TOW LAW TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Tow Law Town Council held on Tuesday 18th March 2025, commencing at 6.30pm in the Community Centre, Tow Law.
PRESENT: Councillors F. Nicol (Chair), P. Eastwood, E. Mather and P. Stokes.
ALSO PRESENT: County Councillor R. Manchester and G. F. Smith (Clerk).
APOLOGIES
Apologies received from Councillors T. Bland, M. Craggs, K. Duffy, M. Dyer, J. Fowler and J. Gale,
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Councillor Nicol declared an interest in agenda items Nos 10 Tow Law Community Centre, and item 11 Tow Law Food Bank.
Councillor Stokes declared an interest in agendas items Nos 9 Land rear of High Street, No 10 Tow Law Community Association and item No. 11 Tow Law Food Bank.
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 15th October 2024
The minutes were not agreed by the Councillors, amendments still required.
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 18th February 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 Vicky and Shaun for the recent donation (£40) from the Town Council for the support for the Christmas tree in Tow Law (electricity charging for lights).
REPORT BY THE CHAIR
The Chair reported on the last meeting of the 3 Towns AAP, report of the PACT meeting (Childrens Home).
ALLOTMENTS
The Clerk was making further investigations and will report back to the Town Council as soon as possible.
LAND REAR OF HIGH STREET
Pot holes still outstanding. Weed Killer required to combat the excessive weeds on the site.
Contact made with Contractor to carry out 2 visits per year to maintain the Gorse.
TOW LAW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Councillor Nicol reported on the delivery of the new laptops and batteries for the solar panels.
TOW LAW FOOD BANK
Councillor Nicol reported that demand for the service is very high, people are becoming desperate (crazy).
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.
- Seat on Millennium Green (Purdah).
BANK ACCOUNT (on-line banking) – Councillor Nicol to visit local bank branch to progress application.
PLANNING MATTERS
Planning Application – DM/24/03288/FPA by Ridley Exhaust Ltd for demolition of existing storage building and erection of an Industrial Storage Building for the storage of garage/mechanical parts at Land to the North East of Brick Flats, Tow Law.
DECISION – No objections.
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
The Clerk reported the following:-
- payments vouchers 73 to 75 sum of £1209.64
Members agreed to pay the above accounts.
CCTV IN TOW LAW
The Chair continues to discuss progress with the Police Commissioner (no funds available).
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 with Denise of TLCA.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
No progress, Clerk to chase up details received from Councillor Mather.
VE DAY 8th MAY 2025
Councillor Nicol suggested booking the Community Centre for an Afternoon Tea event/Open Day (Saturday) plus some form of children entertainment, beacon to be lit.
CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk reported on the following:-
- Weardale Gazette – request to publish minutes in the on-line newspaper. Members agreed for the Clerk to send a copy of the agreed minutes to the editor (Anita Atkinson).
- Pre-Election Period (Purdah) commences Thursday 20th March 2025 and ends on Polling Day.
- Election Notice to display – Notice to be posted to all Councillors and on the Council’s Noticeboard and Council’s Web site.
- Election information sent to all Councillors.
MEMBERS REPORTS
Councillor Mather – announced that she would not be standing in the next Elections (1st May 2025).
Councillor Nicol reported that she had attended the funeral of Norman Deacon.
RESIDENTS REPRESENTATION – ILLEGAL PARKING IN TOW LAW (SAFETY ISSUES FOR PEDESTRIANS)
Mr A. J. Dixon, 46 Dan’s Castle, Tow Law sent the Chair a report on his suggestions regarding parking outside the Co-operative Supermarket, High Street, copy of the report was sent to all Councillors and County Councillor Manchester. As the Town Council and the County Council was in Purdah it was agreed to send the details to DCC Highways Department for their consideration. Further discussions to take place after the Elections.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 15th April 2025 in the Community Centre, commencing at 6.30pm
The meeting finished at 7.12pm.
