ANNUAL REPORT
OF
DENBY DALE PARISH COUNCIL
2008-2009
CHAIR’S OVERVIEW
It does not seem like more than 40 years since I first became a councillor as a member of Denby Dale Urban District Council in 1968. I am the only serving councillor left from that period. Then, the UDC dealt with housing, mortgages, sewage, minor road repairs, street lighting and public health. Then as now, the councillors had the same desire to serve the community in the best traditions of English democracy, the spirit of which is still present in our current councillors who are all very able and capable people. As before, they give of their time for nothing and attend meetings at their own expense.
The year has seen a number of challenges, some ongoing, others resolved. Kirklees Council instigated a review of parish and town councils. The legislation under which this review is being conducted was originally intended to give principal authorities the powers to establish new parish and town councils, so it has been of some concern to this Parish Council that the focus of the review is only on those parts of Kirklees where there are already parish and town councils in place. It is unfortunate that Kirklees Council did not follow the example of neighbouring authorities like Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds and take advantage of the legislation to review unparished areas. New town councils in areas such as Batley, Dewsbury, Cleckheaton and Colne Valley for example would go some way to improving local democracy and stem concern at the perceived remoteness of Kirklees Council.
The council has participated in a number of consultations from both national and local government. We have responded to requests from Government for our views on issues ranging from lowering the voting age, to changes in planning law, to changes to the code of conduct for councillors; and from Kirklees Council for our views on matters such as the Local Development Framework, which we acknowledge gives some cause for concern.
Denby Dale Parish Council is keen to ensure that its activities are transparent and we encourage members of the public to attend all our meetings and to take advantage of the 15-minute open session to raise any matters or concerns. Over the year, members of the public have addressed us on planning issues, speeding and other matters affecting their day to day lives.
Over the year, we have welcomed a number of outside speakers, including police representatives and Kirklees councillors and officers who have addressed us on local issues, such as policing, rural transport, the Locality Plan, and the Local Development Framework. We also welcomed our Countryside Officer, Andy Wickham to give us an update on the work of the Countryside Project which we fund in partnership with Kirklees Council and I would like to place on record my personal thanks to Andy for the important work he undertakes.
As detailed elsewhere in this report, this Council has dealt with a range of problems such as speeding, planning requests, dog fouling and so on. Two particular matters have received a good deal of attention. The Working Party on Public Transport which was set up in July 2007, continued to meet and to put pressure on Metro and the transport companies to improve the bus and train services within our area. At the end of 2008, the Parish Council published its survey of broadband coverage in the area, and as a result of this, a Broadband Steering Group with representatives from the community and the Parish Council was set up to campaign for improvements in the broadband service. That work will no doubt be ongoing. In addition, the Council has met with representatives of Crigglestone and West Bretton Parish Councils as well as Wakefield Metropolitan District Council to discuss the possibility of either re-opening the railway station in Crigglestone or building a new one near by with a view to establishing a Park and Ride scheme which would benefit commuters from within our parish area.
Denby Dale Parish Councillors have represented the Council on a number of outside bodies: the Denby Dale/Kirkburton Local Innovation Group, the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations, the Rural Transport Partnership, the Clayton West Millennium Green Trust, the Denby Dale Parish Environment Trust, the Public Rights of Way Forum and Kirklees Standards Committee.
My year as Chair has been enjoyably busy. During the year, I made 25 civic visits and covered 350 miles by car and on foot attending them. I did not expect to be Chair again and it has been an honour for me and my wife to represent our council.
The year has seen a number of changes in the composition of the Council, we have had to say goodbye to some and wish a warm welcome to others. It was with great sadness that I had to announce to the Council in October last year the death at the young age of 48 of my Emley colleague David Kaye. We also lost other councillors, Cllrs John and Jane Birdsall sadly resigned; Cllr Cliff Barnfield moved out of the area and Cllrs Anne Heaton and Kay Thursby were no longer able to fulfill their roles as councillors due to other demands on their time. Finally, we lost the services of our loyal assistant clerk, Kenneth Haigh and paid tribute to him with the presentation of a gift. We were however also pleased to welcome Cllr Robert Allen, Cllr Philomena Calpin, Cllr Geoff Horton and Cllr Shelley Wild who have all joined the Council during the year as co-optees.
We still have three vacancies which the Council has agreed to co-opt and we hope to fill these during the next few months. The Parish Council is not dominated by any particular political grouping and we welcome representatives from across the democratic political spectrum. I am pleased to be able to say that details can be found on our website www.denbydale.com which continues to be successful and still attracts in excess of 3,000 unique visitors a month.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to my fellow Councillors for their service to the Parish Council; they have worked hard for the community in all kinds of ways throughout the year. Finally, I would like to thank the Clerk, Hazel Chowcat, for her efforts on our behalf.
Cllr Edward Shaw
Chair
Denby Dale Parish Council
May 2008 – May 2009
SUMMARY OF COUNCIL MEETINGS APRIL 2008 TO MARCH 2009
April 2008
Inspector Nicholas Harvey, head of the local Neighbourhood Police Team addressed the Council meeting. He explained that the aim of the new NPT was to have local officers dealing with local problems; that because of the low crime rates in the area, there were currently only two officers allocated, but this should increase to 4 in subsequent months together with additional Police Community Support Officers. He also addressed two issues which the Parish Council had raised. In relation to parking problems outside Shelley College, he explained there were no parking restrictions on the road outside the college, but that if any vehicles were parked illegally they would be dealt with by his officers and by Kirklees Council enforcement officers. It was his intention to work with Shelley College, and talk to staff and students about the need for more responsible parking. In response to a question, he explained that there were currently no plans to introduce residents’ only parking, though this was a matter for Kirklees Council. Secondly, he addressed the problem of off road bikes on Frank Lane. Police were working with the Kirklees Council anti-social behaviour unit to deal with this issue and some bikes had already been confiscated because of anti-social behaviour or lack of insurance.
The Chair told the Council that Kenneth Haigh had tendered his resignation as a volunteer and that a leaving gift would be presented to Mr Haigh after the Annual Council Meeting on 6 May. An update was given by the working party on public transport which focused on the future of Stagecoach’s Huddersfield operations; the Sunday timetable on the Penistone train line and the decision to introduce a trial in 2010 of innovative ‘tram-trains’ in Yorkshire. The Council discussed the inadequate broadband service within parts of the parish, particularly Birdsedge, High Flatts, Cumberworth and Denby. Problems experienced by residents included difficulties logging on at certain times of day; the service dropping out once logged on and extremely slow uploading and downloading speeds.
May 2008
The Council held its Annual Parish Meeting on 6 May. Reports were received from the Chair of the Council, School Governors and representatives of the Accident Prevention Committee, the Clayton West Millennium Green Trust, the Denby Dale Environment Trust and the Rural Transport Partnership. This meeting was followed by the Annual Council meeting. Cllr Edward Shaw was elected Chair of the Council and Cllr Nick Wilson was elected Vice-Chair. Cllr Terry Sigsworth and Cllr Kay Thursby were elected Chair and Vice Chair respectively of the Plans Scrutiny Committee and Cllr Tony Barlow and Cllr Matt Mills were elected Chair and Vice-Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee. It was agreed that the Staffing Committee should meet when appropriate to discuss employment matters and that the Committee comprise the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Council and the Finance and General Purposes Committee. Members were appointed to serve as representatives on various committees and organisations. It was agreed that subscriptions be paid to the Yorkshire Rural Community Council; the Council for the Protection of Rural England; the Society of Local Council Clerks, Open Spaces, the Penistone Line Partnership, Local Council Update, and Local Council Review. Following completion of the Annual Council business, the Council held an ordinary meeting during which it agreed to co-opt Robert Allen to take up the vacant position in Skelmanthorpe Ward following Cllr Heather Cole’s emigration to New Zealand; to conduct a survey of broadband experiences of residents of High Flatts, Birdsedge and Denby; and to meet with Crigglestone Parish Council to discuss the possibility of re-opening Crigglestone Railway Station.
A planning application for the erection of a food store with 14 apartments over at 108-112 Wakefield Road, Scissett was discussed and the Council agreed not to oppose it. The Working Parking on Public Transport reported a number of developments: the Stagecoach Waterloo operation had now been taken over by Centrebus of Leicester which is 40% owned by Arriva; that the hourly service to Barnsley would be reinstated from July on a six-month trial basis. The Council discussed the new timetable for the 435/436 routes and agreed to ask Arriva to reinstate the 06.40am bus from Denby Dale via Skelmanthorpe to Wakefield to enable people to get to work, and to extend the service up Chapel Hill to the weekend. At the Plans Scrutiny Committee, planning applications and decisions were discussed and observations made thereon.
June 2008
Cllr David Hall, Kirklees Cabinet member responsible for transportation and green services, accompanied by Tim Lawrence, Senior Engineer and Matt Ward, Transport Planner, addressed the council on Kirklees Council’s plans to invest £500,000 in transport in rural areas over a three year period. It was proposed to run a 6 month trial of a bus service from Denby Dale to Barnsley jointly funded with Metro. The service would be reviewed in January 2009.
The Council was also addressed by Dick Hewitson, Kirklees Council Director of Finance on the Locality Plan for Denby Dale and Kirkburton. Mr Hewitson explained that he was responsible for the Denby Dale and Kirkburton Locality Plan and he introduced his colleague, Penny Hudson, who was the acting Locality Coordinator for the area. They explained that the draft Locality Plan had been drawn up following restricted consultation since it was felt that this would slow down the drafting process. The plan included both short term priorities (sustainable communities, involving the voluntary and community sector, using schools as a community resource, concerns about the needs of young people; reducing intergenerational tensions, public transport) and long term priorities (such as the quality of the environment, social and health care provision for older people, healthy lifestyles, affordable housing, sustainable economy). It was intended that a second version would be issued in the autumn.
The issue of parking at Shelley College was discussed again. John Fowler, the Headteacher had written to explain the College’s strategy in relation to the problem. Car parking arrangements at the site had had to be revised and additional bays had been provided during the previous year and all available spaces had been allocated. He explained that there were occasions when the number of people using the site increased, particularly during exam times, when the College employs invigilators and supply teachers. The college had no power to ban students or supply staff form driving to the school and parking legally on the main road. The police had been asked to check the arrangements and they had confirmed that the action taken by the College to ensure safety on site was appropriate. The police had also confirmed that cars were parked legally on the main road and did not provide a danger to the public. They had visited the school and spoken with students about safe parking and were pleased with the way students had accepted their advice. The College would continue to explore with the Council additional travel strategies and to look for areas where they might be able to increase parking on site. The council also discussed an update report from the working party on public transport; a report of meetings with Crigglestone Parish Council to discuss a railway station in Crigglestone or Calder Grove; and the forthcoming Community Governance Review.
The Finance and General Purposes Committee discussed insurance cover, the council’s risk assessment, the results of the council’s internal audit, a report on the grants awarded by the council in the previous year and a report on grants for youth projects awarded over previous years.
July 2008
Cllr Shaw informed the Council that Cllrs J C and J E Birdsall had both tendered their resignation. The Council placed on record its thanks for their contribution to the Council and the community during their time as members of the Parish Council. The Council agreed to set up a sub-group to draft a response to Kirklees Council’s Locality Plan for Denby Dale and Kirkburton. The Council was told that due to diminishing membership, the Denby Dale Parish Accident Prevention Committee had been wound up and it agreed to write to Mrs W Parry, outgoing Chair of the committee to thank her for her hard work over the years.
The Working Party on Public Transport presented a progress report. It was agreed to print and distribute leaflets advertising the new 95 bus service to Barnsley from Skelmanthorpe. The new company, Centrebus, which had taken over Stagecoach operations in Huddersfield, had introduced new buses and the service appeared to be more reliable than the previous service.
The Council was advised that a meeting had been held with representatives of Crigglestone and West Bretton Parish Councils and Ian Wiper, Interim Service Director, Transportation and Highways of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. The meeting had been held at the request of Mr Wiper who had seen a report in the local Wakefield Express about the three Parish Councils’ campaign to open up Crigglestone Railway station. Mr Wiper pointed out that he was currently discussing the possibility of setting up park and ride schemes in three areas of Wakefield, including the area around Calder Grove/Crigglestone in relation to Railplan 7. He explained that matters were only at the discussion stage, and that it would take some years before anything was in place.
The Plans Scrutiny meeting met and discussed planning applications and decisions, but referred a major planning application for 23 sheltered apartments on the site of Greenfeeds Ltd, 402 Wakefield Road, Denby Dale to the full council for discussion. The Council agreed with the proposal for sheltered housing in principal, but opposed the application because the height of the proposed building was out of character with the surrounding properties.
August 2008
There was no council meeting in August, but the Plans Scrutiny Committee met to discuss planning applications.
September 2008
Andy Wickham, the Countryside Officer attended the meeting to give a report on the work being carried out by the Countryside Project, including work with the 10 Villages Conservation Group, schools within the parish, the youth projects (Enviroyouth and Young Emley Active Sports Team), the footbridges over the Dearne project, the Environment Trust, the Leak Hall Crescent footpath project, the Great Crested Newts project and the village trails. He informed the council that he had recently learnt of proposals to relocate the Skelmanthorpe skatepark to a different part of the recreation ground, apparently because of concerns of local residents about anti-social behaviour. He explained that the park had been built originally following a full consultation exercise among local residents to ascertain whether the skatepark would be acceptable and that young people had been involved in the design. He also indicated that he had regular contact with local police and was not aware of any complaints directly related to the skatepark, though there were problems of noise and anti-social behaviour which predated the skate park being built and which were connected with the nearby lay-by. The Council expressed its opposition to the skatepark being moved because there was no evidence that it was responsible for noise or anti-social behaviour, that any problems were associated with the lay-by; that there had been few, if any, complaints to the police about the park; and that relocation would involve huge costs with the concrete alone which is specially manufactured for skate parks costing £18,000. It was felt that if Kirklees Council had the money to finance this relocation, then it would be much better spent on youth facilities required in other parts of the parish; that the new scheme would not be able to accommodate features of the existing scheme which were designed by local young people which would then destroy the sense of ownership of the young people involved and thus damage morale.
The Council approved its response to the Locality Plan for Denby Dale and Kirkburton and it agreed to set up a sub-group to prepare the Council’s submission to the Community Governance Review and to prepare a Business Plan. The Council was pleased to note that Arriva had agreed to introduce a 0630 service on the 435/436 bus route from Denby Dale via Skelmanthorpe to Wakefield on Mondays to Saturdays from 1 September and that the poorly used 0608 hrs service Denby Dale via Kitchenroyd to Wakefield would be withdrawn. However, it was not possible to concede the Parish Council’s request for the diversion of some 435/436 services to serve Chapel Hill in Clayton West on Saturdays, though the situation would be kept under review. On behalf of the Working Party on Public Transport, Cllr Brook reported that 1500 leaflets had been distributed to advertise the new Barnsley 95 service and that when amended 435/436 and Penistone Line timetables were received, they would be distributed. The Plans Scrutiny Committee met and discussed planning applications and decisions.
October 2008
The Chair announced the death of Cllr David Kaye and the Council held a minute’s silence. It was also confirmed that Cllr Cliff Barnfield was moving to Wiltshire to be closer to his family and had therefore tendered his resignation. The Council recorded its appreciation of the important contribution had made by both Councillors to the work of the Council. The Council co-opted Dr Philomena Calpin to fill the vacancy in the Skelmanthorpe Ward.
The Council again discussed the future of the Cross Lane Skate Park which the Ward Councillors were proposing to move and agreed to write to the Ward Councillors outlining the council’s opposition to relocation. The Council also received a report from the Community Governance Review sub group and agreed to meet with other parish and town councils affected by the review to discuss a joint submission.
The Broadband issue continued to occupy council time. Mary Creagh MP had forwarded correspondence from the government minister responsible for Broadband, Shriti Vadera, who advised that over the next few months, the Government would be speaking to the Community Broadband Network (CBN), the telecoms industry, content providers and Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to ensure that technological solutions were developed for areas where residents have no or limited broadband coverage. It was also noted that the survey of local residents’ broadband experiences was almost complete and that in excess of 100 responses had been received thanks to the efforts of Cllrs Tribe and Brook in leafleting Birdsedge, High Flatts, Upper Cumberworth and Upper Denby. Survey reports would be sent to BT and Yorkshire Forward in advance of a planned meeting early in December.
A report was presented by Cllr Brook who was now a director of the Denby Dale and Kirkburton Local Innovation Group (LIG) which had been awarded European LEADER funds through Yorkshire Forward. The LIG would probably receive a total of £800,000. Cllr Brook explained that the funds would not have been made available without the involvement of the Parish Council.
In relation to the Crigglestone Railway Station, the Council was told that Metro had recently appointed independent consultants to re-examine all the outstanding railway station sites from Railplan 7, including Crigglestone, to establish their suitability in terms of policy fit, potential demand, technical and operational feasibility, accessibility and costs and benefits. This information would then be used to develop a ranking order of those sites that passed all the tests and to identify those that do not currently meet the criteria. Other issues discussed included the Brighter Future for Schools programme in relation to South Kirklees; and the possible closure of the Denby Dale Nursery
November 2008
PCSO Richard Hobson attended the meeting to give an update on policing issues. Christopher Ward of the Skelmanthorpe Community Action Group also attended the meeting to present the findings of the SCAG survey into speeding in Skelmanthorpe. The Council approved its submission to Kirklees Council’s Community Governance Review drawn up by the Sub-Group as well as the text of a joint letter to be submitted on behalf of Denby Dale, Kirkburton and Holme Valley Parish Councils and Meltham Town Council.
A report from the Working Party on Public Transport indicated that the Council’s campaign for some of the 435/436 buses be diverted via Chapel Hill at Clayton West on Saturdays was still being pursued. The Council agreed the arrangements for wreath laying on Remembrance Day at All Saints Church, Clayton West, St Michael’s Church, Emley, St Augustine’s Church, Scissett, St Aidan’s Church, Skelmanthorpe and at the War Memorials in Denby Dale and Birdsedge
Cllr M Barlow gave a report of a meeting of the Standards Committee at which it had been reported that nationally the number of complaints in the previous 6 months was down 30% compared with the same 6 months the previous year, while in Kirklees there had been a substantial increase with 7 complaints in the last 6 months, the same number as in the previous 2 years. Of these, 3 had been lodged by council members and 4 by members of the public and they had led to 4 investigations by Kirklees solicitors. Cllrs Wilson and Turner gave a report of a meeting of the Denby Dale Countryside Project Steering Group which had centred on the future work of the Countryside Project. The Countryside Officer will continue with work on school grounds improvements; securing funding for the great crested newt project; following up the proposals from the Environment Trust about the Dearne and its tributaries; continuing working with voluntary groups; investigating possible sites for allotments, tree planting and cycle paths; and improving existing and developing new bridleways.
The Council also discussed the future of Scissett Mount Care Home, the Sustainable Communities Act, the need for action to tidy up the verges of Shelley Woodhouse Lane. At the Finance and General Purposes Committee, small and large grant awards were made to various organisations within the parish. At the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting planning notifications and decisions were considered and observations made thereon.
December 2008
PCSO Gary Charlton attended the meeting on behalf of the police. He told the meeting that he was now based in the area and gave information about local crime figures. The council agreed to co-opt Geoff Horton to serve the Skelmanthorpe Ward.
The Council discussed correspondence from Kirklees Council confirming that Planning Services was preparing a development brief for the Scissett Mount Care Home site which was to be retained for use by older people. Several potential sites for allotments were discussed and it was agreed that further investigations be undertaken with Kirklees Council. The Council approved a new publication scheme under the Freedom of Information Act. A grant of £10,000 was made to the Skelmanthorpe Youth and Community Association for refurbishment works. The Working Party on Public Transport gave an update on developments and Cllr Brook gave a report from the Denby Dale and Kirkburton LIG.
Council approved its calendar of meetings for the following civic year. Other items discussed included the decision by the Ward Councillors to relocate the skateboard park in Skelmanthorpe; the need to resite the Skelmanthorpe Notice Board so that it faces the pavement and not the car park; the absence of relevant names from the Skelmanthorpe War Memorial; the suggestion that decals be fixed to the sides of the Countryside Officer’s van to advertise the fact that the project is jointly sponsored by the Parish Council and Kirklees Council; and the future of the Station Road Cleansing Depot. Two members of the public representing the Skelmanthorpe Community Action Group attended the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting to speak in opposition to the decision by Kirklees Council to approve planning application No. 2008/62/93577.
January 2009
The Council discussed and approved submissions to a number of government consultation documents concerning the local authority code of conduct, the publication of candidates' addresses at UK parliamentary elections and lowering the voting age.
The Council agreed to write to the Secretary of State for Education about the Brighter Future for Schools programme and the likely impact on secondary education in South Kirklees. An update was received from Kirklees Council about options for the future of the Scissett Mount Care Home which included being sold on the open market or being included within a housing project similar to the current 'Excellent Homes for Life’ scheme.
The Council was pleased to note progress in issues raised with Kirklees Council which had agreed to tidy up the footpath at Shelley Woodhouse Lane by carrying out grubbing/edging work. Kirklees was also obtaining quotes for an additional plaque to enable the missing names of Joseph Roys and James Edward Roys to be added to the Skelmanthorpe War Memorial. Other matters discussed included replacing the Scissett Notice Board, dog fouling in Emley, traffic accidents outside the Scout Hut in Clayton West; and the poor state of repair of some pavements in Emley.
The Finance and General Purposes Committee approved both the budget and the precept for 2009-2010 to be recommended to the next council meeting. The Plans Scrutiny Committee discussed planning notifications and decisions.
February 2009
John Heneghan, Policy Team Manager of Kirklees Council addressed the council on the report of the first phase of the Community Governance Review. He outlined the options listed for the Denby Dale Parish and indicated that the preferred option was that there should be no change. He indicated that the second phase was about to begin during which local residents would be asked their views on the range of options set out in the report of phase one. The Council discussed the report and agreed that the fact that there had only been 31 submissions from a population of 15,000 was disappointing, though it was probably indicative of general satisfaction with the work of the council. It was agreed that the Parish Council support option 1, namely that there be no change to the existing structure of the Parish Council.
The Council agreed to co-opt Shelley Wild to represent the Emley Ward and noted that Cllrs Heaton and Thursby had not attended a council meeting for 6 months without submitting reasons for absence and as a result they both ceased automatically to be members of the council. The budget and precept for the next financial year as recommended by the Finance and General Purposes Committee were approved. An update on the provision of allotments was presented and it was agreed that following further enquires, a feasibility study should be produced to determine the overall costs to the Council of providing allotments.
Cllr Brook updated the Council on the Denby Dale/Kirkburton LIG. At the last meeting a number of ideas had been discussed, such as the development of a Penistone community radio scheme; the provision of an advice centre in Stocksbridge; renewable energy projects, a biomass project; a cycling initiative. These ideas had been sent to local groups for consultation. The Council agreed to set up a sub-group to update the Parish Plan and it was agreed to add two new sections: a community audit of community needs and speed limits in the area. It also discussed a letter from six-year old Ben Sigsworth complaining about the amount of dog excrement on the pavements in Clayton West. Ben wondered if he could make some signs to be erected in the village asking people to clean up after their dogs, and asked if the Parish Council could pay for the signs.
The Plans Scrutiny Committee discussed an appeal against refusal of a planning application, correspondence from Kirklees Council concerning the relocation of the skatepark at Cross Lane; and planning notifications and decisions.
March 2009
As a result of the implementation of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, Parish and Town Councils were now permitted to undertake what is known as the ‘power of well being’. This power is far reaching and gives Parish and Town Councils additional powers to represent and act on behalf of their communities. The Council discussed the issue and agreed that it would undertake the training offered by the YLCA which is mandatory if it wishes to use the power under the Act.
The Council discussed Kirklees Council’s Local Development Framework consultation document Local Development: Land Use Where You Live which it was invited to comment on. Members did not feel that the document provided sufficient detail to enable a detailed response to be made and it was decided to invite a Council representative to a special meeting of the Council later in the month to discuss the document with a view to a making a submission. Other issues discussed included a report from the Broadband Steering Group; the proposed closure of the pharmacy in Denby Dale; and the parish plan update.
The Finance and General Purposes Committee discussed the Council’s insurance; its risk assessment; revised draft financial regulations and investment policy. At the Plans Scrutiny committee, a member of the public attended to express her objections to a planning application which the Committee discussed and agreed to oppose. The Committee also approved the Council’s submission to Kirklees Council’s Local Development Framework consultation.
DENBY DALE PARISH COUNCIL
SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS 2008-2009
• The Parish Council precepted the sum of £99,000.
• As a co-funding partner, the Parish Council’s contribution to the Denby Dale Parish Countryside Management Project was £25,000
• £10,000 was donated to the Skelmanthorpe Youth and Community Centre
• £3,480 was donated to the Denby Dale Centre together with £3,250 which was pledged from the previous financial year
• £5,000 was contributed towards the Upper Denby Play Area which was pledged from the previous financial year
• £6,470 was donated to the Birdsedge & District Village Hall towards refurbishment costs
• Nearly £3,000 was distributed in grant aid to organisations within the Parish.
• £3,000 was allocated to the Environment Trust for the environmental small grant scheme.
• £900 was pledged to the Emley Methodist Church for security fencing.
• The Parish Council has also supported, by grant aid, the Primary, Nursery, Special and Middle Schools within the Parish
• Donations were also made to the Royal British Legion and the Textile Museum in Skelmanthorpe
Unaudited Balance Sheet
£
Receipts £ 14,605.20
Payments £102,412.39
Excess £12,192.81
Opening Balance 1.4.08 £51,175.40
Balance as at 31.1.09 £63,368.21
Represented by
Earmarked grants £1,600.00
Election Fund £1,768.21
General Reserves £33,000.00
Reserves for Future Projects £27,000.00
DENBY DALE PARISH COUNCIL 2008-2009
Clayton West Ward
Cllr Cliff Barnfield (until 7.10.2008), 28 Pennine Rise, Scissett HD8 9JE
Cllr Anne Heaton (until 10.2.2009), 51 Sunnymead, Scissett HD8 9JA
Cllr Terry Sigsworth, 2 Dukewood Road, Clayton West HD8 9HF Tel: 860534
Cllr Sue Simpson, 117 Wakefield Road, Scissett HD8 9HRTel: Via Parish Clerk
Denby & Cumberworth Ward
Cllr Margaret Barlow, 4 Greenside, Denby Dale HD8 8QY Tel: Via Parish Clerk
Cllr Tony Barlow, 4 Greenside, Denby Dale HD8 8QY Tel: Via Parish Clerk
Cllr Richard Brook, 83 Barnsley Road, Upper Cumberworth HD8 8NZ Tel: 606275
Cllr Claire Rimmer, 9 Balk Lane, Upper Cumberworth HD8 8NZ Tel:Parish Clerk
Cllr Kay Thursby (until 10 .02.2009), 14 Thorpe Avenue, Denby Dale HD8 8SP
Cllr Alison Tribe, 4 Penistone Road, Birdsedge HD8 8XP Tel: 606618
Emley Ward
Cllr David Kaye (until 7 .10.2008), 3 Chapel Lane, Emley HD8 9SP
Cllr Matthew Mills, 10 Outlane, Emley HD8 9RL Tel: 01924 849934
Cllr Edward Shaw, 15 Rectory Lane, Emley HD8 9RR Tel: 01924 848364
Cllr Shelley Wild (from 3.2.2009), Rodley House, School Lane, Emley HD8 9RT tel: 01924 848605
Cllr Nick Wilson, Newfield End, Intake Lane, Cumberworth HD8 8YE Tel: 01924 840759 (9-5 weekdays)
Skelmanthorpe Ward
Cllr Robert Allen (from 6.5.08), 95 Huddersfield Road, Skelmanthorpe HD8 9AR Tel: 866131
Cllr Jane Birdsall (until 1.7.08), 12 Heather Fold, Skelmanthorpe HD8 9LD
Cllr John Birdsall (until 1.7.08), 12 Heather Fold, Skelmanthorpe HD8 9LD Cllr Philomena Calpin (from 7.10.08), Longfield, 70 Carr Hill Road, Upper Cumberworth HD8 8XN Tel: 604677
Cllr Geoff Horton, (from6.12.08), Croft Head, Skelmanthorpe HD8 9EB Tel: 861932
Cllr Andrew Stimson, 9 Ashfield Avenue, Skelmanthorpe HD8 9BW Tel: 866968
Cllr Graham Turner, 20 Beechfield Avenue, Skelmanthorpe HD8 9BZ Tel: 804446
Cllr Kelvyn Waites, 4 Pennine Way, Scissett HD8 9JB tel: 86544
Parish Clerk: Hazel Chowcat
Denby Dale Parish Council, Council Offices, 24 Commercial Road, Skelmanthorpe HD8 9DA Tel: 222963
Countryside Officer: Andy Wickham
Address as Clerk above Tel: 222960
