Minutes of April 2010 Parish Council Meeting

Held on Wednesday the 21st at 7:15pm in the Village Hall.

Present Mr. Geoff Baines was declared the only applicant for the vacant position of Parish Councillor. He was proposed for the position by Cllr McMahon, and seconded by Cllr Ridley. Mr. Baines was then confirmed as a councillor by unanimous vote of the Bishopton Parish Council.

Visitors:
  1. Mr Stephen Ainsley
    2. Mr. Stephen Ainsley attended the meeting to report on the traffic questionnaire. Accordingly, the agenda item on the proposed PACT meeting (scheduled for 12th.May, 2010 at 6.30pm  in Bishopton Village Hall) was brought forward for discussion. Mr. Ainsley reported that 146 questionnaires were distributed, of which 78 were returned. Overwhelmingly, residents perceived there to be a worsening traffic problem affecting their lives on a daily basis, and were almost all in favour of the Bishopton Parish Council continuing to pursue the matter. In addition to speeding, problems raised included parking and HGVs. The most favoured response to the speeding problem was for build-out sections on the approach roads (as opposed to speed bumps, warning signs, etc.). Mr. Ainsley will provide a summary report and an anonymised version of the spreadsheet containing the questionnaire responses for the councillors, and it was unanimously agreed to use the data during the forthcoming PACT meeting and in discussions with Darlington Borough Council as they have responsibility (the Police can only assist in this matter). Cllr. McMahon will prepare a flyer to be distributed to residents urging attendance at the PACT meeting (the Annual Parish Meeting is planned to take place immediately afterwards).  Mr. Ainsley left the meeting at 7.25pm.

  1. Apologies
    1. Cllr B Fieldhouse
    2. Cllr B Jones - representative for Darlington Borough Council

  2. Declaration of interest in items on the agenda
    3. Cllr P Bence declared an interest in Manor Farm development.

  3. Approval of previous minutes
    4. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, amended, agreed and signed by the Chairperson as a true record of the March 2010 meeting.

  4. Matters arising from previous minutes
    1. Tree felling and Tree Preservation Order
      2. A letter was received from DBC apologising for the problems BPC encountered concerning the TPO and previous communications. Nothing has been received regarding the appeal against the TPO.
    2. Spring Litter pick
      3. Very successful, a huge amount of rubbish was collected and removed. The Parish Council unanimously thanked all participants.
    3. Water Problem on Redmarshall Road
      4. Nothing has been heard from the traffic department of DBC, and the clerk was instructed to send a follow-up letter plus copies to the Environment Agency and Northumberland Water.

  5. Planning matters
    6. None

  6. Matters raised by councillors
    1. Annual Parish Meeting
      2. The Annual Parish Meeting is planned to follow on after the PACT meeting on 12th. May 2010. A flyer will be distributed inviting residents to attend. The format of the meeting will be, first, the Annual Report, followed by  the Financial Report, and the meeting will then be  open to residents for raising any village issues.
    2. AGM
      3. The Annual General Meeting of Bishopton Parish Council is planned to precede the normal May meeting on 19th. May, 2010.
    3. Road Markings
      4. The absence and/or near invisibility of road markings will be raised at the forthcoming PACT meeting.
    4. Barclay Springs Corner
      5. The inadequacy of the road signs/safety barriers has contributed to another accident involving a vehicle leaving the road and crashing thru' a hedge into a field. The owners of the field are in contact with DBC regarding improvements and repairs.
    5. Bishopton Parish News
      6. The magazine entry for Bishopton News is to be redesigned, and incorporate details for Cllr Baines. The new layout was discussed and approved and Cllr McMahon will forward to Angela Ridley for printing.

  7. Village Green
    1. Strimming/Grass Cutting and Turfing of Village Green
      2. As there is no money available from DBC, BPC are unable to contract for the grass cutting etc. of the village green as per quotations received. The trimming/tidying as per last year will be continued. The quotation from R. Wall for re-turfing was accepted, and the clerk instructed to order the work done.
    2. Village Green Policy Document
      3. Nothing has been heard
    3. Posts around Village War Memorial
      4. A work party has been organised to rub down and paint the posts, replacing any damaged.
    4. Fertiliser Requirements
      5. A sack left from last year is to be used.
    5. Skip
      6. A skip is to be organized for the May bank holiday weekend i.e. 28th May and Cllr MacMahon will prepare new notices to be attached.

  8. Wind Farm Proposal
    9. Nothing

  9. New Residents
    10. Cllr Baines notified of a new resident in 19 Town Farm Close.

  10. Financial
    1. General
      2. Accounts for year ending 31st. March 2010 were presented by Cllr Wood, detailing all activity and showing a balance of £4113 in the BPC deposit account. The annual returns and forms were submitted for approval together with the Annual Governance Statement, all documents being tabled, discussed and approved unanimously and signed
    2. Income
      3. The precept received was £5711, and a VAT return submitted should result in a refund of £532.
    3. Expenditure
      4. A cheque for £49 was authorised to pay Cllr McMahon for the Grass Seeds purchased, used  to reseed areas of the village green.
      A cheque for £30 was authorised to pay for the hire of the village hall for meetings.
      A cheque for £72.31 was authorised for payment of parish clerk receipts/expenses for HP ink cartridges and postage stamps.

  11. Correspondence
    1. Incoming
      2. DBC letter of apology re tree felling application near bus shelter and subsequent TPO DBC letter regarding Local Development Framework DBC letter regarding litter picking equipment Durham County Council letter and Notice of Election for display in notice board. Quotations for turfing from R Wall Welding Services. Quotations for grass cutting from R Wall Welding Services. Audit Commission letter and annual returns.
    2. Outgoing
      3. Commendation for Daniel Wells for work done on village website.
      Letter requesting quotations from R. wall re Grass Cutting
      Letter requesting quotations from R. wall re Turfing
      Letter to C Robinson re scaffolding at Manor Farm
      Letter to Thoroughbred Homes re scaffolding at Manor Farm
      Reminder letter to DBC re hard standing and building near reservoir on Redmarshall Rd. and new wooden buildings near Cobby Castle Lane.
      Response to DBC reply to complaint about TPO

  12. Next Meeting
    13. Village Hall at 7.00pm on 19th May, 2010.

    Cllr Bence left the meeting.

  13. Manor Farm
    14. Work is proceeding

    Meeting closed 8:48pm
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