WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF   MEETING  HELD

TUESDAY 10TH  DECEMBER   2019  

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

Public Participation  7.00 pm – 7.15 pm

 

PRESENT:     Chair: D. Sugden, John Norman, Yvonne Bell, Anita Savory, Rob George,

                        David Jones, Alison Nelson, Alan Vipond, Ian Hirst, Joby Wilson

POLICE:        P.C.S.O. Chris Elms

PUBLIC:        None

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: J. Wilson, I. Hirst, Mrs. A. Nelson
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
4. POLICE REPORT:         PCSO. Chris Elms gave the report from November to date.

Statistics for the period, 1 burglary, 1 theft of coat from school, vehicle crime, dash cam stolen from insecure vehicle, transit camper van stolen, 1 pick-up vehicle damaged by fire. Criminal damage none, ASB 1 call. The robbery at the SPAR shop, a man was in custody awaiting an appearance at court. A spate of crime had occurred one evening in Weardale and the culprits were arrested and the crime figures have diminished since.

In fact it was reported that Wolsingham in particular is one of the lowest crime rate areas in Co. Durham. The Farm Watch initiative which has been running for several years is to be renamed Rural Watch and any residents in Weardale/Teesdale are welcome to join by contacting 101 ( 74 24 20 ) and speak to the local constabulary. A new walkie talkie app is now in use for better communications when on operational duties. Some poachers had been apprehended and were awaiting their day in court, having killed pheasants with a catapult. There are some significant movements in police personnel, PS Billy Crampsie will be leaving and taking up a role in the Chester le Street area, he will be replaced by PC Ellis Hutchinson, who we are told has a wealth of Dales knowledge, PC Geoff Moore is on leave, PCSO. Kim Anderson has become a fully fledged police officer, and PCSO Chris Elms hopes to be successful and become a police officer also.

The Christmas card competition run by Durham Constabulary was won by Millie Dixon , who attends Wolsingham Primary School, well done Millie, .hope you enjoy riding your new bicycle.

1. MINUTES OF  MEETING HELD 12TH NOVEMBER  2019 , agreed and signed as a true record.
2. MATTERS ARISING:

1.  Councillor Vacancy Thornley, notice of vacancy to be advertised.
2. High House Chapel, Ireshopeburn, a definitive proposal for a specific project to be submitted at a later date.
3. Website needed more work, to make it more accessible.
4. VE day celebrations to be discussed further in January.
5. Safety notices for skate park still a work in progress
6. Most houses in Wolsingham had received leaflets outlining the potential development at the former steel works site. The developers will be attending the Town Hall for the meeting to be held 14th January  @ 6.30 pm

 

1. CORRESPONDENCE:

1. Suggestion to plant living Christmas tree in Market Place, to save other trees. A young resident had written asking that a living tree be planted in the Market Place in place of the annual Christmas tree. The tree would grow approximately 1 foot per year and could be surrounded initially by a metal frame in a conical shape, similar to the one at Frosterley. Rob. George to ascertain cost of framework and any work involved.
2. The Chairman had been contacted by the Environment Agency to ask if any households in Wolsingham had been flooded with the recent deluge.

 

1. RECREATION GROUND:    Three quotations, of various options, for finishing the skate park perimeter, had been received. Cllr. D. Jones to speak to the contractors further and report back on the best way forward.

     

1. STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN :

 

1. Walking Tour of Wolsingham Update, Richard Fletcher had attended a meeting at the Town Hall and gave a resume of his work on a similar project for Durham City. Further development opportunities could be available for Stanhope and Weardale, to invite Angelina Maddison (WAAP), a Wolsingham Wayfarers rep. to the January meeting to discuss further with Richard. The initial costing of the project was £5334.

Durham City have a similar one which can be accessed via https://explorar.co.uk/walks/

Cllr. A  Savory declared an interest as she was a board member of WAAP.

B)  Wildflowers on council owned land update, to recruit the expertise of DCC , Jimmy Bennett of the Clean & Green Team and D. Hunt of Streetscene.as they have successfully planted wild flower areas throughout Co. Durham, and their knowledge will be invaluable. Defer to February meeting.

 

1. NEWSLETTER:  No newsletter January, albeit notes will be posted to the website.

The Parish Council will be holding a consultation event Saturday 18th January at the Town Hall 2.00pm – 5.000pm to consult on the Strategic Development Plan for Wolsingham. Further details can be obtained from the Parish Council website.

 

        11 .         PLANNING:

Consultation of Development of former Steelworks Site 14th January 2020 Town Hall 6.30 pm

 

The following applications have been approved:

DM/19/03181FPA                  6, Silver Street, two storey rear extension

DM/19/01854/FPA                 site of former Low Harperley Farm, conversion of existing barn to provide farm employees with rest room, WC, drying area and stores

DM/19/03554.TCA                27, Front Street, fell T1 conifer tree

DM/19/02349/VOC                Spar Sawmill Depot, Variation of condition2 amendments to proposed building and forecourt areas, Planning Permission (DM/18/02286) refers

 

DM1902133/FPA                   40, West End, demolition of existing cottage, erection of new dwelling, refurbishment, extension and new roof to garage for storage use. New windows and doors, blocking no of 1 external door and internal refurbishment to:

No,s 34,36, and 38 West End and new roof.

First Floor extension and new windows and doors to No. 32 West End ( amended 21.08.19) Dobinson’s Yard West End

DRC/18/00336                       Twelve Oaks, Durham Road, discharge condition 56 of approval DM/16/02411/VOC

DM/19/03205/FPA                 Low Harperley Farm, re-instatement following fire

DM/19/02848/FPA                 Land to North East of Holebeck House Farm, Rationilsation of previous planning permissions to allow use of 54 no. touring caravan pitches without removing caravans when not in use and 21 no. tent pitches all year round and associated landscaping.

 

11.02                                       The following applications have been notified

DM/19/03560/TCA                4, Lea Green, felL T1 Aspen Tree

DM/19/03385/FPA                 Exchang Cottage, 13A, Rectory Lane, detached dwelling

DM/19/01850/FPA                 Leazes Farm, Leazes Lane, 3 no. agricultural buildings for housing animals, including a calving barn, young bull barn, and 1 agricultural building for midden/silage and associated works, including drainage and landscaping at Leazes Farm

DM/19/03564/FPA                 Land to west of Bowlees Farm, agricultural building and general purpose storage building

DM/19/03491/FPA                 Mayland Cottage, Thornley, first floor rear dormer extension

DM/19/03411/FPA                 Featherstone Cottage, Creation of hardstanding, erection of greenhouse, to side and replace boundary treatments

 

12                                            Finance Reports End November 2019 read and accepted

 

12.1                                         Minutes of Finance meeting held 6th November 2019 :

Agreed as a true record.

12.2                                         Setting of Precept 2020/ 2021 minor alterations were made but the final figure to be left over to the January meeting. This must be finalised and passed to Co. Durham no later than 24th January.