A meeting of Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council was held on Monday, 10th April 2017 at 7.30 pm at Biggin Village Hall
Present: Mr D Prince, Mrs J Coles, Mrs J Bonsall, Mrs J Griffiths, the clerk, Mrs S Hampson and 2 members of the public
Part 1 non-confidential information
17.4.1 Apologies
Apologies – Mrs J Brindley, Mrs S McCurrach and County Councillor, S Spencer.
17.4.2 Declaration of personal/prejudicial interest of councillors
There was no need by any member present to complete an entry in the register.
17.4.3 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 amending the absence of Mrs Coles at the previous meeting (Prop JB Sec JG)
17.4.4 Matters arising from pre-meeting
No matters were raised during the meeting, however, Mrs McCurrach had communicated with the clerk in advance of the meeting. She advised that the down pipe to the water butt in the cemetery is in need of repair. She also advised that there is a problem again in the cemetery with voles and old flowers and twigs need to be removed from around the cemetery shed. Mr Prince thought that the down pipe may have been deliberately taken to pieces.
Resolved: Mr Prince to attend to the down pipe to the water butt.
Resolved: The clerk to ask the grounds person to tidy around the cemetery shed.
Resolved: The clerk to contact the pest controller with regards to the vole problem.
17.4.5 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.
17.4.6 Public speaking
Members of the public asked if the parish council had an update regarding the allocation of Percival Close flats. The clerk read responses from the Rural Housing Enabler and Waterloo Housing Association (the replacement to Dales Housing). The clerk also advised of a vacancy in the flats presently advertised for those over 40 years old although the policy is for the flats to be made available to rent for those aged 55+. Members of the public would like the flats to be made available to members of the parish as a priority and to those under this age group. Members discussed the local needs housing survey and the outcome highlighting a need for affordable accommodation for young people to avoid the village becoming an elderly population. There is also a need to protect social housing in the parish. Members of the public also enquired about the response to issues with water collection at Wash Mere Corner and the Liffs which are awaiting a response from Derbyshire County Council (DCC).
Resolved: To advise Waterloo Housing/Dales Housing that the parish council and residents would like to see an amendment to their policy to prioritise allocation of their properties to members of the parish followed by a reduction in the age limit to consider younger, parish applicants.
Also see agenda item 17.4.9 Dales Housing
The clerk had received a communication from a member of the public via the parish council’s website. This member of the public is also a member of the village hall committee and he wished to advise members that the village hall has been in contact with the long distance walking group regarding issues which had arisen the previous year with inconsiderate/inappropriate parking during their event. An explanation had been offered by the group. Apparently, the ranger service had made a suggestion of parking at Heathcote Mere.
Resolved: To advise the village hall committee that the parish council does not support the suggestion to use Heathcote Mere area to park and the event organisers must ensure that participants follow rules and regulations not to park on pedestrian pavements. The participants must not park on verges either.
17.4.7 PCSO updates
No communications had been received from the PCSO.
17.4.8 County Councillor and District Councillor
Apologies had been received from County Councillor Spencer’s secretary for the meeting as Councillor Spencer had three other parish council meetings on the same evening. County Councillor elections will take place on 4th May.
17.4.9 Dales Housing
As the item was raised by members of the public during the public speaking section please also see item 17.4.6.
17.4.10 Highway issues
The clerk advised of a future road closure at the junction of Drury Lane with Woollaton Lane from 8-10 May 2017 to facilitate new water connections. The clerk advised that she had posted this information on the parish council’s website. Members also raised the recent placing of two very large rocks/boulders on the verge at Dale End. DCC invited comments on a regulation of speed limit on A5012 from Cromford to Newhaven.
Resolved: The clerk to contact DCC regarding the boulders at Dale End but not to submit any comments on the A5012 speed limit.
17.4.11 Planning applications, planning sub-committee, enforcement
Planning applications had been received for Sycamore House and land at Pikehall for a cover over cattle collecting yard.
Resolved: To support the application at Sycamore House with a comment from one councillor regarding being overlooked.
Resolved: To support the application for the cattle cover as this represents an infill proposal however, the clerk to query the reference to a third party on one of the documents.
17.4.12 Update on previous complaint and Judicial Review
The clerk read advise from the solicitor contacted at Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) and the response from the Director of Planning at Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA).
Resolved: To await a pre-action protocol from the person concerned and not to take any further action until such time as this may be received.
17.4.13 Heathcote Mere, information plinth and grant
Mrs Bonsall had carried out some research and provided some very interesting information regarding the history of Heathcote Mere. She also had a copy of map illustrating the mere and well. The clerk had received a response from her letter to a local quarry. Longcliffe Quarry will provide the stone without charge but an acknowledgement on the plinth information panel will be required. The clerk had also obtained information from the ranger involved with the plinth at Hartington. The Ranger had supplied contact details for the company who had produced the finished panel and also advised that producing a duplicate panel at the same time may be a good idea in case damage to the original occurs. Members discussed using local suppliers, artists, primary school and printers. Mrs Bonsall also advised members of a local wildlife photographer who may be able to assist with knowledge of wildlife and insects at the mere.
Resolved: To ask Mrs McCurrach to pursue a meeting with interested parties to enable feedback at the May meeting.
Resolved: The clerk to contact DCC to ascertain the safe distance from the highway to place the stone plinth.
Resolved: Mrs Bonsall to liaise with the photographer.
17.4.14 Items of account, salaries, HMRC and parish council equipment
| Cq 962 | S Hampson | April Internet Provision | £10.00 |
| Cq 963 | S Hampson | April net salary | £179.21 |
| Cq 964 | S Hampson | Annual working from home allowance | £216.00 |
| Cq 965 | S Hampson | Reimbursement of expenses | £17.53 |
| Cq 966 | G Tilson | April Net Salary | £96.67 |
| Cq 967 | DALC | Annual Subscription | £158.08 |
17.4.15 Hearing Loop
Mrs Griffiths had liaised with the hearing loop installer regarding issues with the village hall’s portable PA system which has not been working properly with the loop system. Mrs Griffiths reported that the matter has now been resolved.
17.4.16 Defibrillator – replacement items and training
Replacement pads had been ordered, invoice received and paid. Purchasing additional pads was discussed. Mrs Coles provided a list of names for a future training session in the use of the defibrillator and some dates.
Resolved: not to purchase additional pads as they have an expiry date.
Resolved: Mrs Coles to pursue a training date for 12 people
17.4.17 Public Space Protection Order
There was no further update on this matter.
17.4.18 Correspondence and electronic communication
Included: DALC Circulars, DCC Step Up Beat Heat campaign raising awareness of services offered by Derbyshire Victim Support, North Lees Hall available to rent, DCC elections in May, amendment to DDDC parking order removing the exemption from payment for blue badge holders, request for a donation to a company providing holidays for disadvantaged people.
17.4.19 Items for the next agenda
Items to be included: Heathcote Mere Plinth, Defibrillator training, PSPO, Internal Audit and Accounts, Pest control and the cemetery. Additional items to be compiled by the clerk.
17.4.20 Forthcoming meeting dates
These are now on the parish council’s website
17.4.21 Date of next meeting
8th May 2017 due to the bank holiday. This will be the annual parish council meeting. Apologies were received in advance from Mrs Coles and Mrs Brindley.
The meeting was declared closed at 9.10 pm.
Mrs S Hampson,
Clerk
10th April 2017
©Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting