WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 11TH APRIL 2023

7.00 PM

THORNLEY VILLAGE HALL

           PRESENT: D. Sugden (Chair), A Savory, Y Bell, J Bell, D Jones, I Rodgers, O Gardner, P Dobson, T Willis, A Bonar, Sarah-Ann Baxter(Clerk)

            MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: J. Green, C & L. Gray, A. Henderson                                                      

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr A Vipond
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
   1. Environment Agency Flood Wardens – Two representatives from the Environment Agency attended the meeting to outline a new community resilience and flood plan of which they were looking for volunteers to be involved in communication work, similar to the Civil Crisis Plan. The Environment Agency will be contacting residents and be holding an open evening meeting to take this forward. Cllr Savory asked that any approach to elderly residents be done with care to prevent any undue anxiety concerning flooding.
   2. Three representatives from the Wolsingham Angling Club raised their concerns regarding the possible introduction of a hydro scheme on Waskerley Beck. Cllr D Sugden confirmed that there had been no firm scheme brought forward as of yet by Weardale Renewables and that they had already been informed to contact the Environment Agency and the Angling Club directly.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Savory declared an interest in planning due to her duties on the DCC Planning Committee.
4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD  14TH March 2023: Agreed & signed as a true & correct record.
5. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. Recreation Catering Van – There was a discussion concerning the location as both Cllr Dobson & Cllr Savory raised concerns over the location and danger to pedestrians and Cllr J Bell had noticed that the queues were not forming on the grassed area but in the car park. It was agreed that a risk assessment be carried out asap and any necessary actions be taken with the priority being to provide a footway within the grassed area and providing some sort of barriers/cones to encourage pedestrians to stay off the car park. Cllr J Bell queried where the water for the catering unit was supplied from, the Clerk informed him that currently the owners of the unit bring the water to the site daily in portable carriers.
   2. Wheelchair Walk – maintenance will be arranged by the Clerk.
   3. Parish Council Email Addresses – Cllr Gardner is awaiting prices, therefore no further update.
   4. Christmas Tree Lights – Cllr Savory informed the meeting that the AAP funding application has been submitted.
   5. Coronation – Cllr Willis updated the meeting, the working group are having weekly meetings, a programme of events has been put together, Wolsingham Senior School will be running a raffle to raise funds for their Nepal trip, a dog show will be run in aid of Spaniel Aid. Volunteers are required to man stalls and details should be given to the Parish Clerk. Coronation plaques will be erected around the Market Place and St Anne's Centre and the WI have kindly arranged bunting for the Town Hall.
   6. Jack Walker Seat – Cllr Savory has not had any updates to report.
   7. Windy Nook Picnic Area Development – Cllr Sugden informed the meeting that the Council had submitted favourable comments on this planning application.
   8. Complaints Report – The complaint concerning Cllr Gardner has been resolved in accordance with the Council’s complaints policy. The complaint concerning Cllr Sugden is still ongoing.
6. CORRESPSONDENCE:
   1. Fruit & Veg Stall Market Place – Cllr Willis had been contacted by a local seller who wished to know if he could place a stall in the Market Place on a Saturday possibly from 11am to 3pm. There was some discussion over the impact this may have on other traders, but it was agreed to offer a six week trial period, after which a review would be taken and rent discussed. The Clerk & Cllr Willis will approach the convenience store.
   2. Catering Van Enquiry – An enquiry had been received concerning the possibility of operating a catering van in Wolsingham, no further details had been received regarding locations etc. Cllr Savory raised the issue of conflict with other existing take away outlets and the need for public liability insurance.
   3. Hedgehogs R Us – An enquiry has been received from this organisation which offers ‘hedgehog highway’ cut-outs to go around small holes in fences to allow hedgehogs to travel more easily around gardens etc. Councillors agreed that a resident consultation would be carried out prior to buying at a cost of £150 for 50.
   4. Cherry Trees – the WI, prior to Covid, had previously offered to donate a cherry tree and had asked if this could still go ahead. Cllr Sugden proposed a location in Angate Square where a previous cherry tree had stood, and this was agreed.
7. Litter Picking – Cllr J Bell stated that under S89 of the Environment Protection Act the Parish Council is responsible for carrying out litter picking on its land. Cllr Rodgers & Cllr Sugden confirmed that this is only relevant to Durham County Council. Cllr Savory advised that the Clean & Green team empty the bins every day and that Wolsingham School pupils will be carrying out a litter pick after the Coronation weekend celebrations. Councillors also agreed that there are sufficient bins in the area.
8. Maintenance of Council Assets – Cllr J Bell suggested that the Parish Council have several assets and that they should be maintained to a higher standard, as he feels they are being neglected and are unattractive. He suggested that a working group be formed to look at and prioritise maintenance, this was agreed and Cllr J Bell, Cllr T Willis, Cllr D Jones and Cllr A Savory would form this group. Cllr Savory highlighted the need to have a rolling programme as budget constraints need to be adhered to. Cllr Jones is to organise a new plan of the St Annes centre as the current one held is out of date.
9. Permissive Footpath Thornhope Beck – Cllr D Jones advised that this matter was in the hands of Durham County Council’s Rights of Way section, who will be referring it to the Secretary of State.
10. Plant Stall – Cllr Savory has been asked by two residents if they could have a one-off stall selling bedding plants in the Market Place, to raise funds for the Weardale Community Hospital, this will likely take place in May/June for approximately two hours on a Saturday. Councillors agreed this could go ahead.
11. Facebook Page – The Clerk reported that the new FB is now up & running, Councillors were asked if this can now be used to highlight Parish events, promote the use of the Town Hall & St Anne’s Centre – this was agreed.
12. Hall Hire Terms – It was agreed that the Clerk could produce terms & conditions for hall hire for all groups using the facilities of the Town Hall & St Anne’s Centre.
13. Finance
    1. Payments for March – agreed
    2. Reports to end of March – agreed
    3. Update on Maintenance Work – A call out by the Peterlee Fire Company had been required due to someone unknown taping a plastic bag over the smoke sensor in the St Anne’s Centre Hall, fortunately this tampering activates an error code on the system and the problem was identified.

14 a) PLANNING:  DECIDED

DM/23/00671/TCA    3 Gordon Terrace Wolsingham. Felling of dead tree – No objection raised

DM/23/00496/TCA    Wolsingham School The Grammar School Building West End Wolsingham. Remove

major deadwood. Remove hazard beam limb T503 Scots Pine, Fell T511 Ash and Fell

T520 Crack Willow - No objection raised

DM/23/00281/FPA    18 The Crofts Wolsingham. Two storey side extension and single storey extension to

rear – Approved

DM/23/00014/DRC    Land West Of 1 Durham Road Wolsingham. Discharge of condition no.5 (charging

Points) relating to application DM/21/01832/FPA – Approved

DM/22/03400/DRC    Middle Fawnlees Leazes Lane Wolsingham. Discharge of conditions 3 (materials), 6

(sample panel), 7 (boundary wall sample panel), 8 (landscaping), 11 (amount of

rebuilding) and 17

 

b) PLANNING : NOTIFIED;

DM/23/00809/TCA    5 Rectory Lane Wolsingham. Remove up to 1m from top of T1. Bald Cypress – no objection

DM/23/00616/FPA    5 The Causeway Wolsingham. Replacement of the existing windows and doors. Window to gable wall, bi-fold doors to rear. Render rear elevation and the installation of a flue to rear to serve a new wood burning stove – no objection

DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS

Annual Parish Council Meeting          16/05/23         6.30pm            Wolsingham Town Hall

Monthly Parish Council Meeting        16/05/23         7.00pm            Wolsingham Town Hall