Council Meeting 11th November

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MEETING HELD
TUESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2003
AT 7.00PM IN THE TOWN HALL

PRESENT: Chairman K. Charlton, Vice Chair J. Anderson, Councillors, Gardiner, Thompson, Rogers ,
Mrs. V. M. Welsh, Mrs E. Ridley, M. Bell, Shuttleworth

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
D.C. Pattinson

2. POLICE REPORT
PC. Ian Craggs attended the meeting and gave the police report and crime figures for October.
There had been 56 calls made , 14 crimes had been committed , being 1 burglary, 1 burglary other, 6 damage , 3 thefts, and 3 other crimes, a disappointing set of statistics , given that September was so good. There had been two cases of bogus callers in the area but they had not gained access to the properties, the message appeared to be getting through. It was reported that the trees at Lydgate Crescent had been damaged and a picnic table had been thrown in the river at Demesne Mill picnic site.
3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Signed as a true record.
4. MATTERS ARISING
a) Wolsingham on The W.W.W., a progress report was given by Clr. Rogers, the information gained for inclusion on the web to be also available in hard copy so that a brochure could be designed and published. Public houses to be encouraged to access the web and hopefully an “internet café “ could be established. There was to be a presentation at the Working Men’s Club on Monday December 1st from
6.00 pm – 8.00pm.

b) Parish Plan Update, a second meeting had taken place 29th October to establish a Steering Group and a framework for moving forward. Two teams had been established , one to look at communications, the other, to look at the issues and vision for the future of the parish. These two groups had met and would be reporting back to the next meeting to be held 19th November at the Town Hall. Anyone wishing to get involved in the project are welcome to attend.
To gain as wide a view as possible , it was agreed to run a competition at the Primary school, and the Community College , of an essay on the “Future of Wolsingham” with a prize of £20 for the winner.
c) Recreation Ground Boundary , The owners of Strandfield will maintain the fencing.
d) Recreation Ground Development , following a further meeting held Tuesday 21st October, agreed to have plans drafted. These plans were now to hand and a further meeting with interested parties to take place at the pavilion Tuesday 18th November. The England Rural Development Program could be a possible fund provider if needed.
e) Windy Nook Waste Disposal Site , a survey had been carried out at the site and it was hoped a presentation could be given to the council in the near future.







5. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
a) County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Authority, Draft Risk Management Plan, for consultation. Document noted.
b) Wear Valley Police Community Consultative Group , applications for membership, Crook or Bp. Auckland or both. Clr. D. Pattison to be asked to attend.
c) Wear Valley District Council, Allowances for Members of Parish Councils. Agreed not to pay allowances to either Chairman or members.
d) Wear Valley Community Network, Conference Saturday 22nd November at Bp. Auckland College. Noted.
e) St. John Ambulance, request for donations to fund new ambulances. Request not agreed to as it was not a local charity.
f) Weardale Flower Club, 25th Anniversary request for sponsorship. Agreed to donate £25



6. YOUTH FACILITIES

7. RECREATION GROUND

a) Toilets in Recreation Ground to be winter maintained by Wear Valley D.C.
b) The re-instatement work after the drain laying was not up to standard and in fact was getting worse, Clr. Thompson to speak to Durham C.C.

8. BOWLING GREEN

9. ALLOTMENTS

10. TOWN HALL/MARKET PLACE


11. ANGATE STREET TOILETS

12. FOOTPATHS
a) Dog refuse bins had been requested for The Causeway, and Holywell Lane.
b) Footpath 98, at Holbeck Mill, a shaft had been exposed by the removal of a stone slab which was covering the hole, Clr. Thompson to speak to the farmer to have the slab replaced.
13. NEWSLETTER

14. CLERKS BUSINESS
a) The maintenance of the closed churchyard at St. Mary & St. Stephen was going to be a considerable drain on funds for 2004 / 2005 as Wear Valley D.C. had withdrawn the item from the section 136 payments. Agreed to look at the maintenance requirements, before submitting for tender, and also ask the Parochial Church Council for a contribution.








15. PLANNING
15.1 The following applications have been approved
a) Detached double garage, 2, Uppertown
15.2 The following applications have been received:
a) Extend and heighten boundary wall, 2a East End
b) 2 Dwellings Wesley View
c) Timber summer house & change of use open countryside to private garden
Holly Cottage, Chapel Row, Thornley
16. FINANCE
a) Purchase of buffing / cleaning machine, agreed to obtain prices for new machine.