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

Part 1 non-confidential information
24.11.1 Apologies and attendance register
Apologies had been received in advance of the meeting from S Lovatt

24.11.2 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 Coles.

24.11.3 Matters arising and pre-meeting
The clerk had placed an article in News and Views to request knowledge of a key for the church noticeboard and had also contacted the previous vicar regarding the key she had. There was no response in time for the meeting.

Replacement slabs for those stolen from Heathcote Mere would be in the region of £65 each plus VAT plus the means of securing them, such as concreting or drilling/brackets. The mowing contractor had checked the mere and the missing items are not in there. A resident had liaised with Mr Heathcote and advised that he could donate some concrete slabs which would not look as nice those stolen but would address the problem and be less likely to go missing in the future.

Resolved: Mr Heathcote to liaise with the resident to take up the kind offer of free concrete slabs to place on the bench seats and to place the item on the next agenda.

24.11.4 Public Speaking Procedures Document
The document was available in the meeting and the member of the public very familiar with its content.

24.11.5 Public speaking
Subsequent to the October meeting, the member of the public, in his capacity as chairman of Biggin Village Hall Committee, provided the members with more detailed information regarding a proposal for broadband installation at the village hall. Following research with alternative providers, the costs presented to the parish council were as follows: after installation costs (to be met by the village hall), the annual fee will initially be £360 using BT. Unfortunately, the costs are quite high and will be subject to increases over time. At the previous meeting, a request was made for the parish council to consider an annual donation of £250. The parish council can neither have the broadband line it its name nor reclaim the VAT for the monthly broadband fees as this would constitute fraud.

Also see item 24.11.10 for the parish council’s decision.

Resolved: The clerk to contact the website provider to post the minutes and agendas as PDFs as the member of the public stated the format in which they appear through the website is not the same as that sent by the clerk.

24.11.6 District Councillor
The District Councillor confirmed that the parish would be safe from future traveller encampment and also provided information about changes to Ashbourne market place regarding hostile vehicle mitigation. The DalesMatters production provides useful information from the District Council. The District Councillor suggested that the parish council could apply for up to £250 each year through his Local Projects Fund and this could be used towards the Village Hall’s broadband costs.
Resolved: The District Councillor will investigate changes to trade waste green bins which may impact the cemetery and the village hall.

24.11.7 Update on affordable homes
Following the instruction of Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA), the clerk had sent a letter, on behalf of the parish council, to the builder and owner of the two properties constructed on Drury Lane, for the original purpose of affordable homes. This has been received but no response issued in time for the meeting. Further liaison had taken place with Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) and it had been reported that investigations are continuing. The parish council would like these properties to be occupied by local people on an affordable basis, not at open market prices and as soon as possible.

24.11.8 Remembrance Day refreshments
The clerk had liaised with the vicar and lay preacher who had kindly agreed to provide a church service at 1.30 pm followed by a further service at 2 pm at the War Memorial on 10th November. This has also been advertised on Biggin Community Facebook. Mrs Currington will then kindly provide refreshments at the village hall. The members are very grateful to the vicar for providing the service in church. Members of the public have also been advised, via the News and Views publications of the service at the War Memorial and politely request motorists to respect this area during the service.

Resolved: The member of the public in attendance will very kindly produce and display information posters regarding both services and refreshments.

24.11.9 Village tree surgery work and Christmas tree
The clerk had made contact with two local tree surgeons with a request for a quote to attend to two trees on Drury Lane which are becoming quite large and also overshadowing a cherry tree planted in the vicinity of the Pinfold. Unfortunately, a response had not been received in time for the meeting from either one. Two further contractors were suggested.

The member of the public advised that a tree will be sourced for the purpose of the community Christmas tree. The parish council is very grateful for this very kind gesture and to those involved in the preparation, erection of the tree and monitoring during the Christmas period. The lights switch on will be 1st December with carols around the tree followed by a quiz in the village hall.

24.11.10 Planning applications, planning sub-committee, appeals and enforcement
Members discussed application NP/DDD/1024/1137 at Newhaven Caravan Site for the siting of 24 static holiday caravans with additional landscaping in lieu of 28 touring caravans and 2 tented camping areas. This represents a permanent feature within the park.

Resolved: to support the application, as suitable screening has been considered with little visual impact outside of the caravan site itself. Replacing touring caravans with static caravans will reduce the number of vehicles towing caravans using the entrance from the highway, as the entrance is not ideal.