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Minutes 12th February 2019

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF   MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 12th FEBRUARY   2019  

7.00 PM

 TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

PRESENT:    Chair: D. Sugden, Mrs. Y. Bell,   J. Norman,  S. Palombella, ,Mrs. A. Nelson,

R. George, A.Vipond, J. Wilson

PUBLIC:        M. Emerson, D. Stephenson

 

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: K. Tippins, Mrs. A. Savory
  2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None Declared
  4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 8th JANUARY  2019 , agreed as a true record and signed.
  5. MATTERS ARISING: Needles & Wraps Angate Toilets : response from Police, no more paraphernalia had been found, attendant given letter how to deal with the matter if there are any further occurrences. 
  6. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 23rd JANUARY 2019 with CONCREATE agreed as a true record and signed as such.
  7. MATTERS ARISING: The scaled drawing showing the location of the skate park had been asked for again, but was still not forthcoming. The contract administrator would stake out the proposed site with Concreate and any councillor was able to attend, and inspect. A councillor raised concerns on the poor service and lack of responses from Concreate, and suggested that we have a plan B in case the contractor might not fulfil his contractual obligations.
  8. NOTES OF MEETINGS of Town Clerk with Mr. J. Bell 11th & 25th January. Both meetings had been constructive and progress was being made regarding Mr. Bell’s request for understanding the exact location of the skate park. Should the skate park be situated 50 metres from Mr. Bell’s house then he would raise no further objections to the development. He reserved the right to follow up the objections with his barrister and planning consultant. Some further information was still required for Mr. Bell, and this would be addressed asap. A further letter from Mr Bell dated 11th February RE: Skate Park, points noted and would be addressed.
  9. ENVIRONMENT AGENCY: Re: Outflow & Culvert from Leazes Lane Estate copy attached, work was ongoing with NWA, Environment Agency and others.
  10. WOLSINGHAM & TOW LAW UNITED CHARITY: This ancient charity continues, but needs new trustees as previous trustees deceased or left the area. Trustee Nominations; Mr. J. Norman, Mrs. Y. Bell and Mr. D. Sugden. Clerk to write to Tow Law Town Council to ask for three nominations.
  11. CORRESPONDENCE: CDALC : Standards in Public Life , for information.
    1. A member of Stanhope Parish Council, Mr David Ellwood, had been elected to serve on CDALC and would represent Wolsingham P.C as well. Agreed to invite Mr. Ellwood to a future meeting.
  12. RECREATION GROUND
    1. Skate Park update; Sport England had extended the grant timeline and NPD Leader had done likewise.
    2. It was agreed to hold an opening event when the skate park was completed with a display etc, provide by Concreate. Noted that completion is now impossible for Easter, but will be later.
  13.  MEMBERS REQUESTS
    1. Cllr. Norman would arrange for a workshop to progress a future plan for Wolsingham Parish Council and review objectives.
    2. It was reported that some fly tipping had taken place on the road to Thornley, the matter had been referred to Durham C.C. but no action had been taken. This may be because the fly tipping had occurred on private land.
    3. Concern was raised regarding heavy lorries using the B6289 from Wolsingham Market Place to Uppertown and Tow Law, especially with vehicles parking on pavements at school drop off and collection times. Clerk to refer matter to Durham C.C. Highways again.
    4. A street sign had been removed from Meadhope Street, Clerk to ask Durham C.C. to replace.
    5. An update on Thornley Wood was requested as to the footpaths being linked to the site. There were now some walkways on the site and development was still ongoing, with tree and hedge planting. A picnic bench had recently been purchased and would be situated overlooking Weardale.
    6. Positive comments had been received regarding the mobile fish & chip van. Clerk to explore future plans with providers.
    7. It was requested that Durham C.C. be asked to fence off the hillside on the footpath from the Willows to the top of the embankment. This was a route to school and was felt to be hazardous.
    8. Work was being carried out updating the website and new information was needed regarding, Town Hall, St. Anne’s Centre, Demesne Mill, Recreation ground and Thornley Wood. Cllrs. Norman , Wilson and Palombella would assist Mr. Sugden on the matter.
  14. NEWSLETTER Skate Park progress, fly-tipping, traffic etc.
  15. PLANNING:        

15.01  The following applications have been approved:

DRC/18/00484            The Barn , Durham Road, discharge of condition 3 relating to joinery details

DM/18/03531/VOC    Bowlees  Farm, variation condition 2 to amend design of western unit, minor amendment eastern unit

DM/18/03582/FPA      25, Rectory Lane, Satellite dish, alteration to height of garden wall, raised lawn & steps, alteration to garage, installation  of gates, window to garage, alteration to garage doors

  1. The Following Application has been withdrawn

 

15.03 The following applications have been notified

DM/19/00108/FPA    31, Lydgate Avenue, single storey side extension ( resubmission)

DM/19/00048/MIN    land to north of Hamsterley Common , extraction of mineral from  two borrow pits for surfacing of existing tracks

DM/18/03287/FPS     Coves House Estate, extension to Grade 2 listed Farmhouse and re-insertion of existing opening

DM/19/00285/FPA    6, Silver St. replacement of timber casement windows with UPVC sliding sash

DM/19/00181/VOC   Oakleaf Caravan Park, variation of condition 3 to amend opening season 1st March – 1st  October to 1st March to 31st  December

DM/19/00114/PBN    Leazes Farm Leazes Lane, new bridge for timber extraction purposes, to replace existing ford

 A letter has been received regarding concerns on the planning matters regarding the farm access, and the proposed bridge, with a view that a pleasant country walk was being disrupted and road hazard exacerbated

DM/19/00270/PNR    St. Johns Hall, Hamsterly, prior notification for upgrading of track 

16        FINANCE REPORTS END JANUARY 2019 agreed and accepted

Mr. Stephenson asked for a copy of the report , which was declined as it contained personal information. For future meetings a redacted copy to be made available.

 

17        Risk Assessment Management / Financial: reviewed and amended where necessary

  1. Concern was raised regarding PC back up, a separate hard drive was being used for back up, and stored away from the office
  2. Data back up was also being provided by BT cloud, clerk to check if this service is available with EE
  3. Should old paper records be scanned/digitised in future to protect against fire risk?

18        Internal Audit : Internal Audit review document . agreed to ask Mike Ackroyd to undertake the role again.