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Stanhope Parish Council

At a meeting of the Council held in Eastgate Village Hall on 3rd June 2026

PRESENT:

Cllr M Brewin, Cllr Mrs S Thompson, Cllr D Craig, Cllr Mrs S Smart, Cllr E Buchanan, Cllr Mrs D Wright, Cllr L Blackett, Cllr Mrs D Sutcliff

Also Present:

Linda Jamieson Project Development Co-Ordinator – B4RN

Dave Wyall- Head of Volunteers and Development

Miriam Taylor and Mark McCrory – Digital Durham

Two members of the Public

11202

Apologies for Absence

Cllr J Shuttleworth, Cllr Mrs C Burdis, Cllr R Lawrie, Cllr P Turton

11203

To Receive Any Declarations of Interest from Members

None received

11204

Minutes of the meeting held on 6th May 2026

Minutes were moved as a true and correct record and were signed by the Chairman

11205

Minutes of the Annual meeting held on 6th May 2026

Minutes were moved as a true and correct record and were signed by the Chairman

11206

Broadband for the Rural North- Linda Jamieson Project Development Co-ordinator

Cllr Miss Carrick welcomed everyone to the meeting. B4RN are a not-for-profit organisation and so far have many rural areas connected to fibre broadband. Good broadband is essential for job opportunities and young people need it. Residents need to register their interest before March 2027 as that is the closing date for B4RN to apply for the vouchers. There is a large pot of Government money available for rural broadband. B4RN need the help of the Parish Council to get enough people to express an interest.  It is a good service and reliable but B4RN need the support of the land owners. Lanehead and Wearhead need another 15 signatories to register an interest. It was mentioned that Weardale Lithium and Northern Lithium should be contacted and Weardale Estates. A stand will be taken at the Weardale Show and at the Mart in St Johns Chapel. The cost would be £35 a month and if you are still in a contract with another supplier the charge would be £5 a month until the contract runs out. DCC will support the broadband roll out.

11207

Matters Arising

  1. Footbridge at Middle Blackdene– Tender document offered by DCC was for a design and build contract with a break clause at completion of the design stage. This allowed the council to review the design and estimate for the construction element of the works. None of the tender returns were acceptable. A SLA has been developed with Northumberland County Council. Cllr Mrs Sutcliff is not happy that this has taken two years and is still not finalised. There is no access to the three houses apart from the Ford
  2. Burnfoot Bridge – Works are still being finalized. Targeted to start 29th June for twelve weeks.
  3. Dog Fouling at Frosterley Playing Field – This has been reported to DCC. The warden van has visited the park but the owners of dogs running loose were not tackled. Resolved: Clerk to contact the Neighbourhood Warden
  4. Rubbish at Bollihope – A request to visit Bollihope over the holiday weekend was sent to the local Police. The Community Safety Responder would have a drive around the area but did also say that 101 could be rang if anyone anything.
  5. Willard Grove Allotments – Cabot Asbestos came out and took a sample of the piece of debris. The report came back as Asbestos Cement Chrysotile. Cabot have removed the asbestos cement debris, including a minor environmental clean of the localised area. Removal works have been carried out under locally controlled conditions with a Statement of Cleanliness and waste Consignment Note signed upon completion. All tenants must be very careful when they have a bonfire and must not be left unattended.
  6. Complaint about demolished wall at Stanhope– The applicant has six months to appeal the planning decision. It would be unreasonable to ask for a wall to be built whilst they still have the right to appeal.
  7. Planters outside the Cemetery – Cllr Miss Carrick would like to know if there is any reason why the planters have to stay outside the cemetery. Resolved: Clerk to contact DCC

11208

Correspondence received

  1. Weardale Methodist Church would like to thank the Parish Council for the £500 Village Hall Grant money.
  2. The Weardale Museum has sent the Spring newsletter which was sent to the councillors.
  3. Cllr Turton mentioned that there are some nettles growing out of the wall at Crosshill Allotments. Resolved; D Hunt was contacted
  4. Cllr Turton also would like the tattered flags taken down from the poles by the garage in Stanhope. Resolved: Clerk reported to DCC
  5. Crook, Weardale and Willington are holding a drop in event at the Crook Civic Centre, Tuesday 2June, 9.30am to 2pm and 4pm to 6pm.
  6. Our smart meter at Ashcroft Playground is not communicating. Our smart meter data will be collected every half-hour and used for settlement purposes once it starts to communicate again. Half-hour settlement was introduced by Ofgem to improve wholesale energy settlement which is how suppliers match and pay for the energy used by customers. Over time this will help to lower the cost of electricity to customers. There is no change to our tariff or tariff prices and there is nothing that we need to do.
  7. A member of the public is questioning why there are two blue parking signs at Cowgarth Hill. Should the parking signs be there when residents park outside of their houses and the road is narrow. Durham County Council has been contacted.

11209

Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment has been reviewed

11210

Appointment of Internal Auditor

It was agreed that Allen Sykes be the Internal Auditor again

11211

Planning Matters

DM/26/00536/VOC

Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) pursuant to planning permission DM/22/02338/VOC to amend the approved house type on plot 4 and to revise the approved hard landscaping materials

Plot 4 Land East of

Longdale Grove

Hood Street

St Johns Chapel

DM/26/00868/VOC

Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) in relation to application DM/19/03034/FPA relating to change from a timber – framed sunroom with a dressed stone construction

High Shittlehope Burn Farm

Stanhope

11212

Finance

  1. The tenant who cleared the plot that was not his rubbish to clear has suggested that instead of taking the £210 that was agreed last meeting he has suggested that he receives free rent. He did do two days work and made an excellent job of clearing it. Resolved: It was agreed to give the tenant three years free rent
  2. Inspections of the allotment sites will be taking place and sheds will be inspected. Rubbish will have to be removed by the tenant. Something has to be done regarding the amount of rubbish and old sheds. A deposit scheme was discussed.  Resolved: Clerk to organise some dates
  3. The bank reconciliation figures for April were sent to the councillors. Resolved: Approved
  4. I contacted our website provider and got his advice on the councillors .gov.uk email address. He said that it would not be possible to go with another company due to the domain name unless I changed as well. The company was amongst the recommended ones when we first got my .gov.uk email address.  He said that the price quoted was reasonable. When CDALC are recommending all councillors have a .gov.uk email then we should before we have too.

              Basic/Kiosk emails which are 2GB storage and web or mobile app based (not compatible       with desktop versions of Outlook ) £26 per user, per year.

12 accounts would cost £312 + vat per year.

Standard Emails – which are 50GB storage and along with web and mobile are also compatible with desktop versions of Outlook.

£47 per user, per year

12 accounts would cost £564.00 + vat per year.

Resolved: It was agreed for the clerk to organise the Basic emails  for the twelve councillors

  • I have had to chase the Section 136 money of £2700 but we have now received it.

11213

Accounts for Payment

GFW – Allotments at Ireshopeburn                                                                              £20.00

Paul Irwin Ashcroft Grass Cutting                                                                                  £180.00

Scribe-Starboard Systems Ltd                                                                                        £685.44

Cabot Thermals Ltd – Willard Grove Asbestos                                                           £900.00

Cllr Miss J Carrick Chairmans Allowance                                                                     £250.00

S Anderson Salary                                                                                                            £923.55

HM Rev                                                                                                                              £116.92

S Anderson Expenses                                                                                                      £22.71

S Anderson Home as Office                                                                                           £35.00

Scottish Widows – Cheque sent to Edinburgh instead of Leeds-cancelled        £60,0000.00

£12.50 cancellation fee

Accounts for Receipts

Network Rail                                                                                                                      £2.58

Allotment Rent                                                                                                                  £13.00

Durham County Council Section 136                                                                            £2700.00

                                                                     Direct Debits/Standing Orders

Village Hall Grant Money                                                                                                £5500.00

Churchyard Maintenance Grant                                                                                    £1500.00

Bank Charges                                                                                                                    £12.55

Wave Water Daddry Shield                                                                                            £78.60

Wave Water Willard Grove                                                                                            £66.07

Wave Water Old Cemetery Stanhope                                                                          £23.27

ICO                                                                                                                                     £47.00

EE                                                                                                                                       £31.80

EON Ashcroft                                                                                                                   £27.57

11214

New Matters for Discussion

  1. Cllr Brewin mentioned the Church at Frosterley and that prior to the sale there was free access through the churchyard. This was being looked into by DCC and that it just needed rubber stamping. Resolved: Clerk to contact DCC
  2. Cllr Craig mentioned that he was willing to have a camera sited on his property but hadn’t heard anything yet. The bikes over Bank Holiday Weekend were dreadful with all of the noise. After twenty years of educating, it has had no effect at all.
  3. Cllr Mrs Sutcliff mentioned that St Johns Chapel would like to thank the Parish Council for the grant money.
  4. Cllr Mrs Wright mentioned that the toilets at the playpark were closed due to vandalism, Rookhope’ s are also closeAt a meeting of the Council held in Eastgate Village Hall on 3rd June 2026
  5. PRESENT:
  6. Cllr M Brewin, Cllr Mrs S Thompson, Cllr D Craig, Cllr Mrs S Smart, Cllr E Buchanan, Cllr Mrs D Wright, Cllr L Blackett, Cllr Mrs D Sutcliff
  7. Also Present:
  8. Linda Jamieson Project Development Co-Ordinator – B4RN
  9. Dave Wyall- Head of Volunteers and Development
  10. Miriam Taylor and Mark McCrory – Digital Durham
  11. Two members of the Public
  12. 11202
  13. Apologies for Absence
  14. Cllr J Shuttleworth, Cllr Mrs C Burdis, Cllr R Lawrie, Cllr P Turton
  15. 11203
  16. To Receive Any Declarations of Interest from Members
  17. None received
  18. 11204
  19. Minutes of the meeting held on 6th May 2026
  20. Minutes were moved as a true and correct record and were signed by the Chairman
  21. 11205
  22. Minutes of the Annual meeting held on 6th May 2026
  23. Minutes were moved as a true and correct record and were signed by the Chairman
  24. 11206
  25. Broadband for the Rural North- Linda Jamieson Project Development Co-ordinator
  26. Cllr Miss Carrick welcomed everyone to the meeting. B4RN are a not-for-profit organisation and so far have many rural areas connected to fibre broadband. Good broadband is essential for job opportunities and young people need it. Residents need to register their interest before March 2027 as that is the closing date for B4RN to apply for the vouchers. There is a large pot of Government money available for rural broadband. B4RN need the help of the Parish Council to get enough people to express an interest.  It is a good service and reliable but B4RN need the support of the land owners. Lanehead and Wearhead need another 15 signatories to register an interest. It was mentioned that Weardale Lithium and Northern Lithium should be contacted and Weardale Estates. A stand will be taken at the Weardale Show and at the Mart in St Johns Chapel. The cost would be £35 a month and if you are still in a contract with another supplier the charge would be £5 a month until the contract runs out. DCC will support the broadband roll out.
  27. 11207
  28. Matters Arising
  29. Footbridge at Middle Blackdene– Tender document offered by DCC was for a design and build contract with a break clause at completion of the design stage. This allowed the council to review the design and estimate for the construction element of the works. None of the tender returns were acceptable. A SLA has been developed with Northumberland County Council. Cllr Mrs Sutcliff is not happy that this has taken two years and is still not finalised. There is no access to the three houses apart from the Ford
  30. Burnfoot Bridge – Works are still being finalized. Targeted to start 29th June for twelve weeks.
  31. Dog Fouling at Frosterley Playing Field – This has been reported to DCC. The warden van has visited the park but the owners of dogs running loose were not tackled. Resolved: Clerk to contact the Neighbourhood Warden
  32. Rubbish at Bollihope – A request to visit Bollihope over the holiday weekend was sent to the local Police. The Community Safety Responder would have a drive around the area but did also say that 101 could be rang if anyone anything.
  33. Willard Grove Allotments – Cabot Asbestos came out and took a sample of the piece of debris. The report came back as Asbestos Cement Chrysotile. Cabot have removed the asbestos cement debris, including a minor environmental clean of the localised area. Removal works have been carried out under locally controlled conditions with a Statement of Cleanliness and waste Consignment Note signed upon completion. All tenants must be very careful when they have a bonfire and must not be left unattended.
  34. Complaint about demolished wall at Stanhope– The applicant has six months to appeal the planning decision. It would be unreasonable to ask for a wall to be built whilst they still have the right to appeal.
  35. Planters outside the Cemetery – Cllr Miss Carrick would like to know if there is any reason why the planters have to stay outside the cemetery. Resolved: Clerk to contact DCC
  36. 11208
  37. Correspondence received
  38. Weardale Methodist Church would like to thank the Parish Council for the £500 Village Hall Grant money.
  39. The Weardale Museum has sent the Spring newsletter which was sent to the councillors.
  40. Cllr Turton mentioned that there are some nettles growing out of the wall at Crosshill Allotments. Resolved; D Hunt was contacted
  41. Cllr Turton also would like the tattered flags taken down from the poles by the garage in Stanhope. Resolved: Clerk reported to DCC
  42. Crook, Weardale and Willington are holding a drop in event at the Crook Civic Centre, Tuesday 2June, 9.30am to 2pm and 4pm to 6pm.
  43. Our smart meter at Ashcroft Playground is not communicating. Our smart meter data will be collected every half-hour and used for settlement purposes once it starts to communicate again. Half-hour settlement was introduced by Ofgem to improve wholesale energy settlement which is how suppliers match and pay for the energy used by customers. Over time this will help to lower the cost of electricity to customers. There is no change to our tariff or tariff prices and there is nothing that we need to do.
  44. A member of the public is questioning why there are two blue parking signs at Cowgarth Hill. Should the parking signs be there when residents park outside of their houses and the road is narrow. Durham County Council has been contacted.
  45. 11209
  46. Risk Assessment
  47. Risk Assessment has been reviewed
  48. 11210
  49. Appointment of Internal Auditor
  50. It was agreed that Allen Sykes be the Internal Auditor again
  51. 11211
  52. Planning Matters
  53. DM/26/00536/VOC
  54. Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) pursuant to planning permission DM/22/02338/VOC to amend the approved house type on plot 4 and to revise the approved hard landscaping materials
  55. Plot 4 Land East of
  56. Longdale Grove
  57. Hood Street
  58. St Johns Chapel
  59. DM/26/00868/VOC
  60. Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) in relation to application DM/19/03034/FPA relating to change from a timber – framed sunroom with a dressed stone construction
  61. High Shittlehope Burn Farm
  62. Stanhope
  63. 11212
  64. Finance
  65. The tenant who cleared the plot that was not his rubbish to clear has suggested that instead of taking the £210 that was agreed last meeting he has suggested that he receives free rent. He did do two days work and made an excellent job of clearing it. Resolved: It was agreed to give the tenant three years free rent
  66. Inspections of the allotment sites will be taking place and sheds will be inspected. Rubbish will have to be removed by the tenant. Something has to be done regarding the amount of rubbish and old sheds. A deposit scheme was discussed.  Resolved: Clerk to organise some dates
  67. The bank reconciliation figures for April were sent to the councillors. Resolved: Approved
  68. I contacted our website provider and got his advice on the councillors .gov.uk email address. He said that it would not be possible to go with another company due to the domain name unless I changed as well. The company was amongst the recommended ones when we first got my .gov.uk email address.  He said that the price quoted was reasonable. When CDALC are recommending all councillors have a .gov.uk email then we should before we have too.
  69.               Basic/Kiosk emails which are 2GB storage and web or mobile app based (not compatible       with desktop versions of Outlook ) £26 per user, per year.
  70. 12 accounts would cost £312 + vat per year.
  71. Standard Emails – which are 50GB storage and along with web and mobile are also compatible with desktop versions of Outlook.
  72. £47 per user, per year
  73. 12 accounts would cost £564.00 + vat per year.
  74. Resolved: It was agreed for the clerk to organise the Basic emails  for the twelve councillors
  75. I have had to chase the Section 136 money of £2700 but we have now received it.
  76. 11213
  77. Accounts for Payment
  78. GFW – Allotments at Ireshopeburn                                                                              £20.00
  79. Paul Irwin Ashcroft Grass Cutting                                                                                  £180.00
  80. Scribe-Starboard Systems Ltd                                                                                        £685.44
  81. Cabot Thermals Ltd – Willard Grove Asbestos                                                           £900.00
  82. Cllr Miss J Carrick Chairmans Allowance                                                                     £250.00
  83. S Anderson Salary                                                                                                            £923.55
  84. HM Rev                                                                                                                              £116.92
  85. S Anderson Expenses                                                                                                      £22.71
  86. S Anderson Home as Office                                                                                           £35.00
  87. Scottish Widows – Cheque sent to Edinburgh instead of Leeds-cancelled        £60,0000.00
  88. £12.50 cancellation fee
  89. Accounts for Receipts
  90. Network Rail                                                                                                                      £2.58
  91. Allotment Rent                                                                                                                  £13.00
  92. Durham County Council Section 136                                                                            £2700.00
  93.                                                                      Direct Debits/Standing Orders
  94. Village Hall Grant Money                                                                                                £5500.00
  95. Churchyard Maintenance Grant                                                                                    £1500.00
  96. Bank Charges                                                                                                                    £12.55
  97. Wave Water Daddry Shield                                                                                            £78.60
  98. Wave Water Willard Grove                                                                                            £66.07
  99. Wave Water Old Cemetery Stanhope                                                                          £23.27
  100. ICO                                                                                                                                     £47.00
  101. EE                                                                                                                                       £31.80
  102. EON Ashcroft                                                                                                                   £27.57
  103. 11214
  104. New Matters for Discussion
  105. Cllr Brewin mentioned the Church at Frosterley and that prior to the sale there was free access through the churchyard. This was being looked into by DCC and that it just needed rubber stamping. Resolved: Clerk to contact DCC
  106. Cllr Craig mentioned that he was willing to have a camera sited on his property but hadn’t heard anything yet. The bikes over Bank Holiday Weekend were dreadful with all of the noise. After twenty years of educating, it has had no effect at all.
  107. Cllr Mrs Sutcliff mentioned that St Johns Chapel would like to thank the Parish Council for the grant money.
  108. Cllr Mrs Wright mentioned that the toilets at the playpark were closed due to vandalism, Rookhope’ s are also closed.
  109. Cllr Mrs Wright mentioned the Market Place at Stanhope that it was very untidy, bus shelter was dirty, seats needed varnishing. This was reported to D Hunt and Clean & Green came and weeded the area, the seats have been varnished. At some point the bus shelter could maybe have a power wash. Resolved: Clerk to thank D Hunt.
  110. Cllr Mrs Wright was speaking to a resident who was removing the weeds from the Main Street in Stanhope.  He had also cleaned the phone box. Resolved: Clerk to send an appreciation card
  111. The planters outside of the church on Stanhope Market Place have not been planted yet. Resolved: Clerk to contact DCC
  112. Cllr Mrs Thompson mentioned there is a drop drain outside of 31 Front Street, Ireshopeburn.  Also at the junction of Coronation
  113. The signage has faded leading down to the school at St Johns Chapel.
  114. The swimming pool in Stanhope has set up a Go funding to raise money for the works needed to the pool.
  115. Cllr Miss Carrick mentioned that there is a Stanhope Video by Danny Blogs on You Tube which is a good advertisement for Stanhope.d.
  116. Cllr Mrs Wright mentioned the Market Place at Stanhope that it was very untidy, bus shelter was dirty, seats needed varnishing. This was reported to D Hunt and Clean & Green came and weeded the area, the seats have been varnished. At some point the bus shelter could maybe have a power wash. Resolved: Clerk to thank D Hunt.
  117. Cllr Mrs Wright was speaking to a resident who was removing the weeds from the Main Street in Stanhope.  He had also cleaned the phone box. Resolved: Clerk to send an appreciation card
  118. The planters outside of the church on Stanhope Market Place have not been planted yet. Resolved: Clerk to contact DCC
  119. Cllr Mrs Thompson mentioned there is a drop drain outside of 31 Front Street, Ireshopeburn.  Also at the junction of Coronation
  120. The signage has faded leading down to the school at St Johns Chapel.
  121. The swimming pool in Stanhope has set up a Go funding to raise money for the works needed to the pool.
  122. Cllr Miss Carrick mentioned that there is a Stanhope Video by Danny Blogs on You Tube which is a good advertisement for Stanhope.

Meeting Closed at 8.18pm

Date of next meeting is Wednesday 29th July 2026 at Eastgate Village Hall commencing at 7pm

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