Minutes of the Meeting of Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday 5 May 2009 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllrs N Wilson (Chair), R Allen, R Brook, G Horton, M Mills, C Rimmer, E Shaw, T Sigsworth, S Simpson, A Tribe, G Turner, K Waites
In attendance: Hazel Chowcat (Clerk to the Council)
1141 Open Session
One member of the public raised questions about the Historic Buildings Trust, the role of Parish Councils and the work of the Countryside Project.
1142 Police Report
PCSOs Sharon Mellor and Kelly Gillispie attended the meeting and gave an overview of policing issues in the parish. Members raised the issue of double parking outside the sandwich shop in Skelmanthorpe and the PCSOs reported that they had checked out the situation on a number of occasions but on each occasion, there had been no problem. It was RESOLVED that the PCSOs be thanked for their reports.
1143 Declaration of Councillors’ Interests
Cllr Tribe declared an interest in Item 22.2 Grant Application from Birdsedge Village Hall.
1144 Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted from Cllrs M Barlow, J A Barlow, P Calpin, A Stimson and S Wild. It was RESOLVED that reasons for absence submitted by all the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.
1145 Admission of the Public
It was RESOLVED that there were no items requiring the exclusion of the press and public.
1146 Minutes of Council Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 7 April 2009 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
1147 Minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 28 April 2009 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Committee.
1148 Skelmanthorpe War Memorial
The Clerk reported that the additional names were being added to the plaque which was to be replaced soon after Easter. It was RESOLVED that Kirklees Council be asked to arrange a ceremony to mark the addition of the two names on the memorial.
1149 Skelmanthorpe Notice Board
The Clerk reported that she was still pursuing this matter. Cllr Rimmer advised the meeting that she had witnessed an unfortunate scene involving a member of the public reading the notice board and causing an obstruction to a driver who was trying to leave the car park. It was RESOLVED that the matter be pursued.
1150 Parking at Denby Dale Railway Station
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Tony Plumbe of Kirklees Council who indicated that he was considering the option of using the old car park and the existing bridge, that as part of the Penistone Line tram-train trial there were proposals to re-model Denby Dale station entrance and that the Parish Council’s suggestions would be taken into consideration. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1151 Closure of Pharmacy in Denby Dale
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Mike Potts, Chief Executive of NHS Kirklees explaining that the decision to close the pharmacy had been a commercial one over which the NHS has no control. However, a new application had now been received for a pharmacy in Denby Dale and that the consultation process would take a minimum of three months. He confirmed that the Parish Council would be included on the consultation list in respect of the application. It was RESOLVED that the correspondence be noted.
1152 Sustainable Communities Act
The Clerk submitted information from Kirklees Council explaining in more detail how the Sustainable Communities Act works and giving examples of the types of projects which might be possible under the legislation. It was RESOLVED to submit the following proposals to Kirklees Council:
a) That Kirklees council introduce enhanced small business rate relief for community pubs and that full planning permission be required before a pub can be converted to another use. Furthermore all lessees should be allowed to source at least one beer directly from a local brewer.
b) That the local panel requests that the Secretary of State give statutory powers to non profit making Community Land Trusts to provide low cost housing for local people; that Kirklees Council be given extra powers to deal with the problem of lack of local affordable housing as it sees fit and that the Government take action to help housing co-ops, self-build schemes and bring empty property into use.
c) That the Secretary of State gives power to Kirklees Council to levy non domestic rates on car parking spaces provided by large supermarkets and to allow discounts if the supermarket sources a percentage of goods for sale locally.
1153 CCTV Cameras
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Inspector Harvey explaining the background to the installation of CCTV cameras in Skelmanthorpe. It was RESOLVED that Clerk seek an explanation of the various acronyms in the letter.
1154 Grit Boxes
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees Council responding to the request for additional grit boxes in Emley. Kirklees is currently undertaking a review of existing procedures for dealing with the effects of bad winter weather, including the provision of grit bins. The results of the review would be available in August/September this year. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1155 Walkers are Welcome
Cllr Brook reported that an initial meeting of interested parties in the scheme would be held at 7.30pm on 19 May in the Council Chamber with speakers from the national Walkers are Welcome scheme. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1156 Equality Bill
The Clerk submitted information about Public Sector Equality Duties under the forthcoming Equality Bill for information. It was RESOLVED that the information be noted.
1157 Notice Boards
The Clerk submitted a quotation for a new notice board in Scissett at a cost of £308.70 + VAT. It was RESOLVED that the purchase be approved. The Clerk also drew the Council’s attention to an earlier decision to providing a new notice board in Cumberworth. Cllr Rimmer suggested a number of possible locations and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk establish whether or not planning permission was required.
1158 Local Development Framework (LDF)
The Council discussed holding a public meeting on the LDF as discussed at the previous council meeting. It was noted that a public meeting had been arranged for the following day, and it was RESOLVED, therefore, that it would not be appropriate to hold an additional meeting.
1159 Parish Council Meetings
The Council gave consideration to holding parish council meetings in different parts of the parish. Following discussion it was agreed that there were a number of logistical issues which would make it difficult to hold ordinary council meetings in alternative venues, however it was RESOLVED that based on the experience of Emley councillors, that ward councillors could hold coffee mornings or surgeries in suitable locations and any room rentals would be met by the council.
1160 Broadband Steering Group
Cllr Brook reported that Muz Mumtaz, Senior Research and Strategy Officer with Kirklees Council and an expert on broadband had addressed a recent of the Steering Group meeting. Kirklees council is currently engaged on a mapping exercise to determine the nature of the broadband coverage. The issue was clearly rising up the agenda at the Council and the impact of the survey conducted by the Parish Council was acknowledged. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1161 Working Party on Public Transport
Cllr Waites presented a written report of the work carried out during the year of the Working Party. It was RESOLVED that Cllrs Waites and Brook be thanked for their work during the year.
1162 Denby Dale/Kirkburton LIG
Cllr Brook reported that the next meeting of the LIG would be held the following day. A joint meeting would be held of the three LIGs in the East Peak area to look at ideas for boosting tourism (walking, cycling, and heritage). He also reported that EPIP had been consulted by consultants on behalf of Yorkshire Forward who were looking at nominating Denby Dale as a low carbon area. A meeting had been held with interested parties the previous week and though he consultants were supposed to have contacted the Parish Council, they had failed to do so. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1163 Parish Plan Sub Group
Cllr Allen reported that the group had not yet met. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1164 Joint Kirklees/Parish and Town Councils Liaison Meeting
The Clerk gave a verbal report of the joint meeting held on 29 April which she had attended together with Cllr Horton. She reported that Nick Howe was undertaking a mapping exercise to determine which allotments are run by Kirklees Council and whether they are statutory and non-statutory. Following this exercise, discussions will be held between Kirklees and interested Parish and Town Councils with a view to establishing new allotments and transferring any statutory allotments to the Parish and Town Councils. The meeting was also advised that the final recommendations of the Community Governance Review would be discussed and voted on at a meeting of Kirklees Council to be held on 24 June. Finally, Nick Howe confirmed that the planning training which had been requested two years before would be finalised and proposals be sent out by the end of May. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1165 YLCA Joint Annual Meeting
The Clerk reported that the Council was invited to submit a resolution to the YLCA Joint Annual Meeting on 18 July. It was RESOLVED not to submit a resolution.
1166 YLCA/ERNLLCA/YHRTP Conference
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Turner and the Clerk attend the Conference in Scarborough from 30 October to 1 November 2009.
1167 Civic Regalia
Cllr Turner raised the issue of the Consort’s chain which is inadequate. It was RESOLVED that a quote be sought for a replacement chain or ribbon.
1168 Suspension of Standing Orders
It was RESOLVED in accordance with Standing Order No. 77 that standing orders be suspended to enable the meeting to continue for a further 15 minutes beyond 9.30pm.
1169 Denby Dale Nursery
Cllr Allen reported that the decision announced previously that the nursery would be closed was suspended, pending a review of nursery provision in Kirklees and Cllr Allen was confident that the nursery would stay as it is at least until 2010. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1170 Croft Head
Cllr Horton reported that a pothole on Croft Head was not being fixed by Kirklees Council because it is located outside the middle six feet of the road which was the only part owned by Kirklees Council. It was RESOLVED that Kirklees Council be asked to confirm how repairs could be undertaken.
1171 Website
The Clerk reported that website statistics for April 2009 would be available at the next meeting. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1172 Annual Accounts of the Council 2008-2009
The Clerk submitted the 2008-2009 Annual Accounts of the Council. It was RESOLVED that the accounts be approved.
1173 Grant Application from Birdsedge Village Hall
The Clerk submitted an application from Roz Mears, Treasurer of the Birdsedge Village Hall for a further grant towards the refurbishment of the village hall. It was RESOLVED that a further grant of £3,730 be awarded which would bring the total grant awarded towards this project to £10,000.
1174 Orders for Payment
It was RESOLVED that Orders for Payment Nos. 493 totalling £845.25 and 494 totalling £101,825.47 be approved.
1175 June Council Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the following items be put on the agenda of the June council meeting: distribution of the newsletter; cost of the area committee, the LDF meeting.
1176 Dates of Next Meetings
26 May – Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting starting at 7.30pm
2 June 2009 – Council Meeting starting at 7pm
16 June 2009 – Finance & General Purposes Committee starting at 7.30pm.
Signed………………………………………
CHAIR
