WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 11TH JULY 2017

7.00 PM TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

PRESENT: Chair , Mrs. J. Henderson,, , K. Tippins, Mrs. Y. Bell, A. Vipond

Mrs. A. Savory, ,

PUBLIC: None

 

POLICE : None

 

 

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: D. Sugden J. Norman, Mrs. A. Nelson. J. Wilson, R. George

2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

4. POLICE REPORT:

5. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 13TH JUNE 2017 , Agreed and signed as a true record.

MATTERS ARISING :

Election Thornley Ward

No nominations have been received , and it is once again an uncontested election, another election will be held within 35 days of Thursday 27th July.

 

Lydgate Lane , speed calming measures

Steve Jones DCC highways is unable to attend the meeting but plans are in place to install rumble strips and slow signage in the near future.

 

Town Hall

A meeting has taken place today with Joy Orr , Planning Officer DCC re: air conditioning facility, and the optimum siting of the condenser unit would be on the recess of the building facing Sixes & Sevens. A full planning application will be submitted, agreed.

 

Market Place

A meeting has been arranged with W.H. Clark Fairground Operator, Police etc. to discuss plans for the annual fair 1st - 4th September, agreed to have meeting Friday 21st July at the Town Hall 10.00am.

 

Wolsingham Wayfarers/ Appointment of Parish Representative

The Wolsingham Wayfarers  are  delegated to carry out the responsibilities of the Parish Council vis a vis the monitoring and maintenance  of the definitive pathways. We no longer have a PC representative at our meetings and whilst this is not a problem (having always enjoyed an excellent relationship and communications with yourself and the PC) I wonder if it is appropriate to forward  written reports so that the Councillors are kept informed of our work?

We tend to meet only bi-monthly so it would just be a brief update periodically.

 

Our AGM was held in May and there were 10 attendees. 3 officers (Chairperson, treasurer and secretary) were appointed along with a Saturday walks leader, farming liason officer and publicity/ walks leaflet designer.

Unfortunately, our publicity officer has since resigned due to other demands on his time so we currently function with 5 committee members and we are still seeking a website/social media  manager.

We continue to monitor footpaths; source and apply for funding for repairs; liase with landowners and obtain written consent for work on their land aswell as an undertaking from those landowners to maintain the new stiles in the future; lead free public walks each second Saturday and last Thursday of every month and way mark all regularly used routes. Six walks leaflets, which have been written and designed entirely through voluntary effort, have been printed (at reduced cost) with grant aid from WAAP. They are currently  freely available in 35 outlets in Weardale, Crook, Bishop Auckland and Durham City. They are also available to be downloaded digitally.

 

The free guided walks are always checked  beforehand and risk assessments formulated. We regard them as an important part of our work in encouraging people to enjoy our beautiful valley and seeking the support of the public in highlighting any areas of concern. They are always well attended and the longer Saturday walks in particular tend to attract young walkers from a wide geographical area.

 

In June we commissioned the repair of one stile and replacement of two stiles on North Moor and I enclose photos of these. 

The PC will appreciate that all this work requires a considerable  commitment in time and effort for committee members but sometimes the wheels move very slowly so it can take a while to obtain permission, estimates, grants and then work can be dependent on the contractors commitments and the vagaries of the weather ( given that most stile repairs tend to be a long way from any roads!) Therefore, we shall not always have much to report for PC meetings. Agreed to appoint Cllr. Rob George as the Parish Council representative, as he has previous experience on PROW at Darlington Borough Council.

Recreation Ground: Cllrs. Savory & Henderson declared an interest

Durham Dales Hockey : Sarah Denim

A request has been received to use the recreation ground , south of the bowling green for a hockey pitch.

Currently they are using the 4 g pitch at Wolsingham School, but because of increasing numbers, there are ladies, men’s and children’s teams) the pitch is not large enough.

Some funding has been forthcoming from WAP for equipment , and they have also agreed to fund the cost of marking out a hockey pitch ( £300) Other funding streams are currently being explored.

As the local football team pays £300 p.a. for the use of the football pitch, same charge to apply at £300 p.a.

Friendly matches are planned for 22nd July & 6th August.

In the winter months training sessions will be limited as there is no flood lighting, but the team are committed to playing in Wolsingham. As there was no evidence of Public Liability Insurance or a Risk Assessment the request was refused.

Skate Park

Preliminary talks have taken place with Joy Orr Planning Officer DCC regarding the proposed Skate Park in the recreation ground . Although all sites have not been explored fully there preferred location would be south of the implement shed within the boundaries of the existing play area / outdoor gym. Should the skate park be located in this position and dependant on size it may not need full planning permission as Parish Council’s have permitted development rights. Agreed to seek grant aid and to liaise with the planning dept. on the preferred location.

 

Planning : Mr. W. Hobson , Deneside Lodge Park

 

Mr. Hobson is requesting a meeting to discuss a potential planning application:
 

The proposal is to apply for a change of status from holiday lodges , which are year round ,

( but occupiers are required to have a home address also). To have the site re classified as a residential site , apparently prospective clients could then sell their homes and move permanently on to the site , A retirement village for want of a better terminology.

Agreed to site meeting with Mr. Hobson Monday 17th July 2.00 pm

 

 

 

 

 

1. CORRESPONDENCE:

2. RECREATION GROUND: Inspection Report , site meeting to be arranged.

3. ST. ANNE’S CENTRE:

4. ALLOTMENTS Site meeting to be arranged.

5. TOWN HALL:

6. MARKET PLACE:

7. ANGATE STREET TOILETS : A member had received a Facebook message concerning the toilet doors being open, no further action to be taken.

8. DEMESNE MILL:

9. THORNLEY WOOD

10. FOOTPATHS The footpath at the Crofts was being compromised by over grown vegetation at 18C The Crofts, clerk to write to Highways DCC to have the obstruction removed.

11. CLOSED CHURCHYARD:

12. NEWSLETTER A new list of PC contact details had not been updated in the Town Crier, to update in September issue.

13. CLERKS BUSINESS:

14. MEMBERS REQUEST: Cllr. Mrs. Savory asked for the use of the Market Place for the annual Christmas Market, agreed.

Cllr. Tippins asked that the flag be taken down.

Cllr. Tippins asked for clarity on Standing Orders with reference to payments, If a contract is expected to be over £1000 then three estimates will be sought.

20 .PLANNING:

20.01 The following applications have been approved:

DM17/01677/TCA Recreation Ground West End , Crown lift Sycamore

DM/17/00638/FPA 33, Front Street, replacement window & door and installation of new sandstone flags to front of property

DM/16/02410/FPA Twelve Oaks rear extension to previously approved agricultural building ( Retrospective)

DM/16/02411/VOC Twelve Oaks, variation of condition 2 to amend the design of the previously approved building and layout

20.02 The following application has been withdrawn

DM/17/01445/FPA Mayfield Leazes Lane, general purpose agricultural building

DRC/17/00125 Land adjacent 8, Cooperative Terrace

20.03

The following applications have been notified

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, the Parish Council are not in favour of UPVC in a conservation area and will raise an objection.

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

DM/17/01552/OUT land west of Durham Road, construction of 8 dwellings all matters reserved

DM/16/03162/OUT Helme Park Hall Country House Hotel, demolition of hotel and construction of 9 dwellings

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

1. 21.0 Finance Reports End JUNE 2017, agreed and acepted.