WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 14TH November 2023

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL

                                                                                                                                

              PRESENT: D Sugden, A Savory, Y Bell, J Bell, I Rodgers, A Bonar, A Vipond,

     Sarah-Ann Baxter(Clerk)

                MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: J Clarke, J Green, G Dobson, T Stewart, P Gardner

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: D Jones, P Dobson
2. COUNCILLOR RESIGNATION: Trish Willis has resigned as a Parish Councillor
3. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR: Mr G Dobson raised several issues with the Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR), both the Clerk & Chairman apologised for any errors that had been made but Mazars, the external auditors, had issued the conclusion of notice of the audit with only three minor points to be considered for next year. The Chairman asked if Mr Dobson would like a meeting or to put his concerns in an email so that the Council may investigate and address them fully. Mr Dobson then went on and accused the Chairman of being a liar and then alluded to another Parish Council where the Clerk had been embezzling funds. At this point Cllr Rodgers pointed out that some of Mr Dobson issues were from back in June and asked why, as a friend of the Council’s, had he not come forward and pointed out the issues then rather than wait and throw a hand grenade, bearing in mind that as the outgoing Clerk he had been paid an extra month’s salary to mentor the new Clerk, which obviously had not been successful. The Council agreed to look into the complaints and provide a comprehensive response to Mr Dobson.
4. 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/new toilets. Cllr J Bell declared an interest in the Kiosk/new toilets.
5. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD  10th October 2023: Cllr A Vipond had attended the meeting and would be added to the minutes. Cllr J Bell asked could item 8 include his reference to asking for a referendum, after some discussion this was agreed. The minutes were then accepted as a true & correct record.
6. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. Parish Council Email Addresses – Cllr Sugden read out a letter from Cllr J Bell which stated that he did not wish to use the Councils email system and wanted to receive all correspondence by post as had been instigated by the Council. Cllr Sugden explained again that due to GDPR and Cllr J Bell having said on several occasions that his email address was used by others the Council had to act and no alternative email had been given. It was confirmed that Councillors email addresses will be displayed on the website, along with private phone numbers of those who wished for them to be displayed. Mr J Clarke thought it was important that all Councillors are contactable, Cllr Bonar explained why not everyone wished to have their private number advertised and the Clerk pointed out that the office email address is monitored very regularly.
   2. Christmas Tree Lights – Cllr Savory declared an interest and explained that the new electrical works had been completed, the new motifs had been delivered, the switch on would be on the 24th November at 5pm. This would include songs by the primary schoolchildren around the tree, mulled wine & mince pies, tombola, Santa’s post box and a Friends of Weardale Hospital stall in the Town Hall. Cllr J Bell suggested that Cllr A Savory switch the lights on after all her efforts in providing the new lights etc, this was agreed. Cllr Bonar asked would the local shops be willing to stay open later and its was agreed that Cllr Savory and Cllr Y Bell approach the businesses.
   3. St Anne’s Maintenance – Cllr Vipond explained that three quotes had been obtained for the decorating on the hall, the Clerk went through the quotes and, after some discussion, it was decided to go with the cheapest quotation. Cllr Savory asked if Cllr Vipond would be overseeing the works and this was confirmed. The Clerk confirmed that PAT electrical testing had now been completed, there had been a couple of complaints regarding the lack of lighting in the car park and this is being looked into. It was also agreed that new folding, lighter tables will be provided for the hall.
   4. Road Safety Working Group – Cllr Sugden pointed out that two members of the group had now resigned, an invitation had been displayed publicly and two members of the village had come forward. Cllr Y Bell explained that she no longer wishes to continue in the group. Cllr Sugden suggested that he meet with the two residents and Cllr Savory suggested that this may lead to a meeting where the DCC Highway Officer could attend. Mr P Gardner felt this formal meeting would be a good idea.  
   5. Maintenance work – The clerk pointed out that new curtain rails were required in the Town Hall, the works on the potholes in Demesne Mill had been postponed due to the weather conditions, the yearly PAT electrical testing had now been completed at both locations, Cllr Rodgers queried when the last PAT testing had been completed at St Anne’s, the Clerk confirmed it had been several years. The boiler in the Angate Street toilets needed some attention, as it had not been serviced for a number of years, and new toilet seats required again due to damage.
7. CORRESPSONDENCE:
   1. & ii) Mr P Gardner had sent in two emails concerning several different issues including considering highway impacts when commenting on planning applications, had the Council been consulted on DCC’s revisions to the list of Traffic Sensitive Streets, had all the residents views been adequately reflected by the elected Councillor’s attending the open road safety meeting, the conduct of the Council when dealing with the proposed industrial development at the former steelworks. A response was provided to the Councillors for them to discuss and agree, this will be sent to Mr P Gardner in due course. Cllr Sugden gave an update on Dr Hotson’s interest in the former steelworks site, he is still very interested in acquiring the site, although Bellway are not communicating with him at present, he is hoping to negotiate with their shareholders.
8. New Kiosk / Toilets – Cllr Savory declared an interest. Still awaiting confirmed quotes to carryout the works and planning permission is still being considered.
9. January 2024 Meeting – It was agreed to move the meeting to Tuesday 16th January to allow time for the agenda to be advertised after the New Year.
10. Finance
    1. Payments & Reports for October – agreed
    2. It was agreed that the Council would meet on the 29th November 2023 to discuss proposed budgets for 2024/25.
    3. Update on Maintenance Works
    4. Parking Meter – Two quotes had been received for new coin/card operated machine to replace the outdated machine in the St Anne’s car park. Council agreed to go with the cheapest quote and to install a meter in the Demesne Mill car park. Parking charges/residents permits will be discussed at the budget meeting.
11. PLANNING:  NOTIFIED

DM/23/03247/TCA - Wolsingham School The Grammar School Building West End Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3DJ. Crown Raise Group G1 and trees T510, T512 - T519 to 2.5mts. - Section 211 notice – no objection raised

DM/23/03191/FPA - Holywell Farm Holy Well Lane Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3HB. Demolition of agricultural building. - no objection raised

DM/23/03066/FPA - The Old Station House Wear Bank Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3BL.

Erection of detached bungalow with associated parking and infrastructure (resubmission) - no objection raised

DM/23/03010/FPA - Newlands Hall Frosterley Bishop Auckland DL13 2SH. Conversion of outbuildings to create annex with external alterations including the raising of the roof and additional fenestration. - no objection raised

DM/23/02870/FPA  - Land East Of 1-6 Deneside Business Units Wolsingham DL13 3BF. Construction of two storey office building and single storey storage building - no objection raised, J Green pointed out that this was for a large drainage company and would be good for employment in the area.

PLANNING:  DECIDED

DM/23/02740/TPO - 7 Demesne Court Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AW. Crown reduction by 1.5m to all sides of tree - TPO - CCD-15-2010 – Approved

DM/23/02662/LB - 4A Rectory Lane Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AJ. Repointing of dwelling with lime mortar and replacement roof in slate. – Approved

DM/23/02662/LB - 4A Rectory Lane Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AJ. Repointing of dwelling with lime mortar and replacement roof in slate – Approved

DM/23/02475/FPA - Old Park Farm Durham Road Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3JH. 

Full replacement of the stone slates on the northern pitch of dwelling. – Approved

DM/23/02476/LB - Old Park Farm Durham Road Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3JH. 

Full replacement of the stone slates on the northern pitch of dwelling. – Approved

DM/23/02225/FPA - Halfway House Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3DT. Proposed 2 storey kitchen/bedroom extension - Approved

DM/23/02157/FPA - 12 Mill Race Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3BW. Installation of heat pump to replace existing gas boiler - Approved

DM/23/00890/FPA - Dene Cottage Thornley Tow Law Bishop Auckland DL13 4PB. Retrospective change of use from agricultural land to residential garden and retention of fence – Application Withdrawn