ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DENBY DALE PARISH COUNCIL 2002 - 2003
CHAIRS OVERVIEW
This Civic Year has been a busy one. As well as the normal business of the Parish Council, the Parish Council has had to respond to Government initiatives to improve local democracy and accountability, responding to Kirklees Council’s proposals or requests for consultation and also getting involved in issues bought up by local residents.
Code of Conduct for Parish Councils
In consultation with Kirklees Council, Denby Dale Parish Council agreed to adopt the new Code of Conduct for Parish Councils. This requires Councillors to register their interests in property, their source of income and their interests in local businesses. It will also require them to declare any gifts they may receive.
The Code also clarifies when a Councillor should withdraw from discussion where they may be seen to have an interest that could unduly affect their impartiality.
The Code of Conduct will allow perceived breaches of the Code to be referred to the Standards Committee of Kirklees Council on which I was appointed to represent Parish Councils. Perceived serious breaches of the code will be investigated by the Standards Board for England.
Race Relations (Amendment) Act of 2000
The Council formally adopted and acknowledged the duty placed upon it by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act of 2000
Freedom of Information Act 2000.
The Council discussed and agreed to submit a publication scheme to the Information Commissioner, enabling it to comply with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This scheme has been accepted by the Information Commissioner.
The Crime and Disorder Act
The Parish Council accepted their obligations under the requirements of the Crime and Disorder Act.
Rights of Way (Crime Prevention and the Duty to Prevent Obstructions)
The Parish Council responded to the DEFRA consultation documents on Crime Prevention on Rights of Way and the Highway Authorities Duty to Prevent Obstructions on Rights of Way.
Contaminated Land Strategy
The Parish Council made representations to Kirklees Council on the proposed Contaminated Land Strategy.
Boundary Committee’s Periodic Electoral Review
The Council made representations to the Boundary Committee’s Periodic Electoral Review which was looking at electoral arrangements within Kirklees. The Boundary Committee’s Draft Report recommends that no changes be made to the number of Councillors in the Denby Dale Parish Council and that the boundaries of the Denby Dale Ward of the District Council should become co-terminus with the Denby Dale Parish Council boundaries.
Denby Dale Area Committee
After many months of negotiation Denby Dale Area Committee was formed as a sub-committee of Kirklees Council. The Area Committee will have the three Ward Councillors and three Parish Councillors with voting rights. Another three Parish Councillors will have consultative rights as well as co-opted members of community groups. The Parish Councillors will be selected from a rota of Councillors which will include a representative from the Shelley Ward of Kirkburton Parish Council. The Shelley Ward is currently within the boundary of the Denby Dale District Ward of Kirklees Council.
Neighbourhood Renewal
The Parish Council will be represented on an initiative from Kirklees Council to provide considerable funds to Skelmanthorpe under the banner of Neighbourhood Renewal.
Local transport and roads
Kirklees Highway Engineers attended a Council meeting and gave a presentation on the proposed roadworks that would be carried out in Skelmanthorpe during the Summer months. This followed a public consultation exercise held in the previous civic year, facilitated by the Parish Council.
The Parish Council were informed that Metro had received funding from the Countryside Agency towards the Village Link Service and the Parish Council agreed to match fund the service with a one off award of £3,500.
Residents of Upper Denby voiced their concerns over the reduction in bus service to their village. As a consequence I chaired a public meeting in Upper Denby, which was well attended. Representatives from Metro, the Y.T.C. bus company and the Primary Care Trust were in attendance. Metro agreed to investigate this issue further and took note of the residents’ concerns. Subsequently the Parish Council agreed to contact the Deputy Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Transport and David Hinchliffe about this matter, particularly regarding the lack of co-operation between the South and West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authorities in respect of cross border journeys.
David Hinchliffe MP
Mr Hinchliffe made his annual visit to Denby Dale Parish Council in September 2002 and issues relating to the N.H.S. and the Planning Green Paper were discussed.
Mr Hinchliffe has also taken an interest and raised with Government Ministers concerns such as Rural Transport and Planning matters which were drawn to his attention by the Parish Council.
Primary Care Trust
The Local Environment
The Environment Trust, which was formed out of an initiative by the Denby Dale Parish Council has produced a Landscape Character Assessment of the area, which will be of enormous benefit to the understanding, protection and the development of the Denby Dale area. CD Rom versions of the document were given to Councillors.
The Parish council agreed that a further consignment of ‘poop-scoop’ bags be ordered and distributed in order to play their part in improving the nuisance of dog-fouling in the area.
Grant applications
Grant applications were considered and a total of £3,760 was awarded to a number of local organisations.
One of those organisations, which the Parish Council has supported over a number of years, is the Skelmanthorpe Chrysanthemum Society. I donated a Plate, to be called the ‘Denby Dale Parish Council Plate’, which will be presented to a Class winner at their annual Autumn show.
In the last civic year £15,000 was set aside for a ‘Youth Initiative’ in the village of Denby Dale. This £15,000 plus a further £3,000 has been directed to the Environment Trust who will be supporting youth initiatives in the near future. The Parish Council heard a presentation from Shelley High School about its bid to achieve Special School Status which will include an element of environmental youth work initiatives. The Parish Council gives their full support to the School in their pursuit of the proposed funding bid. The Environment Trust has received an application for funding towards this initiative and have agreed to support the School fully in its application.
Planning
Denby Dale Parish Council received notification of many large and small planning applications and gave their views on these.
We were concerned that the review of the officer delegation agreement proposed an erosion in respect of the Parish Councils role in planning applications, which appeared to allow Officers to disregard our views. This was proposed because Kirklees Council are required to meet Government targets. We expressed our objections believing the local knowledge of Parish Councillors should not be ignored for the sake of expediency. Sadly our concerns were not endorsed by Kirklees Council. David Hinchliffe MP is to take this up with the relevant Government Minister.
Allotments at Cumberworth Road, Skelmanthorpe
An issue of significant local concern was bought to the attention of the Parish Council when we were advised of receipt of notices to quit served on allotment holders at Cumberworth Road, Skelmanthorpe. Relevant organisations within Kirklees were contacted for advice on this issue. A number of meetings have subsequently been held at which proposals to retain the Cumberworth Road allotment site have been discussed. Sadly at the time of writing no solution has been found.
Stopping up
Another issue of concern to residents of High Flatts has been a proposal to ‘stop up’ a section of the grass verge in Windmill Lane. Because their were differing views on the merit of the case, the Parish Council decided that it would raise no objection to Kirklees Council’s application to the Magistrate’s Court, which was felt to be the fairest forum for people to air their views.
Public attendance
Following our previous adoption of a standing agenda item to allow ten minutes for members of the public to make their point known directly to the Parish Council, attendance by the public has increased and the opportunity to speak to the Council has been utilised on several occasions, especially where an issue of specific local importance is being discussed. A small number of members of the public are now attending regardless of the presence of a specific matter but who wish to observe the function of the Council. We welcome their attendance.
Police
Officers of West Yorkshire Police attended a Council meeting and discussed matters relating to speeding, parking, footpath signage vandalism and the recent increase in the police precept.
Broadband Internet Access
At our request the Regional Director of British Telecoms will attend the April 2003 meeting of the Parish Council in order to discuss the provision of Broadband Internet access in the Parish Area. The Parish Council are concerned that being a predominantly rural area we would be disadvantaged by not having access to Broadband services.
Clr. A.N. Weatherby
Chair 2002/2003
SUMMARY OF COUNCIL MEETINGS: APRIL 2002 TO MARCH 2003
April 2002
At its meeting on the 9th April, the Parish Council agreed to adopt the new Code of Conduct for Parish Councils. The Council was invited to appoint representatives to the Historic Buildings Trust and the Rural Transport Partnership. Other matters discussed included suggested street names for the new development at Manor Road, Clayton West, appointment of internal auditor and reports from the Yorkshire Local Councils’ Association.
A Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting was also held during April where various planning applications were considered and no objections were raised to the proposed diversion of public footpath no. 88 at Flockton Moor Top.
May 2002
The Annual Council Meeting was held on the 21st May, 2002 and Clr. A.N. Weatherby was elected as Chair of the Council and Clr. I.D. Bowie as Vice Chair. Members were appointed to the Finance and General Purposes Committee and the Plans Scrutiny Committee. Representatives to other organisations were also appointed as were the Internal Auditor and the Responsible Financial Officer. It was agreed that subscriptions be paid to the Yorkshire Local Councils’ Association; the Yorkshire Rural Community Council; the Council for the Protection of Rural England; the Open Spaces Society; Society of Local Council Clerks and the Penistone Line Partnership. The accounts for the year 2001/2002 were accepted as a fair and accurate record. Kirklees Highway Engineers also attended the meeting and gave a presentation on the proposed roadworks that would be carried out in Skelmanthorpe during the Summer months. Other matters under discussion included the Boundary Committee’s Periodic Electoral Review which would be looking at electoral arrangements within Kirklees and the proposed Denby Dale Area Committee and questions relating to representation thereon. Observations were made on various planning applications.
June 2002
At its meeting on the 11th June, the Council were visited by representatives of the Primary Care Trust who wished to discuss the results of the recent survey on health and wellbeing carried out in the Denby Dale Parish area. Concerns were expressed about the sufficiency of school places in the Shelley pyramid. The Council formally adopted and acknowledged the duty placed upon it by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act of 2000. A progress report was also received from the Countryside Officer. Other matters discussed included dog fouling and disrepair of a footbridge on Langley Lane in Clayton West. Observations were made on various planning applications.
The Finance and General Purposes Committee held its meeting on the 18th June and elected their Chair and Vice Chair for the Civic Year. The Committee were informed that Metro had received funding from the Countryside Agency towards the Village Link Service and the Parish Council agreed to match fund the service with a one off award of £3,500. Grant applications were considered and a total of £3,760 was awarded to a number of local organisations. It was also agreed that a further consignment of ‘poop-scoop’ bags be ordered and distributed.
The Plans Scrutiny Committee met on the 25th August and considered a number of planning applications.
July 2002
At its meeting on the 2nd July, the Parish Council chose its representatives to serve on the Denby Dale Area Committee and also instituted a rota system on a ward basis for the voting and non voting representatives. It was agreed at the meeting that under the Kirklees Boundary Review the Parish Council would wish to see their warding system remaining as the status quo. A further supply of ‘poop scoop’ bags were ordered for distribution throughout the parish area. Other matters included a report on the Open Spaces Society’s A.G.M., acceptance of the requirements of the Crime and Disorder Act and a progress report on the Denby Dale Youth Initiative.
August 2002
A Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting was held this month at which members of the public put forward their concerns about a planning application in Emley. Members considered this and other planning applications and forwarded their observations to Kirklees M.C. The Committee also supported residents of Upper Cumberworth in their request for a pelican crossing on Barnsley Road. Consideration was given to footpath diversion applications at footpaths 82 (Hollybank Avnue, Upper Cumberworth and 88 (Flockton Moor Top).
September 2002
David Hinchliffe M.P. attended the September meeting of the Council and issues relating to the N.H.S. and the Planning Green Paper were discussed. Councillors visited Hepworth Building Products quarries at the beginning of September and gave a report to Council. Other matters discussed included continuing concern about another closure at Kirkburton Police Station, school occupancy figures at Emley First School and DEFRA documents on Crime Prevention on Rights of Way and the Highway Authorities Duty to Prevent Obstructions on Rights of Way.
October 2002
At the Council meeting on the 1st October, concern was expressed at the notices to quit served on allotment holders at Cumberworth Road, Skelmanthorpe and it was agreed that relevant organisations be contacted for advice on this issue. It was agreed that a meeting be held with Kirklees’ officers in order to discuss the matter further. Councillors were nominated to lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Services across the district. The Council agreed to write to Kirklees M.C. expressing their objections to the review of the officer delegation agreement in respect of planning applications. Other matters discussed included vandalism and indiscriminate car parking outside Scissett First School, intermittent closure of Kirkburton Police Station and the issues involved in complying with the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
A Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting was held on the 29th October and issues discussed included an application to extinguish part of footpath 82 Denby Dale and 41 Hollybank Avenue, Upper Cumberworth – to which the Committee had no objection. There was no objection to a proposed modification order in respect of a claimed public bridleway along Pilling Lane, Frank Lane and Langley Lane, Scissett and Clayton West.
November, 2002
On the 4th November, members of the Parish Council met with representatives of Kirklees and Skelmanthorpe Allotment Holders to discuss matters relating to allotments at Cumberworth Road, Skelmanthorpe, where tenants had been given notice to quit. It was agreed that a further meeting be held when more information became available.
The Parish Council meeting was held on the 5th November. Members of the public and representatives of Kirklees attended the meeting to give their views and enter into discussion
about the proposed stopping up of Windmill Lane (part), High Flatts. After much deliberation the Council agreed to allow the application to go to Court. Other issues discussed at the meeting
included the Freedom of Information Act – Councillors agreed to submit a publication scheme to the Information Commissioner, road markings in Skelmanthorpe and the Contaminated Land Strategy.
The Finance and General Purposes Committee was held on the 19th November, 2002. Estimates of expenditure were discussed and the budget set for the year 2003/2004. The precept was set at £63,000. Grants were made to Skelmanthorpe Scouts and the Open Spaces Society.
December, 2002
On the 3rd December members of the public attended the meeting to voice their concerns about the reduction in bus services to Upper Denby. It was agreed that the Parish Council call a public meeting which would be attended by representatives of Metro and the Y.T.C. bus company. (This meeting took place on the l8th December). Concern was again expressed about matters relating to the officer delegation agreement in respect of planning applications. The allotment issue was still ongoing. It was agreed to invite the Regional Director of British Telecoms to a future Council meeting in order to discuss the Broadband initiative. Other matters discussed included the appointment of a School Governor to Gilthwaites First School, Denby Dale and a report of the launch of the Denby Dale Area Committee on the 20th November.
A Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting was held on the 17th December at which planning applications were discussed and planning decisions received.
January, 2003
The Parish Council held its January meeting on the 7th January. The Chair of the Council reported on the public meeting held at Upper Denby regarding the reduction in bus service. Feedback from this meeting was requested from Metro. It was reported that a Neighbourhood Renewal event had been held and the community informed that there was money available to fund community issues such as youth, transport and the elderly. Planning issues were again discussed and it was reported that David Hinchliffe had agreed to speak to the relevant Cabinet Minister in respect of the officer delegation agreement. Other issues included a request for funding in respect of a shopmobility scheme, consultation on a telecommunications development and the ongoing issue of the allotments at Skelmanthorpe.
On the 4th February, 2003, concerns about the bus service to and from Upper Denby were again expressed. The Council agreed to contact the Deputy Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Transport and David Hinchliffe about this matter, particularly regarding the lack of co-operation between the South and West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authorities in respect of cross border journeys. Other matters for discussion included the ongoing issue of the allotments in Skelmanthorpe and concern about recycling facilities in Skelmanthorpe. An agenda was formulated for the forthcoming meeting with West Yorkshire Police.
March, 2003
At the March meeting the Parish Council heard a presentation from Shelley High School about its bid to achieve Special School Status. Monies were awarded for environmental youth work initiatives. The Environment Trust distributed C.D. copies of its landscape character assessment of the area and asked for feedback from members. Representatives from the Police attended the meeting and discussed matters relating to speeding, parking, footpath signage vandalism and the
recent increase in the police precept. Other matters discussed included the Upper Denby Bus Service, a proposed phone mast at Ponker Farm.
The Finance and General Purposes Committee met during March and received reports on cash flow, superannuation and insurance issues.
DENBY DALE PARISH COUNCIL
SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS 2002/2003
· The Parish Council in the year 2002/2003 precepted the sum of £63,000
· As a co-funding partner, the Parish Council’s contribution to the Denby Dale Parish Countryside Management Project was £22,000.
· Approximately £4,500 was distributed in grant aid to organisations within the Parish, £2,500 allocated to the Environment Trust for the environmental small grant scheme and £18,000 to the Environment Trust for youth initiative work allocation.
· The Parish Council also supported, by grant aid, the Primary Schools within the Parish and the Road Safety and Home and Leisure Safety Committees.
· All Primary and Nursery School children in the Parish area were given Golden Jubilee medallions. These were presented to the children by the Chair of the Council.
Unaudited Balance Sheet
£
1.4.2002 Balance b/f 58,165.42
Income 67,938.79
126,104.21
Expenditure 90,760.63
35,343.58
less earmarked reserves 5,905.73
31.3.2003 Balance c/f 29,437.85