Minutes of a meeting of the Tow Law Town Council held on Tuesday 16th June 2026, commencing at 6.30pm in the Community Centre, Tow Law.
PRESENT: Councillors F. Nicol (Chair), T. Bland, M. Dyer, P. Eastwood, V. Fets, J. Fowler and P. Stokes.
ALSO PRESENT: G. F. Smith (Clerk).
ALSO: Dean Robson, Amber Trenberth (Clean Earth), B. Quigley, G. Quigley, D. Gascoigne and M. Robinson.
114/26 APOLOGIES
Apologies received from Councillors M. Craggs, A. Walsh, and County Councillor J. Shuttleworth and County Councillor A. Savoury.
115/26 PRESENTATION BY CLEAN EARTH ENERGY – TOW LAW WIND FARM
Dean Robson and Amber Trenberth informed the discussion on the following:-
- Proposed repowering , replace existing 6 turbines with 7 modern Wind Turbines with a tip height of up to 150 metres, each with 3 x 68 metre long blades.
- The proposed repowering will generate 92 GWhof renewable electricity annually equivalent to supplying 29,000 County Durham Homes.
- Community Benefit of £90,000 per year, distribution to be among the surrounding parishes, including Tow Law, plan to be agreed.
- Operational Noise Assessment (low noise mode management).
- Public consultation.
- Followed by a question-and-answer session.
116/26 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Councillor Nicol declared an interest in agenda items No. 12 Tow Law Community Association and item No. 13 Tow Law Food Bank and agenda item 22 Pride in Place Programme – Local Neighbourhood Board.
Councillor Stokes declared an interest in agenda item No. 12 Tow Law Community Association.
Councillor Eastwood declared an interest in agenda item No. 11 Allotments.
Councillor Bland declared an interest in agenda item No. 11 Allotments.
117/26 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN 2025/2026
Deferred until the Special Town Council meeting on Tuesday 30th June 2026.
118/26 MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 19th May 2026 (Meeting of Electors, Annual General Meeting and Regular monthly meeting).
The minutes were agreed and signed by the Chair.
119/26 ACTION LISTS May 2026
The list was circulated to Councillors before the meeting. Members agreed the list.
120/26 COMMUNITY FUND
The Clerk read out the following application:-
- Girlguiding 1st Tow Law Brownies, Guides and Rainbows to visit Raby Castle to explore the grounds, tour of the Castle and gain a History Badge.
Members agreed to donate £300.00 towards the three groups visiting the Castle (The Chair had discussed with the Unit Leader regarding costs of transport and access to the Castle). Members confirmed the donation of £300.00.
121/26 REPORT BY THE CHAIR
- Problems/complaints ongoing regarding the former Children’s Home, Police are aware.
122/26 ALLOTMENTS
Allotment Rents Outstanding:-
RIDLEY TERRACE
TT002/003 – tenant has moved house reissue the notice/warning letter. Rent due.
Dans Castle
TC 7 (£6.56)
Inspection of Allotments sites date to be agreed with the Chair and Councillor Bland.
123/26 TOW LAW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Councillor Nicol reported that the Community Centre is still very busy (many new activities).
Tatler produced by the Manager Hayley Anderson.
124/26 TOW LAW FOOD BANK
Councillor Nicol reported that demand for the service is still very high.
125/26 POLICE/PACT/SPEEDWATCH – Councillor Nicol reported NO REPORTS DUE TO COMPUTER FAILURE.
126/26 COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT – No report.
County Councillor Shuttleworth reported on the following:-
127/26 BANK ACCOUNT (on-line banking) – Digital banking service replacing all physical security tokens with new and improved versions. Still no date for change over.
128/26 PLANNING MATTERS
Planning Application DM/25/03410/FPA by Mr S. Anderson for proposed new detached 3 bedroom House, rear of 15 High Street, Tow Law.
DECISION – No objections
129/26 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
The Clerk reported the following:-
- payments vouchers 16 to 17 sum of £1350.88
Members agreed to pay the above accounts.
130/26 BEEHIVE COKE OVENS
Still outstanding. The sign is in need of maintaining/upgrading. Clerk to contact Historical England regarding funding for sign and wayleave agreement for overhead power lines and conditions of neighbouring ovens (Councillor Stokes).
131/26 TOW LAW MILLENNIUM GREEN
Response to the Charity Commission (still outstanding) to be completed as soon as possible (Clerk).
Councillor Eastwood to check safety measures around the pond area and report to the next Town Council meeting (still outstanding).
Complaint received about the slide (to be checked out and the necessary alterations required to be carried out as soon as possible (still outstanding).
132/26 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Councillor Craggs had informed the Clerk asking him to check the National Lottery and Believe Housing web sites for possible funding. (Clerk to progress).
133/26 PRIDE IN PLACE PROGRAMME
Councillor Nicol reported that the next Board meeting was to take place on Friday 26th June 2026..
Update on suggested projects for Tow Law (Christmas Tree and Power Supply/ Public Convenience).
134/26 CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk reported on the following:-
Details regarding the steps which are located at the top of Deerness Estate which provides access to the Blessed John Duckett School. Members agreed that this was an area for Durham County Council (not Town Council’s responsibility).
135/26 MEMBERS REPORTS
Councillor Nicol:-
Police called out to Baring Court (incorrect address from Coms staff).
Councillor Fowler :-
- Rats at High Street, Tow Law (Greggs Bakery) – need for treatment.
Councillor Stokes:-
- Pedestrian Crossing – Government Funding?
- Public Conveniences “Register of Interest £35.00 fee (Internet). Town Council to fund the Registration Fee.
Councillor Bland
- Traffic Warden – Parking Tickets (discus with the Chair).
Councillor Dyer
- State of Road (pot holes) Baring Court
- State of building North Point Public House
- State of War Memorial (monument covered in Algie)
- Lack of Electrical Charging Points in Tow Law ?
136/26 REPRESENTATION BY RESIDENTS
Mr and Mrs Quigley raised concerns about the proposed upgrades to the Developments at Tow Law Wind Farm with particular reference to size of Blades, noise, lighting on blades etc and lack of consultation.
137/26 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 21st July 2026 in the Community Centre, commencing at 6.30pm
The meeting finished at 8.30pm.
