Minutes of a meeting of the Tow Law Town Council held on Tuesday 17th March 2026, commencing at 6.30pm in the Community Centre, Tow Law.
PRESENT: Councillors F. Nicol (Chair), T. Bland, M. Craggs, M. Dyer,P. Eastwood, V. Fets, J. Fowler and P. Stokes.
ALSO PRESENT: G. F. Smith (Clerk).
047/26 APOLOGIES
Apologies received from Councillors A. Walsh, County Councillor A, Savory and County Councillor J. Shuttleworth.
048/26 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.
Councillor Eastwood declared an interest in agenda item No. 7 Allotments.
049/26 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17th February 2026
The minutes were agreed and signed by the Chair.
050/26 ACTION LIST February 2026
The list to be circulated to Councillors after the meeting.
051/26 COMMUNITY FUND
The Clerk read out a revised application from Tow Law Craft Club Flower Festival, 12th to 14th September 2026 at St Philip and St James Church. The entrance fee to be a donation for entry to the Church over the 3 day festival. Funds to raised going to the Church for repairs.
Members agreed to donate £250.00 from the Community Fund.
The Chair agreed to meet up with the school to request further information on the use of a dedicated reading shed. To be discussed at the next Town Council meeting.
052/26 REPORT BY THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
- Pride in Place funding- 63% Capital Expenditure 37% Revenue Expenditure.
- Tatler published and delivered in the town.
- Residents complaints
- Problems/complaints regarding the Children’s Home – lack of staffing cover at weekends?
053/26 ALLOTMENTS (report to be amended by Councillor Craggs)
Allotment Rents Outstanding:-
RIDLEY TERRACE
TT002/003 – tenant has moved house reissue the notice/warning letter.
Dans Castle
TC 5 (£6.56).
TC 6 (£6.97) reissue the warning letter of improvement required.
TC 7 (£6.56) reissue the warning letter of improvement required.
054/26 TOW LAW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Councillor Nicol reported that the Community Centre is still very busy (many new activities).
055/26 TOW LAW FOOD BANK
Councillor Nicol/Craggs reported that demand for the service is extremely very high.
056/26 POLICE/PACT/SPEEDWATCH – No Report
057/26 COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
County Councillor Shuttleworth e-mailed on the following:-
- Stretch oh highway from the junction at Dan’s Castle to the 30sign travelling West has been put forward for resurfacing following complaints made to Councillor Shuttleworth by a resident. Work will be done over the next few weeks.
- Councillor Nicol to contact County Councillor Savoury regarding a number of complaints.
058/26 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 (details received on 18th March 2026 regarding changes to Co-operative Bank digital banking service by replacing all physical security tokens with new and improved versions).
059/26 PLANNING MATTERS – None
060/26 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
The Clerk reported the following:-
- payments vouchers 51 to 63 sum of £13,115.71.
Members agreed to pay the above accounts.
061/26 BEEHIVE COKE OVENS
The Chair to visit the site (18th March) and report to the next Town Council meeting..
062/26 TOW LAW MILLENNIUM GREEN
Response to the Charity Commission to be completed as soon as possible.
Councillor Eastwood to check safety measures around the pond area and report to the next Town Council meeting.
Inspection of Play Equipment (24/11/2025), handyman to be employed to progress the necessary repairs maintenance items Councillor Nicol to discuss with Michael Urwin of Tow Law Gardening and Property Services and report to the next Town Council meeting.
Peacock Seat removed from the site (Health & Safety matter) by BF Property Services.
Complaint received about the slide (to be checked out and the necessary alterations required to be carried out as soon as possible.
Application for development of a Community Garden on Millennium Green (hay meadow). Members agreed to the application using raised beds only.
063/26 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Further progress to be made as soon as possible, all Councillors to assist with searching funding streams.
064/26 PRIDE IN PLACE PROGRAMME
Local Neighbourhood Board nomination for a Board Member and deputy to oversee the funding and ensure local people are at the centre of developing their Regeneration Plan for Crook North and Tow Law.
Members agreed to nominate Councillor Nicol as the Board Member and Councillor Craggs as the deputy.
065/26 CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk reported on the following:-
1.Owners of Tow Law wind Farm to make a presentation (update) and questions from Members at the next Town Council meeting. (21st April 2026).
066/26 MEMBERS REPORTS
Councillor Nicol :-
- BMX Track (DCC?)
- Car Park sign re-erected on High Street
- Car Parking problems at the Co-op in High Steet (details to be passed onto DCC).
Councillor Stokes:-
- Concerns regarding the grassed area outside the front of his bungalow, grass has been sprayed with some kind of weed killer?
Councillor Bland
- Dog training sessions in the Community Centre – Wednesdays at 6.30pm.
Councillor Eastwood
- Street lighting not working (report to DCC)
Councillor Dyer
- Baring Court – pot holes (Home Group?)
- Harrison Street – pot holes
- Bridge Street – pot holes
- Cleaning of War Memorial (helmet)- Councillor Nicol to contact DCC.
067/26 REPRESENTATION BY RESIDENTS None
068/26 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 21st April 2026 in the Community Centre, commencing at 6.30pm
.
The meeting finished at 7.25pm
