Meeting of the Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday, 5th December, 2006 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe.
Members Present:
Clr. A.N. Weatherby – Chair
Clrs. R.G. Allen, J.A. Barlow, Mrs. C. Beal, Mrs. J.E. Birdsall, Mrs. M. Clarke, Mrs. S.A. Dellapuppa, R. McSkimming, R.S. Mottram, E.I. Shaw, G. Turner, C. Watson, Mrs. V. Woodhead
354 Declaration of Councillors’ Interests
No interests were declared.
355 Resignation
The Chair reported the resignation of Clr. J.D. Carr and stated that the appropriate procedures were being followed.
356 Change of Agenda Item
It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Shaw and RESOLVED that agenda items 2 and 3 – public discussion time and discussion with West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police – be deferred until the police representatives arrive.
357 Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted from Clrs. Dr. M. Allen, Mrs. G. Hague, T.D. Sigsworth, J.C. Birdsall, R.J. Lockwood and D.W. Kaye. It was proposed by Clr. Shaw, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that the reasons for absence submitted by the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.
358 Minutes
It was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7th November, 2006 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.
359 Suspension of Standing Orders
It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that standing orders be suspended in accordance with standing order no. 79, in order that members of the public and representatives of the West Yorkshire Police could address the meeting.
360 Public Discussion Time
Members of the public expressed concern about traffic on Wakefield Road, Denby Dale, particularly the increasing incidence of use by heavy lorries.
361 West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police
Sgt. Hardy addressed issues relating to traffic along
Other matters under discussion included
1) Role of Police Community Support Officers One of the main roles of a P.C.S.O is their involvement with the Neighbourhood Policing Unit. If an area is identified as being particularly prone to a certain type of criminal activity the P.C.S.O. will increase their
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patrols. In the Denby Dale area there are two allocated P.C.S.Os and there may be the possibility that one or two more will be assigned to the area in the future.
2) Use of Extra Resources Each area has the facility to ask for staff on an ad hoc evidence backed basis. In this area there are 2 P.C.s, 2 P.C.S.O.s (possibly increasing to 4) and one special constable. The Neighbourhood Policing Team are on 24/7 call out but do have to cover a wider area.
3) Police Role in ASBO legislation Any breach of an ASBO is a criminal action. The Neighbourhood Policing Team can be activated to address this issue. The offender is then taken to the magistrate’s court. The current focus regarding offensive behaviour is centred on Clayton West where there are some problems. ASBOs are regarded as a useful tool in alleviating offensive behaviour.
4) Police Motorcycle usage The police motorcycle is used to regulate offroaders. It is assigned to the Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Road Traffic officers. Again this is assigned on an evidential basis. If anyone knows where this type of problem exists they should contact the police on 08456060606.
5) Police Helicopter usage This is regulated by the incident management system through the computer system. This can be accessed by the helicopter team. The radio controller monitors the use of the helicopter and ensures it is directed to the appropriate location.
6) Speeding Through Villages All villages have this problem and each area has its own traffic officer who collates information. If specific cars are seen regularly speeding through the area and if they are reported to the police on 08456060606, this information will be collated and acted upon.
7) Level of Police Coverage In respect of response times a 999 call will elicit a response within 15 minutes. Response times are graded according to the urgency of the call and apart from the 15 minutes response to a 999 call, will be given attention within 1 to 8 hours.
Sgt. Hardy was asked if it would be possible to leave cards and / or leaflets at post offices so that the public would be aware of the number to ring should they wish to contact the police on a non urgent matter.
Concern was also expressed about the indiscriminate use of foglights, the possibility of instituting weight checks for heavy lorries along
Questions were asked about Kirkburton Police Station. Sgt. Hardy reported that this station has operational staff but the front office had now been closed.
The possibility of attendance by the P.C.S.O.s at a future meeting was also discussed.
Sgt. Hardy was thanked for his attendance
362 Return to Standing Orders
It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Shaw and RESOLVED that standing orders be returned to.
363 Police Issues
It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Shaw and RESOLVED that
1) A public meeting attended by the Police and Kirklees Highways be arranged for some time in the new year
2) Kirklees M.C. be asked if the School Crossing Patrol on
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364 School Transport
Further to Min. No. 287, Clr. Mrs. Beal reported back on the findings of the sub-committee in regard to the safety of children on school buses. It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr.
Shaw and RESOLVED that the appropriate authorities be informed of the Council’s concerns. A letter was submitted from Mary Creagh M.P. which enclosed a reply from the West Yorkshire P.T.E. asking for information about specific problems. It was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Beal and RESOLVED that WYPTE be informed of problems occurring on the Emley – Kirkburton service.
365 Vehicle Activated Signs – Emley Village
Further to Min. No. 291, the Clerk reported that Kirklees has now drawn up an approved VAS signing policy and will require certain criteria to be met to justify such a sign. The justification for signs in Emley will be investigated.
366 Wheeled Bin Scheme – Birdsedge and High Flatts
Further to Min. No. 294, the Clerk reported that a letter had been received from Kirklees M.C. which stated that it is not possible to supply residents in Birdsedge and High Flatts with wheeled bins as the vehicles used do not have the means to lift and empty them and there is no capacity on other vehicles. A viable scheme has not yet been developed to offer recycling facilities in these areas. However, there is legislation that requires K.M.C. to provide kerbside recycling to all properties by 2010 and the aim is to achieve or better that date.
367 Parking – Warburton, Emley
Further to Min No. 297, Clr. Shaw asked for consideration of this item to be withdrawn for the time being.
368 Footway between Bedale Avenue Ponker Lane
Further to Min. No. 299, it was reported that the footway had now been cleared.
369 Lower Cumberworth and Birdsedge Play Areas
Further to Min. No. 295, it was reported that
370 Highway Representative
It was agreed that the joint meeting of the Parish Councils and Kirklees M.C. consider this matter further at its next meeting in March.
371 Scissett C.E. (A) First School Birdsedge First School
It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that the above schools be congratulated on achieving their outstanding reports from Ofsted.
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372 Planning Delegation Agreement
The Clerk submitted a letter from Kirklees M.C. which proposed changes to the planning delegation agreement by which Parish Councils would no longer be able to request that the Planning Area Sub-Committee determine planning applications if there is a disagreement with the Officer recommendation. It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Watson and RESOLVED that Kirklees be asked to defer consideration of this issue in order that further
consultations can be undertaken, that Kirklees M.C. be informed that this proposal runs counter to both the Parish Charter and the recently published White Paper, and that the formation of Parish Councils in unparished areas of Kirklees should be considered.
373 Parkgate Trust - Station Road
Clr. Watson reported that the Trust were almost ready to submit their planning application in respect of the community use of the site and that the Trust was now actively fundraising.
374 Provision of Bus Shelters
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. McSkimming and RESOLVED that West Yorkshire P.T.E. be asked to consider providing shelters at Pump Row, High Flatts (travelling from Huddersfield to Denby) and on the northern side of Commercial Road, Skelmanthorpe opposite Windmill Crescent.
375 Play Facilities - Skelmanthorpe
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be asked to give consideration to the provision of play facilities at the northern end of Skelmanthorpe.
376 Recycling Facility – Bromley Farm, Upper Cumberworth
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be asked what action is being taken to address the expansion or resiting of this successful site once the current planning permission has expired.
377 Allotments – Windmill Crescent
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that Geoff Hirst of Kirklees M.C. be thanked for the work undertaken in the provision of the new site at
378 Street Naming – Development off Wakefield Road
The Clerk submitted a letter from Kirklees M.C. which proposed that the name for the above development be Brook Meadows. It was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr. Shaw and RESOLVED that the Kirklees be asked to reconsider their decision as the rejected name Withy Gate referred to the local habitat and history of the area.
379 Reports
The following documents were submitted for consideration: Kirklees Economic Bulletin,
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380 Grant Application
A letter was submitted from
381 Finance and General Purposes Committee
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 14th November, 2006 be signed by the Chair of the Committee as a correct record.
382 Estimates of Expenditure
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that estimates of expenditure for the year 2007/2008 totalling £85,950 be accepted.
383 Precept
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that the sum of £85,000 be precepted for the year 2007/2008.
384 Plans Scrutiny Committee
It was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Birdsall and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 28th November, 2006 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.
385 LDF – Core Strategy – Preferred Options
Copies of the above document were circulated to Councillors.
386 Parish Plan
Clr. Allen circulated a copy of the list of actions required which had been highlighted by the plan. It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that any comments be forwarded to the Clerk or Clr. Allen as soon as possible. Clr. Allen reported that the draft plan would be available for consultation in February 2007.
387 Appointment of Governor to Scissett C.E. (A) First School
It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that this item be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
388 Local Government White Paper
It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Watson and RESOLVED that the White Paper be received.
389 Denby Dale Area Committee
The next meeting of the Denby Dale Area Committee will be on
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390 Standards Committee
Clr. Weatherby reported that the serving term of office for parish council representation on the Standards Board had been increased to three years. The next meeting will be on
391 Yorkshire Local Councils’ Association
Clr. Shaw submitted a report from the meeting of the South Pennine Branch which included discussion items on the proposed sale of
392 Orders for Payment
It was proposed by Clr. McSkimming, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule no. 446, totalling £1,845.74 be authorised.
393 Date of Next Meeting
Home and Leisure Safety Committee -
Plans Scrutiny Committee -
Full Council –
394 Planning Applications
No major applications were submitted
395 Petition
No matters were reported
396 Staffing Issues
No matters were raised.
CHAIR