WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 10TH October 2023

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL

                                                                                                                                

              PRESENT: A Savory, Y Bell, J Bell, D Jones, I Rodgers, O Gardner, P Dobson, T Willis, A Bonar,

     A Vipond, Sarah-Ann Baxter(Clerk)

              MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: J Clarke, K Fraser, J Gledhill, C Williams, R Galbraith, T Stewart, J Green

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr D Sugden (Cllr Rodgers-Vice Chair, chaired the meeting in absence of the Chairman)
2. COUNCILLOR RESIGNATION: Owain Gardner has resigned as a Parish Councillor
3. ALLOTMENT TROPHY PRESENTATION: Cllr Rodgers presented the trophies to Plot 16 - C Williams and Plot 1 -R Galbraith. Thanks were given to the independent judge Bob Richardson from Blackhill Allotments for his time in coming to judge the allotments.
4. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR: A resident enquired whether the seat on Angate Square, which has been removed, would be replaced. Cllr Savory is aware as the seat from Angate Square was used to replace the one near Jack Walker bridge, the seat will be replaced in due course.
5. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Savory declared an interest in planning due to her duties on the DCC Planning Committee and the items related to the Christmas Lights & Kiosk/new toilets. Cllr J Bell declared an interest in the Kiosk/new toilets.
6. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD  12th September 2023: Cllr J Bell asked that the approximate yearly running costs, £10 000, for the new toilets be added to minutes, this was agreed. The minutes were then accepted as a true & correct record and signed by Cllr Rodgers.
7. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. Parish Council Email Addresses – It was agreed that a solution would be for each Councillor to have a Parish Council Gmail address, solely for the use of Council business and which the Clerk would have access to, if required. Councillors could either set this up themselves or come into the office if they needed assistance.
   2. Christmas Tree Lights – Cllr Savory declared an interest - Just awaiting DCC to install electrical works
   3. St Anne’s Maintenance – Cllr Vipond is going to organise for some estimates to carry out the decorating within the hall. An application to Northern Powergrid for the provision of solar panels on both St Annes and the Town Hall has been submitted. Residents will be able to send in suggestion about further works at St Annes, details of which will be in the Town Crier.
   4. Road Safety Working Group – Cllr Willis gave a report on the open meeting held on the 19/9/23 which was attended by around 130 people. Items for consideration were: 40mph buffer zones at each entrance to the village, 20mph zones, a pedestrian crossing from the Market Place to the Doctors (past applications for this had failed due to not hitting the correct criteria set out by DCC), possible alternative fund raising if required. Cllr Rodgers suggested continuing the working group and Cllr Willis suggested involving the community, this was agreed and details of how this could be done would be advertised in the Town Crier. Cllr Y Bell thanked Cllr Sugden for chairing the open meeting. Cllr Savory had received a response from DCC concerning the provision of a pedestrian crossing and 20mph speed limits, both of which must hit strict national criteria before they would be implemented. Cllr Savory was already looking to fund a 20mph limit on Lydgate Lane prior to the open meeting.
   5. Steelworks Development – Dr Hotson has indicated to the Parish Council that he is still pursuing his development, if he receives the funding required. Cllr Savory confirmed that there had been no planning application from Dr Hotson.
   6. Maintenance work – Cllr Bonar has been and trimmed back the overhanging vegetation on Footpath 92. Cllr Dobson informed the Council that the location raised has still not been cleared, Cllr Bonar asked for clarification of the location from Cllr Dobson. Cllr Jones has spoken to the contractor regarding repairing the potholes in the Demesne Mill car park.
8. CORRESPSONDENCE:
   1. A resident has asked if the Parish Council could approach the utility companies with regard to removing unsightly on street equipment, which they believe is redundant, as well as removing the overhead cables in the area of the Market Place & Angate Street to improve the appearance of the area. Also the appearance of the toilet area in Angate Street is looking uncared for and they have concerns over the activities/noise that are occurring within the toilets. The resident had also phoned the Clerk to request that the Parish Council do not post on the Weardale News Facebook page as the header photo included their house. Cllr Bonar volunteered to clear the weeds etc in front of the toilets. The Clerk had already explained to the resident that the Parish Council do not have any authority over the utility companies. The Council agreed to continue using the Weardale News site. Cllr Y Bell had been told by a resident that a camera was placed in a window of private household, which overlooked the toilets, the Council agreed to seek advice on this matter and follow up if necessary.
9. New Kiosk / Toilets – Cllr Savory declared an interest. Cllr Jones advised that he is in the process of getting updated quotes, Cllr J Bell requested a copy, Cllr Rodgers advised that once we have firm quotes and know the outcome of the planning application, they would be made available to the full Council. Cllr J Bell queried on whose authority the planning application had been submitted. Cllr Rodgers explained that the Council, at a meeting attended by Cllr J Bell, agreed to pursue the possibility of providing two toilets, as this would require planning permission it was necessary for the Clerk to go forward with the application. Cllr J Bell again queried the rateable liability on the proposed toilets, Cllr Rodgers advised that the Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill came into force in 2021, which gives public lavatories 100% relief from business rates. Cllr J Bell suggested that a better option would be to upgrade the existing DCC toilet or provide temporary portable toilets for the summer. Cllr Jones pointed out that the Council had on several occasions discussed the problems with the drainage system from the existing toilet, which were DCC’s responsibility, and that it is not viable to install further toilets on this system, Cllr J Bell disagreed. Cllr Rodgers asked for a show of hands in favour of Cllr J Bell’s proposals, there was no support for either the upgrading of the DCC toilet or the use of portable toilets. Councillors agreed again that there is a need for extra toilet facilities which have been asked for by residents and visitors. Cllr J Bell expressed that his overall opinion is that it is financially irresponsible for funds in excess of £30k to be spent providing toilets when they should be spent on providing Christmas Lights in St Anne’s and the maintenance of the same and that the public should be allowed a referendum on this matter, Cllr Rodgers disagreed and said a referendum costs would not be proportionate. Cllr Willis suggested that this could be included in the request for opinions on the maintenance works. Cllr J Bell queried the tendering process and suggested that the advertising just on the website was inadequate and not procedurally correct. Cllr Rodgers suggested that this be set-aside for the time being, to be discussed further especially as we do not know the outcome of the planning application. John Clarke suggested a sign directing people to the toilets in Angate Street would be adequate, Councillors felt this is not viable for families with young children or the elderly.
10. Thornley Village Green – Cllr Rodgers requested that the Parish Council buy a sack of daffodils to be planted in the village green by the residents as several of the existing plants had become blind, this was agreed by the Council.
11. Trees Recreation Ground – A resident has requested that some trees are planted in the recreation ground to protect the daffodils that have been planted from being mown. It was agreed in principle and Cllr Y Bell will liaise with the resident regarding location and species.
12. Office Hours – The Clerk requested that the working hours be changed to make more efficient use of her time. The change would be for the Clerk to work longer hours on a  Monday & Friday with some home working on a Wednesday. The new opening hours of the office would be 9am to 12.30pm Monday & Friday and would commence in November. This was agreed by the Council, Cllr J Bell asked could the letter box be signed and this was also agreed.
13. Finance
    1. Payments & Reports for September – agreed
    2. Budget Report- Audit - agreed
    3. Update on Maintenance Works
14. Parking Meter – Cllr J Bell will provide details of a company who may be able to supply a quote for the parking meters, he also suggested the use of ANPR in the car park with monies from the parking fines going to the management company and monies from the parking meter coming to the Parish Council. Cllr Rodgers thought that the use of ANPR would be detrimental to the reputation of the Council. Cllr J bell asked if charging in Demesne Mill should take place, Cllr Rodgers suggested this needs to be discussed at a future meeting once the costs of providing a meter had been established. Cllr J Bell explained that when the gates had been locked on the St Anne’s car park they had been lifted off their hinges by persons wanting to gain access, this had happened 5-6 times. Cllr Bonar would look into this matter. Cllr Savory asked could a letter of thanks be sent to the bowling club as they do carryout a lot of work on behalf of the Parish council with regards to opening up for bookings, maintenance of the green etc, Cllr J Bell commented that they also receive a lot of money from the Parish Council, the Clerk pointed out that if the bowling club did not take on these duties it would cost the Council considerably more to pay a contractor for the maintenance of the green etc.
15. St Anne’s Caretaker Contract – the Council agreed in principle the terms of the contract, a discussion will be had at the finance meeting regarding hours etc
16. Window Cleaning – The window cleaning contract has been awarded.

10

1. PLANNING:  NOTIFIED

DM/23/02832/TPO - 15 Leazes Lane Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3DP

Reduction of the upper canopy on Sycamore (S2) and removal of protruding limb on Scots Pine (P4) requested – No objection raised

 

DM/23/02740/TPO - 7 Demesne Court Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AW

Crown reduction by 1.5m -2m to all sides of tree– No objection raised

 

DM/23/02678/VOC - Building South West Of St Annes Centre West End Wolsingham DL13 3AP

Variation of condition 2 pursuant to planning approval DM/20/03744/FPA to remove proposed extension and to use building for storage and 2 No. W.Cs– No objection raised

 

DM/23/02661/FPA - 4A Rectory Lane Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AJ

Repointing of dwelling with limemortar and replacement roof in slate– No objection raised

 

DM/23/02662/LB - 4A Rectory Lane Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AJ

Repointing of dwelling with limemortar and replacement roof in slate– No objection raised

 

             

1. PLANNING:  DECIDED

DM/23/02491/PNA - Bradley Hall Durham Road Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3JH

Erection of 2 No. agricultural buildings for the storage of grain and general purpose storage – Prior Approval is Required

 

DM/23/02163/FPA - Halfway House Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3DT

Proposed two storey extension to side – Application Withdrawn

 

DM/23/02105/FPA - Norway House 7 Front Street Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AA

Demolition of outbuildings to side and rear. Extension to side – Approved

 

DM/21/01448/RM - Helme Park Hall Country House Hotel Helme Park Tow Law Bishop Auckland DL13 4NW. Approval of reserved matters of layout, scale, appearance and landscaping pursuant to planning permission DM/16/03162/OUT - 9 no. dwellings (amended 20.07.2023) - Approved