Minutes of March 2010 Parish Council Meeting

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

Present Visitors:
  1. Cllr B Jones - representative for Darlington Borough Council
  2. Mr. Geoff Baines of Town Farm Close, Bishopton.
    3. Mr. Baines submitted a letter to the council applying for the vacant position of councillor.
  3. Mr Daniel Wells
    4. Mr. Wells reported on various aspects of the village website, and requested that his record book for Duke of Edinburgh be completed and signed. The clerk was instructed to liaise with Mr. Wells to achieve this. Mr. Wells outlined the possibilities of adverts for local businesses to appear on the BPC website. The council suggested he explore potential with various businesses, and that all interested advertisers should be approved by BPC prior to appearing on the website. Possibly advertisers might make donations to BPC-initiated village activities as a result of publicity received. Mr Wells left the meeting at 7:10pm

  1. Apologies
    2. None

  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 February 2010 meeting

  4. Matters arising from previous minutes
    1. PACT (Police and Communities Together)
      2. Meeting will be arranged for Bishopton possibly in May. The council agreed to hire the village hall to accommodate the meeting, and to include details of the meeting on a flyer to be distributed around the village. No further comments/suggestions made concerning the draft traffic problems questionnaire have been received, and the final version is expected from Stephen Ainsley.
    2. Easement over village green for 14, The Green
      3. Nothing further can be achieved by the council, and the matter is now closed.
    3. Salvation Army and Carol Service
      4. The date of Monday 20th. December 2010 has been booked for the visit of Stockton Citadel Band. 

  5. Planning matters
    1. No. 5 Anesty Court  - Granted
    2. Moor House Wind Farm
      3. Meeting expected to take place in May

  6. Matters raised by councillors
    1. Tree Felling and Tree Preservation Order.
      2. A complaint has been registered with DBC regarding their service to BPC in this matter and objections to the TPO.
    2. Spring Litterpick
      3. Sunday 11th. April 2010 is the date planned for the Spring Litterpick, and a flyer will be distributed around the village asking for participation by residents. Clerk to organize equipment from Streetscene.
    3. Problem on Redmarshall Road
      4. Water is running from near the gateway of Outhouse Farm down Redmarshall Road in a constant stream, causing problems in icy weather. Clerk instructed to write to DBC.
    4. Village Hall Committee
      5. Councillor Moses reported on attendance at the Annual General Meeting of the V.H.C on 2.3 10. Mr. G Baines was appointed Chairperson. Mrs E Wright had tendered her resignation as Chair after 25 years but would continue on the Committee as Vicechair.
      The "ring fencing" of the Building Fund has been discontinued, most of the money being used for the refurbishment of the Hall. A grant of £4,000 had been received from Durham Community Foundation for new chairs and tables and a £500 grant from DBC towards a new cooker. Lettings of the Hall had reduced over the last year.
    5. NHS County Durham and Darlington PCT
      6. Councillor Moses attended the meeting on 8.3.10. Compared to the England average County Durham and Darlington has higher rates of hospital admissions for alcohol related harm for both men and women. To help the public live healthier lives the aim is to reduce smoking rates, reduce levels of alcohol misuse and to reduce the levels of obesity and promote physical activities. 
      The clerk was instructed to obtain the contact details for Sustrans Darlington.
    6. Football Field Facility
      7. Letter by Cllr Fieldhouse to Mr. and Mrs. Brannen to be circulated to councillors.

  7. Village Green
    1. Planting of new trees
      2. New trees have been planted by Wilkinsons as per their quotation, including a small Xmas tree hopefully for future use when grown as a replacement for temporary Xmas tree. A previously damaged tree has been re-staked. councillors have been detailed to water the new trees during the summer and in dry spells.
    2. Turfing of Village green
      3. Where salt damage from the winter road treatments has damaged turf beyond self-repair, quotes have been obtained for re-turfing. The clerk was instructed to instigate re-turfing of designated areas utilising the most competitive tenderer.
    3. Village Green Policy Document
      4. The clerk was instructed to write a reminder to DBC regarding the promised review of the document.
    4. Grass
      5. Cllr McMahon instructed to purchase grass seed for reseeding some areas. Quote to be obtained for grass cutting/strimming with a 1 year contract.

  8. Wind Farm Proposal
    9. Cllr Wood reported that the current A1 proposal for ten turbines may be replaced with a plan for 50 turbines on the present planned site extended to Rushyford

  9. New Residents
    10. None Reported

  10. Financial
    1. Income
      2. No income registered.
    2. Expenditure
      3. A cheque for £727.85 was authorised to pay Wilkinsons for tree planting etc. as per quotation.
      A cheque for £750 was authorised for payment of parish clerk annual stipend.

  11. Correspondence
    1. Incoming
      2. Letter from Mr. G. Baines applying for vacant position as parish councillor.
      Copies of letter from Mr. and Mrs. Bence to DBC re Manor Farm development.
      DBC responses to complaint re tree felling application near bus shelter and subsequent TPO
      Response from DBC re Damage to Village Green and BPC powers concerning the green.
      Response from Stockton BC regarding lack of consultation about Lambs Hill Wind Farm development.
      Quotations for turfing from Wilkinsons and from R Wall Welding Services.
      Acknowledgement from DBC re receipt of comments about Core Strategy.
      "Know Your Councillors" leaflet from DBC (see notice board).
      DBC Grant of planning permission for 09/00895/FUL regarding 5 Anesty Court.
      Standards Committeee Agenda Supplementary Agenda for meeting on 1/3/2010.
      Information on Tees Valley Funding opportunities (passed to Church Hall Committee).
    2. Outgoing
      3. Complaint letter to DBC about tree felling application near bus shelter and subsequent TPO
      Letter to Stockton BC regarding lack of consultation about Lambs Hill wind Farm planned development.
      Letter to DBC re traffic calming
      Reminder letter to DBC solicitor re BPC powers regarding misuse of village green.
      Letter to DBC re resignation of Cllr Slater.
      Letter to Cllr Slater thanking for service to BPC.
      Appeal against Tree Preservation order to DBC
      Letter to DBC Strategy Manager re wind farms in our area.
      Letters and notices to DBC regarding vacancy on BPC for councillor.

  12. Next Meeting
    13. Village Hall at 7.00pm on 21st. April, 2010.

    Cllr. P. Bence handed in copies of 2 letters to Planning Department and left meeting 8.25pm.

  13. Manor Farm
    14. BPC was updated on progress. Recent article in Evening Gazette was tabled and discussed. The clerk was instructed to write to the developers with reference to completing the Barn conversion and removal of scaffolding from Village Green.

    Meeting closed 8:37pm
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