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

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

25.11.2 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

25.11.3 Matters arising and pre-meeting
Mrs Andrew had reported to the clerk an issue with a stile on Porridge Lane (Parwich Lane) following an incident. In advance of the meeting, the clerk had reported the problem to a Peak District National Park (PDNPA) Ranger for immediate attention. The Ranger had subsequently requested specification location identification and suggested that the responsibility may lie with the landowner where the stile is located. The clerk reported more specific location details, kindly supplied by Mrs Andrew, to the Ranger. Details of the landowner were provided during the meeting.

Other items were covered by the agenda.

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

25.11.5 Public speaking
A member of the public attended with a request to attend to some of the damaged lettering on the War Memorial. The clerk advised that the War Memorial is now a Grade II listed monument. She urged caution with painting the lettering, as this may result in issues with future professional restoration to the lettering which could become a budget item for the 2026-2027 precept. The War Memorial trees have been attended to.

Resolved: In view of the imminent Remembrance Day Service, members granted permission to the member of the public to carefully repaint some of the missing lettering but to consult relevant authorities for future restoration works, including the lettering.

The member of the public provided some updates regarding the future of the church. This information had not been received by the parish council. Consideration is being given to redesignating the church as a chapel of ease. The vicar is to prepare a notice for the Biggin Community Facebook Page and can apparently spend up to £50,000. Water has been turned off and an electrician is to visit. A group of well-meaning people have formed to provide assistance.

The member of the public reported a conversation he had had with Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) regarding Sycamore House. A further letter will be sent to Sycamore House regarding the gates, windows and walls extended into the field. If no response is received after an appropriate period of time, then matters will progress to a further stage.

The recent harvest supper raised approximately £1,500 which will distributed to local organisations

The broadband costs for Biggin Village Hall will rise to £416.

Resolved: Members to give consideration during the setting of the precept to the £416 broadband costs,

25.11.6 District Councillor
The District Councillor was not in attendance.

25.11.7 Update on affordable homes
The clerk had requested the most up to date situation with the affordable homes in time for the meeting. The property owner had advised Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) of proposed future occupiers. The officer at DDDC required updates on any works being undertaken. The deadline for completion of works is 19th December.

Resolved: the clerk to continue to liaise with DDDC and to report that some works had recently been undertaken.

25.11.8 Heathcote Mere and other works
Wet weather had prevented further works to the grass perimeter. Mr Heathcote had no further information regarding the grant scheme referred to in previous minutes.

25.11.9 Village tree surgery work
The clerk had received a quote from a tree surgeon regarding works to the tree on Dury Lane. This was considerably less than a previous quote received from an alternative tree surgeon.

Resolved: to proceed with the quote for £450 and to also request a quote for additional tree surgery work on Main Street.

25.11.10 Remembrance Day Service, 9th November 2025
The clerk had collected the wreath for Remembrance Day to be laid by a member of the parish council. Arrangements had been made with the vicar to conduct the services in the village hall and at the War Memorial. Mrs Currington had arranged for the last post to be played at the War Memorial, by a member of Warslow Silver Band.

25.11.11 Planning applications, planning sub-committee, appeals and enforcement
NP/DDD/0725/0683 Variation of condition 3 on NP/DDD/1024/1137, at Newhaven Caravan Park had been refused.

25.11.12 Bank signatories and mandate
Mrs Currington had liaised with the parish council’s bank with signed minutes and completed forms on line. After spending an hour on the phone, it would seem that the bank has still not received the most recently completed documentation and yet another new mandate will now be required.