Minutes of the Meeting of the Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday, 7th March, 2006 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe.
Members Present:
Clr. J.A. Barlow – Chair
Clrs. Mrs. C. Beal, J.C. Birdsall, Mrs. J.E. Birdsall, Mrs. M. Clarke, R.S. Mottram, E.I. Shaw, T.D. Sigsworth, G. Turner, C. Watson, A.N. Weatherby
455 Declaration of Councillors’ Interests
No declarations were made
456 Public Discussion Time
No items were raised
457 Development at Station Road, Skelmanthorpe
The Chair reported that Councillors had facilitated the opening of negotiations with the Development Company concerned in respect of the erection of the shell of a community building. The Company had declined to send a representative to this meeting but had submitted a letter which indicated that, subject to certain conditions, a 99 year lease would be granted, at a nominal ground rent, of a specific area of land. In addition the Company will erect, at their cost, a steel framed building only and level an area of Kirklees land adjoining the site for use as an overflow car park.
458 Suspension of Standing Orders
It was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that standing orders be suspended under standing order no. 79 in order that Mr. Christopher Ward, of the Parkgate Trust could speak to the meeting.
459 Parkgate Trust
A discussion was held on the submitted letter and Mr. Ward agreed to progress the matter further. Appreciation was also expressed that the negotiations had now been re-opened and it was hoped that a satisfactory outcome would be achieved.
460 Return to Standing Orders
It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that standing orders be returned to.
461 Change of Agenda Item
It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Clarke and RESOLVED that Agenda Item 6 (2) be brought forward for discussion.
462 Sports and Community Facility – Station Road, Skelmanthorpe
It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that
a) a press release be issued to the local Press in regard to the re-opening of negotiations on the erection of a community building and sports facilities at Station Road, Skelmanthorpe.
b) The Company be thanked for re-opening negotiations on this development
c) The Council are willing to offer any help or advice to any of the parties concerned should this be deemed appropriate.
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463 Apologies
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted by Clrs. R.G. Allen, Dr. M. Allen, D.W. Kaye, Mrs. L.A. Moore, Mrs. V. Woodhead, R. McSkimming, J.D. Carr, Mrs. S.A. Dellapuppa, and Mrs. G. Hague. It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the reasons for absence submitted by the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.
464 Minutes
It was proposed by Clr. Birdsall, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7th February, 2006 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.
465 L.E.A. Planning School Places Strategy
Further to Min. No. 418, it was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that Headteachers be invited to attend a meeting on Monday, 20th March, 2006 at 4.00 p.m. to discuss their views on the above strategy. It was agreed that Clrs. Barlow, Weatherby, Shaw and Mottram attend the meeting plus any other Councillor who is able to do so.
466 School Transport Meeting
Further to Min. No. 422, Councillors reported on the meeting held on 21st February at Scissett Middle School where parents expressed concerns about safety on buses and the three mile free transport limit. It was proposed by Clr. Mrs. Beal, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that Mary Creagh M.P. be informed of these concerns and asked to act on behalf of the community in this area.
467 Waiting Restrictions and Road Safety Concerns – Skelmanthorpe
Further to Min. No. 423, the Clerk reported that no decision had yet been made as to whether any Highways representative would be at the April meeting of the Council.
468 Speeding Traffic – Huddersfield Road, Skelmanthorpe
Further to Min. No. 424, it was reported that the Police were liaising with Kirklees M.C. in respect of vehicle activated warning signs.
469 Saville Road, Skelmanthorpe
Further to Min. No. 428, the Clerk reported that the condition of the above pavement would be investigated within the next few weeks.
470 Ponker Lane, Skelmanthorpe
It was reported that a small scheme will be implemented early in the next financial year which will improve the footways for the first 200 metres of Ponker Lane. There are no plans to extend the footway beyond its present boundary. It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Kirklees be asked to level, and surface with planings, the land at the side of the highway to facilitate easier walking for pedestrians. It was also pointed out that this road was used frequently by people from Lower and Upper Cumberworth who wish to go into Skelmanthorpe for both social and economic purposes.
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471 Victoria Street, Clayton West
Further to Min. 184, it was reported that objections had been received from a number of residents, one of the emergency services and cleansing, about the proposed closure of the junction at the top of Victoria Street. Kirklees were now in consultation with Ward Councillors as to how to proceed.
472 Advertising Signs
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Kirklees be asked to investigate the proliferation of advertising signs along Wakefield Road from Clayton West to Denby Dale.
473 Rural Transport Issues
Clr. Mrs. Clarke expressed concerns about the diminution of bus services from Upper Denby and Upper Cumberworth to Huddersfield, particularly on Sundays and on an evening. It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Watson and RESOLVED that Mary Creagh M.P. be informed of the concerns felt in regard to rural transport.
474 Speed of Traffic – Kitchenroyd, Denby Dale
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Shaw and RESOLVED that Kirklees be asked to undertake a review of the signage along this stretch of road with a view to raising drivers’ awareness of the speed limit.
475 Scissett Mount Care Home
It was reported that the Modernisation Report of the Care Homes in Kirklees had been put before Kirklees Council. The proposed timescales show that Scissett Mount will be closing in June / July 2006 with residents and staff being transferred to the new facility at Newsome.
476 Reports
The following documents were submitted for consideration: Local Council Update; Highway Maintenance Reports; Penistone Line Express journal; C.P.R.E. Fieldwork; notification of the Public Rights of Way Forum Meeting; Leaflet re. changes to NHS Dentistry.
477 Plans Scrutiny Committee
It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Birdsall and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Plans Scrutiny Committee be signed by the Chair of the Committee as a correct record.
478 Yorkshire & Humber Regional Spacial Strategy
It was agreed that further copies of the C.D. relating to the above be requested.
479 Frequency of Meetings
It was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that frequency of Plans Scrutiny Committee meetings be extended to one per calendar month, at a time and date to be agreed with the Chair of Planning.
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480 Parish Plan
It was reported that the introduction to the plan and proposed contents page are on the way to completion. The questionnaire will be drawn up within the next few weeks and will probably be presented to Council at the April meeting. Consideration is being given to distribution and collection points throughout the Parish.
481 Quality Status
A letter was submitted from DEFRA which outlined the value of Quality schemes. It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that DEFRA be asked for feedback on the review of the scheme.
A letter was submitted from Notton Parish Council thanking the Councillors who attended their meeting for an informative presentation.
The format for the ‘Annual Newsletter’ was submitted to the meeting and it was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that this be discussed at the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting.
482 Proposed Amalgamation of Primary Care Trusts
The consultation document relating to the above was submitted to the meeting. It was proposed by Clr. Barlow, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that the Council object to the amalgamation and that the feedback form be filled in accordingly.
483 Denby Dale / Kirkburton / Mirfield Area Committee
It was proposed by Clr. Barlow, seconded by Clr. J.C. Birdsall and RESOLVED that a new representative be appointed to the Area Committee at the next meeting of the Council.
The minutes of the last meeting of the Area Committee were submitted to Council.
484 Yorkshire Local Councils Association
The Clerk reported that the next meeting of the South Pennine Branch would be held at Skelmanthorpe Council Offices on Wednesday, 8th March, 2006. There will also be a training event, held at the Council Offices on 29th March, 2006 – Clrs. Shaw and Mrs. Birdsall to attend. White Rose Update and Country Air magazine were submitted to the meeting.
485 Orders for Payment
It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule no. 435, totalling £2,181.35 be authorised.
486 Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday, 8th March, 2006 – 7.30 p.m. South Pennine Branch Meeting
Tuesday, 14th March, 2006 – 7.30 p.m. Home and Leisure Safety Committee Meeting
Tuesday, 21st March, 2006 – 7.30 p.m. Finance and General Purposes Committee Meeting
Monday, 27th March, 2006 - 7.30 p.m. Plans Scrutiny Committee
Tuesday, 28th March, 2006 – 7.30 p.m. Environment Trust Meeting
Wednesday, 29th March, 2006 – 7.30 p.m. Training Event, Y.L.C.A.
Tuesday, 4th April, 2006 - 7.30 p.m. Full Council meeting
CHAIR