Minutes April 2004
WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD
TUESDAY 13TH APRIL 2004
AT 7.00PM IN THE TOWN HALL
1) APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
K. Rogers. B. Thompson, M.Bell
The Chairman for the last three years Clr. Ken Charlton resigned from the Chair, and thanked all the
Councillors , past & present for their support during his period of office, and particularly the support given through the Market Place enhancement scheme.
The clerk asked for nominations for the position of Chairman, K. Charlton proposed and V. Shuttleworth seconded the nomination of J. Anderson as Chair, Mr. J. Anderson accepted the position and there being no further nominations, took the Chair.
Nominations were asked for the position of Vice Chairman, K. Charlton proposed and V. Shuttleworth , seconded D.C. Pattison ,who accepted the nomination, there being no other nominations , D. Pattison was elected as vice- chairman.
2) POLICE REPORT
The police report for March was given by P.C. Craggs, there had been 48 calls, seven reported crimes, 1 burglary other, 2 theft, 1 theft of motor vehicle, 2 , thefts from motor vehicle 1 other.
There had been 8 youth related annoyances recorded which had led to five arrests in recent weeks. Those where vandalism was proven were given cautions and the levels of damage had decreased.
The bicycle marking which had been postponed through bad weather would re-commence from 24th April, details to be advertised in the Weardale Gazette. The formation of a Tow Law & Weardale Licensees Assoc. was helping to reduce crime. Following a recent spate of vandalism and youth annoyance in the recreation ground, it was suggested that better lighting would alleviate the situation, when designing the new community building the police to be involved to,” design out” crime, including lighting suggestions.
3) MINUTES OF LAST MEETING held 9th March
a) Signed as a true record.
4) MATTERS ARISING
a) Report on meeting with Durham C.C. with Ms. Nicola Duckworth re. Market Place adoption.
Clrs. Anderson & Charlton gave a report on their meeting with Durham C.C. as well as the report which had been previously circulated and the council agreed to have the Market Place adopted by the County Council, so as they would be responsible for the maintenance, and any damage in the future. The area where the fruit and vegetable stall operated the War memorial and ramp to the Town Hall to be excluded. It was further reported of water gathering in front of Watson’s shop, clerk to report to Durham C.C.
5) CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
a) Trees ,Woodlands, Forests & People
b) The Minerals Valley Project. To be contacted as well as English Nature to assist in the riverside improvement works.
c) D.T.I. & DEFRA Rural Broadband, help bring broadband to your community.
d) Durham Assoc. of Parish & Town Councils, Co. Durham Local Transport Plan Liaison
e) Durham Police Authority , Wear Valley Community Consultative Group Meeting Wed. 14th April Tow Law Community Centre 7.00 pm
f) Wolsingham School & Community College, re litter at school and actions taken. The report was noted with interest and the school should be congratulated on the efforts made to reduce the problems and the Council were most satisfied and hoped the good work would continue.
g) Environment Agency , rivers at risk of flooding, Waskerley Beck & Trod beck to be included in main river network.
h) Wolsingham Pool ,reply from Hilary Armstrong, & Downing Street, hopefully the meeting with Durham C.C., Local Education Authority would lead to more positive feedback.
i) Wolsingham Pool , reply from Mrs. O. Brown , Leader W.V.D.C., comments noted.
j) Three Rivers Housing Group, re Wesley View Play area, the Council welcomed the possibility of a donation towards the community building, when the additional plots had been sold.
k) Ken Rogers E.Mail re Parish Plan, Finance Mtg. 26th March , and future meetings, chairman etc.. The past chairman K. Charlton had replied to this E.mail and would be given more consideration at a future meeting.
6) YOUTH FACILITIES
WRECASS and the Parish council recreation ground sub committee to meet Thursday 22nd April to formulate a more coordinated approach to what was required and the various funding options for the building. Play equipment and the riverside.
7) RECREATION GROUND
The stone wall dividing Strandfield and the recreation ground was still needing repair, and the property owner Mr. J. Bell was totally dissatisfied with time it was taking to repair the wall as youngsters were using the stones as “ammunition” and throwing the stones into his garden at causing damage to his car. Post meeting the clerk had spoken to the building contractor and explained what was happening. The builder to attend to the repair at the soonest possible time.
A fire had also been reported at the recreation ground, which required the attendance of the Fire Brigade to extinguish the fire. The fire had been started deliberately by youths and had resulted in the boundary fence being damaged which Mr. J. Bell required repairing. The fire had been lit amongst leaves, grass cuttings and debris which had accumulated over the winter. The bowls club were depositing the clippings in this area and have been told to bag the clippings for disposal, by the grounds-man. A litter picnic table had also been moved to this area and Mr. Bell needed assistance to relocate the table, and thus hopefully prevent youths congregating in this area. A letter was passed to the clerk from Mr. Bell outlining the difficulties experienced and thought the council should be more pro active in dealing with the problems as according to his solicitor the Parish Council would be held responsible for the behaviour of the Youth as the Parish Council were inviting people into the ground and asked if it was possible to close the park after dark? In reply the Parish Council thought it would be difficult to do this as there were various means of access, from adjoining footpaths.
8) BOWLING GREEN
9) ALLOTMENTS
Permission was given for Mr. Wright to erect a poly tunnel and for Mrs. J. Rapp to erect a greenhouse on their respective allotments to the agreed design and siting.
10) TOWN HALL/MARKET PLACE
The bus shelter was being vandalised , to be reported to Wear Valley D.C.
11) ANGATE STREET TOILETS
The toilet seats still needed to be fitted, Clr. Thompson had located the fixings and would have the key for the toilets and repair as soon as possible.
12) FOOTPATHS
The path from Church Lane to the St. Mary & St. Stephen Church was only a permissive footpath and was the responsibility of the Church albeit Wear Valley D.C. did collect the litter and empty the bins. The path behind the church was on the definitive map and should be maintained by Durham C.C.
13) NEWSLETTER
Mention would be made in the newsletter of the wanton destruction of the trees and lawned area at the Leazes development. Which apparently was all within planning legislation , but was not in keeping with how the former hospital looked.
14) CLERKS BUSINESS
The clerk asked for guidance as to the ownership of the dividing wall between St. Mary’s, & St. Stephen’s closed churchyard, the responsibility lay with the owners of Demesne Hall. Part of the wall had fallen down and as there is now a practice of cremated remains being buried in this area , relatives were increasingly concerned as to when the wall would be repaired?
15) PLANNING
a) The following applications have been approved
a) Renew front door ,wood, 17 Angate St.
b) Re-roofing to garage and garden room . 33 West End Wolsingham
c) Horse riding arena , Redgate Head, Wolsingham
d) Extension of existing dwelling into redundant granary with lobby extension and conservatory, Grey’s Well, Tow Law
e) Replace sash windows with UPVC inserts 30, Meadhope St.
f) To block up existing doorway, 29/31 Front St.
b) The following applications have been received:
a) Erection of 100’ x 40’ agricultural building Scotch Isle Park, Wolsingham. The clerk, Chairman and vice Chairman declared an interest and left the meeting. No objections
b) Partial re- roofing of house & cottage in Welsh slate, 52, Front St. / 10 Church Lane. No objections.
c) Removal of render ,replace boundary wall, restore door, replace wrought iron gate 5 ,Hound Hill (Retrospective application) No objection
d) 3 apartments Parish Hall. No objection
e) Domestic garage block, Demesne Hall. No objection
f) Change of use Wesley Church Hall, to Innoveight running shoe business. Clr. Anderson left the meeting . No objection.
g) 10 Stanhope road, re-roof garage. No. objection.
16) FINANCE
a) Tenders for renewal received by the closing date were opened on Friday 26th March Present: K.Charlton, V. Shuttleworth, M.Bell Mrs. C. Gatenby, Mrs. E.S. Ridley
The clerk declared an interest and did not attend the first part of the meeting.
Proposed to accept tender for Closed Churchyard from Gardens of Eden
The clerk returned to the meeting.
Recreation ground tender accepted B. Thompson.
Angate Street toilets, contract awarded to Mrs. B. Anderson.
b) Weardale Society request for donation to proposed Weardale Festival 2004.Agreed to donate £200 and free use of Town Hall, provided money goes towards events held in Wolsingham.
c) Winged Fellowship Trust, request for donation, not given.
d) The financial report for Income & expenditure for the year was given. Cheques for payment approved.
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