The Annual meeting of Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council
was held on Monday, 6th November 2023 at 7.30pm
in Biggin Village Hall

Present:  J Coles, M Heathcote, S Fletcher, D Currington, W Andrews, the clerk, S Hampson and District Councillor, D Chapman.  There were no members of the public in attendance.

Part 1 non-confidential information

23.11.1 Apologies
Apologies had been received in advance from Mrs Lovatt.

23.11.2 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous ordinary meeting had been displayed on the noticeboard and 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 (prop WA, sec SF). Mrs Coles duly signed the minutes as a true copy of proceedings.

23.11.3 Matters arising and pre-meeting
In addition to items covered by the agenda it was reported that a hole had developed in the grass verge opposite to the Waterloo Inn. The clerk had sent a photograph, supplied by Mrs Lovatt, to the local authority for immediate action but was not in receipt of a plan of action at the time of the meeting.

23.11.4 Public Speaking Procedures Document
The document was available in the meeting.

23.11.5 Public speaking
There were no members of the public in attendance.

23.11.6 District Councillor and update on footpath from Cardlemere Lane to Newhaven
The clerk had reported issues with Cardlemere Lane and the District Councillor had also reported matters to the Green Team resulting in the footpath being mown quite promptly. Issues with tree roots etc will fall under the jurisdiction of Derbyshire County Council (DCC).

Resolved: The District Councillor to make further enquiries about the tree routes. If not resolved by the end of the week, the clerk will contact DCC.

The District Councillor reported that an air quality assessment has been carried out in Ashbourne which may result in a 20 mph speed limit through the town as a temporary measure. There may also be a redirection of heavy traffic at Newhaven to avoid Ashbourne. He also provided some information about traveller sites away from Peak District areas.

23.11.7 Planning applications, planning sub-committee, appeals and enforcement
NP/DDD/0923/1108 Green Farm, Main Street, Biggin – agricultural building, relocation of field shelter, extension to existing building, menage surface and use of land for mixed grazing of horses and livestock.
Members had discussed the application at the October meeting and on receipt of some further information, members had no objections to the above proposal. The clerk had submitted this decision.

A new planning proposal had been received at Bank Top Cottage for hay storage, a lambing barn, single storey feed and tack room; however, members had been unable to access the application on the Peak District National Park Authority’s (PDNPA) website.

Resolved: The clerk to contact PDNPA regarding the access difficulty.

An appeal had been dismissed for proposals at The Chapel in Heathcote.

23.11.8 Telephone box
An invoice had not been received for the new signs.

Resolved: Mrs Coles to chase the receipt of the invoice.

23.11.9 Parish Council bank account and signatories
Mrs Coles had spent significant time arranging additional signatories on the bank account. The councillors concerned will now have to complete their part. This will result in 4 councillors becoming authorised signatories.

23.11.10 Defibrillators
The clerk had contacted a resident regarding the existing defibrillator in Pikehall which was purchased through fund raising in Pikehall. A number of issues were reported, including a lack of insurance, which the members discussed. The clerk had also contacted the local First Responders regarding checking 3 defibrillators within the parish. This request will be further discussed by the First Responders at one of their meetings later in the week. In principle, the defibrillators can be checked but Pikehall was considered to be a little far out of their area. It had been suggested that a Pikehall resident could be trained to check the machine to ensure it is always ready.

Members discussed the insurance as a priority but Pikehall is served by more than one parish council.

Resolved: the clerk to request that Pikehall residents obtained insurance for the defibrillator and to advise of the cost. This will then enable the parish council to make a donation to the cost of the insurance.
Resolved: to reimburse Mr Fletcher for the cost of electric cable for the installation of the defibrillator at Heathcote.
Resolved: Mr Fletcher to subsequently arrange for PAT testing to take place.

Defibrillator notices were given to Mr Fletcher. An invoice will follow from the village hall related to hire costs for the defibrillator training session which took place in September.

23.11.11 Remembrance Day Service and Road Closure
An official road closure had been requested between 2.30 and 3.30 pm (ref 749867; the advertising posters had been received by the clerk and Mrs Lovatt and kindly displayed them); however, it had become evident that timings for the service had been changed which did not tie in with the official road closure posters, News and Views and the community Facebook page. Mrs Coles had clarified the timings. Members were grateful for the work carried out to ensure a service in church would take place.

For subsequent years, a road map and details of alternative diversion routes will have to be supplied to DDDC and the police.

Resolved: Mrs Currington to obtain refreshments and to be reimbursed.
Resolved: To manage more of the arrangements for future years.

23.11.12 Dog fouling
Dog fouling remains an issue but responsibility may not lay totally with local people.

23.11.13 Budget
The clerk had prepared an initial budget for consideration in advance of the December meeting, in readiness for Precept setting. Members discussed some potential budget increases for 2024-25. The estimated total far exceeds last year’s precept value and an increase in the precept for next year could be quite likely.