WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF    MEETING  HELD

 

TUESDAY  4TH APRIL   2017  

7.00 PM  

PRESENT: Chair   D. Sugden, Mrs. J. Henderson,, G. Price ,  Mrs. A. Savory, M. Bell

 Mrs. A. Nelson M/s L. Richardson, Mrs. M. Epsly, S. Calvert, J. Wilson

PUBLIC:                   K. Tipping

 

POLICE :      P.C. G. Moore

 

Chairman’s opening remarks: as this was the last meeting prior to the May 4th election the chair thanked everyone for their support , some members would be returning but others had decided to retire. One noticeable member retiring was Cllr. Maureen Epsly who had served the Parish for the past 12 years as a member and chairman on two occasions, and today was her 80th birthday,  a buffet had been prepared for after the meeting and all congratulated Maureen .

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:   S. Calvert
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
3. POLICE REPORT: P. C. G. Moore gave the report for the last three months. Thefts from various caravan sites throughout Weardale had been occurrung throughout the winter and a culprit had been arrested and was on remand awaiting sentencing. A plan for crime prevention for caravan site owners was being implemented. A theft of diesel had occurred and there was a significant increase in poaching was  a worry to local farmers , particularly at this time of year when ewes are in lamb.

There had also been a record of “scam” telephone calls purporting to be from H M R&C. , fortunately no one had been “conned” and a Fraud Action helpline had been set up. As the summer approaches and motorcyclists become more active , mobile speed cameras are to be deployed throughout the dale.

1. MINUTES OF  MEETING HELD 14TH MARCH 2017 agreed as a true record and signed as such.
2. MATTERS ARISING : Cornerstone Charity would be on Wolsingham Market Place weekend 8th April.
3. CORRESPONDENCE:   An e mail had been received relating to an incident at West End Wolsingham on the 2nd April where a “ boulder “ had been deposited in a residents garden, and was most concerned to ascertain whether this was normal behaviour for Wolsingham. E mail to be passed to police for investigation.
4. RECREATION GROUND: The new security fencing would be installed in April as agreed.
5. ST. ANNE’S CENTRE:  
6. ALLOTMENTS  One allotment remained vacant , there was one person on the waiting list & hopefully this would be re let.
7. TOWN HALL:    Painting of windows to be commenced Easter week when the library was closed.

An enquiry had been made regarding using the Town Hall as a collection point for a food bank , to be distributed via The Salvation Army at Crook. Apparently there were already two collection points in the town at the Methodist and ST. Thomas’s halls. Clerk to discuss further as to what area they required and the need for a further collection point.

1. MARKET PLACE: Concern was raised at the time a caravan had been parked on the Market area owned by the Parish Council, clerk to speak with owner to ascertain how much longer the caravan would be parked there. Other issues as to parking on the south side of the Market Place were also raised as some residents had been quite confrontational , this area of the Market Place is owned by the Parish Council and is not for the sole use of residents , especially through  the day when places are available. Clerk to ask for  a map of available parking in Wolsingham to be drawn up , with the assistance of Durham C.C. highways department, and highlighting areas of free parking. One solution would be to mark parking bays on the tarmacadam for all to see.
2. ANGATE STREET TOILETS :
3. DEMESNE MILL:  It was suggested that more security was needed at Demesne with the Appleby Fair travellers going to and from the annual horse fair. and that the barrier should be locked at night

It was agreed to ask for a price to erect post and netting fencing ( approx.. 40 yards) to the west of the park to prevent access to the sill falls area.

1. THORNLEY WOOD Tree planting had been completed for this season and the contractor was erecting a new fence. Lots of piles of branches were left clerk to ask DWT what can be done with them, presumably they wouldn’t want them burning?

 

1. FOOTPATHS  It was reported that the new landowner at Demesne intended to fence off the footpaths to Jack Walker Bridge with a double line of fencing so as to curtail dogs and pedestrians from straying. This was within the law as long as the path was 1 metre wide, no surface dressing was needed .

Lovers Lane was commented on as being very tidy , thanks to DCC Green team. For future reference it was mentioned that the area of footpath adjacent to the allotments could do with upgrading to concrete/ tarmacadam as it becomes very muddy in winter.

The footpath linking  Uppertown  to Lydgate Lane was very muddy as the leaves had been left to long and had mulched, in future to have footpath cleared earlier.

1. CLOSD CHURCHYARD:
2. NEWSLETTER
3. CLERKS BUSINESS: Talks were ongoing with a view to securing the retention of the school sixth form centre for commercial use.
4. MEMBERS REQUEST:

20 .PLANNING: 

20.01  The following applications have been approved:

DM17/00381/FPA     36, Lydgate Lane, conservatory to rear

DRC/17/00050           Kings Head Cottage , 3 Angate St. discharge of conditions 3 / 4  DM/16/01949

DM/17/00261/FPA    29, St. Anne’s Drive external flue

DM/17/00237/TCA    25, Angate St T1 cherry fell, T2 magnolia crown thin 20%

 

 

  The following applications have been notified

DRC/17/00094/      Mill Garage, Durham Road, discharge condition 5 ( Land contamination) pursuant to application DM/16/03905/VOC

 

1. 21.0         Finance Reports End March 2017 agreed and accepted

To consider such other items of business which, by reason of special circumstances so specified, the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.