The annual meeting of Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council was held at 7.15 pm on Monday, 23rd May 2016, at Biggin Village Hall.
Present: Mrs J Brindley, Mrs J Griffiths, Mrs J Bonsall, the clerk, Mrs S Hampson and 5 members of the public for part of the meeting.
Part 1 – Non-confidential information, to consider:
16.5.1 Apologies
Apologies had been received in advance of the meeting from Mr D Prince, Mrs Coles and
Mrs S McCurrach.
16.5.2 Appointment of Chairman and Vice Chairman, Declaration of Acceptance of Office of members and chairman. Completion of members’ interest forms
Last year’s vice chairman was absent from the meeting. The members discussed the appointments of Chairman and Vice Chairman for the forthcoming year.
Resolved: Mrs Brindley to chair the May meeting but declined accepting the post of chairman for a second term.
Resolved: Vice Chairman for 2016/17 to be Mrs J Bonsall
Resolved: Chairman for 2016/17 to be decided at the next meeting.
Documentation detailed above had been sent to members in advance of the meeting for completion. The declarations of acceptance of office forms were duly signed before the proper officer of the parish council, Mrs Hampson. Members interest forms were also completed by those present.
16.5.3 Declaration of personal/prejudicial interest of councillors
There was no need, by any member present, to complete an entry in the register.
16.5.4 Minutes of the previous ordinary meeting
The minutes of the previous ordinary 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)
16.5.5 Matters arising from pre-meeting
Mrs McCurrach had advised the clerk prior to the meeting that the waste bin in front of the village hall had been removed. She had also advised that the memorial seat from the cemetery had also been removed. The clerk had contacted Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) regarding the missing bin but the officer contacted was not aware of the removal of the bin and advised prior to the meeting that DDDC had not removed the waste bin. The clerk had also contacted the grounds person to check if he had removed the memorial seat for preservation. Mrs Brindley advised that the grounds person had in fact removed the memorial seat to carry out preservation work as detailed in his contract. Mr Tilson had advised Mrs Brindley that due to poor weather conditions he had not been able to clear up the grass cuttings but this would take place shortly. Mrs Brindley reported that the cemetery was tidy.
16.5.6 Public speaking procedures document
The public speaking procedures document was available for members of the public.
16.5.7 Public speaking
There was only one member of the public in attendance at this point in the meeting who had previously spoken during the public speaking session of the parish annual meeting.
16.5.8 PCSO updates
The PCSO was not in attendance
16.5.9 County Councillor & District Councillor updates
Neither councillor was in attendance; however, a resident from Heathcote had advised the clerk that Heathcote Community Group had obtained a grant for £500 for Heathcote (see agenda item 16.5.21). The clerk advised that she believed this to have been a grant from District Councillor, Sir Richard Fitzherbert.
16.5.10 Highway issues, including Cardlemere Lane
There had been no further advice from Derbyshire County Council (DCC) regarding the advisory weight limit sign at the end of Cardlemere Lane. The clerk had reported pot holes on Hardings Lane after the April meeting; however, Mrs Coles had advised the clerk prior to the meeting that the pot hole on Hardings Lane near the junction of Main Street had become far worse. It was reported during the meeting that the pot hole opposite Heathcote Mere had been mended. It was reported that a number of white vans have been seen driving up Cardlemere Lane raising suspicion of connections to travellers in the Bakewell area. It was also reported that someone has been seen depositing builders’ type rubble on Cardlemere Lane.
Resolved: the clerk to alert the police and relevant authorities on the possibility of travellers using Cardlemere Lane.
Resolved: the clerk to advise DDDC of the flytipping on Cardlemere Lane.
16.5.11 Planning applications and planning sub-committee
Planning decision notices had been received granting a two storey extension and removal of existing porch at Wrens Cottage; new dwelling at Porridge Lane and an oil tank at The Old Chapel, Heathcote.
Two new planning applications had also been received – an agricultural building at Cotterill Farm and variation of condition 3 at Porridge Lane involving the removal of some outbuildings.
Resolved: The members present supported the two new planning applications.
An enquiry had been received from residents at Chapel Farm, Heathcote regarding the potential for an affordable home at their property for their son.
Resolved: The clerk to contact the planning officer referred to in the letter for further information.
Concerns were expressed about developments at the property know as Over Hyde including extension/porch and roof for which a planning application had not been brought before the parish council.
Resolved: The clerk to contact Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) regarding queries over permitted developments at Over Hyde.
16.5.12 Noticeboard
Members and the clerk confirmed that the visibility into the noticeboard remained fine. The clerk had contacted the joiner who had checked the noticeboard. Mrs McCurrach had suggested to the clerk that the permanent notices in the left hand side of the noticeboard could be moved to the bottom to hide the water marked back to improve the appearance. There are no ‘breather’ holes in the noticeboard but the joiner would be prepared to revisit the noticeboard if necessary.
Resolved: To monitor the condition of the noticeboard on a regular basis.
16.5.13 Damaged village seat
The clerk had checked the groundsperson’s contract of employment and this refers to annual seat maintenance. Mrs Brindley advised that the groundsperson had taken on the responsibility for preservation of the restored village seat on Drury Lane now it is back insitu. Heathcote Mere seats also require attention.
16.5.14 Public telephone box at Newhaven
There was no further update for the meeting from BT; however, Mrs Bonsall advised that the telephone had been decommissioned. She further advised that serious interest has been expressed by the proprietors of the service station at Newhaven to provide a public telephone service or to purchase the telephone box.
Resolved: The clerk to contact BT to request that BT make contact with the proprietors of the garage regarding the possibility of a public phone service at this location.
16.5.15 Pest control
The pest controller had been contacted by the clerk regarding moles at Heathcote and voles in the cemetery. He had advised the clerk that the groundsperson had mown the grass at Heathcote and levelled the mole hills making it difficult to check if there was current activity. He did report that there was activity in the cemetery and that he had baited the voles. An invoice had not been received in time for the May meeting.
16.5.16 Items of account, salaries, HMRC, donation to playground committee, insurance renewal
| Cq 883 | S Hampson | Internet provision April | £10.00 |
| Cq 884 | S Hampson | Internet provision May | £10.00 |
| Cq 885 | Biggin Community Project ’97 | Section 137 donation towards playground insurance | £500.00 |
| Cq 886 | S Hampson | working from home allowance | £18.00 |
| Cq 887 | S Hampson | Reimbursement of expenses | £14.32 |
| Cq 888 | S Hampson | Clerk’s net salary | £176.10 |
| Cq 889 | G Tilson | Groundspersons net salary | £96.63 |
| Cq 890 | Biggin Village Hall | Hire | £10.00 |
| Cq 891 | Zurich Insurance | New 1 year insurance premium | £276.51 |
| BACS credit | DDDC | Precept for 2016-14 | £4000.00 |
Resolved: To take out a new annual insurance policy with Zurich Insurance this year rather than a policy with Came and Co Insurance brokers. The provision equals that of the renewal from Came and Co at £344, including cover for all street furniture and bus shelters but with the removal of a car insurance cover for employees. Zurich Insurance’s policy was cheaper.
16.5.17 New cemetery fees
These had been received from DDDC and the clerk had prepared the parish council’s cemetery fees in line with those of DDDC.
Resolved: To accept the new figures and use with immediate effect.
16.5.18 Village pavements
There had been no further update on works to the village pavements. Members continued to express concerns for residents attempting to push prams along the village pavements and also for any person with a disability in a wheel chair or using a mobility scooter, due to the camber of the pavements.
Resolved: To invite representatives from Derbyshire County Council (DCC) to meet representatives from the parish council (Mrs J Griffiths to be the point of contact).
16.5.19 Former POW camp
The clerk had written to Bagshaws as agent to the owner of the former POW camp but there had been no response in time for the meeting.
16.5.20 Dog fouling
DDDC advise that witnesses of dog fouling should be prepared to stand up in court and that evidence such as photographic evidence would be valuable supporting evidence to enable prosecutions to take place. The clerk had advised DDDC of the parish council’s previous expenditure purchasing dog/waste bins and why these had been allowed to be removed during DDDC’s rationalisation programme of removing waste bins as a cost cutting exercise.
DDDC personnel had carried out a highly visible fouling patrol in the village on the day of the meeting and spoken to local dog walkers who all said they use bags and are happy with the amount of bins within the village to dispose of the waste. One commented that it would be better to have some bins on the Tissington Trail but this would need to be discussed with the managing authority, rather than DDDC. DDDC also noted that the bins were not full, despite the good weather on Sunday.
On their visit between about 9am and 10am on 23rd May 2016 they walked all the main village streets and counted 6 piles of dog fouling within the village, whilst any fouling not picked up is an issue Biggin does not appear to have a significantly greater problem than other tourist villages within the Derbyshire Dales. DDDC will undertake a further patrol in the summer and report the findings of this one to the Parish Council too. DDDC stated it is questionable if these irresponsible dog owners would use a bin even if a greater number were provided, may be awareness of dog fouling could be raised through promotion within the village. There is signage on the litter bins and within the village regarding the use of bins for dog fouling and the fines should people be caught. DDDC is currently undertaking a further review of public litter bin management and is currently not installing any further bins.
With regard to the Dog Bins removed, the District Council provides a litter collection service and, since the one off contributions were made by the Parish Council to provide the dog bins in 2003 and 2010, has experienced significant changes in funding and working practices and is therefore not able to provide the same services as previously. As highlighted within the consultation for the Bin Review the District Council has tried to remove dog bins where a normal litter bin could be used for dual purpose and rationalised the number of bins provided to make the service more efficient. The removal of dog bins and combined use of the street litter bins has given additional capacity for dog waste in lots of areas. The contribution to dog bins or litter bins does not guarantee the provision of service indefinitely, so whilst the Parish Council did pay for the dog bins the payment does not cover the indefinite provision of service. DDDC will repeat the survey in the summer and be able to advise further once the review is complete.
Resolved: The clerk to contact PDNPA regarding the suggestion of dual purpose waste bins on the Tissington Trail.
16.5.21 Correspondence and Communication
Correspondence and communication not covered by the agenda included:
Derbyshire Association of Local Councils (DALC) circulars, DDDC Volunteers’ Week is 1st to 12th June. The District Council wants to celebrate the great efforts made by so many volunteers in the Derbyshire Dales. Peak Park Monitoring and Enforcement Training – 2 sessions available:
25 May or 15 June. Stone remains in the corner of the cemetery. Centenery Fields programme requesting land be set aside as a centenery field to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Battle of the Somme. DCC Derbyshire and Derby Minerals Local Plan update.
Heathcote Residents group had advised the clerk that they have secured a local projects grant in the sum of £500 from District Councillor, Sir Richard Fitzherbert. Initial expenditure from this has been spent on purchasing flowering bulbs. Using a template supplied by the clerk, dog fouling notices have been erected within the hamlet.
An enquiry was received about the policy of DDDC and PDNPA regarding second homes.
In connection to the previous minutes and repeated vexatious emails from a resident from Heathcote advice received from DALC is that “the parish Councils will no longer respond to his emails due to their inappropriate, slanderous, aggressive nature”. A similar response was also received from the Monitoring Officer at DDDC. DALC further suggested contacting the police and also provided contact details for a DALC executive member.
Resolved: the parish council will adopt this advice regarding future communications from the resident from Heathcote.
There was a lack of an update on the previous agenda item on the hearing loop with regard to whether the village hall committee had installed a hearing loop for public use.
Resolved: to contact the village hall committee regarding confirmation about the hearing loop.
16.4.21 Items for the next agenda
Election of Chairman, pavements, POW camp, pest control, telephone box, review of some policies, Cardlemere Lane. Additional items to be compiled by the clerk.
16.4.22 Date of the next meeting
Monday, 6 June 2016
It was noted that due to the close proximity of this meeting to that of the May annual parish council meeting then responses to the clerk’s enquiries may not be received in time for the June meeting.
The meeting was declared closed at 8.15 pm
Mrs S Hampson
Clerk
Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council
25 May 2016
©Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting