Minutes of the Meeting of Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday 2 March 2010 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllrs N Wilson (Chair), M Barlow, R Brook, E Shaw, T Sigsworth, A Stimson, A Tribe, G Turner, K Waites, A Weston, S Wild
In attendance: Hazel Chowcat (Clerk to the Council)
1518 Declaration of Councillors’ Interests
There were no declarations of interest.
1519 Open Session
No matters were raised by members of the public.
1520 Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted from Cllrs V Buyer, M Mills, I Purkiss, C Rimmer and S Simpson.
RESOLVED that reasons for absence submitted by all the above Councillors be accepted as valid.
1521 Chair’s Opening Remarks
Cllr Wilson welcomed members to the meeting
1522 Admission of the Public
RESOLVED that there were no items requiring the exclusion of the press and public.
1523 Police Report
No police representative was available to make a report.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1524 Report from Countryside Officer
The clerk submitted apologies from Andy Wickham who was unable to attend due to illness. She submitted his written report and highlighted his success in obtaining grant funding from Biffa Waste to fund the YEAST MUGA. Members expressed their thanks to Andy Wickham and to the YEAST group for their efforts over the years in bring this project to fruition.
RESOLVED that the Parish Council’s thanks be extended to Andy Wickham and the YEAST group for their hard work and that Andy be thanked for his written report and invited to address the April meeting of the Council.
1525 Ward Councillor’s Report
Cllr Dodds had submitted his apologies and there was, therefore, no Ward Councillor’s report.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1526 Minutes of Council Meeting
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2010 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Vice Chair.
1527 Minutes of the Extraordinary Finance & General Purposes Committee
RESOLVED that the minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 23 February be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Committee.
1528 Minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 23 February 2010 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Committee.
1529 Clerk’s Report
The Clerk submitted her written report.
RESOLVED that the Clerk’s report be approved and the following action taken on matters outstanding from previous minutes as arising from the report:
a) 1384b) East Hill Wood
The Clerk reported that a site meeting had been held on 25 February and submitted a written report of the meeting in which it was noted that the woodlands would transfer to Kirklees council and that a commuted sum of £17,000 will be made available for future maintenance.
RESOLVED that the matter be kept under review.
e) 1487 Parish Council Representatives to the Area Committee
The Clerk reported that Philip Hume had now written to confirm that the Parish Council does indeed have the right to nominate its representatives to the Area Committee.
RESOLVED that a letter be sent to Cllr Cook advising him accordingly.
f) 1493 Speeding Problems
The Clerk reported that she had invited the Director of Highways to address the March meeting, but that the latter had not been available, but would be for the April meeting.
RESOLVED that the Director of Highways be invited to address the April meeting.
g) 1495 Denby Dale Area Committee
RESOLVED that the Council delay filling the vacancies on the Area Committee until the Annual Council Meeting in May.
h) Plus Publishing Services (from Correspondence)
RESOLVED that the Business Guide be discussed at the April meeting.
i) Gritting in Emley
RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Kirklees Council to ask that roads to and around sheltered accommodation be prioritised for snow clearing and salting/gritting.
1530 Application by Denby Dale Walkers are Welcome Group for a Loan
RESOLVED that since this matter had been dealt with by the Finance & General Purposes Committee it be dropped from the agenda.
1531 Scheme of Delegation
The Clerk submitted a draft Scheme of Delegation. She pointed out that the scheme covered existing committees and a proposed Appeals Committee which was in line with good employment practice.
RESOLVED that the Scheme of Delegation be approved and that an Appeals Committee be elected at the Annual Council Meeting in May.
1531 Dealing with Disruptive Members of the Public
The Clerk submitted a paper outlining procedures for dealing with disruptive members of the public, following two instances of disruptive behaviour by a member of the public at the Finance and General Purposes Committee Meeting held on 19 January and the council meeting held on 2 February 2010.
RESOLVED that the recommendations contained in the paper be approved.
1532 Denby Dale Nursery
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Denby Dale Nursery School inviting the Council to nominate a community governor to replace Robert Allen.
RESOLVED that the matter be deferred until the Annual Council Meeting on 4 May.
1533 Newsletter
The Clerk submitted a draft Newsletter No. 22.
RESOLVED that an additional item on Walkers are Welcome be included and the final draft emailed to members for approval.
1534 Cycling Study
The Clerk submitted an extract from the Cycling Study which had been prepared by Steve Robinson. Cllr Brook gave a brief outline of the highlights of the report, and proposed that Steve Robinson be invited to present the report to Council.
RESOLVED that Steve Robinson be invited to present his report to the June meeting of the Council.
1535 Denby Dale/Kirkburton LIG
Cllr Brook gave an update on activities in the LIG. Heritage Inspired had given a presentation to try to encourage visits to heritage churches. There had been funding applications from a) brass bands from across the EPIP area for funds to provide teaching and recruitment drives for new players; and b) a drystone walling project to provide training. EPIP is to pay for a website to highlight tourist attractions in Denby Dale and Kirkburton. The possibility of a Christmas Market is being discussed.
RESOLVED that Cllr Brook be thanked for his report.
1536 Working Party on Public Transport
Cllr Brook reported that he had received a phone call from pensioner residents of Clayton West who had been left stranded in Barnsley twice over the last two weeks because the No. 85 bus had failed to operate the return journey to Huddersfield.
RESOLVED that the Clerk write to the Huddersfield Bus Company to ask for an explanation and a reassurance that the matter would not be repeated.
1537 Heritage Working Party
Cllr Tribe reported work was proceeding. The Working Party is looking at best practice in relation to the running of small museums and had recently visited the Maurice Dobson Museum and Heritage Centre which is a registered charity run by volunteers and they plan to visit the Golcar Museum.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1538 Precept
RESOLVED that the discussion about the formula for setting the precept be deferred to the June meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee.
1539 Orders for Payment
RESOLVED that Orders for Payment No. 509 totalling £37,459.11 be approved.
1540 Hanging Basket Tenders
The Clerk submitted tenders for hanging baskets from P
1541 Dates of future meetings
16 March 2010 – Finance & General Purposes Committee starting at 7pm
30 March 2010 – Plans Scrutiny Committee starting at 7pm
6 April 2010 – Council Meeting starting at 7pm
Signed……………………………………… (CHAIR)
