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

 

Members Present:

Clr. J.C. Birdsall – Chair

Clrs. R.G. Allen, Mrs. M. Clarke, Dr. M. Courtney, D.W. Kaye, R.S. Mottram, R. McSkimming, E.I. Shaw, T.D. Sigsworth, G. Turner, C. Watson, A.N. Weatherby

 

248.         Declaration of Councillors’ Interests

 

Clr. Mottram declared a personal interest in application no. 94176

 

249           Suspension of Standing Orders

 

It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Clarke and RESOLVED that standing orders be suspended in accordance with standing order no. 79 to allow members of the public to participate in public discussion time.

 

250.    Public Discussion Time

 

Three items were raised under public discussion time

a)     Representatives of Honley Ambulance Station submitted their concerns about the proposed cuts in service at the station.

b)     Representatives of Birdsedge Village Hall Committee requested the Council’s support for a proposed extension at the Hall.

c)      An objector spoke against planning application no. 2005/94176, which related to the installation of a metal container and extraction unit at Colliers Way, Clayton West.

 

251.    Return to Standing Orders

 

It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Clarke and RESOLVED that standing orders be returned to.

 

252.    Change of Agenda Items

 

It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that items 7.1 relating to Honley Ambulance Station, 7.6 relating to Birdsedge Village Hall and planning application no. 94176 be brought forward for discussion.

 

253.    Honley Ambulance Station

 

It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that

a)     letters be sent to WYMAS, the Dept. of Health, the Primary Care Trust and Mary Creagh M.P. expressing concern about the effect on response times and a possible reduction in service should the proposed cuts be carried out. 

b)     That G.P.s in the area and the Parish and Town Councils of Holme Valley, Kirkburton and Meltham be asked for their views.

 

254.    Birdsedge Village Hall

 

It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that

a)     representations be made to K.M.C. stating that the Hall is a necessary facility for this rural area and that extensions should be supported.

b)     A site visit be requested with the Planning Officer and the Conservation Officer 

 

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255.    Planning Application 2005/62/94176/E3  -  Erection of metal container and extraction unit at Colliers Way, Clayton West

 

Discussion took place on the above application and objections were made to the application as per the attached schedule.

 

256.    Denby Dale Parish Countryside Management Project

 

Andy Wickham gave a brief presentation and an up to date progress report on the work of the Countryside Project. Work has been carried out on youth initiatives across the district and tasks have been undertaken in various schools and with conservation groups.  Andy was thanked for his attendance.

 

257.    Apologies for Absence

 

Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted by Clrs. J.A. Barlow, Mrs. J. Birdsall, Mrs. G. Hague, Mrs. C. Beal, Mrs. S.A. Dellapuppa and J.D.Carr.  Reasons for continued absence were also submitted from Mrs. V. Woodhead. It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that reasons for absence submitted by the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.

 

258.    Minutes

 

It was proposed by Clr. Mottram, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4th October, 2005 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

 

259.    David Hinchliffe

 

Further to Min. No. 219, the Clerk submitted a letter from David Hinchliffe thanking Councillors for the gift of local history books.

 

260     Casual Vacancy – Clayton West Ward

 

The Clerk reported that no request for an election had been received and that the seat would now be filled by co-option.

 

261      Scissett Mount

 

Further to Min. No. 224, Clr. Birdsall reported on the outcome of the Cabinet meeting at Kirklees M.C. in respect of the future of Scissett Mount Care Home.  The decision was made that the home would close and that residents would be offered places at the new Home in Newsome.  It was agreed at Cabinet that Kirklees Officers would look at possible elderly care usage of the site.

 

262     Skelmanthorpe Textile Museum

 

Further to Min. No. 225, the Clerk submitted a letter of thanks from the Curator for the donations that Councillors had contributed during their visit to the Museum.

 

263     Permit Dumping

 

Further to Min. No. 227, the Clerk submitted a letter from Mary Creagh M.P. which stated that she would raise the issue with the Chief Executives of Wakefield and Kirklees.  It was proposed by Clr.

Allen, seconded by Clr. Courtney and RESOLVED that Mrs. Creagh be asked to take into account

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the wider environmental issues involved and ask for legislation to be put in place to address this problem.

 

264     Cumberworth Road Allotments, Skelmanthorpe

 

Further to Min. No. 228, the Clerk reported that works at Windmill Crescent will commence shortly and the new site will be operational for the next growing season in April.  It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be asked to involve and inform the allotment holders of the progress to date.

 

265     Kirkburton Police Station

 

Further to Min. No. 231, the Clerk reported that the move from Kirkburton of the administrative staff is not a permanent one and will be the subject of an ongoing review.  It was proposed by Cr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that

a)     the Police be asked to keep the situation under review and

b)     be asked whether a replacement Community Constable will be instated after P.C. Allen retires in the New Year.

 

266     Waiting Restrictions –Skelmanthorpe

 

Further to Min. No. 229, the Clerk submitted a copy of the decision report made by Cabinet in regard to waiting restrictions in Skelmanthorpe.  It was proposed by Clr. Allen, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that

a)     Kirklees M.C. be asked to explain the conflict of views expressed by different officers in respect of a review of safety aspects in this area

b)     Kirklees M.C. be informed that the new development of 93 houses plus industrial units and sports facilities will add heavily to congestion in the area

c)      The Cabinet Member for Regeneration be informed of these concerns.

 

267     Remembrance Day

 

Further to Min. No. 230, Councillors were reminded of the date and time of the Remembrance Day services across the district.

 

268     Speeding Traffic – Huddersfield Road Shelley / Skelmanthorpe

 

It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the Police be informed of the high incidence of speeding traffic occurring in the vicinity of Shelley College.

 

269     Provision of Water Butts

 

It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be asked if it would be possible to supply subsidised water butts.

 

270     Council owned Garage Sites

 

It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be asked if it is their responsibility to maintain the frontages of garage sites in the area.

 

 

 

 

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271     Provision of Grit Bins

 

It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be asked if they have any intention of increasing the number of grit bins in the area with specific reference to the corner of Matherville in Skelmanthorpe.

 

272     External Audit

 

The Clerk submitted the external auditor’s certificate and opinion in respect of the Audit of Accounts for the year 2004/2005 which states that the annual return is in accordance with the Audit Commission’s requirements and no matters have given cause for concern.

 

273     Planning Appeal – Site at Commercial Road / Lodge Street, Skelmanthorpe.

 

The Clerk informed the Council that an appeal has been submitted following the refusal by Kirklees M.C. of the siting of a portable building for storage use at the above location.  The appeal will be dealt with by the written procedure.

 

274     Local Development Framework and Regional Plans

 

a)   Barnsley M.B.C.:            The Clerk submitted details of the Local Development Framework of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.  Clr. Birdsall stated that there was no impact on the boundaries of our area with that of Barnsley.

b)   Kirklees M.C.      The Clerk submitted a copy of the issues and options documents relating to the L.D.F. Core Strategy.  It was proposed by Clr. Birdsall, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that this document be discussed at the Plans Scrutiny Committee on the 22nd November, 2005.  Any Councillor who is not a member of that Committee is welcome to attend to take part in the discussion.

c)   East Midlands Regional Plan:     The Clerk submitted a copy of this document to the meeting.  Clr. Birdsall stated that there was no impact upon our area.

 

275.    Street Naming

 

a)      Development adj 12 Station Road, Skelmanthorpe.    A list of suggested names for this development was submitted and it was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that the preferred name is ‘Mill Close’.

b)     Development off Station Road, Skelmanthorpe.    It was proposed by Clr. Shaw, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that the name ‘Stanbach’ be suggested for the name of the road serving the industrial development and the names ‘Nine Clogs’ and ‘Baildon Way’ be suggested for the residential development.

 

276     Grass Track Racing – Upper Denby

 

It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Weatherby and RESOLVED that Barnsley M.B.C. and Kirklees M.C. be asked to investigate the noise nuisance caused by grass track racing at the above location.

 

277.    N.H.S. Trusts

 

The Clerk submitted copies of the consultation document ‘Looking to the Future’ with details of a workshop to be held on Saturday 19th and Saturday 26th November.  Copies of the Primary Care Trust’s Annual Report and the Oct/Nov issue of Primary Focus were also submitted to the meeting.   It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Watson and RESOLVED that the

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changes in health care provision be debated at the next meeting of the Council on 6th December, 2005.

 

278     Reports

 

The following reports were submitted for information:  Open Spaces Society Autumn Journal; Local Council Update; Vegetation and Tree Clearance Programme by YEDL; Highway Maintenance Schedule.

 

279     Community Governor – Scissett First School

 

It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Birdsall and RESOLVED that this item be placed on the agenda for the next Council Meeting.

 

280.    Parish Plan

 

Clr. Allen reported on the meeting held in Upper Denby on the 25th October, 2005.  More meetings will be held in Lower Cumberworth on the 8th November and Clayton West on the 22nd November, 2005.  Clr. Allen also reported that he will be attending relevant courses at the Northern College in the New Year.

 

281.    Quality Parish Council Sub Committee

 

It was reported that the draft individual Charter had been discussed at the meeting with Julie Fothergill from Kirklees and that a Kirklees Officer would be attending the next meeting of the sub-group to discuss the street warden issue.  It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the Draft Charter be approved.

 

282     Government Documents

 

a)     Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Section 68, Vehicular Access over Common and Other Land

It was proposed by Clr. Shaw, seconded by Clr. Birdsall and RESOLVED that the report be received.

 

283     Area Committee

 

Clr. Allen gave a brief report on the workings of the Area Committee and stated that there would be a Denby Dale Area Forum held on Wednesday, 23rd November at Denby Dale Methodist Church.  The Area Committee meeting would be held in Mirfield on the following evening. 

After some discussion it was proposed by Clr. Watson, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that the Parish Council would continue to appoint representatives to serve on the Area Committee.

It was proposed by Clr. Courtney, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be asked why minutes are not taken at the Planning Meeting of the Area Committee and why this meeting is not open to the public.

 

284     Orders for Payment

 

It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule no. 430, totalling £697.02 be authorised.

 

 

 

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285     Dates of Next Meetings

 

The next Full Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 6th December, 2005 at 7.00 p.m.

Road Safety Committee Meeting:  Thursday, 3rd November, 2005 at 7.30 p.m.

Finance and General Purposes Committee Meeting:  Tuesday, 15th November, 2005

Plans Scrutiny Committee Meeting:  Tuesday, 22nd November, 2005

 

286     Planning Notifications

 

Planning notifications were considered and observations made thereon.

 

 

                                                                                    CHAIR