WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 10TH JANUARY 2023

7.00 PM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

                                                                                                                                              

                PRESENT: D. Sugden (Chair), Mrs A Savory, Mrs Y Bell, J Bell, Mrs P Dobson, A. Vipond,

    D Jones, I Rodgers, Sarah-Ann Baxter (Clerk)

                MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: J. Green, M. Bell, H & B Watt                                                               

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: O Gardner
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Cllr Vipond had received a complaint concerning the works outside of the Club. The cobble setts had been removed and tarmac had been used as the reinstatement. M. Bell explained he could not understand why this had taken place as he had spoken to the workmen who had advised that the setts were not damaged. Cllr Savory had already queried this work and has been advised that the tarmac is a temporary repair and the setts would be reinstated, she will chase this up.
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  13TH December 2022: agreed & signed as a true record
5. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. Cllr Sugden read out two letters that had been received concerning the locations of the proposed BBQ’s and the safety aspects of providing the BBQ’s. Both Cllr Savory & Cllr Rodgers explained that the provision being proposed was to try and prevent further damage that had previously occurred. Cllr Bell brought to the attention of the Council that the plan showing the locations of the proposed BBQ’s on the website had not been clear and asked if a further consultation period should take place. This was agreed and a new plan would be provided to be uploaded onto the website and in the Town Crier. Cllr J  Bell also wanted clarification that this proposal had not been decided upon, Cllr Sugden confirmed no decision had as yet been made and the Council would now wait until the next period of consultation had been completed before making a decision.
   2. Cllr Sugden explained that four applications had been received for the two Councillor vacancies, interviews had taken place and the Council has decided the vacancies will be filled by Trish Willis and Alison Bonar.
   3. Cllr Savory has arranged a site meeting on Friday 13th with Durham County Council to discuss the provision of the Christmas lights and upgrading the electrical connection in readiness for Christmas 2023. Cllr J Bell raised the issue of lights in the recreation ground and it was agreed that this would be looked at once the costs for the market place had been confirmed. Cllr Rodgers suggested a working group be set-up to cover all aspects of the Christmas lights, this was agreed and will be set-up at the next meeting as the new Councillors will then be in place.
   4. Cllr Savory has been in contact with Wolsingham School who may be willing to take two trees and she also suggested Tom’s Copse in the Demesne where a tree had been damaged. Cllr Rodgers suggested that oak trees could be used to replace trees where Ash dieback had occurred in Thornley. Cllr J Bell suggested the area where the willows have been removed in the Recreation Ground
   5. Cllr Y Bell suggested a resident’s consultation as to what the village would like for the Coronation, residents can submit their ideas to the Parish Clerk prior to the next Council meeting on the 14th February. Cllr Savory would be willing to organise some sort of event in the Market Place and Cllr Rodgers advised that Thornley would be more than likely holding an event.
6. CORRESPSONDENCE: None
7. DBS CHECKS: Cllr Savory proposed that all Parish Councillors should undertake a DBS check and felt that Councillors should lead by example and that this would give reassurance and credence. All County Councillors have to be DBS checked. Cllr Jones agreed with this. Cllr Rodgers asked should the Council be spending money on something where there is no requirement and also if someone fails a DBS check can anything be actually done with that person? Cllr Bell asked what would happen if a Councillor refused to have a check completed. Parish Clerk to check guidance with NALC/CDALC on the matters raised and bring to next meeting.
8. PARK RUN:  Cllr Savory has been approached about using the Recreation Ground for a Park Run in May 2023, the run would use public rights of way. The Council agreed this in principle and asked if the organisers could attend the next meeting with more information.
9. FINANCE:
   1. Cheques for Payment December - agreed
   2. Reports to end December – agreed
   3. Final Budget Setting 2023/24: The precept budget has been slightly altered since the finance meeting in November to take into account the decrease in income from not having the catering van at the recreation ground and the inclusion of spending for the Coronation and the allotment wall repairs. The increase in precept would be 8%, both Cllr J Bell & Cllr Dobson were against this increase and asked could this increase not be absorbed through the reserves. Cllr Sugden explained that the reserves are only to be used for one off projects or emergencies. Cllr J Bell & Cllr Dobson were asked if there was anything they would wish to cut from the proposed budget to reduce the precept down to a 5% increase. Cllr Rodgers, Cllr Savory & Cllr Jones all agreed with the increase as the Council has & will have increases in its running costs. Areas of new funding were discussed including charging for parking at the Demesne Mill and promoting the Town Hall & St Anne’s Hall hires. A vote was taken and the majority of the Council agreed to the proposed increase.

10 a) PLANNING:  DECIDED

DM/22/03145/FPA    The Old Station House, Wear Bank, Wolsingham. Erection of 1no. detached dormer bungalow with detached garage – Withdrawn

DM/22/02847/AD      Demesne Mill Car Park and picnic area, Angate Street, Wolsingham. Replacement notice board – Approved

DM/22/03037/LB       27-29 Front Street, Wolsingham. Replace selected windows and French doors to the garden on rear elevation and perform repairs to garden room roof – Approved

DM/22/02973/TCA    Land East of 4 Uppertown, Wolsingham. Remove branches and dead wood that overhang property and reduce height uo to 4m T1 Sycamore – Raise Objection TPO

DM/22/02971/FPA    Sandy Carr Farm, Wolsingfham Road, Tow Law. Extension of existing agricultural shed – Approved

DM/22/02711/FPA    Halfway House, Wolsingham. Proposed 2 storey kitchen/bedrooms extension and reinstatement of existing access track to house and outbuildings - Withdrawn

 

 

b) PLANNING : NOTIFIED;

DM/22/03602/TCA    10 Stanhope Road, Wolsingham. Crown reduce and reshape by 3-4m T1 Ash tree – No Comment

DM/22/03537/VOC   8 Front Street, Wolsingham. Variation of condition 2 on planning permission DM/22/00151/FPA to amend roof design on the rear elevation – No Comment