Minutes of the Meeting of Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday 6 April 2010 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllrs K Waites (Vice Chair), R Brook, V Buyer, G Coleman (after co-option), A Hinde King (after co-option), I Purkiss, C Rimmer, E Shaw, T Sigsworth, S Simpson, A Stimson, A Tribe, A Weston, S Wild
In attendance: Hazel Chowcat (Clerk to the Council)
1561 Chair
In the absence of Cllr Wilson, Cllr Waites took the Chair.
1562 Declaration of Councillors’ Interests
There were no declarations of interest.
1563 Standing Orders
RESOLVED that Standing Orders be suspended to extend the Open Session to allow representatives of Emley residents, Simon McMahon and Ray Gott to make their presentations in full.
1564 Open Session
Twenty-four members of the public were in attendance, 23 of whom had attended the meeting to express their opposition to Planning Application No 2010/60/90555. Simon McMahon and Ray Gott presented the objections of local residents to the planning application on the grounds of highway safety, inadequate infrastructure (including sewage, transport and education), and concerns about design. In addition, they pointed to a number of inaccuracies in the application itself.
1564 Agenda
RESOLVED that Agenda Item 22 Major Planning Application No. 2010/60/90555 be brought forward.
1565 Planning Application No. 2010/60/90555
Members discussed the outline application for erection of 10 dwellings on land off Upper Lane in Emley.
RESOLVED that the Council object to the above application on the following grounds:
Parish Plan: the proposed application conflicts with the conclusions of the Denby Dale Parish Plan which argued that there should be strict controls on any future housing development in Emley.
Design: the design and style of the buildings is out of character with neighbouring properties. In addition, there is a reference to rear extensions which are omitted from the plans and which would increase significantly what is already an over-dense and over-crowded development.
Public services: the existing sewage capacity is insufficient for existing properties in the immediate area of the application; the local education facilities are insufficient with the local private playgroup full as is the Reception class of Emley First School and children of high school age are being forced to attend schools outside the area; transport facilities are insufficient as are leisure facilities for young people.
Road Safety: as highlighted in the Parish Plan which was published in 2007, there is already a problem with traffic volume and speeding, the application would add considerably to the traffic in the village. In addition, the Parish Council believes there are access problems to the site of the proposed development.
Environmental considerations – Flooding: the site already suffers from flooding problems in heavy rain and the Parish Council has concerns that building on the site will reduce run-off capacity and exacerbate the flooding problem.
Environmental considerations – Wildlife: there is an existing hedge which is not shown on the planning application and which would have to be largely removed; in addition, there are bats and badgers in the immediate area which are protected species but which are not addressed in the application.
Unitary Development Plan: The site is not identified as suitable for housing on the UDP and moreover is a greenfield site.
RESOLVED that a recorded vote be conducted. All members voted in favour, except Cllr Rimmer who abstained.
1566 Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted from Cllrs M Barlow, P Calpin, M Mills, G Turner and N Wilson.
RESOLVED that reasons for absence submitted by the above Councillors be accepted as valid.
1567 Chair’s Opening Remarks
Cllr Waites welcomed members to the meeting
1568 Admission of the Public
RESOLVED that there were no items requiring the exclusion of the press and public.
1569 Police Report
PCSO Sharon Mellor gave a report on behalf of the police. She advised that ‘Operation Focus’ Week would be held in the Ward from 12-20 April and would involve various agencies, including the fire and ambulance service, CCTV, DVLA, clampers, traffic police, community rangers, car parking attendants and licensing officials to deal with graffiti, untaxed cars, speeding and other related matters. Members were asked to contact the police to let them know of any issues requiring attention. In addition, an event involving children from local schools will be held from 3-4 June. She also gave information about offences committed during March which included a number of thefts from sheds and thefts from motor vehicles.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1570 Ward Councillor’s Report
In the absence of a ward councillor there was no report.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1571 Co-option of New Members
Allan Hinde King and Garry Coleman addressed the Council in connection with their applications to be co-opted onto the Council.
RESOLVED that both Mr Hinde King and Mr Coleman be co-opted to the Council to represent the Clayton West Ward, sign the declaration of acceptance of office and take their seats.
1572 Minutes of Council Meeting
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2010 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Vice Chair.
1573 Minutes of the Finance & General Purposes Committee
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 March be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Committee.
1574 Minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 30 March 2010 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Committee.
1575 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) 1529 (i) Gritting in Emley
The Clerk reported that Frank O’Dwyer of Kirklees Council had written to confirm that Building Services have arrangements with most of the councils’ sheltered accommodation sites to treat the paths around them and indicated if the council has any sites in mind, he would be happy to check with Building Services.
RESOLVED that Mr O’Dwyer be asked to check with Building Services whether Saville Flats was on its list since it had not been treated.
b) 1536 Problems with 85 Bus Service
The Clerk submitted correspondence from the Huddersfield Bus Company apologising for the problems with the 85 bus service which the Parish Council had brought to its attention.
RESOLVED that the letter be noted and no further action taken.
c) Letter from Richard Darkes
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Skelmanthorpe resident, Richard Darkes, outlining the problems he was experiencing trying to convince Kirklees Council to deal with the problem of open sewage contaminating his garden and a nearby fresh water culvert.
RESOLVED that a letter be sent to the Chief Executive of Kirklees Council with copies to Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency outlining the problems and requesting action be taken to resolve them.
d) Letter from Carole Hirst
The Clerk submitted a letter from Carole Hirst requesting that the Council introduce an open session at the end of council meetings, in addition to the open session at the beginning, to allow members of the public to raise concerns or comment on the decisions taken during the meeting. Members felt that the open session at the beginning already allows members of the public to raise issues about items that are on the agenda and councillors may usefully take note of the views of members of the public in reaching a decision about the item under discussion. Where an item is not on the agenda, members always agree that the matter be placed on the agenda of the next meeting. It was further felt that an open session at the end of the meeting would serve no purpose because once a decision is taken by the council, it cannot be reversed within 6 months of the resolution except by a special motion. It is therefore preferable for members of the public to make comments on items on the agenda before the matter is discussed.
RESOLVED that a letter outlining the Parish Council’s view be sent to Ms Hirst.
1575 Councillor Vacancy in Denby & Cumberworth Ward
The Clerk reported that no request had been made for an election to fill the vacancy and invited members to agree a means of filling the vacancy.
RESOLVED that the vacancy be filled by co-option and an advertisement put on the website and on the notice board and posters be emailed to members.
1576 Suspension of Standing Orders
RESOLVED that since it was 9pm, Standing Orders be suspended to enable the meeting to continue for a further half hour.
1577 Adoption of Red Telephone Boxes
The Clerk reported on the results of the consultation exercise. Firm responses had been received in respect of the boxes in Upper Denby and Lower Cumberworth. She clarified matters raised by the Finance & General Purposes Committee, namely that BT had confirmed that it would cost £450 to have a kiosk removed but that the resale value would have to be taken into account and secondly that once the Parish Council takes ownership, then it is permitted to sell the kiosk to another body.
RESOLVED that the Parish Council adopt the boxes in Upper Denby and Lower Cumberworth.
RESOLVED that the Clerk prepare an agreement to be signed by the body responsible for day to day management of the boxes, including proposals concerning transfer of ownership.
RESOLVED that a meeting be arranged with the Denby Ladies and the Denby Parish Community Action Group to discuss the management of and long term arrangements for the Upper Denby box at 6pm on 25 May.
RESOLVED that members attend a meeting of the Cumberworth Community Association on 11 May to discuss the management of the Lower Cumberworth box and the long term future arrangements.
RESOLVED that the Parish Council be represented at these meetings by Cllrs Brook, Buyer, Purkiss, Rimmer and Waites as well as the Clerk.
1578 Chain for Consort’s Badge
RESOLVED that in view of the shortage of time, this item be deferred to the next meeting.
1579 Quality Parish Status
The Clerk reported that she had been advised that the Council’s application for reaccreditation had been successful though this had not yet been confirmed in writing.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
1580 Community Award Scheme
RESOLVED that in view of the shortage of time, this item be deferred to the next meeting.
1581 Business Guides
RESOLVED that in view of the shortage of time, this item be deferred to the next meeting.
1582 New Model Standing Orders
The Clerk submitted draft Standing Orders based on the model prepared by NALC which the Parish Council is required to adopt.
RESOLVED that the draft Standing Orders be adopted.
1583 Denby Dale/Kirkburton LIG
RESOLVED that in view of the shortage of time, this item be deferred to the next meeting.
1584 Reports from Working Parties
RESOLVED that in view of the shortage of time, this item be deferred to the next meeting.
1585 Reports of Meetings and Conferences
RESOLVED that in view of the shortage of time, this item be deferred to the next meeting.
1586 Budget 2010-2011
The Clerk submitted estimates of expenditure which had been recommended by the Finance & General Purposes Committee totalling £125,769.
RESOLVED that estimates of expenditure for the year 2010-2011 totalling £125,769 be authorised.
1587 Orders for Payment
RESOLVED that Orders for Payment Nos 510 totalling £596.55, 511 totalling £337.52, 512 totalling £1,189.02 and 513 totalling £2617.49 be approved.
1588 Clerk’s Training
RESOLVED that it be approved that the Clerk attend a local SLCC training day on 30 April at a cost of £25.
1589 Dates of future meetings
27 April 2010 – Plans Scrutiny Committee starting at 7pm
4 May 2010 – Annual Parish Meeting starting at 7pm followed by Annual Council Meeting followed by Council Meeting
Signed……………………………………… (CHAIR)
