A meeting of Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council was held at 7.30 pm on Monday, 18th April 2016, at Biggin Village Hall.
Present: Mrs J Brindley, Mrs J Griffiths, Mrs S McCurrach, Mrs J Coles, Mrs J Bonsall, the clerk, Mrs S Hampson and 4 members of the public.
Part 1 – Non-confidential information, to consider:
16.4.1 Apologies
Apologies had been received in advance of the meeting from Mr D Prince.
16.4.2 Declaration of personal/prejudicial interest of councillors
There was no need, by any member present, to complete an entry in the register.
16.4.3 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting had been forwarded to councillors in advance of the meeting; displayed on the parish council noticeboard and on the parish council’s website.
Resolved: to accept the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record of proceedings (Prop JG Sec JB)
16.4.4 Matters arising from pre-meeting
The clerk enquired if the mole hills at Heathcote Mere had been attended to following the item raised in the previous meeting. None of the members could advise on this; however, Mrs McCurrach reported further instances of holes produced by voles in the parish council cemetery.
Resolved: being a matter of pest control, the clerk to contact the pest controller again regarding the issue of the moles at Heathcote Mere and the voles in the cemetery.
Please see agenda items regarding other items raised regarding dog fouling and highway issues.
16.4.5 Public speaking procedures document
The public speaking procedures document was available for members of the public.
16.4.6 Public speaking
There were four members of the public in attendance some of whom had attended to speak about the agenda item concerning the former POW camp on Main street. (Please see agenda item 16.4.18). One member of the public enquired about interacting with the members throughout the meeting after the public speaking session had closed. The clerk advised that once the public speaking session has concluded the public can stay for the remainder of the meeting; however, there should be no further verbal interaction. Members of the public are invited to submit matters of correspondence prior to the meeting for discussion by the members and which may form part of future agendas.
16.4.7 PCSO updates
The PCSO was not in attendance; however, the clerk advised that she had been informed that since his appointment and completion of training, the PCSO had been given a new area and as a consequence, another new PCSO’s email address had been provided to the clerk.
16.4.8 County Councillor & District Councillor updates
Neither councillor was in attendance.
16.4.9 Highway issues, including Cardlemere Lane
Derbyshire County Council (DCC) had advised the clerk that arrangements were underway to proceed with the new advisory sign at the end of Cardlemere Lane to prevent large vehicles being sent along this unsuitable lane. The missing sign near the Ivy House and issues related to pavements had been assigned to the maintenance team. DCC were also investigating school advisory signs. The parish council had also been advised that a bespoke village name sign was possible, at a cost. The parish council would be responsible for providing details and artwork. A sign manufacturer would then provide costs prior to proceeding with this matter. It was reported that there had been instances of fly tipping on Cardelemere Lane. Members reported a pot hole at the vicinity of Dale End with Hardings Lane
Resolved: The clerk to advise DCC regarding the flytipping on Cardlemere Lane and of the pot hole on Hardings Lane.
16.4.10 Planning applications and planning sub-committee
Resolved: There were no objections to a proposal at Heathcote to move an oil tank
Resolved: Members supported the application for the removal of a porch and the erection of a new two storey extension at Wrens Nest noting an incorrect date in the design and access statement. Members also suggest the application should be sympathetic to the footpath.
Planning decision notice granting proposals at Shortner Cottage had been received.
16.4.11 Noticeboard
The clerk to ascertain the joiner who made the noticeboard had been contacted following a complaint from a resident regarding condensation in the noticeboard; however; the members and the clerk had confirmed that the visibility into the noticeboard was now fine.
16.4.12 Damaged village seat
Mrs Brindley reported that contact had been made with the grounds person regarding preservation of the damaged seat. The grounds person had advised that he had not previously preserved this seat. Members discussed why this had not happened by the grounds person and who may have carried out such preservation in the past. The clerk advised that preservation of the village seats was incorporated into the grounds person’s contract.
Resolved: The clerk to check the contract of employment for the grounds person and report to the next meeting.
Resolved: Mr Brindley to continue to attend to the seat and to reinstate.
16.4.13 Public telephone box at Newhaven
There was no further update for the meeting.
16.4.14 Hearing loop
Mrs Griffiths advised that she was now in possession of the hearing loop and this would be brought to subsequent council meetings. Details had been passed to Biggin Village Hall committee but it was not known if the pursuit of a hearing loop for the village hall would be carried out.
16.4.15 Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016, internal audit and internal audit recommendations
The clerk and Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) had prepared the accounts for the year ended
31 March 2016 and the accounts ledger for the same period. The internal audit had been carried out on 14th April 2016 and there were no financial account matters to bring before members. The internal audit report did; however, review the asset figures in respect of the defibrillator and cabinet, stone and timber seats at Heathcote Mere and the memorial seat in the cemetery. The internal audit report had been received and all items presented to members. The internal auditor recommended an increase in the clerk’s premises/working from home allowance. He advised that the clerk contact DALC for the current guidelines. In addition he recommended that an internet and telephone allowance be awarded each month. The clerk had confirmed this with DALC. DALC advised that the 2016/17 working from home allowance from HMRC was not yet available but the 2015/16 tax free allowance is £18 per month. The clerk also asked for a small increase of £25 per year (48 p per week) for the burial management fee allowance paid to manage and administer the parish council cemetery.
Resolved: To award the premises allowance of £18 per month to the clerk as per HMRC guidelines with effect from 1 April 2016.*
Resolved: To award the clerk an internet and telephone provision allowance of £10.00 per month with effect from 1 April 2016..
Resolved: To award the clerk an increase of £25 per year for the burial management fee with effect from 1 April 2016.**
Resolved: The annual return was duly signed by the chairman and RFO in the meeting.
Resolved: The accounts ledger was also signed by the chairman and RFO in the meeting.
Resolved: The clerk/ RFO to forward the annual return to the external audit, Grant Thornton and to display the public notice.
16.4.16 Items of account, salaries, HMRC
| Cq 876 | B Wood | Internal audit fee of accounts 2015/16 | £29.80 | |
| Cq 877 | Biggin Village Hall | Hire of meeting room | £10.00 | |
| Cq 878 | S Hampson | Reimbursement of expenses, stationery and copy accounts for members | £25.38 | |
| Cq 879 | S Hampson | Premises and working from home allowance | £18.00* | |
| Cq 880 | S Hampson | April net salary | £175.94** | |
| Cq 881 | G Tilson | April net salary | £96.83 | |
| Cq 882 | DALC | Subscription for 2016/17 | £155.74 |
A new direct debit mandate had been received related to the wheeled bin service.
Resolved: The chairman signed the new mandate to enable the wheeled bin service to continue.
16.4.17 Village pavements
DCC had responded to the clerk’s correspondence requesting attention to identified pavements in the village but only in respect of one particular pavement from a disability perspective. This was concerned with the approach from Main Street to the A515. DCC acknowledge that this particular pavement area is overgrown with the grass verge. At its narrowest point the width only being 750mm. DCC will continue to monitor this and also to consider a side-back of the verge to create a better footway area. DCC had not responded to the concerns expressed about the other village pavements with identified issues.
Resolved: The clerk to contact DCC again regarding the other village pavements to express disappointment over the lack of response.
16.4.18 Former POW camp
One of the members of the public had received a copy of the information from the Peak Park discussed at the previous meeting. They considered that the Peak Park will allow the buildings to fall into a state of further disrepair although the Peak Park has stated that the situation will be monitored. It was felt that there is a systematic destruction of the buildings. Peak Park has also suggested that it is most likely that eventually the buildings will be completely removed. It would seem that there is no photographic evidence in existence from 70 years ago. Members of the parish council and the public find it frustrating to see the poor condition of the area on the approach to the village.
The clerk suggested that Bagshaws of Ashbourne may still be the agent of the owner.
Resolved: The clerk to contact Bagshaws to request that contact me made directly with the owner to express the concerns about the former POW camp buildings and the state of disrepair.
If the POW camp buildings were eventually removed it was suggested that the area would make a good car park for tourists visiting the area.
Concerns were also expressed regarding the construction works at High Peak Harriers under the same ownership as that of the POW camp.
16.4.19 Dog fouling
There had been no response from Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) to the clerk’s letter about possible courses of action against dog fouling in the parish. Mrs Coles had witnessed a resident’s dog early one morning fouling an area on Drury Lane. It was also reported that there are several instances of ‘loose’ dogs fouling areas in the parish. Mrs Bonsall suggested that an article could be placed in the next News and Views advising that photographic evidence may be gathered of dogs fouling areas which may then be produced for further action.
Members also discussed the number of dog waste bins which remain in the village after DDDC’s rationalisation of waste bins in the area. The remaining dog waste bins are always full to capacity suggesting the number remaining is inadequate.
Resolved: to contact DDDC to consider reinstating another bin near the former sheep sale field.
16.4.20 Correspondence and Communication
Correspondence and communication not covered by the agenda included: repeat communications from a resident from Heathcote. These communications were abusive, aggressive, personal and offensive to council members suggesting that councillors were being paid, in the ‘pocket’ of the person involved in a long standing dispute with the Heathcote resident. Possible suggestions included liaising with the neighbouring parish council members, as equally personal references were also made to this council. This resident suggested that all of the Heathcote residents are fed up.
A member of the parish council had visited Heathcote after the clerk had forwarded the emails. She reported that the area appeared to be satisfactory.
Resolved: the clerk to contact external agencies for legal advice regarding the resident’s slanderous accusations of parish council members and the repeated vexatious emails.
Resolved: the matters raised are a continuation of a personal dispute not within the powers of the parish council to resolve.
Resolved: the council take objections to receiving abusive repetitious correspondence.
Resolved: to consider contacting all remaining Heathcote residents to prove the resident’s claim.
Other correspondence included: DALC circulars, CAME and Co Spring Matters
16.4.21 Items for the next agenda
Donation to playground, dog fouling, village pavements, POW Camp, new cemetery fees (if received).
The meeting in May will be the annual parish council meeting and will follow the Parish Annual meeting.
Resolved: the clerk to contact the village hall secretary to book the main hall for the Parish Annual Meeting and the annual parish council meeting.
16.4.22 Date of the next meeting
Due to the bank holiday and the commitments of other council members and the clerk on subsequent Mondays, the date of the next meeting will be as follows:
Monday, 23 May 2016
Resolved: the parish annual meeting to commence at 7.00 pm
Resolved: the annual parish council meeting will commence at 7.15 pm (this start time maybe delayed to 7.30 pm if the parish annual meeting is well attended and lots of issues are raised)
The meeting was declared closed at 9.05 pm
Mrs S Hampson
Clerk
Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council
21 April 2016
©Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting