Council Meeting – 14th January 2015

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD
ON WEDNESDAY 14^TH JANUARY 2015
IN GREAT LONGSTONE VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30PM

Present: Cllr Wendy Long (Chair), Cllr Peter Thompson, Cllr Caroline Briggs, Cllr James Cox, Cllr Hugh Wright, Sarah Stokes (Clerk), 1 parishioner and UTE.

Public comments.

There were no public comments.

The Chair opened the meeting at 7.32pm.

01/15 Apologies for absence from members.

There were apologies for absence from Parish Cllrs, Cllr Twigg sent her apologies.

02/15 Declarations of business interests.

Cllr Wright declared an interest in items relating to DCC.

03/15 Minutes of meetings held on 12^th November 2015 and extraordinary on 12^th December.

The minutes of the November meeting were proposed by Cllr Long and seconded by Cllr Briggs.

The minutes of the December meeting were proposed by Cllr Long and seconded by Cllr Cox.

04/15 Recreation ground.

04.1 Playground. The birds nest swing was discussed and its requirements, along with a quote. It was resolved for the Clerk to purchase special tape for the top of the swing and black caps from a play area supplies business. With all in favour. Await the next Rospa report for if further work required. Painting/staining of the following was discussed:  jumbolander; swings; ships decking and climbing wall and notice board. It was resolved for the Clerk to gain quotes. Contractor planned in moss treatment of area in spring.

04.2 Equipment for older children. Cllr Wright had received comments that children cannot be seen behind wooden boarding on tennis court. Cllr Long reported that the Tennis Club like the changes to the court and the new bench. Clerk to contact School regarding court relining. Cllr Long to look into filling hole on netball area. The Clerk had looked into the insurance with the ‘trial’ changes. Aon have asked that a risk assessment be carried out and regular checks. Cllr Wright to carry out a risk assessment.

04.3 Football Club agreement.

No correspondence had been received in relation to the cricket and football club meeting up to discuss the using of the pavilion.  It was noted that the tennis court should also be involved in discuss ions of the pavilion. Thus being with the aim to form a new agreement, for PC involvement/approval. It was noted that the original agreement was accepted by the PC in July 1984 minutes.  The Clerk to contact the Clubs to see if a meeting has been held.

04.4Maintenance. It was resolved for the Clerk to identify benches requiring maintenance, prioritising those most urgent. The gate at the top of Sunny Bank had been noted as requiring maintenance/staining. Clerk to include in quote for play area work.  With regards to the Cherry tree in the corner of the rec, Dave Goodwin of P Park recommends a crown lift and thin. The Clerk was asked to contact the resident whom verbally asked for work to be carried out on the tree, to write in to the PC.

05/15 Village Greens.

05.1 Lease for trees on verges near bus shelter. (Expires July 2015). Ongoing.

05.2 Tree seat West Green.Cllr Briggs reported that two residents had written in refering to the concept of a tree seat, one offering to look into funding this, the other queried use of plastic material. Cllr Wright to look into the conservation area boundary. The Clerk circulated the plastic sample to those not present at previous meetings. Sample seen as being very sturdy. Clerk and Cllr Briggs to meet with the local bench manufacturer on site to look at costings/options for a bench (with no back). The Clerk to enquire with the local business as to Peak Parks attitude to plastic benches. To note The Chatsworth Estate has benches from this manufacturer.

05.3 Tree work. Dave Goodwin of P Park recommends the following with regards to the village green trees: Trees on green with cross – gentle crown lift; trees on long green – fell and replant, consider planting with thorn. Grant aid of 20% was noted as being available towards pruning and planting. It was resolved for the Clerk to put an article in UTE regarding the trees on the long green and the P Park recommendation.

05.4 Stakes for new trees. Thank you to Cox’s for putting in the new sturdy stakes on the two new trees.

05.5 Wall work and path West Green. Thank you to Nick Smith for his work on the wall in the corner on West Green, the work was carried out with no cost to the Parish.

Thanks went to John and Charlotte Fawcett and Jim Long for erecting and dismantling the village xmas tree. Clerk to send letters.

06/15 Burial grounds. No report.

07/15 Footpaths/roads.

07.1 Verges. Station Rd, Moor Rd. The Clerk stated that there was no progress with Station Rd. Work had been carried out on Moor Rd, however as DDDC had only dug out around the drains, the debris above and below was still moving both into the road and down the drains.

Cllr Long reported on overgrown hawthorns  on Hardrake Lane encroaching onto the path. Clerk to look at sections, prioritising, then gain a quote from B Cardona for each section.

07.2 Streetlights/parking/speeding. Clerk to report faults on lights on Butts Rd and  Grisdale Rd/Furnall Ave junction. Clerk also to report water leaks on road near The Grange, Station Rd and Glebe Ave/Station Rd junction.

07.3 Grit supplies. Supplies to be monitored. Supplies well used with ‘xmas’ snow, in particular those off Grisdale and near bus shelter. A number of residents had complained that measures were not put in place soon enough by DCC, especially Croft Rd, Station Rd and up to Thornhill House. The Cllrs resolved to continue with the arrangement that the Chair/Clerk agree to extra measures, however with the decision to step in quicker as a Parish if no action by DCC. To note the Clerk had confirmed with DCC that the local snow clearer/gritting contractor was covered insurance wise. Clerk to put article in UTE regarding parking near to junctions.

07.4 Moving of litter bin near bus shelter. DDDC appear to have swopped the bin, but not moved it forward, as requested. The Clerk had chased the moving of with DDDC.

07.5 Telephone box defibrillator machine. No report.

07.6 Elderberry bush removal/leaf removal under benches. Actioned.

07.7 Flood areas/ditches. No reply had been received from DCC. It was noted that less debris/silt is coming off Longreave Lane near the bridge. Clerk to report a ‘30’ mile an hour sign needing maintenance near the bridge.

07.8 Croft Rd telephone cover. Clerk had reported the cover needing attention to BT.

08/15 Council Administration.

08.1 Land registration of village hall. Clerk progressing with.

08.2 Clerk filing, archiving. Ongoing.

08.3 Annual Parish Meeting date. It was resolved to hold this before the May meeting, being 13^th May 2015.

08.4 Election. Cllr Thompson reported on DALC’s timetable for the election. It was resolved for the Clerk to put an article in UTE. Clerk volunteered to do any DDDC/DCC training sessions.

09/15 Financial Matters.

09.1 Bank reconciliation for 31 November 2014.

INCOME –      vat refund        £280.00
Bank int           £1.37
War stock        £1.80
Rent – allotm   £42.40

EXPENDIT-                             £4343.76

UNPRESEN-   B legion           £25.00

Closing balance current account        £1000.00

Closing balance deposit account        £32,221.79

• Bank reconciliation for 31 December 2014.

INCOME-        rent                  £84.80
X tree £195.84
Blackrk. Div     £31.63
Reimburse.      £3281.00 (2 lots)
Bank int           £1.50

EXPENDIT-                             £20.00

UNPRESEN-   B legion           £25.00

Closing balance current account        £1000.00

Closing balance deposit account        £35,796.56

• Quarterly financial statement 31 December 2014.

INCOME –                Reimbursables            £3,281.00
Rent                            £127.20
Bank int                       £4.41
Investments                 £34.96
Donations                    £195.84
VAT                             £280.80

EXPENDIT-                 Admin                          £828.76
Greens                                    £1,370.00
Burial grounds £1,075.00
Recs                            £1,135.00
Footpaths                    £20.00
Sec 137                       £25.00

• To accept and approve payments.

Haddon Estate – xmas tree                £235.00 (inc VAT)
Sarah Stokes – Admin                        £706.40 (2 Months)
Sarah Stokes – Expen                       £74.10
Wendy Long – xmas tree bulbs          £19.89
Premier Gas Services – boiler VH     £1,980.00 (in VAT)
T W Cox – tree poles/ties                   £10.88

The payments were proposed by Cllr Long and accepted by Cllr Thompson.

09.5 Village hall PC financial responsibilities. It has come to the PC’s attention that in a meeting with the VHMC and PC May 1997 it states ‘ the Parish Council is responsible for the payment of wages for the regular cleaning and maintenance of the hall’. It was discussed that the income levels have changed since this date. It was resolved for the VHMC to continue to pay the cleaner, whilst they are financially able to.

09.6 Precept for year 2015/2016. The Cllrs discussed the reserves, last year’s precept, rate of inflation, Clerks pay % increase (recommended by Dalc), costs e.g. resurfacing tennis court. It was resolved to in principle raise the figure based on last year’s precept by 2%. Clerk to provide income/expenditure for the Cllrs prior to a figure sent in to DDDC, by end Jan 2015.

09.7 Internal Auditor. Clerk to decide on local auditor, based on similar costs to last auditor.

10/15 Planning matters.

• Planning consultation. NP/DDD/1114/1177. Blakedon Hollow. Section 73 application to vary condition 1,17 and 21 of planning permission NP/DDD/1298/623:Twelve months extension for the continued use of Blakedon Hollow Tailings and for the deposition of tailings from Cavendish Mill.

PC comments sent in: No objections.

• Planning consultation. NP/DDD/1114/1164. 1 The Cross.

PC comments sent in: 5 points were sent in relating to: off street parking; no visibility splays, parking; location plan; use of building and flue height. See PDNPA website for detailed comments sent in.

• Planning Consultation NP/DDD/1214/1248.Thornbridge Manor Cottage. Proposed extension and alterations.

PC comments: No objections.

11/15 Police matters and neighbourhood watch.

Cllr Wright reported that drink driving has gone up, but accidents gone down. An emergency planning document, in the event of a disaster to be looked at.

12/15 Clerks report.

1. Chased verge/debris Moor Rd.
2. Asked B Cardona re elderberry, leaf clearance and moss treatment.
3. Chased bin movement nr bus shelter.
4. Contacted D Goodwin re trees.
5. Contacted DCC ref flood areas/ditches.
6. Asked contractor for quote for wall work on West Green.
7. Contacted BT re cover.
8. Revised noticed for tennis court.
9. Contacted contractor re nest swing rope.
10. Sent letter to Football club.
11. Sent letters/rent requests for allotments.
12. Advised Cllrs on insurance re snow contractor.
13. Sent letter to PDNPA re telephone box.
14. Further work on land registration.
15. Claims for reimbursable expenditure.
16. Returned LD plan map to PDNPA.
17. Ensured delivery of xmas tree. Liaised with White Lion re funding.
18. Organised quotes/ installation of new boiler for V hall.

13/15 To report any items of correspondence received and agree any actions arising.

• 14/11/14 DCC. Public liability and contractor for snow clearance. See 7.3
• 17/12/14 Dalc. Circular. Noted.
• 17/11/14 Resident. Thank you. Thank you regarding fence panel/s removal.
• 24/11/14 DDDC. Xmas and New Year waste and recycling collections. Noted.
• 28/11/14 Resident. Memorial benches. See 5.2
• 28/11/14 Dalc. Circular. Noted.
• 01/12/14 Resident. Memorial benches. See 5.2
• 01/12/14 DCC. Applying for infant/primary school places 2015/2016. Passed to UTE.
• 03/12/14 Peak Playgrounds. Birds nest swing. See 4.1
• 03/12/14 PDNPA. Woodland work/leases. R Claxton, Peak Park reported that work will be carried out on the Willows. Verbally work to woodlands off Cherpit/Leys Lane was noted, specific site not been identified as to which parish.
• 03/12/14 DDDC. Area Community Forum. Monday 16^th February 7pm Northern forum. Noted.
• 04/12/14 DCC. Temporary road closure. Main St, Little Longstone. 12^th January to 31 March 2014. Water mains work. Noted. Clerk reported that this does affect Butts Rd, Great Longstone. Clerk to monitor project.
• 04/12/14 Dalc. Circular. National salary scale. Cllr Long proposed the recommended Clerks salary increase, seconded by Cllr Briggs.
• 05/12/14 Resident. Certificate of Life. Reply sent.
• 05/12/14 Resident/allotment holder. Allotments. An allotment holder enquired into paths and maintenance and planting a tree. Clerk to reply stating that the paths are not the PC’s responsibility and that trees cannot be planted. Clerk to look at tree situation on other plots.
• 09/12/14 PPPF Village websites. Noted.
• 17/12/14 DDDC. Precept. See 9.5
• 17/12/14 Dalc. Circular. Noted
• 17/12/14 PDNPA. Trees. See 5.3
• 19/12/14 DCC. The DCC (Bridleway from Lane Head along Black Harry Lane to Great Longstone Bridleway No 43). Modification order 2013. Order confirmed by Sec. State 28 Nov 2014. Noted.
• 05/01/15 Blackrock. Dividend advice. Noted.
• 05/01/15 Dales Housing. Walkabout Great Longstone March 26^th am. Noted
• 05/01/15 Aon. Insurance – tennis court. See 4.2
• 07/01/15 Dalc. Consultation on the D2 combined authority proposal (DCC).  Cllr Wright reported that DCC are looking towards a stronger consortium with less duplication.
• 07/01/15 Clerks and Councils direct Jan 2015. Noted.

14/15 Late items of correspondence.

•   9/01/15 PDNPA. Serviced office space to let. Noted.
•   10/01/15 DCC. Passenger information road closure bus arrangements. Noted.
•   12/01/14 DDDC. Clerks Liaison meeting 24^th Feb 2015. Noted.
•   14/01/15 DALC . Circular. Noted.
• 14/01/15 DALC. Circular. Noted.

Following on from item 4.3 the Cllrs discussed the recreation ground planning decision notice regarding the pavilion; deed of gift  of a piece of land at Great Longstone for use as a recreation  Ground 1921 and letter from GLPC April 1986 granting permission for Sunday cricket. It was noted that Councils cannot give their right for years to come for future Councils. It was also reinforced that the cricket/football club send a revised agreement to be approved by the PC.

15/15 Date of next meetings.

March meeting date provisionally 25^th March to be confirmed.

13^th May Annual Parish and Annual Parish Council meeting.

The meeting was closed at 9.18pm.

 

Sarah Stokes, Clerk to Great Longstone Parish Council, Longstone Byre, Little Longstone, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1NN. Tel: 01629 640851  Email: parishcouncil@greatlongstone.net.