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Minutes 11 Jan 2022

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 11TH JANUARY   2022

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

PRESENT: D. Sugden (Chair) D. Jones, Mrs. A. Savory, I. Rodgers

Mrs. Y. Bell, Mrs. P. Dobson, J. Bell,

 

       MEMBERS OF PUBLIC: J. Green,

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: AM. Parkin, A. Vipond, O. Gardner, Mrs E. Johnson
  2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
  4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 14th DECEMBER 2021, confirmed as a true record and signed as such.
  5. MATTERS ARISING:
    1. More information on the DMMO of footpath at Leazes was confirmed by Cllr. A. Savory and the report will probably go to a Highways Committee meeting April/May.The delay was again owing to COVID and staff absentee levels.
    2.  B) A report on the storm Arwen outage affecting Wolsingham and Weardale in particular would be published in March/April. In the meantime the Civil Contingency Unit at Durham CC had offered their services to help enhance WPC Civil Crisis Management Plan in the wake of storm Arwen, again described as a “once in a lifetime event” An update of WPC Crisis Management to be presented at February meeting.
  6. DEMESNE MILL: Report from Durham Wildlife Trust, this was debated and contact to be made with Durham CC Clean and Green (Dave Gillette) team who are contracted to maintain the Demesne Mill . It was suggested that some information boards be erected explaining the works taken to assist bio diversity.
  7. CORRESPONDENCE:
    1. G. Barber, use of herbicides on Wolsingham PC land and loss of bio diversity, this had been a recurring problem over the last three years, whilst some members of the public liked areas to be maintained this should not be at the expense of creating wildlife habitats and helping with bio diversity. It was agreed to limit the use of herbicides where practically possible. Boundary walls and fencing within the recreation ground, Melbourne Place and stretches of Holywell Lane had been areas particularly affected.
    2. Trees in Recreation ground, Ash die back. A request had been made from a resident at West End in October to have ash trees looked at as they had been identified as having ash die back, and he was concerned that falling trees could damage his property and would be a danger to pedestrians. The tree surgeon retained by the Parish Council inspected the trees and in early December, felled two trees. The ash trees in the wooded area of the recreation ground had been identified with ash die back in 2020 and at that time six trees were felled, with a view to taking out the remaining trees with the disease, which was approved by the tree officer at Durham County Council.It was agreed that any future trees to be felled would be a decision taken by full council
  8. RECREATION GROUND:   Tennis Courts. A Teams meeting has been arranged for Monday 17th January 2022. With Durham CC Nigel Douthwaite. A. Maddison ( WAAP) to discuss funding arrangements, as there had been a hold up in the planning consent in the application to build houses at the former school site.To help gauge the level of support for tennis courts it was proposed to hold a meeting of WRECASS  8th February 6.15 pm in the Town Hall prior to the normal monthly meeting.  
  9. ALLOTMENTS: Oliver’s to commence tree works Thursday 10th March.
  10. TOWN HALL : Replacement floor, quotations were still awaited.
  11. MARKET PLACE: Christmas Tree, Street Decorations, Cllr Savory was keen to assist the Parish Council from her Neighbourhood Budget for new decorations around the town. More information would be to hand for the February meeting.

There was to be a Flower Festival in May which would be discussed at the February meeting.

  1. FINANCE:
    1.  A) Cheques for Payment, Agreed
    2. B) Reports to End December accepted and agreed
    3. C)  Final  Budget Setting 2022/2023 It was agreed to raise a precept of £23646, which was a reduction from £27383 the previous financial year,(13.6% decrease) and would mean an annual reduction of £3.99 for an average Band D property per annum.

      12.             PLANNING:  DECIDED Cllr. A. Savory declared an interest in the following planning matters as being a member of the South West Durham Planning Committee.

DM/21/03938/TCA                3, Mill Isle, fell 3 no. Ash Trees        

DM/21/03816/TCA                1, Cooperative Terrace. Fell T1 and T2 Poplar trees

DM/21/03749/FPA                27, West End, replace front windows and door with timber

DM/21/03599/TCA                18, Market Place, Fell T1 Ash Tree

DM/21/03561/FPA                Peggottys,1, Angate Street, replace existing door to front elevation

DM/21/03425/TPO                Land South of  Helme Park Hall, Works to trees covered under TPO WVDC 4 1987 10 dead conifers, fell ash trees, fell tree T154 sycamore and other crown lifts to trees on access track and access road up to 5 metres.

DM/21/03168/VOC               Deneside Business Units, variation of conditions 2,3,4,6 & 7 attached to planning permission DM/18/03161( as amended 29/11/2021)

 

PLANNING : NOTIFIED;

 

DM/21/04237/TPO                24, West End,  Trimming of sycamore tree. No objection

DM/21/04163/FPA                31, West End, conversion of loft space, to form habitable room, incorporating rear dormer window and 2 no. Velux roof lights to the front one or two neighbours, had contacted the chair on the proposal, but it was decided to raise no objection

DM/21/04089/FPA                11, Melbourne Place insert first floor window to rear elevation, no objection