Minutes of the Meeting of the Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday, 6th September, 2005 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe.

Members Present:

Clr. J.A. Barlow – Chair

Clrs. R.G. Allen, Mrs. C. Beal, J.C. Birdsall, Dr. M.E. Courtney, Mrs. S.E. Dellapuppa, D.W. Kaye, R. McSkimming, R.S. Mottram, T.D. Sigsworth, G. Turner, A.N. Weatherby

The Chair held one minute’s silence in respect of the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

167 Declaration of Councillors’ Interests

Clrs. Mrs. Dellapuppa, J.C. Birdall, T.D. Sigsworth and R.S. Mottram declared a personal interest in application no. 92469.

Clr. J.C. Birdsall declared a personal interest in item 7(2) on the agenda, Cumberworth Road allotments

Clr. R.G. Allen declared a personal interest in item 2 on the agenda – co-option to the Council.

168 Appointment of Co-optee

It was proposed by Clr. Barlow, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Dellapuppa and RESOLVED unanimously that Dr. Mary Elizabeth Courtney be elected as co-optee for the Clayton West Ward of the Denby Dale Parish Council. Dr. Courtney thereupon signed the declaration of acceptance of office and took her seat in the chamber.

169 Suspension of Standing Orders

It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Birdsall 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.

170. Public Discussion Time

Two items were raised under public discussion time

a) the applicant spoke to the submission of planning application no. 93186 relating to the erection of a farm shop at Woodhouse Lane, Emley

b) protestors spoke against planning application no. 92469 which related to the erection of 92 dwellings with garages at Wakefield Road / Langley Lane, Scissett.

171 Return to Standing Orders

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

172. Change to Agenda Order

It was proposed by Clr. Mottram, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that planning applications 93186 and 92469 be brought forward for consideration.

173 Planning Application 93186 Erection of Farm Shop at Woodhouse Lane, Emley.

Discussion took place on the above application and a decision was made in favour of the application as per the attached schedule.

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174. Planning application 902469

Discussions took place on the above application with for and against equally divided. A decision against the submitted application was made (with the Chair’s casting vote) as per the attached schedule.

175. Apologies for Absence.

Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted from the following Councillors: I.D. Bowie, C. Watson, Mrs. G. Hague, J.D. Carr, Mrs. J. E. Birdsall, Mrs. V. Woodhead, E.I. Shaw and Mrs. M. Clarke. It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Dellapuppa and RESOLVED that the reasons for absence from the meeting submitted by the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.

176. Northern College Courses.

Further to Min. No. 111, the Clerk submitted details of courses available for attendance. To attend a course at Northern College would require at least ten bookings, otherwise outreach courses would have to be used. It was proposed by Clr. Barlow, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that Clr. Allen be authorised to approach Northern College in regard to attendance at a course relating to the Parish Plan.

177. Scissett Mount

Further to Min. No. 116, discussion took place on the consultation document in regard to the review of care facilities within Kirklees and it was proposed by Clr. Barlow, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that

a) Kirklees be informed of the Parish Council’s concern that the visit by Clr. Hullock to the Parish Council and the Council’s comments were not mentioned within the document.

b) Clr. Weatherby and Clr. J.C. Birdsall be authorised to attend the 5^th October 2005 Cabinet meeting to put forward the Parish Councils observations.

178. Hire Charges in Schools

Further to Min. No. 117, the Clerk submitted a letter from Scissett C.E. (A) First School which stated that the Governing Body would do everything in their power to keep increases to a minimum.

179. Changes to Concessionary Travel

Further to Min. No. 120, a letter from the Department of Transport stated that there were no plans to introduce free nationwide bus travel. A further letter was received from Metro which contained comments from the Yorkshire Traction Company that they are trying to ensure that on journeys where overcrowding occurs, double deckers will be used instead of single.

180. Public Consultation Issues

Further to Min. 121, various options in regard to the opening up of public discussion and participation were discussed. It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that the length of public discussion time be at the Chair’s discretion and not be restricted to agenda items. It was also agreed that Councillors’ details be advertised in the District Chronicle after every Annual Council Meeting.

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181. Textile Museum

Further to Min. No. 122, Councillors were reminded that the visit to the textile museum would take place on Tuesday, 27^th September, 2005 at 7.00 p.m.

182 Retention of Public Phone Boxes

Further to Min. No. 124, letters were submitted from OFCOM and BT, the former stated that costs relating to public phone boxes are offset against the benefits that accrue to BT in their position as a universal service provider. However these costs may increase and cost sharing or joint provision by communications providers may be needed. Ofcom is to begin work in 2006 on longer term costing and funding issues. The letter from BT stated that the old style phone card no longer exists and cashless boxes will help retain boxes for emergency use in certain locations.

183. Hepworth Site Visit

Further to Min. No. 125, Councillors who attended the above site visit on the 5^th September, 2005 gave a brief report on the tour around the quarries. It was proposed by Clr. Birdsall, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that Mr. Newman be thanked for attending the visit.

184. Speeding Traffic and Road Safety Issues in Clayton West and Scissett

Further to Min. No. 126, Kirklees M.C. have undertaken manual and automatic speed counts on Chapel Hill / Spring Grove / Church Lane which shows speeds higher than the prescribed limits. The possibility of closure of Victoria Street at its Chapel Hill end, leaving Victoria Street as a cul-de-sac is being put to residents.

The police are also to carry out some enforcement in this area.

185. Cross Lane Playing Fields, Skelmanthorpe

Further to Min. No. 129, it was reported that work was in hand to replace the roofs of both of the changing rooms, along with the gutters and upper fascias. Further funding is being sought to improve facilities, repaint and re-render the buildings.

186. K.M.C. Pedestrian Strategy

Further to Min. No. 130, Clr. Turner agreed to report back to the next meeting on issues raised in this document.

187. Highway Infrastructure

Further to Min. No. 131, it was reported that the drainage along Commercial Road, Skelmanthorpe has been checked and found to be working correctly. The gullies outside the Post Office will be checked once again. The light in New Street, Skelmanthorpe should be repaired within the next week.

188. School Transport

Further to Min. No. 132, it was reported that representatives of Kirklees M.C. and Metro would attend the Council meeting in December.

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189. Refuse Collection and Permit Dumping at Refuse Sites

Further to Min. No. 133, it was reported that crews would be reminded to take more care when replacing bins. There are no plans to issue wheeled bins to properties at Emley Woodhouse or Emley Moor. It has not been possible, as yet, to come up with a financially or environmentally sound method.

Some discussion was held into the practice of Local Authorities issuing permits for the dumping of waste at refuse sites. It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that Kirklees and Wakefield Councils, with a copy to Mary Creagh M.P., be

a) notified of the Parish Council’s concern about this practice,

b) asked whether any discussions between Councils has taken place

c) asked about the financial costs of such a scheme, and

d) asked whether any analysis was done into cost benefits.

190. Denby Delf

The Clerk reported that the Company involved in the administration of the above site has now been dissolved and that Kirklees Council is making enquiries about the land’s charitable status.

191. Cumberworth Road Allotments, Skelmanthorpe

It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Turner and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. and Yorkshire Land Ltd. be asked for an up to date progress report on the likely timescale involved in relocating to the new allotment site.

192. Revised Community Strategy

It was proposed by Clr. Barlow, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that more time be requested for consideration of the report and that this be read in conjunction with the Sustainable Communities Bill.

193. Rural Transport Partnership Steering Group

Notification of the next meeting of the above group was submitted to the meeting.

194. Police Consultation Event

The Clerk submitted a summary of the above event to the meeting.

195 Skelmanthorpe – Road Safety Issues

It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Barlow and RESOLVED that Kirklees M.C. be informed of the Parish Council’s concern that they were not invited to attend the recent site meeting in Skelmanthorpe and that Kirklees M.C. be asked to keep the Parish Council informed of future developments.

196 Reports

The Clerk submitted the following reports to the meeting: Agenda and Minutes of the Primary Care Trust; Local Council Update; Newsletter of the Penistone Line Partnership; Highway Report; Public Rights of Way Forum Minutes; C.P.R.E. Fieldwork.

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197 Street Naming – Development adjacent to 12 Station Road, Skelmanthorpe

It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that the name ‘ Mill Close’ be suggested as being appropriate for this development.

198. Plans Scrutiny Committee

It was proposed by Clr. Sigsworth, seconded by Clr. Mottram and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Plans Scrutiny Committee, held on 2^nd August, 2005, be signed by the Chair of the Committee as a correct record.

199. Proposed H3G Base Station at United Reform Church, Church Lane, Clayton West.

Further to Min. No. 166, it was reported that the applicant had been informed that the Parish Council would submit formal observations when the planning application is submitted.

200 Wakefield Local Development Framework – Consultation Document

Further to Min. No. 159, Clr. Birdsall reported that the document did incorporate references to Parish Councils within the consultation process.

201. Problems on and around Holmfield, Clayton West.

Further to Min. No. 161, Clrs. Mottram and Sigsworth gave a report on the action being taken in order to address the problems in this area.

202. Parish Plan

Clr. Allen reported that a further series of meetings are to be held in respect of the Parish Plan.

203 Quality Parish Council Status

It was reported that the Charter signing ceremony would be held on 22^nd September, 2005 at the Town Hall, Huddersfield, to be attended by members of the Quality Sub-Committee.

204. Public Rights of Way Consultation

It was proposed by Clr. Barlow, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that Clrs. Birdsall and Shaw be authorised to look at this document and report back to the next meeting in October.

205. Campaign for Sustainable Communities Bill

It was proposed by Clr. Barlow, seconded by Clr. Allen and RESOLVED that this be looked at in conjunction with the KMC Community Strategy, with a report being made to the next meeting in October.

206 Area Committee

Clr. Allen gave a report on the last meeting of the Committee which had been attended by a representative of the Yorkshire Traction Company.

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207 Standards Committee

The Clerk submitted a list of general principles in respect of the Code of Conduct for members’ information.

208 Yorkshire Local Councils’ Association

The Clerk submitted the following documents for information : Planning Seminar at Goole – to be attended by members of the Council; White Rose Update; Country Air Magazine; Local Council Review.

209. Orders for Payment

It was proposed by Clr. Weatherby, seconded by Clr. Sigsworth and RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule no. 428, totalling £27,266.50, be authorised.

210 Date of Next Meetings

The next Full Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, 4^th October, 2005 at 7.00 p.m.

Quality Status Sub Committee meeting: Tuesday, 13^th September, 2005 at 5.45 p.m.

Home and Leisure Safety Committee: Tuesday, 13^th September, 2005 at 7.30 p.m.

211. Planning Notifications

Planning notifications were considered and observations made thereon.

CHAIR