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Minutes 8th October 2024

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 8TH October 2024

7.00 PM

Town Hall, Wolsingham

                                                                                                                                

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

     S Bittlestone, H Yeulet, A Vipond, Sarah-Ann Baxter(Clerk)

      MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: 8 Members of the public attended

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: A Savory, Y Bell
  2. ALLOTMENT COMPETITION WINNERS: Chair presented the trophies to the winners:
    1. Mill Isle Plot 14 Kevin Butcher,
    2. Recreation Ground Plot 16 Tracey Greener.
    3. The Chair thanked Rob Galbraith for once again organising the competition.
  3. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR: None
  4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
  5. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD  10th September 2024: Minutes were agreed as a true record
  6. MATTERS ARISING:
    1. New Toilets – Still awaiting costs for link footpath. The uplink on the contactless payment system is now operational.
    2. Library Rent - Agreed to continue to await an update from DCC
    3. Website – Agreed to set up a working group to look at content for the new website. Members of the group to be Cllr Bittlestone, Cllr Sugden, Cllr Bonar and a member of the public.
    4. Christmas Market, Lights etc – No update on the date of the Christmas Market
    5. Flagpole – A new Union Jack flag has been purchased. It was agreed the Clerk look into the costs of lowering the existing flagpole to a more user friendly height.
  7. CORRESPSONDENCE:
    1. Christmas 2024 Fun & Food Project Delivery – Funding offer from the Dept of Education for the provision of hot meals & activities for school age children during the Christmas holidays.
    2. Issues raised by Mr P Gardner – 1. HGV movements in relation to the new housing development. It was agreed to advise Mr Gardner to contact DCC or Cllr Savory directly regarding this issue as the Parish Council have no authority with regards to traffic issues. 2. Planning Restrictions concerning installation of improved insulation by Octopus Energy. Council agreed to advise Mr Gardner to contact DCC or Cllr Savory directly regarding this issue as the Parish Council have no authority with regards to planning matters. 3. NWL ‘Thriving Catchments’ initiative, it was agreed to invite NWL to a meeting to provide an update on this project. 4. Threats to unused heritage assets. It was agreed that the Parish Council do comment on planning applications, when required.
    3. Footpath around the Closed Churchyard – A request to improve the surface of the footpath which is muddy & dangerous. Agreed to monitor the path, however it would not be tarmacked as it is not in keeping with the area.
    4. Ragwort Recreation Ground – Complaint against the removal of the ragwort. Agreed that the Council, as a public body, has a legal obligation to remove hazardous plants in a public area and also to prevent the spread to neighbouring fields where livestock do graze.
  8. MAINTENANCE WORKS:
    1. St Anne’s Hall– Awaiting written quotes prior to funding application for a new main door. Clerk has reminded contractor about works required to skylights.
    2. Recreation Ground – Electrics had been overloaded causing power cuts when being used by the show folk’s caravans. Repairs were carried out at a cost to the Parish Council and it was agreed that the caravans may need to bring their own generators in future. A request for a memorial seat was approved.
    3. Town Hall – Council agreed cost 0f £450 for clearing and fixing the guttering. Lift has had to have another repair and is becoming costly. The Clock is not working again, agreed to look into this at a later date.
    4. Demesne Mill – Parking meter has been repaired, Cllr Sugden & Cllr Y Bell to have a set of keys to check for faults. A new gate post will be installed where the existing one is broken.
    5. Thornley Woods – Ragwort picking has been completed.
    6. Allotments – Clerk requested that all taps be turned off for winter to prevent freezing.​
  9. Finance
    1. Audited AGAR – Report approved and agreed to continue with the current internal auditor for the 2024/25 audit.
    2. Payments & Reports for September 2024 – agreed.
  10. PLANNING – Council agreed there were no comments to be made on current applications

Date of next meeting – November 12th 2024 to held at the Town Hall, Wolsingham at 7pm