WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 8TH MARCH   2022

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

1. PRESENT: D. Sugden (Chair) I. Rodgers, O. Gardner, D. Jones Mrs. Y. Bell, Mrs. P. Dobson, J. Bell, AM Parkin,
2. MEMBERS OF PUBLIC: J. Green, plus 14 members of the public
3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr A. Savory, A.Vipond, E. Johnson
4. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Members of the public present raised questions on the skate park lighting, and tennis court provision, as report under10c.
5. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
6. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD  8TH FEBRUARY 2022, agreed as a true record and signed as such.
7. MATTERS ARISING: A reply had been received from Richard Holden MP, who would attend the meeting planned for April 12th
8. DEMESNE MILL: Fallen trees from storm Arwen had been sawn up and clear of the fence and wall, which now left the wall and fence to be repaired. Clerk to action
9. CORRESPONDENCE:
   1. Two letters received regarding dog fouling Church Yard, concern was raised as some dog owners did not keep their dogs on a leash in the churchyard and they were defecating on consecrated ground. Notices were in place year-round and in summer months more signage was displayed, but some owners do not respect the requests. Agreed to ask Neighbourhood Wardens to patrol the area more frequently.
   2. Green Lanes Environmental Action Movement (GLEAM) An opportunity to end use of green lanes by recreational motor vehicles. Agreed to write in support of this initiative. Operation Reboot which was being supported by the local police appeared to have stalled and no temporary road closure had been enacted by Durham County Council.
   3. Footpath at Leazes subject to DMMO Wolsingham Parish Council response. Agreed to write in support of the Definitive Map Modification Order, which was expected to be considered at the Highways Committee of Durham County Council in May.
   4. Footpath at Wear Bridge, Wolsingham Wayfarers had asked the Parish Council to bring this footpath up to a more usable state, especially for disabled scooter users, as it seemed to be dangerous. There are indeed safety issues on this stretch of footpath, but as it is a tarmacadam path the Clerk had asked DCC to see what they could do, as it is a complex technical job with fall and bends and underlying drainage issues.
10. RECREATION GROUND:
    1. Christmas lights, recreation ground in particular had been a very poor display and needed to be looked at for future years. As to the Town Hall and Market Place more regard to Health & Safety issues needed to be considered in the erection and displays as they are improved.
    2. Ash Die Back trees at Mill Isle: There was no agreed way of dealing with this disease, the Woodland Trust advised leaving alone whereas the National Trust were felling all affected trees on their land.
    3. Questionnaire feedback
       1. Tennis Courts, the responses from the questionnaire had been mixed albeit a total return of 70 from a population of 2500 was very poor. The response from the comprehensive school highlighted that from a school role of 800 only ten students had expressed a wish to play tennis, and it did not form part of the sporting curriculum. The cost of the provision of tennis courts was estimated at £120k. Funding was not now available from the potential planning gain on the sale of land at the former school, as there are significant obstacles in gaining planning permission. The LTA could loan money only to affiliated clubs, but no one was willing to form a tennis club. The government had set aside £22 million for the refurbishment of existing tennis courts/clubs. but as Wolsingham does not have an existing club, funds would not be coming from this source. It was felt there was insufficient, demand for the provision of tennis courts at this time. It was agreed at this stage to place the project on hold.
       2. Platinum Jubilee, from the responses to the questionnaire it was agreed to have a public meeting Wednesday 23rd March at 7.00 pm in the Town Hall and invite all interested persons to the meeting via Facebook, Weardale Notice Board and Town Crier.
       3. Parking notice agreed to formulate a suitable notice to encourage more users to purchase parking tickets.
       4. Skate Park request for flood lighting. Residents addressed the meeting on the need for floodlighting especially in the dark winter nights and offered to help with fund raising, maintenance etc. The Chair explained that planning permission for floodlighting would need to be applied for with the local planning authority. Flood lighting had been provisioned for in the initial build of the skate park and the necessary ducting for the electrical supply had been incorporated, but the electricity supply would need to come from the St. Anne’s Centre. It was agreed to explore the planning permission, ask for quotations for the provision of floodlighting, but it will take time to have it in place.
11. FINANCE:
    1. Cheques for Payment, agreed.
    2. Reports to End February, accepted and agreed.
    3. Estimate for new LED lighting St. Anne’s Centre, agreed to have LED lighting in St. Anne’s as per the estimates submitted.

 

1. PLANNING:  DECIDED

DM/22/00246/NMA         Sandy Carr, Shield Haulage, internal alterations to dwelling and minor changes too rear elevation

DM/22/00143/NMA         19, Wesley View, alterations to window design

DM/21/04327/TCA          The Rookery, 8 Church Lane, Pollard up to 7m to T1 Willow

DM/21/04163/FPA          31, West End, conversion of loft space to form habitable room, incorporating rear dormer window and 2 No. velux roof lights to front

DM/21/04237/TPO          24, West End, trimming of sycamore tree

DM/21/04089/FPA          11, Melbourne Place, insert first floor window to rear elevation

DM/21/01219/FPA          1, Deneside Business Park, erection of additional business units to create office and 2 No. storage units

DM/21/04152       Wolsingham Sports Hall, install solar PV panels on roof to reach circa 40Kwp

 

PLANNING : NOTIFIED;

 

DM/22/00164/FPA          Askrigg, 21, East End, alterations to ground floor bay window, and replace first floor bay window with flush UPVC and replacement door. No objections.