Council Meeting – 11th November 2025

Minutes of the Meeting of Great Longstone Parish Council
held at 7.00pm on Tuesday 11^th November 2025
in Great Longstone Village Hall DE45 1TB

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

In attendance: Simon Headington (Clerk)

177/25 Apologies for absence from members.
All members were present

178/25 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 (185.1/25)

179/25 To Approve Minutes of the meetings of 10^th September 2025
These were approved and then signed by the Chair.

180/25 Suspension of Standing Orders for no more than 15 minutes to allow for public comments
There were no members of the public present.

181/25 Discussion of Confidential Matters: No items of a confidential nature were scheduled for discussion.

182/25 Report from Proper Officer to the Council

1. Correspondence with allotment holders
2. Worked with DDDC to arrange Housing Needs Survey
3. Meeting with Longstone School Head Teacher
4. Arranged additional equipment for recreation ground
5. Ongoing liaison with the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group
6. Annual inspection of Council assets on 12^th October
7. Meeting with parishioner about Christmas Eve Carols
8. Started work on issues relating to camper vans on Longstone Edge

183/25 Allotments:

The clerk reported that council has 15 allotments and had 14 tenants. One couple hold two allotments (plots 3 & 5) and one person unofficially shares their allotment (plot 1) with another allotment holder. The second allotment holder is expecting to officially take it on, at some point, as their 2nd allotment. We have 3 people on the waiting list. Two of these people would prefer to take on a “half” allotment plot.

After writing to the allotment holders all, bar one (plot 7), have confirmed that they would like to continue with their allotments, though 3 people (plots 1, 12 & 15) have stated that they would like to retain just half of their current allotment. This means that the availability of plots matches the outstanding requests/waiting list.

The council’s standard tenancy agreement was updated by using the NALC model document and then reviewed by councillors who removed the section that allows chickens and rabbits to be kept and adding in a strong notice about the risks associated with soil contamination in the Peak District.

Further it was agreed that:

1. Given the varying sizes of plots that rents should in future be based on size (i.e. a rate per square metre).
2. An individual can only be a tenant on a single plot, though a couple could have one plot each.
3. That with a move to charging “per square metre” that it was feasible to allow “half size” plots. A tenant with a “half plot” will have priority to take over the other “half” of the plot, if it becomes available.
4. If there is no demand for any vacant plots these can be let on annual tenancies to individuals who already have a plot, but they must be surrendered at the end of the year if there is then a waiting list.
5. If a plot holder passes away their family can continue to tend the plot for the rest of the year. A family member can take on the plot, as long as they are not already a plot holder.
6. The allotment holders be encouraged to establish an allotment society as a way of collectively representing their views to the Parish Council.
7. The current system for rents needs to be reviewed as levels are thought to be a lot lower than those charged by other authorities and in addition all tenants are currently charged the same amount, even though some plots are twice the size of others. The Clerk was instructed to investigate the average rates charged by other authorities and to look at charging on a “per square metre” basis.

184/25 Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee
Cllr Douglass reported that monthly meetings of the Steering Committee have continued with the next scheduled for 17^th November. Specific updates include:

1. The public meeting held on 7^th October was a great success with some 80 people attending.
2. Three people have had to withdraw from the steering committee, and one new person has been co-opted.
3. There are now over 120 people on the email list, and the steering group has started to send out regular updates.
4. The monthly book swap café was attended during October and there was a very positive response from people when asked about the needs of older members of the community. A report will be feedback to café attendees at the November event.
5. Marches Energy Agency will be attending the November book swap café to give advice to local people.
6. A thermal imaging camera is being leant to the village by Bakewell U3A group, and a team will be trained how to survey local properties.
7. The DDDC organised Housing Needs Survey was formally launched, today, and will run until 14^th
8. The Steering Committee are planning to run monthly themed update events for the community.

185/25 Recreation Ground

1. Tennis Court Resurfacing Project:
   1. Two new benches have been purchased and delivered from TDP
   2. The new notice board has been delivered and will be put up soon
   3. Summary of project budget – clerk to prepare a summary for the next meeting
   4. The clerk was instructed to submit end of project reports to Sports England and the Better Derbyshire Fund.
2. Rules for use of the Tennis Court: A set of rules drafted by Cllr Barrett were accepted and are to be posted on the new notice board.
3. Request from GLCC: A request has been received from the Cricket Club for permission for Buxton 5^th and Sheffield University Staff 3^rd Teams to each play between 8 and 10 “home” matches, on Saturdays, in Gt Longstone over the summer of 2026. This request was approved subject to the following conditions:
   1. That either the Cricket Club or LASRA obtain written evidence that the clubs gave appropriate insurance for third party liability.
   2. That all clubs who use the recreation ground are made aware of the public footpaths that cross the area and that they are clear that nothing must be done that prevents legitimate access or which places footpath users at risk
   3. That this agreement may be revoked at anytime if the use of the ground by one or both clubs is seen to be causing a nuisance within the community.
4. Donation of equipment from GLPC to LASRA
   1. That sports equipment bought by the Council prior to 1^st April 2025, along with the Cricket Net purchased in September, be donated to the Longstone Areas Sports and Recreation Association (LASRA).
   2. That sports equipment bought this year must remain the property of the Parish Council, as these were grant conditions, but that they will be loaned to LASRA to make them available as required.

185/25 Village Greens

1. Moles on West Green – These have been sorted out by J Cox Pest Control. No further action required.
2. Great Longstone Women’s Institute have notified the Council that they will no longer be able to maintain the flower bed that they created in West Green (it is next to the rubbish bin). It was suggested that the Churchyard volunteer group might be prepared to look at creating a suitable replacement.

186/25 Old Infant School Building: Nothing further has been heard from the owner. The Clerk was instructed to contact him for an update.

187/25 Camper Vans on Moor Road: The Clerk reported that he has made contact with the enforcement officer at PDNPA and whilst it is not in their direct area of concern, they will support work being initiated by the Parish Council. The Clerk is now waiting for the farmer to respond before working on setting up a site meeting with all the agencies that have the potential to be involved.

188/25 Highways:

1. Resurfacing work on residential roads to the south of Main Street. Cllr Cox reported that the job has not been completed to the expected standard, for instance at least one storm drain has been left almost completely covered in tarmac. Councillors to work with the Clerk to compile a “snags” list for submission to the Highways department at DCC.
2. Cllr Cox reported that the verges along Moor Road are starting to get very overgrown and that there are now self-seeded trees growing in the accumulated debris at the roadside. The clerk was instructed to arrange a site meeting with County Councillor Alasdair Sutton to review the situation and to work out how best to report the problem to the appropriate authority.

189/25 Christmas:

1. Tree: A Christmas Tree is to be donated by the family of Jim and Wendy Long
2. Xmas Eve Carols: The Clerk reported that a villager had offered to set-up a sound system and to co-ordinate the playing of the music. It was agreed to have a collection in aid of a village project. Volunteer marshals will be needed for the event.

190/25 Remembrance Sunday (9^th November): This year’s event, run by the PCC, was very well attended with around 80 being present. The Chair laid a wreath on behalf of the Parish Council.

191/25 Annual inspection of Council Assets: This took place on the morning of Sunday 12^th October. The following actions were agreed.

1. Outrake Quarry: Clerk to write to plot holders when annual rent demands are sent out to remind them that rubbish must not be stored on the site.
2. Outrake Quarry: In some areas the upper 2 or 3 rows of stone on the boundary wall are coming loose. The lower part is acting as a “retaining” wall, but the loose sections are above ground level on both sides. Clerk to explore options for getting it repaired.
3. Moor Road Properties: Land registration still needs to be completed.
4. Telephone Kiosk: Schedule for repainting during 2026/27
5. Arrange for noticeboard by play area to be re-stained
6. Arrange for WI Bench on Main Street to be re-stained during 2026/27
7. Bell Style Footpath: Ask adjoining landowners to keep overhanging branches and Ivy cutback
8. Benches in the recreation ground: There are six similar long (approx. 4.2m) benches in the recreation ground. They consist of three concrete vertical sections that are connected by three 4.2m planks. The two in a sheltered position by the buildings are in good condition, but the wooden seats on some of the others are deteriorating. It is known that the maximum length plank in recycled plastic is about 3.6m so either the uprights need to be brought closer together or new wooden planks acquired. It was pointed out that some of the concrete uprights are also deteriorating and that an alternative solution will be needed if these will not last for as long as the replacement plants. Clerk to investigate prices.

192/25 Planning Applications

1. Recent – Decided/Withdrawn:
   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. Application Withdrawn.
2. Recent – No decision made yet by PDNP:
   1. NP/DDD/0725/0657 & NP/DDD/0725/0658 at Longstone Hall (multiple changes). Comment from the PDNPA Senior Conservation Archaeologist is that the area of the proposed stables and garage requires pre-determination evaluation in order to understand the nature, extent and level of significance of surviving archaeological remains at the site and that without this information an informed planning decision that has regard to significance and the scale of impact cannot be made. The evaluation should take the form of trial trenching targeting to the footprint of the proposed buildings.
3. Submitted dealt with between meetings – None
4. New, for consideration in meeting:
   1. NP/DDD/1025/1015 at Gritstone House Moor Road. Demolition, rebuild and extension of outbuilding to give habitable accommodation. It was noted that this work has already been carried out after earlier permission was granted for an existing building to be extended. As this earlier building was demolished, instead of being renovated, new, retrospective permission was now being sought. – The Council decided not to make a comment on this application.

193/25 Finance

1. Bank reconciliations – as at 31^st October 2025: Total cash available £27,767.48. This figure was checked by Councillor Hornsey, against the bank statements, and verified.
2. Bank interest: Cllr Hornsey pointed out that the Council was earning no interest on the balance in the Unity account and about 1% interest on the balance in the RBS account. The clerk was instructed to look into suitable alternative interest-bearing accounts that can be used for the Council’s reserves.
3. Budget review: The Council’s budget for 2025/26 was reviewed against the actual figures to date. It was noted that the healthy surplus was partly due arrangements to formally employ the clerk were still outstanding.
4. Draft Budget for 2026/27. The draft budget for 2026/27 does not currently include any special projects. It is expected that the Precept for 2026/27 will increase by around 4%, but the actual figure used will depend on the change to the number of Band D properties, which will be known in December. Cllr Hornsey asked to be sent copies of the spreadsheets that sit behind the summaries presented at the meeting. Clerk to send them.
5. External Audit: The Council appointed the DALC Internal Audit Service for the 2025/26 audit.
6. To approve payments made since the last meeting:
   The following payments were noted and approved

7. To accept and approve new payments:

 194/25 Items of Correspondence

1. 17^th Sept – DDDC: Warm & Welcome grants
2. 17^th Sept – DCC: Flood Warden Training
3. 30^th Sept – Cllr Alasdair Sutton, correspondence about resurfacing work around Croft Road/Edge View Drive
4. 30^th Sept – DDDC: Correspondence about co-option of Councillors
5. 30^th Sept – Cricket Club, request to allow Buxton 5^th and Sheffield Uni Staff 3^rd teams to play on recreation ground on alternate Saturdays during the summer of 2026.
6. 30^th Sept: Glorious Gravel Cycle Event on 15^th November
7. 3^rd Oct – Safer Neighbourhood Newsletter for September
8. 10^th Oct – PDNP – 75^th Anniversary
9. 14^th Oct – DDDC: Beavers Feasibility Study
10. 14^th Oct – Neighbourhood Plan – Change to Steering Committee
11. 15^th Oct – Peak District NP Foundation – Impact Assessment
12. 28^th Oct – Safer Neighbourhood Newsletter for October
13. 28^th Oct – Bradwell PC: Briefing Session on 18^th Nov about the PDNP Consultation.
14. 29^th Oct – DDDC: Play Equipment Inspection Course (@ £495 per person)
15. 29^th Oct – DDC: Parish & Town Council Liaison Forum 8 December 2025
16. 30^th Oct – PDNP: Notification of 2 planning applications (18.1.1 & 18.4.1 above)
17. 3^rd Nov – PDNP – Local Plan Preferred Approach Consultation
18. 5^th Nov – Derbyshire Dales Citizens Advice – 6 monthly Report
19. 5^th Nov – Mayor of the East Midlands: Peak Partnership Summit on 19th Nov

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

175/25 Items from Councillors for information: None

176/25 To note forthcoming meetings

1. Dates of future Parish Council meetings:

• 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 – 17^th November 2025

The Chair closed the meeting at 9.08pm