STANHOPE PARISH COUNCIL
At a meeting of the Council held in Eastgate Village Hall on 7th May 2025
PRESENT: Cllr E Buchanan, Cllr J Shuttleworth, Cllr Mrs D Wright, Cllr L Blackett, Cllr S Smart, Cllr Mrs
D Sutcliff, Cllr Mrs C Burdis, Cllr P Turton, Cllr M Brewin, Cllr R Lawrie, Cllr Mrs S Thompson Cllr D
Craig – Chairman Susan Anderson – Clerk
Apologies for Absence Cllr Miss J Carrick, Cllr Mrs A Savory
To Receive Any Declarations of Interest from Members None received
Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd April 2025 Minutes were moved as a true and correct record
and were signed by the Chairman.
Matters Arising 1. Weardale Practice – Dr Dendle can attend the July meeting but first she would
like to know what issues that the councillors would like to discuss. This is so that Dr Dendle can
provide a meaningful input. There are representatives on the PPG from the Parish Council who have
reported back from the last meeting. The Practice Manager also sent a data sheet which the
councillors saw last meeting. Wolsingham Parish Council are to send two different councillors to a
meeting at the surgery so that they can report back to their councillors. Stanhope have also been
invited to do this. Cllr Shuttleworth is having a meeting at the surgery with the Practice Manager, the
doctors and the NHS. Resolved: It was agreed for Cllr Mrs D Sutcliff and Cllr Mrs S Smart to attend a
meeting at the surgery along with two representatives from Wolsingham
- Willard Grove Horsebox – The Street Warden has given an update on this and the ground that it is
parked on belongs to Believe Housing. He has also written to Believe Housing so he has done
everything he can now so has closed the case. He will send an email to the complainant. - Dog Bin Top of Crawleyside – The land is not owned by DCC and it is felt it would cause more
problems by putting a bin on the fell ground. - Olivers Tree Services – Olivers Tree Services are booked to do the inspection on Tuesday 13th
May. 5. Stone Bridge, Stanhope – It was impossible to complete the repairs last year following an
overnight scaffold collapse. By the time the scaffold was recovered it was into November and the
allowable working window had passed due to ecological and heritage restrictions. Restrictions due
to bat hibernation periods prevented work taking place between approximately November and
April. There were also restrictions in the scheduled monument consent granted by Historic England
covering a similar period that prevented the required lime mortars from being used whilst the
temperatures were too low. Subject to all necessary consents being granted, it is anticipated that
the work will commence on Monday 28th April for approximately seven days. - Street Lighting Energy Reduction Project – Service Level Agreement – We have had a letter
regarding the current Service Level Agreement which is in place for the Street Lighting up the dale,
for maintenance and energy costs. In some circumstances, existing SLAs are due for renewal, this has
prompted a review and the development of a rationale for streetlights that form part of the SLA
agreements. Up to six months prior to the SLA renewal date, a road safety audit will be arranged and
funded by DCC. The SA will confirm if there is currently a requirement for lighting (in accordance
with DCC Policy) at the location covered by the SLA, this will inform one of two options: Should the
RSA confirm that the lighting can be removed without affecting public safety, opportunity will be
offered for the SLA to be renewed, at an agreed cost. Where the SLA is not renewed, DCC propose to
remove the street lighting. Should the RSA confirm that the lighting is required and can therefore
not be removed without affecting public safety, the street lighting will revert to DCC for
maintenance and energy costs. - Wall at Cowgarth Hill- The wall has now been repaired
- Dog Poo Posters- Stanhope School unfortunately hasn’t had time to do any posters. The prize was
an Easter Egg which has been bought, maybe Crosshill Care Home would like it. - Church Hall – Cllr Mrs Wright mentioned that after the meeting in the Church there has been a
change of heart. She felt that the strength of feeling took their breath away and people came
together. To run a Church Hall there are a lot of overheads so the cost of hire must be realistic to
cover the costs. Scaffolding has gone up so let’s hope there is a good outlook.
- Lime Tree in Stanhope – Cllr Mrs Wright does not feel that a new tree is needed as the other tree
will soon fill the gap. - Dentburn Bridge – The bridge will be closed for ten weeks
- Car Parking in Westgate – There is very little that can be done with the parking in Westgate near
the Hare & Hounds. - Boundary Stone – The Park Boundary stone plate is in the Ireshopeburn Museum. Cllr Craig will
go and look at the stone to see if the stone can be repaired with deep doweling it. He will ask Simon
to strim around it to keep it clear. Cllr Craig thinks by the earliest Ordnance Survey map it shows that
the Scarsyke stone post must have been moved from windy allotment across onto the waste ground
Correspondence Received - The Weardale Museum sent the Spring Newsletter which was sent to all councillors.
- An allotment tenant from the Old Hall site would like permission for a 6ft x 4ft greenhouse.
Resolved: Cllrs agreed - A tenant from the Old Hall site would like to erect a small polytunnel on his plot. Resolved: Cllrs
agreed - Cllr Mrs Burdis sent a message concerning the state of Frosterley Play Park. Some residents along
with Cllr Brewin and his wife cleaned all the mess off the play equipment. This was reported to D
Hunt, the Neighbourhood Warden, the County Councillors and Cllr Mrs Savory reported it to the
Police. - Weardale Methodist Church would like to thank the Parish Council for the £500 grant money.
- S Tron the Rural Housing Enabler who works for Durham Community Action has sent an email
following on from last year’s visit. She has sent a Parish Housing Profile showing key housing facts for
the area. If the Parish Council would like to discuss further she would be happy to help or attend one
of our meetings. - Weardale Museum have sent their Special Birthday Newsletter.
- A tenant that has just taken over a plot at Crosshill would like our assistance to remove some
rubbish from the plot. They have fixed the fencing that needed repairing but they have taken down
an old shed. The plot was let free this year. A one off collection of rubbish costs a lot and the couple
were happy to take the plot on as it was.
Planning Matters
DM/25/00692/FPA Change of use of part of ground floor of building to coffee shop-use class Eb)
Station House Mellbutts House Frosterley. DM/25/00994/VOC Variation of condition 2 (approved
plans) pursuant to planning permission. DM/22/02363/FPA to allow for the infilling of extension to
increase head height and alterations to the window and rooflight layout Ashes Engine House
Crawleyside. DM/25/00719/FPA Change of use of closed former church to single family residential
use St Andrews Church Westgate. DM/25/00920/FPA Erection of 1 no self build home Church House
78 Front Street Stanhope. DM/25/00985/FPA Replacement sunroom with insulated roof Crawley
Hall Crawleyside.
4 PLANNING APPROVALS FOR MAY MEETING 2025
DM/24/00986/FPA Agricultural building for the storage of plant, trailers, implements, building
materials and tools for use in association with the Caravan Park and Agricultural holdings and for the
storage of winter feed for livestock on site of existing timber chalet pitch. Fineburn Caravan Park
Frosterley. DM/24/03005/FPA Conversion of redundant outbuilding into a self contained holiday
cottage Chester House Side Lane Westgate.
Finance - The stone bench by Centenary Close is the Parish Councils responsibility to maintain. A price has
been asked for to have the woods renewed or replaced with stone slabs. The quote for dressed
timber will be £180 plus vat Resolved: Agreed - S Makepeace has inspected the Playgrounds and all areas are generally in good condition if
attention to the works required are done. Burtree Ford- The matting play surface is suffering from
shrinkage and may need attention in the future on the two swings and the module climbing frame.
The Basket ball needs replacing and may need a safety surface pressure wash, £25. Daddry Shield-
playtop needs pressure washing off as it is slippy. Section of stone wall has fallen down £70.00 All
equipment in good order. Westgate- Wet pour safety surface needs some repairs around the big
swings. The swings need repainting, £250.Area around the climbing frame playtop needs repairing,
£500.Some pressure washing required. Crawleyside- The yellow paint needs repainting n the swings.
Overgrown bushes at the gateway right up left handside out of the garden £50. Pressure wash
surfaces. Bondisle- Two fence rails are broken on the surrounding fence, £30. Safety surface to
pressure wash. Repair on the wetpour surfacing. Swings need repainting, £350. Ashcroft-
Mushrooms chewed up. Birds nest swing seat needs replacement, £1540. Trampoline needs
repairing and some of the matting around the trampoline needs replacing as it is missing, £1563. The
surrounding fence has some securing bolts missing out of it. Hinges bent on one of the access gates,
£250. Pressure washing of all the play surfaces £720.00. Play Park inspection survey £100. All prices
are without vat. Resolved: Agreed - The St Thomas Church Hall bank account has been closed and combined with the St Thomas
Church account. The standing order for the Church Hall has been cancelled and the amount in total
sent is now £800, £500 Village Hall grant money and £300 Churchyard maintenance grant. - The AGAR has been received from the Internal Auditor and the figures have been sent to the
councillors. The Annual Internal Audit Report was received and approved. The Annual Governance
Statement and the Accounts were approved and signed. Resolved: Agreed - The quote for the Notice Board is £1584 which is made out of Kiln dried oak. I am waiting for
another quote which is made from treated pine and is double protected with a long life on it.
CDALC No representative
Accounts for Payment S Anderson Salary £904.08 HM Rev/paye £73.06 S Anderson Expenses £17.07
S Anderson Home as Office £35.00 CDALC Good Councillor Guide £52.00
ACCOUNTS FOR RECEIPTS 03/04/2025 DCC PRECEPT £54,000.00 04/04/2025 HMRC VAT REFUND
£3,723.13 ALLOTMENT RENT £265.00 DIRECT DEBITS PAID 01/04/25 SAVILLS £50.00 16/04/25
VODAFONE £47.34 22/04/25 EON NEXT £25.33 Resolved: Accounts moved
New Matters for Discussion - Cllr Blackett mentioned that he had Lawrence Barton on the phone who is trying to create a
community owned energy generation scheme (Weardale Renewable CIC). He will be attending the
Parish Council June meeting. - Cllr Mrs Smart would still like the Parish Council to try and get the speed limit reduced through
Eastgate. There are Government guidelines to follow and a process to go through. Cllr Craig also
mentioned the motorbikes. It was suggested to invite Joy Allen again to a meeting as one of her
priorities is speeding. - Cllr Mrs Sutcliff mentioned that Daddry Shield toilets need some work doing to them after the
winter months. Resolved: Agreed - Cllr Mrs Sutcliff would like a regular sweep of St Johns Chapel outside of the Co-op. Resolved:
Clerk to contact D Hunt - Cllr Turton mentioned that there is a fence leaning at the bottom of Crosshill Allotments.
Resolved: Clerk to check who the fence belongs to. - Cllr Mrs Burdis would like it clarifying if dogs are allowed in the playing field at Frosterley.
Resolved: Clerk to find out - Cllr Brewin mentioned after the recent recycling collection there was broken glass left on the
ground. Resolved: Clerk to report to DCC - Cllr Brewin saw a dog walker not pick up after the dog. He approached the person and was told
the dog didn’t do it.
Clerks Business Nothing to report
Meeting closed at 7.55pm.
