WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF   MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 11TH JUNE   2019  

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

Public Participation 7.00 pm – 7.15 pm

 

PRESENT:     Chair: D. Sugden, Mrs. Y. Bell,   J. Norman, Mrs. A. Savory, S. Palombella, J. Wilson

R. George, D Jones

PUBLIC:       Mrs. J. Henderson, Mrs. K. Slack

 

A period of 15 minutes for members of the public to raise questions/concerns

Members of the public are very welcome to remain after this period but cannot speak on any agenda item unless permitted by the chair.

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mrs. A. Nelson, A. Vipond
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 14TH MAY 2019, read and agreed as a true record and signed as such.
5. MATTERS ARISING: Hooked & Cooked certificate of Public Liability Insurance and Food Hygiene Certificate to hand. The meeting was informed that the business had now ceased trading.
6. MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING HELD 14TH MAY read and agreed as a true record and signed as such.
7. MATTERS ARISING: None
8. CORRESPONDENCE:  

     A)  Wildflowers on Parish Council land, agreed for Dave Sugden, Rob. George to meet with Mr. Tompkins to discuss his proposals.

      B)   Scope request for siting of textile recycling bank, as there was already a textile bank at the Wolsingham School it was felt unnecessary to have a further bank situated in Wolsingham. Also door collections from various organisations are well supported.

1. RECREATION GROUND: Update on Skate Park    The building was going ahead as planned and concrete was being poured for the bowl, with an expected finish of 5th July , when a further site meeting is planned to  identify any snagging issues , have the site cleared ready for the Community Day 13th July. A ROSPA inspection needed to be planned and the Contract Administrator was working with the contractor for early completion. Signage to be actioned by John Norman, as he had visited a skate park in Harrogate and had taken photographs of their signage.

To invite Nick Barber to the event and Isaac, the young boy who had first asked about the possibility of a skate park, in Wolsingham.

The meeting was informed that the venue for the Community Day had been changed to Wolsingham School; the reason given for the move was lack of space for marquees, entertainers etc .and that the St. Anne’s Centre was booked.

1. TOWN HALL: Lease Durham C.C. It was agreed for DCC to decorate the Library and in future years to become the responsibility of Wolsingham Parish Council. Whilst decorating is now important the lighting system needed to be looked at and be replaced with LED lighting, request that DCC look at changing the lighting.

Cllr. A. Savory declared an interest and took no part in the discussions

1. STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN: A further meeting was arranged for Monday 17th June at the Town Hall, as to how to engage with the public and a consultation process with a time line on receiving comments and suggestions for the approval of the eventual plan. Other uses of green areas and the toilet situation.,
2. MEMBERS REQUESTS:

A)  Cornerstone had been given free use of the Market Place in May, but unfortunately the weather had been very poor, and so a further date has been arranged, and the Parish Council agreed to again give free use of the Market area.

B)  A request was made for funding from the Community Day team, this was agreed to in principle and an official request would be forwarded. Free car parking would be made available at the recreation ground on the day of the event.

C) Thornley Wood needed a litter bin, clerk to speak to DCC.

D) Following on from the Community Open Day funding it was discussed that more use of WRECASS should be encouraged for groups and voluntary organisations in Wolsingham .

More publicity is needed so that groups know of its existence and what it can do.

1. NEWSLETTER: D. Sugden to action

        14 .         PLANNING:    The following applications have been approved:

            14.01  

DM/19/01288/FPA     2A, East End, front porch and rear extension

DM/19/00929/TCA    3, Church View Thornley, pruning of sycamore tree

3/2013/0226                Land at Dapple Farm , High Stoop, variation of condition 2

DM/19/00968/FPA     6, Silver Street , replacement timber windows

DM/19/00654/FPA     shooting hut land to west of Tunstall Reservoir

DM/19/00548/LB       27- 29 Front Street, remove ground floor partition wall, alter boiler location, remedial works to walls and roof, installation of new kitchen, insulation to roof and attic wall, replacement of window, installation of wood burning stoves.

1. The following applications have been notified

DM/19/01299/LB       Thornley Hall, porch extension, convert part barn, re-build rear wall, reconstruct orangery

DRC/19/00154           Low Harperley Farm Quarry, submission of details for phases Years 3 – 6 pursuant to Conditions 3u ( scheme of working,3v restoration and 3w Aftercare of planning permission CMA/3/31

Cllr. R. George declared an interest in Harperley Quarry, and took no part in the discussions.

 

1. Finance Reports End May 2019 , agreed and accepted.
2. Internal Audit Report Year End  31st March 2019 ,

1. The current bank balances are now in excess of £85000, which was a guarantee figure set up in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Agreed to open another bank account to meet with regulations, regarding the guarantee of £85000 , should a bank default.
2. All contracts and tenders to be overseen by council members for greater transparency.

1. Annual Governance Statement 31st March 2019, agreed and signed off
2. Annual Return Year Ended 31st March 2019 , agreed and signed off
3. Citizens Advice County Durham : Bank Statement and Balance sheet submitted for grant approval . Agreed to funding of £500
4. Ice Cream Franchise :The company who have been running the franchise for selling ice cream & confectionery at the recreation ground would cease operations in September. The owner has asked for a reduction in the annual fee to 50%. Agreed