A meeting of Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council was held on
Monday, 6th February 2017 at Biggin Village Hall
Present: Mr D Prince, Mrs S McCurrach, Mrs J Coles, Mrs J Bonsall, Mrs J Griffith , the clerk, Mrs S Hampson, 3 members of the public, County Councillor, S Spencer, Director of Planning from The Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA), Mr J Scott.
Part 1 non-confidential information
17.2.1 Apologies
Apologies – Mrs J Brindley and District Councillor, District Councillor, Sir R Fitzherbert.
17.2.2 Declaration of personal/prejudicial interest of councillors
There was no need by any member present to complete an entry in the register.
17.2.3 Minutes of the previous ordinary meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting had been displayed on the noticeboard and on the parish council’s website and forwarded to members in advance of the meeting.
Resolved: to approve the minutes as a true record of proceedings (Prop JC Sec JB)
17.2.4 Matters arising from pre-meeting
No matters brought to the attention of the meeting.
17.2.5 Public speaking procedures document
Members of the public in attendance declined to read the document as they were regular attenders and familiar with its content.
17.2.6 Public speaking
A representative from Biggin Village Hall Committee attended and reported that the committee had recently met. He advised that a long distance walking party had made a further booking. The committee had noted some of the adverse comments received after the last visit by the walking group concerning inconsiderate parking on pavements and grass verges. The representative also apologised that a regular group using the village hall facilities had not left the meeting room fit for use. Advice was also given that the parish council will pay the cost of the installation of a hearing loop in the village hall (see item 17.2.14).
Resolved: To communicate where possible, with the village hall committee, verbally rather than electronically.
17.2.7 PCSO updates
The clerk had reported speeding issues in the village to the PCSO. The PCSO had advised the clerk in advance of the meeting that he had forwarded the report to the Casualty Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST). He had further advised that future issues can be reported directly to the CREST unit. The PCSO remained on standby regarding agenda item 17.2.21
17.2.8 County Councillor and District Councillor
Following the attendance at the December 2016 meeting by County Councillor Spencer the clerk had pursued the application for the grant of £500 pledged by Councillor Spencer from the Community Leadership Fund towards the achievement of an information plinth at Heathcote.
Resolved: Members completed the necessary documentation. Mrs S McCurrach to hand deliver the documentation to the appropriate department at Derbyshire County Council (DCC). Also see item 17.2.11. DCC elections will take place on 4th May 2017.
17.2.9 Highway issues
The clerk had not received a response to her communication regarding the persistent collection of water at Wash Mere corner, Friden. In addition to the serious water collection at this point, debris is presently being dragged out of the surrounding fields making this area treacherous. Chevron signs are missing from the stretch of highway between the caravan park and Pikehall. The only remaining chevron sign has had a cone placed on top.
The regular water collection at the bottom of the lifts was particularly hazardous on the evening of the meeting. It was also reported that material continues to be dragged out of fields on Main Street.
Mrs Bonsall advised that there had been an incident narrowly missing a car near the layby near the Ivy House at Newhaven and as a consequence, the 50 mph sign had been knocked down. The 30mph signs at the top of Main Street are nearly rotten and need attention/replacement.
Resolved: The clerk to report the above issues regarding standing water, debris on the road and attention required to warning signs and speed limit signs.
17.2.10 Planning applications including planning sub-committee
A complaint had been received from a Heathcote resident that further Heathcote residents had not been consulted by the parish council prior to making their decision to support an application for a small, 5 pitch caravan site at Chapel Farm, Heathcote.
PDNPA had confirmed to the parish council, prior to the meeting that the parish council does not have to consult residents to aid their decisions on planning applications. The Director of Planning from PDNPA provided members with the complete report on the background and the application at Chapel Farm and also information that a retrospective planning application is considered in the same non-prejudicial manner as a normal planning application. He further advised that this application was never going to be considered by Committee at PDNPA as there was no difference in opinion between planning officers and the parish council. Official planning notices had been displayed and from this notification, an immediate neighbour had made an enquiry as to whether the site included permission for tents. It was clarified to this particular resident that this was not the case and no objection was subsequently received from this immediate neighbour to the 5 pitch caravan site. The only objection to this site was from the resident who lodged a complaint against the parish council and PDNPA and who also operates a caravan site in Heathcote.
In summary, The Director of Planning at PDNPA confirmed to the members of the parish council, County Councillor, S Spencer and those members of the public present in the meeting that Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council had not breached any planning laws and had followed correct procedure in providing reasonable, legitimate pre-planning opinion in 2015 and also in providing their decision to approve the formal, retrospective application for the 5 pitch caravan site at Chapel Farm without consulting residents of Heathcote. Councillor Spencer also stated that the parish council is a consultee in this process.
The application for the caravan site at Chapel Farm has been approved.
(Please also see further information included in the agenda item regarding the complaint).
Resolved: To forward the advice of PDNPA to the resident at Heathcote that it is not a requirement to consult with residents prior to reaching a decision on planning applications and that the parish council has not breached any planning law or process in providing pre-application opinion.
Resolved: To move the agenda item surrounding the complaint to this point in the meeting.
17.2.11 Complaint
The clerk had received communication that a complainant would be attending the February 2017 parish council meeting of Hartington Nether Quarter. The clerk had acknowledged receipt of the complaint from the resident and requested that the complainant forward details of documents which he would rely on at the meeting, that he should advise the clerk if he wish to bring a representative with him and to confirm the nature of his complaint. The complainant had confirmed that his complaint was surrounding his perception that the parish council had breached planning law in dealing with the application for a 5 pitch caravan site at Heathcote.
The clerk, District Councillor, County Councillor, Director of Planning at PDNPA and MP had received multiple vexatious, offensive and aggressive/threatening emails regarding the complaint referred to in agenda item 17.2.10 on Planning. The multiple emails contained a number libellous inferences against members of the parish council, and some of the officials referred to above. In view of the content of the emails the police were also on standby in the area to attend the meeting. The allegations contained within the emails were factually incorrect. The complainant had also instructed the clerk that members should include a paragraph verbatim yet his emails stated that they were not to be shared with anyone. The emails accused the parish council of being ‘Biggin centric’, sharing information and favouring friends.
It was reported that previous complaints by this same person had been taken to the local government ombudsman who had dismissed the complaints.
Resolved: To advise the complainant that the parish council is not in breach of any planning laws and had followed correct procedure in considering the application at Chapel Farm as detailed under the resolutions in 17.2.10.
Resolved: To advise the complainant that the parish council will no longer correspond with him unless he is raising totally new issues and consider the complainant to be a persistent, vexatious correspondent.
Resolved: To advise the complainant that the members of the parish council consider the content of his repeated communications to be vexatious, abusive, bullying and threatening.
Resolved: To forward the above to the complainant by recorded delivery to ensure the complainant signs to have received the communication from the parish council.
Resolved: The advise the complainant that the complaint is considered closed and will not be reopened.
Resolved: The clerk will not include the paragraph which the complainant wished to be included in the minutes ‘verbatim’.
17.2.12 Heathcote Mere and information plinth
Please also see item 17.2.8
The application for funding in the sum of £500 from the County Councillor’s Community Leadership Fund was completed by the chairman in the meeting. Members are aware of the short deadline to begin to use the funding.
Resolved: Mrs McCurrach to hand deliver the completed document to DCC to ensure prompt receipt
Mrs Coles was able to display an image of an information plinth in another parish which used a large piece of raw limestone with a flat face to which an information display was attached. Members discussed sourcing the stone, information to include on the display and a site meeting with the ranger service. Information considered for the display included: historical information about the mere, wildlife in the mere and surroundings, facts about the area, ecology, restoration work etc. Mrs Bonsall believed there may be references to the mere back to the Domesday Book and that the mere was access by drovers on route with animals.
Resolved: Mrs Griffiths to liaise with the ranger service to arrange a site meeting. Other members of the parish council to attend the meeting, if possible.
Resolved: The clerk to approach a local quarry to request the donation of a suitable piece of stone and delivery.
Resolved: The clerk to approach the archivist at DCC for any historical information regarding the mere.
Mrs Coles informed members that her husband had retrieved the missing slab from the mere and placed it back on the stone seats. In addition, the replacement advisory sign had been attached to the seat also with thanks to Mr Coles.
17.2.13 Items of account, salaries, HMRC
| Cq 942 | S Hampson | Reimbursement of Expenses (Dec-Feb) | £21.44 |
| Cq 947 | S Hampson | February Internet Provision | £10.00 |
| Cq 948 | S Hampson | February Premises Allowance | £18.00 |
| Cq 949 | S Hampson | February net Clerk’s Salary | £177.51 |
| Cq 950 | G Tilson | February Salary | £96.63 |
17.2.14 Street lighting
The clerk had not received any communication regarding the request to cut back vegetation from street lamps on Main Street. County Councillor Spencer advised that there are some major issues with street lighting in areas for which he is County Councillor. There has been a policy change in replacing lamps to digital bulbs. Bulbs are to burn to extinction but there are presently no resources to sort out failing bulbs. The members were advised to expect failure of street lights in the parish but to continue to report issues to DCC as this is a safety provision. Mrs McCurrach advised that she had reported a street light not lit since the last parish council meeting.
17.2.15 Hearing loop
The clerk had forwarded some dates to enable the installation of the hearing lamp and training to take place but had not received any confirmation that this had taken place. A further enquiry revealed that this had not taken place. Further dates were offered by the company and the advice that a price rise may take place shortly.
Resolved: Mrs Griffiths to liaise directly with the person installing the loop to arrange a mutually convenient date and time for attendees.
17.2.16 Defibrillator – replacement items and training
Mrs Coles had obtained a quote for further training/retraining by the same reliable trainer in the use of a defibrillator for members of the parish. This quote was within the amount required in the council’s financial regulations to obtain only one quote.
Resolved: Mrs Coles to instruct the training provider and approach previously trained people in the parish in the first instance regarding retraining as only 12 training places are available. Date to be confirmed.
17.2.17 Parish Grit Bins
The clerk asked members to continue to check the stocks of grit in the grit bins and to advise the clerk in order that new supplies can be ordered. Greenhead Crescent grit bin is approximately half full.
Resolved: Mrs Bonsall to check the stock in the grit bin at Percival Close flats.
17.2.18 Broadband
At the previous meeting BT superfast broadband had approached the primary school which may involve match funding. The primary school does not have any issues with broadband. No further approaches have been made to the parish council regarding this item.
Resolved: To remove the item from the next agenda.
17.2.19 New burial book
The clerk advised members that she needed to order a new Exclusive Right of Burial book as the present one is almost full.
Resolved: The clerk to order the necessary item.
An application for a memorial headstone had been received. A photograph of the design was shown to members as it was slightly different than many already in the cemetery.
Resolved: To approve the design subject to the clerk confirming the height and correct fees being received.
17.2.20 Correspondence and electronic communication
Included: DALC Circulars, Derbyshire Dales District Council Area Forums, PDNPA is to transform the visitor centre at Castleton, The Ranger Service will not provide waste bins at Ruby Wood (item raised at the previous meeting) only at car parks along the trail as they cannot guarantee to be emptied regularly. The rangers will monitor the situation at this site. Between April and October the picnic area will be mown regularly and mole hills levelled. A resident from Heathcote had liaised with the clerk regarding obtaining a road sweeper for the hamlet. The resident had contacted the local authority but it had not arrived. The clerk sent a further communication and the resident confirmed later with the clerk that road sweeping had recently taken place.
17.2.21 Items for next agenda
Heathcote Mere, Defibrillator and training, Hearing Loop, Street Lighting, grit bins. Additional items to be compiled by the clerk.
17.2.22 Date of next meeting
6th March 2017
Resolved: Due to a commitment of the clerk, the April meeting will take place on 10th April not
3rd April 2017
Part 2 Confidential Information
17.2.23 Complaint
A confidential section had been advertised on the agenda; however, all aspects of the complaint had been resolved during the public section of the meeting.
The meeting was declared closed at 9.20 pm.
Mrs S Hampson
Clerk
8th February 2017
©Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting