Minutes 27th September 2022

Present: Cllrs Irwin (Chairman), Emmerson, Dodds, Strike, and Watson

In attendance: J McGeeney Town Clerk and J Stevely, Admin Assistant, Ward Cllr Faulks and Mrs P Faulks.

Housekeeping: The Chairman advised those present of the emergency escape procedures and outlined the Town Council’s protocol on public participation. It was requested that mobile phones be switched to silent. If a call was received and had to be taken Members were politely requested to leave the room.

Notice of Meeting: Public Notice has been given in accordance Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972. The Chairman noted the Notice of the Meeting had been published on the Town Council’s website and on the notice board at the Ingleby Barwick Community Hall, Beckfields and the Rings Community Hub.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – Minute silence – One minute’s silence was observed in respect of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Apologies for Absence: Cllrs Barnes, Brown, Fryer, Kirby, Patterson, Rutland and Turnbull.

Declaration of Interests: Cllr Watson declared as her role as a Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC) Ward Councillor and as the owner of Fix-It DIY and anything relating to Sandgate shops. Cllr Strike declared a personal/non-prejudicial interest in all items involving his role as a Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC) Ward Councillor, Chairman of the Ingleby Barwick Community Partnership.

Public Participation Part 1 – None.

Community Safety – The Town Clerk read out its most recent report relating to the East and West Wards as Richard Bradford had submitted his apologies as he was unable to attend the meeting. The report highlighted how anti-social behaviour had been low on both wards during the summer holidays. Vehicle issues relating to parking. Now children were back to school, cars parking at school entrances had begun. To alleviate problems officers were proactively visiting schools and businesses and issuing PCNs to those who continued to abuse restrictions. The team was also working with Middlesbrough Borough Council on fly-tipping issues. Cllr Strike noted how working with Middlesbrough Council fly tippers had been caught on CCTV and received a fine of £400. Richard Bradford is now the new contact as Jamie Stephenson had taken up his new role. Sharon Cooney has been appointed as a new Safety Manager within the Enforcement Team.

Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 19th July 2022 – PROPOSED by Cllr Strike and SECONDED by Cllr Watson. RESOLVED that the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 19th July be accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

Clerk and Chairman’s Report – The Town Clerk informed the meeting on the following points:-
- The Clerk proposed an autumn newsletter to update residents on activities and events held over the summer. She gave a list of proposed topics and welcomed any other ideas from members. She advised we are currently awaiting quotes on print and distribution.
- Update of meeting with Steve Turner, Crime Commissioner, to discuss CCTV cameras.
- Civility and Respect Pledge – A request from NALC to include staff training. PROPOSED Cllr Emmerson SECONDED Cllr Strike.
- Hub redecoration – The work was now complete and of a good standard. The Clerk had been made aware the work would take slightly longer than originally estimated.
- Warmer Homes Directory - There had been a request from Stockton Borough Council for the Town Council to become a member of a warm space directory. This is a space where people, who may be worried about their utility bills, could go to keep warm due to the cost of living crisis. The Hub would be available Mondays or Thursdays between 12pm-3.00pm. AGREED the Rings Community Hub would be listed in the Directory.

Ingleby Barwick Entrance Sign – Following discussion it was concluded that the entrance sign could be cleaned and renovated by the Town Council. PROPOSED by Cllr Dodds and SECONDED by Cllr Watson.

CCTV at Entrances and Exits - Following a meeting with Marc Stephenson from SBC. The cameras have been in place for a year resulting in 12 reported incidences.

Christmas Programme 2022 - The Town Clerk had received a communication from Stockton Borough Council in relation forthcoming Christmas lighting schemes asking if the Town Council would give its support, as in previous years, to the installation/removal/storage of an artificial tree, to include steel fencing erection and removal. AGREED.

Committee Minutes and Committee update reports –
1. Personnel Committee – 3rd August 2022 – Cllr Watson gave an update on the Personnel Committee. PROPOSED by Cllr Dodds and SECONDED by Cllr Watson.
2. Hub and Town Maintenance Committee – 5th Sept 2022 Cllr Dodds gave an update on the Policy Committee. PROPOSED by Cllr Dodds and SECONDED by Cllr Watson.
3. Finance Committee – 6th September 2022 Cllr Irwin gave an update on the Finance Committee. PROPOSED by Cllr Emmerson and SECONDED by Cllr Watson.
4. Policy Committee – 8th September 2022. Cllr Irwin gave an update on the Policy Committee. PROPOSED by Cllr Irwin and SECONDED by Cllr Emmerson.
5. Youth Committee – 22nd September 2022. Cllr Watson gave an update on the Youth Committee. PROPOSED Cllr Watson and SECONDED by Cllr Irwin.
6. Events Committee – 26th September 2022. Cllr Strike gave an update on the Events Committee. PROPOSED by Cllr Strike and SECONDED by Cllr Watson.

Town Council Policies – To agree the following Town Council Policy:-

• Attending & Reporting Meeting Policy. Cllr Emmerson gave an update on amendments to the Attending and Reporting Meetings Policy. PROPOSED by Cllr Emmerson and SECONDED by Cllr Irwin.

Borough Councillors’ Reports – A written report was received from both the East and West Wards -

EAST WARD
1. Beckfields Green Consultation
2. ASB Issues
3. Thornaby and Barwick Medical Group Premises further update
4. Felbrigg Lane
5. Praise for Refuse Staff
6. Meeting with Police and Crime Commissioner
WEST WARD
1. Traffic Calming – Sober Hall and Roundhill
2. Queen Elizabeth II passing and Mayor signing book of condolences
3. Stolen QEW signs
4. Overgrown Vegetation

Annual Return - Members noted the external auditors, Mazaars, had accepted the Annual Return for 2021/22. It had been noted that the Financial Regulations were overdue a review. This had been brought to the attention of both the Finance Committee and the Policy Committee and work was in progress to look at these.

Finance – Due to the summer recess in August, the Town Clerk presented the Town Council’s financial transactions for the General Account from 1st to 31st July 2022 and the Hub Account from 1st to 31st August 2022. In addition, the Town Council’s Bank Reconciliation for July 2022 and August 2022. RESOLVED that all the financial transaction and bank reconciliation statements be APPROVED.

Planning Applications – Details of the Planning Applications up to week ending 11th September 2022 were presented to Cllrs and duly noted.

Matters of Concern to Councillors – Cllr Emmerson raised the issue about the recent resignation by two members of staff at Ingleby Barwick Community Centre. He had concerns about the future running of the centre and the possibility of it being given support by the Town Council. This would be added to the agenda of the next Town Council meeting. The matter of wildflowers was highlighted and this would also be discussed at a future meeting.

Date of Next Town Council Meeting – The next Town Council meeting will be held at 7.00pm on Tuesday 18th October 2022 at The Rings Community Hub.

Public Participation Part 2 – Cllr Faulks wished to also raise the issue of the youth facility provision being increased to what had previously been approved. The Town Clerk explained that although there would be extra provision – Town Council meetings would remain as they are and continue to be held on the third Tuesday of the month.

The Chairman thanked all for their attendance and participation and closed the meeting.

The meeting ended at 8.30pm