Minutes of February 2010 Parish Council Meeting

Held on Wednesday the 17th at 7:15pm in the Village Hall.

Present Visitors:
  1. Cllr B Jones - representative for Darlington Borough Council
  2. Mr. Steve Ainsley, Resident, Bishopton.
    3. Mr. Ainsley submitted a draft letter responding to a reply received from Durham Police Authority regarding traffic speed thru' the village. The letter points out the apparent confusion between speed law enforcement and the taking of measures arising from perceived dangers due to speed. A formal letter based on SA's draft will be sent to Darlington BC subject to BPC approval of content. SA also submitted a draft of a questionnaire which is intended for gathering the views of village residents and visitors on traffic speed regulation/calming, accompanied by a summary of possible measures which could be taken. The previous survey done by DBC in 2008 and the DBC response to it were discussed. Cllr B Jones of DBC pointed out that DBC response was based on accident statistics, and that DBC resources as directed by government were assigned to reviewing the situation on A and B class roads (the road thru' Bishopton is class C). Meetings of PACT (Police and Communities Together) are scheduled for Sadberge and later, Bishopton, where the situation will be discussed. Mr. Ainsley left the meeting at 7.40pm.

  1. Apologies
    2. Cllr B Fieldhouse

  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 January meeting.

  4. Matters arising from previous minutes
    5. PACT (Police and Communities Together)
    Meeting will be arranged for Bishopton in April.

  5. Planning matters
    1. Hill Top
      2. Permission Granted
    2. Easement over village green for 14, The Green
      3. Letter has been sent to the seller's solicitors with BPC final response following advice obtained from Borough Solicitor.
    3. No. 5 Anesty Court
      4. No objections were registered by BPC

  6. Matters raised by councillors
    1. Tree Felling
      2. Tree preservation order received from DBC for all trees in the War memorial triangle. Clerk instructed to write appealing against the order. Contract for felling etc. of sycamore next to bus shelter not placed. Clerk instructed to write letter of complaint to DBC regarding lack of communication between different departments. Communication received from DBC (Phil Haynes) that it is permissible for to remove dead wood from trees, even trees protected by a tree preservation order, without seeking permission. Cllr MacMahon to obtain this advice in writing.
    2. Tree Felling
      3. 21st. December 2010 not available. Clerk instructed to request a booking for 20th, 22nd, 14th or 15th. December 2010.
    3. Internet /email facilities for Villagers
      4. Clerk instructed to put subject on AGM agenda.
    4. Bus Shelter at west end of village.
      5. Streetscene acknowledge receipt of letter.
    5. Re-instatement of memorials in churchyard
      6. Quotations of £1030 + VAT (£1210.25) received by Church Committee and copied to BPC, including list of memorials requiring work. Awaiting permission of church authorities for work to be done.
    6. Church Clock
      7. The time has been corrected

  7. Village Green
    1. Damage to green by vehicles
      2. Clerk instructed to write to DBC solicitor requesting reply to previous letter inquiring as to what powers/sanctions BPC have to discourage this.
    2. Tree planting
      3. Wilkinsons are procuring the trees requested and notifying BPC for planting arrangements to be made.
    3. Damage to grass from Winter salting
      4. Quotes to be obtained for re-turfing of damaged areas, based on 50 square metres.
    4. Damage by Manor Farm
      5. Re-instatement of grass not expected until completion of work
    5. Purchase of Grass Seed
      6. Seed for repair of non-salt damaged areas requiring re-seeding to be purchased as last year.
    6. Ownership of Village Green
      7. Bishopton Parish Council is manager of the village green under Section 6 of the Local Government Act 1894. The Parish Council although registered as owners under section 8(2) of the Commons Registration Acts 1965 are not registered owners under the Law of Property/Land Registrations Acts at the Land Registry. A vote taken was unanimously in favour of leaving things as they are.

  8. Wind Farm Proposal
    9. Despite the fact that the six turbines at Thomsons Farm, Lambs Hilll, would be visible from Bishopton, Stockton Borough Council did not advise the developer to include Bishopton as one of the areas to be consulted about the plans. Clerk instructed to write to the Stockton BC regarding lack of consultation.

  9. New Residents
    10. None Reported

  10. Financial
    1. Income
      2. None
    2. Expenditure
      3. A cheque for £55 was authorised to pay for advertisements in the Parish News.

  11. Darlington association of Parish Councils etc.
    12. Cllr. Moses reported on her attendance at the meeting held on 10th. February,2010 when the following items were discussed.
    Standards Committee, Code of Conduct - Presentation copy to be sent to each Parish Clerk.
    Report of extra flight destinations from Durham Tees Valley airport during 2010.
    Core Strategy - revised option document. Cllr Wood stated he had prepared a draft response from BPC. 

  12. Correspondence
    1. Incoming
      2. Copy of quotation for Churchyard memorials maintenance.
      Resignation letter from P Slater
      Darlington Assoc of Parish Councils Agenda and minutes of previous meetings
      Letter of thanks from village hall committee re help towards boiler replacement.
      Copy of public liability insurance docs from "Any Tree Problems"
      Letter from Darlington BC re Dog Control Orders.
    2. Outgoing
      3. Letter to Close Thornton re 14 The Green
      Letter to DBC re traffic
      Letter to Stockton Citadel Band (Salvation Army) re visit 2009 and 2010
      Letter to "Any Tree Problems" regarding non-award of contract for tree felling.
      Letter to DBC solicitor re BPC powers regarding misuse of village green.
      Letter of response to DBC Planning regarding Planning Application No. 09/00649/FUL (Amended Version) Field No 5542 Cobby Castle Lane Bishopton
      Letter by Cllr. Wood to Mrs. Brown re possible playing area for village children.

  13. Next Meeting
    14. Village Hall at 7.00pm on the 17th of March
    Cllr. P. Bence left meeting 8.44pm

  14. Manor Farm
    15. BPC was updated on progress and the work being done for access.

    Meeting closed 8.50pm
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