Minutes of the Meeting of the Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday, 5th April, 2005 in the Civic Chamber, Skelmanthorpe

Members Present: Clr. R.G. Allen – Chair

Clrs. J.A. Barlow, Mrs. J. Birdsall, J.C. Birdsall, I.D. Bowie, Mrs. M. Clarke, R.S. Mottram, R. McSkimming, T.D. Sigsworth, E.I. Shaw, G. Smith, G. Turner, A.N. Weatherby

471 Declarations of Members’ Interests

No interests were declared

472. Suspension of Standing Orders

It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Weatherby, and RESOLVED that standing orders be suspended in accordance with standing order no. 79, in order that members of the public could address the meeting.

473. Road Safety Issues

Members of the public addressed the Council on road safety issues relating to the junction at Station Road / Huddersfield Road, Skelmanthorpe. A petition against proposed waiting restrictions was handed to the Council.

474 Return to Standing Orders

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

475 Change of Agenda Item

It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that item no. 7 (2) on the agenda be moved forward for discussion.

476 Waiting Restrictions – Station Road / Huddersfield Road, Skelmanthorpe.

It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be asked to postpone the current scheme until further options could be put forward and put before the community at a public meeting, so that the views of the community are ascertained before any scheme is adopted.

477. Apologies for Absence

Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted by Clrs. D.W. Kaye, C. Watson, Mrs. G. Hague, Mrs. V. Woodhead, Mrs. C. Beal, Mrs. A.S. Dellapuppa, J.D. Carr. It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that the reasons for absence submitted by the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.

478. Suspension of Standing Orders

It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that standing orders be suspended in accordance with standing order no. 79, in order that members of the police could address the meeting.

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479. Neighbourhood Policing

Inspector Barnett gave a brief presentation on the above initiative. This had sprung from the Government White Paper entitled Building Stronger Communities Together. A Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership was instituted on the 4^th January, 2005 and is now operating within Kirklees. The Police, with Kirklees Council and other agencies, are looking at various solutions to problems in the area. The Denby Dale area has the lowest crime rates within Kirklees with only two reported robberies during the past six months. There are 900 fewer burglaries in Kirklees as a whole over the last twelve months.

Teams have been formed which address the issues of particular neighbourhoods and these incorporate the present Community Beat Officers. Sgt. Pete Smith covers the Denby Dale and Kirkburton area. More Police Community Support Officers and Neighbourhood Wardens will be allocated to particular areas as and when available. There are ten such teams covering the Kirklees area.

The police will attend public forum meetings to find out what problems are affecting the area. Work is also carried out with neighbouring authorities to tackle cross border crime.

480 Return to Standing Orders

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

481. Change of Agenda Item

It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that agenda item 6 (1) be brought forward for discussion.

482. Items for Discussion – Police Public Meeting 27^th April, 2005

It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that the following items be tabled for discussion at the public meeting to be held on 27^th April, 2005.

1) Policing of area near the Dunkirk, Barnsley Road, Denby Dale.

2) Speeding Traffic – Emley

3) Motor bikes at the old Sewage Works in Clayton West

4) 0845 number – problems regarding take up of complaints

5) Parish council contribution to the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership

6) Fear of crime – how can the Parish Council become involved in getting across the message that crime figures are reducing

7) Speeding in General – Skelmanthorpe mentioned

8) Need for people to become aware of crime prevention measures.

Further items submitted by members of the public will be forwarded to the Police and included on the agenda.

483. Minutes

It was proposed by Clr. Shaw, seconded by Clr. J.C. Birdsall, and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st March, 2005, be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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484. Website

Further to Min. No. 427, it was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the Parish Council endorses the discussions between Paul Clarke and Simon Hulme in regard to the taking over of the administration of the website.

485. Application for Inclusion in the Pharmaceutical list – Denby Dale.

Further to Min. No. 441,

1. the Clerk submitted a set of the comments in respect of the above application

2. the Clerk submitted a letter from West Yorkshire NHS Central Services Agency in respect of an application by Dr. J.G. Davies who wishes to be granted the right to provide pharmaceutical services, from his surgery, to patients resident in Upper Denby, Hepworth, Shelley, Upper Cumberworth, Cumberworth, Birdsedge, Fenay Bridge and Emley. It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Clarke and RESOLVED that the Parish Council supports the application.

486 Highway Problems – Emley

Further to Min. No. 442, the Clerk submitted a letter from Kirklees M.C. which explained the measures taken to address complaints regarding the above. It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be thanked for their prompt response and that a copy of the letter be sent to the original complainant.

487. Kirklees M.C. – Publications

Further to Min. No. 443, the Clerk reported that Kirklees M.C. had asked for specific examples of individuals being sent more than one copy of any publication and stated that this matter would be investigated and the problem overcome.

488. Lane Hackings Green, Lower Cumberworth

Further to Min. No. 444a), it was reported that the site would be inspected and tidied up and that consultations would be carried out in regard to the future of the land. Any community group interested in using the land should contact the Design and Property Service at Kirkgate Buildings.

489. Road Safety Issues – Birdsedge to the Sovereign

Further to Min. No. 444b), it was reported that the A629 is on the list to be investigated further in terms of highway safety. This study will be undertaken in late 2005 with potential works to be carried out in January, 2006. A letter was also submitted from Kirkburton Parish Council, which supported the Council in its concerns about this road. It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be thanked for their prompt attention.

490. Verges in Birdsedge.

Further to Min. No. 444c), it was reported that Leisure Services are agreeable to undertaking this work, provided Highway Services bear the cost.

491. Post Box – Birdsedge

Further to Min. No. 444d), it was reported that the Royal Mail would be installing a post box on the grassed area next to the Village Hall in 14 – 16 weeks.

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492. Scissett Mount Care Home.

It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Turner, and RESOLVED that the Parish Council ask to be part of the formal consultation in respect of the proposed review, and that Keith Smith, the Assistant Director, Community Care Services, be asked to attend the June meeting of the Council in order that this issue can be discussed.

493 Public Rights of Way Forum

The Clerk submitted the minutes and agenda of the above Forum to the meeting.

494 Patients Survey Meeting

The Clerk submitted a report of the above meeting and Councillors who attended the above meeting at Skelmanthorpe Health Centre stated that this exercise would be repeated later in the year.

495. Rural Transport Partnership

Clr. Shaw reported that he had attended a meeting of the above Partnership and would be giving a presentation to the Plans Scrutiny Committee on the 26^th April. All Councillors are invited to attend the presentation.

496. Reports

The following documents were submitted to the Council: Open Spaces Society Spring Journal; C.P.R.E. Countryside Voice; Highway Reports; Penistone Line Partnership – notice of AGM

497. Notice of Audit

The Clerk reported that the External Audit would be carried out on 15^th August, 2005.

498 Finance and General Purposes Committee

It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Clarke and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd March, 2005, be signed by the Chair of Finance as a correct record.

499 Community Grant Aid 2005 – 2006

Further to Min. No. 460, it was agreed that ideas for the 2005/2006 allocation be brought to the next meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting.

500. Parish Plan

It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that the outcome of the public meetings be discussed at the June meeting of the Council.

501. Quality Parish Council Status

The Clerk reported that the Council had been successful in achieving Quality status and

a) it was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that Gillian, Kenneth and members of the sub-committee be thanked for the hard work undertaken on behalf of the Council.

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b) It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that the Mayor or Chief Executive be asked to present the Quality status certificate and that the media be informed as and when this occurs

c) The Clerk submitted the revised Charter to the meeting and it was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that the Charter be accepted and Kirklees informed.

502. Government Documents

a) Clr. Bowie gave a report on the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill, pointing out areas where Parish Councils had enhanced powers. These included litter and refuse and controls on dogs. It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that Clr. Bowie be thanked for the time taken in formulating a report on this document.

b) The Clerk submitted details of the Government’s initiative in promoting Broadband in rural communities.

503. Denby Dale Area Committee

Members of the Area Committee reported on various issues raised at the meeting held on 10^th March, 2005. The Citizens Advice Bureau is keen to set up a presence in various villages in the locality and Councillors were asked for ideas for suitable locations.

The timing of planning meetings (meetings held prior to public Area Committee meetings) is agreed by the appropriate Committee at its first meeting of the civic year.

504 Code of Conduct – Consultation

The Clerk reported that the Code of Conduct was now under review and that Mr. Emms, the Monitoring Officer for Kirklees had offered to include the Parish Council comments within the wider response from Kirklees M.C. It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that the document be received.

505. Yorkshire Local Councils Association

The Clerk submitted copies of the White Rose Update and a report on the last meeting of the South Pennine Branch to the meeting.

506. Orders for Payment

It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule no. 423, totalling £22,497.30 be authorised.

507. Date of Next Meeting

Annual Parish Meeting -- Tuesday, 17^th May, 2005 at 7.00 p.m.

Annual Council Meeting -- Tuesday, 17^th May, 2005 at approx 8.00 p.m.

Plans Scrutiny Committee – Tuesday, 26^th April, 2005 at 7.00 p.m.

Road Safety Committee – Thursday, 28^th April, 2005 at 7.30 p.m.

508. Planning Notifications

Planning Notifications were considered and observations made thereon.

CHAIR