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Minutes November 2018

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF   MEETING  HELD TUESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER   2018  

7.00 PM TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

PRESENT:                Chair: D. Sugden, Mrs. Y. Bell, A. Vipond, J. Norman, Mrs. A. Nelson, R. George, J. Wilson

PUBLIC:                   Mrs. J. Henderson, D. Stephenson, R. Dobson,, B. Johnson, M. Emerson,

J. Wearmouth, Mr. & Mrs. Monkley

POLICE:                    Insp. Ed Turner

 

Presentation of Allotment Awards: Mr. John Wearmouth, Mr. & Mrs. G. Monkley, the chairman presented the trophies and congratulated the winners on all their successful work.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: S. Palombella, K. Tippins, Mrs. A. Savory
  2. POLICE REPORT: Insp. Turner gave a brief resume on his new role covering Teesdale, Weardale and the three towns of Willington, Crook and Tow Law. He had previously worked in Teesdale and was looking forward to being responsible for policing the dales once again. 

Information was given on the recent theft from SPAR and images have recently been posted on social media to identify the culprit. Whilst no violence was involved, the threat to use violence was enough to make it a more serious crime.

Whilst not wishing to be complacent, the area he covers is a very low crime area, with less than 1 crime per day committed. However, the public are reminded that all incidents should be reported, no matter how small, especially persons acting suspiciously.

This year to date crime figures are 25 % lower than last year at 63 reported crimes. (103 last year)

Anti social behaviour has decreased also, down 56% which is encouraging.

Insp. Turner commented on the proposed skate park at Wolsingham. He valued the thorough and robust way the consultations had been handled, which he had examined on the website and consulted other officers about. He confirmed that the police were willing to support this project or indeed other facility for youth.

His experience of the skate parks at Newton Aycliffe and Barnard Castle had been positive. Whilst he understood that some residents are always fearful of youth facilities, their effect on ASB rates was generally positive, as it gave the young people a socially acceptable activity.

With the lead up to Christmas, various operations have been planned to ensure that crime figures stay low, including PCSO’s checking doors and vehicles, as in such a low crime area people become complacent and may leave opportunities open.

          3.TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. A resident asked that Barclay’s Bank be contacted regarding the new ATM, it is apparently out of service more often than not and needs sorting out, especially as some residents cannot access their money.

          4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None

          5. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 9TH OCTOBER 2018 agreed as a true record, Cllr. Wilson asked that his name be recorded as being in attendance for this meeting.

          6. MATTERS ARISING; the new seat for the Market Place had been installed in commemoration of the Centenary of the Armistice 1918 – 2018. A poppy picnic bench had also been installed at the recreation ground for the same commemoration.

The GDPR Policy document had been added to the website

The unsafe guttering at the steelworks site had been attended to.

            7 MINUTES OF ASSETS SURVEY: Held Saturday 20th October 2018 Agreed and signed as a true record.

            8. MATTERS ARISING: The finger post in the Market Place to have direction signage set in place.

Angate Toilets, repairs were in hand.

Demesne Mill, unused steel post to be removed, first speed ramp to be removed, repair second speed ramp, and third if necessary.

The drainage channels are not effective and the metal cover grills were no longer in situ, which constitutes a hazard. The soak-away drains are not effective in heavy rain. Clerk to obtain estimates for renewal of system.

The chain securing the wooden gate needs replacing,

The metal pedestrian gate had been vandalised and needs some repair work.

The Life Buoy at the Sill Falls had been missing for some time after repeated vandalism. The risks are reduced as the water levels there are now lower due to the barrage having been breached. However we decided to have the lifebuoy replaced and test what happens.

The epicormic growth at the base of the lime trees needed removing annually. DCC to action.

The new plantation fencing needed to be made stronger and wire mesh fencing pulling tight, as well as strimming the undergrowth to allow the trees to flourish.

Recreation Ground, step to store room needed some black and yellow marking tape on the step for H. & S. reasons, as it intrudes into the footpath. The surface area under the carousel and multi play equipment was in need of attention, a quotation for the repair had been obtained but two other estimates were required as the cost was in excess of £1000

The toilet block in the recreation ground is owned by Durham CC but was not in a satisfactory state of repair or cleanliness. Further talks with DCC are necessary, even a suggestion that ownership of the facility be passed to Wolsingham PC to be considered. Enquiries should explore costs involved and alternative options for providing adequate toilet services for the children’s play area.

          9. CORRESPONDENCE

  1. Mr. Stephenson Re: Maintenance Contract Closed Churchyard. Mr. Stephenson requested clarity on how the contract had been awarded. The Chair replied, that the Clerk had left the meeting, whilst it was considered. Three quotations had been received, but only one giving a price quotation. Initially it had been suggested that the contract be re advertised as tenderers seemed not to have adequate information. However, when the Clerk was called back, he was able to show that all those who had responded had been supplied with the job specification and details of the area to be maintained. Hence the contract was awarded to Gardens Of Eden.
  2. Improvement Ideas Recreation Ground. A resident had contacted the Parish Council with the following ideas for improvements;
  • ‘A spiral slide etc. to be added to the equipment, the wooden trim trail to be removed.’ Our children’s play area is very popular, but we agreed that more facilities for older children may be needed. However, the items proposed are very expensive, probably about £40,000. We agreed to seek further information and consider.
  • ‘The trees had been neglected and were in need of some maintenance.’ Our current annual inspection had not identified any specific needs, but new legislation may change our approach. See below.
  • ‘Daffodils had been neglected and brambles and undergrowth were affecting them.’ We are advised that, as daffodils naturalise, they proliferate best without further disturbance. More daffodil planting has taken place this month.
  • ‘Dumping of grass cuttings and general garden waste at the south side of the recreation ground was illegal’. We are advised that, since this is natural waste on our own land, and it does not enter the waterway, it is not illegal but is a simple, cost free, composting process.
  • ‘The culvert to the west of the recreation ground was polluted with agricultural waste and in dire need of attention.’ Contact to be made with DCC and Environment Agency to encourage appropriate action and remedial work.
  • ‘Speed calming measures are necessary on the A689 at the entrance to the recreation ground’. This idea has been repeatedly offered, but has not been agreed to by the Highway Authority from their own traffic measurement and risk assessment.

c) Teesdale & Weardale Search & Mountain Rescue Team request for funding. We agreed to fund one set of avalanche equipment at a cost of £80, under the 2011 Localism Act.

d) CDALC : Tree Liabilities : recent judgement and advice from Zurich Insurance.

Council agreed to ask for the trees to be surveyed as appropriate to this new judgement. R. George to seek advice from expert contacts and to report in December. Also headstones in Closed Churchyard to be surveyed for risk assessment.

 e) An apology has been sent to Mr Bell, for suggesting that he had “misunderstood or misrepresented” the views of Inspector Tuck about the skate park. We accept that Inspector Tuck may have expressed different views to Mr Bell than he expressed to us.

           10. RECREATION GROUND:  Skate Park status; the planning application has been submitted by Concreate, but has first to be validated by DCC, whereupon it will become a ‘live’ application. The ‘validation’ process may include seeking additional information. It will then be on DCC website for comment, and a link will be on our website. We are awaiting that decision/action from DCC.

Concreate had requested a payment of £3000 for work done so far on plans and drawings for the skate park , agreed to make an exception and pay the £3000

            11. MEMBERS REQUESTS

  1. Future Planning / Community Development.  Notes from a seminar by Northern Heartlands “People Make Places” on strategies for Community Engagement had been circulated. Also proposals for development submitted by Karl Tippins for all councillors to comment on. After some discussion, JN proposed a day long meeting some time in January to discuss the planning issues in depth. John Norman to action and finalise dates at December meeting.
  2. A resident had asked if a child’s electric bike could be used in the recreation ground. This was agreed to, but must be under parental supervision, Clerk to check with Insurance Company regarding cover. We note that every such use of mechanised toys on our land must have our specific approval, for insurance and public safety reasons.
  3. The Remembrance Day Service had been very well attended but many participants could not hear the service. It was suggested that a better adjusted PA system was needed, but the one used was not provided by this Council.

           12. NEWSLETTER –  No specific matters raised

            13. PLANNING;

      

13.01  The following applications have been approved:

DM/18/01888/FPA    Leazes Farm, agricultural building on land west of Leazes Farm.

DM/18/02122/FPA     West Park Farm, implement shed & workshop

DM/18/02543/FPA     Broom Hall , 1, Melbourne Place , replace roof with natural slate and widen of access

DM/18/02676/FPA   West Newlands Hall, agricultural building to house an environmental sheep handling system

13.02  The following applications have been refused:

DM/18/02560/FPA     34,36,38 West End windows and doors replacement timber to pvc-u

DM/18/01967/FPA     2, Cooperative Terrace, timber windows and doors to UPVC  and roof light to front

  1. The following applications have been notified

DM/18/03185/TCA     The Old Barn , Grange Cottages        T1 ornamental cherry, reduce crown by up to 25% T2 Hawthorn, prune back the spread and height of crown by 10-20%T3 Whitebeam/Sorbus fell

DM/18/03079/TCA     45, The Causeway, T1,T2,T3 Ash  prune to reduce crown by 50%T4,T5,T6,T7,T8 and T10 Plum , fell & T9 Pear Fell

DM/18/03024/TPO     Unit 2D  Durham Road Ind. Est, crown lift to 5 m, excluding large diameter branches and a lateral reduction to give a clearance from adjacent buildings of 2 meters

DM/18/03034/FPA     31, Lydgate Avenue, single storey side extension

DM/18/02999/TPO     Demesne Cottage, T1 sycamore , crown raise and crown reduce branches overhanging conservatory and crown thin canopy by 10 – 15%    

DM/18/03230/FPA     proposed dwelling land opposite 21/23 Silver Street.

Wolsingham Comprehensive School, a planning application for the complete demolition had been submitted. If approved, demolition will commence 9th January and be finished by end of May 2019.

13.04                       The following application has been withdrawn

DM/18/02433/FPA Denecroft, 35 Uppertown new vehicular access and two off road parking spaces

  1. Finance Reports End October 2018 statements agreed . A request for a copy of the monthly cheque report was requested but refused as it  contained personal information. New GDPR regulations do not permit personal data to be disclosed. However, details of all payments made this month were read out, without only the personal data.
  2. Precept/ Budget 2019/20 some minor alterations were agreed to, in view of recent government budget announcements and other changes.
  3. A request to assist Wolsingham Primary School in funding repairs to a climbing frame surface; it was agreed to donate £500 towards the cost, under the 2011 Localism Act. Also to refer to Weardale Area Action Partnership, and other fund raising activities.