Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday 15 May 2007 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Chair before election - Cllr J C Birdsall
Chair after election - Cllr G Turner
Cllrs M Barlow, J A Barlow, C Barnfield, J E Birdsall, R Brook, H Cole, A Heaton, D Kaye, M Mills, C Rimmer, E Shaw, T Sigsworth, S Simpson, A Stimson, A Tribe, N Wilson
1. Election of Chair
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Turner be, and is hereby duly appointed, Chair of the Parish Council until the next Annual Council Meeting. The declaration of acceptance was duly signed.
2. Presentation
Cllr Birdsall was presented with a memento of his term of office and Cllr Turner thanked the outgoing Chair for his conduct of the meetings during the past civic year.
3. Appointment of Co-optee
It was RESOLVED that Ms Sue Simpson be elected as co-optee for the Clayton West ward of the Denby Dale Parish Council. Cllr Simpson thereupon signed the declaration of acceptance of office and took her seat.
4. Election of Vice Chair
It was RESOLVED that Cllr E Shaw be, and is hereby duly appointed, Vice Chair of the Council until the next Annual Council Meeting.
5. Declaration of Councillors’ Interests
No interests were declared.
6. Public Discussion Time
No items were considered.
7. Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted from Cllr Thursby and for lateness from Cllr Brook.
8. Appointment of a Representative to serve on the Kirklees Standards Committee
It was RESOLVED that Cllr J C Birdsall be appointed to serve as the Parish Council’s representative on the Standards Committee.
9. Appointment of Representatives to serve on the Denby Dale Parish Environment Trust
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Cole be appointed to serve as the Parish Council’s representative on the Executive Committee of the Environment Trust and that Cllr Turner be appointed as the Parish Council’s ordinary representative on the Environment Trust.
10. Appointment of Representatives to serve on the Steering Group of the Denby Dale Parish Countryside Project
It was RESOLVED that Cllrs Turner and Wilson be appointed to serve as the Parish Council’s representatives on the Steering Group of the Denby Dale Parish Countryside Project.
11. Appointment of Representatives to serve on the Denby Dale Parish Accident Prevention Committee
It was RESOLVED that Cllrs J E Birdsall, A Tribe and S Simpson be appointed to serve on the Denby Dale Parish Accident Prevention Committee. It was RESOLVED that the remaining vacancy be placed as an item on the agenda of the June Council Meeting.
12. Appointment of Voting Representatives to the Yorkshire Local Council Association
It was RESOLVED that Cllrs Shaw and J C Birdsall be appointed as representatives to the Yorkshire Local Councils Association.
13. Public Rights of Way Forum
It was RESOLVED that Cllr J C Birdsall be appointed as representative to the Public Rights of Way Forum.
14. Historic Buildings Trust
Some discussion took place about whether this body still exists and it was RESOVLED that the Clerk would establish what the current position is and that the issue be discussed at the June Council Meeting.
15. Rural Transport Partnership
It was RESOLVED that Cllrs Shaw and Waites be appointed as representatives to the Rural Transport Partnership.
16. Clayton West Millennium Green Trust
It was RESOLVED that Ronnie Mottram be nominated to represent the Parish Council on the Clayton West Millennium Green Trust and that he be asked to report back to the Annual Parish Meeting in 2008.
17. Appointment of Plans Scrutiny Committee and Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
a) It was RESOLVED that the Plans Scrutiny Committee shall meet on such occasions as the Chair deems appropriate to discuss matters appertaining to the future development of the district with plenary powers to act in an emergency and that the Committee shall comprise the following members to hold office until the next Annual Council Meeting:
Cllr G Turner – ex officio Cllr M Barlow
Cllr E Shaw - ex officio Cllr S Simpson
Cllr T Sigsworth Cllr A Tribe
Cllr H Cole Cllr K Thursby
Cllr D Kaye Cllr C Barnfield
Cllr K Waites
b) Election of Chair: It was RESOLVED that Cllr T Sigsworth be, and is hereby appointed, Chair of the Plans Scrutiny Committee until the next Annual Council Meeting.
c) Election of Vice-Chair: It was RESOLVED that Cllr H Cole be, and is hereby appointed, Vice-Chair of the Plans Scrutiny Committee until the next Annual Council Meeting.
18. Appointment of Finance and General Purposes Committee and Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
a) It was RESOLVED that the Finance and General Purposes Committee shall meet on such occasions as the Chair deems appropriate to discuss matters involving expenditure and such matters as the Council shall from time to time determine and that the Committee shall comprise the following members to hold office until the next Annual Council Meeting:
Cllr G Turner – ex officio Cllr M Mills
Cllr E Shaw – ex officio Cllr A Heaton
Cllr J A Barlow Cllr N Wilson
Cllr R Brook Cllr C Rimmer
Cllr J C Birdsall Cllr A Stimson
Cllr J E Birdsall
b) Election of Chair: It was RESOLVED that Cllr J A Barlow be, and is hereby appointed, Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee until the next Annual Council Meeting.
c) Election of Vice- Chair: It was RESOLVED that Cllr N Wilson be, and is hereby appointed, Vice-Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee until the next Annual Council Meeting.
19. Suspension of Standing Orders
At this stage in the meeting Cllr R Brook arrived and it was RESOLVED to suspend standing orders to enable Cllr Brook to sign his declaration of acceptance of office.
20. Return to Standing Orders
It was RESOLVED to return to standing orders.
21. Appointment of Staffing Committee
It was RESOLVED that a Staffing Committee be established to meet on such occasion as the Chair deems appropriate to discuss employment matters and that the Committee shall comprise the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Full Council and the Finance and General Purposes Committee. The following members will therefore serve on the Staffing Committee until the next Annual Council Meeting:
Cllr G Turner Chair of the Council
Cllr E Shaw Vice Chair of the Council
Cllr J A Barlow Chair of Finance and General Purposes Committee
Cllr N Wilson Vice-Chair of Finance and General Purposes Committee
22. Appointment of Representatives to the Denby Dale Area Committee
It was RESOLVED that the following six councillors be appointed as representatives of the Parish Council on the Area Committee:
Clayton West Cllr C Barnfield
Denby & Cumberworth Cllr M Barlow
Denby & Cumberworth Cllr R Brook
Denby & Cumberworth Cllr C Rimmer
Emley Cllr M Mills
Skelmanthorpe Cllr J E Birdsall
23. Subscriptions
It was RESOLVED that subscriptions be paid during the current civic year when due, to the following organisations and/or periodicals: Yorkshire Rural Community Council; Council for the Protection of Rural England; Society of Local Council Clerks, Open Spaces, Penistone Line Partnership, Local Council Update, and Local Council Review.
24. Appointment of School Governor to Shelley College
It was RESOLVED that Cllr N Wilson be appointed to represent the Parish Council as community governor on Shelley College Board of Governors.
25. Appointment of School Governor to Scissett First School
It was RESOLVED to defer this item to the June meeting of the Council.
26. Revised Code of Conduct
The Clerk submitted correspondence concerning the revised Code of Conduct for District, Town and Parish Councillors. The revised Code will be considered by the Standards Committee at its meeting in June and it would not therefore be possible for the Parish Council to adopt it until its first meeting after the Standards Committee takes its decision. It was RESOLVED therefore that the Code of Conduct be an item on the agenda of the July Council meeting.
27. Minutes
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 3 April 2007 be signed by the Chair as a correct record subject to the following change: Minute 620 a) to read: “South Pennine Branch: Cllr Shaw reported on the recent meeting of the South Pennine Branch of the YLCA and highlighted the discussion which had taken place at the meeting on school transport and the suggestion that any complaints be submitted to Stagecoach, Upper Sheffield Road, Barnsley for the attention of Mike Power, the Traffic Manager.” It was further RESOLVED that the minutes of the Special Parish Council meeting held on 24 April 2007 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.
28. Active Road Signs
With reference to Minute No. 609, the Clerk submitted a reply from Kirklees MC to the request for information about Kirklees’ plans for active road signs and a request that they be installed within the parish. Kirklees Council confirmed that it has installed a number of these signs in the past few years and that further sites are proposed. It is investigating a number of locations in the Denby Dale area where it is felt that the numbers and severity of personal injury crashes can be reduced. Two main lengths of road are currently being tested: the A635 Barnsley Road (Upper Cumberworth to Denby Dale) and the A635 Barnsley Road/Nether End. Information on the outcome of these investigations will be sent to the Parish Council. In the meantime, the Parish Council is invited to suggest specific locations for VAS installations. It was RESOLVED that the Council propose 2 locations in Emley: one at the junction of Jagger Lane with Chapel Lane and Leys Lane - i.e. the entrance to Emley from the west; and the second at the entrance to Emley from the east around the junction of Ash Lane and Upper Lane and one at the entrance to Clayton West on the A636 Wakefield Road from the direction of Wakefield.
During the course of the discussion, members referred to an earlier invitation by Kirklees Council to the Parish Council to nominate a named individual to act as Co-ordinator to the Highways Department. It was RESOLVED that this item be placed on the agenda of the June Council meeting.
29. Street Naming
With reference to Minute No. 604a, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Cllr E Ward criticising the Parish Council’s views about to street naming in relation to the choice of Paddock Close instead of the Parish Council’s preferred option of Singfield View. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk make further enquiries about the background to the choice of name.
30. Shelley Woodhouse Lane
With reference to Minute No. 602, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees MC concerning Shelley Woodhouse Lane resurfacing. it was noted that the issue actually concerned the footpath running along Shelley Woodhouse Lane and it was RESOLVED that Kirklees MC be asked to carry out improvements to the footpath concerned.
31. Flower Tower
With reference to Minute No. 605, the Clerk reported that Kirklees MC had now indicated that it would not be possible to install a flower tower at the junction of Station Road because flower towers measure 7’ tall and it would obstruct the sight line. It was RESOLVED to write back to Kirklees and ask if a low level tub could be placed at the junction to prevent cars parking on the pavement. It was further reported that Kirklees MC had agreed to install a flower tower outside the council offices. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
32. Withdrawal of Bus Services by Stagecoach
The Clerk submitted correspondence from the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority confirming that Stagecoach had decided to withdraw service numbers 233, 235 and 236 with effect from 20 May. Concerns were expressed by members about the impact of the loss of these services on school children travelling to and from school and on local residents travelling to Barnsley General Hospital for treatment. It was RESOLVED to:
a) invite the Managing Director of Stagecoach to the June meeting of the Council to explain the company’s strategy;
b) write to Barnsley Metropolitan Council to ask whether it had taken any action against the proposals;
c) write to Shelley College to find out how many school children are affected by the changes
d) write to the health centres within the parish to establish how many patients are referred to Barnsley General Hospital
e) write to Mary Creagh MP to seek her support in opposing the cuts
f) arrange a meeting with schools within the parish to discuss their travel plans
33. Valleys Community Transport
The Clerk submitted a progress report from Kirklees Highways on the Valleys Community transport. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
34. Community Paramedic Scheme
With reference to Minute No. 565, the Clerk submitted correspondence from the Kirklees PCT confirming that the Yorkshire Commissioning Forum will be making a decision regarding the ongoing funding of the community paramedic scheme and that until this decision is made, the service will continue beyond the 1 April 2007 deadline. the Parish Council will be informed once a decision has been made. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
35. Bus Stop Opposite Triangle, Huddersfield Road, Skelmanthorpe
With reference to Minute No. 529, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Alan Sykes, Traffic Investigator with Kirklees Council confirming that a meeting had been held with Metro about the possibility of moving the bus stop to a safer location, but the first available safe location is too far from the existing stop to be acceptable to Metro and the bus operator. It was RESOLVED that because the bus stop is still sited in a dangerous position, Kirklees be asked to reconsider the decision and find an alternative solution to this problem.
36. Sustainable Communities Bill
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Mary Creagh MP concerning the Sustainable Communities Bill. it was RESOLVED that the correspondence be noted.
37. Traffic Problems in Clayton West and Scissett
Cllr Sigsworth outlined a number of traffic problems in Clayton West and Scissett:
a) Drivers speeding through into Clayton West from the direction of High Hoyland (at Hill Top on the High Street). It was RESOLVED that Kirklees MC be asked to install a gateway to the village at this point.
b) The problem of speeding along this road from High Street then when it becomes Scott Hill and then Long Lane, as well as on Church Lane and Chapel Hill is exacerbated by badly parked cars which then cause hold-ups when buses have to stop in the middle of the road. It was RESOLVED that Kirklees MC be asked to introduce traffic calming on these roads, to confirm when Chapel Hill and Church Lane were to be resurfaced and to provide the council with the results of the golden river survey which had been conducted some time ago at the junction of Chapel Hill and Dukewood Road.
c) Problems faced by pedestrians crossing the Wakefield Road near the swimming baths. It was RESOLVED that Kirklees MC be asked to install a pedestrian crossing near the swimming baths.
38. Footpath Denby Dale 77 Salt Pie
The Clerk reported that in relation to Minute No 518, Kirklees MC had confirmed that the landowner had now undertaken all works requested to open this footpath. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
39. Minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 24 April 2007 be signed as a correct record.
40. South Pennine Branch of the YLCA
The Clerk submitted minutes of the meeting of the South Pennine Branch of the YLCA held on 7 March. It was RESOLVED that the minutes be noted.
41. Area Committee Meeting
Cllr J E Birdsall gave a verbal report of the Area Committee meeting held on 19 April 2007.
42. Responsible Financial Officer
It was RESOLVED that the Clerk be appointed as Responsible Financial Officer of the Council and that the duties be as per the attached sheet with this being reviewed annually at the Annual Council Meeting.
43. Appointment of Approved Signatories
It was RESOLVED that the approved signatories be the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Council and the Chair and Vice-chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee and the Clerk as co-signatory with the authority to deal with banking issues.
44. Orders for Payment
It was RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule No. 453 totalling £1740.04 be authorised.
45. Date of next meetings
Plans Scrutiny Committee on at 7.30pm on 22 May 2007
Council Meeting at 7pm on 5 June 2007
Finance & General Purposes Committee at 7.30pm on 19 June 2007
Signed……………………………………….
CHAIR
