PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 14TH SEPTEMBER 2004

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD
TUESDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2004
AT 7.00PM IN THE TOWN HALL

PRESENT:- J. ANDERSON ( CHAIR), D.C. PATTISON ( VICE CHAIR), MRS. V. WELSH, MRS. E.S. RIDLEY,
MRS. C. GATENBY,I. GARDINER., B. THOMPSON, K. CHARLTON. M.BELL,
V. SHUTTLEWORTH

Presentation of Allotment Trophies:, Best Allotment Mr. Billy Coulson
Most Improved Allotment Mrs. J. Rapp, Unable to attend
An award was given to the Chairman , John Anderson ,in recognition of his work in repairing the closed churchyard wall.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: - K. Rogers
2. POLICE REPORT
The new Sergeant for Weardale Stephen Donnelly attended the meeting and gave the police report as under. There had been 33 recorded incidents for August , the two major items were the bolting of a horse in the Market Place on Friday 3rd September, and a disturbance at the Black Bull public house on Saturday 4th September, the response time for the disturbance had been over 25 minutes , which considering it was the annual fair was felt to be unacceptable. The officer outlined the communications difficulties being experienced as a major factor and that the call had not been prioritised correctly. There had been other minor criminal damage to daubing of road signs, bogus officials were still calling on unsuspecting residents and all had to be vigilant when answering the door. There had also been an act of indecency in the recreation ground and further enquiries were taken place. Various assaults had taken place at the School & Community College. The beat surgery was still to be operational albeit there had been a dramatic fall in participants. Should any member of the public experience difficulty with the new call centre arrangement for contacting the police then they should write directly to the Chief Constable. Again the question was raised as to the parking of cars on footpaths, this is an illegal act , but quite common place , especially in the older parts of the Town. The problem has been exacerbating in recent years as not only pedestrians, pushchairs, wheel chairs and now motorised scooters are having to take to the roads as they are finding it increasingly difficult to access the footpaths. This is a very dangerous situation to be in, as particularly the older element with motorised scooters/ vehicles are put at risk when accessing the roads. Sgt. Donnelly to look into the matter.
3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING held 13th July 2004
Signed as a true record.

4. MATTERS ARISING
The closure of Wolsingham School Pool to the Public , a letter had been received from
Dr. M.S. Deytrikh, informing the Parish Council that a Community Trust was being set up , which would entail a great deal of time and effort from volunteers, Councillors, Welsh & Gatenby declared an interest and took no part in the proceedings. A request for a donation had been requested, Dr. Deytrikh to be invited to the next meeting, to outline their plans and aspirations.
5. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
a. Durham Constabulary, Weardale Community Safety Task Group, Meeting Wednesday 13th October, members required . Clr, Pattison to attend.
b. Parish of St. Mary & St. Stephen reply to request for donation , no monies available, Clr. Shuttleworth was far from happy with the reply and would not accept the reply as being adequate.
c. Durham County Council, Structure Plan Review: Key Issues Paper. Noted
d. Development of Charter with Parish & Town Councils with Durham County Council. The Chairman Clr. Anderson had intended to attend these meetings, but was unable to do so.
e. Highways Member Area Panel, 22nd September Bp. Auckland Town Hall
f. A letter of complaint was received from the Weardale Flower club as to the excessive heat for their July meeting, and also they requested the provision of a hook to fasten the outer door open , whilst carrying goods into the Town Hall, action Clr. Thompson.
6. YOUTH FACILITIES

7. RECREATION GROUND
A group of pupils from the Wolsingham Community School & College had been photographed using the play equipment , the photograph was presented to the acting Head Teacher who took prompt action with the culprits. To write to the school to resurrect the liaison committee with the Parish Council
On several occasions dog owners had to be spoken to , to remove their animals from the play area, new signs were required, contact Weardale Signs .
The boundary fence near the toilets had been dislodged, one of the roundabouts needed attention and possible move and the fence surrounding the play area needed urgent attention, football field markings were disappearing, the wall in the play area needed pointing, and the new play equipment also needed attention, a meeting to be held Tuesday 21st 2.00 pm at the recreation ground to further these points. The recreation ground toilets were in need of urgent attention and a general tidy up, contact Wear Valley District Council to attend to this matter.
8. BOWLING GREEN
9. ALLOTMENTS
10. TOWN HALL/MARKET PLACE
The lights in the main hall were continually buzzing and creating an annoyance to at least one user group, the electrician Mr. Davies to rectify.
Adoption of Market Place , Durham County Council, John Myers to be contacted to clarify the situation.
Annual Fun Fair, it was reported that the dodgems would not return next year , an early meeting for the 2005 fair to be arranged in July with W. H. Clark the operator. Also for discussion the rent, a site plan to be submitted, and the emergency access corridor to be maintained at 3.5 m.
A notice of a Bazaar held in the Town Hall 1895 had been discovered , to have framed and placed in the Town Hall. The Just Us 2000 reference books to be returned to the cabinet in the Town Hall.
He flower beds which were provided in the Market Place by Durham C.C. needed attention, clerk to contact Sones, the contractor for Wear Valley D. C. Also defects to bus shelter to be advised to the district Council. Post meeting neither of these two facilities have been formally handed over to the District Council , and until such time as they are it is Durham C. C. responsibility, which they will attend to.
11. ANGATE STREET TOILETS
The ladies toilets had again been subjected to vandalism, the Clerk now had some information, regards paying on entry methods for toilets, from a firm called Danfo.
12. FOOTPATHS
Footpath 126 , Mr. M. Robson had been spoken to regarding the guttering which was leaking and missing, which was resulting in the path being washed out in rainy conditions.
A request would be made to the District Council to have the dog bins emptied more frequently.
Some of the metal street lampposts in the Crofts were showing signs of corrosion and concern was raised with the impending high winds , what affect this would have on the posts, to be reported to Durham C.C. street lighting dept. for an early inspection and remedial work.
Motorcycles were again using the wheelchair walk, could all residents please log the registration numbers , to pass on to the police.
It was reported that access from Front Street to Rectory Lane via the Weslyan Chapel was to be stopped. Although this route has been used for many years it is not a footpath.
13. NEWSLETTER

14. CLERKS BUSINESS
15. PLANNING
15.1 The following applications have been approved
a. Weardale Railway , Car Park at Wolsingham Station
b. Replace flat roof Old Station House Wolsingham
c. Three conversion type roof lights, 8 Demesne Cott.
d. Erection of Detached wooden building Orchard House, Holywood
e. Conversions at 6 Blackhall Cottages, Harperley
The following applications have been received:
a) Proposed alterations, Bay Horse Hotel Wolsingham, no objection
b) Two storey extension , porch & bedroom 74 Lydgate Lane , no objection
c) Orangery/ Conservatory addition 29 Holywood , no oibjection
d) Erect PVCU conservatory 1 Golden Square., No objection
e) Change of use Café Poco to residential, Parish Council to object as they do not wish to lose any more commercial outlets.
16. FINANCE
a. Crafts, Arts history and other cultural activities Wolsingham Library request for funding
b. Report of District Valuer , Windy Nook site
c.. Conclusion of Audit Year Ended March 2004, and Notice of Conclusion of Audit
Issues Arising:-
Section 1 Comparative figure differs by £1 Year Ended 31st March 2003
Members agreed to the adoption of the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March 2004,
And also made note of the issue brought to their attention as above.