Neasham Parish Council

25/017 - WELCOME

The Vice Chair welcomed Councillors to the meeting. Apologies for absence were accepted from K Sandick (prior arrangement), E Miller (unwell). The meeting agreed that following the Annual Meeting held prior to the Ordinary meeting, where M Hannaford was appointed Vice Chair for 2025/6, it was agreed that G Crute should continue as Vice Chair to conduct the business of the Ordinary Meeting until the conclusion of that meeting.

25/018 – DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 Declarations of Interest were declared by M Hannaford (Tees River Trust works), C Bayes (Reading Room matters).

25/019 - MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

1. The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 1 April 2025 were confirmed as a correct record.
2. The Vice Chair stated that there had been some confusion at the previous meeting towards the amount offered to the Reading Room for the Duck Derby and VE Day and that in the future it should be quite clear as to the value of any grant and what it was to pay for. It was agreed that a sum of £750 would be given to the Reading Room out of which the band would be paid. M Hannaford suggested that a regular meeting between the parties would be helpful and it was agreed that this should be part of the Business Manager’s brief. It also might be useful to liaise with other parish councils on the timing of events.

25/020 – ADMINSTRATION MATTERS

1. Following a request that Members review their Declarable Interests Document and, if different to those declared in 2024, update those published. No member indicated it was necessary.
2. NALC have recently issued new Model Standing Orders and amendments to Financial Regulations in the previous 12 months which gives an opportunity for a review of these documents over the coming months. The G Crute and clerk will carry out a review of the documents to present at the September meeting.
3. The Vice Chair announced that the Clerk had submitted his resignation because of his reluctance to travel in the winter months. The Vice Chair then outlined the recruitment process which may involve amending some of the existing documents. Although he was not present at the meeting it was agreed that the Chair would oversee the process and a period of 10 days was set to advertise the vacancy, for which a special meeting may be required to approve.

25/021 – PACT MEETING

The PACT meeting at Middleton SG on 23 April had been attended by P Walters and L Tostevin, but there had been very little discussed of interest to Neasham.

25/022 – ROADS AND FOOTPATHS

1. L Tostevin reported on the current position regarding the request by residents at Dinsdale Park for improved safety measures at the entrance junction. There were no further comments, as all had been circulated. Darlington BC had tried to find a solution but were adamant that a traffic mirror would not be acceptable, however they would look again at providing extra signage.
2. Neasham PC have no powers to action a request from a Dinsdale Park resident that the landowner opposite the entrance to be instructed to cut back the overgrown hedge, which is a matter for Highways.

25/023 ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

1. The Agency have completed their work in the Kent Beck area, but have further work later in the year.
2. The Agency wish to liaise with Teesway residents on the clearing of vegetation to the flood bank. Clerk to contact the Agency requesting the addresses of properties affected, so that Neasham PC to inform them.

25/024 – VILLAGE GREEN

1. P Dunn reported that garden areas were improving as well as the seasons permitted but not quite as good as hoped because of drought. There was still some work to do on the Millenium garden which would be expended from the previously approved budget.
2. Purchase of plants and manure for the flower tubs was in hand and would be within the budget previously approved.
3. The Vice Chair reported that the preparations for VE Day 80 anniversary celebrations on 8 May were well in hand. “Tommy” had been erected and bunting draped. Lamp post plaques, flags and some poppy wreaths would be fixed prior to the event. On VE Day the flag will be raised at the Square at 9.00am and the Vice Chair will read the words of the Proclamation. The flag will be lowered at 9.30pm, the Chair will be in attendance but no further ceremony will take place.
4. C Bayes reported that preparations for the Reading Room Duck Derby on the 21 June were well under way and once the three events over the next two weeks are over with, then they will be finalising that event.
5. The Vice Chair reported that he would contact the Land Registry again regarding the progress of updating the records in respect of the village green, but his contact with them on an unrelated matter in January had been informed that completion would be August 2025.
6. Order placed with Rustic Stone for memorial stone as agreed previously. It is hoped that the memorial will be delivered in time for it to unveiled on 20 May by Ann Weighell on the village green at 6.30pm prior to the Annual Assembly in the Reading Room, which will be an informal event with cups of tea.
7. Tees River Trust had carried the out spraying of invasive species on 30 April to the river bank. They had previously asked the council to consider making a donation and the members agreed a sum of £100.  
8. Letter had been received from Rev Anthony Smith querying consultations on the installation of a new noticeboard by the parish council at St John’s Church, Low Dinsdale. The Vice Chair reported that there had been no written consultation, he had spoken to a church warden explaining our proposal and who said he would consult with others and we consider that we had fully conveyed fully our proposals in replacing our old noticeboard with a new one, which is beneficial to the church. It was agreed that the Clerk would respond on the basis of the above.
9. M Hannaford has collected the documents for the defibrillator and will continue the inspections.

25/025 - PLANNING

1. Applications received since last meeting:-
   25/00350/PA Prior Approval Application for change of use of an existing agricultural building into 2 dwellings with associated works at Hunger Hill Farm, Brass Castle, Neasham Road. It was reported that should the change of use be approved then a considerable amount of further information will need to be provided. L Tostevin indicated that there had been some discussion within the planning department regarding the “No Comment” block on their pro forma response document, which they felt did not imply a neutral stance. The clerk will add a comment on the form clarifying the Neasham PC position.
2. Decisions posted since last meeting: -
   None.
3. It was reported that as a fuller and more informative report, regarding the Sockburn Lane development had been received from the applicant. As a consequence, the Environment Agency had withdrawn their objection to the original report submitted by the applicant and which they considered inadequate in dealing with Agency matters and which was the basis of their objection. This new report contained several matters including the question of flood risk which they considered required careful consideration.  The applicant’s planning consultant also had produced a supplemental report setting out the reasoning as to why the application should be granted despite the fact that the development was outside the boundaries set out in the Darlington Local Plan.
4. Neasham PC have no comment on the Darlington BC “Statement on Community involvement.”
    

25/026 – RISK MANAGEMENT

1. Scheduled Inspections due in May –Inspection of electrics prior to Duck Derby, Village Green Inspection completed 25/03/25.
2. Three defects identified on the Village Green Inspection Report require attention, clerk to forward for action by others.
3. Testing of power supply from pump house to village green and PAT of lighting column and cabling required.
4. The All-Risks Checklist as circulated was approved. See also paragraph 25/027.9 for inter correlation between the All-Risks Checklist and AGAR documents.

25/027 – FINANCE

1. Previously approved payments made in April:- Wilkinsons £28.80 (Spring bulbs), Clerk £20.00 (Travel contribution), Rustic Stone £792.00 (J Weighell Memorial).
2. Following a further letter of complaint to NS&I regarding change of address and signatories, a letter has been received (24/04/25) confirming the changes have been actioned, 6 Months after the initial request. The members agreed to close the account and invest in a new account with an alternative bank.
3. The balance in the current account at 31 March 2025 was £13,041.07 less unbanked cheque £130.37, savings account £7,330.15 giving total funds of £20,240.85.
4. The Precept for 2025/6 in the sum of £11,000.00 has been credited to the current account.
5. The accounts have been agreed by auditor and the Internal Audit Certificate signed off.
6. As neither the gross income or expenditure exceeds £25,000, Neasham PC are exempt from a limited assurance review (external audit) and the Certificate of Exemption as circulated was signed off.
7. The 2025/6 Annual Governance and Accountability Return as circulated was approved and signed off.
8. The proposed dates for the 30 day period of the Exercise of Public Right to Inspection of the accounts commencing on 9 June and ending 18 July was agreed.
9. The Vice Chair then outlined the importance of the “All Risks Checklist” as it was relevant in providing evidence and answers to many questions in the AGAR and the need for co-ordination between the two.

25/029 – WARD COUNCILLOR MATTERS

1. P Walters reported that Hopetown were having a “Dog Funday” and encouraged people to attend. P Walters also stated that Hurworth Scouts may have to close from July due to a lack of instructors and encouraged volunteers to come forward.
2. L Tostevin stated that bus services were being extended and that there would still be a “hail and ride” service at the road end, which would be funded from S106 monies.

25/030– CORRESPONDENCE

1. Various emails from NALC regarding Chief Executive’s Bulletin (03/04, 05/04, 10/04, 24/04,01/05), Events Newsletter (04/04, 11/04, 18/04, 22/04).
2. Email from RECCC (16/04) – Cyber Threat March Updates

25/031– OTHER VILLAGE MATTERS

Members are reminded that the parish assembly will be held in the Reading Room on Tuesday 20 May 2025 with an informal format and light refreshments.

25/032 – DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Date of the next ordinary Parish Meeting is Tuesday 3 June 2025. The meeting concluded at 8.15pm.