A meeting of Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council
was held on Monday, 7th September 2020 at 7.30pm
in Biggin Village Hall.
The meeting took place under social distancing and hygiene legislation due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Present: D Currington (Acting Chair), S McCurrach, M Heathcote, P Tapping and the clerk,
S Hampson. There were no members of the public in attendance.
Part 1 non-confidential information
20.9.1 Apologies
Apologies had been received in advance of the meeting from J Coles and S Griffiths
20.9.2 Declaration of personal/prejudicial interest of councillors
There was no need by any member present to complete an entry in the record.
20.9.3 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.
Resolved: To accept the minutes as a true record of proceedings (Prop: PT, Sec: MH)
20.9.4 Matters arising from pre-meeting
During the recess period, the clerk had been made aware of a number of instances of flytipping and had reported these to the relevant authority who had in turn, advised that these had been removed. Members wondered if this was true in all of the reported areas. Mr Tapping had attended to the water butt in the parish council cemetery. Mr Tapping had placed plastic protection around young trees recently planted to protect against accidental damage during mowing. It was reported that for period of time, a number of framed pictures have been displayed around the village. Concerns were expressed about potential hazards from the breakage of glass within these frames. Some people have been removing these frames for this reason.
20.9.5 Public speaking procedures document
There were no members of the public in attendance.
20.9.6 Public speaking
As above. It was reported that the Parish Statement is now on Peak District National Park Authority’s (PDNPA’s) website. Parishes Day is scheduled for 3rd October.
20.9.7 PCSO
The clerk advised that the Ashbourne Safer Neighbourhood Team will now cover the area of Biggin. Mr Tapping provided the name of the officer and discussed the possibility of the parish council purchasing Speedwatch equipment. Members considered that the same culprits are still speeding through the village. Parishioners should remain vigilant and report any issues.
20.9.8 New cemetery fees and memorial application.
The clerk had prepared the new fees in line with guidance from Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC). A memorial application had been received to be made from a stone not currently in the cemetery. The clerk had asked for an image and description but this had not been received in time for the meeting. The clerk had already advised the mason that the height was outside the guidelines and the cheque had the incorrect payee. Members also discussed the seats erected in the cemetery and future maintenance.
Resolved: The clerk to advise the monumental mason to forward a sample of the Yorkstone.
Resolved: To implement the new fees with immediate effect.
Resolved: Any further seats in the village should be made of good quality plastic to avoid future and ongoing maintenance. This to also apply to the cemetery.
20.9.9 Village trees
A resident on Drury Lane had expressed concerns to Mr Tapping about a tree near his property. The clerk had subsequently reported this to Derbyshire County Council (DCC) and PDNPA as a tree on the verge adjoining the highway but a reply had not been received in time for the meeting. A replacement tree at the site of the former Millennium tree was discussed. This had been damaged during mowing.
Resolved: to utilise one of the young trees planted to the rear of the Garden of Remembrance plaque wall by way of replacement.
20.9.10 BT Phone Box and Insurance
The parish council’s insurance company had responded to the clerk’s request to include the phone box on the insurance schedule. The insurance company require a value. Members discussed a reasonable insurance figure also considering the excess for any future claims.
Resolved: The clerk to advise the company of a figure of £1,000 for insurance purposes.
The paintwork and future purpose of the phone box were discussed. Previous ideas have included tourist information, a parish map, book exchange. Members were unsure if Biggin has ever had an associated colour.
Resolved: Mr Tapping to kindly wash the phone box paintwork.
Resolved: The clerk to approach the headteacher at the primary school to ascertain if the pupils would be interested in generating ideas for its use and the paintwork.
Resolved: to contact local painters for quotes to repaint the phone box
20.9.11 Shed and noticeboard and seats’ maintenance
A joiner had undertaken maintenance of the shed and noticeboard (invoice received). He had also quoted for preparation and preservation of the parish seats. This was more than anticipated. Mr Tapping kindly volunteered to re-stain the noticeboard. As referred to in agenda item 20.9.8, members discussed the merits of incorporating village seats made from recycled/wood effect plastic which may cost more to purchase but would require virtually no future maintenance and would last for many years.
Resolved: to investigate suppliers of plastic village seating.
20.9.12 Heathcote Mere plinth and interpretation panel
The plinth stone has been inverted using machinery with the panel to be incorporated shortly. The adjoining parish council had made a request to deposit some fish from their village pond into the mere.
Resolved: Mr Coles and Mr Heathcote to place stones around the perimeter of Heathcote Mere at an appropriate distance to deter motorists from parking on the grass.
Resolved: Mrs Currington to request the invoice for the use of the machinery referred to above.
Resolved: To grant permission to the neighbouring parish council to deposit fish in Heathcote Mere.
20.9.13 Parish Council sponsored window
It was reported that the sponsorship for the individual church window panes has been to commemorate a person. This type of sponsorship is, therefore, not eligible for the parish council.
Resolved: the parish council will continue to meet the annual cost of the church clock service.
20.9.14 Highway issues, signs and street lighting
The process to complete a temporary road closure for Remembrance Day is more complicated and should be completed by the organiser of the event, ie the parochial church council/church and not the parish council. A discussion also took place regarding the serving of refreshments during the pandemic.
Resolved: to not provide refreshments this year.
Resolved: The clerk to assist with the road closure documentation for Sunday, 8th November.
New 30 mph signs and village signs are still not in place. It was reported that it will become illegal to park on pavements.
Street lighting faults and timing faults were reported on Drury Lane and Main Street.
Resolved: the clerk to report the identified street lights.
20.9.15 Items of account, salaries, HMRC
| Cq 1208 | Park Peak Parishes Forum | Membership | £12.00 |
| Cq 1209 | Webicious | Website provision | £118.15(VAT £19.69) |
| Cq 1210 | B Coles | Mowing contract | £411.43(VAT £68.57) |
| Cq 1211 | S Hampson | August internet provision | £10.00 |
| Cq 1212 | S Hampson | August clerk’s salary | £182.57 |
| Cq 1213 | S Hampson | September clerk’s salary | £182.37 |
| Cq 1214 | S Hampson | September internet | £10.00 |
| Cq 1215 | HMRC | Income tax | £137.00 |
| Cq 1216 | J Hicks | Shed, noticeboard | £325.00 |
| Cq 1217 | S Hampson | Reinb. of expenses | £13.38 |
| Cq 1218 | B Coles | Mowing contract | £411.43(VAT £68.57) |
Resolved: The clerk’s salary award for 2019- 20 and 2020-2021 was awarded and backdated each year to 1 April.
The external auditors had written regarding the exemption certificate which was approved in the July meeting; a revised form needs to be completed to include the minute reference on the exemption certificate.
20.9.16 Planning applications, planning sub-committee and appeals
Planning application had been granted for an extension at Greenhead Crescent. Pre-planning advice from PDNPA remains suspended.
20.9.17 Correspondence and electronic communication
Electronic communications had been forwarded to members in advance of the meeting including: Rural Bulletins, Zurich risk management, fly tipping, DCC Stay Safe, ward boundaries, PPPF Management Committee minutes, DALC circulars, DCC news, funding for Freedom and Leisure, weed spraying, NALC changes to the current planning system., planning for the future transparency and competition date.
20.9.18 Items for the next agenda
Heathcote Mere interpretation panel and plinth ceremony and perimeter stones, village signs, noticeboard and village seats, BT phone box plans, Remembrance Day, external audit. Additional items to be compiled by the clerk.
20.9.19 Date of the next meeting
Monday, 5th October 2020 following current social distancing requirements.
Part 2 Confidential information
There was no confidential information to discuss.
The meeting was declared closed at 9.30 pm
Mrs S Hampson
Clerk
15th September 2020
©Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting