Council Meeting – 21st April 2010
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON 21st April, 2010
Present: Cllr S. Barton [Chairman], Cllr Mrs S Barton, Cllr S Headington, Cllr S Mason, Cllr P. Thompson, Cllr H. Wright , J. Derricott [Clerk] and the UTE Editor plus a number of other members of the public.
Public Questions and Comments
PCSO Philip Briggs [Derbyshire Constabulary] briefly addressed the Council.
He indicated that there was very little crime in the Parish. One Crime had been reported [details not provided]. However, the Police had received a number of calls from local residents about nuisance resulting from ‘off roaders’. PCSO Briggs indicated that enforcement action was being planned and the Police would report back to the Parish Council on the outcome of the action.
The Chair thanked PCSO Briggs for attending.
The Council heard comments from Mr. John Poulter and Mrs. Sue Woods concerning Cherpit Lane. Mr Poulter indicated that he had spoken with the local Members of Parliament who had been in touch with the County Council. Similarly contact had been made with the Derbyshire Police Force on the issue.
The Chair thanked all present for the information supplied. The Clerk indicated that should applications for new BOATs be made and the Parish Clerk informed, Parish Councillors would be informed immediately.
49/10 Apologies for Absence
Cllr. G. Frankland, and Cllr W. Long
50/10 Minutes of the Meeting held on 17th March, 2010
The minutes were approved.
51/10 Declarations of Interest
Cllr H. Wright declared a personal interest in items involving Derbyshire County Council and also indicated that he was part of an informal group relating to Off
Roaders. Cllr Barton declared a possible personal interest in the Village Week as he is a member of one of the groups which may be engaged to perform.
52/10 Off Roaders – Update on BOAT Developments
The Chair made reference to issues raised during the Village Day which would be considered later in the agenda. The Council confirmed that the Clerk would notify all Councillors as soon as he had received any applications for BOATs within the parish.
The Clerk confirmed that the matters discussed at the March Council had been actioned but at the date of this meeting he was awaiting response from the Highways Authority.
53/10 2010 Village Week Arrangements
In respect of the Village Week Cllr Thompson addressed the Council.
A number of activities had been provisionally arranged and Cllr Thompson indicated that these were progressing. Cllr Thompson would report back to the next meeting in May on the action that was being taken.
The Clerk reported that he had received a DALC circular that indicated grants may be available from Derbyshire County Council to help facilitate events designed to bring local communities together and to help integrate communities.
Cllr Thompson agreed to forward details of the proposed week and the Clerk was asked to liaise with the Chair to submit a bid for grant assistance.
54/10 Village Day Feedback
The Chair introduced this item referring to a briefing report he circulated to members at the meeting. The day went ahead as planned but the chair commented that he was disappointed by the low turnout.
(a) Off Roaders – Of the people who attended the Village Day this was the main issue raised. Members discussed the possibility of entering at partnership/coalition of Councils affected by BOAT applications. The Clerk was asked to obtain the terms of reference of the proposed coalition from the Council for the Protection of Rural England and report back to the May meeting of the Council.
The chair closed the meeting at 8.11pm to hear comments from the public.
Comments were made from the public present about problems in contacting the police and reporting problems and also the Council was asked to confirm that any applications for BOATs would be reported immediately.
There was some discussion about how best to help the Police when members of the public contacted the Police to raise an issue relating to off roaders in the area.
The meeting re opened at 8.13pm
The Clerk was asked to write to the Derbyshire Constabulary to raise the issue of a procedure and staff training to better deal with complaints from the public about off roaders.
(b) A suggestion had been made that there should be a ‘village footpaths group’ who would collect photographic evidence of the current usage and condition of the byways. The Council considered that this was a good idea and asked Cllr Wright to facilitate the group through his contacts with the Off Roaders Group in the Village.
(c) There was a discussion about police enforcement of off roaders but it was noted that the police were planning enforcement activity and it was agreed that the Parish Council would await the outcome of that before making any further comments to the police.
(d) Recycling – Local residents made comments that the bins should be bigger and that there should be an alternative and more visible site. Those who raised this issue thought that there would be no problem with this. At this point an email and photograph from Michael Watson was considered by members and there was a general discussion about the bins.
It was agreed that informal contact would be made by Cllr Mason with the owners of the site to permit the erection of sign/s requesting that the site be kept clean and clear but at this time no further action was thought necessary.
(e) Dog Fouling – An issue was raised about bagged dog excrement on the Monsal Trail. The clerk was asked to liaise with the Peak Park authority on this issue and report back.
(f) Footpaths – this matter was again deferred as no plans were available.
(g) The issue of policing priorities was raised and it was noted that the Governance Group dictated priorities and not crime statistics. It was noted that the Council would have to feed in to the Governance meetings to help establish priorities for the Parish.
A refreshment break was taken at 8.55pm.
The meeting re opened at 9.11pm.
55/10 Village Developments
6.1 to 6.3 {Facilities for Teenagers; Children’s Playground Equipment; All Weather Facility} Cllr Mrs Barton indicated that she and Cllr Long had had a meeting with the
Head of Leisure for Derbyshire District Council and as a result applications for grants would be made during the month.
6.4 20 mph Speed Limit – The Clerk reported that Derbyshire County Council had not contacted but he would chase the matter for the next meeting.
6.5 Affordable Housing – still awaiting feedback.
6.6 Scheduled Footpath Maintenance – deferred awaiting plans.
6.7 Repairs to Wall by the Cricket Pavilion – repairs have been awaiting the renewal of the Village Volunteer Force insurance.
6.8 Repairs to the Wire Fence at the Bottom of Recreation Ground – Clerk reported that a response had been received from Derbyshire Dales Housing. The Association were indicating that the boundary was not their obligation. The Clerk was asked to check our available deeds and report back to the next meeting.
6.9 Power Washing of Seats – No further action
6.10 Re Siting of Post Box. – It was noted that Cllr Frankland was sourcing appropriate signs
6.11 Registration of Council Owned Land- the Clerk reported that he had been in touch with the Land Registry. The Registry was to appoint a case officer and detail costs. The Clerk indicated that he would continue to progress the issue.
6.12 Re siting of Village Notice Board – The Clerk reported that he was pursuing grant applications.
6.13 Formalisation of Standing Orders – The Clerk reported that this was a matter he was liaising on with DALC and the newly appointed auditor.
6.14 Grievance Procedure – The draft procedure was approved and the Clerk was asked to liaise with the Chair.
6.15 Gildlow Quarry Rent – The matter was deferred.
6.16 Public Telephone Box Opposite the Crispin – It was noted that repairs had be made and a public phone was now available. It was agreed that this matter would be removed from the agenda.
56/10 Police matters and Neighbourhood Watch
No matters were reported but Members noted the earlier comments of PCSO Briggs.
57/10 School Matters
No matters were reported.
58/10 Planning Matters
(a) Planning Decision Notice NP/DDD/1209/1131 – Installation of Solar Panels – The decision was noted by the Council.
59/10 Financial Matters
(a) Members noted the balance of the current account was £1000 and the deposit account was £13146.76 @ 1st April, 2010.
(b) The following payments were approved:
[1] W.J. Derricott [Salary] £ 358.29
[2] Peak Park Parishes Forum £ 20.00
[3] AON/Allianz Insurance £ 614.22
[4] BCTV Community Network Insurance £ 190.63
[5] BCTV Annual Membership £ 35.00
[6] Peak Valley Pest Control Services £ 45.00
(c) The Clerk raised the issue of the return on investment from the deposit account. It was agreed that Cllr Mason would liaise with the bank on this issue and report back to the May meeting of the Council.
60/10 Maintenance
RECREATION GROUND
(a) Play Equipment Inspection Report Cllr. Frankland had reported that a check had been made and all was satisfactory.
ROADS AND FOOTPATHS
(a) Scheme for the Resurfacing of Footpaths
The Council asked the Clerk to write to Highways Department of the County Council again to ask if it could be consulted on the issue of work to footpaths in the village.
61/10 Wicksteed Annual Safety Inspection
The Clerk was asked to request an Unaccompanied Inspection Report from Wicksteed.
62/10 Presentation of Picture of Fin Cop
The Council were pleased to accept the picture and the Clerk was asked to write to the Historical Society to give the Council’s thanks and also to write to the Village Hall Committee to ask if it would permit the picture to be displayed within the Village hall.
63/10 Correspondence
Members noted the following correspondence:
[a] DALC circulars 11 to 22;
[b] Email from Michael Watson;
64/10 Late Correspondence
Members noted the following late Correspondence:
[a] A number of advertisement circulars;
65/10 Date and Time of Next Meeting
Wednesday 19th April, 2010. The meeting will commence with the annual Parish Meeting and will start at 7.30pm.
WILLIAM JOHN DERRICOTT
CLERK TO THE PARISH COUNCIL
