MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD
TUESDAY 13TH January 2026
7.00 PM
Town Hall, Wolsingham
PRESENT: I Rodgers, A Bonar, Y Bell, S Bittlestone, J Bell, P Gardner, D Brown
Sarah-Ann Baxter(Clerk)
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: A Savory, J Bartram
- TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR: Susan Tron – Durham Community Action gave a short presentation on how they are working, as a government funded charity, to bring forward affordable rented properties across Co.Durham. There is a high need for this type of housing in Weardale.
A resident raised the issue of the parking charges, which might be putting off visitors attending the Wayfarer Walks as there has been a drop in attendance, it was suggested that the group could be issued with parking passes. Councillors highlighted that the income is much needed from the car parks to be able to maintain the other Council facilities and if this income reduced it could potentially mean a higher precept increase for residents. Also any scheme would be very difficult to manage and could potentially be a cost in itself.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 9th December 2025: Minutes were agreed as a true record
- MATTERS ARISING:
- Christmas – It was agreed to set up a working group, to meet in February and would include but not limited to Cllr Y Bell, Cllr Bittlestone, Cllr Bonar, Jenny Green, Enid Martin, WI representatives, the Clerk.
- Foodie Book Club Funding – It was agreed, due to fiscal constraints, that the Council would be unable to provide any funding, however it would ensure that the halls were fully equipped with all the necessary utensil, glasses etc.
- Parking near the Black Bull – A resident explained that the pubs orange lidded bin was still being left out, it was agreed that no further action would take place for the time being.
- Local GP Catchment Area – The Weardale GP practice manager has confirmed that Thornley is not within their catchment area and are also not included in Tow Law GP area either. The two practices are looking at their boundaries to correct this situation. Cllr Rodgers thanked Katy Makepeace for helping with this situation.
- S106 Play Ground Equipment – It was agreed that a working group be set-up to look at the current equipment and decide a way forward regarding replacement including involving the young users of the playground. The working group to include Cllr Rodgers, Cllr Jeff Bell, Cllr Brown, Cllr Gardner, Cllr Savory and the Clerk.
- CORRESPSONDENCE:
Linda Thatcher – Durham Dales Sports Club Funding – It was agreed that no funding is available at this time.
- MAINTENANCE WORKS:
- St Anne’s Hall–Having received the quote for the door to be upgraded to aluminium (due to the amount of use it would have) it was agreed to go out for further quotes. The fire service has been completed.
- Recreation Ground –Cllr J Bell informed the meeting that the ramp into the toilets were very slippy during icy weather, he is also going to chase up the contractor to look at the doors. The Clerk informed the meeting that DCC has place a Tree Preservation Order on all of the trees within the Recreation Ground.
- Town Hall – The air conditioning unit has been serviced, the boiler in the library has been fixed and it was noted that the outside clock was not working again.
- Demesne Mill – It was agreed to organise a work party to clear the leaves & drains prior to getting any surveys/repairs completed.
- Thornley Woods – Nothing to report.
- Allotments – Nothing to report.
- Angate Street Toilets –Nothing to report.
- Policy Reviews – The Councillors had reviewed the current policies and these will be updated on the website.
- FinancePayments / Accounts December – these were agreed
- PLANNING – Nothing to Report
