Minutes of the Meeting of Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday 4 March 2008 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllr G Turner (Chair), E Shaw (Vice Chair), J A Barlow, M Barlow, C Barnfield, R Brook, M Mills, T Sigsworth, S Simpson, A Stimson, K Thursby, A Tribe, K Waites, N Wilson
451 Agenda
It was RESOLVED to change the order of the agenda to enable Cllr Palfreeman to speak first to enable him to leave on time to attend another meeting.
452 Guest Speaker
Cllr Andrew Palfreeman of Kirklees Council attended the meeting to give members a presentation on Kirklees Council’s plans for introducing ‘locality management’. Kirklees was to be divided into 7 localities. The aim of the programme was threefold: to target services to the needs of the area; to introduce greater partnership working with police, health services and other agencies; to comply with government legislation which was placing a greater emphasis on community leadership and the empowerment of local members to lead their communities. The process was currently in its early stages and it is anticipated that the programme will be completed by 2011.
It is intended that the new system will enable better use of resources and the elimination of barriers between different services. The locality plans are currently being developed within each locality through consultation with local members, local residents and the voluntary sector. In response to questions from members about the timetable for consultation with parish councils, Cllr Palfreeman indicated that this would happen later in the process. The draft plans would be presented to Area Committees and Parish and Town Councils. In response to a question about which voluntary sector representatives have been consulted, Cllr Palfreeman promised to get this information to the council after the meeting. It was RESOLVED that Cllr Palfreeman be thanked for his presentation.
453 Open Session
One member of the public raised the problem of parking at Shelley College. Since students were not permitted, due to lack of space, to park in the College car park, they park outside the college on grass verges, on pavements as well as on the road, in some places on both sides of the road causing an inconvenience and potential danger to other road users. It was noted that this item was on the agenda and it was RESOLVED that the points made be taken into account in the discussion.
454 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs J C Birdsall, J E Birdsall, A Heaton, D Kaye and C Rimmer. It was RESOLVED that the reasons for absence from the above councillors be accepted as valid.
455 Declarations of Councillors’ Interests
Cllr K Thursby declared a personal interest in Item 11 RDPE Funding Application.
456 Admission of the Public
It was RESOLVED that there were no items requiring the exclusion of the press and public.
457 Minutes of Council Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the council meeting held on 5 February 2008 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
458 Minutes of Plans Scrutiny Committee Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 26 February 2008 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Committee.
459 A Boards
The Clerk submitted a response from Kirklees Council to the Councils request for information about insurance cover by local businesses using A-boards. Kirklees Council confirmed that if it received a claim from an individual who had fallen over an A-board, it would pass the claim to the property owner and ask them to pass it to their business insurance provider to deal with. It was RESOLVED that Kirklees Council be asked to confirm whether it advises businesses using A-boards to ensure that their insurance covers the boards.
460 Business Association
The Clerk gave a report of the meeting of the Business Association held on 20 February 2008. The group confirmed that it wished to proceed to form an association and that this be separate from the Parish Council. The aims of the Association should be to promote the local economy; encourage employment and business growth; share best practice and business experience; explore funding opportunities. Areas of activity for the future should include: the provision of Christmas decorations; the appearance of the area; sponsorship of hanging baskets; parking; transport; planning issues. The Association may consider applying to the Parish Council for a grant for start up costs. It was also agreed that for the time being, the Association’s name be Local District Business Association. The next meeting will be held at 7pm on 7 April 2008 in the Grove Inn, Skelmanthorpe. The Clerk had agreed to provide assistance with preparation of a leaflet to advertise the meeting. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
461 Christmas Waste Collections
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees Council confirming that it had reviewed all aspects of Christmas collections and the information provided to householders and that as a result, it would be looking for ways of improving the service. It is proposing to consult with local householders to determine in what form they wish to receive information in future. It was RESOLVED that Kirklees Council be asked to confirm what form this consultation would take.
462 Attendance of Police at Council Meetings
The Clerk reported that she had contacted the local police and Inspector Nicholas Harvey had agreed that he or a representative would attend future council meetings on a quarterly basis to report on trends in crime and policing. The first of such meetings will be the April council meeting. It was RESOLVED that the report be welcomed and noted.
463 Co-option of Councillor
Councillors proposed two individuals who had expressed an interest in being co-opted – Graham Allen and Barry Crozier. It was RESOLVED that both be invited a) to submit a statement in writing outlining why they would like to be co-opted and what they can offer and b) to attend the April council meeting and address members briefly and that a decision be taken by a ballot of members at the meeting.
464 Working Party on Public Transport
Cllrs Brook and Waites presented an update from the Working Party. A meeting had been held with representatives from Kirkburton and Denby Dale Parish Councils, Kirklees Council, Metro and Stagecoach. There had been little progress made in pursuing the improvements requested in the services to Huddersfield and Barnsley. At the end of April, there will be changes to the timetable of the Holmfirth to Wakefield service with the introduction of a faster more direct service to Wakefield. Since that meeting, it has been reported that Stagecoach is negotiating the sale of the Waterloo depot to Arriva. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk write to both Arriva and Stagecoach asking for confirmation of the sale, and asking Arriva to meet with the council to discuss the future of bus services in the area. It was FURTHER RESOLVED to hold a public meeting about the bus services at some stage in the near future.
Members also discussed rail links in the area and it was RESOLVED to explore the possibility of Crigglestone Station being opened up and a park and ride service being introduced. The Clerk reported that Crigglestone Parish Council had been trying for some time to get the station reopened and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Crigglestone Parish Council seeking their views and their support.
465 RDPE Funding Application
The Clerk reported that she had been advised by Lynne Richardson and Cllr K Thursby that the latter had in her role as Manager of the Denby Dale Centre had been successful in bidding to set up the Local Innovation Group (LIG) for Denby Dale and Kirkburton for the East Peak Innovation Partnership LEADER funding application. The LIG should have between 12 and 20 members with equal representation from the statutory, the local business and the voluntary sectors. It was RESOLVED that the two representatives from Denby Dale Parish Council be Cllrs R Brook and A Tribe.
466 Visit to Ahmadiyya Muslim Association
Following the invitation issued by Fatihul-Haq at the previous meeting to visit the mosque, it was RESOLVED that the Clerk arrange a convenient date for those members who were interested in joining the visit.
467 Cycle Lanes
The Clerk submitted a report from Cllrs Sigsworth and J E Birdsall about progress in identifying safe cycle routes between the villages of the parish and determining whether the surfaces require improvements. Six routes have so far been identified and any required improvements outlined:
• Skelmanthorpe to Denby Dale – via The Thorpes – needs some surface improvement
• Skelmanthorpe to Clayton West – via Pilling Lane – needs some surface improvement
• Clayton West to Emley – via Frank Lane and Tyburn Lane – Frank Lane awaiting surface improvements after flooding last year
• Upper Cumberworth to High Flatts via Birdsedge – off-road tracks fairly good surfaces
• Upper Denby to Denby viaduct – needs some surface improvement on lower stretch
• Shelley High School to Barncliffe Hill/Coal Pit Lane – establish if bridleway and if in our parish – needs some surface improvements midway
Cllr Sigsworth reported that further work would need to be done with the Countryside Officer and the Environment Trust. It was RESOLVED that Cllrs Birdsall and Sigsworth be thanked for their work and that updates be presented to future council meetings.
468 Future Planning
The Clerk proposed that the Council discuss the possibility of developing a 3-5 year strategic plan. It was RESOLVED that a meeting be arranged to begin the process of developing such a strategy on a Saturday afternoon and that the Clerk canvass dates.
469 Councillor Surgeries
The Clerk introduced a discussion about the feasibility of setting up councillor surgeries, either before council meetings in Skelmanthorpe or within wards. It was RESOLVED that members give some thought to the practicality of running such surgeries and that the item be discussed at the April meeting.
470 Denby Dale Area Committee
Members reported on the Planning Meeting which had been held on 7 February 2008. The meeting had discussed the following issues: Flooding; Small Centres Funding and the agenda for the public meeting on 6 March.
471 Matters Raised by Members
a) Parking problems at Shelley College. This matter had originally been placed on the agenda by Cllr J E Birdsall but in her absence, and in the light of the matter having been raised during the public session, members RESOLVED that the Clerk raise the issue a) with Kirklees Highways with a view to finding a solution; b) with the Headteacher and c) with the police.
b) Cllr Sigsworth raised the problem of the nuisance caused by the misuse of motorbikes and off road bikes behind the Junction Inn in Clayton West and along the railway line. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk raise the matter with the police.
It was RESOLVED that in the absence of Cllr J E Birdsall, the following items raised by her be deferred until the April meeting:
1. Progress on finding a planter for the pavement near Grove Pub
2. Request to include information about local shops and eating places on website
3. Land to the rear of Skelmanthorpe Co-operative Premises
4. Suggestion for central refuge opposite the entrance to Windmill Crescent on Commercial Road, Skelmanthorpe
472 Website
The Clerk reported that the website had attracted a total of 3,274 unique visitors during February. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
473 Representation
a) The Clerk invited members to nominate a representative to the Standards Committee to replace Cllr J C Birdsall. It was RESOLVED that Cllr M Barlow be nominated.
b) The Clerk submitted information about an event organised by IdEA, Yorkshire & Humber Assembly and the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber on “Building Partnerships; A workshop event on delivering rural affordable housing” on Monday 17 March from 10.00-16.00 in York. It was RESOLVED that no representative attend the event.
474 Planning Appeal
The Clerk submitted notification of an appeal against refusal of Planning Application No. 2007/62/90604 – erection of 2 two-bedroom dwellings on land adjacent to 9 Lodge Street, Skelmanthorpe. It was RESOLVED that the appeal be noted.
475 Finance Matters
a) Budget Report: The Clerk submitted a budget report to 29 February 2008. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
d) Orders for Payment: It was RESOLVED that Orders for Payment No. 467 totalling £1805.76 and Orders for Payment No. 468 totalling £1997.86 be approved.
476 April Council Meeting
No items were proposed for the agenda of the April Council meeting.
477 Dates of next meetings
11 March – Finance & General Purposes Committee Meeting starting at 7.30pm
18 March – Plans Scrutiny Committee Meeting starting at 7.30pm
1 April 2008 – Council Meeting starting at 7pm
Signed……………………………………….
CHAIR
