A meeting of Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council was held on Monday, 1 February 2016 at 7.30 pm at Biggin Village Hall.
Present: J Brindley, D Prince, J Coles, J Griffiths, J Bonsall, S McCurrach and the clerk, Mrs Hampson. There was 1 member of the public in attendance.
16.2.1 Apologies
There were no apologies.
16.2.2 Declaration of personal/prejudicial interest of councillors
There was no need by any of the members present to complete an entry in the register.
16.2.3 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting had been forwarded to all members in advance of the meeting.
Resolved: The minutes were accepted as a true record of proceedings (Prop JG Sec JB)
16.2.4 Matters arising from pre-meeting
Matters were covered by the agenda.
16.2.5 Public speaking procedures document
The public speaking procedures document was made available to the member of the public in attendance.
16.2.6 Public speaking
The member of the public asked about the minutes on the website, minutes on the noticeboard not being clear due to a condensation issue with the noticeboard and clarification that the meetings consistently took place in the same room.
16.2.7 PCSO update
Details of the new PCSO had not yet been received; however, the clerk had contacted one of the local police sergeants. Following this communication, a PCSO had emailed the clerk with her details as a temporary measure in case of need until the new PCSO had completed his training.
16.2.8 County and District Councillor updates
Neither the County nor District Councillor attended the meeting. The clerk advised that she had emailed County Councillor Spencer about the village pavements.
16.2.9 Highway issues
Personnel from Derbyshire County Council (DCC) had responded to the clerk’s communication about heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) travelling up Cardlemere Lane. She had attached views from Google Earth proving the lane to be unsuitable for this type of vehicle. She thought it incredible that HGV drivers would think the lane suitable from the outset. DCC is limited to the type of sign that can be placed at the end of the lane as governed by Traffic Sign Regulations and General Directions. The options include a ‘No through road’ or ‘Unsuitable for motor vehicles’ sign, both of which have limitations as unsuitable suggests vehicles could get through but the surface would be too rough and Cardlemere Lane is not a no through road as cyclists following Cycle Route 54 can get through. DCC would like to know the company of the HGVs using this lane. Members discussed the sign options suggested by DCC.
Resolved: The clerk to request an ‘Unsuitable for motor vehicle’ sign to be placed at the bottom of Cardlemere Lane, near the A515.
Resolved: The clerk to advise that the heavy goods vehicle seen attempting to travel up Cardlemere Lane was a grey curtain sided vehicle possibly with the name Serco on it.
16.2.10 Planning applications and planning sub-committee
Details had been received of planning training offered by Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA). Following expression of interest in the course and in the interest of securing a place on the training event on 3rd March 2016, the clerk had submitted Mrs McCurrach’s details in advance of the meeting. PDNPA had confirmed the reservation. The clerk asked if there was any other interest in the training course.
Resolved: To pay £10.00 to PDNPA to cover the delegate’s training fee.
Resolved: No further delegates confirmed during the meeting to attend the training course; however, Mrs Coles would consider this.
A new planning application was considered during the meeting at the Laurels for the installation of an LPG tank. Members were advised that the height of the wall at the roadside would increase by two course and the ground would be scraped down to reduce the visual impact from the road.
Resolved: Members support the application for the installation of the LPG tank.
Members had received no further information regarding an application for a new build property on Porridge Lane.
Resolved: The clerk to contact Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) regarding this.
16.2.11 Bank mandate
The clerk had collected documentation from the parish council’s bank to enable Mrs Bonsall to become an authorised signatory. Portions of this documentation were completed by existing signatories to enable Mrs Bonsall to complete the remainder and present at the parish council’s bank. Documentation had also been received advising that the statement dates for the accounts would now become 5th monthly.
16.2.12 Cemetery issues
The monumental mason had not attended to the unapproved memorial in the cemetery following the site meeting in November.
16.2.13 Noticeboard
Mrs Coles had advised the clerk that the joiner had fitted a new rubber inside the noticeboard to prevent leaks. The backboard remains water marked. In view of this, the payment had been sent.
Resolved: to continue to monitor the noticeboard to ensure it remains water tight and items displayed can be seen easily.
16.2.14 Damaged village seat
It was reported that this seat continues to dry out but it will require preservation on return to the site. Members discussed the state of the other village seats.
Resolved: The clerk to contact the grounds person to request that the village seats receive preservation treatment when the weather improves and this to include the seat being repaired when it is returned to the usual site.
16.2.15 Public telephone box at Newhaven
Following the previous parish council meeting, the clerk had requested to be kept informed of discussions with PDNPA. Despite this, BT had advised the clerk that a removal survey had been conducted and also confirmed that mobile signal strength at Newhaven is good. The clerk had queried this statement with BT. Members also queried the mobile signal strength as it was reported that mobile signal strength at the garage at Newhaven is at best inconsistent.
The clerk had also contacted the public transport department at DCC regarding young people waiting for transport on the layby at Newhaven. DCC advised the clerk that the young people are most likely waiting for the Unibus which transports people to the University of Derby, Buxton Campus. This is a private arrangement between he university and the transport operator, however, the service is registered as a local bus service. There are no plans for any bus shelters at this location. DCC can offer up to 50% grants for new bus shelters but this is prioritised on demand/usage and as there are only 2 buses a day from this location it is unlikely that DCC would justify support here.
16.2.16 Hearing Loop
It was reported that Mrs Griffiths would receive a further visit on 8 February regarding the hearing loop. Installation of a hearing loop in the village hall, as a public building, and the meeting room was also discussed to ensure access by everyone to meetings and public functions.
16.1.17 Items of account, salaries, HMRC
The clerk contacted the secretary of Biggin Village Hall committee to advise that the parish council will pay an increased cost of £10.00 each month (for 10 months) for the hire of the meeting room. This communication had been acknowledged and will be taken before the next village hall committee meeting.
| Cq 866 | PDNPA | Delegate cost – planning training | £10.00 | |
| Cq 867 | S Hampson | Reimb. of expenses | £13.98 | |
| Cq 868 | S Hampson | February net salary | £174.24 | |
| Cq 869 | G Tilson | February net salary | £96.63 |
Employees’ pension
The clerk had made further enquiries with DALC, the Pension Regulator and NEST. The clerk had also completed documentation on line through the Pension Regulator. Based on the monthly salary of both the clerk and the grounds person the parish council does not have to provide and make pension contributions to either of its employees. However, the parish council would have to set up a pension if requested to do so by the employees to enable them to make their own contributions. NEST’s administration charges are 1.8%. As part of the expectations of the Pension Regulator a standard letter should be sent to the employees.
Resolved: To forward the standard letters to the parish council’s employees.
16.2.18 Village pavements
The clerk had reported the poor state and camber of the village pavements to DCC and to County Councillor, S Spencer. New personnel at DCC had requested specific locations which are affecting the disabled users. Although it was thought that this was still a maintenance issue. Members advised that the camber of the pavement is affected from the village hall to the church. Other issues remain near the houses on Drury Lane with water collection and holes. The area between Sycamore Farm to the PW camp is narrow as is the portion from the bridge to A515 which is overgrown. The path from Cardlemere Lane to Newhaven is still to receive attention following a previous report.
Resolved: The clerk to report the above problem areas with the pavements.
16.2.19 Former POW Camp
The clerk had contacted four officers at the PDNPA regarding the serious deterioration of the POW camp and possible asbestos issues. A senior planning officer had advised the clerk of the name of the officer dealing with the case and that all being well he would contact the clerk prior to the meeting but this had not been the case.
Resolved: The clerk to chase the findings of the PDNPA officers following concerns of deliberate damage at the site and to request attendance at a future meeting.
Members reported that a tenant of the land approaching the POW camp had been receiving large quantities of pupil paper. These transactions had resulted in a mess on the road. It was reported that this has generated a smell in addition to the unsightly appearance.
Resolved: The clerk to contact the tenant regarding the pulp paper and to request that a road sweeper be employed.
16.2.20 Correspondence and communication
DALC Circulars including information regarding the new audit regime for small councils and the decision to opt out/in prior to 31 March 2016. DDDC area forums. Other correspondence and communication had been covered by the agenda. Harding Gap trees have now been attended to following a previous report. It was reported that litter had been strewn everywhere after a wheeled bin had blown over. There will be an official opening of the new playground area when it has been officially signed off.
There is frequently lots of litter near the bus shelter on Main Street.
Resolved: To request that the waste bin near the phone box to be relocated near the bus shelter.
Resolved: To report an area near Old House Farm, Friden (Washmere Corner) where water is collecting.
16.2.21 Items for the next agenda
New bank mandate, public telephone box, village seat, cemetery, noticeboard, hearing loop, former POW camp, village pavements, Cardlemere Lane.
Additional items to be compiled by the clerk.
16.2.19 Date of next meeting
Resolved: The date of the next meeting 11th April 2016
Part 2 –Confidential Information
There was no confidential information to discuss.
The meeting was declared closed at 8.30 pm
Mrs S Hampson,
Clerk to the parish council
5th February 2016
©Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting.