HARTINGTON NETHER QUARTER PARISH COUNCIL
A meeting of Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council was held on Monday, 6 July 2015 at
7.30 pm at Biggin Village Hall.
Present: J Brindley, J Coles, D Prince, Mrs J Griffiths, S McCurrach and the clerk, Mrs Hampson.
Mrs J Bonsall was in attendance. There were 5 members of the public also in attendance.
15.7.1 Apologies
There were no apologies.
15.7.2 Declaration of personal/prejudicial interest of councillors
None of the members present at the meeting declared an interest in any of the agenda items.
15.7.3 Co-option of new councillor and declaration of acceptance of office
Mrs J Bonsall had expressed interest in the one vacancy on the parish council before the deadline. There were no other expressions of interest received. Mrs Bonsall duly completed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office before the proper officer of the council, Mrs Hampson. Mrs Bonsall also completed the Register of Member’s Interest Form.
Resolved: Mrs Bonsall to become the sixth member of Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council and the clerk to advise Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) accordingly.
15.7.4 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting had been forwarded to all members in advance of the meeting and had been displayed on the noticeboard.
Resolved: The minutes were accepted as a true record of proceedings (Prop DP Sec JC)
15.7.5 Matters arising from pre-meeting
Matters were covered by the agenda.
15.7.6 Public speaking procedures document
There were 5 members of the public in attendance who were made aware of the document.
15.7.7 Public speaking
There were five members of the public in attendance. Two Heathcote residents attended to ask for the parish council’s support for their application for a five site caravan licence with the Caravan Club. They reported that some people had complained about their previous proposed submission to the Caravan and Camping Club but were not factually correct regarding the access. Access will not be from Hardings Lane. The residents have previously had permission for a caravan site. Based on the new application not involving camping/tents it was likely that the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) will support their application. This matter was to be considered under planning applications. (See item 15.7.16)
15.7.8 PCSO update
The PCSO was not in attendance. Mrs Coles reported that a number of empty helium canisters had been found in various locations in the village. Members were concerned about this.
Resolved: The clerk to report the matter to the local PCSO.
15.7.9 County and District Councillor updates
Neither the County nor District Councillor attended the meeting.
15.7.10 Highway issues
Derbyshire County Council (DCC) had advised the clerk that pot holes on the pavement near 48 Drury Lane would be mended shortly and a repair sheet had been issued. DCC further advised that an inspection would take place of storage tanks fitted 4 years ago at the bottom of Liffs Road to remove the water that collects at this location. The tanks are designed to allow water to drain in hours and not allow water to remain for days as previously. During the inspection DCC will also remove any silt which has collected. This will not take place until the jetting lorry is available at the end of July.
DCC had also advised of a temporary road closure and speed restrictions for the YNOT? music festival. These will be at Mouldridge Lane, Pikehall.
The camber of the pavement on Drury Lane was reported again by Mrs Brindley. This has previously been reported and DCC had found no renovations possible. Now that there a scooter club on Thursdays at school the members would like a second opinion on the Drury Lane pavement.
The damage to the pavement where Main Street joins the entrance to Percival Close flats was also reported by Mrs Bonsall.
Resolved: The clerk to report the above pavement issues to DCC and Dales Housing.
15.7.11 Cemetery, memorials and wheeled binsis
Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) had advised the clerk that an inspector had visited the cemetery to check the wheeled bins being paid for by the parish council. The parish council is presently paying for 2 x 660 litre wheeled bins but there are in fact 3 bins present (1 x 660l plus 2 x 360l bins). The parish council pays £22.60 per week for the wheeled bins and not £26.30 for the 3 bins. DDDC also reported that the church is entitled to one free, small wheeled bin but has never requested one.
Resolved: The clerk to contact the grounds person to ascertain which of the bins are located in the parish council cemetery; which bins the grounds person uses to deposit the grass clippings from the parish council cemetery; which bin(s) the grounds person brings to the church gates for emptying to ensure a correct and further communication can be sent to DDDC.
Mr Prince provided payment for the additional memorial placed on his late son’s grave. He reported that he had contacted the mason responsible for erecting the headstone which is not of the approved height. Members considered preventing the mason responsible from further practice in the cemetery.
Resolved: Members expect the headstone to be amended to the approved height and instructed the clerk to contact the monumental mason to instruct him to amend the height to the approved height.
Resolved: Members to defer the purchase of a noticeboard in the cemetery to provide information and to utilise the parish council shed and the entrance to the church to display information notices.
Resolved: The clerk to reproduce relevant notices for display and to also provide written information to funeral directors to provide to family members. Funeral directors are presently verbally reminded to provide advice to family members of the rules and regulations in force in the cemetery.
The memorial bench in the cemetery is in need of preservation work.
Resolved: To attend to the preservation of the bench in the near future.
Members reported that the appearance of the cemetery is much improved, however, debris has collected over time behind the Memorial Plaque Wall.
Resolved: The clerk to contact two local contractors for quotes to remove the debris. Mrs Brindley and/or Mrs McCurrach to meet the contractors on site if necessary.
15.7.12 Voles in the parish council cemetery
The invoice for the removal of the voles in the cemetery referred to in previous minutes had been received. It was reported that there is now an issue with an excess of rabbits in the cemetery. The rabbits are eating family flowers almost as soon as they are placed.
Resolved: The clerk to approach the pest controller to enquire about the removal of the rabbits in the cemetery.
15.7.13 Noticeboard
Mrs Coles had approached a local joiner with noticeboard designs to contain 8 x A4 sheets of paper. The quote received was for £700 but unfortunately, it was discovered that it may not be possible to produce the necessary invoice. Information received from a commercial design company called Greenbarnes was more expensive, exceeding £1,000 for wooden noticeboards. Members discussed the merits of a plastic noticeboard requiring no maintenance and also a wall mounted noticeboard affixed to the wall of the village hall as presently, the village hall and parish council share space in one noticeboard. Members also discussed using the pinfold area for the placement of a new noticeboard.
Resolved: The clerk to approach Greenbarnes to supply a quote for a plastic noticeboard (wall mounted or on legs)
Resolved: The clerk to approach the village hall committee regarding the possibility of erecting a shared noticeboard on the wall of the village hall.
Resolved: Mrs Coles to approach the local joiner again regarding the production of an official invoice required for audit purposes.
15.7.14 Defibrillator
No further information had been received from DCC regarding the placement of a second defibrillator in the Drury Lane bus shelter. Lists of trained persons in the parish have now been put on display. Members also discussed the ethics of having two defibrillators in the village when other areas of the parish, although significantly smaller in population, do not have one defibrillator.
Resolved: To place the item on the next agenda.
15.7.15 Website
Forbes Website had contacted Mrs Coles and subsequently the clerk with a quote to supply a website name and to upload material on behalf of the council. The clerk had queried the cost and this had been reduced to £118.15 for five years utilising an introductory discount. Members discussed the provision from Forbes Website and the website address for the parish council
(www.hartingtonnetherquarter pc.co.uk). As part of the new Transparency Code, the parish council now has to have its own website to publish necessary documentation for the public.
Resolved: The clerk to instruct Forbes Website to create the new website for the parish council and to register the website address.
15.7.16 Planning applications and planning sub-committee
A new application had been received for Birdsgrove for temporary office accommodation provided by a portacabin on agricultural land.
Resolved: Members supported the application. Clerk to advise Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) accordingly.
Plans had been granted for the loft conversion and extension at Martindale, Main Street, Biggin.
Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) had responded to the clerk’s enquiry regarding developments at High Peak Harriers on Main Street. PDNPA had forwarded a copy of communication previous sent to the owner’s agent regarding the former use of the property, the inside being gutted on inspection and the requirement of an application for a change of use. The communication was dated November 2014. PDNPA advised that a change of use to a local needs dwelling would be looked upon favourably. PDNPA also advised that an application is to be submitted in the near future.
Resolved: The clerk to advise PDNPA that some of the data and information contained within the document forwarded to the parish council was not valid as there is no longer a shop and post office in the village.
Contrary to previous communication from PDNPA regarding an application to the Caravan Club for a 5 site licence at Chapel Farm, Heathcote PDNPA now report that the authority is unlikely to object to the proposal but would like to see the proposal supported by the parish council. Additional tree planting carried out along the boundary of the site would be required. Access would be from the existing track that enters the site at the point adjacent to The Chapel not from Hardings Lane. Tents would not be permitted. The applicant had contacted the clerk prior to the meeting seeking the support of the parish council. The members gave consideration to supplying a letter of support to the residents from Heathcote for the 5 site licence.
Resolved: Members to supply a letter of support for the 5 site caravan licence with the Caravan Club.
Resolved: The clerk to forward the letter to the residents and a copy to PDNPA.
15.7.17 Items of account, salaries and HMRC 3
Cq 831 S Povey Vole baiting £25.00
Cq 832 S Hampson Reimbursement of expenses £19.10
Cq 833 S Hampson July net salary £174.24
Cq 834 G Tilson July net salary £96.63
Cq 835 S Hampson August net salary £174.24
Cq 836 G Tilson August net salary £96.63
Cq 837 Shelter Maintenance Bus shelter cleaning £20.04
15.7.18 Correspondence and communication
Included: DALC circulars, clean up project using probation trust, Portion Size Wise campaign, 21c joined up care programme, DDDC area forums, public space orders.
Mr Prince raised the issue of people buying holiday cottages in the village. Members also discussed the policy of allocation of tenants to rental properties in the village and the differences in policy on age, single and family occupancy between different housing associations which have properties in the village Members also queried whether reference is made to the local housing needs survey prior to allocation of tenants. Local people, who would stay in the village, do not appear to be allocated village rental properties at present depriving the school of future children.
Resolved: The clerk to contact the Local Housing Needs Enabler and the District Councillor for information.
15.7.19 Items for the next agenda
Defibrillator(s), the cemetery and cemetery bins, parish council website, new noticeboard. Additional items to be compiled by the clerk.
15.7.20 Date of next meeting
Resolved: The date of the next meeting –7 September 2015
Part 2 –Confidential Information
There was no confidential information to discuss.
The meeting was declared closed at 9.30 pm
Mrs S Hampson,
Clerk to the parish council
7 July 2015
©Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting.