Minutes of the Meeting of Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday 1 June 2010 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllrs K Waites (Chair), M Barlow, R Brook, G Coleman, A Hinde King, E Shaw, T Sigsworth, G Turner, A Weston,
In attendance: Hazel Chowcat (Clerk to the Council)
1641 Declaration of Councillors’ Interests
There were no declarations of interest.
1642 Open Session
No members of the public raised any issues.
1643 Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence were submitted from Cllrs M Mills, C Rimmer T Sigsworth and S Simpson, A Tribe, S Wild and N Wilson.
RESOLVED that the reasons for absence be accepted as valid.
1644 Chair’s Opening Remarks
Cllr Waites welcomed members to the meeting and congratulated Cllr Sigsworth who had been elected Vice Chair in his absence at the previous meeting.
1645 Admission of the Public
RESOLVED that there were no items requiring the exclusion of the press and public.
1646 Agenda
RESOLVED to move the police report up the agenda.
1647 Police Report
PCSO Gillespie reported on offences which had been committed during the previous month. There continued to be thefts from motor vehicles, especially where drivers had left items on display in their cars. In addition, there had been burglaries from garden sheds, especially in the Upper Denby area.
RESOLVED that PCSO Gillespie be thanked for her report.
1648 Guest Speaker – Steve Robinson of the Denby Dale Parish Environment Trust
Mr Robinson gave a detailed report of the cycle study which had been carried out on behalf of EPIP. Some 70 people and organisations had been consulted and the final report listed a number of possible projects which might be carried out throughout the life of the EPIP project up to 2012-14. The study highlighted several needs across the EPIP area such as the need for more support for non-traditional cycle-users, more training for both children and adults, further opportunities for route promotion (e.g. linking our area to the Trans Pennine Trail), and stronger links between tourism and cycling, and potential business opportunities. The Action Plan provides a context for the delivery of individual projects – including raising the awareness of the benefits of cycling routes and the development of an East Peak cycling brand, increasing cycling among low participation groups, raising the potential of cycling as a market for businesses e.g. B & Bs, and further developing the network of safe and continuous routes. The final decision would be made by the EPIP Board and it was possible that the Board would be inviting support from local bodies in the form of match funding.
RESOLVED that Mr Robinson be thanked for his report and the possibility of match funding be considered by the Business Plan Sub Group.
1649 Report from Ward Councillor
In the absence of a ward councillor, there was no report.
1650 Co-option of Councillor
RESOLVED that in the absence of the applicant, this matter be deferred to the next meeting.
1651 Minutes of Council Meeting
RESOLVED that the minutes of both the annual council meeting and the ordinary meeting held on 4 May 2010 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
1652 Minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 25 May 2010 were incomplete and would be tabled to the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting on 29 June 2010.
1653 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) 1336 Allotments
The Clerk reported that the Parish Council was now invited to discuss the possibility of using Church Fields in Denby Dale as allotments with John Fletcher, Assistant Head of Culture and Leisure.
RESOLVED that a meeting be arranged with John Fletcher at 6.30pm before the Finance & General Purposes Committee on 15 June and that the Parish Council be represented by Cllrs M Barlow, R Brook, E Shaw, T Sigsworth, G Turner, K Waites and A Weston.
b) Correspondence from SCAG concerning Litter in Skelmanthorpe
The clerk submitted correspondence from SCAG which had been sent to Kirklees Council and copied to the Parish Council giving details of a major litter picking exercise carried out by the group and requesting the installation of additional waste bins and dog bins and that Kirklees make it a condition of hire of sports pitches that the hirers should remove rubbish on penalty of a fine. Members pointed out that dog bins were no longer provided but dog owners encouraged to use waste bins, but wondered how often the waste bins are to be emptied given that it was suggested that new arrangements were being introduced to have waste disposal and related works carried out by teams on a rota basis. Members did not feel that it would be fair to hold home teams responsible for rubbish disposed of by members of the public or visiting teams or indeed other members of the public.
RESOLVED that the Clerk write to SCAG with a copy to Kirklees Council congratulating SCAG on the litter picking and outlining the council’s response to the suggestions put by SCAG and requesting clarification from Kirklees Council about the use of waste bins for dog waste and about the suggestion that waste disposal etc was to be reorganised.
c) Invitation to Simon Reevell MP to Address Parish Council
The Clerk reported that in line with the Parish Council’s previous practice, she had invited Simon Reevell, the new MP for Dewsbury to the September meeting of the Council and that he had confirmed acceptance.
RESOLVED that Mr Reevell be advised in advance of any matters which the Parish Council wished to raise and the issue be put on the agenda of the July meeting, to enable members to agree those matters.
1654 Chain for Consort’s Badge
The Clerk submitted two quotations for a replacement chain for the consort’s badge.
RESOLVED that in view of the high cost, the Parish Council should not proceed with the quotes tabled and that further investigations be pursued to find a cheaper chain or ribbon.
1655 Community Award Scheme
RESOLVED that this issue be discussed as part of the Business Plan discussion at the forthcoming meeting on 22 June 2010.
1656 Business Guides
RESOLVED not to pursue this matter, but to concentrate on using the website.
1657 Appointment of Representative to Denby Dale/Kirkburton LIG
RESOLVED that this matter be deferred to the July meeting.
1658 Denby Dale/Kirkburton LIG
Cllr Brook gave an update report on the work of the LIG, including the cycle study; the preparatory study of ideal sites for viewpoints and beacons; the preparation of a visitor attraction website; EPIP funding for a temporary post for someone to look at the industrial heritage of the area. In addition, he reported that the Penistone Line Partnership had bit for funds for the adoption of a station.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1659 Working Party on Public Transport
It was reported that new timetables had been published for the Penistone Line and the 435/436 bus routes there were problems with the latter with some drivers on the 435 not knowing the route and in relation to the 436, on Mondays to Fridays, there is a reduction in service affecting those travelling from parts of Denby Dale.
RESOLVED that a letter outlining the detailed problems with the new timetable be sent to both Metro and the Huddersfield Bus Company.
1660 NALC Localism In Action Conference 9 September 2010
RESOLVED that the question of sending a delegate to the above conference be deferred until July.
1661 Press Coverage
Cllr Shaw raised the issue of press coverage.
RESOLVED that no action be taken.
1662 20mph Zone in Emley
Cllr Turner reported that there was a huge local demand for a 20mph zone in Emley, particularly for Chapel Lane, Church Street and Upper Lane) to deal with the proliferation of speeding traffic in the area.
RESOLVED that Kirklees Council be asked to implement a 20mph zone in Emley.
1663 Building Schools for the Future
Cllr Turner requested that the Council seek an update from Kirklees Council on the current position in relation to the Building Schools for the Future programme.
RESOLVED that Kirklees Council be asked for an update.
1664 Broadband
Cllr Brook reported that ward councillors were planning to hold a public meeting on broadband in Upper Denby. EPIP had commissioned a mapping exercise of the whole area to look at broadband connectivity.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1665 Internal Audit Report
The Clerk submitted the report from Michael Fox, the internal auditor of his recent audit which indicated that the council’s internal controls were in order.
RESOLVED that the report be approved.
1666 Annual Return 2009-2010
RESOLVED that the Annual Governance Statement be completed and that the Chair of Council and the Clerk be authorised to sign the appropriate sections of the Annual Return for submission to the external auditor.
1667 Orders for Payment
RESOLVED that Orders for Payment No 515 totalling £103,459.22 be approved.
1668 July Council Meeting
No items were identified for the July meeting.
1669 Dates of Next Meetings
15 June– Finance & General Purposes Committee starting at 7pm
29 June - Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting starting at 7pm
6 July – Council Meeting starting at 7pm
Signed………………………………………
CHAIR
