TOW LAW TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Tow Law Town Council held on Tuesday 15th July 2025, commencing at 6.30pm in the Community Centre, Tow Law.
PRESENT: Councillors M. Craggs (Chair), M. Dyer, P. Eastwood, P. Stokes and A. Walsh.
ALSO PRESENT: G. F. Smith (Clerk).
APOLOGIES
Apologies received from Councillors F. Nicol, J. Fowler and County Councillors J. Shuttleworth and A. Savory.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Councillor Craggs declared an interest in agendas items Nos 8 Allotments, No 9 Tow Law Community Association and item No. 10 Tow Law Food Bank.
Councillor P. Stokes declared an interest in agenda item No. 9 Tow Law Community Association.
Councillor P. Eastwood declared an interest in agenda item No. 8 Allotments.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF ELECTORS HELD ON 17th June 2025
The minutes were agreed and signed by the Chair.
ACTION LIST JUNE 2025
The list was circulated to Councillors before the meeting, Members agreed to accept the list
And agreed to use the new form from July (as produced by Councillor Craggs).
DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR
The Clerk reported on the following matters relating to Angela Suddes:-
- No responses to the Town Council Summonses for the three meetings held in May, June and July.
- No apology/explanation for the above three meetings.
- No responses to the 20+ e-mails sent to her e-mail address.
- Declaration of Office for Councillor Form, not signed.
- DCC Declaration of Interests Form, not signed.
Members agreed to give notice to terminate the position of Councillor with immediate effect.
Members noted that the Clerk had discussed the situation with the Executive Officer of the County Durham Association of Local Councils.
COMMUNITY FUND – No applications.
REPORT BY THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
- High Hill House – Update.
Meeting has been had with staff to address residents concerns. All clients will have a Risk Management Plan and Support Plan in place. Staff will be on site 24 hours per day 7 days per week. Clients will be on licensees not tenancies.
- Former Childrens Home – Update.
Meeting held with staff, flats should be available for rent soon. Clients will have a licence not tenancy. Staff will be on site 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
ALLOTMENTS
Allotment Inspections – Councillor Crags and the Clerk had arranged to carry out the inspection and reported :-
5 plots good/no issues; 4 plots require attention and 4 plots did not meet the required standards. Further inspection in two months time, possible termination of tenancy.
Pigeon Loft Agreement insert ”the Council will keep in good repair and condition all perimeter fencing and gates”, sub-contract No. 7.
Agreement to be sent out to the two tenants for signature and return to the Clerk.
Letter received from Mrs K. Moralee on behalf of allotment holder RT1, Ridley Terrace site informing the Council that due to age and the health of Mr Nelson he wishes to request that the site becomes a joint tenancy with Mr Steven Raine, 57 Dans Castle, Tow Law DL13 4BE. Letter dated 30th June 2025. Since the letter Mr Nelson has died.
Members agreed for Mr S. Raine to take over the tenancy of RT 1 Allotment Site, Ridley Terrace.
TOW LAW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Councillor Stokes reported on events in the Community Centre some vacancies. A.G.M tomorrow night (Wednesday). Advert for Manager.
TOW LAW FOOD BANK
Councillor Craggs reported that demand for the service is still very high and they had run out of Baked Beans and tinned Spaghetti
POLICE/PACT/SPEEDWATCH – No Report
COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
The Clerk reported on the following:-
- Car Park sign on High Street in need of repair (dangerous).
- In/out signs to the Car park outside the Co-op shop.
Councillor Stokes reported on the following:-
- Flower Beds had been filled with sand and not planted at all.
- Footpath – overgrown with grass/dandelions at the Sensory Garden
- Bench removed?
BANK ACCOUNT (on-line banking) – Signatory forms completed , to be sent to the Co=operative Bank as soon as possible.
PLANNING MATTERS – NONE
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
The Clerk reported the following:-
- payments vouchers 24 to 29 sum of £3655.05
Members agreed to pay the above accounts.
BEEHIVE COKE OVENS
The gorse plants required further treatment and trimming back (still outstanding).
TOW LAW MILLENNIUM GREEN
Documents sent to the Charity Commission, awaiting response.
Inspection of Play Equipment (Sovereign Design Play Systems Ltd), report received Monday 14th April 2025, minor repairs to be carried out, passed onto BF Property Services to check out and report findings to the Town Council (Clerk).
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES – NO PROGRESS
CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk reported on the following:-
1.Owenership of Land (small triangle of grass to the South East of Ironworks Road. Request from Mr Simon Arktrad including a plan showing the area concerned .
- Members made the following comments:-
- The Town Council did not own the land.
- The Mr Arktrad make further enquiries of the Land Registry, as the land may have been part of the land purchased by the Developer.
2.Change over to.gov.uk E-mails Members agreed for the Clerk to arrange with the IT supplier for the change over to gov.uk as soon as possible and also to check the costs involved for the remaining Councillor vacancies/amendments in the future.
3.The seven Principles of Public Life, each Councillor received a copy of the Principles, copies to be placed on the Councils web site and Notice Boards.
MEMBERS REPORTS
Councillor Eastwood :-
- Motor Bikes speeding on Ironworks Road.
Councillor Stokes:-
- Council Tax reductions (Clerk to attend the Smaller Council Forum meeting on Thursday 17th July to obtain further information and let Councillors know the outcome.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 16th September 2025 in the Community Centre, commencing at 6.30pm
The meeting finished at 7.30pm
