This is an electronic copy. The authoritative signed version is held at the Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe.
Minutes of the Meeting of the Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday, 7th September, 2004 in the Civic Chamber, Skelmanthorpe.
Members Present:
Clrs. J.A. Barlow - Chair
Mrs. C. Beal, J.C. Birdsall, I.D. Bowie, J.D. Carr, Mrs. S.A. Dellapuppa, Mrs. G. Hague, D.W. Kaye, R. McSkimming, R.S. Mottram, E.I. Shaw, T.D. Sigsworth, G. Smith, G. Turner
158. Declaration of Interests
No declaration of interests were made.
159. Co-option to Vacancy on Council
It was proposed by Clr. Barlow, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED unanimously that John D. Carr be elected as co-opted member for the Denby and Cumberworth Ward. Clr. Carr duly signed the declaration of acceptance of office and took his seat in the Chamber.
160. Public Discussion Time
No items were raised
161. Suspension of Standing Orders
It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Shaw and RESOLVED that standing orders be suspended in accordance with standing order no. 79, in order that the District Councillors for Denby Dale Ward could address the meeting.
162. Denby Dale Ward Councillors
Clr. Barlow welcomed Clrs. Blanshard, Dodds and Ward to the meeting. Council were informed that £65,000 was available via the Area Committee for spending on pavement improvements in the Denby Dale Ward. Various suggestions were put forward as to which areas would benefit most from this initiative. Reference was made to the new Cabinet strategy and the fact that C.D.s would soon be available giving details on benefits, health, social services etc. It was agreed that it would be helpful if District Councillors were sent copies of correspondence sent to Kirklees in order that they were aware of any concerns being raised in the area.
Clr. Barlow thanked the Councillors for their attendance.
163. Return to Standing Orders
It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that standing orders be returned to.
164. Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted by Clrs. Mrs. M. Clark, C. Watson, R.G. Allen, J.C. Cooke, A.N. Weatherby and Mrs. V. Woodhead. It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Shaw and RESOLVED that the reasons for absence from the meeting submitted by the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.
165. Minutes
It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 6th July, 2004, be signed by the Chair as a correct record.
166 Speeding Traffic in Emley
Further to Min. no. 109, Clr. Shaw and Clr. Mrs. Beal reported on the site visit held in Emley. It was reported that Kirklees had agreed to install speed measurement devices at the entrances to the village to assess the speed and volume of traffic.
167. Wind Farms
Further to Min. No. 110, Council was reminded that the public meeting would be held on Tuesday, 21st September, 2004 at 7.30 p.m. in St. Augustine’s Church, Scissett. Patrick Auterson, the Planning Policy Manager from Kirklees would be present. Information from the Open Spaces Society was submitted for consideration and a copy of PPS22 (Renewable Energy) policy guidelines was made available for inspection. A letter from a concerned resident was also submitted to the meeting.
168. David Hinchliffe M.P.
Further to Min. No. 114, the Clerk reported that unfortunately, Mr. Hinchliffe would be unable to attend any Parish Council meeting in the foreseeable future. It was agreed that Mr. Hinchliffe be invited to attend a summer meeting of the Council – possibly July.
169 Street Naming – Wentworth Drive, Emley
Further to Min. No. 119, the Clerk reported that the name ‘Manderlay Gardens’ had been chosen for the above development.
170. Footways – Ponker Lane, Skelmanthorpe
Further to Min. No. 120, the Clerk reported that Kirklees could not accede to further surveys and that the assessment was carried out with the current Highways practice and criteria. It was proposed by Clr. Barlow, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that Kirklees be asked for details of the current criteria used in these assessments.
171. West Yorkshire Police Consultation Strategy
The Clerk reported that Clr. Weatherby had submitted a written report on the above strategy. It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that West Yorkshire Police be informed that the Council would welcome the opportunity to become involved in consultation with the Police Authority and would assist in any community engagement; that rural communities and the elderly should be included in the ‘hard to reach’ group; and that the Council would be happy to help in disseminating any feedback through its website and newsletter.
172. Green Bin Collection
Further to Min. No. 123, the Clerk reported that Kirklees could not justify any extra cost that would be incurred by increasing the frequency of emptying and that alternatives for recycling at non wheeled bin properties were being investigated. It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Kirklees be asked how much waste is currently recycled; what the targets are and how they are being achieved; what criteria are in place to justify extra collections and what alternatives are being looked at in respect of recycling at non wheeled bin properties. It was also agreed to ask for a site visit to be arranged to the Vine Street recycling centre.
173. Members Allowances
Further to Min. No. 125, it was proposed by Clr. Kaye, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that the Denby Dale Parish Council agree that travelling allowances be paid in line with other Councils at the Inland Revenue limit, which at present is 40p per mile.
174. Code of Conduct - Training
The Clerk submitted a letter from Kirklees Council which offered training on standards and code of conduct issues. It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that Kirklees be thanked for this offer but that this not be progressed any further at this stage.
175. Model Code of Conduct for Employees. Review of Restrictions on the Political Activities of Local Authority Employees and Pay of Political Assistants.
The Clerk submitted copies of the above documents to the meeting which required observations by the 19th November, 2004. It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Birdsall and RESOLVED that Clr. Bowie report back on these documents at the next meeting.
176. Sorting Office at Scissett
Further to Min. No. 126, the Clerk reported that the Royal Mail did not have the resource available to extend opening hours at the above office. It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that a reply be sent expressing concern that a sorting office holding mail that cannot be delivered does not open at times that are more accessible to the general public.
177. Dene Road, Westfield Avenue, Skelmanthorpe
It was proposedby Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that Kirklees be informed of the Council’s concern in regard to speeding traffic in the above vicinity and that some form of speed restriction be requested. It was also agreed to ask what policy and criteria are in place to assess suitability for the placing of speed restrictions.
178. Skateboard Ramp, Cross Lane Playing Fields, Skelmanthorpe
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that Kirklees be informed of the dangerous condition of the existing skateboard ramp at the above site.
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that
a) Andy Wickham, the Countryside Officer and Debbie Lumb from Shelley College be sent copies of a petition received from youngsters who use the Cross Lane facilities
b) That Andy and Debbie be asked to investigate the possibility of using this site as part of the youth facilities initiative
c) That the Area Committee be approached in regard to the partial funding.
179. Environment Trust Minutes
The Clerk submitted the above minutes to the meeting.
180. Barriers – Footpath 21, near the Millennium Green, Emley.
The Clerk reported that an order has been placed to erect the above barriers.
181. Community Liaison
The Clerk submitted information and leaflets regarding Community grants, Community volunteers and access grants.
182. Planning Appeal – 52 Heator Lane, Upper Cumberworth – erection of dwelling
The Clerk reported that the above appeal would be dealt with by the written procedure.
183 External Audit
The Clerk reported that the external audit of the Council’s accounts had been completed with no matters to report to the Council.
184. Layby – Commercial Road, Skelmanthorpe
Further to Min. No. 51, it was reported that to introduce a loading bay and disabled parking bay would require a traffic regulation order and that this could not be justified in this case. It was proposed by Clr. McSkimming, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the Police be asked what powers the P.C.S.O. would have in dealing with this type of case.
185. Police Visit
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that the Police be invited to attend the March 1st 2005 meeting of the Council.
It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Carr and RESOLVED that the Area Committee be informed that the Council feel that there is a need for two PCSO officers in this area but that the funding should be forthcoming from the Police Authority.
186. Denby Dale Footpath 151 (Bank Lane) Modification Order
It was reported that the above Order has been confirmed as an unopposed Order.
187. Draft Regional Planning Guidance for Yorkshire and the Humber
The Clerk submitted the above to the meeting. It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that the draft be received.
188. Emley Show
Clrs. Sigsworth and McSkimming gave a brief report of the various issues raised at Emley Show.
189. Transfer of Licence
It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Smith and RESOLVED that the notice of transfer of licence in respect of The Windmill, Busker Lane, Skelmanthorpe be received.
190. Reports
The following documents were submitted to the meeting: Local Councils’ Update; Tourism Focus; Penistone Line Express; Keeping Track; Kirklees Pennine Rural Transport Partnership Steering Group; C.P.R.E. – Fieldwork.
191 Plans Scrutiny Committee
It was proposed by Clr. Shaw, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Plans Scrutiny Committee held on 3rd August, 2004 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.
192. Flyposting – Durkar to Kirklees Boundary.
Further to Min. No. 150, the Clerk reported that Wakefield Council had agreed to remove the notices posted along this road.
193. Environmental Activities – Dry Hill Farm
The Clerk reported that Councillors had been invited to visit the above farm to look at the various environmental projects that had been undertaken. It was agreed that Clr. Barlow contact the farm owner and arrange a visit during the Spring.
194. T.P.O. Maps
The Clerk reported that these maps were available for purchase at a total cost of £286.00. It was proposed by Clr. Kaye, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that Clr. Sigsworth be authorised to make enquiries with the Environment Unit in respect of possible electronic accessibility.
195. Future of Local Government – 10 year vision
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Bowie and RESOLVED that Clr. Barlow be authorised to formulate a report on the above for submission to the next meeting.
196. Denby Dale Nursery School – Community Governor
It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Clr. Allen be nominated as a Community Governor to the above School.
197. Youth Facility Provision
It was reported that the Denby Dale site was now finished, that Emley was ongoing and fundraising steadily. There would be an Open Day at the Football Club grounds on 9th October, 2004 between 11.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.
198. Parish Plan
It was reported that the lap top had been purchased and that the schools had expressed an interest in becoming involved.
199. Quality Parish Council Status
The report of the joint Parish Councils meeting on the 14th July, 2004 was submitted for consideration. It was agreed to consider the formulation of the Model Charter at the next meeting of the Council. Items for the newsletter were requested.
200. Area Committee
The Clerk reported that the next cycle of meetings were 9th September, 11th November, 13th January 2005, 10th March, 2005 and 12th May, 2005. A copy of the minutes of the last meeting were submitted. The report of the meeting held on 13th July was submitted and considered.
It was proposed by Clr. Bowie, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that the following representatives be elected to the Area Committee: Clrs. Allen, Barlow, Mottram, Shaw, Birdsall and Turner.
201. Y.L.C.A.
Clr. Shaw reported on the Y.L.C.A. conference held at York on the 4th and 5th September. The Clerk submitted a copy of the Local Council Review, the White Rose Update and Country Air to the meeting.
202 Orders for Payment
It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Birdsall and RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule no. 414, totalling £13,166.71 be authorised.
203 Pension Issues
a) The Clerk reported that under new legislation a Specified Person had to be appointed by employers to deal, in the first instance, with any complaints about the pension process. It was proposed by Clr. Barlow, seconded by Clr. Birdsall and RESOLVED that the Chair of Finance be appointed as the Specified Person.
b) The Clerk asked for observations on the new Funding Strategy Statement of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund. It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that the Council agree that different recovery periods should apply to different types of employers; that a twenty five year period of repayment be favoured and that any increases that may arise in employer’s contributions due to the 2004 valuation be phased in over a period.
204. Clerk’s Salary
It was proposed by Clr. Turner, seconded by Clr. Smith and RESOLVED that the pay increases as itemised in the local government pay negotiations be accepted and backdated to the 1st April, 2004.
205. Date of Next Meeting
Home and Leisure Safety Committee Meeting : Tuesday, 14th September, 2004 at 7.30 p.m.
Full Council : Tuesday, 5th October, 2004 at 7.30 p.m.
206. Planning Notifications
Planning notifications were considered and observations made thereon.
CHAIR
This is an electronic copy. The authoritative signed version is held at the Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe.