These notes are taken by the Editor of the Town Crier. The official minutes taken by the Clerk will be
published on the council’s website following their approval at the December meeting.
There were seven members of the public in attendance.
To receive questions from members of the public: Susan Harris spoke on behalf of the Weardale
Flower and Garden Club. She outlined how the club had been founded 46 years ago. It is the largest
community group in Weardale with 83 members and, over the years, has raised and donated
£20,000 to local groups and charities. The club has always met on the third Tuesday of every month
at 7.00pm and these meetings are held at the St Anne’s Centre. The club has recently been informed
by the parish council that it couldn’t have this long-established booking at St Anne’s due to another
group booking weekly on Tuesday evenings for 2025. Susan Harris stressed that without being able
to use St Anne’s this could lead to the closure of the club and asked that the council honour the
long-standing booking that the club has had. In response, the chair stated that the matter will be
resolved and councillors agreed unanimously that the Flower and Garden Club should be supported
given its long-standing importance in the community.
Correspondence protocol: there has been inconsistency in the minutes whereby the names of the
public speaking at the meetings, or writing into the council, are sometimes given and sometimes are
identified only as ‘a resident’. Councillors agreed that, for the purposes of the minutes, the name of
the speaker or author will always be recorded for transparency and consistency.
Minutes of the meeting held on 8th October 2024: the minutes were agreed and signed as a true
record.
Matters arising:
New toilets: once the footpath to the toilets has been constructed these will open.
Website: a working group to consider the content for the new website has been arranged.
Christmas Market and lights: the market is due to take place on Saturday 16th November. The
Christmas lights in the Market Place will be lit from the end of November.
Christmas Tree Festival: this is due to take place on 6th and 7th December at the St Anne’s Centre. It
is open to community groups, businesses and schools to enter. Details, including an application
form, are available on the council’s Facebook page.
Flagpole: a quote for the new flagpole arrangement on the Town Hall is awaited.
Correspondence:
HGVs from new development and correspondence protocol: correspondence between the council
and Mr P Gardner was read out in full. Mr Gardner felt that the council should be more proactive in
engaging with residents’ concerns rather than by stating that the council did not have responsibility
for the issues that he had raised and which were discussed at the council’s October meeting. In
reply, the response from the Chair to Mr Gardner set out the council’s limited powers and
responsibilities particularly in relation to the enforcement of planning conditions covering HGV
movements from the Bellway Homes development. Councillor Savory stated that there is a condition
on the Bellway Homes planning permission requiring approval by DCC of the routes that HGVs would
be allowed to take. In response to Mr Gardner’s concerns regarding correspondence protocol
councillors had agreed that members of the public asking questions from the floor, or by
letter/email will be named in the minutes.
Seating in Demesne Mill: Mr Lally asked whether some of the benches in Demesne Mill could be
reorientated so that persons using them have a better view rather than looking on to vegetation.
The council will seek clarification as to which benches Mr Lally is referring to, and where they are
memorial benches, the permission of the families will be sought. The council will liaise with DCC’s
Clean and Green team over the work.
Provision of noticeboard at the St Anne’s Centre: Mrs Abel has asked whether a display board could
be erected near the entrance at the St Anne’s Centre for the display or artworks. Councillors agreed
that a portable board would be more appropriate and will discuss this with Mrs Abel.
Maintenance works:
St Anne’s Centre: the smart doorbell and heating controls are now in place. Funding is being sought
for a new entrance door.
Recreation Ground: the council agreed that, in order to prevent the overloading of the electrics by
Fair operators’ caravans during Show weekend and the costly call out fee for an electrician,
generators should be used from next year. The fencing at the St Anne’s Centre and the damaged
play equipment has been repaired.
Town Hall: the boiler is to be serviced. The guttering has been cleaned and repaired. Councillors
agreed to write to express their dissatisfaction to the company that has the contract for the servicing
of the Town Hall clock as this frequently stops working.
Demesne Mill: the gatepost at the entrance to the car park has been repaired.
Thornley Woods: a quote for the fencing repairs is awaited.
Allotments: a new tenant has taken on Plot 23 on the Recreation Ground allotments.
Standing Orders: these were agreed and will be published on the council’s website.
Precept and budget 2025/2026: following a budget meeting of the council on 11th November,
councillors agreed that the precept be increased to £63.78 per year for a Band D property. This is
due to the increased running costs that the council has to meet.
Finance: Payments/accounts for October were accepted.
Planning matters: SCR/24/00016 – Low Harperley sand and gravel quarry, Durham Road,
Wolsingham: the council agreed to raise the issue of the potential for increased noise in relation to
this Screening Opinion application which proposes the replace the use of a conveyor belt with
additional dump truck movements.
Date of next meeting: the next meeting will be on Tuesday 10th December at 7.00pm in the Town
Hall. All are welcome to attend.
