WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF  MEETING  HELD

TUESDAY 12TH JULY   2022 7.00 PM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

PRESENT: J.Bell (Chair), Mrs. A. Savory, A.Vipond, D Jones, O. Gardner, I. Rodgers

Mrs. Y. Bell, Mrs. P. Dobson, , H.G Dobson (Clerk)

             MEMBERS OF PUBLIC:  J. Green,G. Barber, Mrs. S. Hunt, Mrs. S. Abel plus two others.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: D Sugden, AM Parkin, E. Johnson
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Several members of the public raised concerns on the recent application of a Premises Licence for Wolsingham Constitutional Club & Institute. The main concern was the proposal to hold live music events from 11.00 am to 11.00 pm in the beer garden to the rear of the premises. Following a lengthy debate it was agreed to support the residents and to object to the application, primarily on the perceived noise nuisance and opening hours for the proposed live music in the beer garden. Also to question how steps would be taken to meet the four conditions of , the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, protection of children from harm.

Cllr A.Savory declared an interest as being a member of the Club.

1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None other than stated on items of the agenda.
2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD :  14TH JUNE 2022, read and agreed as a true record and signed as such.
3. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. Development at Durham Road Believe Housing Name for development. After several names had been unsuitable, the final name of Stanners Close was accepted. This was the original name of the Wolsingham Steel Co.
   2. CDALC nominations for executive Committee, from Weardale PC’s , Cllr. Anita Savory had put her name forward and now that there are two interested parties, a ballot will take place,( between the four Weardale Parish Councils) following written submissions on why each candidate should be chosen. Cllr Savory has now withdrawn her nomination, in view of a nomination from Stanhope PC.
   3. Bat Survey: Barrett Environmental Ltd.” I’m categorizing the trees I checked as a negligible risk for use by bats but a medium risk for use in the immediate area surrounding each tree & including the trees, by breeding birds.  There is also a hedgehog family in the area – not currently using those areas but they are suitable.  Therefore the tree works should not be undertaken until the autumn & a hedgehog check should be undertaken immediately prior to the works.” Agreed to commence the works in September.
4. CORRESPONDENCE:
   1. Request for Funding World Junior Powerlifting Championships Turkey. The Parish Council are not permitted to make donations to individuals, but agreed to contribute £500 to the affiliated body.The Town Hall and Market Place to be made available free of charge , should the applicant wish to do some fund raising.
   2. Woodland Creation Leazes Farm. Scottish Woodland ( Sam Jama) No objections , the woodland to be created would be a broad leaf deciduous wood.
   3. Complaint re: feral chickens Lynndale/ Ferndale noise nuisance possible avian flu infected poultry.The clerk had spoken to Environmental Health at DCC and they would speak to the complainant, and hopefully resolve the problem.
5. RECREATION GROUND:
   1. Playground Safety Inspection report. Details had been passed to the playground maintenance contractor who would rectify any defaults. The “ birds nest” swing on the Titan swing had already been removed as instructed by the safety Inspector, as not being compatible with this apparatus. This had been the only “ high risk” default mentioned in the report, another 8 “ medium risk” faults had been highlighted and would be actioned as soon as possible.
   2. Siting of Ice Cream Kiosk, agreed to invite tenders when the current contract expires at end of year.​
6. FOOTPATH:
   1. a)  Wolsingham Wayfarers are requesting a nomination from WPC to  represent the Parish Council on the Wayfarers Committee., Cllr A Savory agreed to represent the Parish Council
   2. b) DCC proposed diversion 134/137 and footpaths 133& 134a, Low Harperley, Wolsingham Wayfarers had previously inspected the proposals and raised no objections, WPC agreed to the proposals.
   3. c) Wolsingham Wayfarers request permission to erect an Information Board at entrance to Demesne Mill, agreed in principle, but this would need planning permission. It was also part of a wider scheme of enhancing/ renewing the current Family Walk information boards throughout the town and a request for a contribution to the overall cost was requested. As this information had not been available at the time to be placed on the agenda for September meeting
   4. d) Thornley Village repairs to seats (2) new wood required. Cllr. Savory would action this request. Trees in and around the village green were creating some concerns and a tree survey was requested. Clerk to action
   5. e)  Leazes Footpath, the DMMO for the alleged footpath is ongoing, notices have not as yet been served for the consultation process with the landowner and it may take several months for the process to be completed depending on whether there is an appeal, for the footpath to be included on the definitive map.           
7. MARKET PLACE :
   1. Annual Fair 2nd September – 5th September 2022. Minutes of meeting held 4th July, agreed to make lock and chain available, for securing site for duration. Main gates not to be locked.
   2. Convenience Store , new shop frontage has been objected to by the planners. Cllr. Savory declared an interest as a member of Planning Committee for SW Durham, but would be taking it up with planning dept. Wolsingham Parish Council were in support of the improvements and wished to retain the convenience store, which now had added security with aluminium windows/ doors.
8. CLERK RETIREMENT: Interview Panel , Chairman, , Iain Rodgers and Cllr. A Savory
9. FINANCE:
   1. Cheques for Payment, agreed
   2. Reports to End June  agreed and accepted.
10.  a) PLANNING:  DECIDED

DM/22/00381/FPA          Redgate Head, conversion of existing outbuilding to residential annexe

      DM/22/01451/TCA          Allotments, The Causeway, remove two stems T1 sycamore, remove

                                                                        stems T2 ash No Objection

b) PLANNING : NOTIFIED;

DM/22/01771/FPA    Leazes Farm, agricultural workers dwelling, laboratory building for associated agricultural use, integrated tack room, stables, office and machinery store .Object on insufficient justification for additional accommodation for agricultural workers.

DM/22/01674/FPA    8, Front Street, insert new door to front, and alterations in association with change of use from office to Gallery(part ground floor) and holiday accommodation part ground and first floor including ground floor rear extension. ( Re-submission of – DM/2200151/FPA to revise the window arrangement to the southern elevation) No Objection

DM/22/01667/TCA    20, Riverside, pollard leaving the stem at 4.5m in height to T1, Ash, and pollard leaving the stem at 2.5 m  in height to T2 Ash, no objection

DM/22/01642/TCA    19, Riverside, Pollard leaving the stem at 3m in height to T1 Ash, no objection

DM/22/021594/FPA  Redgate House Farm, provision of farm access road onto public highway, object as an alternative route would be more acceptable and to protect the impact on the landscape.

DM/22/01174/FPA    Hare Law Farm, erection of 1 agricultural building on existing farmyard. No objection