Survey helps save village green space

Startforth residents could face a “little” tax increase to pay for the upkeep of a controversial green space.

Earlier this year the future of Church Bank Field was put under review by the village’s parish council because of the cost of repairing three sections of stone wall that had collapsed and trees that need attention.

Wall repairs will cost about £5,000 and tree work almost £500.

Councillors wondered if it was value for money because the area is rarely used by residents and one of the options on the table was to sell it.

However, a number of residents turned out at the annual parish meeting in May to speak out against its sale.

Starforth Parish Council members heard during their latest meeting last month that a survey of residents showed that 88 per cent of people wanted it to remain in public ownership.

Only one person thought it should be sold.

A report on the survey said: “One respondent selecting possible sale or transfer qualified this by stating that transfer should be to a wildlife or woodland trust only.”

Of the survey Cllr Peter Worley said: “It says everything we need to know.

“A high percentage of residents want to keep it.

“It’s consensus of popular opinion.”

The report showed that 71 per cent of people were happy for a slight increase in the precept they pay to the council to pay for continued maintenance, but many also felt that ways should be sought to reduce costs, possibly through using volunteers and through grant applications.

Cllr Jayne Cox said: “Obviously if residents want to keep it in parish council control, then that is fine.

“I think it is going to be a combination of applying for grants, then putting up the precept a little bit and developing a stronger volunteer force as well.”

Cllr Jackie Bradley added: “It is difficult.

“We can’t put a monetary value on it until we assess what needs doing initially and what needs doing ongoing.

“Then we can decide what money needs to be put aside for maintenance of the area.”

Parish clerk Judith Mashiter told members that 11 residents had responded to a call in the summer for people to join a “Startforth Enhancement Team” which would volunteer to do improvement work around the village.

The council agreed unanimously to retain ownership of the field, to apply for cash from Teesdale Local Network to help pay for the wall repairs and to explore how the enhancement team could help with maintenance.

The council also agreed to pay for the tree work that needs doing.

Members also agreed, in principle, to the wall repairs pending the outcome of a funding application.