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November 2020 Minutes

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING  HELD

TUESDAY 9TH NOVEMBER   2020 7.00 PM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

PRESENT:    Chair: D. Sugden, Clerk

MEMBERS / PUBLIC: Via Zoom: Cllr. Mrs. A. Savory, J. Norman, Mrs. Y. Bell, Iain Rodgers,

Mrs. A. Nelson, J. Wilson,      Mrs. M. Bell

 

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: D. Jones
  2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Mrs. M. Bell, participation was as an observer.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:  None
  4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 11TH AUGUST  2020 agreed as a true record and signed as such.
  5. MATTERS ARISING:
    1. a) future plans, Item 10 COVID 19 new guidelines had been issued  for community buildings and the only group still meeting was the A.A. group at the Town Hall which was classed as a dependency group and allowable, with track and trace in operation.
    2. b) the pump track was near completion and a letter of appreciation had been received. A complaint had also been received as more youths were riding the family walk footpath which was not intended. This to be monitored.
    3. c) The Parish Council vacancy would not be filled as there was now insufficient time left to the end of the term at end of April 2021. It could well be that the proposed elections for May2021 may be postponed but CC. A. Savory informed the meeting that this had not been discussed at county level, and elections could well go ahead.
  6. A) REVIEW OF CLERK’S CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT, the review had been undertaken and it was proposed that a new NALC contract be adopted rather than the bespoke contract of employment drawn up by Ward Hadaway. Three proposals were put to the meeting for the commencement of the new contract; being 1st November, 1st April 2021 or 1st April 2020, it was agreed to commence new  NALC contract from 1st April 2020 
  7. B)  SKATE PARK APRON NOW COMPLETE, The new concrete had been completed with two definitive access points to avoid the muddy conditions and to allow the grass seed to germinate. The temporary herris fencing was still in situ to help keep the bowl clean and also to allow the seed to germinate. To install benches and any fencing in the spring.
  8. C)  PUMP TRACK NEARING COMPLETION, because more cyclists were using the family walk a sign, depicting the shared use to be placed on footpath. To be agreed and actioned when wording compiled.
  9. D)  WOLSINGHAM WALKING TOUR agreed to defer decision until the spring of 2021
  10. FOOTPATH ISSUES :
  11. FOOTPATH 80  MIDDLE FAWNLEES PROPOSED DIVERSION, still not determined
  12. FOOTPATH 27   TWELVE OAKS  PROPOSED DIVERSION, raise no objection as no representations had been received.
  13. FOOTPATH 50   DEMESNE    FENCING, a letter had been sent to Durham C. C. CPAL and an action plan was awaited.
  14. DEFINITIVE MAP MODIFICATION ORDER CLOSED PATH AT LEAZES

A series of interviews was to be arranged via Zoom to expedite the matter. DCC would choose the interviewees and afterwards a report would be submitted to a Highways Comm. for consideration.

PLANNING : DECIDED:

DM/20/02774/TCA ST. MARY & ST. STEPHEN CHURCH, T1 LIME TREE REDUCE CROWN 25%

DM/2002695/TPO    15, LEAZES LANE,PRUNE AND REDUCE OVERHANG UP TO 2M 4 NO HOLLY TREES

DM/20/02119/FPA   74 LYDGATE LANE, ERECTION OF BOUNDARY FENCE TO FRONT

DM/20/01999/TCA  4A RECTORY LANE CROWN REDUCE AND RESHAPE UP TO 5 M 2 LIME TREES

DM/20/01668/FPA   SOUTH PARK FARM, CONVERSION OF BARN TO FORM A DOMESTIC EXTENSION TO THE EXISTING FARMHOUSE WITH ASSOCIATED CURTILAGE AND SINGLE STOREY REAR  LINK EXTENSION

PLANNING : NOTIFIED;

DM/20/02974/VOC  34, LYDGATE LANE, VARIATION OF CONDITION 2( APROVED PLANS)           PURSUANT TO PERMISSION DM/17/00447/FPA FOR DESIGN ALTERATIONS

DM/20/02970/FPA WEST OF DENESIDE LODGE PARK, INSTALLATION  OF SIX STREET   LIGHTS

DM/20/02952/FPA   16, MELBOURNE PLACE CREATION OF VEHICULAR ACCESS AND HARDSURFACING INCLUDING RECONFIGURATION OF FRONT GARDEN WALL AND LOWER KERB  RESUBMISSION

DM/20/02786/FPA   CHANGE OF USE FROM CAR PARK TO 4 TOURING PITCHES LAND TO THE WEST OF DURHAM ROAD GARAGE  7 LEADGATE TERRACE

DM/20/02773/FPA   LAWSON FIELDS FARM, CONVERSION OF STORE TO FORM RESIDENTIAL ANNEX CHANGE OF USE OF AGRICULTURAL LAND TO DOMESTIC CURTILAGE

DM/20/02027/TCA 31, WEST END , FELL 2 LAUREL TREES

 

  1. FUTURE OF AVAILABLE SHOPS IN WOLSINGHAM :

SPAR SHOP POTENTIAL LOSS OF POST OFFICE, clerk to write to Post Office asking their intentions as to future provision of a Post Office service for Wolsingham

GEORGE F. WHITE CLOSURE is regretted.

  1. PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING ISSUES :
  2. FORMER IMPLEMENT SHED RECREATION GROUND CHANGE OF USE TO TOILETS AND CAFÉ

There was a continuing history to attempt to resolve the issue of inadequate toilet provision at the recreation ground, and one of the main reasons for this was a seasonal influx of tourists and families using the recreation ground in summer months.

Councillors had been briefed on the options which had been drawn up by the architect and a decision was needed as to whether to proceed with this idea, and if so whether option1,2 or 3 would be best suited for the park.

A consultation exercise and questionnaire had taken place in January 2020 and from 75 respondents 60 were in favour of improved toilet facilities and a recent discussion with Cllr Jones by a resident endorsed the need for improvement.

All councillors had received an e mail from a neighbour , who clearly did not want the implement shed conversion to go ahead and questioned why the St. Anne’s Centre had not been used, as the centre as a whole was underutilised.

The existing toilet facility provided and maintained by DCC was according to Cllr Norman now adequate and being kept to a more acceptable standard, and he felt any further toilet provision should be centred at St. Anne’s Centre. Plans had been discussed with a local builder some months prior but no details had been forthcoming as to how the additions of toilets to St. Anne’s would work or what the costs would be.

A possible extension to the existing toilet block had been put forward and could be achieved at a less expensive alternative and probably being given permitted development rights by the local planning authority.

 In the brief for the conversion of the implement shed it was also a possibility that a café / kiosk could be facilitated, thus negating the need of having a van selling ice cream and confectionary in the car park, as the same operators were interested in the café/ kiosk option.

In order to progress on the matter it was agreed to hold a site meeting to discuss all the options on the table.

It was pointed out by Cllr. Norman that it was not he who had broached the subject of the conversion of the implement shed. As to his eligibility of being a councillor for Wolsingham , the residence criterion for a councillor was at the time of standing for the election and not afterwards. Clerk to write to the neighbour making these assertions, that they were wrong, and Cllr. Norman is legitimately a councillor for Wolsingham and a valued member of the council.

ANGATE STREET TOILETS : CONVERSION TO PROVIDE AN ACCESSIBLE TOILET, this toilet improvement was agreed in principle by the council, and plans were awaited for consideration.

  1. FINANCE REPORTS: END OCTOBER 2020 agreed and accepted. Cllr. A. Savory had supported the safe surfacing under the carousel to the tune of £5000 from her Neighbourhood Budget and it was not from Weardale AAP
  2. REQUEST FOR FUNDING :  GREAT NORTH AIR AMBULANCE, agreed to donate £500 when a balance sheet and latest bank statement to hand, approved under the 2011 Localism Act.

Cllr. Norman asked if a request had been received from the Ireshopeburn Museum if not he would ask that a request be forwarded for consideration

ANNUAL  GOVERNANCE and AUDIT  REPORT. The report had been received earlier in the day and the Clerk could report that no issues had been raised.

A vote of thanks was proposed for the continuing work of the chair and clerk under the COVID 19 restrictions.