Council Meeting – 20th March 2002

GREAT LONGSTONE PARISH CPOUNCIL

Clerk to the Parish:
Sarah Stokes
Mulberry House
Church Lane
Great Longstone
Bakewell
DE45 1TB

Tel: 01629 640851

Minutes of the meeting held on the 20^th March 2002 at 7.30 p.m.

In the Village Hall

Present: Councillors: Fawcett, Finney, Bowering, Hirst, Cox, Casey, Gregory.

District Councillor Crowther.

139.00 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Councillor Askew.

140.00 Minutes of the last meeting held on the 20^th February 2002.

The minutes were moved as a correct record by Councillor Cox, 2nded by Councillor Casey and carried unanimously.

141.00 Matters arising from the minutes

Point 127.00 Great Longstone Woods, was discussed.  The Councillors decided to ask the Clerk to write to Peak Park, regarding the name given to the area.  Parishioners are confused as they know the area as ‘The Willows’, a name plaque has gone up, with Great Longstone Woods marked on it.

142.00 Planning matters

APPLICATION CODE NO. NPDDD0202 084 The Bungalow, Mires Lane, Great Longstone.

(Demolition of existing wooden dwelling and erection of stone dwelling)

Following much discussion over the change from a bungalow to a house, the majority of the Parish Council decided they would prefer to see a bungalow built.  On voting, five out of seven ‘refused’ the application and five out of seven would prefer to see a bungalow again. The overall plans to develop the site were seen as an improvement to the site.

The Parish Council refuse the application, and would prefer to see a bungalow.

APPLICATION CODE NO. NPDDD0302 108, Netherdale, 2 Moor Lane, Great Longstone.

(Extension to dwelling and conversion of loft to additional living accommodation).

The Parish Council approves the application.

143.00 Financial matters

To note bank balances:

The balance on the current account was noted as £1000.
The balance on the deposit account £5191.23.

To approve payments:

1. E Street – Village Hall cleaning               £60.00
2. DALC – annual subscription                   £118.27
3. Great Longstone Post Office – Xmas charity vouchers £30.00
4. Casey’s shop – Xmas Charity vouchers £60.00
5. S Stokes – administration                      £417.00
   S Stokes – expenses                                   £99.53

The Councillors resolved to approve the payments.

144.00 Clerks annual salary review and resignation

The Chairman read out a letter of resignation from the Clerk, due to an increased workload, and only limited time available, due to family circumstances.

The annual review of the Clerks salary, instigated discussion on the changing role of the Clerk and payment.  It was agreed that all planning applications must be discussed at a parish council meeting, unless the application comes in where as not to meet the required deadline by Peak Park.  In this case 5 Councillors must see the plans.

The Clerks salary was agreed to rise to £547 per quarter, and backdated to the 1/1/02, with a review after 6 months.  The new Clerk will have to make a note of their hours worked up to that time.  The Chairman has asked the former Clerk if he wishes to return to the post of Clerk, as his circumstances have changed.  If he does not wish to return to the post, the Clerk must arrange advertisements.

145.00 Allotment land/landscaping

LANDSCAPING

1. Donations update– The Clerk reported that there had been further donations since the last meeting, bringing the balance of money received from parishioners to £670. £1,250 has been promised from local businesses.  There will also be two memorial benches donated.  Stone is to be supplied through Glebe Mines; this is not available until end of May 2002. A parishioner has suggested the idea of coffee mornings to raise money.
2. Wren grant – The Councillors resolved to reapply to Wren. The grant required will now be smaller, with a more specific landscaping plan.  The Clerk will ask for the professional assistance of Peak Park in gaining a grant, the closing date being 23/4/02.
3. Walling – the Clerk has applied for the rebuilding of old walls and the creation of new.
4. Trees – Councillor Bowering reported on quotes received to remove the tree, the highest being £250.00. The Councillors resolved for Councillor Bowering to gain the last quote, before setting the lowest one on.   Peak Park recommended all the contractors, with the relevant insurance and safety requirements.

The Clerk reported that she is persisting to find out from Peak Park whether planning permission is required.

The Councillors still want to use N Smith for the landscaping and walling, who returns from abroad towards the end of May.

ALLOTMENTS

1. Overflowing water– Following a site meeting, Councillor Gregory showed maps from Severn Trent of drains in the area. The Councillors asked Councillor Bowering to meet with Cox’s builders to look at quoting a price for putting drains in.  The Councillors decided the problem will not go away.
2. Vacant plots- There are still three vacant plots, although one tenant has swapped plots. The Clerk had had two enquiries for plots.  Following the enquiries, the Clerk asked the Councillors to look at the tree and the pole which were affecting two plots.  The two obstructions will be looked at following the drainage problem.  This would make more plots available to those in the village with small/no gardens.

146.00 Maintenance

RECREATION AREA

1. Dog Signs – A parishioner has written to the P Council questioning the legality of the ‘dog signs’. The Clerk contacted the DCC highways authority for advice on this.  DCC report that as there is a public right of way across the recreation area, dogs are considered a natural accompaniment to a walker, and it is unlawful to ban dogs from the footpath. DCC have asked the P Council to remove or reword the signs.  The Councillors resolved to ask the Clerk to contact DCC regarding realigning the footpath, and other sign options, whether adding an additional sign or using a County Council sign.
2. Netball post-matting – the matting is still to be removed by Cox brothers.
3. Playarea –Wickstead safety report – following a site meeting M Garrett was commissioned to take the necessary action.
4. Goal posts – M Garrett has been asked to paint the goal posts.

ROADS AND PATHS

1. Feemouth Yard gates – The gate leading into the churchyard has been removed to be renovated.
2. Footpath between Crispin and Butts Road – The work will be completed during the next financial year.
3. Blocked drains – The Clerk reported that the District Council had been contacted, but with no progress. The Clerk will find out when this will be done.  The Clerk was also asked to contact the Council regarding a curb blocking access to a drain, 5 Edge View Drive.
4. Water from roof at Enderill, The Close, Great Longstone – Water is coming from the drainpipe on to the path near the field end school gate. Councillor Bowering agreed to speak to the Owner.
5. Grit bins – The Clerk reported that she is persisting to get the District Council to fill all the grit bins, as requested by a parishioner.
6. Monsal Trail – P Park, have now completed the tree work, to the overhanging trees around the bridge at Longstone Station.

147.00 Great Longstone Business Park – The Clerk reported on potential changes.  The waste group Focsa, have applied for a contract which would mean five more lorries being stored and moving to and from the Business Park.  There is also to be a change of access into the business park, going in-between the Jaguar business and Focsa.

148.00 Backdale Quarry/Longstone Edge – There is to be new access to minimise disturbance. This starts at the Beeches, Wigley Lane and ending in Rowland. The work will be under new contractors, taking 2 years.  They will be quarrying 20m depth max., to a width of 5m.

149.00 Kim Bramley Fund – stone picnic table – The idea of having a stone picnic table has been put to the P Council, for the play area.  The Councillors welcomed the idea, although had big concerns for safety, due to the location of the table, and the matter of stone near play equipment.  The Clerk was instructed to contact DDDC regarding the idea.    Any money left over from the table could be put towards a new climbing frame, if the fund holders wished, as was suggested.

150.00 Seminars attended – The Ethical Framework and code of conduct seminars.  A number of Councillors and the Clerk had been to seminars to get up to date with new changes in the law.  Both of the seminars stressed the importance of signing up to the new code, by 5 May 2002.  Councillors will have to declare more of their interests than ever before, included financial.  The atmosphere from both seminars, was a feeling of dissatisfaction from Councillors, not wanting to disclose their personal lives.  This was the same within the Parish Council meeting.  Councillors will have to declare their financial interests; otherwise they will no longer be able to be a Councillor.  The P Council will sign up to the Code of Conduct at the next meeting, following which the adoption will be advertised via DDDC.

151.00 Glebe Court – A Great Longstone resident is trying to purchase a property at Glebe Court, somewhat unsatisfactorily.  When the properties were built Peak Park stipulated a number of conditions relevant to local needs.  The parishioner concerned currently has unsatisfactory housing, which is one of the factors in deciding whether occupancy can be taken.  The Clerk was asked to contact Peak Park regarding the conditions, and the owner not abiding by these.

152.00 Welldressing – Councillor Fawcett reported on a request to have a permanent fixture to use for the welldressing, near the war memorial.   Lighting was discussed through the power point used for the Xmas tree.

153.00 Sports Day – Councillor Finney updated the P Council on dates for the sports day.  The Councillors discussed having it on a Sunday to fit in with other events, but ideally Saturday 1^st June 2002.  The actual date and content of the day will be confirmed at the next P Council meeting.

154.00 Police issues – P C Lowe, has concerns regarding Great Longstone’s commitments to the Neighbourhood watch scheme.  PC Lowe will be present at the next P Council meeting.

155.00 Derbyshire village of the year competition  – The Councillors asked the Clerk to put the Village forward for the competition.

156.00 Correspondence

1. Citizens advise bureau – need volunteers, noted.
2. DCC – road accidents in Derbyshire 2000 factsheet and summary, noted.
3. CPRE – newsletter, noted.
4. Lady Manners School – boarding house, noted.
5. North Staffs, West Derbyshire Rural transport partnership – funding for transport, noted.
6. Derbyshire Rural Community Council – winter newsletter, noted.
7. DDDC – arts matters leaflet, noted.
8. Derbyshire Constabulary – Parish Liaison meeting 20^th August 2002,Ripley, noted.
9. DDDC – Saturday Morning Community waste Collection Service – 1^st June 2002. Councillor Casey asked for a ‘poster’ to be given, to be displayed in Casey’s newsagents.
10. DDDC – District Council Newsletter – ‘Dales Matters’, newsletter, third edition, noted.
11. The campaign against the illegal poisoning of wildlife, noted.

157.00 Date and time of next meeting

The Council resolved to meet on 17^th April 2002 at 7.30. p.m. in the Village Hall.

VACANCY – PARISH CLERK

The Clerk is to resign from 31^st May 2002.    The role of Clerk will include the preparation of the agenda, keeping of minutes, correspondence, book keeping and preparation of accounts.  The post would suit someone wanting to work approximately 10 hours per week. Please could anyone who is interested in becoming Parish Clerk contact either Sarah Stokes on 640851 or Mike Hirst on 640212.