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Minutes 12 March 2019

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF   MEETING  HELD

TUESDAY 12TH  MARCH   2019  

7.00 PM

 TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

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

R. George, A.Vipond,

PUBLIC:        M. Bell,  R. Dow, D. Ellwood, M/s H. Maddison, D. Stephenson

 

Guest Speaker Mr. David Ellwood, Stanhope Parish Council  to talk on CDALC.

 

Mr. Ellwood, gave a brief resume on his time in  Weardale and joining Stanhope P.C. Rural Ward which covers 20sq. mile. As a member of CDALC  he will be always willing to further Weardale Parish Councils interests at a higher level. The recent news and consultations regarding Wolsingham School was given as a prime example of how useful having a delegate on CDALC can be as they have already written to the Secretary of State for Education on the dilemma Wolsingham School finds itself in. The main area of concern facing pupils from Upper Weardale would be the travelling distance to other schools and colleges.

The Durham C.C. cabinet would be meeting at Spennymoor , 13th March to debate the matter further, Cllr. Bell and Cllr. Savory would be  attending the  meeting and report back.

David is also a member of Weardale Area Action Partnership and the North Pennines AONB, who are developing a five year plan.

 

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: S. Palombello, Mrs. A. Nelson, J. Wilson, K. Tippins
  2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Mr. M. Bell, raised concerns regarding the development near Chapel Walls, Uppertown, no work had been undertaken in the last  eight weeks and parts of the boundary wall of this ancient site were falling down, It had been a condition of the development that the boundary wall should be retained as a dry stone  wall and raised in height. Cllr. Savory would raise the matter with the planning department at DCC.

A question was raised regarding a payment to the contractor of the skatepark, receiving monies for work not as yet done. This was incorrect as the fee paid was for drawings, plans and the subsequent planning application.

  1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
    1. Cllr. Savory declared an interest in Wolsingham School as she was Chair of the Governors, Also declared an interest in planning application DM/19/00471 development at Almond Carr, Inkerman, as she was a personal friend of the developer. Cllr. Savory took no part in the discussions of Wolsingham School or the aforementioned planning application.
    2. Cllr. .Rob George also declared an interest in Wolsingham School as he was a  governor, and took no part in the debate.
  2. MINUTES OF  MEETING HELD 12TH FEBRUARY  2019 , agreed as a true record and signed as such
  3. MATTERS ARISING
    1. Fish & Chip van request to use Demesne Mill picnic area summer months.The van was currently in the Market Place once a fortnight and would like the opportunity to trial the van in Demesne Mill as well, in the summer months. This was agreed for a trial period, van operator to supply dates when in attendance.
  4. FOOTPATHS      Request to have hand rail fitted to steps leading from Demesne Mill to church Clerk to contact Parochial Church Council as the land was in their ownership Estimates also to be sought.
  5. RECREATION GROUND:
    1. Update on Skate Park , a programme of works had been received and work could start as early as next week. Site to be pinned out  to the satisfaction of the Parish Council before work commences.
    2.  A letter had been received from a resident of Mill Race regarding the location of the skatepark, and asked that the same consideration as given to Mr. Bell be applied to their property.
    3. Tree management, following the tree survey undertaken in January several trees need work , a planning application had been submitted and a decision was awaited..
  6. CO-OPTION OF COUNCILLOR:   Wolsingham Ward. Applications would close 31st March 2019.
  7. MINUTES OF WRECASS MEETING Held Tuesday 26th February, agreed as a true record.
    1. The main function of WRECASS at this point in time was the running of the mini bus. Two members of the public had attended the meeting and were in favour of exploring the possibility of having two tennis courts , below the bowling green. Estimates of the area required were given and should fit in the remaining space. However it was mentioned that the Show caravans park there  from August Bank holiday Monday till the following week , and if need be alternative allocation of land should be considered. Cllr. Savory explained that the show folk had enjoyed this location over a number of years , they were also provided with electricity and water from St. Anne’s Centre, and over the years they had been very amenable to local residents and in fact had acted as security for the site , preventing the access of the travelling community.
  8. DEMESNE MILL : Wood plantation  fencing down due to vandalism, agreed to remove the fencing and posts and to provide more secure guards for the remaining trees, and have the site tidied up as it was becoming an eye sore. Cllr. George to action tree guards.
  9. STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN : Workshop Proposal agreed to hold meeting March 30th at the Town Hall or May 4th. 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm
  10. MEMBERS REQUESTS:
    1. Community Day Stall Market Place  agreed to free use of Market Place also for Cornerstone charity
    2. Town Hall, W.I. Banner, agreed to have the centenary banner displayed in the Town Hall.
    3. Weardale Museum Consultations  18th March & 6th April future plans for High House Chapel as a Heritage Centre attached to the Weardale Museum and when complete as a place of worship.
    4. a progress report was requested regarding the request for railings at the bank in the Willows,the supervisor had been contacted and was investigating the situation , but apparently was now on holiday, Clerk to expedite.
    5. it was requested that the double yellow lines in front street should be altered as vehicles find it difficult to manoeuvre past parked vehicles, if the restriction was extended further west the problem could be solved. Cllr. Savory to action with Highways Dept.
  11. NEWSLETTER:  Cllr Sugden to action

        13 .         PLANNING:    The following applications have been approved:

DM/19/00114/PBN    Leazes Farm Leazes Lane, new bridge for timber extraction purposes, to replace existing ford Prior notification not required

DM/19/00270/PNR    St. Johns Hall, Hamsterley, prior notification for upgrading of track Prior notification not required

DM/19/00108/FPA    31, Lydgate Avenue, single storey side extension ( resubmission)

DM/18/03626/FPA    Hawthorn House, 69, Lydgate Lane, single storey extension to north south & east, raise roof height to north,demolish & rebuild wall, and raised decking area to south.

DM/18/03357/FPA    7, Stanhope Road, two storey side extension

DM/19/00500/TCA    46, Front Street, Fell Leylandii, T1,T2 & T3 and replant fruit trees.

13.1 The Following Applications have been withdrawn

DM/18/02136/FPA    Convert former Methodist Chapel/ community centre D2 to domestic dwelling part demolish & rebuild , internal refurbishment

DM/16/02562/FPA    land to North East Holebeck House Farm,  change of use to caravan site to accommodate 97  pitches with landscaping

13.2 The following applications have been notified

DM/19/00471/FPA    Armond Carr Works, Inkerman, Tow Law, change of use builders yard, construction depot, vehicle storage, parking, siting of 14 residential caravans for transient workers

DRC/19/00043           The Barn Road, discharge conditions  3(Materials) 4(enclosures) and 5 (Landscaping)

DM/19/00411/FPA    land to south of 3, Orchard View, detached dwelling

DM/19/00362/FPA    17, Melbourne Place, solar panels to front.

DM/19/00335/FPA    11, St. Anne’s Drive, UPVC conservatory to rear with wood burner flue

DM/19/00310/FPA    8, Lydgate Lane, Two storey extension to side, and rear, and single storey extension to rear

DM/18/03594/FPA    Greyhound Kennels, Hollin Hill Farm, Fir Tree, replacement of existing kennel runs and additional 16 runs, Surface to be artificial turf, sand/paved, Areas around yards to be landscaped with gravel

14 Finance Reports End FEBRUARY 2019 agreed an accepted. The cost of the christamas lights was questioned. As the lamp posts belong to Durham County Council , they have overall responsibility for the positioning of lights , motifs etc.

Maybe a closer look at the provision of christmas decorations could be undertaken for 2019, with a more innovative look.Should this be the case , now is the time of year to purchase new decorations as they are usually on sale and heavily discounted.

15.01                           Fixed Assets Register to End March 2019 copy attached. For information