Parish Council Minutes

WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD
TUESDAY 9TH MARCH 2004
AT 7.00PM IN THE TOWN HALL
PRESENT: Chairman K. Charlton, Vice Chair J. Anderson, Councillors, I.Gardiner,B. Thompson
K. Rogers , Mrs. V. M. Welsh, Mrs E. Ridley, M. Bell, V.Shuttleworth, Mrs. C. Gatenby

Weardale Society presentation of “Dales wide events” 20th August – 6th September

Norman & Sue Weston accompanied by Maureen Thomas , Durham Rural Community Council, gave a presentation on forthcoming events to celebrate the glory of Weardale. A full calendar of events were outlined and present funding totalled £4000 , the expected cost of holding all the events amounted to C.£13000. The Parish Council would decide at a future meeting any funds which it may decide to allocate to this venture.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE : D. Pattison,

2. POLICE REPORT
Sgt. J. Curtis and P.C. I. Craggs attended the meeting.
P.C. Craggs gave the crime figures for February, there had been 50 calls with 15 reported crimes being, 2 burglary other, 10 criminal damage, 2 theft, 1 theft from motor vehicle. The ten incidence of criminal damage were breaking windows and car windscreens, and there had been three arrests of juveniles from Wolsingham. Over 60 hours of additional foot patrols had been undertaken in February which had led to the arrests, vehicles seized and repossession of property. The police maintained their stance of targeting those who do criminal damage until the problem subsides. Sniffer dogs had been used on licensed premises and buildings throughout the Dale and two arrests had been made for possession.
The inaugural meeting of the Weardale & Tow Law licensees Assoc. had taken place and there had been a good response to the initiative and further meeting would be held .The proposed bicycle marking operation had been delayed through bad weather but would be rescheduled as soon as possible.
A safety advisory group had been formed any organisations planning events should contact Max Coleby at Wear Valley D.C. for information and advice. A graffiti trailer would be visiting the Town to eradicate all graffiti. Following a visit to the primary school , concern was raised with trucks speeding in Uppertown, a speed “viser” to be fitted for a week to warn motorists to reduce their speeds. Visits had been made to local haulage firms and a positive response had been forthcoming.
3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Signed as a true record.


4. MATTERS ARISING
A representative from Northumbrian Water , had been requested to attend the meeting but no names had been forthcoming , clerk to write and make a further invitation for the April meeting.
5. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
a) Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Guidance notes on Misconduct allegations, and monitoring officers. Noted
b) Durham Police Authority, notice of meeting Wear Valley Police Community Consultative Group, Thursday 18th March 7.00 pm at Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre, D. Pattison to attend.
c) Wear Valley D.C. Register of Members Interests, membership of Freemasons and Political Party Council Associations. Noted

6. YOUTH FACILITIES
A report was given to the meeting on the imminent closure of the swimming pool at the Wolsingham Community College site. The pool would be closed for public use from 2nd April. The pool closure to the public, had been brought about, by the withdrawal of funding by Wear Valley District Council. This was thought to be a retrograde step in view of the need for people to be able to learn to swim, and in light of the inactivity of youngsters, leading to obesity as described in a letter received from Dr. M. Deytrikh, swimming contributed to the well being of all age groups in the community, the closest baths would be at Glenholme , Crook, which would mean a lot of extra travelling.
It had been noted that the play equipment from Wesley View had been removed, clerk to enquire from Three Rivers as to the reasons for the removal, as originally under a section 106 agreement , money in lieu should have been paid to the Parish Council.
7. RECREATION GROUND
a) Safety Inspection Report Play equipment, B. Thompson, presented the report, and highlighted the defects that had been discovered , since the last inspection. Agreed to carry out remedial work as soon as possible, before the Easter holidays.
b) Mr. D. Scown requested to address the meeting regarding the proposed new pavilion at the recreation ground. Mr. Scown had learned of the proposed development via Wear Valley D.C. and was concerned that the building would be to large for the area and questioned as to whether the building could be situated at the east end of the bowling green. It was explained that the proposal had been where the planners felt it would cause as little impact as possible and had been agreed with Wear Valley D.C.
c) A letter was read by the chairman from Hedley Solicitors acting on behalf of the Trustees of the Sisters of Mercy , who had agreed to fund the building of a new community facility in the recreation ground for £100,000. A plaque to be affixed on the building when finished acknowledging the generous donation of the Sisters of Mercy. The donation was a gesture for the past 100 years involvement in Wolsingham and was to be used to provide time and resources for the social education of youngsters and demonstrated their support for the town and wished the council every success with the venture.
8. BOWLING GREEN

9. ALLOTMENTS

10. TOWN HALL/MARKET PLACE
a) Revised plans for the improvement works in front of the Baptist Chapel were to hand , these plans did not include a bus shelter, however they appeared to be more amenable and the council agreed to the work commencing .
b) A meeting had been arranged with Durham C.C. re, the future maintenance of the Market Place, Clrs. Charlton & Anderson to meet at the Southern Area office, Bp. Auckland.
c) W.L. & H.I. Clark requested the use of the Market Place and recreation ground for the annual show week, agreed , subject to the usual conditions and payments. The operator of the Fun Fair to be asked to limit the number of “Fast Food” outlets, as this was becoming prejudicial to the local businesses.
d) Following repeated acts of vandalism to the chairlift in the Town Hall, agreed to install a wrought iron gate at the foot of the stairs to prevent youngsters meddling with chairlift, which was now costing more money to maintain. Clr. Anderson to action.
11. ANGATE STREET TOILETS
a) As there appeared to be less vandalism in the toilets agreed to having the seats fixed again.
12. FOOTPATHS
b) Footpath No. 19 Bradley Burn, site meeting took place Saturday 14th February, present
J. Anderson vice Chairman, I, Gardiner, B. Thompson, K. Rogers & Mrs. C. Gatenby, walked original footpath and proposed route , after discussions with landowner agreed to withdraw objections to proposed diversion.
c) Footpath 126 , meeting with Elaine Field , Weardale Railway reps, Weardale Wayfarers., Open Spaces Soc. & Parish Council to consider proposed footpath diversion. Monday 16th February. Followed by a site meeting. When the footpath diversion is presented to the council no objections would be made, albeit the meeting felt a better pedestrian crossing could be negotiated.
13. NEWSLETTER
a) The March issue to contain details of the proportion of council tax paid to the Durham C.C. , Wear Valley D.C., Durham Police Authority, Durham Fire & Rescue Service and the Parish Council.
b) News of the closure for public use of the swimming pool at the community college was met with dismay, clerk to write to Wear Valley, Hilary Armstrong & Tony Blair expressing the council’s concerns at the “Dale “ once more being stripped of what little services they have.
14. CLERKS BUSINESS
a) The Annual Parish Meeting would take place on Tuesday 13th April at 6.00 pm.

15. PLANNING
15.1 The following applications have been approved
15.2 The following applications have been received:

a) Erection of extension to existing industrial buildings, Old Fir Tree Works, Fir Tree. No objection
b) Renew garage door 4, Demesne Court. No objection
c) Replace existing conservatory 9, Meadhope Street. No objection
d) To block up existing doorway in loft area between 29 & 31 Front Street, to install loft hatch with ladder. No objection
e) Pavilion recreation ground , No objection.
16. FINANCE
Minutes of a finance committee meeting held 24th February had been previously circulated and agreed as a true record. The need to have a valid certificate of maintenance to be deleted and the contractor “ should be able to demonstrate competence in maintenance of equipment “ inserted. The contract for the cleaning of the Angate Street toilets to be advertised locally.
All other recommendations in the report to be adopted.
The ice cream franchise to be given to F. Gabriele & Son for the price offered