Present: D Currington, S Lovatt, S Fletcher, M Heathcote, and the clerk, S Hampson. There was one member of the public in attendance.

Part 1 non-confidential information
25.9.1 Apologies and attendance register
Apologies had been received in advance of the meeting from Mrs J Coles and Mrs W Andrews.

25.9.3 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous ordinary meeting had been displayed on the noticeboard, 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

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

25.9.4 Public Speaking Procedures Document
The document was available in the meeting for the public in attendance.

25.9.5 Public speaking
Also see agenda item 25.9.12

The member of the public expressed concerns of the suitability/safety of the church to hold a Remembrance Day Service and supported the possibility of holding a service at the village hall, a short service at the War Memorial and return to the village hall for refreshments.

He advised that the village hall had been booked for 9th September for a further meeting regarding other church matters but no further communications had been received from the church personnel. The clerk had also not received any information regarding this meeting for the members to attend.

He reported that tree surgery work had taken place at Sycamore House, including the felling of a large tree but that this was rotten.

Resolved: to undertake some minimal pruning of the trees at the War Memorial in advance of the Remembrance Day service.

25.9.6 Update from the First Responders
Information received via email had been forwarded to members in advance of the meeting. A member of the First Responders had requested to attend the October meeting to provide additional information.

25.9.7 District Councillor
The District Councillor was not in attendance.

25.9.8 Update on affordable homes
There had been no further updates from an officer at Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) regarding the two affordable homes in Biggin. Mrs Currington reported that there had been some attention given to the garden areas, car park space and landscaping by the owner.

25.9.9 Heathcote Mere perimeter soil
Additional soil had not yet been put in place by Mr Fletcher by the time of the meeting. However, weather permitting, this will be achieved prior to the next meeting, with the assistance of Mr Heathcote. The boundary stones will be adjusted, ensuring these remain at a minimum of 450 mm from the highway.
Mr Heathcote reported that he is to apply for a grant involving Natural England and the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) to reinstate the rear wall of Heathcote Mere under a heritage scheme. It is possible that the well may be reopened which has been blocked for decades. There will be a removal of the pond weed present in the mere. Mr Heathcote will make the grant application and keep the parish council informed of developments.

25.9.10 Village tree surgery work
The clerk had still not received any information from a contractor approached to quote for tree surgery work to a tree outside the property, Stoneacre. It was reported that the contractor had visited and liaised with family members.

A resident had commented to a member of the parish council on some tree surgery work undertaken privately on Main Street. Some other trees on Main Street would benefit from attention.

Resolved: the clerk to contact the person who had liaised with the contractor to ascertain information regarding the tree adjacent to Stoneacre and to ask for a quote to also undertake work on Main Street.

25.9.10 War Memorial Registration
The formal assessment of the War Memorial has been made by Historic England. No further comments were submitted by the parish council. The assessment report will be forwarded to The Secretary of State to reach their final decision on whether the War Memorial has special architectural or historic interest and the council will be advised accordingly.

26.9.12 Remembrance Day Service, 9th November 2025
The clerk had contacted the vicar to request a service in church at 2.30 pm to be followed by a short service at the War Memorial, at 3.00 pm, on Sunday, 9th November 2025. She had been advised that a service could take place but that the church may not be suitable/safe to hold a service. The village hall had been suggested. Also see public speaking.

Resolved: the clerk to contact the vicar to confirm details of the service in the village hall at 2.30 pm, as detailed above.

25.9.13 Planning applications, planning sub-committee, appeals and enforcement

Resolved: to approve the application NP/DDD/0825/0813 for a storage shed at Homestead Barn.

25.9.14 Bank signatories and mandate
It appears that the parish council’s bank no longer has the most recently updated mandate detailing changes made to the signatories. Individual members of the parish council had received acknowledgement from the bank confirming authorisation as signatories. Mrs Currington has been liaising with the bank regarding this matter and a request has been made for an extract of the minutes confirming the details of those to be authorised as signatories and to communicate with the bank.

Resolved: for all current members of the Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council and the clerk/responsible finance officer to become authorised signatories, with immediate effect and any other persons to be removed as signatories. The clerk and Responsible Finance Officer to also continue to receive statements and cheque books. Minute extract 25.9.14 to be sent to the bank, together with the agenda, as evidence for this to be actioned with immediate effect.

The signatories to be:

Mrs Dawn Currington (Chair person and parish councillor)
Mrs Sandra Lovatt (Vice Chair person and parish councillor)
Mrs Julie Coles (Parish councillor)
Mrs Wendy Andrews (Parish Councillor)
Mr Mark Heathcote (Parish Councillor)
Mr Stephen Fletcher (Parish Councillor
Mrs Sandra Hampson (Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer)