WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 13TH APRIL   2021 6.45 PM

Following the AGM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

PRESENT: D. Sugden (Chair) H. G. Dobson (Clerk)

Attendees via Zoom: Mrs. A. Savory, I. Rodgers, D. Jones, J. Wilson, Mrs. Y. Bell,

 J. Norman, R. George Mrs. A. Nelson

 

The Chair opened the meeting and referred to the recent death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The flag was flying at half mast and the funeral would take place Saturday 17th April at 3.00 pm

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: A. Vipond
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None in attendance
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 12th JANUARY 2021 moved and seconded as a true record and signed as such.
5. MATTERS ARISING: 
   1. Planning Kiosk / Toilets:  Cllr. Mrs. A. Savory declared an interest and would be addressing the forthcoming committee meeting to hear the application as an elected member of DCC.
   2. The planning committee meeting was scheduled for Thursday 22nd April. Mr. J. Bell who had objected to the proposed development had retained a firm of Barristers, Trinity Chambers, to address the meeting on his behalf. The original menu which included hot food had been amended on the advice of the planning authority, and the project was again recommended for approval.
6. Footpaths:
   1. Leazes Definitive Map Modification Order: The clerk had been advised that interviews would be taking place once COVID restrictions had been relaxed at the end of June.
   2. Doctors Gate: Cllr. Jones reported on this byway, which is being blighted by all wheel drive enthusiasts leaving what was once a track as a bog up to 40 metres wide. This byway cannot be closed off as it was classed as a ‘BYWAY OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC  (B.O.A.T.)  and was part of the Pikestone Fell byway. Problems have been ongoing in this area since the 1990’s without any resolution. The community police officer had appraised Cllr. Jones on their operation re BOAT. Some all wheel drive participants had been stopped and fined under COVID breaches. DCC could maintain the byway and bring it back into use, or personnel from strategic highways could apply for a temporary road closure as was the case at Hexham Lane.
   3. Cllr. Jones also referred to a recent e mail from a resident complaining on the lack of maintenance to various footpaths in the area, and work should be undertaken to resolve the problems. The dilapidated fence bordering the school was to be removed by DCC and has not been actioned as yet, Clerk to write to CPAL at DCC to ask when the fence will be removed, as it is posing a danger to health and safety.
7. Post COVID restrictions:
   1. Lettings; Town Hall / St. Anne’s: user groups to be advised that halls will be available from 17th May with the relevant COVID measures in place.
   2. Parking Meter: re-instatement of charges  also from 17th May but not for those attending for COVID vaccinations, on Thursday and Friday’s.
   3. Recreation Ground: Tennis Courts the area decided upon would be to the south east corner of the field between the football pitch and allotments.  The football pitch may need to be moved west and south to avoid inspection covers. The topographical survey and CBR testing would take place from week commencing 19th April. A site visit with Northumbria Water had been scheduled for Friday, regarding the tennis courts and kiosk outflow. The visit on 16th March to Benfieldside and Shotley Bridge Tennis club had been most beneficial and a lot of information had been gathered as to how to run a successful tennis club. Another meeting to Lanchester Tennis club had also been arranged.
   4. Guy Rawlinson who was helping Cllr. Jones on the tennis court project had asked for an arboriculture survey to be undertaken and possibly a root barrier to be installed.
8. Angate Street Toilets:  addition of accessible toilet, the planning applications had been submitted and scheme 1 had been chosen as the best fit.
9. Cherry Tree planting in and around Wolsingham; a few positive responses had been received on this idea and it would be left for the new council to further if they so wished. Possibly to commemorate the work done by NHS, and the loss of life through COVID  or maybe in memory of HRH Duke of Edinburgh. Costings would be undertaken and grants applied for from Post Code Lottery, and DCC urban tree challenge fund aid.
10. Allotments  :
    1. New site wall had fallen, possible tree/rain disturbance. A survey had been done and it was thought that excessive rain had been the cause of the wall falling.
    2. Application and drawings had been received to erect a poly tunnel on plot 3, which was agreed.
11. FINANCE: Statements and Reports to end of March presented and accepted.
12. Members Interests:
    1. Cllr Savory informed the meeting of an increased presence of the Neighbourhood Wardens for dog fouling and traffic offences.
    2. Cllr Norman asked if the benches and carousel equipment had been ordered, these were to hand and were scheduled for installation. Cllr. Norman also enquired as to the possible grant for High House Chapel Museum, an e mail had been sent some time ago, but the clerk had not seen it. Cllr. Norman to have e mail re-sent for consideration of a grant towards the Museum costs.
    3. Cllr Jones advised the meeting that amended plans had been submitted for Middle Fawnlees
    4. The Chair thanked all retiring councillors and as the new council had been uncontested congratulated those present for taking time to continue as members of the Parish Council.
    5. Cllr Wilkson in turn thanked the Chair and Clerk for their continued commitment and support.
13. PLANNING : DECIDED:

DM/21/00145/FPA          8 Front Street, conversion of offices to residential with external alterations

DM/21/00352/TCA           60, West End, fell 2 ash trees   ( Raise no objection)

DM/21/00346/TCA          5, East End reduce height up to 6 metres and reduce spread up to 5 metres T1 Maple and reduce height up to 7 metres and spread up to 6 metres T2 Silver Birch  ( Raise no Objection)

  

PLANNING : NOTIFIED;

DM/21/01135.PA            Rushy Lea , Rushy Lea Lane, prior approval for erection of steel portal frame agricultural building

DM/21/01056/FPA          10, Lydgate Lane, demolition of conservatory and construction of single storey kitchen extension with flat roof and roof lantern

DM/21/00902/FPA          Wolsingham Showfield, Scotch Isle Park provision of new access track within the show field site

DM/21/00835/TCA           72A West End, tree works, T1 Elm, T2 Apple, T3 Plum

DM/21/00727/TCA           4, Meadhope Street, Fell T1 apple tree

DM/21/00688/TCA          8 Uppertown, Crown reduction up to 3 metres, and reshape by up to 2 metres TY1 cherry blossom

DM/21/00692/TCA           50, Front Street, fell T1 Cherry Tree

DM/21/00354/FPA          Hollin Hall Farm, Agricultural storage building machinery and animal feedstuffs.