Present: D Currington, S Lovatt, W Andrews, M Heathcote, and the clerk, S Hampson. There was one member of the public in attendance for part of the meeting. The District Councillor was not present.

Part 1 non-confidential information
24.10.1 Apologies and attendance register
Apologies had been received in advance from J Coles and S Fletcher

24.10.2 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. These were duly signed by Mrs Currington (Vice Chair Person).

24.10.3 Matters arising and pre-meeting
Items were covered by the agenda.

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

24.10.5 Public speaking
The member of the public present had kindly carried out preservation work to the noticeboard. The parish council members were very grateful for his hard work. He reported; however, that the noticeboard would be in need of replacement during 2025.

Someone has stolen some of the slabs which form part of the bench seating at Heathcote Mere. Mrs Coles had advised the clerk that she would obtain some replacement costs for these. The member of the public had also obtained an estimate from a local supplier at £65 each, plus VAT. Three slabs are required. He advised that volunteers could assist with the replacement.

He reported that the cherry tree planted at the Pinfold is being overshadowed by 2 mature trees near the 2 unoccupied affordable dwellings. These trees are also obscuring the playground advisory sign for motorists. The hedge referred to in previous minutes has now been cut back

The member of the public, in his capacity as chairman of Biggin Village Hall Committee, provided the members with information regarding a proposal for broadband installation at the village hall. Card machines will not work at the village hall without broadband. It could also be useful for a number of outside bookings. Unfortunately, the costs are quite high and will be subject to increasing costs over time. A request was made for the parish council to consider an annual donation of £250. Further information would be required. Details of laptop recycling were provided.

It was reported that some sheep and lambs had recently been stolen from Biggin.

24.10.6 District Councillor and local projects’ fund
The district councillor was not in attendance.

24.10.7 Remembrance Day refreshments
Mrs Currington will kindly provide the refreshments at the village hall following the service at 2 pm on 10th November.

24.10.8 Update on St Thomas’s Church
The Reverend has succeeded in lifting the temporary closure for worship and has placed a notice on the church noticeboard. The Reverend would like to know who has a key to the church noticeboard. It was reported that the previous vicar collected all documentation and keys from the parochial church council.

Resolved: the clerk to contact the previous vicar regarding the noticeboard key and to also place an article in News and Views.

24.10.9 Planning applications, planning sub-committee, appeals and enforcement
The clerk had contacted Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) Enforcement department regarding huge gate posts erected for Sycamore House. This has been allocated a reference number PE/2024/ENQ/50860.

New applications had been received for Stanedge Grange for the replacement of an existing polytunnel with a timber framed agricultural building and the erection of a cattle building. The parish council had previously supported the timber framed building.

Resolved: to approve the additional erection of the cattle building

DSF Refractories and Minerals Ltd at Friden wish new buildings to cover existing storage bins 11, 12 and 13.

Resolved: to support the above application

Affordable Housing on Drury Lane.
The clerk and Mrs Currington had made enquiries regarding the houses which were built as affordable houses, with grants for air source heating, and have remained empty for almost a decade.

DDDC is investigating the land registry title, empty homes register, PDNPA planning status. Once DDDC has information on the owners and what has caused the current situation, they can try to work with the owners to move things forward and encourage the owners to consider the range of options that may be available to them. DDDC personnel has been out to view the properties, taken photographs and sent a map to ask the council tax department about the status of the properties and will chase the matter this week. PDNPA had suggested to Mrs Currington that the parish council writes to the owner to establish his intentions.

Resolved: The clerk to contact the owner of the empty properties.