WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF   MEETING  HELD

TUESDAY 9TH  JULY   2019  

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

Public Participation  7.00 pm – 7.15 pm

 

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

 D Jones, A. Vipond, Mrs. A. Nelson

PUBLIC:       Mr .Ian Hirst

 

POLICE:        None present : PC Geoff Moore had forwarded a brief summary, no real issues concerning crime trends in and around Wolsingham. Residents are still reporting any suspicious activity , which could account for the lack of thefts and poaching.

PCSO Chris Elms , the beat officer assigned to Wolsingham , has been appointed as a Community Safety Responder, the role to encompass being a PCSO, retained firefighter and 1st Responder.

Work is also underway with local farmers to have property marked up using the DOT Pin machine to help in identification if items are stolen.

 

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: J. Wilson, R. George
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Ian Hirst attended the meeting as he was keen to being a member of the council. Ian gave a resume of his community work so far and is looking forward to being appointed to the council. The vacancy would be advertised again and an appointment would be made in September.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Mrs. A. Nelson declared an interest in planning application for 16, Lydgate Avenue, as this was her home address.
4. MINUTES OF  MEETING HELD 11TH JUNE  2019 , agreed as a true record and signed as such.
5. MATTERS ARISING: 1) Wildflowers on council owned land, a report was awaited.

2) Skate Park signage , a quotation had been received from W. A. Smith and a final proof and artwork was awaited.

3) Opening event , Nick Barber and Isaac were unable to attend on 20th July.

4) Community Day funding was now in place, and no further funds were necessary at this point.

5) The refuse bin for Thornley would be in place when new stocks arrive.

6)  The future of the Community Bus which is operated by WRECASS was raised , this to be dealt with under Long Term Planning .

1. CORRESPONDENCE:  1)  Mowing of grass roadside verges, concerns to be passed to Durham C.C.

2) A resident had asked that weedkiller not be used on grass verges and parks, concerns to be passed to Durham C.C.

3)  A resident had asked for a zebra crossing to be installed in the Market Place. Durham C.C. had been contacted , who had conducted a survey, and it was reported that the numerous criteria used before adopting a zebra crossing had not been met. A school crossing patrol operative is in attendance morning and afternoons in term time.

There had been no reported accidents since 2011, but the situation would be kept under review.

1. RECREATION GROUND:   A ) Skatepark opening event 20th July  , this date was thought to be unattainable and the date would now be 10th August, to allow all work and landscaping to be complete.

B) Poster competition Wolsingham Schools Prize £60 per school for A4 poster, 5 posters were selected and the school would be informed of the successful winners.

C) Despite numerous requests the signage , advising of construction traffic operating in the recreation ground was still not adequate and did not cover all gates.

D) A ROSPA inspection to be undertaken before the skate park is opened. Contractor to arrange, albeit the Play ground inspector employed by the Parish Council could do the inspection if needed.

E) A quotation for a marquee at the opening event had been received and agreed to.

F) An amplifier could be acquired from PROBUS , and there was enough extension lead on site for a power supply.

 

1. ALLOTMENTS :   Request to erect poly-tunnel Plot no. 19 Granted

 

 

1. STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

 a)   notes of meeting held 17th June ,agreed

b)   Draft Questionnaire on future planning, amended where necessary, final version to be placed on website and circulated with the Town Crier in September. Followed by an open day for consultation.

1. MEMBERS REQUESTS:

1) A provisional date of 17th July had been arranged for the Annual Fun Fair 10.00 am in the Town Hall.

2) The future of the WRECASS mini bus to be added to the questionnaire.

3)  The former Watson’s Garage site was becoming an eyesore and was in desperate need of tidying up. The clerk would contact SPAR for an update and have some work done to the site.

4) Visitors to the Demesne Mill picnic site were damaging the picnic benches by using BBQ’s melting the surface areas. Purpose built BBQ areas may resolve the situation.

5) On a random visit to the recreation ground a member discovered that not all vehicles were displaying parking tickets or residents permits. New parking tickets  to be printed reminding vehicle users to pay & display.

6) Members of the council wish to forward their best wishes to students moving on to further education and for those attending primary school moving to the comprehensive, and wishing them all the best in their examinations.

1. NEWSLETTER No newsletter for August but the meeting notes would be placed on the website.

        12 .         PLANNING:    The following applications have been approved:

 

DM/19/01299/LB       Thornley Hall, porch extension, convert part barn, re-build rear wall, reconstruct orangery

DM/17/01995/FPA     Land Opposite Ward’s End Cottages, Tow Law, erection of 3 no. Industrial units

1. The following applications have been notified

DM/198/01855/LB     Low Harperley Farm, conversion of existing barn, to provide farm employees with rest room, WC, drying area & stores

DM/19/01802/FPA     17, Holywood, alterations to existing pedestrian gated access

DM/19/01806/FPA     57, Lydgate Lane, resubmission of planning approval, to increase ground floor element

DM/19/01772/FPA     16, Lydgate Avenue, two storey side extension & single storey rear extension

                                    Mrs. A. Nelson declared an interest and took no part in the discussion regarding the above planning application

DM/19/01775/PNA    Dapple Farm, High Stoop, erect agricultural building for stock & materials

DM/19/01744/FPA     5, East End, conservatory to front

DM/19/01651/LB       Wesley Methodist Church Hall, works to facilitate change of use to dwelling Chapel (D2) to dwelling (D3)

DM/19/01501/FPA     21, Angate Street, installation  of new stairs, handrails, decking & screening to form roof terrace (over existing garage)

DM/19/01967/FPA     Viewley Hill farm, High Stoop, Tow Law, conversion of farm building to dwelling

DM/19/01985/LB       Low Fawnlees, conversion of byre to annex

 

1. Finance Reports End June 2019 read and accepted.