Council Meeting – 10th September 2025

Minutes of the Meeting of Great Longstone Parish Council
held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 10^th September 2025
in Great Longstone Village Hall DE45 1TB

Present: Cllr Jane Rigby (Chair), Cllr Andy Douglass, Cllr James Cox, Cllr Stevie Hornsey.

In attendance: Simon Headington (Clerk) and one member of the public

153/25 Apologies for absence from members.
Cllr Phil Barrett

154/25 Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest relating to items on the agenda.
Cllr Cox declared an interest in the item on Moles on the village green.

155/25 To Approve Minutes of the meetings of 12^th July 2025
These were approved and then signed by the Chair.

156/25 Suspension of Standing Orders for no more than 15 minutes to allow for public comments
The member of public present stated that she was interested in the discussion about the allotments. It was agreed that this would be move up the agenda so that it could be discussed first.

157/25 Discussion of Confidential Matters: (Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 S1(2)) – To determine which items, if any, from the agenda should be taken with the public excluded.

No items of a confidential nature were scheduled for discussion.

158/25 Allotments:

Advice from the Environmental Health Department (at DDDC) and the Public Health Department (at DCC) was that although the levels of lead contamination in the allotment are some 30 times higher than the recommended safe level, for allotments, the land is not considered to be contaminated. The reason for this is that this is close to the normal background level for the Peak District area. The authorities left the decision on reopening the allotments to the Parish Council though they did recommend that allotment holders follow appropriate procedures to minimise contact, inhalation or digestion of soil.

It is understood that lead is more mobile (and therefore more likely to be absorbed by plants) in acidic soils which are not found in the allotments. Finally, a paper from 1957 has been found that identified the field that was thought to have been used for washing lead, as being a short distance from the allotments.

After some discussion, including closing the meeting between 7.16 and 7.24, to allow the resident to comment on the proposals, it was agreed that:

1. The Clerk is to write to all allotment holders to pass on advice from Environmental Health about risks and mitigation, and to urge allotment holders to conduct their own research and follow the recommended guidelines whilst working their allotments.
2. Allotments to be reopened to those who have confirmed, by signed return of new contract, their understanding of the risks and who wish to continue using their plot.
3. All allotment fees for the period 1^st April 2025 to 31^st March 2026 to be waived.
4. That the allotment holders be encouraged to establish an allotment society as a way of collectively representing the views of the allotment holders to the Parish Council.

159/25 Report from Proper Officer to the Council

1. A meeting was held in July with the new owner of the Old Infant School building
2. A “no response” letter regarding planning application NP/DDD/0725/0701 9 Edge View Drive Great Longstone Proposed extension to dwelling, was sent.
3. A request for a Housing Needs Survey for Great Longstone and Little Longstone was submitted.
4. The external audit has been completed and notice published.

160/25 Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee
Cllr Douglass reported that monthly meetings of the Steering Committee have continued with the next scheduled for 15^th September. Specific updates include:

1. Notification was received that the formal application, submitted to the Peak District National Park, was accepted on 10^th September 2025.
2. A grant of £750 is available. Funds to be held by the Parish Council on behalf of the steering committee. Other grants may be available in the future.
3. The request to undertake a Housing Needs Survey, across both Great and Little Longstone, has been accepted and this will start in November.
4. The Steering Committee will be holding a public meeting on 7^th October to update the community on progress.

161/25 Recreation Ground

1. Tennis Court Resurfacing Project:
   This project has been completed, and the new surface is in use.
2. To approve purchase of benches, sports and other equipment
   It was agreed to purchase:
   2 x 1500mm “Trial benches” from TDP in Wirksworth (@ £195 + VAT per bench)
   A noticeboard that will be fixed to the outside of the court (approx. £333)
   A new Cricket net and frame (@£1,283.28 + VAT)

In addition, a quote for £600, from David Longden, to repair the storage units next to the tennis court was accepted.

3. To approve rules for the use of the Tennis Court
   The rules and notice, drafted by Cllr Barrett were approved, subject to the agreement of the LASRA committee and the addition of information as to why bikes can’t be used on the court.
4. Rules for safe use of the Recreation Ground: These are still with the Clerk who needs to discuss the potential by-laws with LASRA.
5. Review of maintenance contract and confirmation of CPI uplift for 2026.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 3.8% in the 12 months to July 2025. Under the terms of the Council’s maintenance agreement, with LASRA, this means that the annual cost will increase from £4,000 to £4,152 per annum (£1,000 to £1,038 per quarter) from 1^st January 2026.

162/25 Longstone Village Week

1. It was agreed that the dates for Village Week in 2026 will be (Sat 11^th to Sun 19^th July 2026.)
2. The Clerk was instructed to notify community organisations that were involved during 2025.

163/25 Village Greens: The Council’s grass cutting contractor has reported that mole hills have reappeared on West Green. Cllr Cox was asked to remove the moles.

164/25 Old Infant School Building: A meeting took place with the new owner of the building on Tuesday 22^nd July.

165/25 Christmas carols:  The clerk was instructed to discuss the arrangement with the people who helped to run the event last year

166/25 Remembrance Sunday (9^th November): The Clerk was instructed to order a wreath on behalf of the Parish Council. The Chair will lay the wreath on behalf of the Council.

167/25 Annual inspection of Council Assets: It was agreed that this would start at the Moor Road Quarry at 10am on Sunday 12^th October.

168/25 Churchyard Conservation Project: Areas of grass that were allowed to grow, to give flowering plants the chance to seed, were recently mowed by the contractor and then raked up by the volunteer group last Saturday (6^th Sept). The project co-ordinator, Sara Barrett, reported to the clerk that the Will Brindley, the council’s contractor, had been very helpful and accommodating with the changes in the mowing requirements. The clerk was instructed to pass on the Council’s thanks to Mr Brindley.

169/25 Planning Applications

1. Recent – Decided:
   1. NP/DDD/0525/0463 – The Cross, Anrek, Main Street (retrospective permission for new fencing in a conservation area). – This was approved with conditions., which included that “The wood shall be left to weather naturally, and shall not be painted or stained throughout its lifetime.”
   2. NP/DDD/0625/0601 & NP/DDD/0625/0606 – Shakerley House, Main Street (installation of EV charging point in a listed building) – Approved with conditions.
   3. NP/DDD/0625/0628 at Lismore, Grisedale Road West (rear extension) – Approved with conditions.
   4. NP/DDD/0725/0675 at Former Builders Yard Main Street (Section 73 application for the variation of condition 2 on NP/DDD/0720/0682). Parish Council objected to the application and Highways have requested further details. (Statutory Expiry date 29^th August 2025) (Refused 8^th Sept 2025)

2. Recent – No decision made yet by PDNP:
   1. NP/DDD/0325/0194 – 73 application for the removal of condition 2 on NP/DDD/0197/002 – 1 Glebe Court, Glebe Road, Great Longstone. Parish Council objected to the application. (Statutory Expiry date 8^th May 2025)
   2. NP/DDD/0725/0657 & NP/DDD/0725/0658 at Longstone Hall (multiple changes). PDNPA Senior Conservation Archaeologist has objected to the application. (Statutory Expiry date 2^nd Sept 2025
3. Submitted between meetings NP/DDD/0725/0701 at 9 Edge View Drive (Proposed extension to dwelling). No requests from Councillors for a special meeting so no comments submitted – Approved with conditions. 
4. New, for consideration in meeting: – None
5. Enforcement Notices: ENF: 24/0143 – “Breach of Condition” of Condition 20 of planning permission NP/DDD/0805/0818. A Restoration Plan was submitted towards the end of August 2025 and is being reviewed by PDNP.

170/25 Proposed move of Thornhill House to Station Road
The Trustees of the John Thornhill Memorial Charitable Trust (also known as Thornhill House) have announced that they are hoping to move the Nursing / Residential home from its current site on Beggarway Lane to new premises at “The Grange” on Station Road. This proposal is subject to successful planning approval and being able to raise the necessary funds.

The Council noted that the development of the 4-acre site on Grange Road, and the redevelopment of the existing 1-acre site Beggarway Lane, will be the largest project that has been undertaken in the parish in the past 30 years.

171/25 Recruitment of Councillors: GLPC currently has 3 vacancies, though only 1 has been the subject of a Section 87(2) (LGA 1972) notice. An appropriate notice was published on 5th September. An appropriate article needs to be written and sent for inclusion in “Under the Edge”.

172/25 Finance

1. Bank reconciliations – as at 30^thAugust 2025.

Total cash available £31,968.30 (plus bank interest for August). Balances to be checked by Councillor Hornsey, against the bank statements.

2. External Audit

The external audit, by PKF Littlejohn, has been completed.

3. To accept and approve new payments:

No	Item	Supplier	Net	VAT	Total	Notes
1.	Churchyard Maintenance (Aug)	Will Brindley	£200.00	£0.00	£200.00
2.	Bank Charges (Sept & Oct 2025)	Unity Trust Bank	£6.00	£0.00	£6.00	per month
3.	Credit Card Fees (Sept & Oct 2025)	Lloyds Bank	£3.00	£0.00	£3.00	per month
4.	PKF Littlejohn	Audit Fee	£210.00	£42.00	£252.00
5.	Recreation Ground Maintenance Oct to Dec	LASRA	£1,000.00	£0.00	£1,000.00
6.	2 x Benches	TDP	£390.00	£78.00	£468.00
7.	Cricket Cage	Net World Sports	£1283.28	£256.66	£1,539.94

173/25 Items of Correspondence

1. 17^th July – PDNP – Planning application NP/DDD/0725/0701 at 9 Edge View Drive
2. 22^nd July – PPPF – Minutes of meeting
3. 23^rd July – Resident notifying of damage to kerb stones on Spring bank
4. 30^th July – DDDC – Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Climate Network
5. 30^th July – Bakewell Safer Neighbourhood Newsletter for August
6. 31^st July – DALC Newsletter
7. 1^st August – Sports Surfacing Solutions – Manual for care of new surfacing
8. 4^th August – DDDC – Local Government Re-organisation Consultation
9. 5^th August – PDNP – Parishes Day – Sat 11^th October
10. 6^th August – DDDC – Public Spaces Protection Order – Public Consultation
11. 8^th August – DDDC – Confirmation of Housing Needs Survey in Jan 2026
12. 11^th August – DDDC – Hot weather bins update
13. 19^th August – DCC – Free NHS eye tests for school starters
14. 22^nd August – DCC – Parish & Town Council Liaison Forum 15 September 2025
15. 23^rd August – Correspondence about maintenance work on Chertpit Lane
16. 28^th August – Bakewell Safer Neighbourhood Newsletter for September
17. 1^st September – PKF Littlejohn – Completion of External Audit for 2024/25
18. 2^nd September – DALC Monthly Newsletter
19. 2^nd September – DDDC – Correspondence about co-opting councillors
20. 3^rd September – PDNA – Update on Enforcement Notice ENF: 24/0143

174/25 Items of Late Correspondence: No additional items not already covered.

175/25 Items from Councillors for information: Cllr Douglass requested that the Clerk prioritize looking into the issue of unauthorised use of Moor Road by people with camper vans.

176/25 To note forthcoming meetings

1. Dates of future Parish Council meetings:

• Wed 12^th Nov 2025
• Wed 14^th Jan 2026
• Wed 11^th Mar 2026
• Wed 13^th May 2026

2. Date of 2026 Annual Parish Meeting– 29^th April 2026
3. Date of next Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee Meeting – 15^th Sept 2025

The Chair closed the meeting at 8.44pm