Minutes of October 2009 Parish Council Meeting

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

Present Visitors:
  1. None

  1. Apologies
    1. Cllr P Slater
    2. Cllr B Fieldhouse
    3. Cllr P. Wood

  2. Declaration of interest in items on the agenda
    1. Cllr P Bence declared an interest in Manor Farm development and Cobby Castle Lane, Equestrian Centre Development.

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

  4. Matters arising from previous minutes
    1. Welcome Pack
      2. The Bishopton Welcome Pack was completed and delivered to all houses in the village.
    2. Traffic Signs at Berkley Springs
      3. DBC visited the site and inspected the signs. A new double-bend warning sign is to be erected for the approach from Bishopton.
    3. Traffic through Village
      4. DBC reported that recent traffic survey indicated insufficient grounds for further action. Cllrs. pointed out that the survey was conducted in the village centre, whereas the speeding problem is mainly on the approaches to the village. DBC stated that the mobile speed warning signs were currently unavailable, but BPC would be advised when the situation changed.

  5. Planning matters
    1. Field No. 5542, Cobby Castle Lane 09/00649/FUL
      2. The council approved the plans subject to conditions:-
      a) Height of Barn to be equal to height of garage.
      b) Hedging previously removed to be replaced.
      c) Planning permission for the fencing must be included as per correspondence with DBC.
    2. Downland Farm Hardstanding
      3. DBC Planning have refused planning permission.
    3. Glebe Farm
      4. Nothing official received at present.

  6. Matters raised by councillors
    1. Prescription Service
      2. A service is provided by Mrs. Margaret Baines for Bishopton and surrounding villages. Residents requiring this service should contact Mrs. Baines, or the surgery at Stillington, or a BPC Councillor.
    2. Football field amenity for use of village children, planning application 04/00908/FUL.
      3. Letter received by BPC from Mr. and Mrs. Brannen stating intention to withdraw facility. Clerk has written to Mr. and Mrs. Brannen requesting reconsideration subject to any actions BPC can take to alleviate the problems. Subject carried forward to next meeting.
    3. Manhole cover outside No. 2 The Green to be inspected by Councillor Fieldhouse with a view to possible repair. Situation unchanged due to other commitments.
    4. Damaged warning signs at bend near Berkeley Springs.
      5. DBC Highways Department have inspected the signs and find no repair to the chevrons on the bends is necessary.
    5. Firewood for pensioner residents of Bishopton.
      6. Cllr Wood has available a quantity of firewood which is free to resident pensioners by request made to any councillor or the parish clerk.
    6. Waste disposal/recycling.
      7. DBC were contacted. Notification of the changes was eventually received by most village residents subsequent to the change.
    7. Remembrance Sunday Wreath.
      8. BPC unanimously agreed to the purchase and placement on the village War Memorial of a high-quality wreath. Cllr. Moses was thanked for volunteering to undertake responsibility.
    8. Fly posting on road signs around Bishopton.
      9. The clerk was instructed to write to the Highways Departments of DBC, Stockton on Tees BC, and Durham CC concerning this activity. In addition, Cllr. L McMahon was instructed to telephone DBC concerning recent fly tipping on the road towards Stillington crossroads.

  7. Village Green
    1. Damage and repairs, also trimming.
      2. To be carried forward to next meeting.
    2. Grass Cutting Options
      3. Recent cutting was satisfactory. Situation to be monitored.
    3. Tree Maintenance
      4. Nothing has been heard from DBC despite several emails. Sycamore tree at bus shelter is dead. Cllr McMahon instructed to apply for planning permission to fell it.
    4. Parish Councillor tree inspection and tree quotes
      5. Inspection was carried out and trees requiring replacement or insertion were identified. Three quotes have been received for replacement of dead/damaged trees, and it was proposed and unanimously agreed to accept the lowest, from Wilkinsons.
    5. Autumn Work Party
      6. A work party of councillors was deputed to perform the Autumn village “tidy-up”.
    6. Dog Fouling
      7. Persistent dog fouling by identified residents is to be reported to DBC with a view to prosecution.

  8. Bishopton Community Group
    9. Meeting took place on 14th October, 2009. Next meeting is scheduled for 28th. April, 2010.

  9. Wind Farm Proposal
    10. Discussed, no action at moment on wind farms in Bishopton parish.

  10. New Residents
    1. None Reported

  11. Financial
    1. Income – None Recorded
    2. Expenditure
      3. A further sum of £45 was paid for trimming and tidying of the green.
      A cheque of £180 was approved and signed to cover this and the previous £135.
      A cheque of £166.75 was approved and signed for Accounts Audit to B D O Stoy Hayward.
      A cheque of £105.50 was approved and signed for Cllr R. Fieldhouse to cover submitted receipts of costs incurred in creating the Village Welcome Packs.
      11.3Other financial matters.
      Resulting from the Village Meeting of the Bishopton Community Group, it was resolved to invite requests from the Village Hall Committee for assistance in financing the replacement of the village hall central heating boiler and/or heating system, and from the Parochial Church Council for financing the maintenance of memorial stones in the churchyard.
      Bishopton Parish Council is in receipt of a precept of £5 per resident to be used for the general upkeep of the village, some of which may be allocated for this purpose.

  12. Correspondence
    1. Incoming
      2. Letter from Darlington Borough Council regarding Memorial Service on 8/11/09.
      Quotes from three suppliers for replacement of dead/damaged village green trees.
      Minutes of Bishopton Community Group meeting on 14/10/09.
      Letter from Darlington Association of Parish Councils and Parish Meetings with copy of presentation by Roy Merritt on “Town and Country Planning Act”.
      Definitive maps of Bishopton adopted roads from DBC.
      Notice of Planning meeting on21/10/09 re Cobby Castle Equestrian Centre 09/00463/FUL
      Notice of refusal of planning permission from DBC concerning Coatham Grange 09/00465/FUL change of use of buildings etc.
      Notice of refusal of planning permission from DBC concerning hard surfacing to field entrance at field off Mill Lane 09/00444/FUL.
      Letter from War Memorials Trust with invite to presentation/conference on 2/12/09 in Newcastle upon Tyne.
      Letter from Wind Energy Development concerning proposed wind farm at Foxton Lane, Sedgefield.
    2. Outgoing
      3. Letter to DBC regarding traffic signs at Berkeley Springs, and traffic thru' village.
      Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Brannen regarding withdrawal of Football Field Facility.

  13. Next Meeting
    14. Village Hall at 7.00pm on 16th. November, 2009.

  14. Manor Farm
    15. Cllr. Bence volunteered a copy of most recent comments submitted concerning condition 10.
    Cllr. P. Bence left meeting 8.40pm.
    A short discussion took place to establish current position.

  15. Equestrian Centre
    16. Nothing official received

    Meeting closed 8.50pm

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