May 2025 DRAFT Minutes
Minutes of the Dunston Annual Parish Council Meeting - Monday 12th May 2025
Present: Cllrs McLuckie, Armstrong, Craig, Duncan, Lamyman, Pellew, Phillipson, four members of the public and Clerk to the council.
Public session
Council Session
25055 Apologies received from LCC Cllr Kendrick, Cllr Treece and NKDC Cllr Parry.
25056 No declarations of interest were received.
25057 Cllr McLuckie was re-elected unopposed to the position of Chairman.
25058 The Cllr Duncan was re-elected unopposed to the position of Vice Chairman.
25059 The Chairman signed the minutes of the April PC meeting.
25060 The table top exercise test of the Dunston Emergency plan had been held on the morning of 12 May and thought very successful. The Resilience Team at LCC had agreed to take our plan back to their office, rewrite it into the new format and return it in due course. It was agreed to form a sub-committee (comprising of Cllrs Craig, Lamyman and McLuckie) to liaise with LCC, monitor the Emergency Plan and recommend modifications or improvements required in the future. AC BL RM
25061 The storage of our sandbags in the Dutch Barn at the top of Back Lane has been kindly approved by the owners who had also moved the sandbags there. Their co-operation was appreciated by the PC. Another collection of sandbags from resident’s houses was thought sensible and would be organized in due course. PD RM
25062 The AGAR for FY 24/25 was presented to the PC. The Governance Statement was approved by the PC and signed by the Chairman and clerk.
25063 The Accounting Statements 24/25 were approved by the PC and signed by the Chairman.
25064 The quote for changing ownership of the “Ransom Strip” of land was thought acceptable and the clerk was authorized to proceed. TB
25065 A report of the Village Hall financial position was submitted to the PC. The electricity bills were thought to be a significant concern for the future especially as it appeared that the VH had been running at a loss for some time. The roof repair quotes were available to be scrutinized by the PC prior to a contractor being chosen. PD RM TB
25066 The sound system grant had been received into the bank account but the choice of system was not immediately obvious so more research is required before any decision should be made. PP RM PD
25067 A member of the public had observed that the swing which had been vandalized by moving the safety bar to the rear had, as a result, become more accessible to a disabled child. It was agreed to keep the swing in this configuration pending any observation of the safety inspection later in the summer.
25068 It was resolved to transfer £20k to the 32 day notice savings account. TB
25069 the collection of data from the radar speed sign was thought to be a sensible idea -providing a volunteer with the requisite skills could be found. It was also agreed to purchase an extended warranty from Elan City when the current warranty expires (in September). TB
25070 The response of LCC Highways to the request for a dropped kerb on Middle St was thought to be disappointing and it was resolved to raise the issue again. TB
25071 Glendale should be queried about the quantity of strimming undertaken round the dog walking area/orchard at the playing field. PD
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place in the Lamyman room in the
Dunston Village Hall at 1900 on Monday 9th June.