DINNINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 18th November, 2015 at 7.00 p.m. in
Dinnington Memorial Institute
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councillors Raymond Thompson (Chairman); Mike Wood (ViceChairman); Alan Biggins; Tom Laidler; Joyce Porter; Brenda Scott; Sylvia Hood; Gill Smith.
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr. K. Murray-Hetherington (Parish Clerk); Cllrs. Anita Lower; Ian Graham;
Brian Hunter (Newcastle City Council); Ms. Nicola Reed (Development Planner - Persimmon
Homes); Mr. Richard Holland (Northern Divisional Planner - Persimmon Homes); PC (3044) Lee
Maddison (Northumbria Police - Castle Ward); PC (509) Lee Parker (Northumbria Police Parklands Ward). One member of the public.
Minute
No.

73.

74.

75.

76.

77.
77.1

77.2

78.

Agenda Item

Action
Required

WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Parish Council
(PC). Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Audrey Dellow.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
There were no declarations of interest. Members were reminded to
declare interests at relevant items if necessary
POLICE ISSUES:
PC Lee Parker (Neighbourhood Beat Officer) gave a report of crime
incidents for the previous month. There were 3 crimes reported,
including a public order offence and dangerous driving in vicinity of the
school. Inconsiderate parking issues at the school are on-going. Cllr
Brenda Scott raised concerns about speeding at Ash Avenue. PC
Maddison explained that he is aware of the matters which are being
monitored.
PERSIMMON HOMES DEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION:
Ms Nicola Reed and Mr Richard Holland gave a presentation on NICOLA
Persimmons proposals for new housing (200 homes) on land west of REED
Dinnington, south of Front Street. They explained that the Parish
Councils feedback had been reviewed and integrated into the detailed
layout. Persimmon are currently working towards a formal submission
date in Jan/Feb 2016; start on site Autumn 2016; time on site 5-7 years
(one phase); 70%-80% family homes. Members expressed concern
about the potential impact of additional traffic in the village. Ms Reed
stated that feedback on the proposals will be taken into account by the
developer and agreed to forward plans to the Clerk with an appropriate
key and scale.
OPEN FORUM:
Revd Mark Edwards explained that he had received a letter regarding
changes to Dinnington Post Office. The Clerk explained that a formal
letter had been received and would be considered later.
Revd Mark Edwards asked whether developers would be reinstating the
highway following recent work to lay cables. It was explained that this
would be the responsibility of Keep Moat. Cllr Lower (NCC) explained
that this work is being carried out by the electricity company.
MEMBERS ITEMS OF CONCERN:
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78.5

78.6

79.

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82.1

Cllr G. Smith raised on-going concerns about speeding traffic.

Cllr B. Scott raised issues regarding Your Homes Newcastle (YHN)
including a broken a fence with rotten posts laid in a garden. Cllr Lower
explained that the tenant is responsible for the fence. Other Members
highlighted a general lack of a joined-up approach by YHN. Cllr Scott
was not content with the explanation from the Resident Liaison Officer
that technical officers are unable to create a wider, symmetrical
carriageway due to the location of trees and telegraph poles.
RESOLVED: To write to Jen Vinton (Head of Assets and Regeneration)
at YHN to invite her to the next meeting and to again request additional
symmetrical widening of carriageway at both sides.
Cllr S. Hood thanked Members for their sympathy and lovely bouquet of
flowers sent on her recent bereavement.
Cllr J. Porter asked when the 30mph road sign to north of the village
would be installed. Cllr Lower (NCC) explained that it was due to go to
advert at the beginning of November and should be installed soon,
subject to there being no objection during the consultation period. She
agreed to check the installation date.
Cllr R. Thompson reported that a fence was leaning in a state of
disrepair at the bottom of Pine Avenue backing onto fields. He agreed to
send a map to Cllr Lower (NCC) with a view to it being repaired.
Cllr T. Laidler reported his disappointment that the planter at the bottom
of Sycamore Avenue had been vandalised; plants ripped out. It would
not be re-planted.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 21st October, 2015
were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS ARISING:
The Clerk had written to Newcastle City Council expressing concern at
the current traffic problems and the impact of additional traffic in the
village but no response had been received.
Cllr B Hunter (NCC) reported that tree root intruding into tarmac
pavement at Bracken Close/Shaftoe Way will be attended to by the
Highways Department within the following week.
Cllrs J. Porter and M. Wood explained that a quote for 495 including
VAT and installation had been obtained from a local joiner to provide an
Iroko hardwood cabinet/notice board with two doors, bolts and locks.
Ward members have agreed to make a contribution of 50% towards the
cost.
RESOLVED: To accept quote for 495 and to proceed with the
application process for 50% contribution towards the cost from Castle
Ward Committee.
CORRESPONDENCE:
The Clerk reported that Post Office Limited are seeking Members
comments on changes to Dinnington Post Office. The Clerk would
respond on behalf of the Parish Council expressing concern that all
residents should have been more widely consulted. Other comments
would be accepted up to and including 8 th December 2015.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
The Clerk reported that parish councillors had raised a formal objection

CLERK

CLLR
LOWER

CLLR
LOWER

CLLR
HUNTER

CLERK

CLERK

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85.
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to the proposal to raise the height of existing detached garage by 1

metre by increasing the height of the eaves at Greencroft Bungalow,
Main Road. It was noted that the application had been refused.
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN:
Cllr Wood was pleased to announce that the Community Rights
Programme, funded by the Department for Communities and Local
Government (DCLG), have awarded the Parish Council a grant of
5,969 to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan, specifically for the purpose of
the consultants fees, hall hire, and associated printing and delivery
costs The grant must be spent by end of current financial year. Members
thanked Cllr Wood for his work in applying for a grant on behalf of the
Parish Council.
UPDATES:
Donkey Field development - Cllr Wood reported that this matter is still
delayed, but legal issues are almost resolved.
Village Hall - Cllr Porter reported that the Village Hall Committee has
applied to Banks Group for 20k funding for improvements to the
Memorial Institute.
Newsletter - The Clerk had circulated a final draft of next newsletter
(Christmas edition). He thanked all the various contributors/advertisers
and had obtained printing and delivery costs. It was agreed that
Members and volunteers would deliver the Newsletter two weeks before
Christmas (on Monday 14th December) and 800 copies are required.
RESOLVED: To accept the lowest quotation (180) for printing from CLERK
L&S Printers, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Library - Cllr Scott reported that new members and volunteers are still
required.
Adopt a Planter - Cllr Biggins stated that no-one at southern end of
village has come forward to adopt a planter. Cllr Wood reported that the
proprietors of the White Swann Inn had been very pleased to be
presented with the Northumbria in Bloom certificate.
CLERK
RESOLVED: To enter the Northumbria in Bloom competition in 2016.
Allotments - Cllrs Porter and Wood attended the AGM. New office
bearers had been elected. The waiting list consists of no more than 5
people. It was felt that it is unnecessary to ask the current tenant of
neighbouring land to consider releasing an additional strip to create
additional allotment plots.
Website - Cllr Laidler continues to update website with information CLERK
provided by the Clerk. Cllr Biggins suggested improvements to the
document library to allow visitors to download documents such as
minutes and statutory notices. The Clerk agreed to liaise with Cllrs
Laidler and Phelps on the best way to improve the current website.
REPORTS:
Cllr Thompson gave a detailed report on a meeting of Northumberland
Association of Local Councils (NALC) and on Banks Mining Liaison
Committee. The Village Hall Committee has applied to Banks Group for
20k funding for improvements. [Cllr Lower declared an interest and
took no part in the discussion relating to this item].
EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC:
In accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972,
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87.2

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87.4

88.

89.
90.

it was RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the
meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the
grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information.
FINANCIAL MATTERS:
The Parish Council received the most recent schedule of accounts.
Allotment rent payments (166.65) had been received for Oct 2015-Mar
2016. Members approved and authorised the signing of cheques in
payment of the following invoices presented at the meeting:
100932 - 200.14 - Clerk's salary (Nov).
100932 - 4.60 - Clerks travel expenses (Nov).
The Clerk circulated a briefing note on events which have occurred with
regard to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) records and the operation
of Pay As You Earn (PAYE). The online HMRC account currently shows
a payment overdue of 309.80.
RESOLVED: To approve and authorise the signing of a cheque
(100933) in payment of 309.80 to HMRC to clear the tax arrears.
In the case of a cheque for 150.10, this money was credited to the tax
year 2014-2015 and (after HMRC had addressed a minor discrepancy of
around 5.00) the money was sent back to the Parish Council from
around January to May 2015.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk shall contact the previous parish clerk to CLERK
see if she could assist and report back at the next meeting.
The Clerk explained that the effect of the operation of Pay As You Earn
(PAYE) and HMRCs Real Time Information (RTI) reporting
requirements means that running the payroll system is immensely time
consuming and the time spent on parish council business will be less.
On the motion of Cllr M. Wood, seconded by Cllr J. Porter, it was
RESOLVED: To appoint Thirsk Payroll to provide a monthly payroll
service at a fully inclusive flat fee of 16.00 per month.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Cllrs Porter and Scott reported that an open evening was held on the
12th November to discuss re-opening Dinnington Village Womens
Institute (WI) with 50 attendees. The first meeting will take place on
Thursday 14th January 2016 at 7.00pm-9.00pm in the Village Hall, and
subsequently on the second Thursday of each month. The Clerk had
been contacted by a resident regarding the 'old youth club in Dinnington'
and whether there would be interest in setting up a new project. The
resident had been invited to speak to Members regarding the proposal
but had not attended the meeting.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Wednesday, 16th December 2015 at 7.00 p.m.
CONCLUSION OF MEETING:
The meeting closed at 9.00 p.m.

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