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Open Spaces

I'd like to start by introducing myself......my name is Lynn Wylie, and I have lived in Hurworth for nearly 24 years; I am very proud and lucky to live in such a beautiful village, and I am passionate about preserving this beauty for everyone who lives here today, and future generations.

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How am I going to achieve this?

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By continuing the hard work and dedication of the previous HPC Open Spaces councillor, Wilma Campbell; Wilma has done an amazing job, and I'd like to say 'a big thank you' to her for all of her hard work. Although she is no longer a member of HPC, I am glad to say that she is continuing her hard work with EPICH.

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I will be working closely with EPICH volunteers in promoting the projects that they are working on, and ensure that they receive the support from the Hurworth Parish Council.

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I would also like to encourage the people of Hurworth, after all it is our village, to let me know of any issues around the village, and any ideas too relating to open spaces.

Open Spaces Report – July 2021 

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Tree and Open Spaces Database

Work on the Database is ongoing and will be completed for the September PC meeting. DBC have advised on ownership and responsibility for the trees located on the village Green. 

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Work is still to be completed on the Tree Policy; as with the database, this will be presented at the September PC meeting.

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Grange Entrance Improvement Works

Now that work has been completed on the Grange café, I have contacted Martin Harrison for a quote and design for improving the entrance, opposite Elmfield Road, to the Grange; it is expected that this work will be complete well ahead of the Hurworth Country Fair in September.

Open Spaces Report – June 2021 

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Tree and Open Spaces Database

Work on the Database is nearly complete. Although, at the time of writing this report, there is some detail to be clarified, by DBC, on tree ownership/ responsibility before these trees are added to the database: a meeting was held 25th May with Brian Graham from DBC, and he is going to investigate further, and advise accordingly. 

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A meeting has been held to discuss the Tree Policy (which was last updated in 2014), and work is still underway to fully overhaul this policy and make it fully fit for purpose; it is hoped to be complete by end of June, so that it can be presented to the PC at the July meeting.

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Grange Entrance Improvement Works

Due to his existing work commitments, at the time of writing this report, I am awaiting a quote, for the work required, from Martin Harrison; following discussion with him, regarding what is required/ wanted, he hopes to be able to provide a quote once his current schedule of work is completed (mid-June).

Path at The Grange

 

Urban Eden have completed the remedial work on the path at The Grange.

 

The existing surface was removed from the problem areas.

 

A new sub-base was established to raise the 'dips' where standing water and mud have been collecting.

 

The surrounding ground level was then lowered to help the water run away into the existing drainage channel.

 

The areas in question have been re-surfaced with self-binding gravel to match the existing surface.

 

A check has been completed on the path after the recent rain and there wasn't any standing water at the usual spot; the path and repair work will continue to be monitored if we have any more heavy rain!

Open Spaces Audit Update

As you will see, above, the audit has been made available for everyone to view.

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I welcome any feedback regarding the comments that I made against the recognised Open Spaces and benches within the audit; most especially for any benches which I missed off the audit in regards to their condition, and I will pass that detail on to the relevant people to ensure any required works are completed.

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As works are completed, I will provide an update on here either as the works are completed, or on a monthly basis. 

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Further to this, I already have an update in regards to the overgrown pathway along the Glebe/ rear of the Grange estate, and I am pleased to say, thanks to Street Scene,  that the path has now been cut back.

 

 

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You said…we did!

July

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  • Email received advising of a broken stile at Minster Walk/ Sycamore close. Darlington Borough Council (DBC), had written to the land owner to advise of the damage and request that it is repaired, and the land owner subsequently got in touch with DBC to discuss. DBC have agreed with the land owner for the Community Payback Team(this is an organisation DBC work with regularly which involves supervised young offenders carrying out community works) to carry out the required work. DBC have since confirmed that the work has been completed, and as the photo shows, it’s been done to a high standard. 

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  • Received an email advising that a pallet bridge had been erected in the beck on the HACSA playing field, and raised concerns regarding the impact of the flow of the beck, which could lead to flooding. HACSA have kindly removed the pallets and cable reel out of the beck, and the skip has been emptied, which included the pallets and cable reel, so removing any opportunity for the bridge to be rebuilt.

 

 

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You said…we did!

June

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  • Email received advising of a broken stile at Minster Walk/ Sycamore close. This has been reported to Darlington Borough Council (DBC), who have written to the land owner to advise of the damage and request that it is repaired

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  • Email received advising that the verge, along the Glebe (at the back of the houses on Friars Pardon/ West End), has been sprayed with weed killer, and concerns of the negative impact this could have on wildlife. This has been reported to DBC, who have advised that it is not as a result of any work completed by either Streetscene, or a contractor working on behalf of DBC; DBC contractors only cut back and do not use weedkiller. As it is not possible to ascertain who is responsible for this, a polite request is being made here, for the person responsible for completing this, that they please refrain from any future use of weedkiller; any concerns regarding overgrown verges should be made to either DBC, or Hurworth Parish Council.

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  • Received an email advising that a pallet bridge had been erected in the beck on the HACSA playing field, and raised concerns regarding the impact of the flow of the beck, which could lead to flooding. A representative from HACSA apologised for this, as they are awaiting the imminent removal of the full skip, and once an empty skip is received, then the pallets will be put in it; in the meantime the pallets will be removed from the beck.

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