A meeting of Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council
was held on Monday, 04 October 2021 at 7.30pm
in Biggin Village Hall.
Present: P Tapping, J Coles, D Currington, S Griffiths, M Heathcote and the clerk, S Hampson. There was one member of the public in attendance for part of the proceedings.
Part 1 non-confidential information
21.10.1 Apologies
Apologies had been received in advance of the meeting from Mrs McCurrach.
21.10.2 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting had been displayed on the noticeboard and forwarded to the members and the parish council’s website, in advance of the meeting. Mr Tapping queried the use of the word ‘balanced’ in previous minutes but other members did not wish to change the vocabulary.
Resolved: To accept the minutes as a true record of proceedings. (Prop SG, Sec DC).
21.10.3 Matters arising and pre-meeting
Thanks were received for the flowers sent to a recent service. It was reported that a footpath had been mown by a flail mower which has resulted in tall nettles falling down into the path. Derbyshire County Council (DCC) had not responded to a request to mow footpaths. Mrs Currington provided a street light number for an unlit lamp on the same side as the village hall.
Resolved: The clerk to report the street lighting fault to DCC.
21.10.4 Public Speaking Procedures Document
The member of the public in attendance was presented with the procedural document.
21.10.5 Public speaking
The member of the public attended to provide a professional opinion, as an ecologist, on wild flower verges/planters raised during the previous meeting. She advised that careful thought must be given to the creation of wild flower verges. She supported the opinion that uncut grass could encourage dog fouling. She reported that significant costs could be incurred in the creation. She provided information on how to achieve wild flower verges and that species such as poppies and cornflowers were not native to the area. She offered to provide some help with getting the maximum benefit and management of the species. She reported that linking up with existing wild flowers areas would be more successful due to short butterfly travel patterns; using planters could also work well. She advised that locally, the hotspots are along Back Lane, Tissington Trail and possibly between Biggin Hall and Birdsgrove, Grange Lane. Members thanked her for her professional opinion and time.
Resolved: to place the matter on future agendas.
21.10.6 Planning applications, planning sub-committee
An application had been received for a small barn at the Ivy House. Not all members had viewed the proposal.
Resolved: to forward the decision after the meeting.
21.10.7 Wild flower verges
Also see public speaking 21.10.4. The clerk had contacted DCC and Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) regarding the cutting of the highway verges. A response from DCC (ref 82016425) advised that DDDC carry out the cutting of the public highway verges on behalf of DCC and Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) in the parish/Biggin area. DCC advised that there is an arrangement for the parish to take on responsibility for the parish verges under a cultivation licence agreement which the parish council could apply for but there is not one currently in place. This could be applied for wild flowers. This would imply an additional cost implication for the parish council to take on mowing the public highway verges.
Issues to consider: mapping wild life areas; who would manage the planters; volunteers to maintain them; a land registry map for ownership of areas.
21.10.8 Phone box
Mrs Coles had liaised further with the contractor who reiterated that prep work to the telephone kiosk would not be required prior to the ‘wrapping’. Fitting panels is a one-off purchase cost. The panels can be removed to access the original red kiosk framework. The panels will last approximately two years. Graphics can be changed at a later date. Using photographs is not a problem; digital ones are better but older photographs look authentic. Mrs Coles had been to see a former parish councillor with amazing village knowledge. Ideas to incorporate included: the church and other important buildings; forthcoming jubilee incorporating past photographs; possible use of a vintage stained glass panel as a memorial to VE day.
Resolved: to invite the former councillor to the next meeting.
Resolved: to aim to start the phone kiosk project in early 2022
21.10.9 War memorial
There was no update on the re-lettering of the War Memorial at the time of the meeting.
Resolved: the clerk to request that the task be undertaken prior to the Remembrance Day service.
21.10.10 Dog fouling
Mr Tapping will put up new dog fouling notices shortly after the meeting.
21.10.11 Cemetery waste bin
The clerk had sent details of the waste bins provided by Mr Tapping to DDDC for clarification over the direct debit charge and to also advise that emptying the bins had been an issue over time. DDDC had responded to the clerk’s communication and clarified that even though the parish council was being invoiced for 1 x 660 l large trade waste bin which is not in place, this was cheaper than the cost of the two x 360 l bins which should be present.
Resolved: to confirm where the other grey bin is presently located.
21.10.12 Flytipping
The clerk had again reported additional flytipping at Heathcote, now with possible asbestos, to the local authority and requested the possibility of fencing the area to prevent repeated offences. A grid reference number had been supplied. Mr Heathcote reported that whilst the waste had not been cleared at the time of the meeting, the waste had been separated and the asbestos waste covered over. Members discussed purchasing new clear signage to inform that the area is being monitored and no flytipping in red and white. DCC/DDDC may be able to supply signs or to obtain a quote from the same company being liaised with over the phone box.
21.10.13 Litter picking
The clerk had recontacted the local authority regarding litter pickers, detailing Mrs McCurrach as point of contact. A date is now required by DDDC to enable litter pickers to be delivered.
Resolved: Mr Tapping to liaise with some local residents and possible local groups to become involved and report at the next meeting.
21.10.14 Remembrance Day
The service this year will take place on Sunday, 14th November at 2.00 pm. The clerk had submitted documentation, following the July parish council meeting, to request a temporary road close. An acknowledgement had been received but no confirmation. It was resolved at the previous meeting that Mrs Currington and Mrs McCurrach will kindly assist with refreshments and be reimbursed for expenses. A bugle player will be in attendance. The clerk had liaised with the representative from the British Legion and organised a wreath for laying on the day.
Resolved: to send another email about the road closure.
21.10.15 Queen’s Jubilee
2022 marks the 70th year of the Queen’s reign. The May Day bank holiday will be moved to Friday, 3rd June. Mrs Currington advised that some entertainment has already been organised in the village hall, including a band. Other village events will be organised such as treasure hunt, decorations, possibly an afternoon tea with war time music etc.
Resolved: to place the item on future agendas and the parish council to consider meeting some village hall hire costs for the benefit of the community events.
21.10.16 Articles for News and Views
Resolved: to include the Remembrance Day service and temporary road closure, fly-tipping and wild flowers in the next edition of News and Views.
21.10.17 Items of account, salaries, grounds person, HMRC, Section 137, mowing contract
| Cq 1283 | S Hampson | October clerk’s salary | £191.62 |
| Cq 1284 | S Hampson | October Internet Provision | £17.00 |
| Cq 1285 | S Hampson | Reimb. of expenses | £4.85 |
| Cq 1326 | S Hampson | Reimb of new ink cartridge costs | £12.49 |
| Cq 1327 | S Hampson | Reimb for 50% antivirus software | £9.00 |
| Cq 1328 | B Coles | Mowing | £411.43 (VAT £68.57) |
| Cq 1329 | Poppy Appeal | Remembrance Day wreath | £to be confirmed |
| Cq 1330 | D Currington | Reimb service flowers | £35.00 |
Mr Tapping had requested to attend a tree surveying course organised through DALC.
Resolved: Mr Tapping to attend the course in March. Invoice to follow.
21.10.18 Correspondence, electronic communication, Biggin Community Facebook
Items had been forwarded to members in advance of the meeting and included: DALC circulars, Rural Bulletins, DCC News, tree inspection course, public space protection order, litter picking, DALC annual report, DCC verges and cultivation licence, waste recycling update, new 30 mph signs ref 50121217 to replace existing signs, Prince’s countryside fund.
A resident had requested the placement of a bench at the vicinity of the Tissington Trail bridge as some older residents may struggle to walk the complete distance to the main road. Members discussed compliance with highways and PDNPA’s built environment. If necessary, a waste bin could be relocated.
Resolved: the clerk to make enquiries with the above authorities.
The resident had also advised that the stile at the rear of Club Cottages was difficult for older residents and suggested replacement with a gate. Members discussed any impact on the safety of livestock etc.
Resolved: The clerk to contact the Ranger Service to view the stile and to await their recommendations.
A non-resident with a relative interred in the parish council cemetery had queried the rationale behind double fees being charged for non-residents. This was discussed, highlighting the need to preserve spaces for residents. Non-residents have the choice to be interred in their own parish at their parish rates. The fees for interment and memorials had been very clearly explained at the time.
Resolved: Mr Tapping to respond to the person concerned after forwarding the draft response to all members and the clerk for approval.
Mr Heathcote reported that someone had been extracting water from Heathcote Mere again.
21.10.19 Items for the next agenda
Phone box, War Memorial, dog fouling, litter picking, flytipping, Queen’s jubilee, disposal of mowing equipment/assets, cemetery waste bin, Remembrance Day, new bench, stile modifications update, land registry. Additional items to be compiled by the clerk.
21.10.20 Date of the next meeting
Monday, 1st November 2021
Part 2 Confidential information
21.10.21 Parish Council Mowing Equipment
The deadline for submission of bids for the disposal of the parish council’s mowing equipment had not been reached at the time of the parish council meeting. At this time, no bids had been received. The clerk provided an update from DALC regarding the disposal of assets.
The meeting was declared closed at 9.30 pm
Mrs S Hampson,
Clerk
15th October 2021
©Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting