Minutes of the Meeting of Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday 2 December 2008 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllrs E I Shaw (Chair), R Allen, J A Barlow, M Barlow, R Brook, P Calpin, G Horton, C Rimmer, T Sigsworth, A Stimson, G Turner, K Waites
In Attendance: Hazel Chowcat (Clerk to the Council)
853 Public Session
No members of the public raised any issues.
854 Police Report
PCSO Gary Charlton attended the meeting on behalf of the police. He told the meeting that he is now based in the area and gave information about offences which had been committed locally. It was RESOLVED that PCSO Charlton be thanked for his report.
855 Co-option of New Member
Geoff Horton addressed the Council in connection with his application to be considered for co-option onto the Council. It was proposed and seconded and RESOLVED that Mr Horton be co-opted to the Council to serve the Skelmanthorpe Ward. Cllr Horton thereupon signed the declaration of acceptance of office and took his seat.
856 Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted from Cllrs Mills, Tribe and Wilson. It was RESOLVED that the reasons for absence submitted by these councillors be accepted as valid.
857 Declaration of Councillors’ Interests
Cllr Sigsworth declared a personal interest in Item 13. Application from Skelmanthorpe Youth and Community Association.
858 Admission of the Public
It was RESOLVED that there were no items requiring the exclusion of the press and public.
859 Minutes of Council Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
860 Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 November be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Committee. The Clerk submitted correspondence from Emley Methodist Church thanking the Council for the grant agreed at the Finance & General Purposes Committee. It was RESOLVED that the correspondence be noted.
861 Plans Scrutiny Committee Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25 November be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Committee.
862 Brighter Future for Schools
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees Council concerning the Brighter Futures Consultation. It was noted that the Council anticipated hearing from the Department for Children Schools and Families in Spring 2009 in relation to South Kirklees Schools and it was RESOLVED that Kirklees Council be asked to confirm that there would be sufficient funds available for South Kirklees schools when they are considered.
863 Scissett Mount Care Home
The Clerk submitted a reply from Kirklees Council to the Parish Council’s enquiry about the future of the care home. The letter stated that Planning Services was preparing a development brief for the site which is to be retained for use by older people and that Kirklees Council has to consider carefully if its vacant property should be sold. It was RESOLVED that Kirklees Council be asked where it is the Council’s intention to sell the property to a private provider of care for the elderly; if not, why is the Council considering selling it; how much it is costing to keep the property empty and whether given the current shortage of rental properties, it might be possible to rent the house until plans are finalised.
864 Allotments/Tree Planting
The Clerk reported in relation to the issue of grants for tree planting, that she had checked the Forestry Commission website and that it appeared that grants were available for woodlands, but it did not appear that they were available for individual trees. She had spoken to Andy Wickham about the issue and it was RESOLVED that the matter be deferred until Andy returned from sick leave and options could be considered more carefully. In relation to the issue of allotments, she reported that following enquiries made of Kirklees Council, she had been able to establish that the parcel of land off Huddersfield Road, opposite Cumberworth Road belongs to Kirklees Council. It had originally been purchased in 1968 with a view to building a youth centre. This had not happened and in 1985, the land was transferred to the Estates department and is currently kept as open space. In discussion, Cllr Rimmer pointed out that several households were interested allotments in Upper Cumberworth and pointed to a parcel of land in the village being a potential site for such allotments. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk pursue with Kirklees Council the possibility of these two parcels of land, together with any other available land being used as allotments.
865 Clayton West Children’s Home
The Clerk reported that following the last meeting, she had spoken to PCSOs Gillespie and Mellor who had both been involved with the children in the children’s home. She invited members to report any problems directly to them and Cllr Sigsworth pointed out that there had been no further trouble since the last meeting. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted and no further action taken.
866 Provision of Large Display Boards
The Clerk reported that she had been offered a site meeting at a date to be arranged to discuss suitable locations, though the work would have to be paid for by the parish council and it would be necessary to obtain planning permission and appropriate licences. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk arrange the site meeting together with Cllr Wilson who had originally raised the idea.
867 Sustainable Communities Act
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Cllr Robert Light indicating that Kirklees Council was supporting the initiative. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
868 Shelley Woodhouse Lane
The Clerk reported that she had not yet received a reply from Kirklees Council and it was RESOLVED that the matter be pursued.
869 Councillor Vacancies
The Clerk reported that the closing date for receipt of applications for an election is 8 December 2008 and that the matter would be on the agenda of the January 2009 meeting. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
870 Freedom of Information Act; New Model Publication Scheme 2008
The Clerk submitted a new publication scheme for the Council’s approval. It was RESOLVED that the new publication scheme be approved.
871 Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power, Codes of Conduct for Local Authority Members and Employees: A Consultation
It was RESOLVED that the Clerk establish whether it is possible for the Council to submit a response after the published deadline and if so that the matter be deferred to the next meeting.
872 Green Parish Initiative
The Clerk invited members to discuss how they wished to allocate the money set aside in the budget for the green parish initiative. It was noted that the Council had already agreed to pursue the issue of allotments and tree planting and that cycle lanes had been discussed at previous meetings. It was RESOLVED to discuss the matter in more detail with the Countryside Officer when he returns from sick leave.
873 Skelmanthorpe Youth and Community Association Grant Application
The Clerk submitted an application for £10,000 from the Skelmanthorpe Youth and Community Association towards the costs of the installation of ground source heat pumps. It was RESOLVED that a grant of £10,000 be made to the Association.
874 Youth Council
The Clerk reported on her discussions with Dave Wadsworth, Assistant Head of Shelley College who was assisting with the establishment of the Youth Council. It was now clear that following the decision of Kirklees Council to set up a Youth Council, it was proving difficult to organise a local Youth Council and it was RESOLVED that the issue be deferred until such time as it was felt possible to pursue to a successful end. In the meantime, it was RESOLVED that the Council ascertain with Shelley College whether it would be feasible for the Parish Council to offer to contribute to appropriate Citizenship classes. It was FURTHER RESOLVED that Cllr Barlow, as a governor of the College, make some initial enquiries.
875 Working Party on Public Transport
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Stagecoach confirming that action had now been taken to deal with the problems of the 95 bus route. It was RESOLVED that the correspondence be welcomed. Cllrs Brook and Waites gave verbal updates from the working party. They pointed out that the contract for the 95 bus service expires in January and that in light of the success of the route, there were proposals to continue the service. Cllr Shaw suggested that since the route has some slack, a loop could be built in from Clayton West to Emley to provide a service to Emley. It was RESOLVED this be pursued. In relation to the Parish Council’s request for a Saturday service through Clayton West on the 435/436 route, Cllrs Waites and Brook confirmed that the company is not in a position to agree to this without extra money. They also reported that they are still monitoring the reliability and timekeeping of the Huddersfield Bus Company services to Huddersfield and the company was improving the reliability but not the timekeeping. A meeting was due to be held the following day with Alan Bishop of Metro to discuss these issues. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
876 Denby Dale/Kirkburton LIG
Cllr Brook reported on the last meeting of the LIG which had been held on 7 November. It had been confirmed that stand alone bids with no parallel with other areas would receive a low priority; some money will need to be spent by the end of March; and the next meeting will be discussing the formalisation of membership of the LIG. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
877 Parish Plan Update
Cllr Allen proposed that two new sections be added to the plan: sustainability and old people. It was RESOLVED that the proposal be approved.
878 Calendar of Meetings 2009-2010
The Clerk submitted a draft calendar of meetings for the period May 2009 to April 2010. It was RESOLVED that the calendar of meetings be approved.
879 Rural Action Yorkshire AGM 29 November 2008
The Clerk submitted a written report from Cllr Shaw. The meeting had been addressed by Dr S Burgess, the Prime Minister’s Rural Advocate and Chair of the Commission for Rural Communities with whom Cllr Calpin had raised the broadband issue. It was RESOLVED that Dr Burgess’ speech be circulated and that a copy of the broadband survey be sent to Dr Burgess.
880 Skelmanthorpe Skateboard Park
Cllr Brook reported that he had been invited to attend a site meeting at the Skateboard Park with Ward Councillors, PCSOs, local residents and Kirklees Council officers. The Clerk had also been in attendance. Ward Councillors were determined to move the skateboard park 60 metres to the right of the existing football pitch and indicated that they intended to close the lay-by. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
881 Picture of Kirklees Conference 20 November
Cllr M Barlow gave a verbal report on the Picture of Kirklees Conference. The conference had looked at a range of health, social and economic indicators of the Kirklees population. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
882 Yorkshire Local Councils Associations
The Clerk invited members to nominate a representative to the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations. It was RESOLVED to nominate Cllr Geoff Horton.
883 Denby Dale Area Committee
The Clerk invited members to nominate representatives to fill the three vacancies on the Denby Dale Area Committee. It was RESOLVED not to fill the vacancies for the remainder of the civic year, but to leave the matter until the Annual Council Meeting.
884 Skelmanthorpe Notice Board
Cllr Turner drew members’ attention to the fact that the Skelmanthorpe Notice Board faces into the car park next to the Coop Supermarket which means anyone wishing to read it has to go into the car park which is potentially dangerous. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk establish why the notice board faces the way it does and whether it could be changed so that it is visible from the pavement.
885 Skelmanthorpe War Memorial
Cllr Turner pointed out that a number of names are missing from the war memorial and that both Kenneth Haigh and the Skelmanthorpe Community Action Group had been trying for some time to have them added. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk contact Kirklees Council and press for the issue to be resolved.
886 Station Road Cleansing Depot
Cllr Turner pointed out that the Council Depot on Station Road had been under review a few years ago and its future still appeared to be uncertain. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Kirklees Council for an update.
887 Promotion of Countryside Project
As a member of the Steering Group of the Denby Dale Countryside Project, Cllr Turner suggested that the Parish Council’s part funding of Countryside Project should be advertised and proposed that the Council request that this be achieved through application of a decal on the side of the Countryside Officer’s van. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk contact Kirklees Council to establish whether this could be carried out.
888 Kirklees Community Grants Scheme 2008-2011
Cllr Allen pointed out that the guidelines to the new scheme indicated that where groups did not have the requisite constitution, accounts and bank account, they may still be eligible for a grant if they could find an established group to hold the grant for them. He asked members to consider agreeing that the Parish Council take on the role of holding grants for such groups if they were successful. The Clerk confirmed that the Parish Council was permitted to do this and it was RESOLVED that this offer be publicised on the website and elsewhere as appropriate.
889 Press Coverage of Remembrance Day
The Clerk reported that the Huddersfield Examiner had covered the wreath laying at the Birdsedge War Memorial but had failed to report that a wreath had by laid by Cllr Shaw on behalf of the Parish Council. It was RESOLVED that in subsequent years, a press release be issued with information about the various wreath laying ceremonies in which the Parish Council was involved and that the same information be put on the website.
890 Gardens to allotments
Cllr Allen raised the possibility of local householders with large gardens being encouraged to offer them as allotments and with a local register of such allotments being made available for interested parties. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk investigate this matter.
891 Website
The Clerk reported that there had been 3291 unique visitors to the website in November 2008.
892 Orders for Payment
It was RESOLVED that Orders for Payment No. 483 totalling £7,237.04 be approved,
893 Budget Report
The Clerk submitted a budget report to 30 November 2008. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
894 January Council Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the following items be included on the agenda of the January council meeting: lighting outside the scout hut, Scissett notice board.
895 Dates of Next Meetings
16 December 2008 - Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting starting at 7.30pm
6 January 2009 – Council meeting starting at 7pm
13 January 2009 – Finance & General Purposes Committee starting at 7.30pm
Signed: ……………………………………………
Chair
