Minutes of the meeting held
on
F Burn in the chair
Present: G Shotton, J Ashford, D Smith, J Taylor, S
Dunn, P Dodsworth, B Hepplewhite, T Duffy and D Carruthers
Apologies for absence: M Crathorne
Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed and
signed as a true record.
280. Police Report
PC Ogilvie was unable to attend the meeting and the
Clerk presented the report.
Rowdy Nuisance – 4 reported incidents in Coxhoe – all youth related.
6
reported incidents in Quarrington Hill – 4 youth related, 1 neighbour related, 1 disorder related.
Vehicle Nuisance- No reported incidents in Coxhoe.
2
reported incidents in Quarrington Hill – both motorbike
related.
Assault - 1
reported incident –
Theft - 3
reported incidents– 01/03/07 – theft of gas cylinders at Steetley Terrace,
Burglary - !
reported incident –
Criminal Damage – 4 reported incidents –
26/02/07 – damage to door at Church Street, Coxhoe, 28/02/07 – damage to door
at Co-operative Terrace, 05/03/07 – damage to lock at Blackgate East, 08/03/07
– arson to wheelie bin at Sanderson Street.
Other Issues - The
village has been the focus of increased patrols and there appeared to be a
substantial reduction in youth related incidents. There had been a significant number of
alcohol seizures from youths that had been stopped, with follow up enquiries in
an attempt to trace the source of the alcohol.
This work will continue in the future.
Resolved: the details of the report were noted.
281. Traffic
Calming Measures –Coxhoe
Works had now commenced at the traffic lights and further works would follow next week. A complaint had been received from Mr Gatenby concerning the works to be carried out near his shop. The Clerk had contacted Gordon Wingrove and the County Council were actively investigating the issues raised.
Resolved: the details were noted and the Parish Council wished the works to go
ahead as planned.
282.
Quarrington Hill Stones
The stones had now been cut by the quarry and the signs delivered to them. It was hoped that the works would be carried out by the end of the month.
Resolved: the details were noted.
283. Tree
Planting
The County Council grant had now been received for
these works
Resolved: the details were noted.
284. Hearing
Aid
After further enquiries the proposed hearing aid loop
would not meet our requirements
Resolved: the purchase is deferred
pending works at the Village Hall.
285.
Quarrington Hill Allotments
The Clerk had obtained a substantial reduction in the
current charge. Northumbrian Water
advised that to prevent further problems a locking stop tap chamber could be
installed at an estimated cost of £270
Resolved: an order is placed for these works to be carried out in October 2007.
286.
The Clerk had met with a company concerning the
provision of a water supply to the allotments and estimated costs were expected
soon, at which time a bid for funding could be made for all works
Resolved: the details were noted.
287. Election
Packs
A timetable had now been received for the May
election. Surprise was raised concerning
the short period of time between the notice and nominations having to be made.
Resolved: the Clerk to contact the City Council to confirm the details.
288.
No word had been received to date on the grant
application.
Resolved: the details were noted.
289. Doctors Surgery Coxhoe
A response had not yet been received form the PCT and
the importance of this issue was again discussed
Resolved: to contact the PCT again highlighting the importance of a new surgery
to the Parish Plan.
290. Speed
Signs
Varitex had been unable to attend the meeting but had
made an offer of a visit to their premises to view their products.
Resolved: a visit is to be
made in the near future to Varitex’s premises.
291. Planning
Applications
The following planning application had been received:
Erection of a detached single garage to the side of the existing dwelling
house, 92 The Grove, Coxhoe
Resolved: no objections were made to this application.
292. Freedom of Information Act
A leaflet of the act had been provided as a basic
guide for compliance for first tier Councils and was circulated by the Clerk
Resolved: the details were noted.
293. Parish
Councillors Guide
A new version of the guide had now been published.
Resolved: to purchase a copy of the publication.
294.
Development of a play policy/strategy
The City Council were providing a workshop on the 19th
March to promote this strategy
Resolved: Councillor Hepplewhite to attend.
295. Local Government Review
A further update had been received from Durham County
Council and copies were circulated for all Members
Resolved: the details were noted.
296. Insurance Policy
Renewal details were provided for the Council’s
insurance policy and a risk assessment was carried out on the required cover.
Resolved: (i) to increase the level of cover for public liability and fidelity
guarantee (ii) where the level of premium was out of proportion to the value of
the asset to remove the asset from the policy (iii) to request from Coxhoe
Banner Group up to date details of the value of the banner for insurance
purposes.
297. Hanging Baskets
The contract for the provision of floral decorations was
due for renewal. This service was
currently provided by Thinford Nurseries.
A discussion followed on the supply of this service for 2007.
Resolved: due to the high quality of the current service and the short time
period before the service was required, financial regulations be waived on this occasion and the Clerk be authorised to
negotiate the service from Thinford Nurseries for 2007.
298. Grazing land at Coxhoe
A licence was currently in place for land leased by
the Council for grazing. The rental had
not been reviewed for some time.
Resolved: notice be given to the current tenant that the rental be reviewed from
April 2008
299. Risk Assessments
The Clerk had produced a full risk assessment and
financial management document for the Council that had been circulated
previously.
Resolved: a sub group is to be set up to carry out risk assessments on an
ongoing basis.
300. Quality Parish Council Scheme
The Clerk had produced a document on the requirements
of this scheme that had been circulated previously
Resolved: (i) the Council were committed to obtaining quality status and work
would be carried out during 2007/08 to this end (ii) the Clerk to provide a
full timetable for the requirements (iii) training be provided for the Clerk as
required to achieve the necessary qualification.
301. Parish Meeting
Proposals for the Parish meeting were discussed.
Resolved: the Parish meeting to be held at
302. Coxhoe
Together
Councillor Dodsworth provided an update of works
being co-ordinated by Coxhoe Together.
(i) an architect had been
appointed to develop plans for improvements to the Village Hall;
(ii) a grant had been
applied for in respect of heritage works in the churchyard;
(iii) a master plan was
being drawn together for improvements to the village;
(iv) plans were now in place
for Coxhoe United to hold a fun day/football festival in the village on the 23rd
June;
(v) there had been some
initial vandalism to the planters provided in the village. A quote had been received from Thinford
Nurseries for £196 to replenish the planters.
Resolved: (i) the details of the report were noted (ii) it was
agreed that the Parish Council and Coxhoe Together would equally split the cost
of the replacement shrubs for the planters (iii) Coxhoe Together and the
Quarrington Hill Village Partnership be requested to give regular updates to
future Parish Council meetings.
303. Coxhoe
Co-op
A complaint was received that the trolley cover at
the Co-op was poorly lit
Resolved: The Clerk contact the Co-op manager to advise
him of the problem.
304. Coxhoe
Churchyard
Concern was expressed about the number of cars being
parked in the churchyard car park and thus crossing the pavement area.
Resolved: the Clerk to contact the PCC expressing the Parish Council’s concerns.
305. Takeaway
Food Shops in Coxhoe
Concern was expressed at the level of litter being
left outside of these establishments each night.
Resolved: the Clerk to write to each relevant business expressing the Parish
Council’s concerns and requesting nightly checks to be carried out.
306. Accounts
The Clerk circulated
details of the up to date budget position for discussion.
The Clerk detailed the
accounts for payment and the following were approved:
NEREO Training
course £31.73
Northumbrian Water Quarrington Hill Allotments £6.60
Gardening Services Winter maintenance
works £950.00
N King Salary £353.07
N King Reimbursement
Admin costs £5.52
P
Resolved: details of the
up to date budget position were noted and approved.