CEMETERY EXPANSION: Plans for extension of the cemetery have been approved provided the Environment Agency is satisfied that all the criteria laid down for burial grounds are covered. Boundary walls need to be built and the site made ready for burials.

VEHICLE COMPLAINTS: Captain Blair-Tidewell said the matter of tracked vehicles driving through the village raised at the December meeting was being dealt with. He pointed out that it would be helpful if number plates could be noted and passed on to him.

TRAFFIC CALMING: Traffic calming work in the village has begun. The council hopes this will help reduce speeding traffic. Cars parking on the pavement near the Town Bridge are still a problem and this will be reported to the police.

COUNCIL TAXES: The council has requested that it receives £17,500 from council taxes for 2003-2004, £2,500 less than last year. It was hoped to cut the figure to £15,000, but the need to budget for the cemetery extension forced a re-think.

NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Monday, February 3, at 7.30pm in the Old School, High Street.

* For a full report, see Friday's Darlington & Stockton Times.