A meeting of Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council
was held on Monday, 06 September 2021 at 7.30pm
in Biggin Village Hall.
The meeting took place under social distancing due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic
Present: P Tapping, J Coles, D Currington, S Griffiths, S McCurrach, M Heathcote and the clerk, S Hampson. There were four members of the public in attendance for part of the proceedings.
Part 1 non-confidential information
21.9.1 Apologies
There were no apologies.
21.9.2 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting had been displayed on the noticeboard and forwarded to the members and the parish council’s website, in advance of the meeting.
Resolved: To accept the minutes as a true record of proceedings. (Prop JC, Sec SG)
21.9.3 Matters arising and pre-meeting
Thanks were received for the flowers sent to a recent service.
21.9.4 Public Speaking Procedures Document
One member of the public present was made aware of the procedure for public speaking during the meeting. Three other members of the public were familiar with proceedings of public speaking.
21.9.5 Public speaking
One member of the public had previously contacted the parish council regarding the planting of wild flowers in verges and subsequently spoke at length on the topic providing some statistics on biodiversity and climate change. The request included not mowing all of the verges and planting wild flower seeds. Another balanced opinion was received from a different member of the public to include increased dog fouling and litter issues in longer, unmanaged grass together with a suggestion of the use of woodland areas and other verges on the perimeter of the village such as Grange Lane. The members of the public were made aware of the existing 2 year mowing contract detail the verges to be cut back to the wall for the appearance. All members acknowledged that the mowing contractor is making an excellent job and the village appearance is excellent.
Resolved: The parish council members to discuss the matter further during the agenda item.
Mr Tapping reported further assistance from some residents in the restoration of some of the village’s wooden benches including those at Heathcote Mere.
He further reported that a Speedwatch trial had recently been undertaken. During this particular exercise, motorists were generally not speeding.
Concerns were raised regarding the footpath from A515 down Main Street on the approach to the primary school presently being used by some primary school pupils.
Resolved: The clerk to report the condition of this footpath to the Highways Hub team.
21.9.6 Planning applications, planning sub-committee
Resolved: to support the proposal at Birdsgrove for a detached double garage and to the removal of conditions for the garage at a Main Street property
A proposal at Chapel Farm previously supported by the parish council will be discussed by the Peak District National Park planning committee on 10th September.
21.9.7 Wild flower verges
Members gave due consideration to the request received during the public speaking section but also echoed the concerns about increased cases of dog fouling in long grass. They also supported the enhanced appearance of the village due to the excellent efforts of the mowing contractor adhering to the new contract and cutting the verges back to the wall in identified locations.
A member suggested the possibility of using planters sown with wild flowers but watering these could be problematic. The possibility of involving the primary school children with planters was also discussed.
The use of other verges, not contained within the existing mowing contract, such as the Liffs and the verges beyond Greenhead Crescent was also mentioned for consideration of wild flower planting.
Resolved: to place the item on a future agenda.
Resolved: to consider the use of verges not already mown for the use of wild flower planting.
Resolved: to contact Derbyshire County Council (DCC) regarding who has the responsibility for the verges within the parish and the frequency of the mowing of the main road verges within the parish.
Resolved: to continue with the existing mowing contract mowing the verges as described in the contract until its expiry.
21.9.8 Phone box
A quote had been received from a professional contractor to ‘cover’ the phone box in a selected coating. The phone box would not, in his opinion, need any remedial work carried out prior to this type of work. The quote received was within the council’s financial regulations not requiring a second quote for such work. The work would involve covering the window panes in a totally clear substance to allow the light in. Other areas could incorporate a chosen design. The covering will last approximately 2-3 years and will enable the door to open. The clerk made reference to contacting the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) regarding the matter.
Resolved: To consider the initial design to be linked to the Queen’s diamond jubilee such as a Union Jack; red, white and blue design.
Resolved: Mrs Coles to invite the designer to a future meeting and also to liaise with a former parish councillor with huge parish knowledge. This person may also have useful photographic evidence which may be considered carefully to incorporate into the phone box covering/inside the phone box.
21.9.9 War memorial
The cheque, with a revised payee, had been sent to the monumental mason concerned and a response received suggesting the works would be undertaken during October. Members wanted to see this completed prior to the Remembrance Day Service.
Resolved: The clerk to contact the monumental masons concerned to request that the task be completed in advance of the Remembrance Day proceedings.
Resolved: The mowing contractor to kindly assist with weedkilling around the War Memorial.
Resolved: Mr Tapping and Mrs McCurrach to become involved in the preparation and use of a compound between the joints of the base of the War Memorial.
21.9.10 Dog fouling and litter
An article has been placed in News and Views. Mr Tapping has located 4 new dog fouling notices to be placed in appropriate places.
21.9.11 Cemetery waste bin
Subsequent to the last meeting, the clerk had confirm the size and cost of the wheeled bin being paid for by the parish council (660 L). Mr Tapping had also checked the bins being used and emptied.
Resolved: Due to the size of the bins in the parish council cemetery in comparison to that detailed on the direct debit invoices, the clerk will contact DDDC and also to report the lack of emptying the bins during recent months.
21.9.12 Flytipping
DCC had reported that they will only become involved if material blocks the highway but will move material to the side. Mrs Coles had been to view the area concerned in Heathcote and reported that subsequent to the last meeting the problem has escalated and now includes asbestos and loft insulation. Members discussed fencing the area off. Mr Tapping offered to find the grid reference for the area concerned.
Resolved: to recontact DCC and DDDC in view of the possibility of asbestos being included in the flytipping and to request consideration of fencing the area off.
21.9.13 Litter picking
Resolved: to send a second communication to DDDC to request pink bags and hoops and for these to be delivered to Mrs McCurrach.
21.9.14 Remembrance Day
The service this year will take place on Sunday, 14th November at 2.00 pm. The clerk had submitted documentation, following the July parish council meeting, to request a temporary road close. An acknowledgement had been received but not confirmation. It was resolved at the previous meeting that Mrs Currington and Mrs McCurrach will kindly assist with refreshments and be reimbursed for expenses. A bugle player will be in attendance.
Resolved: to send another email about the road closure.
21.9.15 Articles for News and Views
Resolved: to discuss items for inclusion in the next edition of News and Views at the OCctober parish council meeting.
21.9.16 Items of account, salaries, grounds person, HMRC, Section 137, mowing contract
| Cq 1275 | Defib Store | New defibrillator pads | £49.26 (VAT £8.21) |
| Cq 1276 | Daynes Memorials | War Memorial lettering | £260.00 (replacement Cheque) |
| Cq 1277 | S Hampson | September clerk’s salary | £191.62 |
| Cq 1278 | S Hampson | September Internet Provision | £17.00 |
| Cq 1279 | S Hampson | Reimb. of expenses | £6.90 |
| Cq 1280 | HMRC | Second quarter income tax | £143.60 |
| Cq 1281 | Shelter Maintenance | Bus Shelter Cleaning | £21.43 (3.57) |
| Cq 1282 | B Coles | Mowing x2 months | £822.86 (VAT £137.14) |
21.9.17 Correspondence, electronic communication, Biggin Community Facebook
Items had been forwarded to members in advance of the meeting and included: DALC circulars, , Rural Bulletins, DCC News.
21.9.18 Items for the next agenda
Phone box, War Memorial, dog fouling, litter picking, flytipping, jubilee, disposal of mowing equipment/assets, cemetery waste bin, Remembrance Day. Additional items to be compiled by the clerk.
21.9.19 Date of the next meeting
Monday, 4th October 2021
Part 2 Confidential information
21.9.20 Parish Council Mowing Equipment
Mrs McCurrach declared an interest in this item connected to the playground committee and left the meeting. Mr Tapping had taken photographs and attached a brief description of each to aid with the disposal of assets. Members discussed an appropriate reserve figure to dispose of all of the equipment in one lot.
Resolved: to dispose of the parish council’s mowing equipment and PPE. This to be undertaken by confidential bids to the clerk. A reserve figure was agreed but not to be minuted within this document for obvious reasons and to seek the highest bidder closest to this reserve figure. The clerk to place documents on the parish council’s website and noticeboard. The clerk to contact DALC regarding an appropriate course of action should bids not be received.
The meeting was declared closed at 9 pm
Mrs S Hampson,
Clerk
21st September 2021
©Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting