WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 16TH January 2023

7.00 PM TOWN HALL

                                                                                                                                

              PRESENT: D Sugden, A Savory, J Bell, I Rodgers, A. Vipond, Sarah-Ann Baxter(Clerk)

                            MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: J Green, J Bartram, A Hirst, S Bittlestone

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Y Bell, A Bonar​
   1. Interviews had been held to fill the current vacant Councillor positions, it was proposed to co-opt all four applicants – this was unanimously agreed
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR: None
3. 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.
4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD  12th December 2023: The minutes were accepted as a true & correct record.
5. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. Christmas Tree Lights – Cllr Savory declared an interest. Cllr Vipond queried why the lights had been on in the morning, this was due to a request from a resident and Cllr Savory had arranged this. Cllr Savory will look into funding for the St Anne’s lights and the Clerk had received an estimate for placing lights in the trees, it was agreed that some lights would be arranged for next Christmas.
   2. St Anne’s Maintenance – The hall is now decorated, the Clerk asked could the entrance lobby to be decorated, Cllr Vipond agreed to look into costs as well as prices for new flooring in the hall. Cllr Savory explained about an initiative called Trades for Care for decorating. Cllr Savory thanked Cllr Vipond for all his work in co-ordinating the improvement of the hall. The Clerk explained that new curtains would be going up and that the heating had been looked at by the plumber. Cllr J Bell raised an issue with the new lights in the car park being on after 11pm, this would be investigated. The new parking meters are anticipated to be installed by Easter along with new signage showing the new parking charges. Cllr Vipond suggested that the bowling green hedge should be reduced in height, this was agreed, and the Clerk will arrange.
   3. Recreation Allotment Hedge – Cllr Savory had arranged for the hedge to be cut back.
   4. Policy Reviews – The 11 Policies were shared amongst the Council for review and will ideally be completed by the February meeting.
   5. Allotment Wall – The planning application has been submitted for the removal of the trees and the Clerk informed the meeting that the costs of the works will be approximately £3000, and will hopefully be completed in March, if permission is granted.
   6. Barclays Bank Cashpoint – The Clerk had written to the Barclays, no response had been received but Cllr Sugden confirmed the cashpoint was now operating.
   7. Maintenance Works - The Clerk confirmed that David Jones was contacting the contractor regarding repairs to the potholes in the Demesne Mill car park. Cllr Rodgers asked if the tree reports had been received, the Clerk confirmed they had not yet arrived.
6. CORRESPSONDENCE:  
   1. An email had been received asking if a streetlights switching off policy could be supported by the Parish Council, this was discussed and due to the use of low energy LED lights and that the Parish Council do not have any authority over the Street Lights, it was felt the status quo should remain.
7. New Kiosk / Toilets – Cllr Savory & Cllr J Bell declared an interest.
   1. Quotes had been received to complete the works with costs being approximately £31027.19. Cllr Savory has already allocated just under £5000 to this project and the AAP team have initially indicated they may be able to fund up to 50% of the works. Cllr J Bell wished it to be noted that he did not agree with the project and felt that public money could be better spent, and alternative cheaper options were available. All other Councillors agreed to proceed with the scheme, whilst Cllr Savory explained that it was the Councils duty to improve facilities within Wolsingham.
8. Finance
   1. Payments & Reports for December – agreed. It was also discussed that the landline is now becoming obsolete, it was agreed to provide a mobile phone to the Clerk to improve communication and to be more flexible.
   2. Proposed Budget 2024/25 – This was unanimously agreed
   3. AGAR Report 2022/23 - This was unanimously agreed

9)PLANNING:  NOTIFIED –

DM/23/03363/FPA - Parish House 50 East End Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3JX. Convert one dwelling into two dwellings

 

1. PLANNING:  DECIDED

DM/23/03432/TPO - Ivy House 72 West End Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AP. Pruning back over the kitchen roof, back to the boundary of 70 West End of one Yew tree - TPO-CCD-25-2011 – Approved

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) – Application Withdrawn

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. - Application Withdrawn

DM/23/02678/VOC - Building South West Of St Annes Centre West End Wolsingham DL13 3AP. Variation of condition 2 pursuant to planning approval DM/20/03744/FPA to remove proposed extension and to use building for storage and 2 No. W.Cs – Approved

DM/23/01023/FPA - Scotch Isle Park Durham Road Wolsingham DL13 3JG. Provision of general purpose building and new access track within showfield site for Wolsingham Show. – Approved

DM/23/00181/FPA - 13 Market Place Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AE. Change of use of part of commercial unit to dwelling and formation of bay window to rear. - Approved