Minutes of the Meeting of the Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday, 7th February, 2006 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe

 

Members Present:   

Clr. J.A. Barlow – Chair

Clrs. R.G. Allen, J.C. Birdsall, Mrs. J.E. Birdsall, Mrs. M. Clarke, Mrs. S.A. Dellapuppa,  Mrs. G. Hague, D.W. Kaye, R.S. Mottram, Mrs. L.A. Moore, T.D. Sigsworth, G. Turner, C. Watson, A.N. Weatherby

 

412.         Declaration of Councillors’ Interests

 

No declarations were made.

 

413           Suspension of Standing Orders

 

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

 

414.    Youth Facilities Initiative

 

Andy Wickham, the Countryside Project Officer and Debbie Lumb from Shelley College gave a brief update on the Initiative so far.  A fact sheet was distributed to members.

Clr. Barlow thanked Andy and Debbie for the work that had been carried out in progressing the initiative in all wards of the Parish Council.

 

415.         Public Discussion Time

 

Members of the public spoke on two items.

1)     Local Development Framework – concerns about further development of the area were expressed.

2)     Development at Station Road – concerns about the possible loss of the community centre and sports facilities

 

416           Local Development Framework

 

Patrick Auterson, Policy Manager, Planning Services, addressed the meeting in respect of the Local Development Framework.  Green Belt would remain as it is until the new L.D.F. is in place.  As each part of the LDF is adopted, so the proposals map will be changed to take cognizance of the decisions made.

The new LDF will be more wide ranging than the old Unitary Development Plan and will relate to a wider remit, including recreation and peoples’ health.  Each stage will be set out in the Local Development Scheme – the project plan for the L.D.F. which will explain what is happening and when.

The themes addressed will include Community Involvement – giving people opportunities to become involved; Sustainability Appraisal – this has to demonstrate that the proposals are looked at as to how they will impact socially, environmentally and economically.

Each document will go through three stages – Issues and Options (where we are now); Preferred options stage (in June / July); and Formal Representations on the Document Format.

The process differs from the old UDP, there are tests of soundness and procedure that must be adhered to.  Unlike the UDP, the Inspectors’ recommendations are binding.

Supplementary planning documents will also be incorporated – this is where the Council will propose guidelines as to how the area will be developed.  At this stage any Parish Plans can be included.   All proposals have to conform to national and regional guidance.

Housing allocations:  Between 2004 and 2021, Kirklees will have to commit to 22,000 new dwellings. This will require a 16/17% increase on what has been completed in the last ten years up

 

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to 2016 and from 2016 to 2021 the growth will have to be nearer 50% greater than the last ten years.  These are draft proposals in the Yorkshire and Humber Spacial Strategy and representations can be made against these.  This draft document is open for consultation until the 13th April, 2006.

Kirklees Partnership is producing a Community Strategy and the L.D.F. will relate to this.

The Parish Council will receive all documentation and relevant information is available on the Kirklees’ website.  If any individual or group wishes to be kept informed they can ask to be put on the communication list.

The next document in June will set out what options the Council see for development, the key issues being where is housing going and what needs protection.  Nothing is yet prepared but comments will be invited from June.  The remainder of the LDF process will have to comply with this core strategy.

Questions were asked about Green Belt policy.  Mr. Auterson stated that he was aware that developers do ask for land to be put in for development, as yet no such application has been received in regard to this area.  Planners are in the process of reviewing the present UDP and some changes will be taking place because of the need for housing growth. 

Concern was expressed about the amount of housing required in West Yorkshire as opposed to other areas.  This is because of the expectation of employment growth centred in Leeds and a need for housing where most of the jobs are.  Councillors expressed the opinion that the Denby Dale Ward had a relatively high housing completion record over the last few years with the UDP allocations being achieved more quickly than in any other ward in South Kirklees.  Bearing this in mind, coupled with the lack of transport links to the major cities, such as Leeds, the consensus of opinion was that housing allocations should be nearer to the cities.

Mr. Auterson concluded by saying that the L.D.F. should be completed by the end of 2009, but will be kept under review and amended accordingly.

 

Clr. Barlow thanked Mr. Auterson for his attendance and for the informative discussion.

 

417           Return to Standing Orders

 

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

 

418           Change of Agenda Item

 

It was proposed by Clr. Barlow, seconded by Clr. J.C. Birdsall and RESOLVED that

a)     matters relating to the sports and community centre at Station Road, Skelmanthorpe be brought forward for discussion and

b)     that discussion on the Planning School Places strategy be deferred to the March meeting

 

419           Sports & Community Facilities – Station Road, Skelmanthorpe

 

Further to Min. No. 382, the Clerk reported that the trigger in the S106 obligation in respect of the education contribution and the provision of affordable housing is the completion of the 30th market dwelling.  It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that

a)     Mr. Dunford be invited to the next meeting in order to put forward his views on the sports and community facilities

b)     Planning Services be asked why a S106 was not placed on the sports and community facilities aspect of the application

c)      Leisure Services be asked to advise the Community Trust on ways and means of fundraising to build the centre.

 

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420           Apologies for Absence

 

Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted by Clrs. Mrs. C. Beal, E.I. Shaw, J.D. Carr, R. McSkimming, Dr. M. Allen and Mrs. V. Woodhead.  It was proposed by Clr. Mrs. J.E. Birdsall, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the reasons for absence submitted by the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.

 

421.         Minutes

 

It was proposed by Clr. J.C. Birdsall, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 3rd January, 2006 be signed by the Chair as a correct record with Min. 370 being amended to read ‘P.C. Allen not Cllr. Allen’.

 

422     School Transport Issues

 

Further to Min. No. 374, it was confirmed that the School Transport meeting would take place on Tuesday, 21st February, 2006 at 7.15 p.m. at Scissett Middle School and that the relevant authorities be informed that the issues for discussion would include lack of supervision and whose responsibility this was; safety concerns; unreliability of buses; overcrowding and concerns about the application of the three mile limit.

 

423     Waiting Restrictions and Road Safety Concerns – Skelmanthorpe

 

Further to Min. No. 377, the Clerk reported that Kirklees could not assist any further in regard to this issue.  It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that Highway representatives and the District Councillors be invited to attend the April meeting of the Council in order to progress this matter.

 

424     Speeding Traffic – Huddersfield Road, Skelmanthorpe

 

Further to Min. No. 378, the Clerk submitted details of police enforcement following speed checks in this area.  It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that

a)     the Police be thanked and asked to continue monitoring the situation with particular concerns being voiced about speeding at lunchtimes and in the evening and

b)     Kirklees M.C. be asked when the speed limit / school zone markings would be installed.

 

425     Grit Bins

 

Further to Min. No. 379, the Clerk submitted a list of locations where three out of the five extra bins would be placed.  It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that the three District Councillors be asked if bins had been requested in other locations, particularly at the junction of Bedale Drive and Bedale Avenue in Skelmanthorpe

 

426     Changes to Patients’ Services

           

Further to Min. No. 381, the Clerk submitted a letter from the Leader of the Council, which stated that Kirklees M.C. was opposed to the proposed changes and that it had been decided that it would be too costly to go forward with a Referendum.  It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that the Chair place an open letter in the paper stating that letters of objection to the proposals can be channelled through the Parish Council.

 

 

 

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427           Cumberworth Road, Skelmanthorpe

 

Further to Min. No. 384, the Clerk reported that potholes in the above location would be filled in on a temporary basis, with a full resurfacing programme being carried out in the next financial year.

 

428           Saville Road, Skelmanthorpe

 

It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Watson and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be asked to resurface pavements in Saville Road, Skelmanthorpe.

 

429     Skelmanthorpe Textile Museum

 

Further to Min. No. 294, the Clerk submitted a letter of thanks from the Skelmanthorpe Textile Museum.  It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Watson and RESOLVED that the Finance and General Purposes Committee look into the possibility of support for the History Society and that the Countryside Officer be asked to liaise with Mr. Sheead in regard to historical village walks.

 

430     Patient Care Survey Meeting

 

Clrs. Barlow, Birdsall and R.G. Allen gave a brief report on the above meeting.  It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Watson and RESOLVED that the following Councillors be appointed as representatives for future meetings:  Clrs. J.A. Barlow, J.C. Birdsall, R.G. Allen, Dr. M. Allen.

 

431     Youth Initiative

 

Clayton West Group    It was proposed by Clr. Mottram, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that Clr. Sigsworth be appointed as Parish Council representative on the above Group.

The Clerk reported that mention had been made of Denby Dale Parish Council’s involvement in the Skelmanthorpe Skate Park Initiative in Parliamentary Questions.

 

432     Road Safety Review – Birdsedge

 

It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be asked

a)     when the investigation of highway safety problems on this stretch of road will be completed and

b)     if it would be possible to locate a pedestrian crossing on the A629 near Birdsedge School.

 

433     Windmill Crescent Allotments, Skelmanthorpe

 

The Clerk reported that Yorkshire Land are close to exchanging contracts with Bovis Homes in respect of the land at Cumberworth Road, Skelmanthorpe and that it is hoped that the allotment site will be completed by the end of March, 2006.

 

434     Reports

 

The Clerk submitted the following documents to the Council :  Kirklees M.C. Highway Maintenance list; Agenda and Minutes of the Huddersfield Central and South Huddersfield Primary Care Trusts.

 

 

 

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435     Plans Scrutiny Committee

 

It was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Plans Scrutiny Committee held on 31st January, 2006 be signed by the Chair of the Committee as a correct record.

 

436     Local Development Framework

 

The Council considered the Statement of Community Involvement as submitted by Kirklees M.C.  It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that

a)     the Chair and Clerk be authorised to fill in the accompanying questionnaire detailing objections to the omission of Parish Councils as part of the consultative process

b)     the Chief Executive of Kirklees M.C. be informed of this concern.

 

437     Parish Plan

 

Clr. R.G. Allen reported that the introduction to the Plan was nearly complete and that a questionnaire was being formulated for distribution around the area.

 

438     Quality Status

 

a)     Clrs. Barlow, J.C. Birdsall and Weatherby reported on the joint meeting held at Huddersfield Town Hall on the 6th February, 2006, in respect of the review of the Joint Charter.

b)     It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the relevant authorities be approached in regard to the legalities of the payment of care allowances

c)      It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. J.C. Birdsall and RESOLVED that concerns be raised with DEFRA regarding the requirement of a 100% electoral mandate when reapplying for quality status.

 

439     Amalgamation of Primary Care Trusts

 

It was proposed by Clr. Watson seconded by Clr. Mrs. J.E. Birdsall and RESOLVED that consideration of this document be deferred until the next meeting of the Council.

 

440     Standards of Conduct in English Local Government – The Future

 

It was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that the above document be received.

 

441     Denby Dale Area Committee

 

Clr. R.G. Allen submitted his resignation as Parish Council representative on the above Committee and it was agreed that a replacement be elected at the next meeting of the Council.

At the last meeting of the Area Committee a pilot scheme involving the employment of Environment Wardens around the area had been agreed.  Chief Supt. South had also attended the meeting.

Some concern was expressed about the postponement of the meeting and the lack of information available in regard to the rearranged date and time.

 

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442     Yorkshire Local Councils Association

 

Notification was given that the meeting of the South Pennine Branch would take place on Wednesday, 8th March, 2006 at the Council Offices in Skelmanthorpe and that a Councillor Skills seminar would take place on Wednesday, 29th March, 2006 at 7.30 p.m. at the Council Offices in Skelmanthorpe.   Any Councillor is welcome to attend the first meeting with two free places being available for the Seminar on the 29th March.

 

443     Orders for Payment

 

It was proposed by Clr. R.G. Allen, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule no. 434, totalling £2,368.65, be authorised.

 

444     Date of Next Meeting

 

The next Full Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, 7th March, 2006 at 7.00 p.m.

Plans Scrutiny Committee:  Tuesday, 28th February, 2006 at 7.30 p.m.

     

 

                                                                                                                        CHAIR