Annual Report 2022-23

Wolsingham Parish Council; Annual Report 2022-23

1. Two councillors, Emma Johnson and Anne-Marie Parkin, resigned their role in October 2022, and we thank them for their service. We were then able to apply our co-option process. We were encouraged to find four willing applicants, and selected Ali Bonar and Trish Willis as new Councillors in November 22. They have engaged actively in the work of the council.
2. One major change this year has been the retirement of Gordon Dobson as Clerk. Gordon had been Parish Clerk for over 20 years and knows all the history and most of the residents of the area, so his experience is a big loss. However, after a period of ill health it was appropriate that he pass on the responsibility to a new Clerk.
3. We were able to recruit Sarah-Ann Baxter as the new Clerk in November 22, and she has proved very able and confident in this role. There is much to learn, and some new systems to create, but we have made good progress in six months. Sarah-Ann has invaluable previous experience in civil engineering with DCC Highways dept, and in running her own businesses, so she is very capable in this role.
4. There is an ongoing issue about a disputed footpath in Leazes Lane area. The landowner has closed off a footpath which was not registered as such, and local users have sought to have it restored. The legal process is with DCC, and is still not finally resolved.
5. Mr Pybourne’s boundary wall with our Allotments, continues to be an issue throughout the year, as part of it has collapsed.  Mr Pybourne has asked that we remove all the trees and roots from the allotment, despite local residents and allotment-holder’s objections. We have had the condition of the wall examined, and the trees, sought necessary permissions, including a Bat survey in July because of risk to wildlife, to allow work in September. Some trees were pollarded and reduced in September to minimise any effect they may have on the wall, but the trees are retained. We have made offers to contribute to the cost of repairs, which have been rejected. Mr Pybourne is still asking for all his demands to be met, and we are now involved in legal argument as we believe that we have been as considerate and generous as is appropriate for any ‘good neighbour’.
6. Wolsingham Wayfarers, in September 22, offered to replace the information boards for the wheelchair walk, which had become dated and deteriorated by weathering over about 10 years. We had to obtain Planning consent, and funding has been arranged, so the installation should soon be completed.
7. We have received formal clarification that ownership of Thornley Village Green and Angate Square Green in Wolsingham was ceded to Wolsingham and Thornley Parish council in 1988. This means that these areas must be included in our annual inspection and maintenance routine.
8. The planned conversion of the old pavilion building at St Anne's into toilets and food kiosk has been delayed, by Covid and the subsequent difficulty in finding a builder who was available. We are now able to consider possible tenders for this work but need to ascertain also the cost of providing electricity supply and water supply at this site. We are also dependent on being permitted access to the site across adjacent land belonging to Cllr J Bell, which we have not yet received.
9. Residents’ concerns re HGV traffic in Uppertown and through the village were addressed with DCC Highways. It is not legally possible to limit traffic on this route, but local companies were cooperative and ask to be informed of any identifiable incidents which they will pursue with the drivers involved.
10. Coronation Fun Day; community engagement was one of the PC priorities from our consultation in 2020. We recognise the importance of creating a closer sense of community, and councillors were proactive in bringing together people to create a memorable occasion for the Coronation. The event was well attended and enjoyable.
11. We have made arrangements for a catering trailer to be sited at St Anne’s instead of the ice-cream van. The current contractor can offer a better range of goods and service from this trailer, without diesel pollution and noise. We have entered into a new one-year contract for this service, which is proving to be very popular.
12. Updating and maintenance on our buildings; a working group was set up to develop St Anne’s Centre, which now needs some roof-repairs as well as updating and decorating. The working group is exploring the possibilities for improvements.
13. Angate Street Toilets; repairs have been necessary, and the replacement of the hand-washing facility. We are still seeking a contractor to implement the additional accessible toilet as planned, as our toilets are still not compliant with Disability Discrimination Act of 1995.
14. Cllr J Bell continues his oppositional stance to much of our work, especially in the recreation ground. Most recently (May 2023) a further complaint from him about the Chair was heard and found to be without basis. Council has taken the unprecedented step of deciding that his pattern of objections is Vexatious and imposing limits on how he interacts with officers and councillors. A formal complaint has been entered by the council with the Monitoring Officer of Durham County Council. Dealing with Cllr J Bell’s issues has taken up an inordinate amount of the new Clerk’s time, which has been impeding the routine work which a Parish Clerk needs to complete.
15. For the future, I had said last year that this would be my last term as Chair, because I believe that a younger person should now take on that role. However, as our new Clerk has not yet had a full year in post, I have offered that I will continue to see that year through, if that is the wish of councillors. I would however hope to see a more positive and helpful Vice Chair in post for the next year, as we have had in previous years.

David Sugden

10/05/2023