Monthly Minutes
WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD
TUESDAY 8TH JUNE 2004
AT 7.00PM IN THE TOWN HALL
PRESENT: J. Anderson ( Chair), D.C. Pattison , I. Gardiner, M. Bell, K. Rogers,
Mrs. E. S. Ridley, Mrs. V. Welsh K. Charlton
1) APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
V. Shuttleworth, B. Thompson
Guests : Paul Allison Sherburn Stone Co. Re: future plans for Low Harperley Farm
Mr. Allison gave a report on the proposed ideas/ developments at Low Harperley, to include offices, nature reserve, extension to the bridleway system , linking Harperley Station with Crook Lonnen, and new road to Harperley P.O.W. Camp, to increase the tourist potential . The main aim of the proposal was also the extraction of sand & gravel from Harperley Station to Bradley Burn. The affected sites would be made into lakes, nature reserve.
The timescale for the development would extend to twenty years and create up to 15 new jobs.
Should Mr. Allison gain positive feedback the scheme would be formally applied for , more information to be given to the public at Wolsingham Show.
2) POLICE REPORT
The police report was given by Insp. Ledger, there were 52 calls, 7 crimes, 2 burglary other, 1 damage, 2theft, 2 theft from motor vehicles. Following the burglary at Weardale Steel, there had been one arrest and three other offenders identified.
The nuisance of Quad bikes and motor cycles was being dealt with and warning notices had been issued and they now have the power of seizure for persistent offenders.
A county wide Street Safe initiative had been inaugurated in conjunction with Durham C.C., Wear Valley D.C. & Parish Councils to deal with abandoned vehicles , graffiti & broken glass to be cleared within 24 Hours.
The crime rate for the county was dropping albeit the fear of crime was on the increase, especially in rural areas.
A Crime Reduction & Disorder Partnership had been set up and the Parish Council would be invited to the next meeting .
The communications system currently used was not up to scratch, but would get better as local knowledge increased. More feedback from community groups like Parish Councils was welcomed.
3) MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
a) Signed as a true record.
4) MATTERS ARISING
a) Northumbrian Water had still not attended a meeting as promised and a letter to the Managing Director was agreed to.
b) Notes from the Weardale Partnership were referred to by Clr. Charlton as they planned to update the Windy Nook site, which had been effectively closed as a picnic site, and proposals were in hand to develop a Household Waste Recycling Centre, Clr. Charlton to make Groundwork Trust aware of these developments.
5) CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
a) Durham County Council , second submission to The Boundary Committee for England, re local government reorganisation in County Durham.Noted
b) The future of Council Housing in Wear Valley Noted
c) Weardale Community Partnership , meeting June 9th , improvement projects River Wear Banks, and A689 corridor, as part of Mineral Valleys project. K. Charlton to attend
d) The Boundary Committee final recommendations for Unitary Local Government in Co. Durham, Noted
6) YOUTH FACILITIES
7) DEMESNE MILL
a) Letter to be sent to Hyperion Homes re. The unauthorised use of the road to facilitate the demolition of St. Annes and the burning of materials weekend, 4th June.
8) RECREATION GROUND
a) Wolsingham Youth Club, permission to use field Saturday July 3rd. agreed.
b) New play equipment to be delivered first week July.
c) Three additional picnic tables to be purchased and seven seats to be repaired, and wrought iron to be painted.
d) The sand pit had been topped up , the Chair recorded his thanks to the grounds contractor.
e) The football pitch needed to have the lines redrawn.
f) Further meetings of WRECASS to be arranged Tuesday 15th June & Tuesday 29th June. A visit to Stanley Community Centre to be arranged.
9) BOWLING GREEN
10) ALLOTMENTS
11) TOWN HALL/MARKET PLACE
a) The hanging baskets would not be installed until the watering system was fully operational.
12) ANGATE STREET TOILETS
13) FOOTPATHS
a) Proposed footpath diversion No.126 , following the meeting on 16th February the Parish Council, raised no objections to the proposed diversion, since that meeting the Weardale Railway Co. had diverted the footpath ., ( illegally ) without creating the new path , which has caused a lot of distress to walkers, especially with the “ heavy handed attitude “ the company has engaged in with , security guards and dogs. On at least one occasion a woman and child had been turned back from the legitimate footpath. The Parish Council had no desire to halt the works at the Railway prior to the planned opening on 17th July , but in retrospect , the promises and plans of Tony Greenup of the Railway Co. had not been lived up to. Agreed to write a letter of objection to Durham C.C. and the Weardale Railway Co. As to the spouting at Robson’s , M. Bell to meet with Mark Robson to address.
b) Wesley View to ring Sones to clear the new grassed area of charlock.
14) NEWSLETTER
15) CLERKS BUSINESS
a) Clr. Charlton referred to the success of the U-19 basketball team from the Wolsingham Community College winning the national knockout competition, a letter of congratulations to be sent in recognition of this achievement.
b) The coast to coast cycle route could be accessed via Tunstall if the site operators Till Hill would be willing to give access, Clr. Pattison to action.
16) PLANNING
a. The following applications have been approved
a) change of use from church hall to storage and office, Wesley Methodist Church Hall
b) removal of render ,replace boundary wall, restore door,
5 Hound Hill
c) replacing of flat roof with pitched roof Wearside Cott. 45, The Causeway
d) New roof structure to replace flat roof 10, Stanhope Road.
b)The following applications have been received:
c) detached garage , 19a West End, no objection.
d) change of use from general industrial to an operational facility , new buildings , running shed water tower ,coaling station ,café, shop, exhibition room and tourist facility, Wolsingham Railway Centre, Attwood Terrace. No objection albeit building works had already commenced, without planning permission.
c) Replace UPVC front door, with hard wood panelled door 13, Angate St. No objection
d) car park facility Wolsingham Station Goods Yard, no objection again, works have been commenced without planning permission.
e) provision of internal security measures ,Methodist Church Hall, no objection.
e) The following applications have been refused:
a) change ground floor into hairdressing salon 36,East End. Decision welcomed
17) FINANCE
Minutes of Finance Meeting held 1st June , copy attached.
a) Closed churchyard St. Mary & ST. Stephen, the east wall had fallen down , Chair to arrange to have ivy cleared, to inspect total damage, before estimates were sought for the repair. Following extensive investigations the Chair had reached the decision that in his opinion the responsibility for the walls in the closed part of the churchyard , was the Parish Council’s. After much debate a proposal was moved and seconded to have the wall repaired by the Parish Council, there being no amendment the motion was carried.
b) The Rev. Goodall had liased with the Chairman regarding the United Charities funds and land ownership with regard to closing the Charities, the proceeds of the funds to be used in the community.
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