Minutes of a meeting of the Tow Law Town Council held on Tuesday 17th February 2026, commencing at 6.30pm in the Community Centre, Tow Law.
PRESENT: Councillors F. Nicol (Chair), T. Bland, M. Craggs, M. Dyer, V. Fets, and J. Fowler.
ALSO PRESENT: County Councillor J. Shuttleworth, G. F. Smith (Clerk).
026/26 APOLOGIES
Apologies received from Councillors P. Eastwood, P. Stokes and A. Walsh, County Councillor A, savoury.
027/26 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Councillor Nicol declared an interest in agenda items No. 8 Tow Law Community Association and item No. 9 Tow Law Food Bank.
Councillor Craggs declared an interest in agendas items Nos 7 Allotments, No 8 Tow Law Community Association and item No. 9 Tow Law Food Bank.
028/26 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 20th January 2026
The minutes were agreed and signed by the Chair. (amendment to Allotment Report).
029/26 ACTION LIST January 2026
The list was circulated to Councillors before the meeting, Members agreed to accept the list
030/26 COMMUNITY FUND
The Clerk read out an application from Tow Law Craft Club Flower Festival, 12th to 14th September 2026 at St Philip and St James Church. Members requested further information from the organiser regarding the entrance fee of £3.00 for entry to the Church over the 3 day festival. Funds to raised going to the Church for repairs.
To be further discussed at the next Town Council Meeting.
The Clerk read out an application from pupils of Tow Law Millennium Primary School for a donation towards a dedicated reading shed for key stage 2 pupils . Reading is at the heart of a child’s education that will further inspire the pupils and make reading an engaging and enjoyable experience.
Members requested further information from the School regarding the shed, to be discussed at the next Tow Council Meeting.
Request for funding towards the cost of some of the activities in the Community Centre, from ther Tow Law Community Association.
Members agreed to donate £2300.00 from the Tow Council’s Bank Account towards this contribution, as per the Budget set by the Town Council for 2025/26 budgets.
031/26 REPORT BY THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR (Councillor Nicol to report?)
- Residents had requested a “Letters to Heavan” Post Box (Members not sure of security etc)
- North Point, Picnic Tables – DCC Highways (Councillor Savory to check).
- Castle Bank Barrier (Councillor Savory to check with DCC).
- Daffodil Planter – gone?
032/26 ALLOTMENTS (report to be amended by Councillor Craggs)
Allotment Inspections – Councillor Craggs and the Chair had arranged to carry out the re-inspection on Monday 22nd September 2025 and report to the next Town Council Meeting.
RIDLEY TERRACE
D. Raine – the gate was padlocked, but from the little that could be seen it looks okay.
J. Telford – no improvement to be issued a notice/warning letter.
Dans Castle
M. Craggs/P. Eastwood well cultivated but gate needs repairing.
L. Rowland – looks much tidier a big improvement but no cultivation warning letter need to cultivate to be issued, acknowledging improvement so far.
R. Bradley – no sign of any cultivation to be issued a warning letter of improvement required.
C. Cruddas – no sign of improvement or cultivation, to be issued a warning notice.
M. Hird – no sign of cultivation to be issued a warning letter.
J. Hindmoor – no sign of cultivation to be issued a warning notice.
Reinspect March/April 2026, additional Councillors to attend the Inspection Meeting. Members agreed for the Allotment Rent letters to be sent to all Allotment holders as soon as possible.
033/26 TOW LAW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Councillor Nicol reported that the Community Centre is still very busy.
034/26 TOW LAW FOOD BANK
Councillor Nicol/Craggs reported that demand for the service is extremely very high. Funding is still an issue.
035/26 POLICE/PACT/SPEEDWATCH – Report from Councillor Nichol
PACT MEETING
? Anti-social behaviour reports (two months),
Next Meetings: 17th April; 12th June: 7th August; 16th October and 11th December 2026.
SPEEDWATCH
? speeding reports
036/25 COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
County Councillor Shuttleworth reported on the following:-
- Concern on A68 (Attlee Estate, Bridge Street), Clerk to write to Highways DCC with theses concerns.
- Councillor Bland asked about lighting for the Christmas Tree. Clerk to provide County Councillor Shuttleworth with a detailed map/drawing of the area concerned.
037/26 BANK ACCOUNT (on-line banking) – No Update, Clerk to chase up with the Co-operative Bank details around the provision of pocket token for Councillors Nicol and Craggs.
038/26 PLANNING MATTERS – None
039/26 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
The Clerk reported the following:-
- payments vouchers 49 to 50 sum of £1350.88
Members agreed to pay the above accounts.
040/26 BEEHIVE COKE OVENS
The Chair to visit the site.
041/26 TOW LAW MILLENNIUM GREEN
Response to the Charity Commission to be completed as soon as possible.
Clerk to consult with staff at Durham Community Action (Willington) to assist with the completion of the form.
Inspection of Play Equipment (24/11/2025), BF Property Services to check out and report findings to the Town Council (Clerk).
Peacock Seat to be removed from the site (Health & Safety matter) by BF Property Services.
042/26 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Further progress to be made as soon as possible, all Councillors to assist with searching funding streams.
043/26 CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk reported on the following:-
1.Memorial Seat (Councillor Colin Hayton) – Awaiting DCC to complete the works.
2. Tow Law Football Club – Asset Transfer of Land – Free football coaching.
“With the land secured Tow Law AFC intends to apply for funding to develop a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) on land owned by DCC situated adjacent to the Clubs boundary, to the North East of the property”.
The site may be subject to an archaeological survey (Councillor Stokes).
3. Change over to .gov.uk the Clerk to arrange a meeting with David Rider to progress this matter.
4. Charity Commission (Tow Law Millennium Green) to obtain Charity Status, the Clerk to contact Durham Community Action to complete the necessary forms etc.
5. List of Councillors dated 20th January was circulated to all Councillors, copies placed on the Council’s noticeboards and website.
044/26 MEMBERS REPORTS
Councillor Nicol :-
- Public meeting 2026 – Councillor Nicol?
Councillor Craggs:-
- Social Media – information required from all Councillors.
Money collected for Barry Hogarth (£405.28) which is held in the Council’s Bank Account. Members agreed to spend the money on a plaque/planter (Councillor Fowler to arrange).
045/26 REPRESENTATION BY RESIDENTS None
046/26 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 17th March 2026 in the Community Centre, commencing at 6.30pm
.
The meeting finished at 7.20pm
