WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 16TH MAY 2023

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL

                                                                                                                                              

                PRESENT: D. Sugden (Chair), A Savory, Y Bell, J Bell, D Jones, I Rodgers, O Gardner, P Dobson

    T Willis, A Bonar, A. Vipond, Sarah-Ann Baxter (Clerk)

            MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: T Buckle, R Williams    

Prior to the meeting commencing the Clerk informed the Council that Cllr J Bell had written on the 14/5/23 suggesting that as he had not received his agenda on time in the post, the meeting may not be able to proceed. The Clerk, having taken advice from the monitoring office, informed the committee that as the agenda was published on the noticeboard and on the website, we are legally permitted to proceed under the Local Government Act 1972. The Council were asked if they wished to proceed with the meeting and they agreed that it should.                                              

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
   1. Terry Buckle advised that the litter pick occurs every 3rd Saturday of the month at 10am and that they still require more volunteers to attend. Terry has been doing the litter pick for the last 1.5yrs and would like to hand over the reins of organising the group, he has ordered more equipment from Durham County Council. Cllr Sugden thanked Terry for his work in setting up the litter pick group.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Savory declared an interest in planning due to her duties on the DCC Planning Committee and the items related to the Christmas Lights & Kiosk. Cllr Sugden explained that Cllr J Bell had written to the Committee on 28/5/23 and in this correspondence had declared a duplication of interest in the kiosk.
4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD  11TH April 2023: The minutes of the previous meeting had not been circulated prior, on the advice of the monitoring office, due to confidential and personal elements. The Councillors were given time to read the minutes and make any amendments, the minutes were then agreed & signed as a true & correct record. The Clerk then gave the Council of the choice of circulating the minutes prior to the meeting but marked DRAFT or presenting the minutes at the meeting. Cllr Willis & Cllr Jones suggested presenting at the meeting was sufficient, Council agreed to this proposal with only Cllr J Bell disagreeing. Cllr J Bell asked whether confidential items could be made public as published on the website, the Clerk on advice from the monitoring office, explained they could not and that the wording on the website would be reviewed.
5. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. Recreation Catering Van – There has been positive feedback from customers and the catering van has been approached to open on an afternoon through the week, they are currently trialling the new hours to see if it is viable. It has been requested that new items be added to the menu to include sausage rolls, pasties and small pies, the committee agreed to this. Cllr J Bell did not agree with extending the menu.
   2. Wheelchair Walk – the Clerk has arranged maintenance to be carried out with further areas to be added on Cllr Willis request. Cllr Savory asked the cost of the initial works, which were £750.00.
   3. Parish Council Email Addresses – Cllr Gardner had received a quotes pack, which had been circulated to Councillors, for various options including a new website, email addresses for Councillors etc. A discussion took place regarding the options, Cllr Rodgers pointed out that the current website is dated, Cllr Sugden asked who would provide the content for the new website, Cllr J Bell asked how many visits did the website currently get, Cllr Sugden replied around 250 visits/month. The Clerk asked would the new email addresses be accessible via a mobile phone, Cllr Gardner thought not but would look into this and any extra cost.
   4. Christmas Tree Lights – Cllr Savory informed the meeting that the AAP funding application has been submitted.
   5. Coronation – Cllr Sugden thought the day had been enjoyable and thanked Cllr Willis, Cllr Y Bell and Cllr Savory for all their hard work. Cllr Savory said it was a great family orientated day with free events and the dog show was very popular. Cllr Savory thanked the Parish Council for their financial support. Cllr Willis had run a consultation on the day concerning the future maintenance of St Anne’s and the Wolsingham School students had run a raffle raising £243.19 for their Nepal trip.
   6. St Anne’s Maintenance – Cllr Willis explained that the working group had met on site and came up with a list of requirements/suggestions. From this a plan has been put together which will be circulated to Councillors for them to prioritise work. Cllr Savory has been approached by a resident who is willing to clean for free the small monument memorial at the entrance to the car park. Cllr J Bell suggested this needed to be moved so it was in a more visible location and as Gordon Dobson used to look after the flower beds who would be do this now. Cllr Sugden reported that the toilet drains had been blocked over the Coronation weekend and the Clerk was looking into this.
   7. Jack Walker Seat – Cllr Savory has not had any updates to report.
   8. Complaints Report – Cllr Rodgers reported that the complaint concerning Cllr Sugden had not been upheld.
6. CORRESPSONDENCE:
   1. Fruit & Veg Stall Market Place – Unfortunately due to the current financial climate the supplier no longer wished to have a market stall. Cllr Willis is looking into the possibility of other suppliers.
   2. Hedgehogs R Us – There has been no interest shown in this project.
   3. No Mow May – Sue Able has had a positive response from Durham County Council, they will not be mowing highway verges in May.
   4. Muay Thai Lessons – Cllr Savory suggested we support this activity, Cllr Rodgers pointed out they shouldn’t clash with other classes currently using the field.
   5. Weardale Renewables – Cllr Savory declared an interest as a friend. Cllr Willis reminded the committee that the angling club had raised concerns at the last meeting. R Williams pointed out that he had sent replies to the angling club and had had no contact from them., the proposed equipment is deemed fish friendly by the Environment Agency. Cllr Savory suggested a site meeting should be arranged with the angling club. Cllr Sugden thought that the £62000.00 set up costs was beyond the scope of the Parish Council, however there are a lot of funding options available. Cllr Y Bell suggested an open meeting be arranged to gather everyone’s thoughts on the project. Cllr J Bell suggested that we should consider independent advice, which was agreed, Cllr Willis suggested Durham County Council Steven McDonald as a starting point.
7. WRECAS – Cllr Sugden explained that the current constitution goes back to 1997 and currently there are only 4 listed trustees when 8 are required. Robert Hopkinson has retired as the Chairman and Cllr Sugden has to write an annual report by the end of the month. The Clerk has no access to this account. Cllr Savory pointed out that is an invaluable umbrella body and it would be a shame to lose it. Cllr J Bell, Cllr Savory, Cllr Gardner, Cllr Willis and Cllr Y Bell all agreed to meet up to take this forward.
8. Traffic / Road Safety –Cllr Willis has met with Joy Allen who has offered support via access to the speed awareness vehicle, however there is little than can be done to prevent HGV’s using this route. Cllr Gardner felt that residents have stopped reporting issues as they feel they are not being listened to. Cllr Savory had it confirmed by DCC legal team that there is no requirement for a weight restriction and that engagement with the haulier companies to acknowledge the problem would be a way forward. It was agreed that Cllr Willis, Cllr Gardner and Cllr Y Bell set-up a working group to look into the possibility of an open meeting, parked cars etc.
9. Show-field Footpath – Cllr Willis had been approached by a resident asking whether a footpath along the main road from Wolsingham to the show-field could be provided as this is a walking route and would help with public safety. This matter would need to be referred to Durham County Council as the provision of footpaths within the adopted highway is their sole responsibility. Cllr Rodgers suggested this may be something that the show committee may possibly be interested in.
10. Seat in Demesne Mill – Cllr Savory has been approached by the Humble family requesting a memorial seat – this was agreed unanimously.
11. Finance
    1. Payments for April – agreed
    2. Reports to end of April – agreed
    3. Update on Maintenance Work – The Clerk has had a walk around the play area with our maintenance contractor and highlighted several areas that require work. Cllr J Bell queried whether the parking meter had been emptied and suggested that upgrading to a digital parking meter may be considered.

12 a) PLANNING:  NOTIFIED

DM/23/00992/FPA – Durham Road Farm, Durham Road, Wolsingham – Change of use of barn to allow

the storage of cars (sui generis) and installation of cladding and roller shutter doors –

no objection

DM/23/00890/FPA – Dene Cottage, Thornley, Tow Law, DL13 4PB – Change of use from agricultural land

to residential garden and retention of fence – no objection

PLANNING:  DECIDED

DM/23/00424/FPA – High Jofless Cottage, Wolsingham, DL13 3LY – Replacement roof to house and

garage, replacement windows and doors including new window to rear, remove

render, conversion of garage to habitable room, replacement septic tank with

packed treatment plant and installation of ground mounted solar panels – Approved

DM/22/02915/DRC – 18 Meadhope Street, Wolsingham, DL13 3EL – Discharge of condition 3 pursuant to

planning permission DM/22/00566/FPA - Approved

DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS

Monthly Parish Council Meeting        13/06/23         7.00pm            Wolsingham Town Hall