Present:  J Coles, D Currington, M Heathcote, W Andrews, and the clerk, S Hampson.  There was one member of the public in attendance for part of the meeting.

Part 1 non-confidential information

24.6.1 Apologies and attendance register
Apologies had been received in advance from Mrs Lovatt and Mr Fletcher due to holidays

24.6.2 Election of Chair Person and Vice Chair Person
The members were very pleased that Mrs Coles had been able to attend.

Resolved:  Mrs Coles to continue as Chair Person
Resolved:  Mrs Currington to continue as Vice Chair Person. 
These appointments were unanimously agreed by all present.

24.6.3 Declaration of acceptance of offices
These were completed and duly signed before the Proper Officer of the Parish Council. Mrs Hampson.

24.6.4 Register of interest documents
These were completed, signed and presented to the Proper Officer of the Parish Council,
Mrs S Hampson.

24.6.5 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous ordinary 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.  The Chair Person, Mrs Coles duly signed the minutes as a true copy of proceedings noting that the meetings scheduled for May had had to be cancelled due to the clerk unexpectedly being in hospital.  

24.6.6 Matters arising and pre-meeting
Remnants of wood still remain on Main Street following a tree fall and some residents removing only useful timber. 

Resolved:  Mrs Currington to kindly clear the rubbish left in this area, with assistance from Mrs Lovatt

24.6.7 Public Speaking Procedures Document
The document was available in the meeting.

24.6.8 Public speaking
The member of the public in attendance provided details of the reason for his attendance.  He reported that he had attempted to make contact via the website and this had unfortunately, failed to redirect to the clerk.  The clerk had reported this matter to the website provider, in advance of the meeting, but had not received a response.  The clerk advised that a generic clerk’s email address would soon be created as part of new internal audit requirements.

He further raised the issue of the contractor not mowing in May for nature reasons.  The Chair Person, Mrs Coles advised that the parish council had not made an agreement to suspend mowing in May and this is not detailed in the mowing contract as mixed parishioner opinions exist regarding this and also the smart appearance of the parish remains of significant importance.  Of other significant importance is that long grass enables irresponsible dog owners to allow their dogs to foul and not pick up.

An area of verge in front of the walls is not mown for this purpose and significant verge areas on Grange Lane are not mown at all allowing wildlife habitats to develop within the parish.  Heathcote Mere looks outstanding at present and a pair of Canada geese are now present.  Derbyshire County Council (DCC) has not yet arranged for the grass verges to be mown yet and visibility is becoming very problematic at some junctions.

He further reported that the portrait of King Charles which the clerk had obtained is now on display in the village hall.

Resolved:  The clerk to contact DCC to request the verge around junctions within the parish be mown as soon as possible, particularly at the bottom of Harding Gap, Washmere Corner, Drury Lane with the Liffs. 

Resolved:  From previous minutes, the clerk to now forward a prepared letter regarding dog fouling to all local business and campsites.  Additional copies to be printed and Mrs Currington will undertake a letter drop regarding this matter.  In addition, the clerk to contact the playground committee to request that additional advisory dog restriction signs be placed at this area.

Mrs Andrew reported police attendance at Percival Close flats in connection with an incident involving a resident.  Noise issues have also been reported by other residents.

Resolved:  The clerk to contact Platform Housing and Derbyshire Dales District Council regarding the issues and community concerns. 

24.6.9 District Councillor and local projects’ fund
The district councillor was not in attendance.  The clerk had completed an application for the sum of £250 towards the purchase of flower boxes but a decision had not been reached in time for the meeting.  (Also see the agenda item 24.6.13 regarding the purchase of flower boxes)

24.6.10 Planning applications, planning sub-committee, appeals and enforcement
NP/DDD/0524/0555 Stanedge Grange for the replacement of existing polytunnel with timber framed agricultural building and erection of a cattle building.

Resolved:  to approve the above proposal.

Members reported significant progress at the property known as The Sycamores; however, a portion of the adjoining field now appears to have been encompassed into the garden and very high perimeter fall constructed around it which was not recalled on previous planning applications.

Resolved:  the clerk to contact PDNPA Enforcement department around for clarification on this matter.

24.6.11 Accounts for the year ended 31^st March 2024
The clerk had prepared these in advance of the meeting and these had also been subject to the internal audit approval process.

Resolved:  to accept the accounts as a true and accurate record of the previous year’s transactions for the parish council.

24.6.12 Annual governance statement for annual return
Resolved:  to approve the statement and apply the signatures of the RFO and Chair.

24.6.13 Accounting statement for the annual return
Resolved:  to approve the statement and apply the signatures of the RFO and Chair.

24.6.14 Certificate of exemption for annual return
Resolved:  to approve the statement and apply the signatures of the RFO and Chair.