WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 12TH March 2024

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL

                                                                                                                              

              PRESENT: D Sugden, J Bell, I Rodgers, A Bonar, Y Bell, A Vipond, S Bittlestone,

     Sarah-Ann Baxter(Clerk)

                            MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: J Green

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: A Savory, H Yeulet, A Hirst, J Bartram
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR: A resident asked for clarification on the recent Facebook posts concerning the old Steelworks site and the criticism of Cllr Sugden and the Parish Council. Cllr Sugden explained he had attended an open evening held at the steelworks building as an interested resident, a comment was made regarding the number of current underused community halls in the town. The media posts suggested that the Council & Cllr Sugden were opposed to the development of the steelworks building. The redevelopment of the site had been previously discussed by the Council and it was agreed that everyone would welcome any development which was economically sound but concerns over having further community space had been raised. There were also allegations made on the social media posts that the Parish Council were connected with Dr Hotson who wants to develop the site adjacent to the building, this is completely untrue. It was agreed that the Clerk contact the owners of the Steelworks and suggest that a meeting with the Council be held, preferably on site, to go through any proposals.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Savory declared an interest in planning due to her duties on the DCC Planning Committee and the items relating to the Kiosk/new toilets.
4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD  13th February 2024: The minutes were corrected on item 9h to show Cllr Bartram instead of Cllr Bittlestone. Cllr J Bell disagreed with item 5ii and asked for the wording ‘by the bowling club’ to be removed, this was agreed. Cllr J Bell disagreed with item 7 concerning the new toilets, of which he wanted to reference a letter he had handed to the Clerk at the beginning of the meeting. Cllr Sugden reminded Cllr J Bell that he had declared an interest in the new toilets and this therefore excluded him from any discussion or decisions and asked Cllr J Bell for a short version for the matter of the minutes, this was not forthcoming from Cllr J Bell. Cllr Sugden read out the Councils Code of Conduct which states ‘Unless he has been granted a dispensation, a councillor or non-councillor with voting rights shall withdraw from a meeting when it is considering a matter in which he has a disclosable pecuniary interest. He may return to the meeting after it has considered the matter in which he had the interest. Dispensation requests shall be in writing and submitted to the Proper Officer as soon as possible before the meeting, or failing that, at the start of the meeting for which the dispensation is required.’ The Council agreed that the minutes be signed as a true record without this amendment.
5. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. Cllr Savory had reported to the chair that the seat in Angate Square has now been replaced and the seat near the school will be replaced as soon as possible.
   2. Bowling Green Hedge – Works to reduce the height of the hedge are now complete.
   3. Policy Reviews – The Council agreed to the recommendations made by the sub-committee and another sub-committee meeting would be held on 26/3/24.
   4. Allotment Wall – The Clerk confirmed that the trees adjacent to the wall had now been felled and the ground levelled, a temporary stock fence has been erected across the damaged areas of the wall. Further remedial works are required to the wheelchair walk and grass seeding will be done when ground conditions improve.
   5. Risk Assessments – Fire Risk Assessments have been completed for both halls which have highlighted some minor recommendations which will be acted upon. The Town Hall was found to be easily exited in the case of a fire due to two escape routes, this puts the onus on the groups using the hall to ensure their members can evacuate the building or to consider using St Anne’s Hall as it has ground floor access.
6. CORRESPSONDENCE:  
   1. Dog Fouling – The Clerk had had a lengthy phone call with a resident concerning dog fouling throughout the Town, this issue has already been reported to DCC as other Councillors have received complaints also. Cllr Vipond had also received complaints concerning dogs being off leads and their owners not having control. Cllr Sugden advised that dog wardens have been patrolling and signs are already in place. The Clerk will put a post on the FB page reminding everyone to control and clean up after their dogs. Cllr Vipond suggested that the local PCSO be invited to the Parish Council meetings, it was agreed Cllr Bonar look into this.
   2. Parking Meters – The Council have received three letters concerning the introduction of a parking meter with the main points being cars being displaced into nearby streets, road safety and the possibility of introducing resident only permits for streets within the Town. The Council had already considered the implications of introducing the parking charges, however the much needed income would allow maintenance to be carried out within the existing car parks, the existing meter at St Anne’s has not caused excessive on street parking. Cllr Sugden advised that the Parish Council does not have any powers to introduce resident only permits as this comes under the remit of DCC. Cllr Bittlestone did agree with some of the points raised by the residents and Cllr Vipond queried whether any enforcement could be used. Cllr Sugden advised that the Council was unlikely to have any legal mechanism to enforce charges. The Clerk suggested that drop in sessions be arranged for residents to purchase their parking permits, this was agreed and dates would be arranged and advertised.
   3. Durham Pride – A request for funding of £200 has been received from Durham Pride. Councillors unanimously agreed that due to the current financial drawdowns and the need to be fiscally prudent they would be unable to facilitate this request.
   4. Weardale Museum – A request to provide funding for emergency building repairs has been received. Cllr Sugden advised that a previous request was considered but not acted upon as there had been no evidence of a viable business plan. Cllr J Bell advised that the museum has already approached the AAP team and Cllr Rodgers thought the project needed substantial funding and anything the Parish Council could offer would be a drop in the ocean. Councillors unanimously agreed with this and a decision not to provide any funding was made.
   5. Recreation Ground Sewerage – A resident had reported sewage seeping from a manhole in the car park area, the Clerk had contacted DCC as this was from the toilet under their maintenance.
   6. Monitoring Officers Report – The decision report concerning Mr G Dobson’s complaint against Cllr D Sugden has been received, it concluded that training for Cllr Sugden and the Clerk on the AGAR procedure be undertaken, this training has already been booked. Cllr J Bell queried why his complaint had not been concluded, he had been in touch with CDALC and received advice on who to chase up regarding this matter and he agreed to pass on this information to the Clerk so that it could be followed up.
   7. Cllr Sugden advised that a request has been made by a resident to have a stall in St Anne’s to raise funds for football kit for their U11’s team, this was agreed.
7. New Kiosk / Toilets – The Clerk advised that the architect will be submitting the building regulations application, the AAP funding request has been completed and also the CDM forms.
8. Maintenance Works
   1. St Anne’s Heating – The Clerk advised they are still awaiting quotes for the Hive system.
   2. St Anne’s Further Decorating - Cllr Vipond is looking into obtaining quotes for the decorating of the kitchen, entrance hall and inner room.
   3.  St Anne’s Flooring – Cllr Vipond had arranged for three quotes which were all considered by Council. The Clerk advised that this possibly be deferred into the next financial year, this was agreed.
   4. St Anne’s Roof lights – Cllr Vipond is hopeful that these works will be completed soon.
   5. St Anne’s Car Park Lights – The Clerk confirmed that the lights had been adjusted to go off at 10.30pm, Cllr J Bell stated that the lights were not going off at 10.30pm.
   6. Parking Meters / Signs – The wording for the new car park signs was agreed and the Clerk would look into getting these produced.
   7. Tree Reports / Quotes – The Clerk advised that part of the Demesne Mill & the Recreation Ground had not been included in previous years tree reports, these have now been requested to be carried out. A planning application has been submitted to DCC to enable the category ‘A’ urgent tree works to be carried out.
   8. Demesne Mill Potholes - The Clerk confirmed that no contact has yet been made by the contractor, this would be chased up. Cllr Y Bell raised the issue of a fire being started in the Demesne Mill, which had been put out. Councillors felt it would not be necessary to add extra signage regarding this matter.
9. Office Move – Cllr Sugden advised that a request had been made by the Weardale AAP team as to whether the office in the Town Hall would be available once the Clerk moves to St Anne’s, as they have been asked to vacate their current office in Stanhope. They are not able to pay any rent but would be able to pay for any external meetings held at the Town Hall. Cllr J Bell abstained from discussion as he is an AAP member and Cllr Savory has engaged in this discussion. Cllr Rodgers felt this was unacceptable as the Parish Council are currently needing to be fiscally careful and would the AAP team be viewed as being biased towards Wolsingham with any future projects they may have funded. Councillors agreed with this and felt that the Parish Council should not be seen to be subsidising DCC, of which the AAP team are part of. Cllr Rodgers suggested that DCC should make an offer for renting the office, this was agreed. Councillors agreed to help with decorating the office at St Anne’s.

Cllr Vipond suggested that the Council should carryout monthly drop-in surgeries, which would allow residents to speak to a Councillor and this would also free up the Clerks time when the office is open. This was agreed and would be looked at again once the office move had been completed.

Date / Venue Next Meeting – It was agreed that due to the Easter break to move the next meeting to the 16th April and that it would be held at Thornley Village Hall.

1. Finance
   1. Payments & Reports for February 2024 – agreed.

1. PLANNING:  NOTIFIED –

DM/24/00260/FPA - 2 Wesley View Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3RL. Detached double garage to west of 2 Wesley View and increase off road parking area, two additional rooflights to main dwelling, removal of existing outbuildings to the west, single storey side and rear extension, extension of existing patio, alteration to boundary treatments from fencing and stone walling to stone walling between 5ft and 6ft high, alteration to existing gazebo in rear garden. – No Comment

 

1. PLANNING:  DECIDED

DM/24/00135/TCA - Allotments The Causeway Wolsingham. Felling of Sycamore, Hazel, Elder, Hawthorn and Ash trees - Section 211 notice – Raise No Objection

DM/24/00036/TCA - Binks Cottage Thornley Tow Law Bishop Auckland DL13 4PA. Pruning of one Crab Apple tree to reduce by 1/3rd. - Section 211 notice - Raise No Objection

DM/23/02832/TPO - 15 Leazes Lane Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3DP. Removal of protruding limb on Scots Pine (P4) - TPO-WVDC-2-2002 – Approved

DM/22/03262/FPA - 41 West End Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3DJ. Alterations works to 41 West end to include extension, demolition of existing detached garage, raise the ridge height to create second floor with attached garage (amended 19.12.2023) - Approved