Minutes of the Meeting of Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday 1 July 2008 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllrs E I Shaw (Chair), R Allen, C Barnfield, J A Barlow, M Barlow, R Brook, M Mills, T Sigsworth, A Stimson, S Simpson, A Tribe, G Turner, K Waites
650 Public Session
A member of the public raised an issue about the footpath which runs between Lidgett Lane and Radcliffe Street which now has three posts installed with signs saying ‘private road’. The Clerk agreed to investigate the situation. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
651 Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted from Cllrs D Kaye and C Rimmer. It was RESOLVED that reasons for absence submitted by these Councillors be accepted as valid.
652 Declaration of Councillors’ Interests
Cllr Tribe declared a personal interest in Item 17.4.
653 Chair’s Remarks
Cllr Shaw reported that Andy Wickham could not attend the meeting due to illness, so Item 7 would fall. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
654 Admission of the Public
It was RESOLVED that, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 S1(2) members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the second part of Item 2 concerning the resignation of Cllrs J C and J E Birdsall on the grounds that the item concerned staffing matters. It was FURTHER RESOLVED that the item be moved to the end of the agenda to be discussed after Item 22.
658 Police Report
The Clerk reported that Inspector Harvey had indicated that he would not be able to attend the meeting and hoped that a substitute would be able to attend, though in the event this had not proved possible. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
659 Minutes of Council Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the council meeting held on 3 June 2008 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
660 Minutes of Finance and General Purposes Committee
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting held on 17 June 2008 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
661 Minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 24 June 2008 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the Plans Scrutiny Committee subject to a correction in the last line of Minute No. 643 to substitute 2006 for 2008.
662 Broadband
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Ofcom responding to the Council’s complaint about Broadband coverage in the parish. The Clerk reported that since receiving this letter, she had written to BT outlining the problems and requesting action to improve the service. It was RESOLVED that the correspondence be forwarded to Mary Creagh MP and that the matter be discussed again at the September Council meeting.
663 Complaint about Emley
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees Council responding direct to Mr Willis about his complaint about the state of the village. Cllr Shaw reported that since the letter had been sent, Kirklees Council had sprayed the weeds with herbicide, tidied up the edges and improved the grass mowing. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
664 Request for Safety Mirrors at Junction of Wood Street and Huddersfield Road in Skelmanthorpe
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees Council setting out proposals for dealing with the traffic problem at the junction of Wood Street and Huddersfield Road. It was RESOLVED that Kirklees be thanked for their prompt response, and that the proposals be accepted subject to the following: parking should be banned outside No. 36; the parking bay should be started further up the road away from the junction; the request for the mirrors be reiterated, together with the proposed markings.
665 Insurance Cover
The Clerk reported that the Finance and General Purposes Committee had discussed the Council’s insurance cover at its meeting in June and had agreed that this information be circulated to all councillors. The Clerk drew members’ attention to the insurance cover for loss of no claims bonus for members when using their own cars on council business. The Clerk indicated that she needed the names of those who would be likely to be driving on council business so that she could advise the insurance company accordingly. Some members indicated that they already had insurance against loss of no claims bonus and it was RESOLVED that those members concerned should ascertain from their insurance companies whether they were covered when driving on council business and advise the Clerk accordingly. It was FURTHER RESOLVED that all other councillors should advise the Clerk whether they were likely to drive on Council business.
666 Childcare Allowances
The Clerk reported that the Finance and General Purposes Committee had discussed the issue of childcare allowance at its meeting and had agreed that the matter be discussed by the full council. The Clerk explained that at present, there is no legislation which enables parish councils to pay such an allowance. The most up to date statement on Councillors’ Allowances is contained in YLCA Advice Note 012 “Councillors’ Allowances”, which explains that only district councillors are permitted to claim this allowance. Allowances paid to parish and town councils are currently set by Kirklees Council’s Remuneration Panel which prefers to have a standard set of allowances paid to all 5 parish and town councils. In view of this, the Clerk explained that if the Parish Council decided to pay a childcare/babysitting allowance, the Remuneration Panel would have to agree the rate. The options open to the Parish Council were twofold: a) Ask representatives to the South Pennine Branch of the YLCA to raise the matter through the Branch with a view to persuading YLCA to adopt this as policy; and/or b) Raise the matter with the other parish and town councils and pursue with the Remuneration Panel. It was RESOLVED that both courses of action be pursued.
667 Locality Plan for Denby Dale and Kirkburton
The Clerk submitted Kirklees Council’s Locality Plan for Denby Dale and Kirkburton. It was agreed that the Council submit a detailed response to Kirklees Council and it was RESOLVED that a small sub committee comprising Cllrs Allen, Shaw, Brook and J A Barlow be formed with the sole task of drafting a response to be discussed at the September meeting of the Council.
668 Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007
The Clerk submitted “Guidance on Community Governance Reviews” together with an article from the Huddersfield Examiner entitled ‘New powers to control councils’ dated 21 June 2008. Members were concerned with the tone of the newspaper article which contained veiled attacks on the Parish Council by two Kirklees Councillors. In addition, Cllr Shaw reported that the YLCA South Pennine Branch meeting on 11 June had discussed a report from the Joint Executive Board of the YLCA on the creation and abolition of parishes which the Clerk had circulated at the beginning of the meeting. The report indicated that YLCA was aware of reports from some areas of individual district councillors threatening to press for the abolition of existing parishes. Associations were asked to take action to highlight with Government the need for an appeals mechanism against decisions of a principal authority, particularly where such an authority decides to abolish an existing council. It was RESOLVED
a) that a letter be sent to Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and to Dr Phyllis Starkey, MP, Chair of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee outlining the Parish Council’s concerns about the absence of an appeal mechanism and pressing for such a procedure to be put in place and that the correspondence be copied to Mary Creagh MP.
b) that a letter be sent to both the Chief Executive and the Leader of Kirklees Council referring to the newspaper article and asking for clarification about the current position of Kirklees Council in relation to the forthcoming review.
669 Denby Dale Parish Accident Prevention Committee
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Mrs W Parry, Chair of the Denby Dale Parish Accident Prevention Committee advising that due diminishing membership and lack of administrative support, the Committee had been wound up. Mrs Parry requested that the annual safety calendar competition involving the primary schools and Scissett Middle School should continue, that the Parish Council take on responsibility for road and home safety issues and that the Parish Council store the Committee’s historical documents for 7 years. Finally, the letter enclosed the Committee’s cheque for £407.14, representing a refund of the Council’s grant for this year plus the remainder of the grant for the previous year. It was RESOLVED that a letter of thanks for all her hard work over the years be sent to Mrs Parry. In relation to the requests in the letter, members discussed the future of the annual safety calendar competition and it was felt that a more up to date competition or other intervention should be considered. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk write to all the schools involved seeking their views and that she investigate the cost of providing reflective tabards or bands for primary school children. In relation to taking responsibility for home and road safety, it was noted that these issues already form part of the Parish Council’s remit and it was RESOLVED that the request to store the Committee’s documents for seven years be agreed.
670 Youth Council
The Clerk gave an update on the formation of the Youth Council. She explained that she was currently working with Dave Wadsworth, Assistant Head of Shelley College to organise elections to the Youth Council which will be held in September 2008. The Council will consist of 16 Councillors, half boys and half girls, in four wards and two age groups (Years 9, 10, 11 and Years 12 and 13). It was felt that it would be more appropriate to focus in the first instance on the older age groups and to revisit the younger age group at a later date. It was anticipated that the Council would meet on Wednesday afternoons from 3.30 to 5pm and that the assistance of the Kirklees Youth Service would be sought. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
671 Working Party on Public Transport
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Metro confirming that it would discuss with Arriva the Parish Councils proposals that a service 435 bus operate at 0635 from Denby Dale via Skelmanthorpe to Wakefield on Mondays to Saturdays. In addition, Metro confirmed that it had already raised with Arriva the question of a Saturday link between Chapel Hill, Clayton West and Wakefield and was awaiting their reply.
A report was also given by the Working Party that timetables had been issued to householders in High Hoyland advertising the new 95 bus route to Barnsley from Skelmanthorpe. It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council have similar leaflets printed for distribution by councillors around the area. It was further reported that the timetables for the 80-84 bus routes and the Penistone train services were currently being reprinted. Finally, it was reported that the new company, Centrebus, had introduced new buses and the service appeared to be more reliable than the previous service. The company is considering revising the timetables, and Cllr Waites reported that he had been asked to join the group which is looking at the timetables. It was RESOLVED that the reports be noted.
672 YLCA Branch Meeting held on 11 June 2008
The Clerk submitted a report of the YLCA branch meeting from Cllr Shaw. In addition to the issue of the 2007 Local government and Public Involvement in Health Act reported under minute no. 668 above, the meeting had discussed planning applications, post office closures, quality councils, integrated transport policy, sat-nav for HGVs and allowances for payment of childcare and other care costs for parish councillors. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
673 Crigglestone Railway Station
The Clerk gave a report of a meeting she had attended on behalf of the Parish Council with Ian Wiper, Interim Service Director, Transportation and Highways of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council together with representatives from Crigglestone and West Bretton Parish Councils. The meeting had been held at the request of Mr Wiper who had seen a report in the local Wakefield Express about the three Parish Councils’ campaign to open up Crigglestone Railway station. Mr Wiper pointed out that he was currently discussing the possibility of setting up park and ride schemes in three areas of Wakefield, including the area around Calder Grove/Crigglestone in relation to Railplan 7. He explained that matters were only at the discussion stage, and that it would take some years before anything was in place. He pointed out that a new railway station with just two platforms would cost approximately £1 million and that a park and ride scheme with buses would be much cheaper and therefore more likely to receive support. In conclusion, he agreed to make enquiries to determine what the current timetable is regarding consultation for Railplan 7 and that he would endeavour to ensure that the Parish Councils are consulted. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
673 Distribution of Cold Caller Stickers
Cllr Barnfield raised the issue of the distribution by Denby Dale Area Committee of stickers advising about cold callers through the Huddersfield Weekly News. He was concerned that the newspaper is not delivered to all areas and that therefore a number of local residents have not received the stickers. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk write to the Area Committee to ask them to reconsider their distribution method.
674 Interfaith Liaison
Cllr Stimson reported that during the visit to the mosque, it was clear that the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association would like to develop contacts with other faith groups within the area. It was considered that the Association had misunderstood the nature of the Parish Council and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk write to explain that the Parish Council is a secular organisation.
675 Parking on North Side of Huddersfield Road near Junction with Station Road
Cllr Waites reported that he had been asked by Mrs McCully, the owner of Jogifame to raise the issue of parking bays for the disabled outside her shop. He pointed out that she had written to Kirklees Council but despite repeated requests, had not received a reply Members explained that parking bays had originally been removed in order to improve sightlines at the junction to enhance road safety. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk contact Kirklees Council and ask them to respond to Mr & Mrs McCully. It was further RESOLVED that the Council oppose any reinstatement of the parking bays which had been removed, on the grounds that since their removal, road safety had improved at the junction.
676 Sponsorship of Birdsedge Village Hall
The Clerk reported that she had received a request from the Birdsedge Village Hall via Cllr Tribe for sponsorship. The Village Hall had recently secured Lottery funding towards renovation costs but needed to raise another £60,000 before the end of August. To raise funds, the Village Hall is seeking sponsorship of various items of furniture. It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council sponsor various items to the value of £200.
677 Major Planning Application
Cllr Sigsworth, Chair of the Plans Scrutiny Committee presented planning application No. 2008/62/91354 from Conroy Homes Ltd for the erection of 23 sheltered apartments on the site of Greenfeeds Ltd, 402 Wakefield Road, Denby Dale. It was RESOLVED that the proposal for sheltered housing be agreed in principal, but that the application be opposed because the height of the building is out of character with the surrounding properties and would have to be reduced to two stories to be in keeping with the area and that the balconies are out of character with the street scene.
678 Website
The Clerk explained that she had not been able to pull off the statistics of website usage for June, but this would be rectified at the next meeting. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
679 Budget Outturn
The Clerk presented a budget report to 30.06.08. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
680 Orders for Payment
It was RESOLVED that Orders for Payment No. 476 totalling £2340.03 be approved.
681 September Council Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the following items be discussed at the September Council meeting: the Newsletter, the green initiative, the business plan, the Parish Plan and that it was hoped that Andy Wickham, the Countryside Officer would be able to attend to address the council.
682 Dates of next meetings
Plans Scrutiny Committee at 7.30pm on 29 July 2008
Plans Scrutiny Committee at 7.30pm on 26 August 2008
Council Meeting at 7pm on 2 September 2008
683 Exclusion of the Press and Public
It was RESOLVED in terms of Schedule 12, Local Government Act 1972 the following items are likely to disclose exempt information relating to staffing matters and it is therefore RESOLVED that pursuant to the provisions of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, the press and public be excluded.
684 Resignation of Cllrs J C and J E Birdsall
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Cllrs J C and J E Birdsall submitting their resignation. It was noted that the Chair had already written to Cllr J C Birdsall accepting his resignation and extending thanks for his hard work as a member of the Council and it was RESOLVED that the Chair now write to Cllr J E Birdsall to accept her resignation and thank her for her hard work. It was FURTHER RESOLVED to place on record the Council’s thanks to both Cllrs J C and J E Birdsall for their contribution to the work of the Council and the Community.
Signed………………………………………
CHAIR
