January Minutes

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD
TUESDAY 13TH JANUARY 2004
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, Pattinson, Shuttleworth, Mrs. C. Gatenby

Christmas house decoration awarded to Mr. & Mrs. K. Armstrong
Best decorated Shop window awarded to The Pharmacy

Report from Weardale Task Force Chairman, J.L. Hamilton, Ian Phillips & Sue Dawson W.V.D.C.
Mr. Hamilton gave an update on the progress of the Task Force. There had been 821 reponses to the questionnaire on the “future of Weardale” which was a 22% return which was classed as good to excellent for this type of survey. The task force would take on board the comments, which in some replies were quite significant contributions and would be included in the planning , delivery and timescale and forward thinking aspects of the project. The task force role was now complete albeit they had been asked to continue to see through the delivery , with the responsible organisations involved , Durham C.C. , district council, One North East, Learning and Skills Council etc. Sue Dawson informed those present that from the responses 74% were in favour of the strategy for regenerating Weardale and the seven flagship projects. The work on the delivery plan had started, site investigations at the proposed Wolsingham Business Park, consultants had been appointed and had done a demand survey for business use which had proved there was positive market demand .Information communications and technology strategy had commenced. New brochures on walking and cycling guide and a tourism brochure for Wear Valley were on going, The wheels to work project had been implemented.
More housing was seen as necessary at the east end , but local councillors thought the current infrastructure could not support additional houses and population, in so far as both primary and secondary schools were full, the main drainage system for the town was “overflowing” in times of heavy rainfall and there was inadequate parking facilities within the town.
On closing Mr. Ian Phillips informed the meeting that the strategy which was being pursued was the only strategy on the table and if local councillors had other projects in mind they should also be placed on the “table “, it was time for all concerned to work together and either “put up or shut up”.

1. POLICE REPORT
P.C. Ian Craggs attended the meeting and gave the police report for December, there had been 30 calls , of which there were 7 crimes, 1 burglary, 1 burglary other, 4 criminal damage and 1 theft from a motor vehicle.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None
3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Signed as a true record

4. MATTERS ARISING
a) Wolsingham on the Web, update, six organisations had agreed to subscribe to a page on the web, which would pay for the costs of the first year.
b) Parish Plan progress report, a draft questionnaire had been prepared , containing 58 questions , there could well be more as the project progressed, the size of the questionnaire in its current form would need to be printed commercially, when complete to get quotations from printers.
c) Report on meeting with Hyperion Homes, (copy attached)
A letter was read from a resident of Rectory Lane objecting to the access to the site off Rectory Lane, this was to be pursued with the Highways Authority via Wear Valley .D.C. Concern was also raised as to the drainage system being able to cope with the extra load, as the overflow outlet at the Parish Hall/ Waskerley beck was overflowing and discharging effluent directly into the river in a recent heavy rainfall, photographs were presented to the meeting to support this. To invite a representative of the Environment Agency to the next meeting .
d) Planning re: 53, Uppertown, recommendation to be granted .
e) Durham C.C. had replied re Demesne Mill picnic site requesting a meeting with the Council, for the future of the site and the proposal to extend the car park.

5. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
a) Wear Valley D.C. , Meeting Service Standards, Ian Thompson Head of Service Contracts. Grounds maintenance, street cleansing, refuse collection & recycling for 2004/2005, request for meeting. Meeting to be arranged for Tuesday 3rd February, re litter problems and legislation, a petition to be prepared concerning the litter, and dog fouling problem within the town and especially at the west end surrounding the Community College and Demesne Mill.
b) The Boundary Committee , Local Government Review, Draft Recommendations
c) Durham C.C. Highways Member Area Panel, Meeting Thursday 5th February, Crook
d) Durham C.C. Local Govt. Review Consultation meeting 28th January
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm at The Park Head Hotel, Coundon. Clr. Mrs. V. Welsh and the clerk to attend.
6. YOUTH FACILITIES

7. RECREATION GROUND
a) Confirmation was agreed to the purchase, of a set of Huxley Triple gangmowers.
Clr. M. Bell who had wished to be present when the mowers were handed over , had not been informed of the hand over and had, not had the opportunity to inspect the equipment, before the purchase had been agreed. Post meeting , Clr. Bell informed the Clerk that he wanted his name recorded as being against the way the transaction had been conducted and was seeking legal advice from Wear Valley D.C.
b) The problem of moles in the recreation field had been dealt with, and four dead moles were presented to the meeting.

8. BOWLING GREEN

9. ALLOTMENTS

10. TOWN HALL/MARKET PLACE
a) Mandatory Rate Relief, Town Hall Charity application successful
b) A tree had been planted in the shrubbery contrary to what Ms. Duckworth had said, flooding in front of the Pharmacy and the corner had been quite substantial and a lorry had knocked a bollard and also disturbed the York paving, Clr. Thompson to liase with the Durham C.C. depot on the latter. A meeting to be arranged with Ms. Duckworth to discuss the other matters.
c) The chairlift had been inoperable over the Christmas period, the engineer had called and found the fuse holder and fuse were missing, the cost of the repair was £50, Clr. Anderson to design & fit a cover so the fuse could not easily be extracted.

11. ANGATE STREET TOILETS
a) the repairs had been completed, following the recent spate of vandalism. Suggested that a pay meter system be investigated so as to deter vandals from entering the toilets .

12. FOOTPATHS
a) Proposed diversion of Public footpath No.19 at Bradley Mill Caravan Park
Agreed to object to this proposal as it was unnecessary, of no benefit to the public, and the route would be longer.
b) Several dead sheep had been sited in the Thornhope beck and had been there for some time, clerk to investigate owner of sheep and have the matter reported to Animal Health Dept. Durham C.C.
13. NEWSLETTER

14. CLERKS BUSINESS
a) Allowances for members, restricted to Chairman @ £75 / 1000 electorate, Wolsingham recommendation would be £225. The chairman did not wish to take up this offer of remuneration.
15. PLANNING
15.1 The following applications have been approved
a) Internal Alterations, Tunstall House Cottage
b) Timber summer house/ private garden, Holly Cottage, Thornley
c) Stabling & Menage & change of use to equine, Bracken Hill Road/ Cobblers Cott. Thornley

15.2 The following applications have been received:
a) Build New Garage/ create living accommodation in place of existing garage, millstream Cottage, 9 West End
b) Extension to provide additional bedrooms/ garden room 19a Mill Race .


FINANCE
16.1 Wear Valley D.C. Precepts 2004/05 agreed , Band “D” property Tax Base £963.18 which will mean an average Tax per Band “D” household will pay £16.40 to cover the Parish precept of £15795.
Had the S.136 payments for the Closed Churchyard (£3660) and Footpaths (£1250) been met by the District the payment per Band “D” property would have been £11.30 a reduction from £12.97 for 2003.