Monthly Minutes

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD
TUESDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2004
AT 7.00PM IN THE TOWN HALL
PRESENT: Chairman J. Anderson, Councillors D.C. Pattison ,I.F. Gardiner, , Mrs. E. S. Ridley
K. Rogers , Mrs. V. M. Welsh, , M. Bell, Mrs. C. Gatenby K. Charlton

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE None
2. POLICE REPORT
P.C. Ian Craggs attended the meeting and gave the police report for November and the crime figures, there had been 35 calls, of which 6 were recorded as crimes, being, 2 burglary dwelling, 2 burglary other, and 2 drug related crimes , 1 of possession and 1 growing drugs.
The new telephone number for the call centre for Durham Constabulary is 0845 60 60 365.
There is to be a national alcohol reduction campaign and a night safe campaign to attempt to eradicate binge drinking. The council were also asked if they would be issuing A.S.B.O.’s , fixed penalties for litter, dog fouling etc. under new legislation Parish Councils are empowered to carry out these duties, after due consideration it was felt appropriate to leave this to the Police .
There had been no police presence at the last neighbourhood watch meeting, P.C. Craggs informed the meeting that Mr. Rewcastle was the police representative. There had been a good take up of automatic light switching by older residents. It was also reported that excrement and toilet paper was being deposited on Footpath 126 , adjacent to Robson’s caravan site. The police were aware of the matter and thought it was probably drug related and were monitoring the situation.
3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETINGS HELD
9TH November 2004, Copy attached, signed as a true record
Clr. Rogers informed the meeting , that he had heard that the Parish Council may be held liable over the “horse bolting “ incident at the annual fair. The clerk confirmed that this may be the case , following the Chairman and Clerk attending the Wear Valley Safety Advisory Group meeting on the 10th November, However the minutes were not to hand as yet , and the Parish Council had in no way admitted any liability and would fight such a claim vigorously. A full meeting of th ecouncil would be convened as soon as the report was to hand and meet with the Fun Fair operators, Clarks in the New Year.
12th November 2004, Copy attached, signed as a true record.
4. MATTERS ARISING
The Standards Board Code Of Conduct had been circulated to members at the meeting held 7th December and was discussed in depth as to a councillors “ dual Hatted” obligations. Members took this on board, for future referance.
5. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
1) Durham Assoc. Parish & Town Councils, The Standards Board For England , National Code Of Conduct: Guidance for Members, Lobby Groups, Dual Hatted Members & The Code of Conduct
2) Durham C. C. Permit scheme for Household Waste Recycling Centres, noted that this may lead to increased “fly tipping”
3) Durham C. C., Butsfield Civic Amenity Site, to be closed 10th January 2005, noted with regret.
4) Durham C.C. Letter of concern re fairground cables, siting etc. To be dicussed at the New Year meeting with Clark’s as above.
5) Wear Valley Community Network, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, Area Based Initiatives
( Community Projects), the Clerk had written an application form for funding for the Community Building on behalf of the Parish Council, Clr. Charlton was doing the same on behalf of WRECASS.
6) Open Spaces Society, Commons In court result and appeal for funding. Not agreed.
7) Wolsingham School & Community College, new head appointed, preliminary meeting requested for liaison committee, dates/ times required to John Maddison Clr. K. Charlton to liase , Parish Council representatives to be K. Charlton, D.C. Pattison and Mrs. V. Welsh
8) Durham C.C. proposed Household Waste Recycling Centre – Windy Nook, letter noted , the writer D. Miller had been invited to the meeting to put the County Council’s proposals but had not attended.
9) Co, Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service, Consultation on P.F.I. to develop New Community Fire Stations and a regional Life Skills Centre. Noted, as this did not directly affect Wolsingham & Weardale the report was read with interest.

6. YOUTH FACILITIES
7. RECREATION GROUND
Report on meeting held Wednesday 24th November pre contract meeting
The interior design of the Community Building was giving concern and a meeting would be held Friday 17th December . 12.30 to discuss further , all interested councillors to attend.
More keys to be cut for the padlock on the main gates, as the football academy had been locked out and the chain had to be cut.
8. BOWLING GREEN
9. ALLOTMENTS
10. TOWN HALL/MARKET PLACE
Clr. Mrs. Welsh was eager to weed the planted area in the Market Place , as Durham County had not formally handed the area over , the Chairman J. Anderson to assist
The finger post Demesne Mill sign to be corrected.
The Town Hall curtain rail had failed Clr. J. Anderson had repaired , may need to be a permanent repair utilising the rail from the convent.
11. ANGATE STREET TOILETS
12. FOOTPATHS
Reply to Letter of objection to diversion of Footpath 126, to reiterate the Council’s stance and not to withdraw the objection. Meanwhile, the surface of the path at Robson’s was to be improved with the addition of some hardcore under the P3 scheme, and when funds are available to have the path tarmacadamed.
13. NEWSLETTER
As Clr. V. Shuttleworth had resigned from the council another correspondent was needed to liase with the editor of the Town Crier, agreed to supply the editor with the minutes, and they will be edited, in the first instance a sample to be provided to the Council for approval.
14. CLERKS BUSINESS
As the Finance meeting for January was early (4th) and the district council being on holiday agreed not to have a meeting.
A suitable reply to both councillors resignations was being written by Clr. Mrs. V. Welsh, a transcript was read and found to be very apt.
The posters inviting representatives who wished to have an election to fill the vacant seats had been published, there being ten signatures requesting an election being put to the district council an election would be held, otherwise the Parish Council could co-opt.
15. PLANNING

15.1 The following applications have been approved
1. Orangery, 29 East Hall, Holywood
2. New balcony, rear ground floor, and second floor extension, Bay Horse Hotel
3. Conversion of attached barn and holiday accommodation to form an extension to an existing building High Doctor Pasture
4. Two storey extension, to provide additional office accommodation 8 Front St. G.F. White
5. New front door, 11 The Causeway
15.2 The following applications have been received:
1. Erection of 1.35m high fence to rear of property and conservatory, 19 Riverside, no objection
2. Demolish brick built wall, and rebuild with natural stone , 26 West End, no objection
3. Variation of Conditions 2A & K , Land Harperley Gardens, no objection
4. Demolition of Office Building and Erection of Single Storey Office ,
Old Fir Tree Works, no objection
15.3 The following applications have been refused
Occasional Quad Bike Track, Weardale off Road Centre , Coves House
Outline Application Two dwellings 3, Elm Park Terrace, Tow Law
16. FINANCE
Minutes of meeting held 7th December 2004 to be circulated at meeting, agreed and signed as a true record.