WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF  MEETING  HELD

TUESDAY 9TH  NOVEMBER   2021

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

PRESENT: D. Sugden (Chair) I. Rodgers, Mrs. Y. Bell, Mrs. P. Dobson, J. Bell, O Gardner, AM Parkin

MEMBERS OF PUBLIC: J. Green, G. Pybourne, Mrs. B. Pybourne

POLICE: P.C. G. Moore

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr.A Savory, Mrs. E. Johnson, D. Jones A. Vipond
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST  :None
4. MINUTES OF  MEETING HELD  12th  OCTOBER 2021 , moved as a true record and signed as such
5. MATTERS ARISING: 
   1. ​Memorial Bench in Recreation Ground, Clerk had met with the Jolly Girls and a suitable location was agreed.
6. POLICE REPORT: P C G Moore gave the police report: Off road vehicles were still active at Tunstall, Hexham Land and then travelling through the town to Doctors Gate and Hamsterley forest. More police had been allocated to this problem under operation Reboot and significant progress had been made. Nominations were being sought for a Young Heroes initiative from under 18 youths. Another initiative was, “ Keeping in the Know “ had been launched giving the public to sign up and keeping up to date with crime figures, PACT meetings and other projects in the dale being sponsored by the local police. The local schools had been visited to make students aware of cyber awareness. Again it had been pleasing to report low crime figures for the area.
7. DALETON:  Gary Bosworth Research Professor Northumbria University A study had taken place on the changing and challenging times for rural communities, listing the strengths, weaknesses opportunities and threats to the rural economy and way of life. The study highlighted the need to develop entrepreneurial skills development and opportunities for all, by supporting local business opportunities and maybe the formation of a “business forum” to establish what we have and how to promote better, through networking. Significant threats were highlighted through online purchases, Brexit, especially the effects on the farming community, would the reopening of the Weardale Railway help to alleviate these problems? Suggested that the railway track be turned into a cycle track, for sustainable transport.
8. WEARDALE MUSEUM :  Phillipa  Rowe Chair of Trustees, gave a report on the Weardale Museum at High House Chapel, and the work being undertaken, to transform the buildings into a “Heritage Centre” with car parking. The restoration scheme was quite a formidable task and all major funders had been contacted, with some degree of success. It was outlined that there was a considerable support from the local community and to date £150k had been raised and planning permission had been granted for the works. The estimated final cost of the transition was expected to be in the region of £1.3 m. The request for funding would be further considered at the December meeting.
9. DEMESNE MILL :
   1. ​Steps / Trees  / Footpaths Durham County Council had recently undertaken a Water Safety Risk Assessment of the “ sillfalls” and had gone ahead and created some steps to the pool, which were of poor design and workmanship , and in some respect was more of a hindrance than an improvement, to the safety aspect trying to be achieved. Another visit from DCC Water Safety team would be undertaken.
   2. Trees: DCC had requested that some trees works be undertaken to facilitate better access for ride on equipment. The clerk commented on this issue and as he didn’t fully understand  the concept of bio diversity felt that the whole of the Demesne Mill should be surveyed , with regard to improvements to the flora and cutting back of wild raspberries for example, as they were taking over large areas of land. It is important to be aware of wildlife corridors, but not to the detriment of the appearance of the area. The Demesne was now a very popular area for hikers and visitors and a balance needs to be struck between bio diversity and the needs of the public as a whole. Initial thoughts to achieve this balance may be to enlist the support of the Durham Wildlife Trust.
   3. Footpaths: Some correspondence had been received on the recently installed steps and other matters relating to footpaths, in and around the Demesne. A meeting had been held with the P3 partners in early September and good progress had been made. Cllr. Savory had allocated some DCC funding to the proposed works and contact had been made with the landowners as to their responsibilities and PROW would now formulate a plan to have the footpaths better maintained.
10. RECREATION GROUND :
    1.  Ash Trees with “ash dieback” Mr. Tasker. A local tree surgeon had spoken to Mr. Tasker to allay his fears on “falling trees” and the affected trees would be identified and felled.
    2. Tennis Courts. An e mail had been received from a local enthusiast asking for a progress report, and his idea of how the facility should be managed when built. No Tennis club had as yet been formed, before substantial monies can be given to the project it has to be demonstrated that there is a need for tennis courts, without this it is unlikely the project will be supported. A visit to the Shotley Bridge and Benfieldside Tennis club was recommended to ascertain how well this facility was managed. When this facility was visited twelve months ago lots of good ideas and practices were highlighted as to how a successful tennis club is managed.
11. ST.ANNE’S CENTRE:  LED Lighting, agreed that LED lighting be installed.
12. CORRESPONDENCE:
    1. ​Unregistered Land: Perry Gardner. This topic was debated, but the underlying feeling was that it was beyond the powers of Wolsingham Parish Council, to assist. Cllr. Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council had agreed to look at the matter with the legal team at DCC.
    2. Remembrance Celebrations, It was moved and agreed to write to the local W.I. to congratulate the members on the magnificent poppy display at the War Memorial.
13. ALLOTMENTS:
    1. Wall/ Trees , A Planning Application had been submitted to DCC, to have the works carried out as described in the arboriculture report, to raise the crown on the ash trees and coppice the elder and hazel. The wall survey had highlighted areas of the wall damaged by the trees, and a suitable dry stone waller would be employed to rebuild these sections. The landowner was carrying out repairs to the wall and had been frustrated, in his work by the amounts of rubbish and obstacles abutting the wall, from the allotment side, and also the significant amount of ivy, which had penetrated the wall structure. Clerk to advise the allotment holders to remove, any obstructions and would also have the ivy removed. It was moved that the offending trees be felled, this was not supported.     
    2.  Allotment Winners. Nick Barber had made significant progress on his allotment and should be commended on his hard work. Mr. Gordon Monkley was again awarded the best kept allotment on the lower site.
14. FINANCE:
    1. Cheques for Payment , agreed
    2. Reports to End October read and agreed
    3. Budget Preparation 2022/2023    Any Capital Projects to be identified
       1. ​One project for consideration was the impending Platinum Jubilee of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth reaching 70 years on the throne. The celebrations would be taken place from June 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th.2022.  An initial sum of £2000 to be allocated, agreed. As in previous “Jubilee” celebrations Beacons are to be lit to mark the occasion, suitable sites would need to be identified, one being Thornley Wood.
15. PLANNING:  DECIDED

DM/21/03045/VOC               Shield Haulage, Sandy Carr, removal of condition 6 (restriction of 10 HGVs operating from site)

DM/21/02893/FPA                Azalea, 38, Lydgate Lane,  change pitch of roof to extension, alteration to first floor window and installation of roof lights

DM/21/02830/FPA                The Old Barn Grange Cottages, Thornley, replace patio doors to rear with door and window and replacement front door

DM/21/02625/FPA                Pole Tree Farm, Wear Bank, demolition of egg production building, change of use to livery yard, erection of stables, hay barn and associated works (amended plans received 22/10/21)

DM/21/02561/FPA                19, Wesley View, replace timber windows with upvc.

DM/21/02536/FPA                Dapple Farm, High Stoop, Tow Law, Storage building for machinery and feed and field shelter in association with the existing stud farm (Amended plans and description)

DM/21/00317/FPA                Land East of 17-19 Rectory Lane New dwelling finally disposed of

 

                                                PLANNING WITHDRAWN:

DM/21/02682/FPA                18, Meadhope Street, retention of fence Repairs to chimney ( Retrospective)

 

                                                      PLANNING : NOTIFIED;

DM/21/03649/TCA                18, East End crown reduce and reshape up to 2m to T1 Fir tree No objection

DM/21/03635/TCA                Allotments The Causeway, crown lift up to 2.5 m, T1 sycamore, coppice up to 20cm T2 hazel, coppice up to 20 cm to T3 elder, coppice up to 20 cm G4 elder, hawthorn, and elders,crown lift up to 2.52 m  to T5 ash and crown lift up to 2.5 m T6  ash

DM/21/03561/FPA                Peggoty’s 1, Angate Street, replace existing door to front elevation, no objection

DM/21/03522/TCA                52, Front Street, 1 no/.cherry to rear – crown reduce by a third, no objection

DM/21/03412/FPA                Reservoir House, Tunstall, single storey rear extension, no objection

DM/21/02669/FPA                Redgate Hall, single storey front rear and side extension, no objection

DM/21/03425/TPO                Land South of Helme Park Hall, Works to trees covered under TPO WVDC 4 1987 10 dead conifers, fell ash trees, fell tree T154 sycamore and other crown lifts to trees on access track and access road up to 5 metres.no objection