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Minutes February 2018

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF   MEETING  HELD

TUESDAY 13TH  FEBRUARY   2018  

7.00 PM  TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

PRESENT: Chair   D. Sugden,  Mrs. Y. Bell,  J. Norman,   J. Wilson, Mrs. J. Henderson

 S. Palombella, A. Vipond, R. George, K. Tippins, Mrs. A. Nelson

 

PUBLIC :      25 members present

 

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mrs. A. Savory
  2. An additional item which was urgent was considered first. Concerns had been raised over Councillor Qualifications violations re Cllr Jane Henderson. Cllr Henderson declared an interest and left the meeting.

The concern was raised by S.L.Martin regarding the councillor in question, as she was a contractor for Wolsingham P.C., as the Town Hall caretaker and cleaner at Angate Toilets. As a contractor she is self employed and does not get paid through the PAYE of the council, nor does she have employee rights such as sick pay or holiday. We believe that this is not legally “employment”.

However, Legal Advice was being sought on the issue and Mrs Henderson would remain as a councillor, until the matter is resolved. It was deferred until the next month when a definitive answer should be available. 

 

  1. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Mr J. Clark questioned whether Cllr. Savory was deliberately not in attendance as she was also a governor at the secondary school. The chair informed Mr. Clark that Cllr. Savory was on a pre-planned family holiday.

A number of parents of children attending Wolsingham School were in attendance and they were most concerned that a week or so ago their children had been given letters informing them that the sixth form at Wolsingham School would be suspended for two years. The concern was further exacerbated because, should the sixth form close, younger pupils may go elsewhere, undermining the viability of the school further.

A recent letter from Phil Hodgson Durham C.C. Head of Education had assured the Parish Council that the school was not under threat of closure, and the review would “secure the future of high quality education in Weardale”.

The decision that had been taken by the governors was not clear, as there had not been any formal consultation or communication with parents. The reason given for the decision was financial, that in order to run a viable sixth form there is a need for 200 students, whereas Wolsingham sixth form had only 63. It is noted that Wolsingham had been reportedly in the top 5 best performing schools in County Durham.

From the minutes of the Durham C.C. Cabinet Meeting held 15th November a recommendation had been made for the governors to consult with the wider community, which had not been done.

It was requested that Wolsingham P.C. assist the parents in finding the facts and rationale and reasons for the decision to close the sixth form, if need be through F.O.I. Also to seek to have the decision reversed. The chair undertook to raise the question with Durham C.C. 

 

  1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None

 

  1. MINUTES OF  MEETING HELD 9TH JANUARY  2018 confirmed as a true record and signed as such.
  2. MATTERS ARISING: Councillors declarations of Interest were now on the DCC website.

Barclay’s Bank had contacted the Parish Council to discuss the proposed closure. Wolsingham P.C. had offered the use of part of the Town Hall to facilitate an ATM provided permission would be forthcoming from Durham C.C. who leased the ground floor of the Town Hall. Apparently the current ATM was giving a message that the ATM will close July 2018. A mobile banking service was also mooted as a Lloyds mobile bank operates in Northumberland, but unfortunately Barclay’s does not operates a mobile service.

Priorities meeting held 16th January, items 1 – 4 were still to be discussed. We agreed to hold a further councillors meeting 27th February 7.00 pm at the Town Hall.

Mr. Stephenson had been given a written response to his questions but again asked for clarity on the policy of allowing employees to tender for contracts. This would be considered when reviewing Standing Orders for the next year.

A finance meeting had taken place before the main meeting in January and Mr. Stephenson asked why the meeting had not been advertised and questioned what the four points for discussion were. The clerk advised Mr. Stephenson that the four items were Apologies for Absence, Declarations of Interest, Minutes of the Finance meeting held 5th September and the Setting of the 2018/19 precept. Meetings are open to the public, but in this instance the meeting had been called early as a matter of expediency.

Mr. Stephenson also said that Cllr Savory had asked for the public to be excluded from the meeting when financial matters were being discussed. The chair refuted this statement and said that Cllr. Savory had (correctly) asked the meeting if we wished to do that, and the meeting had decided that the public should be allowed to stay.

  1. CORRESPONDENCE

Mr. J. Bell suggested a vote of no confidence in the council. A written reply had been forwarded by the clerk, that this is not possible. Councillors can only be replaced at the next election.

Mike Renwick objection to Skate Park; a written reply had been sent, to be placed on file

Marion Maddocks support for Skate Park; to be placed on file.

Mathew Town re. West End action group misleading information concerning Skate Park, and support for Skate Park. To be placed on file.

 

  1. RECREATION GROUND: Skate Park. Minutes of a site meeting held Saturday 20th January 2018 were agreed as a true record and signed as such. From the three sites visited the preferred options were 1 & 2. After discussion, 3 preferred location 1 and 6 preferred  location 2. Both will be included in the Consultation.

Going forward it was planned to engage with young people in the schools through WAAP and to conduct a detailed survey of their preferences.

We agreed to hold a Consultation Day on Saturday 21st April at St. Anne’s Centre, 10.00 to 4.00pm.

We shall also include a “flyer” in Town Crier.

Consultation Guidance 2015 DCLD

Karl Tippins’ Skate Park draft discussion points have been circulated and we accepted that outline. Final content to be submitted to Karl and considered at the next meeting

Consultation process will be open to all comers; councillors and other interested parties may be there to answer questions.

  1. FOOTPATHS  Footpath 96 New Bridge work commenced on new footpath closer to Weardale railway track
  2. NEWSLETTER to include; Thornley Wood community planting day 24th February. Skate Park consultation event St. Anne’s Centre 10.00am to 4.00 pm on Sat 21st April.   Agendas to be placed on website in future.
  3. CLERKS BUSINESS: None

12 .PLANNING: 

12.03                       The following applications have been notified

DM/1800195/TCA   The Old Barn, Grange Cottages, Thornley, Sycamore removal T1

DM/18/00106/FPA      25, Rectory Lane, block up side door, replace window with French door, replacement French door, and new stone wall to rear.

DM/18/00267/FPA    1, Holywood, single storey extension to east detached garage/storage block to west

DM/18/00271/FPA    land opposite 13/15 Silver Street, demolition of garage, construction of 1 new dwelling and detached garage

DM/18/00201/FPA      Change of use from Methodist Church Hall (D2) to dwelling (C3) Front St.

DM/18/00301/FPA                , Meadhope St, replacement UPVC sash windows and timber front door

  1. 13.0           Finance Reports End January 2018 agreed and accepted.
  2.   Minutes of Finance meeting held 9th January 2018 , agreed and signed        as a true record.
  3.   Review of Internal Audit, appoiontment of Internal Auditor agreed to appoint M. Ackroyd.
  4.      Review of Risk Assessment, agreed with some minor changes to timings.