WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 11TH FEBRUARY   2020   7.00 PM

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

PRESENT:     Chair: D. Sugden, J. Norman, Mrs. Y. Bell, Mrs. A. Savory, R. George, D. Jones,

Mrs. A. Nelson, Mr. Ian Hirst, J. Wilson

PUBLIC:                    Iain Rodgers, Karl Tippins, D. Stephenson

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
4. MINUTES OF  MEETING HELD 14TH JANUARY  2020 agreed as a true record and signed as such
5. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. ​VE DAY 8TH – 10TH May, Cllr Savory presented various costings for the event to be held in the Market Place, after a brief discussion it was proposed that the event should be held in the recreation ground and St. Anne’s Centre. Volunteers are urgently needed, and any interested parties to contact Cllr. Savory or the Clerk.
   2. BXB Ltd. Second stage consultation re former Steelworks redevelopment, Thursday March 19th 3.00 pm – 7.00 pm             Friday 20th March 10.00 am - 2.00 pm At the Town Hall
   3.  The recent consultation event regarding the Stroke Unit at Bp. Auckland had been cancelled and it was understood that no move would now take place.
   4. Thornley Wood, Cllr. Savory had spoken to Clean & Green Team Durham C.C. and should a new litter bin be required at this location then Wolsingham P. C. would have to purchase the bin at a cost of C £200, agreed to purchase the bin and site at Thornley Wood, The matter regarding late night parking at the wood was being investigated by the authorities.
   5. Trustees of High House Chapel Ireshopeburn would be contacting Wolsingham P.C. in the near future regarding a possible donation.
6. CORRESPONDENCE: 
   1. e mail regarding state of recreation ground near to skate park., the complainant had been replied to , as the area is still a work in progress more disruption was likely in the area.
   2. Thornley Wood more hedge planting has taken place with school children from Tow Law. Project now signed off by DCC It was agreed to thank all volunteer groups taking part in the Thornley Wood project especially Durham Wildlife Trust.
   3. Complaint re: state of footpath near to Mayfield , family walk and mud , kissing gate on family walk. Reply from Wayfarers attached. The response from the Wayfarers had been quick and to the point , the way forward would be to speak to Rights of Way, Durham C.C.  and the landowner to see if any improvements to the surface can be agreed upon
   4. Research Project: changing nature of village economies e mailed. All agreed that this was a welcome project to be involved in. To invite Mr. Bosworth to the March meeting.
   5. A reporter had contacted the Chair, regarding a most recent planning application of a proposed new railway platform between Wolsingham & Frosterley. Whilst this was welcomed no comment could be made at this point as the application had only become live on the planning system and no details were to hand.
7. STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Notes from final consultation day held 18th January copy attached. It was agreed to prioritise,  and formulate a structure plan for a five year period, to be submitted for scrutiny at the Parish Annual Meeting on May12th
8. MEMBERS REQUESTS:  Cllr. Mrs. A Savory and Cllr. R. George declared an interest , being governors of Wolsingham School and left the meeting
   1.  A request was received from Wolsingham School for funding, in aid of Student Support. It was agreed to donate £500, to be paid on production of a current bank statement.
   2.  A request was made to hold a cake stall on the Market Place to raise funds for the above Support Fund, Agreed.
9. ​NEWSLETTER:
   1. VE Day volunteers wanted.
   2. BXB Ltd consultation event Town Hall March 19th & 20th re:- Steelworks site
   3. Public meeting Stanhope Dales Centre re;- Weardale Gazette and possible saving of the newspaper, as it had proved to be a valuable asset for dissemination of news in Weardale and the surrounding area.

        10. PLANNING:

10.01                                       The following applications have been approved:

DRC/20/00024                       Harperley Hall, Fir Tree, discharge of condition 3 ( door details) of listed building consent DM/19/02774/LB                   

DM/19/03780/VOC                Sawmill Depot Durham Road, variation of condition 1 (approved plans) of planning permission DM/19/02349/VOC to extend footprint of proposed building

DM/19/03767/TPO                land East of Mill Race, crown lift to based sucker branches .Partial crown reduction to remove lateral branches overhanging neighbouring garden and roof. Preserve balance of tree by overall crown reduction of 30%.Remove dead wood to T1, mature ash tree, and fell T2 immature ash tree.

DM/19/03534/FPA                 25, Rectory Lane, Replace mix of UPVC and timber vertical sash windows with aluminium flush casement windows

DM/19/03491/FPA                 Mayland Cottage, Thornley, First floor rear dormer extension

DM/19/03411/FPA                 Featherstone Cottage, creation of hardstanding, erection of greenhouse to side and replace boundary treatments

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

 

10.02                                       The following applications have been notified

DM/20/00201/FPA                 Newlands Hall, Frosterley, change of use of land  to allow the siting of shepherd’s hut including parking provision       

DM/20/00188/FPA                 Sewage treatment works, Durham Road, widening of existing vehicular access and upgrades to existing track           

DRC/20/00024                       Harperley Hall, Fir Tree, discharge of condition 3 ( door details) of listed building consent DM/19/02774/LB                   

 

11                                            Finance Reports End January 2020 read and accepted

11.1                                         Review of Risk Management/ Financial , accepted without amendment.

11.2                                         Internal Audit Review accepted, and agreed to invite Mike Ackroyd to carry out the audit

11.3                                         Quotations for Works to Skate Park perimeter, details as to comparison of works to be done had not yet been finalised. Agreed to have sample excavations undertaken , cost £400 to assess the structural stability of earth works, before any further works are undertaken.

11.4                                 Quotations for work to surface of Carousel, all quotations were not as yet to hand  

12         Co-option of Councillor:- to represent Thornley Ward.

There were two candidates who were both admirably qualified to undertake the role, as Iain Rodgers lived in Thornley it was agreed that he would be most suitable for the position, which he accepted.

13        Complaint re; Chair of Council , meeting of the complaints panel and the complainant had not as yet taken place because of family bereavements on both sides, but a couple of dates were mooted and these would be put to the complainant to see if they were satisfactory.