ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DENBY DALE PARISH COUNCIL 2003 - 2004

CHAIRS OVERVIEW

The amount of work achieved by this Council seems to increase every year. It is interesting and varied and I thank all the Councillors and staff for their fine freewill service for the people of Denby Dale.

Local Democracy in Action

Parish Councils are the foundation stone of local democracy and we as a Council do our best to air the views of local people. One such way that has been very used is Public Discussion Time.

There has been a significant increase in the numbers of people wishing to speak about issues concerning them. Naturally, planning issues are to the fore and a particularly large gathering took place for a recent planning proposal at Scissett. The standard of presentation by the people concerned has been high.

Young People

The young people in the Denby Dale Parish area live far out from the social attractions of the surrounding towns, necessitating long journeys by bus or parents’ cars. There is only one youth club in this area at Skelmanthorpe and small church ones at two village chapels. There are excellent local sports teams providing training locally in the major sports and Scissett Baths. However, there is a need for somewhere for youngsters to meet and exercise in the villages. With the help of Shelley College and our Countryside Officer there are plans for facilities at Emley, Denby Dale and Clayton West. There will, however, be a need for local consultation as to what facilities, e.g. youth shelters, basketball/tennis/skateboard parks. A balance will need to be struck between needs and the location.

Environmental Issues

The Parish Environment Trust continues with our support. Its activities include the management of some important woodlands, setting up wildlife projects at local junior schools and Shelley College, the Landscape Assessment of the area and the upgrading of the Dearne Way and footpath links. The Landscape Assessment is a commendable exercise. The support of environmental work is, as ever, one this Council’s strongpoints.

Traffic Issues

The ever present problem of traffic continues to bedevil the area, particularly the A636 with its links to the M1 and rat run that has been created through Emley. The Council continues to press the Highway Authority for solutions to the speeding problems and also the police to deal with the offenders.

Bus Services

Unfortunately the Village Link is to stop running at the end of April. Usage has not proved sufficient for viability. However, the 935 service to Wakefield Westgate has done well, though there are problems with its replacement to Holmfirth. Following problems at Upper Denby with the withdrawal of some commercial services, the Council has been able, through the Countryside Agency, to obtain a grant to extend the Yorkshire Service from Penistone to Upper Denby.

Quality Parish Council Status

The Denby Dale Parish Council is on course to achieving quality status. The website is now online at denbydale.com. The Council is also in the process of undertaking a Parish Plan.

Clr. E.I. Shaw

Chair 2003/2004

SUMMARY OF COUNCIL MEETINGS: APRIL 2003 TO APRIL 2004

April 2003

At its meeting on the 1^st April, the Parish Council welcomed the Regional Director of British Telecom who gave a presentation on the role of Broadband within the community. The landscape character assessment undertaken by the Environment Trust was praised and the Council were informed that the scheme to introduce restrictions on Station Road, Skelmanthorpe had been abandoned. Other matters discussed included the siting of the polling Station in Emley, use of Quad bikes in Emley recreation ground and the Cumberworth Road Allotments issue. The Annual Report of the Parish Council 2002 – 2003 was approved.

The Annual Parish Meeting was held on the 15^th April where reports from School Governors and representatives of organisations within the Parish with Council representation were heard.

A Plans Scrutiny Committee was also held during April where various planning applications were considered and the Committee informed that Footpath 31 at Langley Lane, Clayton West, was to be upgraded to a bridleway.

This Committee meeting marked the end of the current term of the Council elected in May of 1999 and retiring Councillors were thanked for their input over the last four years.

May, 2003

The first Annual Council Meeting of the new Council was held on the 13^th May, 2002. Clr. E.I. Shaw was elected as Chair of the Council and Clr. R.G. Allen as Vice Chair. Co-optees were appointed to three of the four vacant seats. Members were appointed to the Finance and General Purposes Committee and the Plans Scrutiny Committee. Representatives to other organisations were also appointed, as was the Responsible Financial Officer. It was reported that the Internal Auditor had accepted the terms of her appointment. 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 Opens Spaces Society, Society of Local Council Clerks and the Penistone Line Partnership. The accounts for the year 2002/2003 were accepted as a fair and accurate record. The Council were informed that the waiting restriction scheme at Station Road, Skelmanthorpe was to be revisited and public consultation was underway. Andy Wickham, the Countryside Project Officer, gave a short presentation on the work and aims of the Countryside Project. Other matters under discussion included appointment of School Governors and the diversion of public footpath no. 47 at Lower Busker Farm, Scissett.

June, 2003

At the meeting Held on 3^rd June, 2003, a co-optee was appointed to fill the fourth vacancy on the Council. Discussions were held on an application to provide a pharmacy in Denby Dale and problems at Nortonthorpe School were also given consideration. Concern was expressed about the proposed charging for the collection of garden waste and the proposed diversion of footpath 136 off Station Road, Skelmanthorpe was also discussed. Other matters under discussion included car and motor bike racing at Langley Lane, Clayton West and issues relating to Cumberworth Road allotments.

The Finance and General Purposes Committee held its meeting on the 17^th June and elected their Chair and Vice Chair for the Civic Year. Grant applications were considered and a total of £3,000 was awarded to local organisations. Matters relating to the inclusion of Parish Councils’ details on the Kirklees website were discussed, as was the possible use of the already established denbydale.com site.

The Plans Scrutiny Committee met on the 24^th July and appointed their Chair and Vice Chair for the Civic Year. Members considered matters relating to the Protocol for restrictions on public rights of way and access to open country in the event of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth or similar

animal disease. Other matters under discussion included the naming of a new street off Wakefield Road, Denby Dale and the locating of a telecommunications development at Ponker Farm, Skelmanthorpe.

July, 2003

Representative from the L.E.A., Nortonthorpe School and the Police attended the meeting on the 1^st July in order to discuss problems relating to Nortonthorpe School. The Annual Return for 2002/2003 was completed and approved. Other matters under discussion included parking on Barnsley Road, Scissett, locating of street nameplates, arrangements for the site visit to Hepworth Quarries and Quality Parish Councils. Members were informed that Shelley High School had been successful in their bid to achieve Special School Status.

August, 2003

Discussions were held on the Cumberworth Road Allotment site issue and it was agreed that Kirklees Council be asked to re-examine the Blythe case and to explore all possible ways of maintaining the site for allotment usage. A School Governor was appointed to Kayes First and Nursery School in Clayton West and the name of Marshall Mill Rise was suggested for a development in Scissett. A number of planning applications were considered and observations passed on to Kirklees Council.

September, 2003

Simon Hulme attended the Council meeting and gave a presentation on the setting up of his website ‘denbydale.com’. It was agreed that the Parish Council meet further with Mr. Hulme with a view to joining the website. A number of concerns were addressed at the meeting including parking on Barnsley Road in Scissett, location of the Polling Station in Emley and the possible undertaking of a parish plan. Consultation documents were submitted in respect of providing for education needs generated by new development; indemnities for relevant authority members and officers and the draft School Organisation Plan. Other matters discussed included the G.M. debate and the drafting of an agenda for the visit by David Hinchliffe M.P. in October.

October, 2003

David Hinchliffe M.P. attended the Council meeting and spoke mainly on health issues. Kirklees M.C. has agreed to seek advise from Counsel in regard to the Cumberworth Road allotments issue. It was reported that the Clerk had achieved the A.Q.A. Certificate in Local Council Administration, one of the criteria needed for the Council to achieve Quality status. Consideration was given to the possibility of undertaking a Parish Plan. The Council agreed to write to The Electoral Commission supporting the lowering of the voting age to 16 years and expressing agreement with the view that young people should be allowed to stand for election at 18 years. Other matters under discussion included concerns about staffing at Skelmanthorpe Fire Station and possible extension of the bus service in Upper Denby.

November, 2003

At the Council meeting, Gordon McLean and Stuart Sandys of the Calderdale and Huddersfield N.H.S. Trust gave a presentation on Foundation Hospital status. The Council were informed that the external audit of the Council’s accounts had been completed with no matters to report. It was reported that the Parish Council were now ‘on line’ through the denbydale.com website. Other matters under discussion included the new regulations relating to members’ allowances and the level of lighting at the zebra crossing in Skelmanthorpe.

The Finance and General Purposes Committee met in November and recommendations were made as to the estimates of expenditure and precept for 2004/2005. Clr. Allen was appointed as Chair Elect of the Council and the future funding of the Countryside Project was discussed.

December, 2003

Debbie Lumb, from Shelley High School, and Andy Wickham, the Countryside Officer, attended the Council meeting to give a progress report on the youth facilities provision initiative. It was intended to provide a youth shelter, or other facility, at the Sunnybank site in Denby Dale and public consultation would take place before Christmas. The Council agreed that they would seek Quality status and a sub-committee was set up to progress the initiative. It was agreed that a meeting be held between representatives of the West and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executives, the Countryside Agency and the Parish Council with a view to obtaining a Parish Transport Grant to extend the bus service between Upper Denby and Penistone. The Council agreed to begin the formulation of a Parish Plan and invited a representative of the Yorkshire Rural Community Council to attend a future Council meeting to discuss the scheme. The precept for the year 2004/2005 was formally set.

The Plans Scrutiny Committee met during December where a number of planning applications were considered. It was agreed that an application be submitted to the Countryside Agency in respect of a Parish Transport Grant for the extension of the Penistone – Upper Denby bus service. Other matters discussed included the proposition, by Kirklees M.C. to install a footway on Denby Lane at Upper Denby.

January, 2004

Debbie Lumb and Andy Wickham submitted a report on the public meeting held at Denby Dale to discuss the youth initiative and it was agreed that Andy and Debbie continue to liaise with residents and young people in Denby Dale and also institute the provision of youth facilities in other villages within the Parish. It was noted that a joint meeting was to be held between Parish Councils and Kirklees M.C. to discuss quality status. Other matters discussed related to Cumberworth Road Allotments in Skelmanthorpe, the provision of a Parish Plan and the new Local Development Framework consultation.

February, 2004

Chris Barker from the Yorkshire Rural Community Council attended the Parish Council meeting in February to open discussions about the formulation of a Parish Plan for this area. The Council agreed to publish a quarterly newsletter as part of their quest to achieve quality status. Notification was received that the Parish Council had been successful in obtaining a Parish Transport Grant in respect of the Upper Denby Bus Service. Other matters discussed included concerns about speeding traffic in Emley and reports of site visits that had been held with representatives of Kirklees in respect of footways in Upper Denby and lighting of the zebra crossing in Commercial Road, Skelmanthorpe. It was also agreed that a joint public meeting be held with the Area Committee in regard to the Local Development Framework.

March, 2004

The March Council meeting received a deputation of Scissett villagers who raised concerns about the possible development of 94 houses to the rear of Scissett Baths. The Police also attended the March meeting and discussed a variety of subjects, such as the use of drugs in rural communities, speeding and parking issues, vandalism, up to date crime figures and the deployment of police in the Denby Dale Parish area. Other matters under discussion included speeding traffic in Emley, proposed waiting restrictions in Wakefield Road, Scissett, the new Local Development Framework and proposed youth initiatives in the area.

A Special Meeting of the Council was also held in March. This was held specifically to discuss the Local Development Framework.

The Finance and General Purposes Committee considered a presentation from Andy Wickham, the Countryside Officer and discussed funding of the Project with Clr. Smithson of Kirklees Metropolitan Council. Other matters of a financial nature were considered.

DENBY DALE PARISH COUNCIL

SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS 2003/2004

· The Parish Council in the year 2003/2004 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 £23,000.

· £3,000 was distributed in grant aid to organisations within the Parish. £2,500 was allocated to the Environment Trust for the environmental small grant scheme together with an allocation of £5,000 towards further works on the landscape character assessment initiative.

· The Parish Council also supported, by grant aid, the Primary Schools within the Parish and the Road and Home and Leisure Safety Committees.

· Donations were also made to the Open Spaces Society and the Royal British Legion.

Unaudited Balance Sheet

1.4.2003 Balance b/f 35,343.58

Income 70,197.33

105,540.91

Expenditure 64,331.44

41209.47

less earmarked reserves 15,650.50

31.3.2004 Balance c/f 25,558.97