish council for a new councillor.
  5. PACT Report.
  6. Roads and footpaths.
    • Right of Way through the New Lane development and associated signage.
    • Letter sent to Darlington BC regarding the condition of the road up Dibdale Road towards the golf club and response received from Highways.
  7. Environment Agency Matters.
  8. Village Green.
    • 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.
    • An email had been received from Kate Carrick of the Tees River Trust enquiring about approval to hold a tug of war and “fun day” event on the river bank at Neasham on 26th September (World Rivers Day).
    • Grass growing under seats to communal seating area had to be strimmed, consideration be given to the laying of a membrane and gravel.
    • Following a NALC query over a policy on flag flying, discussion required as to whether a formal policy required or setting limitations on the flying of “private” flags and specific dates for flying the Union Jack.
    • G Crute had carried some maintenance work to trees including mulching during June, further minor pruning may be required later in the year.
    • The clerk had written to Darlington BC enquiring what types of trees were available under the “free issue” scheme. Darlington BC requested that Neasham forward them an indication of the location of the proposed tree planting and they would decide which varieties were the most suitable.
    • Suggestions invited for naming of the communal seating area.
  9. Planning.
    • Applications received since last meeting:- 
      20/00967/FUL – Skipbridge and Neasham Springs Farms – Conversion of barns into 8 dwellings Farm.
      21/00667/FUL Spa Wells Variation to Condition2 – Change of use to include vodka and gin distilleries.
    • Decisions received since last meeting:-
      None.
    • Update on appeal on traveller sites and further unauthorised development.
  10. Risk Management.
    • The Risk Management Report for the quarter ending 30 June has been circulated.
    • Scheduled Inspections due in June – Flower tubs, Old Pump House, (Notice boards and verges now included with Village Green). Electrical Inspections not carried out as Duck Derby not held.
    • No defects raised in month, with two existing defects closed and with one remaining open.
  11. Finance.
    • A copy of the 2021/22 1Q Finance Report has been circulated.
    • To approve June payments of £38.40 Wilkinsons (Compost), £30.30 Middlemiss (Timber for planter), £28.00 Wilkinsons (Soil conditioner), £90 Eden Landscapes (Moving seats), £238.68 Neasham Nurseries (Flowers for planters), £440.04 Clerk (Salary subject to confirmation), £109.80 HMRC (PAYE). 
    • Confirmation of the single point spinal increase in the Clerks salary grade (as letter 13/08/19), no other increase.
    • A VAT refund Claim for the period 01/10/20 to 30/06/21 in the sum of ££472.54 has been submitted to HMRC.
    • Pre-renewal documents have been received from CAME & Co in respect of our insurance policy which is due for renewal 20 September.
  12. Updating of Policies and Procedures Documents.
    • Approval of the Asset Register “Proper Practice” for Valuation document as circulated.
    • 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.
  13. Provision of New Website.
    • Minor adjustments to the site are currently being undertaken following experience from going live.
    • The “enquiries to Neasham PC” facility on the website is operational and several queries received.
    • Training for the clerk on the use of the website is ongoing.
  14. Ward Councillor Matters.
  15. Correspondence (all as circulated May).
    • Various emails from NALC regarding Chief Executive’s bulletins and Newsletters dated 7, 9, 14, 21, 21 June (for information only unless any member has any matter arising).
    • 09/06/21 Email from Boundary Commission England (forwarded by Darlington BC) regarding an 8 week consultation period on revisions to parliamentary boundaries. Sedgefield will disappear and Neasham become part of Stockton West. The consultation period ends 02/08/21.
  16. Other village matters.
    • K Sandick has confirmed that there will be no increase in the Neasham Reading Rooms charge for room hire for the Parish Council meetings.
    • As it is now several years since the defibrillator has been installed, it has been asked for the council to consider the merit of organising a new round of training in using the defibrillator.
    • 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.
  17.  Date of next meeting as Tuesday 7 September 2021.

John Walker

Clerk to Neasham Parish Council