Minutes of the Meeting of the Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday, 1st March, 2005 in the Civic Chamber, Skelmanthorpe.

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

Clrs. J.C. Birdsall, Mrs. J.E. Birdsall, I.D. Bowie, J.D. Carr, Mrs. M. Clarke, D.W. Kaye, R. McSkimming, R.S. Mottram, E.I. Shaw, T.D. Sigsworth, G. Turner, C. Watson, Mrs. V. Woodhead

425. Declaration of Members’ Interest

Clr. J.C. Birdsall and Clr. Mrs. J.E. Birdsall, declared a person interest in matters relating to the development at Cumberworth Road, Skelmanthorpe.

426 Suspension of Standing Orders

It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Watson 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.

427. Public Discussion Time

a) Simon Hulme, manager of the denbydale.com website, attended the meeting to explain that he would be leaving the District shortly, and that another web manager needed to be found.

b) John Senior addressed the Council, expressing dis-satisfaction with the decision to object planning permission for P.V.C. windows at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church.

428 Return to Standing Orders

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

429 Apologies for Absence

Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted by Clrs. J.A. Barlow, Mrs. C. Beal, Mrs. S.A. Dellapuppa, Mrs. G. Hague, G. Smith and A.N. Weatherby. It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Watson and RESOLVED that the reasons for absence submitted by the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.

430. Minutes

It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st February, 2005 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

431. Freedom of Information Act.

Further to Min. No. 402, the Clerk submitted a document relating to the Freedom of Information Act, which gave further details of exemptions from the Act.

432. Development at Cumberworth Road, Skelmanthorpe

Further to Min. No. 403, the Clerk reported that Allotment holders had been informed that work could continue at the Cumberworth Road site during the Spring and Summer with a view to relocating in the Autumn.

433. Police – Public Meeting

Further to Min. No. 406, the Clerk reported that the public meeting would take place on Wednesday, 27^th April, 2005 at 7.00 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Church, Scissett. Members of the West Yorkshire Police Authority would also be present and would be giving a short presentation on the new internet site. Members were asked to let the Clerk know of any items that may be raised at that meeting. Inspector Barnett will be attending the April meeting of the Council in order to give a short presentation on the work of the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

434. Denby Delf

Further to Min. No. 410 (b), the Clerk reported that the Treasury Solicitor would let the Council know when the site comes into the Treasury remit. It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that at that time the Treasury Solicitor should be informed that the site was bought with public money and should remain in the public domain.

435. Railway Bill

Further to Min. No. 414, Clrs. Shaw and Clarke will be attending the next meeting of the Y.L.C.A.’s South Pennine Branch when this item will be on the Agenda for discussion. Clr. Carr agreed to provide some notes for information.

436 Planning Appeal - Site at Cumberworth Road / Lidgett Lane, Skelmanthorpe.

The Clerk submitted notice of the above appeal to the meeting in respect of Kirklees Council’s refusal for the erection of a detached dwelling at the above location.

437 Ponker Lane, Skelmanthorpe – provision of pavements

It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth, and RESOLVED that the Area Committee be asked to place this item on the Agenda for their next meeting.

438. Continuity of Speed Limit – Birdsedge to Sovereign

It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that this item be deferred for discussion until item 7(b) on the Agenda.

439 Yorkshire Electricity

The Clerk submitted a letter from YEDL which offered to inform the Parish Council of any disruptions to power supplies within the Parish Council area.

440 Serving of Notices by Electronic Communication

It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the Council approves the serving of notices of meetings, by electronic communication such as e-mails and / or faxes, to any Councillor who may wish to take advantage of such methods.

441. Application for Inclusion in the Pharmaceutical List – Denby Dale.

The Council was informed that an application had been made for full consent for inclusion in the pharmaceutical list in order to provide services from premises located at 335a Wakefield Road,

Denby Dale. It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the relevant Agency be informed that the Council can see the advantages of a pharmacy in Denby Dale, but are concerned about the effect such a move will have on services in Emley and the rest of the Parish.

442. Highway Maintenance – Emley

Councillors were informed of concerns expressed by a resident of Emley in respect of several road maintenance problems in and around Emley. It was reported that these matters had been reported to Kirklees and that remedial action was now being taken. It was proposed by Clr. Carr, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be informed of the Parish Council’s concern that the resident’s original complaints to Kirklees had not been acted upon in an appropriate manner and timescale.

443 Reports

The following documents were submitted for consideration: Local Council Update; Spotlight magazine; notice of the Board Meeting of the Primary Care Trust; Highway Maintenance Reports; Penistone Line Express newsletter and copies of the Kirklees Partnership Update 2004. It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. McSkimming and RESOLVED that Kirklees Council be informed of the Parish Council’s concern about the amount of glossy publications that are distributed by the Council.

444 Parish Plan

Clr. Allen and Clr. Sigsworth reported on the two public meetings at Birdsedge and Emley, which had been held to further the progress of the Parish Plan. Matters raised for consideration and inclusion in the Plan related to Housing needs and Transport services. Other items raised for immediate consideration were as follows:

a) Lane Hackings Green, Lower Cumberworth. It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Watson and RESOLVED that Housing Services be asked to tidy up this area of land in Lower Cumberworth and that they be asked what their vision is for its future use.

b) Road Safety Issues through Birdsedge to the Sovereign. It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be asked to

i) review the speed limits from High Flatts to the Sovereign Crossroads and consider the introduction of a 30mph limit through the village of Birdsedge

ii) give consideration to the provision of a pedestrian crossing in Birdsedge

iii) provide a flashing ‘slow down’ sign on the approach to the village

It was also proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Kirkburton Parish Council be asked if they would consider approaching Kirklees Council with a view to the installing of traffic lights at the Sovereign Crossroads.

c) Pavements and Verges in Birdsedge. It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be asked to include the grass cutting of verges in Birdsedge on their regular grass cutting programme and that the pavement along the south side of the village be cleared of leaves.

d) Provision of post box. It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the Post Office be asked to provide a post box near the village hall in Birdsedge.

e) Public Footpath No. 78. Clr. Allen reported that the overgrown condition of this footpath had been reported to the Countryside Officer

f) Public Use of School Buildings. It was agreed that in the first instance an approach should be made to the Head of the School. If it was felt that the request was unnecessarily turned down, then the School Governors should be approached.

445. Quality Parish Council Status

a) The draft Charter, submitted after the consultation meeting with Clr. Battye of Kirklees and a Kirklees Officer, was considered. It was proposed by Clr. Carr, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be informed that the Charter will be acceptable after Paragraph 6 and Paragraph 12 are altered to read as we would wish to see them and that further consideration be given to the Charter at the meeting on 5^th April.

b) It was proposed by Clr. Carr, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Clr. Battye and the Kirklees Officer involved in the negotiations be thanked for their help.

c) The Clerk reported that no word had yet been received in respect of the application for Quality status.

446. H.M. Government Consultation Documents

a) It was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr Birdsall and RESOLVED that copies of documents relating to Citizen Engagement and Public Services: Why Neighbourhoods Matter and Vibrant Leadership, be received.

b) It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Clr. Bowie be authorised to research, and report back to the next meeting, on matters relating to the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill.

447 Area Committees

a) The Clerk informed the Council that the Area Committee had requested space in the Parish Newsletter for reports of the achievements of the Area Committee, as well as details of forthcoming meetings. It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that the Area Committee be informed that dates of meetings are already included but that, unfortunately, there was not enough space in the newsletter to include reports of meetings etc.

b) It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Birdsall and RESOLVED that the Area Committee be requested that the Planning Meetings be held during the evening rather than in the afternoon to accommodate those who are at work during the day.

448 Standards Board

The Clerk reported that Code of Conduct was in the process of being reviewed and that this would be a subject for discussion at the next meeting.

449 Yorkshire Local Councils Association

Clrs. Shaw and Mrs. Clarke submitted reports from the Parish Government Conference held in Scarborough. The Clerk submitted the following items for consideration: Country Air magazine; Local Council Review; copies of the Agenda and Minutes of the South Pennine Branch

450 Orders for Payment

It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Birdsall and RESOLVED that orders for payment, on schedule no. 421, totalling £894.38, be authorised.

451 Dates of Next Meetings

Full Council Meeting: Tuesday, 5^th April, 2005 at 7.00 p.m.

Home and Leisure Safety Committee: Tuesday, 8^th March, 2005 at 7.30 p.m.

Finance and General Purposes Committee: Tuesday, 22^nd March, 2005 at 7.30 p.m.

452 Planning Notifications

Planning notifications were considered and observations made thereon.

This is an electronic copy. The authoritative signed version is held at the Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe.

CHAIR