Minutes of the Meeting of the Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday, 4th April, 2006 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe.

 

Members Present:

Clr. J.C. Birdsall – Chair

Clrs. R.G. Allen, Mrs. J.E. Birdsall, Ms. G. Hague, Mrs. L.A. Moore, R.S. Mottram, R. McSkimming, E.I. Shaw, T.D. Sigsworth, G. Turner, C. Watson, A.N. Weatherby

 

523           Declaration of Councillors’ Interests

 

Clr. J.C. Birdsall declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6 (1)  - Cumberworth Road Allotments.

 

524           Suspension of Standing Orders

 

It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Watson and RESOLVED that standing orders be suspended in accordance with standing order no. 79 in order that members of the public and Geoff Hirst from Kirklees Leisure could address the meeting.

 

525           Cumberworth Road Allotments, Skelmanthorpe

 

Geoff Hirst from Kirklees Leisure Services explained that Yorkshire Land had now sold the land to Bovis Homes with the new site being ready for occupation on 4th August, 2006.  Allotment holders would have to leave the present site by 15th September, 2006.  However, if the site is not ready at that time, allotment holders cannot be made to leave until the site is deemed acceptable by Kirklees M.C.

 

526           Public Discussion Time

 

1)     Clr. Mrs. E. Ward presented a petition to Council regarding the provision of a car park in Skelmanthorpe.  It was agreed that this be considered at the June meeting of the Council.

 

2)     Mr. Sellars of the Birdsedge Countryside Project extended an invitation to members to visit the site before consideration of the planning application for a Warden’s cottage took place

 

3)     Mr. I. Jones and Mr. D. Smith, residents of Birdsedge expressed concerns about the proposed application and also about the condition of the land.  It was requested that the Council consider this concern at the next meeting of the Plans Scrutiny Committee to be held on 25th April, 2006.

 

4)     Mr. Ward of the Parkgate Trust referred to the letter received at the last Council meeting and explained that further clarification was being sought in regard to timescales and the length of the lease.

 

527           Return to Standing Orders

 

It was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that standing orders be returned to.

 

528           Change to Agenda Items

 

It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Agenda Items 6(1) – Cumberworth Road Allotments and 5(1) be brought forward for discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

- 2 -

 

529           Allotments – Skelmanthorpe

 

It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that

a)  Mr. Hirst be asked to contact Planning Services to ascertain whether conditions placed on the original application will still apply should any new application come through.

b)     the Planning Enforcement Officer be informed of the installation of the advertising sign at the above development.

 

530           Sports and Community Facilities – Station Road, Skelmanthorpe

 

 

Further to Min. No. 462, it was proposed by Clr. Mrs. Birdsall, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the Parkgate Trust be asked whether two Parish Council representatives could be invited to serve on the Trust’s Committee.  It was hoped that this would lead to a better level of communication between the Trust and the Council.

 

531           Apologies for Absence.

 

Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted on behalf of Clrs. Mrs. C. Beal, J.D. Carr, D.W. Kaye, Mrs. S.A. Dellapuppa, Mrs. V. Woodhead, J.A. Barlow, Dr. M. Allen, Mrs. M. Clarke.  It was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that the reasons for absence submitted by the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.

 

532           Minutes

 

It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7th March, 2006 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

 

533           L.E.A. Planning School Places Strategy

 

Further to Min. No. 465, it was agreed that a meeting be held at a later date when more information was available about this and the Building Schools for the Future strategy.

 

534           School Transport

 

Further to Min. No. 466, the Clerk submitted a letter from Mary Creagh M.P. which stated that she had written to the Chief Executive at Kirklees and also to the Minister of State for Schools.  It was pointed out to the Council that the Education and Inspections Bill proposes Pathfinder Schemes to test innovative approaches to home to school transport.  It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that Mary Creagh M.P. be asked to look again at this issue in respect of safety on school buses and that Kirklees M.C. be asked to consider becoming a member of the Pathfinder Scheme.

 

535           Skelmanthorpe Road Safety Issues.

 

Further to Min. No. 467, the Clerk reported that as there is no review proposed for the junction of Station Road and Commercial Road no-one is available to discuss the matter.  It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that further action be taken to try and progress this matter.

 

536           Ponker Lane, Skelmanthorpe

 

Further to Min. No. 470, it was reported that planings would be distributed along the verge on Ponker Lane to facilitate pedestrian usage.  A letter was also submitted from Clr. Dodds which

 

- 3 -

stressed the need for communication between the Parish Council and the District Councillors.  It was proposed by Clr. J.C. Birdsall, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that this letter be acknowledged and satisfaction expressed that the District Councillors would, in future, be informing the Council of projects and work carried out in the area.

 

537           Speeding at Kitchenroyd

 

Further to Min. No. 474, an acknowledgement letter had been received.

 

538           Road Signs – Birdsedge

 

The Clerk submitted details of road signage to be carried out on Penistone Road, Birdsedge.  This matter would be raised at the Plans Scrutiny Committee on the 25th April, 2006

 

539           Purchase of Computer

 

It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that a new computer be purchased through Kirklees M.C. for use in the Clerk’s office.

 

540           Reports

 

The Clerk submitted the following documents to the meeting:  Mary Creagh’s Annual Report; notification of West Fest 06; Local Works magazine.

 

541           Finance and General Purposes Committee

 

It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. J.C. Birdsall and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 21st March, 2006 be signed by the Chair of the Committee as a correct record.

 

542           Newsletter

 

Further to Min. No. 492, articles for the newsletter were requested from Councillors.   Please submitt to Clr. Mrs. Birdsall as soon as possible.

 

543           External Audit

 

Further to Min. No. 495, the external audit will take place in August, 2006.

 

544           Community Grant Awards

 

Further to Min. No. 497, the Council were thanked for their pledge of £5,500 towards the refurbishment of the play area at Lower Cumberworth.

 

545           Plans Scrutiny Committee

 

It was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee held on 28th March, 2006 be signed by the Chair of the Committee as a correct record.

 

546           Parish Plan

 

Clr. Allen distributed a questionnaire to the Council and asked for comments.  This would be finalised and distributed as soon as possible after the Annual Council Meeting.

 

-         4 –

 

547           Quality Parish Council status

 

It was reported that Clrs. Barlow, J.C. Birdsall, Weatherby, Clarke and Shaw will be meeting with Kirklees in order to progress the individual charter.

 

548           Government Documents

 

The Clerk reported that the guide ‘Getting to grips with the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005’ is now available.

 

549           Denby Dale Area Committee

 

It was agreed to appoint a new representative to the Area Committee at the Annual Council Meeting.   The Agenda for the next meeting of the Committee was submitted to the meeting.

 

550           Yorkshire Local Councils’ Association

 

The Clerk reported that the two meetings held at Skelmanthorpe had been judged to be a success and that the Secretary of the Association expressed his appreciation of the Council’s hospitality.

 

551           Orders for Payment

 

It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule no. 438, totalling £21,076.12 be authorised.

 

552           Date of Next Meeting

 

The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 16th May, 2006 at 7.00 p.m.

The Annual Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 16th May, 2006 at approx. 8.00 p.m.

Plans Scrutiny Committee Meeting Tuesday, 25th April, 2006 at 7.30 p.m.

Home Safety Committee Presentation :  Thursday, 6th April, 2006 at 7.00 p.m.

Road Safety Committee:  Thursday, 27th April, 2006 at 7.30 p.m.

 

553           Planning Notifications

 

The Clerk submitted a pre-application consultation regarding a proposed H3G Base Station at The Savoy Sports Centre, Commercial Road, Skelmanthorpe.  It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that no comment be made at this stage other than to say that it would be preferable for this type of equipment to be sited in the vicinity of similar transmitters.

 

 

                                                                                                                        CHAIR