WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 12TH November 2024

7.00 PM Town Hall, Wolsingham

                                                                                                                                

              PRESENT: I Rodgers, A Bonar, D Sugden, A Savory, Y Bell, S Bittlestone, H Yeulet, , Sarah-Ann Baxter(Clerk)

                            MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: 6 Members of the public attended

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: J Bartram, J Bell, A Vipond, A Hirst
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR: Susan Harris, representing Weardale Flower Club, expressed their concerns over the clash of dates for the bookings at the St Anne’s Hall. The Chair & Clerk both assured the meeting that discussions were due to take place to resolve this matter.                                                                   Action SAB
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Savory – Planning Matters
4. Correspondence Protocol – It was agreed that all correspondents, including speakers from the floor, will now be identified on the agenda and in the minutes.
5. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD  8th October 2024: Minutes were agreed as a true record
6. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. New Toilets – Estimated costs for link footpath will be £2500 to £3000, Cllr Savory to apply for funding from S106 monies.                                                                     Action AS
   2. Website – Due to funding becoming limited it was agreed to go ahead with the registering of the new website address, it was also agreed a working group meeting be held on 29/11/24.                                                                                Action SAB, DS, SB, AB
   3. Christmas Market – To be held on 16/11/24
   4. Lights will be switched on at the end of November. Cllr Savory to approach the schools regarding a choir.                                                                                      Action AS
   5. Christmas Tree Festival – To be run on 07/12/24 at St Anne’s Hall. Cllr Yeulet to approach local businesses, schools etc.                                                  Action HY, SAB
   6. Flagpole – Thank to local Fire Brigade for raising the new flag for the Remembrance Day service.
7. CORRESPSONDENCE:
   1. Issues raised by Mr P Gardner – 1. HGV movements in relation to the new housing development - The Clerk had contacted DCC Planning regarding the planning condition. Cllr Savory confirmed a lorry routing plan was required and that no details had been received yet, Cllr Savory has asked that Bellway be chased up on this matter. 2. Correspondence Protocol – See Item 4 above.
   2. Seating in the Demesne Mill by Kenny Lally – A request has been received to possibly turn around a couple of the seats in the Demesne Mill as the undergrowth has grown up in front of them. Clarification on which benches will be needed and if memorial benches then the families concerned will need to be contacted. Cllr Savory will speak to Clean & Green.                                                                                            Action AS, SAB
   3. St Anne’s Hall, Provision of Noticeboard by Sue Able – A request for a wall mounted noticeboard in St Anne’s Hall – Agreed the possibility of a portable board rather than a wall mounted, to be discussed with Mrs Abel.       Action SAB
8. MAINTENANCE WORKS:
   1. St Anne’s Hall– Cllr Savory agreed to fund the new door, we are still awaiting a written quote. New smart heating for the hall & doorbell camera are now in place.
   2. External Electric Supply – To prevent overloading the system next year it was agreed to approach the Fair Operators and ask that they use generators initially with the supply from St Anne’s being used as a backup rather than the other way round. Cllr Savory agreed to contact them.                              Action AS
   3. Recreation Ground – The repairs to the fencing & playground equipment have been completed. It was noted that Ian Wilson, who has helped out considerably at St Anne’s for a number of the years has finally decided to step back. Thanks were given from the Council and it was agreed a gift be sought.        Action SAB
   4. Town Hall – Guttering works have been completed. The boilers are now due to be serviced. The Clock is not working again, agreed to write to the company and express our dissatisfaction.              Action SAB
   5. Demesne Mill – The new gate post has been installed and the trees works adjacent to St Anne’s have been completed.
   6. Thornley Woods – Awaiting quote for fencing repairs.
   7. Allotments – Plot 23 has been vacated and a new tenant has taken over the plot.
9. Standing Orders – These have been updated by the Chair and a copy has been circulated to the Council prior to the meeting – Council Agreed to adopt
10. Finance
    1. Precept & Budget 2025/26 – Following a budget meeting, which was held on 11/11/24, it was agreed that the precept be increased to £65,000 for 2025/26, which would increase a Band D property to £63.78 per year, an increase of £2.95 per month.
    2. Payments & Reports for October 2024 – Agreed.
11. PLANNING – A discussion took place regarding the Low Harperley Quarry at Durham Road, Wolsingham. It was agreed to comment regarding the potential noise concern.      Action SAB

Date of next meeting – December 10th 2024 to held at the Town Hall, Wolsingham at 7pm