WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 9TH July 2024

7.00 PM

Town Hall, Wolsingham

                                                                                                                                

              PRESENT: I Rodgers, D Sugden, Y Bell, J Bartram, A Hirst, J Bell, A Bonar,

     S Bittlestone, Sarah-Ann Baxter(Clerk)

              MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: J Green, AM Burke, T Stewart, S Burtie,

          S Calvert, D Towndrow

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: H Yeulet, A Savory
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR: A member of the public asked if the Parish Council had any views on the recent licensing application for the sale of alcohol from the former Barclays Bank building. During the discussion concerns were raised regarding the impact on other stores in the Market Place and also the implications of extra traffic and parking. The Chair pointed out that the Parish Council have tight parameters on what they can object to and as the previous Spar shop had been licensed and the hours being applied for were the same as for the existing Convenience Store, it was agreed the Council would not object to the application.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None Raised
4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD  14th May 2024: with an amendment to further explain the requirements for declarations of interest – Minutes were agreed as a true record
5. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. Policy Reviews – Financial Regulations Policy was agreed. Standing Orders still to be completed.
   2. Bridge Closure – DCC has now delayed this until Spring 2025. Agreed for Council to ask DCC Highways what consultation process, if any, will be used prior to new closure date.
   3. New Toilets – Works nearly completed, path from play area to toilets to be constructed. Cllr Bonar agreed to paint shed door.
   4. Library Rent - Still awaiting decision from DCC
6. CORRESPSONDENCE:
   1. Wolsingham School Trip Fundraising – Council agreed to provide hall facilities free of charge for any fund raising events.
   2. Licensing Application – See Item 2 above
7. MAINTENANCE WORKS:
   1. St Anne’s Hall– Agreed to repairs to wood fencing around the building. Agreed to look into funding from AAP for new door, new floor & roof lights. Decorating is ongoing.
   2. Recreation Ground – Agreed to have ragwort removed. Agreed for additional tree planting to be carried out at the request of a resident on the overgrown area to the West of the football pitch. Cllr Y Bell suggested using the bowling green for croquet. It was agreed that this could be look into with the first step to seeing if any residents wished to set-up a club. Clerk to approach the bowling club with respects to using the green.
   3. Town Hall – Confirmed that a Christmas Market would take place this year. After an approach from a local business it was agreed to look into the possibility of renting the old office, a draft agreement is to be drawn up and agreed by the Council. LOLER certificate is required for the lift twice yearly, this was agreed.
   4. Demesne Mill Potholes –Tree surveys have now been completed for the remaining areas. Agreed for quotes to be sought for the most urgent works.
   5. Thornley Woods – Agreed to carryout ragwort clearing.
   6. Angate Street Toilets – Toilets have been temporarily closed due to two incidents of vandalism. Agreed to look into CCTV & Signage.
   7. Website – Agreed to look into the provision of new website as funding is now available to move to a gov.uk domain.
8. Hall Hire Charges – Agreed to defer to the Confidential section of the meeting
9. Recreation Ground Tree Planting – See Item 7(2) above.
10. Dog Show – Agreed to a request from a Obedience Club to potentially hold a two day show in June 2025.
11. Allotments – Judging of best kept allotments will take place on 27th July by an independent judge. It has been brought to the attention of the Council that some plots are being underutilised, after an inspection two plots were identified the holders of which will be contacted. Agreed the path between the wall & the plots on the Recreation Ground allotments should be kept clear, as should the path that runs through the Mill Isle plots.
12. Finance
    1. Payments & Reports for June 2024 – agreed.
13. PLANNING – Council agreed there were no comments to be made on current applications

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