Minutes of the Meeting of Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday 1 February 2011 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllrs K Waites (Chair), R Brook, G Coleman, J Dodds, A Hinde King, I Purkiss, C Rimmer, E Shaw, T Sigsworth, S Simpson, G Turner, M Watson
In attendance: Hazel Chowcat (Clerk to the Council)
1940 Declaration of Councillors’ Interests
There were no declarations of interest.
1941 Open Session
No members of the public raised any matters.
1942 Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence were submitted from Cllrs M Barlow, N Denby, A Stimson, A Weston and N Wilson.
RESOLVED that the reasons for absence be accepted as valid.
1943 Chair’s Opening Remarks
Cllr Waites welcomed members to the meeting.
1944 Admission of the Public
RESOLVED that there were no items requiring the exclusion of the press and public.
1945 Police Report
PCSO Hobson reported that 52 offences had been committed during January, which was much higher than normal. This included slashing of tyres in Clayton West, thefts from cars, burglaries and stolen cars.
RESOLVED that PCSO Hobson be thanked for his report.
1946 Report from Ward Councillor
Cllr Dodds presented a verbal report to the Council about Kirklees Council issues. Due to cuts in its income, the Council had to make savings of £80m over three years and was in the process of preparing the budget. He gave an update on planning issues, specifically the application for wind turbines in Birdsedge and at Dry Hill Farm and in relation to an appeal which had been lodged against the approval of the planning application in Emley. Finally, he provided members with the detailed results of the speed check on Carr Hill Road: of 685 eastbound vehicles, 232 were travelling in excess of 35mph and 430 in excess of 30mph; of the 1,310 westbound vehicles, 336 were travelling in excess of 35pmh and 830 in excess of 30mph and it was confirmed that all the drivers were local with one living on Carr Hill Road. The police are to conduct enforcement checks.
RESOLVED that Cllr Dodds be thanked for his report.
1947 Minutes of Council Meeting
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 11 January 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
1948 Minutes of the Finance & General Purposes Committee
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Finance & General Purposes Committee Meeting held on 18 January 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Committee.
1949 Minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee
RESOLVED the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 25 January be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Committee.
1950 Clerk’s Report
The Clerk submitted her written report.
RESOLVED that the Clerk’s report be approved and the following action taken on matters outstanding from previous minutes as arising from the report:
a) 1197 Notice Board in Upper Cumberworth
The Clerk reported that Kirklees Council had given permission for the notice board to be erected.
RESOLVED that a notice board be purchased, if possible from a local supplier.
b) 1393/1878 Denby Dale Station
The Clerk reported that this matter was subject to a separate item later on the agenda.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
c) 1662 20 mph Zone Emley
The Clerk submitted a letter from the Department of Transport responding to the question about enforcement. The letter confirmed that the Department of Transport only recommend speed limits of 20mph where vehicle speeds are already relatively low and appropriate for the area because research shows that simply reducing a speed limit from 30mph to 20mph only reduces vehicle speeds by around 1mph.
RESOLVED that the correspondence be noted.
d) 1914 Allotments – Upper Cumberworth
The Clerk reported that Andy Wickham had met with a representative of Wavin who had agreed without commitment to pursue the matter further.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1951 Local Development Framework
a) Following a detailed discussion, members agreed the terms of the Council’s submission to the Local Development Framework.
RESOLVED that the Clerk circulate a draft submission based on the agreed discussion and if any changes were proposed, the final submission be cleared with Cllr Waites, as Chair.
b) The Clerk submitted a request from Christopher Ward on behalf of KCAN, SCAG and SOS to organize a public debate between the council and KCAN on “Industrial development, impact on infrastructure plus whatever other relevant subjects we agreed”.
RESOLVED that in view of the deadline for submissions to the LDF consultation the request be declined.
c) The Clerk submitted the KCAN response to the LDF which had been emailed directly to members.
RESOLVED that the document be noted.
1952 Appointment of Clerk
RESOLVED that appointment of Jessica Jubb as Clerk to the Council/Responsible Financial Officer be confirmed, and that while her first day of work would be 18 April 2011, she should be invited to attend the council meeting on 5 April 2011.
1953 Denby Dale/Kirkburton LIG
Cllr Brook reported that the digitization of the Council’s records had commenced the previous week. He also advised that at the next meeting of the LIG would be held in the Council Chamber on 10 February and that there would be a visiting speaker talking about tourism to which members were invited.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1954 Working Party on Public Transport
It was reported that the Working Party had visited the Denby Dale Station and agreed with the proposals concerning the parking spaces. It was still felt, however, that the Parish Council’s original suggestion to use the old car park was still appropriate and that further investigation should be conducted.
RESOLVED that the Clerk contact Naylors to establish ownership of the land.
1955 Heritage Working Party
Cllr Brook reported that booklets on the history of Scissett, “Remembering Marshall Mill”, had now sold out and the second booklet on Scissett’s industrial beginnings was now at the printer. He also reported that the EPIP industrial heritage officer was looking at other projects.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1956 Business Plan Sub Group
The Clerk submitted the final version of the Business Plan.
RESOLVED that Business Plan be approved and adopted, that a Business Plan Implementation Working Group be set up comprising Cllrs Rimmer, Turner and Brook; and that the plan be published on the website.
1957 Budget 2011-2012
RESOLVED that estimates of expenditure for 2011-2012 totalling £133,080 be approved.
1958 Precept 2011-2012
RESOLVED that in line with Council policy, the Precept for the year 2011-2012 be set at £108,915 representing an increase of 3.7% in line with the Consumer Price Index.
1959 Community Grant
RESOLVED that a grant of up to £8,000 be approved towards the cost of the upgrade of the path from Denby Dale railway station turn-round to Wood Nook.
1960 Orders for Payment
RESOLVED that Orders for Payment Nos 529 totalling £271.83 and 530 totalling £2,760.71 be approved.
1961 March Council Meeting
RESOLVED that Kirklees Council budget be discussed at the March Council meeting.
1962 Dates of Next Meetings
22 February - Plans Scrutiny Committee starting at 7pm
1 March - Council Meeting starting at 7pm
Signed……………………………………… (CHAIR)
