Council Meeting – 15th September 2010
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON 15TH SEPTEMBER 2010 AT 7.30PM
Present: Cllr S. Barton (Chairman), Cllr S. Mason (Deputy Chair), Cllr Mrs S. Barton, Cllr W. Long, Cllr S Headington, Cllr P Thompson. S Stokes (covering Clerk) and the UTE Editor.
Public Comments
Mrs Poulter raised the issue of the Black Harry Trails project. She was disappointed it had taken 4 months for the project to appear on the agenda. Grant money had now been allocated to other villages. Mrs Poulter stated that she has a meeting set up with Sue Smith (P Park). Cllr Long stated that she had been informed that the aggregates money did not cover Great Longstone. Cllr Mason stated that the Council need in future to obtain written confirmation of contact with other organisations in order to have this available to show parishioners if required. The Chair requested Cllr Long bring the rules of the aggregate levy to the next meeting.
Mrs Poulter also raised the issue of the Monsal trail access. Cllr Thompson reported that there is a lack of communication from P Park and that the Council had attempted to ask to have the padlock removed to improve access in the mean time. Mrs Gregory talked about horse access. She was informed that Thornbridge Manor have a separate gate. The Chair requested that Mrs Poulter forwards emails to the Council regarding this subject.
Mrs Gregory referred to point 5.6.clarifying that the P Council had themselves put up the fence in question a number of years ago and were responsible for it except for the wall in front of the 6 cottages near Sunnybank . Mrs Frankland stated that this only applies to the left hand side and that Dales Housing are removing the hedge near their housing.
The Chair formally opened the meeting at 7.51pm
134/10 Apologies for Absence
Cllrs Frankland and Wright had sent their apologies.
135/10 Minutes of the Meeting held on 18th August 2010
Cllr S Barton proposed the minutes as a true record, this was seconded be Cllr Long with all in favour.
136/10 Declaration of interests
Cllrs S Barton and Mrs S Barton declared a personal interest in item 8.
137/10 Black Harry Trails Project.
The Chair read out an update received from P Park, stating the work is to be completed by February 2011. Clerk requested to contact P Park in order that the P Council be involved in any further communication.
138/10 Village Developments
Items 5.1 to 5.3 – Facilities for Teenagers, Playground equipment, All weather sports facility – Cllr Long reported. £2000 was raised from The Crispin walk. Thanks went to Paul (The Crispin) for arranging the walk. The Crispin is displaying the material. Cllr Wright had carried out a topographic survey. Awaiting the thoughts of the toddler group ‘play and praise’ before decisions are made, then aim to put a planning application in by Xmas 2010. Following this to apply for grants.
Item 5.4 – 20mph speed limit. Chair reported that a DDDC speed survey revealed that average speeds through the village were between 19 and 24 mph. Which is the level expected for a 20mph speed limit., therefore no justification for a formal reduction in speed limit. This created much discussion with the Councillors. Resolved for Cllr Mason to draft a letter requesting the maximum speed.
Item 5.5 – Affordable Housing. Nothing to report.
Item 5.6 – Repairs to the Wire Fence at the bottom of the rec. Following the work by Dales Housing, repair work to be carried out at a cost of materials of approx £200 plus vat. The work is to replace the original wire and plastic covered chain-link fencing. Cllr Mason proposed the work to be carried out, seconded by Cllr Thompson with all in favour.
Item 5.7 – Registration of Council owned land. To be carried out by new Clerk.
Item 5.8 – Formalisation of draft standing orders and draft financial regulations (draft copies had been circulated). The Chair went through the document where the Councillors proposed an amendment to the following:
DRAFT STANDING ORDERS
1.4 – To remove the first sentence (no need for Council to resolve to hear public comments).
2.1 – To amend that an annual meeting be held on or within a month of an election..
4.1 – Where possible a motion would not be moved if it was not included in the agenda.
6.15 – This section to be deleted (no restriction on speaking to motions)
9.5 –The minutes should have DRAFT inserted on them. Amended minutes following the next meetings approval to be put on the website, as a FINAL document.
20.1 – Amend from January to November, to approve the written estimates for the coming financial year in line with the precept. Clerk to find out if in line with D Dales.
The Chair to make the above amendments then circulate. Clerk to report to next meeting on what the’ power of wellbeing means’. Cllr Headington proposed that wvery part of the Clerks job, be in the job description. We will need to agree Absence from Work Policy and Press Policy.
DRAFT FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
1.4 – The annual return be put forward in the May meeting. With the annual return and annual budgets being split.
2.5 – Remove 2.5
3.4 – Urgent/emergency repair work to be cleared with the Chair or Deputy and one of the Councillors.
4.2 – Reporting should take place in May (at the latest) not June.
4.4 – Amend the wording that ‘The Council’ not ‘The RFO’ shall ensure that there is an adequate and effective system.
5.1 –Review the banking arrangements every six months as an agenda item.
5.3 – Cheques should be drawn up by the RFO but signed only by Councillors.
6.4 – Remove 6.4
8.2 – Council did not need an investment policy. However the item appears as an agenda item once a year.
8.5 Investment certificates not be kept with the RFO where electronic copies are available.
9.3 – Fees and charges to be looked at annually, in September.
11.1 (v) – Additional audit work to be amended from £250 to £100 or as determined in the precept review.
11.1 (B) – To amend wording from ‘tenders’ to ‘quotes’ and the value of the contract exceeding £300 not £50.000.
16.1 – The Clerk is secretary to the Charities.
The Chair to make amendments and distribute to Councillors.
The Chair closed the meeting at 9.03pm for a refreshment break.
The chair re opened the meeting at 9.16pm.
139/10 Police Matters and Neighbourhood watch
There were no matters reported.
140/10 School Matters
Councillor Long to forward the 20mph information to School.
141/10 Planning Matters
Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) – Enforcement Notice – White Rake, Great Longstone.
The Chair read out the report, showing a plan of the land. The document stated that the restoration had not been carried out by the date required. The document was for information only.
142/10 Financial Matters
- Members noted that the balance on the current account was £1000 and the deposit account was £20.7776.
- The following payments were approved:
- Bruno Cardona £160 (cheque no. 001130)
- Peak Advertiser £ 49.35 (cheque no. 001131)
The payments were proposed by Cllr Mason and seconded by Cllr Mrs Barton
- Due to the resignation of the Clerk, the Councillors were unaware as to the stage of the Internal Audit.
- Cllr Headington gave a report on the P Councils current financial position. Clerk to bill allotment tenants. Thanks went to Councillor Headington for his report.
143/10 Maintenance
The Council discussed the play area and painting where required. The Chair proposed to purchase painting materials to the sum of £100, this was seconded by Cllr Mrs Barton. Work to be carried out by village volunteers.
144/10 Off Roaders
The Chair read out the notice of a public meeting on Wednesday 29th September 2010 at 7.30pm in the Village hall.
145/10 Trees
- Feemouth yard. The Councillors discussed overhanging trees in Feemouth yard. David Frosts expert opinion had been sought. Cllr Mason is awaiting quotes from two contractors.
- Request by Mr Amos.Cllr Mason reported that following discussions with Mr Frost, the tree could not just be removed. If the Council is looking for grants, there was some concern, as the tree in question had already been hacked about.
146/10 The State of the Natural Environment in Derbyshire – Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.
The Chair read out the letter from the Trust, which was a summary of a publication ‘The State of the Natural Environment in Derbyshire’.
147/10 Correspondence.
Cllr Headington proposed that in future items of correspondence be dated on the agenda.
The Chair closed the meeting at 9.46 to ask a question of Mrs Poulter.
The Meeting was re opened at 9.47.
- Letter from John Poulter. The Clerk to send a letter of apologies for the Council not responding to Mr Poulters letter of May 2010.
- Dalc Circulars. Noted
- Society of Local Councils letter. Noted
- Peak Dales Advocacy. Noted
- Product circulars. Noted
- Discount circular SMP Playgrounds
- Parish Speak. Noted
148/10 Late items of Correspondence
- Peak Park Parishes Forum: Notice of Planning Enforcement Seminar on 04/11/10 at Whitworth Institute. Cllr Mason to attend.
- Planning Enforcement Appeal for 2 Glebe Court.(08/09/10)Cllr Wright had passed on the information , that this matter had gone to appeal. The deadline was 16/09/10 (tomorrow).
- Cllr Godfrey Frankland.(07/09/10) Reported that the contractor whom had worked on the beech hedge had not tidied up the clippings. Also reported on the November 5th Firework display, to be positioned just below the artificial track and will be fenced off.( 9.15 – 9.15pm),villagers welcome. Clerk to obtain a copy of the insurance certificate.
- Peak District NPA. (01/09/10 The Chair read out the letter regarding a meeting on 06/09/10.
The Councillors discussed pressure groups and keeping the P Council involved.
149/10 Date and time of next meeting
Wednesday 20th October 2010. The meeting will start at 7.30pm
The Chair closed the meeting at 10.00pm and asked the Clerk to add all matters not discussed to the next meeting in October.
SARAH STOKES (COVERING CLERK TO THE PARISH COUNCIL)
