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Minutes 10th September 2019

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF   MEETING  HELD

TUESDAY 10TH  SEPTEMBER   2019  

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

Public Participation  7.00 pm – 7.15 pm

PRESENT:     Chair: D. Sugden, Mrs. Y. Bell, Mrs. A. Savory, R. George,

 A. Vipond, , Mr. Ian Hirst, J. Wilson

PUBLIC:       M. Newton, J. Stephenson, Mrs. G. Calvert, D. Robertson

POLICE: PCSO. Kim Anderson

 

Mike Newton :  PRESENTATION:  WOLSINGHAM WAYFARERS

“Walkers are Welcome  Towns & Villages “ network accreditation

Mr. Newton , introduced members of the Wolsingham Wayfarers,and gave a brief resume of the work of the Wayfarers over the last twenty years. The Wayfarers had gained accreditation for the national initiative “Walkers Are Welcome” The intention was to work with the Parish Council in Wolsingham and also Stanhope to promote the initiative, and were looking to set up a steering group to further the aims of walking , promoting Health & Well Being , promoting Wolsingham and Weardale and the undoubted magnificent walks and countryside the area has to offer .Another batch of free leaflets, with the “Walkers Are Welcome” logo,  was going to print shortly, but the group were also keen to establish a network of walks , town trails and pub walks. To promote the walks it was proposed to have more information boards placed in strategic places , thus informing walkers of what the area has to offer. Local businesses were keen to support the initiative and stickers had been produced for shop owners businesses to display in their windows etc. A local publicity launch will be held with the Area Action Partnership, and it was hoped the local economy would benefit from the increased number of walkers. Wolsingham Parish Council agreed to support the scheme over the coming months. It was suggested that a website portal could be created linking other websites  and clubs and local activities.

 

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: S. Palombella,   J. Norman  D Jones, Mrs. A. Nelson
  2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Mr. D. Robertson attended the meeting and raised his concerns regarding the “feral” chickens which had taken up residence in the Industrial Estate, over the last year or so. The problem being the cockerels which crow from the early hours , thus inhibiting his and others  ability to sleep. Mr. Robertson had raised his complaint with Durham County Council, without much satisfaction. A legal and formal approach had been given to eradicate the nuisance under the Environmental Noise Abatement legislation, and this would be followed up in due course.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
  4. POLICE REPORT: PCSO Kim Anderson gave the police report over the last three months.

Burglaries (0), 9 thefts, some ongoing to be resolved, 2 criminal damage, 8 vehicle crimes, 1 ASBO in Demesne Mill picnic park, regarding excessive noise, The increasing theft of Transit vans in the area was causing concern, CCTV coverage in Wolsingham was reported as good and ANPR cameras were also in place. Any concerns on suspicious behaviour to be reported to the police using  101 and 74 24 20 which will enable a link to the Stanhope police office.

  1. CO-OPTION OF COUNCILLOR: Mr. Ian Hirst was co-opted to the position of a member of Wolsingham Parish Council. representing the Wolsingham Ward.
  2. MINUTES OF  MEETING HELD 9TH JULY  2019 , agreed as a true record
  3. MATTERS ARISING:

A )The former Watson’s Garage site had been more adequately screened off following representation by Cllr. A. Savory.

B) Wildflowers on council land, a site meeting had taken place but as yet no firm proposals had been forthcoming.

C) Bar B Q’s on council picnic sites , notices to be affixed to picnic tables warning of potential damage from hot BBQ’s

D) There would no longer be an out of hours service provided by the local GP surgery, for Weardale.

 

  1. MINUTES OF FUN FAIR MEETING HELD 17th July 2019: agreed as a true record
  2. MATTERS ARISING:  Request for reduction in rent of Recreation Ground for parking, agreed because of the ongoing increase in fees for holding the annual fun fair that Wolsingham Parish Council apply for the road closure and pay the appropriate fee.
  3. CORRESPONDENCE:            

 A):   SKATEPARK Correspondence, hedgehogs or the safety of hedgehogs being trapped in the skatepark was an issue which will be resolved as autumn approaches.

B) : Student representation on Wolsingham Parish Council, it was suggested that two representatives from Wolsingham School be encouraged to attend meetings to give their views on what is needed for youths, also suggested that two students from the Primary school may wish to attend , maybe  meetings to be held quarterly. An open meeting was deemed to be the best way forward once volunteers had been identified.Cllr. Savory to liaise with the respective schools.

C) litter at the skatepark was still an issue and twice daily collections had been in operation during the school holidays, and an extra bin had been requested. Ian Hirst to take time to speak to skatepark users to see what they want from the facility.

D) the ROSPA report was to hand and in all instances standards had been met, for the skatepark.

E) agreed to trial two areas of the surrounding skatepark with hard core, all seeding and levelling had now been finished.

  1. RECREATION GROUND; A request had been made to have a hawthorn bush and ash tree removed from the adjoining wall on the north of the recreation ground next to Mill Isle

, advice had been sought from the tree officer and Wolsingham Parish Council would now submit a planning application to have the trees felled, as they were in danger of “pushing” the wall down.

  1. TOWN HALL : Library Lighting Quotation to install LED lighting £480 , agreed and also to have other light fittings in the library replaced, before the library is decorated.
  2. ALLOTMENTS: Improvements to Boundary, adjacent Dye Cottage. M/s Ayre had provided photographs of the work done to the boundary adjacent Dye Cottage, and it was of a very high standard and the improvements were significant , agreed to charge £1 p.a. for the remaining area as an allotment.

      

  1. STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN : 23 questionnaires had so far been returned, agreed to have an open consultation event in November.
  2. MEMBERS REQUESTS:

A) Wolsingham School would be holding an open evening 26th September.

B) A letter of thanks to be sent to DCC Street Scene  dept. for the excellent clean up after the annual fun fair.

  1. NEWSLETTER: Skatepark news, Annual Fair , Consultation date, and Community Day .

        17 .         PLANNING:   The following applications have been approved:

 

DM/19/02195/FPA     Thornley Hall, kitchen extension, internal alterations demolish external stores, demolish utility offshoot

DM/19/01772/FPA     16, Lydgate Avenue, two storey side extension & single storey rear extension

DM/19/01744/FPA     5, East End, conservatory to front

DM/19/01501/FPA     21, Angate Street, installation  of new stairs, handrails, decking & screening to form roof terrace (over existing garage)

DM/19/02126/FPA     1 & 3 Rectory Lane, replace single storey front extension ,windows & doors and replace roof

DM/19/01018/FPA     Wolsingham Showground, re-submission for alterations to main access, formation of new access from Crook Lane and new access tracks within the showfield site.

DM/19/01985/FPA     Low Fawnlees Farm, conversion of byre to form annex

17.02The following applications have been notified

DM/19/02550/FPA     35, Uppertown, resubmission of planning application, new vehicular access and two off road parking spaces.

DM/19/02534/TCA    41, The Causeway , fell 1 pine tree.

DM/19/02468/FPA     2, Convent Gardens, replacement doors and windows to second floor dormer windows to front and rear elevations

  1. Finance Reports End AUGUST  2019 Reports agreed an accepted.
  2. Annual Audit 2018/2019 Completion. One minor error had been detected in so far as the Fixed Assets total had been overstated by £1000 , owing to a transposition  of numbers.This to be restated in 2019/2020 AGAR.