Latest Minutes subject to approval

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF GRINDON PARISH COUNCIL
IN GRINDON PARISH HALL
ON WEDNESDAY, June 10th 2009, AT 7.30 pm

1. PRESENT
Mr D Godfrey (Chair), Mr G Rees, Mr D Jones, Mr W Allison, Mr P Burke.
In attendance: Mrs S Humble (Clerk), PC J Ollett, Cllr J Gardner, Mr S Lumb (Community Engineer) and one elector.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr J Atkinson.

Note: The Clerk advised, following discussion with David Bond (Director of Law and Democracy, SBC), that as Ms S Robertson had failed to attend in excess of 6 consecutive PC meetings she has automatically ceased to be a councillor. This was agreed by the PC and the Clerk was asked to publicise a casual vacancy for a councillor. The Clerk confirmed she will display the public notice of vacancy in the PC notice boards for a period of 14 days and forward a copy of the notice to The Returning Officer at SBC as required. She reminded the PC that if an election is required the Returning Officer will set a date for polling day and the election process will begin. If an election is not required, she clarified that the PC must co-opt a member to fill the vacancy as soon as practical.

3. POLICE AND COMMUNITY INTERESTS
3.1 PC Ollett advised the PC that a consultation exercise with Wolviston, Thorpe Thewles and Wynyard residents to identify where best to focus attention in neighbourhoods has now been completed. It was found that the issue that people are most concerned about is speeding vehicles.
3.2 PC Ollett reported that there had been 4 crimes recorded in the Parish since the last meeting:
• Theft of a purse at a Horse event
• Attempted burglary at a farm
• Criminal damage – fire
• Theft of cable from Samsung site
3.3 The Chair advised PC Ollett that a further 3 unreported thefts had taken place in Wynyard since the last meeting. The Chair advised PC Ollett that he had recommended all parties report the matter to the police in order that these thefts could be investigated. PC Ollett asked the PC to reiterate the importance of informing the police when a crime is committed.
3.4 PC Ollett also advised the PC that since the last meeting more burnt out cars had been found in the Parish. Investigations continue to identify the perpetrators.

4. INTERESTS TO DECLARE
There were none.

5. MINUTES
Mr D Jones proposed and Mr G Rees seconded the adoption of the minutes of May 10th, 2009 as a correct record. All in favour. They were therefore signed by the Chair.


6. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
6.1 SEIB Grants: Mr D Jones advised that a list of environmental change suggestions (from residents) for the village had been compiled and reviewed with John Angus from SBC. 4 of the 7 suggestions were deemed viable. Mr D Jones and Mr G Rees are to explore these ideas further (i.e. costings, residents opinion etc.) with a view to establishing which idea would be the best to take forward. Further updates to follow.
6.2 Dog Fouling: Cllr Gardner advised the PC that he had spoken with Mark Berry from the Enforcement Team who had proposed a further 5 Dog Bins be cited in Wynyard. Mr Berry is to look at possible locations for the bins and is to send an officer to visit the Wynyard resident who has been reporting dog fouling in the area with a view to identifying the key problem areas. Further updates to follow.
6.3 Traffic Calming in Thorpe Thewles & Wynyard: Mr Steve Lumb (Community Engineer) presented the results of the traffic survey conducted on Durham Road, South of Wynyard Road, Thorpe Thewles. He advised that the results in the main showed adherence to the speed limit both in and out of the village. He also reported that the number of vehicles in and out of the village is fairly low at between 160 – 200 per day. Mr Lumb then asked the PC how they now wish to proceed. Following discussion, he confirmed he will prepare a table as before with results of the findings and forward to the PC. He will also draw up a revised scheme for consultation with residents which, if agreed, he will submit to SBC on behalf of the PC. This scheme will focus on the possible installation of a chicane at the end of the village which would help reduce speeding as drivers are forced to slow down on approach. Mr Lumb also offered to draw up a scheme for traffic calming along The Wynd, Wynyard. All were in favour of the above actions and Mr Lumb will bring both schemes back to the PC for review/consideration.
6.4 Momentum: Mr G Rees advised that the Momentum NHS website is, as of 8th June, in the process of being updated. He will update the PC further once he has reviewed these updates. Cllr Gardner advised the PC that funding to build the hospital is still being investigated. He too will provide further updates in relation to this matter as information becomes available. The Clerk advised she has received notification from an elector of a new Planning Application to Hartlepool Borough Council. Whilst not in relation to the hospital, it relates to further large scale development on the Wynyard Site which, if approved, could cause traffic related problems in the area. The Clerk confirmed she will forward the details to the PC via e-mail in order that they can review plans and give individual/group comment should they wish to do so.
6.5 Meeting Hall for Wynyard Village: Nothing to report.
6.6 The Wynd, Wynyard: Nothing to report.
6.7 Thorpe Thewles Village Green: Mr G Rees advised he is to re-contact Mr Mindham from SBC to discuss the outcome of the consultation with residents and next steps. Further updates to follow.
6.8 The Stables Car Park: Nothing to report.

7. PLANNING
7.1 Planning Decisions:
7.1.1 09/0237/FUL Land 86 Metres To West of 37, Maynards Grove, Wynyard - Erection of detached dwelling house with attached triple garage - Approved with Conditions
7.1.2 09/0890/FPD 33 The Wynd, Wynyard - Single storey extension to rear - Approved with Conditions
7.1.3 09/0830/FUL 11 Tempest Court, Wynyard - Porch extension to side, bin/recycling store to rear, and brick/stone piers to front - Approved with Conditions

7.2 Planning Applications:
7.2.1 09/0629/ADV Unit 6, Evolution Wynyard Park, Wynyard Avenue - Erection of 1 No. non illuminated fascia sign and 1 No. non-illuminated letter sign – No Comment.
7.2.2 09/0956/FUL 2 Foresters Close, Wynyard - Erection of retaining wall, railings and piers to the rear and side – No Comment.
7.2.3 09/0996/REV 40 The Granary, Wynyard - Revised application for erection of two storey garden room to the rear – No Comment.
7.2.4 09/1005/FUL 9 North Close, Thorpe Thewles - Two storey extension to side – No Comment.
7.2.5 09/1075/FUL 4 Harestones, Wynyard - Single storey day room to rear – No Comment.
7.2.6 09/0926/FPD 17 Davison Close, Wynyard - Partial garage conversion into a habitable room – No Comment.
7.2.7 09/1090/FUL Unit 1, Drummoyne, High Middle Field Farm Durham Road, Thorpe Thewles - Revised Application to vary condition no. 1 (approved plans) of planning approval 91/0748/P (conversion of redundant farm building into 4 no. Dwelling houses and granny flat) to allow changes to Plot 1 – The Clerk was asked by the PC to strongly object to the application due to the dangerous access onto a single track road and also note that the area has been deemed unsustainable by SBC Spatial Planning Dept and has no local amenities.
7.2.8 09/1131/FPD 1 Vane Close, Wynyard – Conservatory to the rear – No Comment.
7.2.9 09/1074/REV 44 The Granary, Wynyard - Revised application for a two-storey extension to the side and single storey utility room to the rear – No Comment.
7.2.10 09/1151/REV 8 Tempest Court, Wynyard - Revised application for conservatory to the rear – No Comment.
7.2.11 09/1215/FUL Wynyard Park, Wynyard - Revised application for construction of hotel and pub/restaurant - The Clerk was asked by the PC to object to the application on the grounds that the revision substantially increases the size of the development. The PC are concerned about increased traffic to the A689 as a result of this development and the lack of any revised road traffic scheme to address this and future developments on the site, which also include a hospital and business park covering hundreds of acres.
7.2.12 09/1236/AAC Red Gap Farm, Wolviston - Other authority consultation on 5 no. Wind turbines and associated tracks, meteorological monitoring mast, contractors compound and associated works including improvements to the existing site access from A19 The Clerk was asked by the PC to object to the application on the following grounds:
• Loss of amenity for people in the borough - reduction in countryside amenity.
• Wildlife in the area is at risk from turbines - including bats, owls and other birds of prey.
• Noise - can be heard from miles away (example Castle Eden Walkway) this can affect residents quality of life who live in close proximity.
• Shadow Flicker caused by turbines again affecting quality of life for residents in close proximity.
7.2.13 09/1108/FUL 12 Mountstewart, Wynyard - Installation of 5 no. velux style roof windows to rear and 1 no. New window to each gable elevation – No Comment.
7.2.14 09/1293/FPD 33 Wellington Drive, Wynyard – Conservatory to rear – No Comment.



8. HIGHWAYS
8.1 Sedgefield Town Council Road Signs: The Clerk read a letter from Durham County Council in relation to the new road signage on the A177. They advised they were in the process of completing an “Accident, Investigation and Prevention” scheme on the southbound carriageway following a number of unfortunate fatal road traffic accidents in recent years. The scheme, when completed, will effectively make the southbound dual carriageway into single carriageway using road markings to enforce road discipline. To date, new signage has been erected and a central reservation crossover point near Sedgefield created. Durham County Council are hoping to have road marking and road stud work completed before August. At this time it is hoped the new signs will make more sense to motorists and in the meantime the signs will be re-bagged.
8.2 Road Behind Hamilton Russell: The Clerk advised she has raised the issue with the Care For Your Area Team at SBC but has yet to receive a response. The Clerk chased the matter again on 8th June and will update the PC further at the next meeting.

*Cllr Gardner left the meeting at 8.30pm*

9. ACCOUNTS
9.1 GRINDON PARISH COUNCIL BUDGET 2009-10
INCOME RECEIVED TO DATE NOTES
PRECEPT 7250.00 7250.00
VAT REPAYMENT 355.11 355.11
INTEREST 75.00
WAYLEAVE 0.00
EARMARKED RESERVE FROM 2008-9 800.00 Election Costs
TOTAL 8480.11 8405.11

EXPENDITURE SPENT TO DATE
PARISH APPEARANCE
Comprising
£780.00 St James’s, Grindon churchyard grass-cutting 360.00
£500.00 Thorpe Village tidy-up
£1000.00 External Power to Tree @ Thorpe Thewles
£1000.00 Wynyard Entrance – Signage
£500.00 Grindon Parish Hall
AUDIT FEE 150.00
DONATIONS 400.00 200.00
STATIONERY 25.00
INSURANCE 425.00
POSTAGE 36.00 9.28
ADVERTISING 100.00 28.00
GRINDON PARISH HALL MEETING HIRE 250.00
CLERK’S SALARY AND EXPENSES 1584.00 396.00
CONTINGENCY 500.00 20.99
ELECTION COSTS 800.00
TOTAL £8050.00 £1014.27


BALANCES AS AT 31.05.2009
Current a/c £7324.81
Reserve a/c £6127.41

9.2 Mr W Allison proposed and Mr G Rees seconded the payment of the Clerk’s monthly salary for June of £132.00. All in favour.
9.3 Payment of Churchyard Grass Cutting Account Invoices 3 & 4: Mr W Allison proposed and Mr G Rees seconded payment of the invoices from Lush Lawns for grass cutting in St James’ churchyard in the sum of £180.00. All in favour.
9.4 Bank Transfer: Mr W Allison proposed and Mr G Rees seconded the transfer of £6000.00 from the current account to the reserve account. All in favour.
9.5 Payment of Advertising Invoice: Mr W Allison proposed and Mr G Rees seconded payment of the invoice from Parish News for advertising GPC in the magazine in the sum of £28.00. All in favour.
9.6 The Clerk confirmed that the refund of VAT for 08/09 period has now been received from HM Revenue & Customs in the sum of £355.11.
9.7 Mr W Allison proposed and Mr G Rees seconded the payment of the Clerk’s postage expenses of £9.28. All in favour.
9.8 Mr W Allison proposed and Mr G Rees seconded the payment of the Clerk’s expenses of £20.99 in respect of the purchase of a small gift for the internal auditor Mr B Smith in appreciation for the work he has done for the PC. All in favour. The Clerk confirmed a Thank You card had been received from Mr Smith in relation to this matter.
9.9 The Clerk read a letter from the Wynyard Social Events Team requesting a donation of £360 to pay for a face painter and children’s entertainer at the forthcoming Wynyard Summer Fete. Following discussion, it was proposed by Mr B Allison and seconded by Mr P Burke that a donation of £50.00 be made. With all in favour. The Clerk was asked to remind the Wynyard Social Events Team that the PC’s request last year for evidence of how previous donations had been spent (via a copy of the Organisations’ accounts) had not been forthcoming and we would ask that this be provided following the 2009 Summer Fete.
9.10 The Clerk read a letter from the Thorpe Thewles Residents Association requesting a donation of £50 to put towards entertainment costs at the Thorpe Thewles Summer Fete. Following discussion it was proposed by Mr P Burke, and seconded by Mr W Allison that a donation of £50.00 be made. With all in favour.

10. PARISH ISSUES
10.1 Play Park: Mr D Jones advised the PC that work had now started on the Play Park. Further updates will follow regarding progress.
10.2 Parish Notice board in Wynyard: The Clerk advised she is still awaiting payment of the Ravenswood invoice by the Insurance Company. Further update will follow.
10.3 Wynyard Woodland Park: Nothing to report.
10.4 Advertising: The PC agreed the advert format will remain the same for June edition of Parish News.
10.5 Annual Return: The Clerk presented the 2008-9 accounts to the PC which had previously been approved and audited and the Chair signed the annual return form. The PC then considered all issues raised in the annual governance statement. Appropriate action has been taken in all cases. It was agreed that the Clerk could now forward the annual return form and necessary paperwork to BDO Stoy Hayward for review and audit opinion.
10.6 Thorpe Thewles Village Tidy Up: Mr D Jones advised the PC that work is ongoing and the tubs will be replanted this month.
10.7 Salt Bin North Close: Mr G Rees confirmed he had now received costings from Cllr Gardner in relation to the Salt Bins. He advised the PC that a Salt Bin filled with salt would cost £150 and further refills would cost £60. The PC asked that Mr Rees now approach residents of North Close to ask where they would want a salt bin locating in order that the matter can be given further consideration.
10.8 Care For Your Area: Cllr Gardner advised the PC that he is still awaiting a response from the Care For Your Area Team. Cllr Gardner will chase the matter again and a further update will follow.
10.9 Bus Routes: Mr G Rees advised the PC that the Yellow bus service has now ceased to operate in the area.
10.10 Thorpe Thewles Power to Xmas Tree: Mr D Jones advised the PC that he has received an estimate of between £1000 & £1200 for the installation of a power supply to the Xmas Tree. However, an additional cost of one month’s electricity (whilst tree is lit) would also need to be met by the PC. The PC have asked that Mr Jones arrange for the firm to come out and do a full site review and obtain a written quotation for consideration by the PC.
10.11 No Dogs Allowed: Elector requested that the PC support a request to have a “No Dogs Allowed” sign erected in Thorpe Thewles Play Park once the work in the park is completed. The PC confirmed they would fully support the request but did reiterate that signs of this nature are unenforceable as previously discussed. Mr D Jones is to speak with SBC in relation to this matter and feed back to the PC at the next meeting.

11. CORRESPONDENCE
11.1 Stockton Borough Council: Sustainable Communities Act - A Guide was received and the details were taken by Mr D Jones for review/consideration.
11.2 Stockton Borough Council: Tees Valley Town & Parish Councils Ethical Governance Workshop presentation handout was received.
11.3 Stockton Borough Council: Draft Open Space, Recreation and Landscaping Supplementary Planning Document and draft sustainability appraisal report was received and the details were taken by Mr P Burke for review/consideration.
11.4 BT Wind for Change: Update on proposals were received.
11.5 Stockton Borough Council: Notification of substitute parish representative vacancy on the Council’s Standards Committee was received. There were no interested parties.
11.6 Stockton Borough Council: Notice of submission of the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Development Plan document was received.
11.7 Billingham Partnership: Agenda Papers for meeting on 1st June were received.
11.8 NHS Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton On Tees: Improving Access and Choice in Primary Care Services Survey was received.
11.9 Hartlepool Borough Council: Notification of Planning Application Red Gap Farm, Wolviston received ref 09/2009/0231 was received. The PC asked the Clerk to object as in 7.2.12 above.
11.10 William Cassidi C of E Primary School: The Clerk read a letter of thanks for the £100 donation made to the school by the PC.

12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 7.30pm.