Council Meeting – 16th October 2013

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON 16^TH OCTOBER 2013
IN GREAT LONGSTONE VILLAGE HALL AT 7.3OPM

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

Public comments.

Resident (1) requested that the PC think about the spacing on the fencing for the trial on the tennis court, taking consideration for rattle and reverberation. The resident also queried the monitoring of the trial through the seasons and how this is going to work. It being impossible to monitor accurately. It was highlighted that the thud of leather footballs is instantly noticeable. The resident requested that the hedge be cut to 7-8ft high. The resident was happy to see the trial go ahead.

Cllr Long chaired the meeting with all in favour, which opened at 7.36pm.

134/13 Election of Chairman. Clerk had been advised by DDDC to display a formal  dated notice. Clerk to clarify if the 4 vacancies could be highlighted on this. Notice also to go in UTE.

Cllr Wright joined the meeting at 7.43pm

135/13 Apologies for absence.

There were no apologies.

136/13 Declarations of business interests.

Cllr Wright declared an interest in items covering Fearnehough Yard, RTB and DCC.

137/13 Minutes of the meeting 25^th September 2013.

The minutes were proposed by Cllr Wright and seconded by Cllr Thompson.

138/13 Inspection of Council owned land (29^th September 2013)

138.1 Quarries.

The left hand gate post is becoming loose and the gate is dropping. An ‘open’ yard was discussed. Resolved for Clerk to gain a quote to braise the gate.

Three elderberry bushes need removing near bulging wall. Clerk to ask B Cardona.

Ash trees need removing. Cox’s to action and retain wood.

To note the walls at Guildlow quarry in a state of disrepair.

Village greens

138.2 Bus shelter area.

Elderberry bush needs removing,weedkiller and strimming around bus shelter, has been actioned by PDNPA or DDDC.

Ivy from neighbouring wall spilling over. Clerk spoken to gardener.

Documentation on bus shelter ownership. Clerk to contact estates at DCC.

To note plant nursery sign on sign post.

138.3 Cross green.

Lime tree lower shoots needing trimming,tree behind bench trimming to 6ft. Clerk to gain a tree surgeons quote.

Cross, no visible difference in the condition since last inspection.

Lines left from weedkiller machine. Clerk written to DCC.

It was noted in the meeting that leaves require clearing from underneath the benches. Clerk to ask B Cardona.

138.4 War memorial green.

Neater wiring for wreaths. Cllr Thompson to look at.

Chains need painting. Clerk to look into specialist paint for, and quote to hand paint.

Grass edging around memorial.  Clerk to ask B Cardona.

Responsibilities for war memorial. The Clerk had looked into who is responsible. It was noted this had been covered in a previous meeting. With the PC to do minor work, and advise to be sought if any work is required to the stonework.

Mushrooms beneath tree in front of school. Clerk to ask advice,D Goodwin at PDNPA.

138.5 Long green.

Low tree branches on all trees in need of cut back up to fork. Clerk to gain a tree surgeons quote.

138.6 Green below Spring Bank.

Verge adjacent grit bin needing strimming. Clerk to ask B Cardona.

Bench requiring stainer. Clerk to look into suitable long term  stainer.

Memorial tree, branches requiring trimming and netting removed. Clerk to gain a tree surgeons quote/liaise with family.

138.7 West Green.

Path requiring re doing. Resolved to look at in spring.

Roadside verge very high, DCC not done. Clerk to ask B Cardona.

Large tree, lower tree branches need removing. Clerk to gain tree surgeons quote.

A future project was discussed, circular bench around tree, making better use of the space,possible moving of bench area or creating another bench area. To await a request to position a memorial bench.

Shrub area, buddleia requiring cutting back. It was resolved for the Clerk to gain a quote to remove the shrubs from the area and Cllrs to look at smaller alternatives.

138.8 Allotments

It was noted that certain allotments are not being used/maintained. Clerk to put a reminder of maintenance and waiting list when the annual rent request goes out next month.

138.9 Bells Style

It was noted that there are three areas where trees/foliage/hedging is spilling into the footpath, from three separate properties. Clerk to write to the properties.

The streetlights further up the path were questioned as they are not in use. Clerk had contacted DCC, Clerk to look into further.

To note when moving towards The PC owned recreation ground the following items were raised on Croft Rd.

Large holes on the tarmac road. Clerk has contacted DCC.

Two manhole covers in disrepair. The Clerk has contacted Dales Housing, as it is within their boundary. They are looking into this.

Recreation ground.

138.10 Goal posts.

The old posts have been removed by the Junior football club. New ones in. The old ones are to be removed when work is carried out to the tennis court, to be cut on site.

138.11 Hedges at bottom of rec.

Clerk had written to Dales hedging regarding them gaining access on to the rec to cut their hedge.

138.12 Tennis court area.

Perimeter strimming required. Clerk to ask GLCC.

Noted corroded angles on supports on the tennis court. The LAGS to look into this when do adjustments to court.

Hedge behind tennis court. Resolved for the Clerk to gain a quote from B Cardona, to trim to the height of the tennis court mesh and to allow access to both sides of the hedge, but not to cut back too severely, as it acts as a buffer for the tennis court. To note the broken fence panel behind the hedge to be removed when access is possible after hedge cutting.

Trees near court requiring lower branches trimming. Clerk to gain tree surgeons quote.

Physical Sign on court needs replacing and fixing securely to the gate/fence. LAGS to action.

Broken bench on court. Clerk to write to the tennis club. LAGS to remove and dispose of, unless the tennis club want to take elsewhere. To note a bench will not be appropriate on the trial court.

Holes on the surfacing requiring filling. LAGS to action.

The netting was discussed, for review after the trial period.

138.13 Top of Spring bank.

Pedestrian access limited and gate is locked. Access was discussed for wheelchairs /pushchairs. It was resolved for Cllrs Wright and Cox to look at the gap and options for the next meeting.

Hook on wall. LAGS to remove when work done on court.

Ash trees near gate. Clerk to ask B Cardona to remove.

138.13Playarea.

Burma bridge. Eye bolts, to monitor.

Noticeboard. Needing restaining already. Clerk to look into suitable stainer and a volunteer to action  prior to the winter, weather permitting.

Climber igloo. Gaps on surfacing needing sealing with a flexible sealant. Cllr Cox to look into the costs/materials.

Swings. Wet pour required to holes from former swing. Cllr Cox to look at costs as part of quote from iglloo.

Jumbolander. Rope skimming foothold on climbing wall. To monitor.

Boat. 1 foot long section requiring securing, to check both sides. Cllr Thompson to action.

Bench. Requiring restaining.

A policy for bench maintenance was discussed.

139/13 Recreation ground.

139.1 Playground. See inspection.

139.2 Equipment for older children. Cllr Long reported that the trial project is ongoing. The LAGS have met to discuss a plan of action for the workload, which at this point is weather dependent. It was noted that when the tennis net is taken out, flaps not holes will be present. The LAGS had discussed the fence panels , where the fence panels would now be a 4 panel construction, seen as being better to have spaces. LAGs had also discussed DDDC coming to monitor the court for noise measurements.  The Cllrs Thanked LAGS for their continued efforts.

139.3 Goal posts. See inspection.

139.4 Tree near pavilion. The Clerk has recontacted the tree surgeon for a planned time for the tree work.

139.5 Fence panel. See inspection.

140/13 Village greens.

140.1 Lease for tree area near bus shelter.  No report.

140.2 Low tree branches on village greens. See inspection.

140.3 Main roadside verge next to West Green and shrub area on West Green. See inspection.

141/13Burial grounds and Fearnehough yard.

141.1 Ivy and wall. No report.

142/13 Footpaths/roads.

142.1 Verges. It was resolved for the Clerk to contact DCC regarding the wide verges on Station Rd, towards Thornbridge. For these to be cut back, to create more road.

142.2 Surfacing of footpath 4. Due to the continued path still having no surfacing, the Clerk has written to Cllr Twigg, this has been passed to the head of Rights of Way at DCC. The clerk has contacted Peter White direct with regards to a progress report, no reply to date.

142.3 Gates on public footpath from Station Rd towards Little Longstone. PDNPA have informed the PC that work will be carried on the gates.

142.4 The Clerk has contacted a number of contractors for costs per hour to snow plough. It was noted that the same person is assigned to Longstone as last year, on behalf of DCC. It was also noted that DCC did not ask that individual to grit last year.  Gritting round the cross to be monitored, as last year the system worked well. The Clerk has also obtained costs to fill parish grit bins when required. It was raised that the grit piles on Moor Rd, down near the main stretch of houses have not appeared, others are present further up. The Clerk to chase the piles asap. It was resolved to follow the same plan as last year for extra snow measures, whereby the Clerk to liaise with a Cllr to decide on snow measures.

142.5 Coronation oak tree. Cllrs to look at the oak tree for the next meeting, to look into any tree work required.

142.6 Streetlights. The Clerk has asked DCC to look into faults with the streetlight on the The Cross and on Spring Bank.

143/13 Council Administration.

143.1 Land registration. The Clerk reported that Simon Headington is awaiting an appointment with Cockertons to sign the declaration, this being imminent.

143.2 Civil emergency plan. Ongoing. To be removed from the agenda, until further progress.

143.3 Meeting frequency. The Cllrs discussed the proposal to meet as a PC 6 times a year, on alternative months, this was proposed by Cllr Long and seconded by Cllr Thompson, with all in favour.This would be more attractive for any new voluntary Cllrs. The dates of meetings to be advertised in UTE.  The Clerk to adjust the standing orders to be approved at the next meeting, also to look into the Parish diary of scheduled tasks for the year, by month. With cheques to be signed mid term between meetings, if required (and ratified at the next meeting). A date for the annual parish meeting to be discussed at the next meeting.

144/13 Financial matters.

• Bank reconciliation for 30 September 2013.

INCOME

War stock                    1.53
Rent                            10.00
Dividend                      39.53
Bank int                       4.72
£55.78

EXPENDITURE          £1,092.48

UNPRESENTED         GLCC              1,225.00
G Thornton      120.00
£1345.00

Closing balance on current account   £1,000.00

Closing balance on deposit account  £35,293.06

• Quarterly statement as at 30 September 2013.

INCOME

Rent                £10.00

EXPENDITURE

Admin              £1,294.31
Rec                  £3,154.00
Footpaths        £20.00
Village hall      £810.84
VAT                 £31.23

• To accept and approve payments.

Sarah Stokes Admin                           £353.20
Sarah Stokes Expenses                    £49.98
British Legion                                      £50.00
Land Registry                         £80.00

To note the British Legion will not now be presenting the £25.00 cheque for remembrance service Nov 2012 (Cheque March 2013), therefore this has been incorporated above.

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

• It was resolved for the Clerk to order a Samsung wireless all in one laser printer @£129.99, to be the property of GLPC. The printer was proposed by Cllr Thompson and seconded by Cllr Wright.
• Village xmas tree. This year’s xmas tree donor is Nick Casey as a thank you to the village for their kindness this year. Next year’s tree, funds for, to be donated by a local business. The tree has been ordered, to be delivered on Friday 29^th November 2013.

New lights, agreed to purchase, to be arranged by John Fawcett/Peter Thompson.

• Remembrance Day wreath. This year’s wreaths to be delivered to the Clerk, along with the collection boxes (Nick Casey to distribute).
• RBS form. The Clerk is awaiting a new form to confirm signatories. To add Cllr Wright, remove Simon Headington. To be signed at the next meeting.

To note the trustees of the Holmemeal charity to discuss the distribution of the funds from the 2013 dividends.

145/13 Precept. The Cllrs discussed  the precept, as in previous years, being increased by 3%. Clerk/Cllr Cox to look into roofing requirements for the village hall, which could affect the precept. Precept to be approved at the next meeting.

146/13 Planning matters.

• Demolition of farmhouse and erection of replacement dwelling house, Bleaklow Farm, Hassop. NP/DDD/07113/0552. The application has now been considered to have been withdrawn. Noted.
• Proposed extension of dwelling. Cluden Bank. NP/DDD/0813/0709. The application has been considered to have been withdrawn. Noted.
• Planning decision notice. The demolition of the ICT room and construction of extension and other. Longstone CE School. NP/DDD/0713/0555. GRANTED. Noted.

147/13 Police matters and neighbourhood watch.

No activity to report.

148/13 Clerks report

1. Wrote to Longstone Action Group regarding the trial.

2.Inspection of land

• spoke with gardener adjacent property to bus shelter- ivy
• Looked into documents on bus shelter
• Contacted DCC – line from weed killer machine
• Looked into responsibilities for war memorial
• Looked into streetlights up Bells style footpath – DCC
• Contacted DCC – holes in road Croft Rd
• Contacted Dales Housing – 2 manholes covers Croft Rd.

2. Took notes and compiled a report for the inspection.
3. Contacted the junior football club regarding the location of the new goal posts.
4. Wrote to Dales Housing and to resident-hedge.
5. Contacted Cllr Twigg regarding Footpath 4.
6. Contacted Peak Park re: gates into fields leading from Station Rd towards Little Longstone.
7. Contacted DCC re person/s assigned to snow clearance in the village; contacted persons for a price for extra measures of snow clearance, checked grit prices.
8. Contacted Cockertons re land registration.
9. Gathered information on last year’s precept.
10. Looked into printer costs.
11. Ordered a xmas tree, contacted J Fawcett re: lights and advert in UTE xmas tree donor.
12. Ordered wreath and enquired into delivery of.
13. Sent a letter of thanks to Simon Headington.
14. Enquired into terms of Holmemeal charity.

149/13 To report any on any items of correspondence received and agree any actions arising.

• 26/09/13 DCC. Footpath number 4. See 142.2
• 26/09/13 PDNPA. Planning services bulletin 2. Neighbourhood planning in the Peak District. Noted.
• 27/09/13 DDDC. Area Community Forums. Monday 14^th October 7pm ABC. Noted.
• 28/09/13 Local resident. Big Shakedown festival – Thornbridge outdoors. Clerk to pass to Ashford PC.
• 30/09/13 PDNPA. Stalled review of old mineral permission Longstone Edge East and Stanton Moor Quarry. Planning committee – Friday 15^th November 2013. Noted.
• 01/10/13 PDNPA. Footpath gates. See 142.3
• 02/10/13 PDNPA. Responding to planning applications and PDNPA Director of Planning visit. Costly ‘Village plans’ were discussed, as a basis to work from.
• 03/10/13 Dales Housing. Man holes. See 138/13
• 04/10/13 DALC. General circular. Noted.
• 07/10/13 PDNPA. Planning service Oct 2013. Relaxations for Permitted development rights for changes of use. Noted.
• 09/10/12 DALC. Frequency of meetings. See 143.3
• 10/10/13 DDDC. Sports club development. Noted.

150/13 Late items of correspondence.

• 10/10/13  DDDC. War memorials. See 138/13
• 13/10/13 Dalc. War memorials. See 138/13
• 16/10/13 PPPF. Staying on the right track. Noted.
• 16/10/13 War memorial trust. Information on ownership. See 138/13

151/13 Date of next meetings.

Wednesday 13^th November 2013 at 7.30pm

Wednesday 8^th January 2014 at 7.30pm.

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

 

The Chair for the meeting closed the meeting at 9.30pm.