6 May 2025

Parish Councillors are hereby summoned to a meeting of Neasham Parish Council on Tuesday 6 May 2025, 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 the minutes of the Annual and Ordinary meeting both held on 6 May 2025, as previously circulated.
  4. Appointment of Asset, Business and Risks Overseers to support the Chair for the year 2025/26 which was deferred at the Annual Meeting to allow more time to evaluate the duties involved. G Crute is hoping to prepare a briefing paper associated with this item prior to the meeting.
  5. Vacancy for clerk/responsible financial officer.
  6. PACT Meeting.
  7. Feedback on the meeting  held 21 May at Hurworth.
  8. Roads and Footpaths.
  9. Feedback on further consideration by Highways for the request or the installation of additional safety measures (mirror excluded) to the junction at the entrance road to Dinsdale Park.
  10. Request by a member for consideration of installing of “No Parking” (or other) signs in the village.
  11. Environment Agency Matters.
  12. Damage to safety fence running along to top of the east bank to Kent Beck, the agency has conceded that they were looking at the wrong area of fencing and will investigate further.
  13. Letter from the Agency accepting our suggestion about us informing residents regarding discussions the issues with shading/overgrown areas to the rear of their properties, which he feels reasonably limited in numbers.,
  14. Village Green.
  15. Maintenance required to existing garden areas.
  16. Purchase of plants and manure, planting up and maintenance of flower tubs.
  17. Update of arrangements for the Reading Room “Duck Derby” event on the village green 21 June.
  18. Unveiling of J Weighell memorial stone on 20 May and thanks to G Crute and a villager for their work in installing the stone.
  19. Following receipt of a letter from the Rev Anthony Smith (Priest in Charge of Darlington Riverside Parishes) a meeting between Councillor Crute and a church warden has been proposed to discuss concerns on the Neasham PC noticeboard at Low Dinsdale Church.
  20. The Vice Chair has taken over the inspection of the defibrillator.
  21. At the Parish Assembly held on 20 May, it was agreed to investigate the possibility of the installation of dropped kerbs to improve wheelchair access to the Square and other locations.
  22. Planning.
  23. Applications received since last meeting:-
  24. None
  25. Decisions posted since last meeting: -
  26. None.
  27. Consultation by North Yorkshire Council on their Local Plan and Sustainability Scoping Report as circulated.
  28. Risk Management.
  29. Scheduled Inspections due in April/May:- Trees (April), Planters (April/May), Duck Derby electrics pre-use (May/June), General Inspection of Electrics and Pat Testing (May/June).
  30. Two defects raised in April have been referred to Highways and Environment Agency for repair, both have been acknowledged.
  31. Testing of power supply to village green junction box and PAT testing with certificates required.
  32. Finance.
  33. Previously approved payments made in May:- Tees Rivers Trust (£100.00) Donation in recognition of spraying work on village green.
  34. The Certificate of Exemption has been submitted to the External Auditor who has accepted that Neasham Parish Council are exempt from an external audit.
  35. There is a requirement that the dates for the 30 day period of accounts being available for inspection commences on 9 June and ends 18 July and the notice must be posted on 8 July.
  36. As agreed at the May meeting a letter has been sent to NS&I requesting closure of that account.
     
  37. Reaching Out, Communications and Events.
  38. The Chair would like to see like to see a professional looking newsletter published and delivered to all householders before Christmas
     
  39. Ward Councillor Matters.
  40. Reports from Ward Councillors.
  41. Correspondence (as circulated May).  
  42. Various emails from NALC regarding Chief Executive’s Bulletin (06/05, 08/05), Events Newsletter (07/05, 20/05), Membership services (06/05)
  43. Email from RECCC (15/05) – Cyber Threat February Updates.
  44. Other Village Matters.
  45. Response by NALC to a DESNZ enquiry into Solar panels and electric cars.
  46. Following earlier complaints regarding increasing levels of aeroplane noise, J Chapple has enquired whether the parish council would consider a wider consultation on the issue within the parish.
  47. Any other matter that members wish to raise (not requiring formal notification).
  48. Date of the next ordinary Parish Meeting is Tuesday 1 July 2025.