WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 12TH APRIL   2022

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

PRESENT: D. Sugden (Chair) I. Rodgers, O. Gardner, Mrs. A. Savory, A. Vipond

Mrs. Y. Bell, Mrs. P. Dobson, J. Bell, AM Parkin, H. G. Dobson (Clerk)

      

      MEMBERS OF PUBLIC: C. Tombs, J. Green, M. Emerson, J.P. Gardner

 

GUEST: RICHARD HOLDEN MP, NORTH WEST DURHAM CONSTITUENCY

Questions raised for consideration:     A) North West Durham Constituency boundary proposed changes

                                                            B) Weardale Practice Doctors, Wolsingham Surgery

 

Mr. Sugden welcomed Richard Holden to the meeting and invited him to address the meeting.

Mr. Holden had now met with most Parish Councils in his constituency and welcomed the opportunity to address Wolsingham members. As Durham C.C. is a large unitary authority it was his belief that having parish councils was a way of keeping in touch with local issues and concerns.

The Boundary Commission review constituencies every 8 years and was an ongoing exercise. When the final report on constituencies is published, it is now upheld by an Order of State, rather than an Act of Parliament. The current proposed changes have not yet been finalised.

The question of the Wolsingham Surgery was raised as there was concern Weardale Practice are not utilising the Wolsingham Surgery. There had been concern that the facility would close. Currently the surgery is open Monday 8.30 am – 5.30 pm Tuesday 8.30 am – 12.30 pm and Thursday 8.30 am – 5.30 pm. The difficulty being experienced at Wolsingham was staff shortages and the ongoing pandemic. There was no plan to downgrade the surgery at Wolsingham. Cllr Savory had spoken to the Practice manager Katy Makepeace who was willing to meet with the Parish Council, to explain the situation. Agreed to invite the practice manager to the next meeting. Richard Holden would be visiting the Weardale Practice at Stanhope on Wednesday and would raise the concerns of members, and report back.

“Levelling Up” main issues to be addressed were education, transport and employment.

The government had made much hype about the “levelling up” of areas in the north. Mr Holden explained that he had had consultations with Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary and he had commissioned a feasibility study into the Weardale Railway to reintroduce passenger services. Investigations were underway to ascertain if there were Lithium deposits in Weardale. This mineral is used extensively in electric vehicles and could be used at the Nissan site and the new Volt factory in Blyth, which would lead to increased employment opportunities if large commercial deposits are found.

Education opportunities for Weardale and Wolsingham had been a concern especially since there was no longer a 6th form provision. Wolsingham School had a maximum intake over the last couple of years and the reputation of Wolsingham was rising. It was now an academy and linked into the ‘advanced learning partnership’. Cllr. Savory declared an interest in this topic as she was chair of governors. Sixth Form education could be looked at again in the longer term.

A question was asked regarding the large sums of monies and grants given throughout the Covid pandemic and the fraudulent activities associated with these grants/ loans, amounting to maybe £35 billion. Why was the government not pursuing these criminals? To claw back the money. Mr. Holden as vice chair of the Public Accounts Committee, explained that it had been imperative to help companies and individuals through furlough and steps were now being taken to recover fraudulent claims. Over £405 billion had been spent in support of the economy and the fraudulent claims amounted to less than 10% of that total.

Mr. Holden congratulated Durham C.C. on the speed of issuing grants and loans and they had been in the top 20 of the 600 local authorities in the country. It was felt that more due diligence should have been taken nationally and more checks on firms would have been welcomed to limit fraudulent activity and the huge loss to the economy. It was Mr. Holden’s view that speed in issuing the grants and loans was paramount in keeping the economy intact.

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mrs. E Johnson, D. Jones
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.
4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD  8TH MARCH 2022, agreed and signed as a true record
5. MATTERS ARISING: A) The clerk had arranged a site meeting for 28th April at 1.30 pm at the allotments, with the stone waller, Oliver’s Tree surgeons and Mr. Pybourne to resolve the issues around the trees and wall.
6. CORRESPONDENCE: A) Mr. Tombs, had forwarded a letter raising concerns on the Christmas lights in the recreation ground and the overall poor display this year, and there were still some lights in the trees, Clerk would have these removed. Members agreed the display was not up to previous year’s standards, The clerk had asked Durham C.C. to give a quotation on Christmas lighting for 2022 and would report back. Cllr. Savory offered financial support for Christmas lighting from her neighbourhood budget.

Mr. Tombs also raised concerns on speeding vehicles at the West End and asked if a “speed miser” could be fitted at the entrance to Wolsingham from the west. Emergency vehicles were also creating a perceived hazard as they were going too fast, especially close to the recreation ground and school where children may well cross the road unattended.

The “speed van” would be deployed in Wolsingham in the coming weeks

Cllr. Savory would arrange a meeting with the police Inspector to meet with Mr. Tombs and go over the issues raised

B) A letter had been received from a resident of Melbourne Place, concerned that the “green” be not decimated by weed killer as in other years and requesting some paving slabs and an ornamental tree be planted. Cllr. Savory had the matter in hand and would action the request.

1. PLATINUM JUBILEE: Report of meeting held 23rd March it had been a well-attended meeting chaired by the W.I. who were now busy making bunting and plans for the Jubilee.
2. Recreation Ground:
   1. A) A letter had been received from a lady who questioned the parking charges at the recreation ground, of £2 per visit and not by the hour. To change the meter would be a costly exercise, the current charges had been in place for a number of years and this was the first issue raised on the matter. Agreed to leave charges as is.

B) To encourage more people to purchase ticket new signage to be displayed outlining the value of paying the charge and the benefits to the park over the years with this income

C) A Flower Festival   would take place at St. Mary & St. Stephens Church from Saturday 14th May through to Sunday 22nd May and all councillors were invited to attend. There would be a band concert on Saturday with Stanhope Silver Band and The Police Band. Saturday and Sunday 14th & 15th May the St. Anne’s Centre would be used by Friends of Weardale Hospital to provide refreshments.

          

1. FINANCE:

 A) Cheques for Payment. Considered the contract for Caretaker for Town Hall and Angate Toilets, agreed to increase.

        B) Reports to End March, accepted and agreed

        C) Fixed Assets Register for information.

 

1. PLANNING:  DECIDED

DM/21/04310/FPA    Mill Hills, Durham Road, conversion of existing garden outbuildings with extension and external alterations to form residential annex

DM/21/04296/VOC   Deneside Lodge Park, variation of condition for the installation of 7 no. streetlights

DM/22/00713/TCA    4, Wesley View, reduce size of 2 no. ash trees

DM/22/00151/FPA    8, Front St. insertion of new door to front, rear extensions and alterations in association with change of use from office to gallery (part ground floor) and holiday accommodation part ground and first floor including ground floor rear extension

DM/21/03977/FPA    Redgate Villa, conversion of agricultural outbuilding into residential dwelling

PLANNING: WITHDRAWN

 

DM/21/02090/FPA    West Park Farm, Tow Law, formation of all-weather outdoor arena

PLANNING : NOTIFIED;

DM/22/00764/FPA    46, Front Street, erection of boundary treatment (wooden fence and low retaining wall), widening of existing access onto Rectory lane to the north with replacement timber access gates. No comment

DM/22/00779/TPO    41, The Causeway, Fell T1 pine – potentially dangerous a replacement tree to be planted

DM/22/00713/TCA    4, Wesley View, reduce size of 2 no. ash trees, raise no objection.

DM/22/00602/FPA    Reservoir House, single storey rear extension including basement, no comment.

DM/22/00432/FPA    69, Uppertown, first floor side extension including balcony

DM/22/00920/TPO    4, Leazes Lane, fell T1, large leafed lime, reduce height up to 7m to T2 beech, reduce height up to 4m to T3 large leafed lime, reduce height up to 4m T4 , large leafed lime, reduce height up to 7m T6,small leafed lime, reduce height up to T7 small leafed lime, and perpetual consent for removal of epicormics growth on all limes and clearance of building by 2m. Contact tree officer to determine whether felling T1 is justified.