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.

-         2 –

 

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.

 

 

-         3 –

 

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. 

-         4 –

 

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