LOCAL POLITICS
STANHOPE PARISH COUNCIL
AT a meeting of the Council held in Eastgate Village Hall on 4 th December 2024
PRESENT: Cllr Mrs S Thompson, Cllr J Shuttleworth, Cllr D Craig, Cllr L Blackett, Cllr Mrs D Sutcliff, Cllr
P Turton, Cllr Mrs C Burdis, Cllr M Brewin, Cllr R Lawrie
Cllr Miss J Carrick – Chairman: Susan Anderson – Clerk
Apologies for Absence
Cllr Mrs S Smart, Cllr E Buchanan
To Receive any Declarations of Interest from Members
None received
Minutes of the meeting held on 6 th November 2024
Minutes were moved as a true and correct record and were signed by the chairman
Matters Arising
- ACCESS TO WILLARD GROVE ALLOTMENTS – The resident was wondering if a note could be
added that if anything changes could she be contacted. Resolved: Clerk to write that the
decision will not change - CHERRY TREES, EASTGATE – The cherry trees by the bus stop have been inspected and will
be cut back in due course. - FENCE AT THE BOTTOM OF PARAGON STREET – The fence has been inspected and it has
been added onto the works to do list and will be done in due course. - HAMSTERLEY PLANNING APPLICATION – All emails received from Cllr A Rutter from
Woodland Parish Council have been sent to the councillors. He has advised that any council
wishing to send comments have to ask the planning officer for an extension. - ASHCROFT PLAYPARK – The End of Defects SSL visit took place on Friday 29 th Nov. The
painting of the yellow tops to the fenceposts by EB Sports has not been done so Mr Bennett
is suggesting that the £150 is deducted from the final outstanding figure. We have received
the Operation & Maintenance Manual for the Pitch Floodlighting.
Correspondence Received - A resident reported a raised flag at the seating area by Castle Gardens, Stanhope to DCC.
The County Council are looking into the ownership of the area as it is not theirs. Cllr
Shuttleworth had this is in hand and will be repaired. - CDALC would like nominations for past chairmen to go into the draw to attend the Royal
Garden Party. Resolved: It was agreed to nominate Mrs A Humble. - The new on-line Weardale Gazette would like the minutes sending. Resolved: It was agreed
to send the approved minutes - There has been a report that the gate onto the bridge in Ashes Quarry has been welded so
that there is now no access across the bridge. The previous gate had been bent for some
reason. The bridge is closed due to rotten planks. Walkers are asking when the bridge is
going to be repaired. The bridge is privately owned. - It has been reported that there are three trees down in Shittlehopeburn which are across
the footpath. You have to crawl under two and the third you have to scramble around.
Resolved: Clerk to report to the footpaths officer
Planning Matters
DM/24/01376/FPA
Erection of storage building, Greenfoot Caravan park, Stanhope
DM/24/02784/FPA
Partial conversion of garden room into habitable room to provide additional reception
room/bedroom and shower room. Removal of Polycarbonate sheet roof to rear to created flat roof
terrace, lower cill to rear first floor window to access rear garden. Inclusion of solar array to rear of
property.High Puddingthorne Cottage, Lanehead
DM/24/03005/FPA
Conversion of redundant outbuilding into a self-contained holiday cottage Chester House
Side Lane, Westgate
Planning Permission Granted
DM/24/02195/LB
Repairs to rotten timber, beams and joists replacement of dilapidated staircase to 2 nd floor repairs
and repointing of internal stone walls. Repairs and re-plastering of internal stone walls. Repairs and
re-plastering of ceilings. Insulation of building – roof- space and external walls. Removal of paint on
external north facing wall. Removal of 80’s fire and fireplace and installation of wood burning stove
with air ventilation in original fireplace. Removal of airing cupboard to allow direct access to the
master bedroom. Bishop Butlers House, Front Street, Stanhope
DM/24/02692/PN56
Prior notification under class Q for the change of use from agricultural building to 1 no dwelling
house (C3) and associated works; Land North East of Horsley House, Eastgate
Finance
- The budget figures have been sent to all councillors. Everything is going up so an increase of
£5000 is needed. Resolved: Due to the increase in all services, it was agreed to increase the
precept to £54,000. - The Great North Air Ambulance would like our continued support and generosity as we
usually donate £500. Resolved: Agreed
AAP Report
A presentation took place by a group called the 5 w’s who hold craft sessions which helps people
with anxiety and isolation. This is held in Harehope Quarry, Frosterley by a retired academic couple.
The AAP is going to turn into a local network and Tow Law will be in with Weardale. There will be
two county councillors to cover the area. The local network will be based in Crook but the staff will
come out to see people in the dale.
Accounts for Payment
MAKEPEACE MOTORS DADDRY SHIELD £1668.00
JRB ENTERPRISE DOG BAGS £540.00
S ANDERSON SALARY £903.28
S ANDERSON HM REV £20.96
S ANDERSON EXPENSES £13.40
S ANDERSON HOME AS OFFICE £35.00
EASTGATE VILLAGE HALL £30.00
GREAT NORTH AIR AMBULANCE £500.00
S ANDERSON SALARY/EXP/HOME AS OFFICE FOR JAN
PAYMENT DUE FOR ASHCROFT PLAYPARK FINAL SIGNOFF – let chairman know when it comes in so
that it can be paid.
DIRECT DEBITS
7 TH NOV ANGLIAN WATER £79.89
14 TH NOV ANGLIAN WATER £22.85
14 TH NOV ANGLIAN WATER £37.70
18 TH NOV VODAFONE £44.50
4 TH NOV COMM CHARGES £9.70
26 TH NOV E-ON ASHCROFT £235.81
Accounts moved
New Matters for Discussion
- Cllr Mrs Thompson mentioned how lovely the lighting of the Christmas Tree was in
Stanhope. She also mentioned that all of the shop holders have made such a good effort
with their decorations. - There is a Patient Participation Group meeting which Cllr Mrs Thompson and Cllr
Shuttleworth will be attending. Cllr Mrs Thompson will mention the difficulty in getting an
appointment to see a doctor. The minutes of the meeting will be sent. - Cllr Shuttleworth mentioned that after the elections all Parish Councillors should have DBS
checks done. This will keep everyone right. - Cllr Craig had a very near miss with a blue light ambulance coming into Westgate. These
villages are not meant for two cars passing especially if one is a pick-up with a trailer on.
Resolved: A letter to go to Joy Allan, the Chief Constable, and the Ambulance service just to
make everyone aware and to be cautious through the villages. - Cllr Blackett reported light number 613 near the gas works that it is covered with ivy and
needs cutting back. Resolved: Cllr Shuttleworth to deal with this - Cllr Turton mentioned that there is a sign by Newlandside Quarry that reads a Reclamation
Project. Hargreaves are still working up there. Heights Quarry now is down to eighteen men. - Cllr Brewin brought up the Northumbrian Water roadworks in Frosterley. This is the third
time in the same place that works are taking place. This is due to the previous work not
being re-instated properly. Resolved: Cllr Shuttleworth will deal with this - Cllr Miss Carrick thanked everyone for this year and that there is no meeting in January.
Clerks Business
Nothing to report
Meeting closed at 7.35pm
