TOW LAW TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Tow Law Town Council held on Tuesday 18 th February 2025,
commencing at 6.30pm in the Community Centre, Tow Law.
PRESENT: Councillors F. Nicol (Chair), T. Bland, M. Craggs, J. Fowler, E. Mather and P. Stokes.
ALSO PRESENT: County Councillor R. Manchester and G. F. Smith (Clerk).
Residents:- M. Snowdon and Susan Snowdon
APOLOGIES
Apologies received from Councillors K. Duffy, J. Gale, M. Dyer and P. Eastwood.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Councillor Nicol declared an interest in agenda items Nos 12 Tow Law Community Centre, and item
13 Tow Law Food Bank.
Councillor Craggs declared an interest in agendas items Nos 10 Allotments, No 12 Tow Law
Community Association and item No. 13 Tow Law Food Bank.
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 15 th October 2024
The minutes were not agreed by the Councillors, amendments still required.
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 21 st JANUARY 2025
Minutes were agreed by the Councillors and signed by the Chair.
ACTION LIST – Were circulated prior to the meeting, agreed as a true record by the Councillors.
COMMUNITY FUND
Thank you letter received from the Great North air Ambulance Service for the recent donation
(£250) from the Town Council.
JOINT REPORT BY THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
The Chair reported on the last meeting of the 3 Towns AAP, also reported used needles on
Millennium Green, but after a thorough search no needles were found.
Report of the PACT meeting (to be further discussed in the County Councillors Report)
EXPENDITURE REPORT 1 st APRIL 2024 TO 31 st JANUARY 2025
The report was circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting:-
Total Expenditure £41398.19
Bank Balance as at 31/01/2025 £17519.57
Estimated Bank Balance as at 31/03/2025 £12878.91
Which the Community Fund stands at £3477.94
Members agreed to accept the report.
RESPONSE TO THE EXTERNAL AUDITOR FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 st MARCH 2024
The report was circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting.
Members agreed to accept the report and noted the Clerk’s comments.
ALLOTMENTS
Mr Snowdon made a presentation to the Town Council on the Pigeon Loft Agreement and asked for
the boundary fencing which was erected by the Town Council a number of years ago remain the
responsibility of the Town Council. Members agreed with this request and for the Clerk to amend
the document accordingly.
The Clerk read out a letter from Mr Michael Snowdon and Mr James Snowdon asking to purchase
the two plots of land to continue to keep pigeons on this site. Mr Snowdon gave assurances that the
plots will continue to be maintained to a good standard and the use will remain for pigeon racing
only.
Members requested that the Clerk make further investigations and report back to the Town Council
as soon as possible.
Councillor Craggs was arranging an allotment inspection (previous meeting was cancelled due to
snow), she will contact the committee with a suitable date.
LAND REAR OF HIGH STREET
Pot holes still outstanding. Weed Killer required to combat the excessive weeds on the site.
TOW LAW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Car park resurfacing complete. An e-mail has been received from Jenny Flynn regarding the repairs
to the external clock (following the power cut and adjusting for BST/GMT) is beginning to fail. The
cost to attend and repair the clock is £665.00 + VAT £133.00 Total Cost £798.00, Jenny’s comment
“this might be beyond our budget”. The Community Association committee is meeting on Thursday
night to discuss this matter. Members suggested that £500.00 could be transferred from the
Community Fund towards the cost of the repairs.
TOW LAW FOOD BANK
Councillor Nicol reported that demand for the service is very high.
POLICE/PACT/SPEEDWATCH
No formal Speed watch reports. Still awaiting legal approval (Police).
COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
County Councillor Manchester reported on the following:-
Children’s Home in Tow Law (18 to 25 Young Women), self- contained flats, possible opening in
March 2025, 24 hour support care, tenancy/licence? no consultation, responses? Contact details will
be published.
BANK ACCOUNT (on-line banking) – Councillor Nicol to visit local bank branch to progress
application.
PLANNING MATTERS – None
Discussion around Hamsterley Forest Theme Park, left to the individual Councillors should they wish
to respond, no formal response from the Town Council.
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
The Clerk reported the following:-
payments vouchers 69 to 72 sum of £1394.55
Members agreed to pay the above accounts.
CCTV IN TOW LAW
The Chair continues to discuss progress with the Police Commissioner.
BEEHIVE COKE OVENS
The gorse plants required further treatment and trimming back (still outstanding), Clerk to contact
the Contractor regarding the setting-up of a yearly contract to maintain the Gorse each year (two
visits).
TOW LAW MILLENNIUM GREEN
Documents awaiting return from the Charity Commission, Clerk to chase up.
Inspection of Play Equipment (Sovereign Design Play Systems Ltd), Clerk to chase up.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
No progress, Clerk to chase up details received from Councillor Mather.
SKILL MILL – COUNTY DURHAM JUSTICE SERVICE NO UPDATE, REMOVE FROM AGENDA
VE DAY 8 th MAY 2025
Councillor Craggs suggested booking the Community Centre for an Afternoon Tea event (Saturday)
plus some form of entertainment.
CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk reported on the following:-
Tow Law TC e-mail, how to log in and password. It was agreed to defer until after the
elections on 1 st May 2025.
Details on the next Parish Council Elections in May 2025, including Election Timetable; Pre-
Election Period (starts 20 th March) after the Election process; Declaration of Acceptance of
Office; annual Meetings; Co0option; Casual Vacancies after normal elections; Key Facts;
Important Registration Dates and Guidance for Candidates at Parish Council Elections.
These notes were passed to all Councillors present at the meeting.
MEMBERS REPORTS – NONE
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 18 th March 2025 in the Community Centre, commencing at 6.30pm
The meeting finished at 7.41pm.
