WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2017

7.00 PM TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

PRESENT: Chair D. Sugden, Mrs. J. Henderson,, R. George, K. Tippins, Mrs. Y. Bell, A. Vipond

J. Norman, Mrs. A. Nelson , J. Wilson

 

PUBLIC: Anita Atkinson, Martin . Bell

 

POLICE : None

 

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mrs. A. Savory

2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None

4. POLICE REPORT: None present

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 11TH JULY 2017 ,Cllr Tippins wanted clarification on Financial Regulations as to the amount stated for contracts going out to tender from £500 -£2000 , the limit set by the Parish Council should read £1000 , upon investigation there appeared to be several versions of Financial Regulations. Minutes agreed and signed as a true record.

1.  

2. MATTERS ARISING :

Election Thornley Ward

Position remains vacant no further information to hand

 

 

Town Hall

Air conditioning unit

A full planning application has been submitted DM/17/02453 FPA

 

Library Lease – Durham CC, invoking break clause for lease of ground floor library,

Lease to be re-negotiated for a 3 year period.

 

Market Place

Report on Annual Fun Fair

 

Recreation Ground

Skate Park

Pre-application advice is being sought from, Joy Orr Planning Officer DCC regarding the proposed Skate Park in the recreation ground .

Advice was now to hand and it was agreed , that if the Sport England bid is successful to apply for full planning permission for the skate park as submitted in the pre application package. Further grant assistance was being sought from the Leader program and Stanhope PC.

 

Summary of defects passed to Simon Makepeace for action

Priorities /Recommendations Agility Trail and RSS Multi Unit should be programmed for removal

No major maintenance faults identified, No immediate or high risk or unacceptable hazards identified Remedial work and recommendations should be implemented

Overall general risk rating is low

Site should be regularly checked and maintained and repairs carried out .

Risk Assessment Classification

Medium

Gate to Outdoor Gym opens onto path , Action change stop so that gate opens inwards

Fit self closing mechanism

Missing label on stepper request from Proludic

Gate to play area finger crush point change latch

Agility Trim Trail posts wearing general structural integrity compromised

Bridge element missing parts on cross beam replace caps or inserts

Chain links rusting etc.

Titan Carousel grass mats either re-lift and relay turf under, or apply wet pour to surface with mats??

Titan Carousel check chain covers and make good

Chain failure worn connectors and check shackle pins and hanger bearings

Sand Pit needs 4 dumpy bags builders sand

Low

Birds mouth timber barrier exposed nails and deterioration of timber

Bolts missing Bow Top Fencing exposed concrete base of fence posts

Seats , picnic benches worn grass surfaces re instate surface

Deterioration in timber , missing parts replace and maintain

Some areas of grass badly worn re instate re seed

General wet pour areas gradual deterioration repair and make good

Rocking Item Spring car grass mats to lift and relay

Cradle swings set to low , at 350 mm re hang to 635mm

All swing bearings to be checked replace worn or damaged parts

 

Basketball structure injuries from sharp edges.

 

FOOTPATHS Riverbank path Holebeck Wolsingham Fp. 98

 

We have reviewed our position about the damage caused by Desmond in Dec 2015 and will re-open the footpath along the riverbank.  We consider the risk to the public insufficient to justify keeping the path closed. 

 

Longer term we realise that this footpath is vulnerable to being lost to the river and we have commenced new negotiations for a long term alternative to the riverbank footpath. These are at an early stage and I will communicate with you further about this in due course.

 

Please expect for the riverbank path to be re-opened in the next 2 – 3 weeks.  I am sorry that this has caused inconvenience for walkers over the last 18 months but I hope we are now on the way to reaching a sustainable solution.

 

 

 

 

1. The meeting was requested by Mr. Hobson to appraise the Parish Council on a proposed planning application, to be submitted to Durham County Council

 

 

1. The proposal is to change the status of the site to a mixed percentage of residential accommodation , and holiday homes.

Although the site is open year round , occupiers are requested to have a second home as the site is not classified as residential.

To date the lease of the lodges is open to persons mid 50’s onward, no children are allowed, it is targeted at the semi retired adult population.

The site has been operational for some three to five years and from an initial layout of 24 lodges seven have been occupied. The site has been reduced to a possible 17 lodges.

The site is very well maintained and has open views to Redgate Bank , adjacent to the river Wear and the Weardale Railway.

The site has tarmacadam roadways, and all main utility services

 

1. The lodges that are currently occupied are Band A rated for Council Tax and contribute to the local economy. Discussions have reportedly taken place with the local doctor’s practice, schools , dentist and other service providers who have no difficulties should the site population numbers increase.

 

1. From experience with meeting with prospective clients there would be a greater take up of lodges should the status be changed ie, prospective clients could presumably sell their existing homes to finance the capital outlay of leasing the lodges, without the necessity of having a second home.

 

 

1. The expected lifespan of the wooden lodges is estimated to be 70 years if maintained correctly.

 

1. Pre application advice has been sought some time ago and the Local Authority planning officer is not in favour of the status change.

 

 

1. Mr. Hobson is no doubt looking for support from the Parish Council for this change of status.

 

1. So as not to prejudice the forthcoming planning application no decision as to support or otherwise was given.

 

I have received an email from a resident who wants to make an anonymous comment.

DM/17/01927 6, Meadhope St. Wolsingham

He feels that plastic windows would be inappropriate in one of the oldest houses in Wolsingham, dating from 1720.

Application approved for upvc sliding sash windows

 

THORNLEY WOOD

Tesco Carriers for Causes , the application came second and WPC will receive £2000

Work to commence 6th September to create verge crossing and formation of car park.

 

1. CORRESPONDENCE: Notes from Councillor Training Sessions

Review of Agenda and Practices agreed to develop some new policies and practices for future consideration

Report of meeting with Environment Agency, Anne Caygill will be contacting residents and businesses identified as being in the flood risk areas to discuss protective steps which they may take

It was agreed to look at forming a Neighbourhood Plan and to set up a working group, for Friday 22nd September 11.00 am Town Hall. Clerk would acquire a plan from Great Aycliffe Town Council.

 

1. RECREATION GROUND: Yellow gate leading to outdoor gym area to be opened inwards as a matter of urgency. Annual site inspection to take place Friday 22nd September 1.00 pm

Although fences and gates had been installed to prevent access from travellers , once again a family of travellers had gained access and were in the park for 1 day. Although this was a regrettable occurrence , having invested in additional security measures it had been an oversight whilst transporting materials to the bottom field.

1. ST. ANNE’S CENTRE:

2. ALLOTMENTS Cllr Yvonne Bell declared and interest as she was an allotment holder. Annual Site inspection Friday 22nd September 1.00 pm

3. TOWN HALL: Library Lease to Durham County Council to invoke “Break Clause” new 3 year term to be negotiated. Details to follow.

4. MARKET PLACE:

5. ANGATE STREET TOILETS :

6. DEMESNE MILL: Wooden posts / rails for pedestrian access to be widened some more.

Area where black thorn had been cleared to be cut by DCC.The spring loaded bolts on the pedestrian gates needed lubricating.

1. THORNLEY WOOD Site visit Friday 22nd September 10.00 am, Work had commenced on the formation of a car park.

2. FOOTPATHS Cllr. Henderson informed the meeting of a request for the Parish Council to assist in maintaining a parcel of land at Melbourne Place. The local residents had been maintaining the area but needed further assistance, provision of seat ,flower beds. Whilst the endeavours of the local residents was commendable and to be encouraged the ownership rests with Durham C.C. and Cllr. Savory was dealing with the matter.

3. CLOSED CHURCHYARD:

4. NEWSLETTER: Cllr. Sugden to draft the report.

5. CLERKS BUSINESS: Leave of absence agreed.

6. MEMBERS REQUEST: Cllr Nelson had received an e mail from Yasmin Hamid regarding the new fences and gates , agreed for Cllr. Nelson to deal with the matter.

21 .PLANNING:

21.01 The following applications have been approved:

DM/17/02152/FPA 3, Lydgate Crescent, single storey rear extension

DM/17/01961/FPA 52, Front St. Timber front door

DM/17/01927/FPA 6, Meadhope Street, UPVC sliding sash windows to front and side

DM/17/02037/FPA 6, Ward Tce, two storey rear extension

DM/17/02176/FPA Mayfield, Leazes Lane, agricultural building, for the housing and handling of sheep, storage of straw, hay and machinery

DM/17/01878/FPA 69, Uppertown, demolition of existing dwelling and construction of a 4 bed dwelling

 

21.02 The following application has been withdrawn

21.03 The following applications have been notified

DM/17/02712/LB 8, Meadhope St. replace timber windows to front elevation

DM/17/02682/FPA Bracken Hill, Thornley, two storey extension and dormer window to front, garage conversion , internal alterations, alterartions to fenestration and three bay garage.

DM/17/02695/FPA West Newlands Hall, agricultural building for straw storage

DM/17/01995/FPA land opposite Wards End Cottages, 3 industrial units.

1. 22.0 Finance Reports End AUGUST 2017, statements agreed and accepted.

2. 22.1 Minutes of Finance Meeting 5th September 2017, agreed and accepted as a true record.

To consider such other items of business which, by reason of special circumstances so specified, the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.