STANHOPE PARISH COUNCIL
At a meeting of the Council held in Eastgate Village Hall on 3rd December 2025
PRESENT:
Cllr M Brewin, Cllr L Backett, Cllr J Shuttleworth, Cllr Mrs D Sutcliff, Cllr Mrs S Thompson,
Cllr Mrs S Smart, Cllr D Craig, Cllr R Lawrie, Cllr P Turton
Cllr Miss J Carrick – Chairman
Susan Anderson – Clerk
Also Present – a member of the public
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Apologies for Absence
Cllr Mrs C Burdis, Cllr Mrs D Wright, Cllr E Buchanan, Cllr Mrs A Savory
A member of the public had a reply with her from DCC relating to a 20mph sign near to Frosterley
School. DCC have agreed to this but funding has to be found. She would like the support of the Parish
Council and for the Parish Council to write to the two County Councillors asking them for funding
from their Neighbourhood Budgets. Cllr Shuttleworth explained that the Neighbourhood Budget has
to stretch from Killhope to Tow Law. He also said that the request for signage should come from the
Headteacher or The Governors of Frosterley School. He mentioned that he would speak to DCC.
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To Receive Any Declarations of Interest from Members
None received
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Minutes of the meeting held on 5th December 2025
Minutes were moved as a true and correct record and were signed by the chairman.
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Matters Arising
- ALLOTMENTS AT WESTGATE – I have tried to get a Title Plan for the Westgate Allotment Site
to see the boundaries. Cllr Craig mentioned that the south side wall belongs to the old
school.
1 - FOUR BED HOUSES BELOW HIGH STREET – An objection email has been sent to the planning
officer dealing with this application. - ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS CHURCH, FROSTERLEY – I have received an email from the
Diocesan offer who was responsible for the church during its closure period and who was
also responsible for working with the Church Commissioners on the process for putting it to
an appropriate new use. The officer knows the church and the churchyard well and is sorry
to hear of the issues and complaints about the development works and the apparent
manner in which they are being conducted. The officer will be consulting the Commissioners
and will reply to us when the matters that we have raised are looked into. The Church
Commissioners have sent a reply that they will be contacting the owner of the church to
address the points raised. A copy of the plan which highlights areas of ownership following
the sale of the former church building and parts of the annexed churchyard have been sent.
A discussion took place and the councillors are hoping that the Church Commissioners can
resolve this problem. - FROSTERLEY SCHOOL – After the last meeting the petition was sent to Durham County
Council. I had an email advising that it should have gone to the Police so it was sent to them
to deal with. - WEARDALE PRACTICE – Cllr Shuttleworth, Cllr Mrs Savory and a member of the Care Board
have had a meeting with Dr Rowley. This was a positive meeting and things will improve - WW2 WEEK – Cllr Blackett mentioned that he has some information on the Warship and Cllr
Miss Carrick mentioned that the Weardale Museum would take the plaque if the DLI agree to
it. - BURNHOPE RESERVOIR – Northumbrian Water contacted Cllr Blackett who explained exactly
which gutter needs digging out. - BRIDGE AT ST JOHNS CHAPEL – The bridge will now be repaired next year during the school
holidays. It will be monitored until then.
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Correspondence Received - A resident who lives up the Hall Road, Stanhope has reported that since the road was
resurfaced this year the rain water is running down his track to the house. The kerb stones
need heightening to stop this problem. This was reported to DCC and will be looked at. - The Fishing Club of Stanhope would like permission to place stones around the edge of the
grass verge on the lefthand side over the Stone Bridge. Resolved: Clerk to contact DCC - We have received an email regarding the Statutory consultation on the future of the closed
church of Westgate, St Andrew (Diocese of Durham). Enclosed is a copy of the draft Pastoral
(Church Buildings Disposal) scheme prepared by the Church Commissioners providing for the
closed church building of Westgate St Andrew to be appropriated to residential use and for
purposes ancillary thereto. Enclosed is an explanatory note setting out the background of the
proposals and a further note setting out the process the Commissioners will follow in
considering any representations received with respect to the draft scheme. We can make a
formal representation either in support or against by 5th December 2025. - DCC has confirmed a non-immediate Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development
rights that currently allow the conversion of dwelling houses (Use Class C3) into small Houses
in Multiple Occupation for between 3 and 6 residents (HMOs-Use Class C4) without the need
for planning permission. This measure has already been introduced in Framwellgate Moor,
Pity Me, Newton Hall, Mount Oswald, Carrville, Belmont and Durham City. The Article 4 will
cover the remainder of County Durham. - We have received an email from DCC on a consultation on further proposals to balance the
Council budget. On 19th Nov the Cabinet received an update on the budget forecasts and
agreed to put forward a range of new savings proposals to help with balancing the budget
2
for 26/27 and the following four years. The children’s social care costs have been revised
significantly upwards and have worsened across the next four years. The Council will need to
consider including raising council tax by up to 5% in 26/27 and in each year across the MTFP
planning period. Final decisions on these proposals will not be made until 18t Feb at Full
Council. Any comments should be received by 4th January. - A tenant from Crosshill would like permission for a wooden shed, 4ft by 6ft. Resolved:
Agreed - A tenant from Willard Grove was wondering if he could have permission for a polycarbonate
polytunnel. The one he has on his plot has been shredded with the wind. Resolved: Agreed - CDALC Elections for Executive Committee are now seeking nominations with the closing date
being 31st January 2026. - I have received an email from someone who is asking about the ownership and current
management of the pavilion on the Wearhead Recreation Area/football field in Wearhead.
The intention is to create a small community wellbeing hub for the village. This would
include full resistance gym floor, a space for classes, and a small social area where people
can meet. Resolved: This is being dealt with by Cllr Shuttleworth
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Planning Matters
DM/25/02186/VOC
Removal of holiday let occupancy condition no 5 pursuant to permission 3/2008/0006
Hill Top Cottage
Lanehead
DM/25/02979/FPA
Single story rear extension
60 Ashcroft
Stanhope
DM/25/02838/FPA
Two storey extension with single storey link on the footprint of existing Hay Barn
Lea Foot Byers
Brotherlee
DM/25/02216/VOC
PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED FOR DECEMBER 2025
Variation of condition 2 (time to re-build wall) pursuant to planning permission DM/24/01838/LB to
allow for an extended time frame to re-build wall
Bonny Moor Hen Hotel
Front Street
Stanhope
DM/25/02299/FPA
Installation of awning on front elevation
Site of former Rookhope Primary School
Rookhope
3
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Finance - Bank Reconciliation figures for the end of November which were sent to the councillors.
Resolved: Figures were agreed - The budget figures have been sent to everyone. The quote from Olivers Tree Services has
been sent. All of the work would cost £1930 in the Old Cemetery. As each section has been
priced separately then we can pick what we would like done. What Mr Thompson did say
was that the Parish Council has had the trees inspected for safety reasons so we are not
obliged to carry out any other work. He does agree that it would benefit from getting the
trees cut back as it does feel enclosed. Resolved: Clerk to get a price from S Makepeace
ready for the Feb meeting. Following a discussion there is a good possibility that from April
2027 we could lose the Community Highways Worker. This would be a big loss for Weardale
and we cannot afford to lose this service. We could take out a Service Level Agreement
where DCC who would invoice the Parish Council for the cost of the Community Highways
Worker. This would include his salary, pension and his van. To be able to do this we would
need to increase the precept to £80,000. This would make the Band D figure £44.67 which is
currently £31.75. The percentage increase would be 40.69% and an increase of £26,000. The
councillors agreed that the CHW is a valued asset. Resolved: The chairman proposed that we
take out a Service Level Agreement to keep the Community Highways Worker and increase
the precept to £80,000 to be able to do this. A vote was taken which was unanimous. - The precept form has been received and must be returned by 23rd January 2026
- Hire of the portaloo over Christmas. We would need a contract from the company that we
are hiring the toilet from so that it can be insured under our policy as all risk cover.
Otherwise it would just be covered under our public liability but not for damage or if it was
stolen. Dates are 23rd Dec until 5th Jan 2026
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Accounts for Payment
JRB Enterprise Ltd Dog Bags
S Anderson Salary
HM Rev
S Anderson Expenses
S Anderson Home as Office
Olivers Tree Services Westgate Allotments
S Anderson salary for January
HM Rev for January
S Anderson Expenses for January
S Anderson Home as Office for January
DIRECT DEBITS
EE
E-ON
£540.00
£925.81
£82.53
£13.92
£35.00
£552.00
£30.00
£28.30
4
BANK CHARGES
£8.50
Accounts agreed
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New Matters for Discussion - Cllr Brewin mentioned the wagon way down The Butts to Mill Cottages. This was reported to
the PROW Officer last month. Cllr Shuttleworth said that it is in hand. - Cllr Craig mentioned the A689 road up at Whitts Hill and Britton concerning the flooding of
the road. This is also in hand. - Cllr Mrs Sutcliff thanked Cllr Shuttleworth for his help in getting the road cleared after the
rubble came down during the heavy rain. DCC were very quick in sorting it out. - Cllr Mrs Smart would like to know when the bridge at Wolsingham will be re-opened. Cllr
Shuttleworth mentioned that there might or might not be problem with the decking. The
outcome will be known shortly. - Cllr Mrs Smart mentioned a temporary caravan which is sited on a farm at Eastgate.
- Cllr Turton would like to report an exposed drain opposite Hillcrest, Crawleyside. Resolved:
Clerk to report to DCC - Cllr Miss Carrick would like to report a damaged parking sign outside of the Coop in
Stanhope. Resolved: Clerk to report to Traffic Assets. - Cllr Miss Carrick has had a request for a bus shelter by Willard Grove, Stanhope. Resolved:
Clerk to contact DCC - Light number 174 before the Caravan Park on Crawleyside is on all day. Resolved: Clerk to
report to DCC - Cllr Mrs Smart mentioned the Notice Board at Eastgate and that the legs are rotten on it. She
would like it on the bus shelter wall, a councillor mentioned just to have it done. Resolved:
Clerk to contact S Makepeace
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Clerks Business
Nothing to report
Meeting Closed at 8.15pm
Date of next meeting is Wednesday 4th February,2026 at Eastgate Village Hall commencing at 7pm
