Present: D Currington, S Lovatt, S Fletcher, M Heathcote, J Coles and the clerk, S Hampson. For part of the meeting, there was one member of the public in attendance and also a member of the Hartington and District First Responders.

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

25.10.3 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

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

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

25.10.5 Public speaking
The member of the public reported his attempts to discuss the gates at Sycamore House with a member of the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA). Unfortunately, these attempts had been unsuccessful. He advised that PDNPA will no longer answer phone calls after 2.30 pm. He also advised that the previous minutes did not appear on the website.

25.10.6 Update from the First Responders
A member of Hartington and District First Responders kindly attended to provide an update on progress since they formed in February 2025. They are dispatched through the 999 system, covering a wide area. The 111 service can upgrade to the first responders. They also attend to defibrillators. Since February, they have attended 57 calls and covering 710 hours of duties. They are all volunteers. There are 3 fully trained personnel and 2 more volunteers are presently undertaking training. East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) provides consumables and has presently loaned one full kit. It costs £3,500 for the ‘kit’ for each fully trained individual. Fund raising is important. The First Responders can often attend more quickly than the ambulance service. They cannot attend road traffic accidents. Hartington and District First Responders have now assumed responsibility for checking the defibrillators at Biggin school and Heathcote.

25.10.7 District Councillor
The District Councillor was not in attendance.

25.10.8 Update on affordable homes
Council tax officers are now aware of the homes. A completion date has been agreed for 19th December 2025. The properties should be referred to a social housing provider and the Section 106 conditions will need to be met but the owner intends to rent one property and sell the other at a discounted price, managing this himself. The owner has assured Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) he has followed all of the necessary planning procedures and that he will inform DDDC once the properties have been sold and rented. A section 106 agreement can lead to issues in achieving a mortgage as not all providers will lend on such properties. All members agreed that the Section 106 agreement must be preserved on these 2 houses.

Resolved: the clerk to continue to liaise with DDDC for updates.

25.10.9 Heathcote Mere perimeter soil
Additional soil had been put in place of the front perimeter by Mr Fletcher, in advance of the meeting. Unfortunately, vehicles have already spoiled this. It is hoped to spread grass seed at this point, when the weather permits. Mr Heathcote reported that he is to apply for a heritage grant involving Natural England and the PDNPA. PDNPA will pay 100% to have the walls restored, to open up the redundant well again and to spray the pygmy weed. An archaeologist’s report will be required. The scheme should result in improvements to the mere area.

25.10.10 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. The contractor had visited and liaised with family members.

Resolved: Mrs Currington to liaise directly with the tree surgeon for a written estimate to compare to a previous quote and to discuss the possibility of additional works on Main Street.

25.10.10 War Memorial Registration
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has decided to add Biggin-by-Hartington War Memorial to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. The building is now listed at Grade II.

25.10.12 Remembrance Day Service, 9th November 2025
The clerk had contacted the vicar and she had confirmed her attendance at a service in the village hall at 2.30 pm, followed by a short service at the War Memorial and then to return to the village hall for refreshments. The clerk had organised a wreath for the occasion.

25.10.13 Planning applications, planning sub-committee, appeals and enforcement
There were no new planning applications. An enquiry regarding a change in roof tiles on a village property had been reported to the parish council. Following an enquiry to the enforcement team, it was reported that this fell under ‘permitted development’.

25.10.14 Bank signatories and mandate
Mrs Currington had liaised with the parish council’s bank with signed minutes and completed forms on line. Further communications will be necessary.