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WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 10TH February 2026

6.30 PM

Town Hall, Wolsingham

                                           PRESENT: I Rodgers, A Bonar, Y Bell, J Bell, P Gardner, D Brown, A Savory, J Bartram

      Sarah-Ann Baxter(Clerk)

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:  S Bittlestone
  2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR:  Weardale Together – Cath Robson & Hollie-Ann Coleman gave a short presentation on their aims to combat isolation and loneliness in Weardale by running small community art events. They are a CIC, not for profit organisation, funded through grants.

Northern Heartlands – Katy Milne & Lyndsey Middleton explained how their community arts organisation is looking to improve community engagement by bringing groups throughout the County together. This is being done through their ‘Into The Light’ and ‘Place Lab’ projects and they are currently working on a project to bring upto 5 art installations to Weardale. Cllr Savory explained that the residents of Wolsingham would appreciate their industrial heritage being recognised, if possible, within the art installations.

  • DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Savory – South West Planning Committee
  • MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 13th January 2026: Minutes were agreed as a true record
  • MATTERS ARISING:
    • Christmas – A working group meeting has been arranged for 20th February at St Anne’s at 4.30pm.
    • S106 Play Ground Equipment – A working group meeting will be held on 16th February to discuss the various pieces of equipment which may need replacing and to address funding which may come from the S106 pot.
    • GP Catchment Areas – the Strategic Practice Manager at the Weardale GP practice has confirmed that Thornley is now confirmed as being in the Tow Law GP surgery catchment area.
  • CORRESPSONDENCE: None
  • MAINTENANCE WORKS:
  • St Anne’s Hall–The Clerk is in the process of seeking more quotes for the supply & fit of the new door. Cllr Rodgers is currently looking into funding for solar panels on the roof from Northern PowerGrid, which would allow the hall to be used as a community space during storm or emergency events. The Clerk will chase up quotes for the lighting to be changed to LED’s and also for the taps in the toilets to be changed. Cllr Bell asked could the car park lighting be altered so that it doesn’t come on so early, the Clerk will look into this.
  • Recreation Ground – The Clerk had received messages and photos of damage having been caused by a child’s motorised quad, these have been passed to the Police with further information. The Clerk asked if any further incidents occur could they be reported firstly to the Police, who would be able to respond more quickly.                                                                                                               
  • Town Hall – There is a light out in the Town Hall and the Electricity contract is due for renewal in April, the Clerk will look into getting quotes.
  • Demesne Mill – Due to the weather the work party has been delayed. Cllr Y Bell explained that people were leaving vegetable cuttings out for the ducks which was then being left and causing a mess. Also dog muck was raised again and Cllr Savory will bring this to the attention of the Dog Warden.
  • Thornley Woods – Nothing to report.
  • Allotments – Nothing to report.
  • Angate Street Toilets – The Clerk has arranged for a roofing specialist to conduct a site visit to assess what is required to make the toilets weatherproof.
  • S106 Future Development Local Housing Allocation – Cllr Rodgers had received a phone call from a local resident expressing a concern that the newly built affordable housing has been ring fenced for residents of Wolsingham/Weardale. Upon doing some research he found other areas where housing allocation had been ringfenced, a proposal to make representations to the Planning Authority on any future development to ring fence housing for Wolsingham residents was fully supported by the Councillors.
  • Tree Surveys – The Clerk informed the Council that all the tree surveys were now completed and it was agreed to carryout the emergency tree works, after consent had been granted by DCC, and other works would be looked at in the new financial year.
  • Camper Van Parking – Cllr Rodgers raised the issue of residents using their residents parking permits to ‘store’ their camper vans in the Demesne Mill car park. Cllr Savory reminded the Council that in the past camper vans have been moved on and Cllr Brown agreed that it was unacceptable. It was agreed that a new policy would be drawn up and the new permits would reflect the change.
  • Thornley Village Verge Condition – Cllr Rodgers raised the issue of vehicles driving on the verges, causing damage and considerable mess. Cllr Savory agreed to raise this with DCC Streetscene.
  • Knowledge for Change Community Group Workshop – Cllr Gardner highlighted this free workshop event being ran by the Rural Durham Community Research Network. It’s for community groups, voluntary organisations and individuals to share experiences and develop new skills. It will be held on 18th March at Frosterley Village Hall from 9.30am to 1.30pm.
  1. FinancePayments / Accounts January 2026 – these were agreed
  1. PLANNING – Nothing to Report

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