Minutes of the Meeting of Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday 5 June 2007 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllr G Turner (Chair), E Shaw (Vice Chair), M Barlow, J A Barlow, C Barnfield, J C Birdsall, J E Birdsall, R Brook, H Cole, A Heaton, M Mills, C Rimmer, T Sigsworth, S Simpson, A Stimson, K Thursby, A Tribe, K Waites, N Wilson
53. Declarations of Councillors’ Interests
Cllr Sigsworth declared a personal interest in item 6.6 Fundraising event for Skelmanthorpe Youth and Community Centre.
54. Public Discussion Time
No items were raised.
55. Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence.
56. Suspension of Standing Orders
It was RESOLVED that Standing Orders be suspended in line with Standing Order No. 79 to allow Andy Wickham, Countryside Officer to address the meeting.
57. Andy Wickham, Countryside Officer
Andy Wickham submitted a report on the work being carried out by the Countryside Project, including work with the 10 Villages Conservation Group, schools within the parish, the Enviroyouth project and the development of the pathways to health trails, the village trails and the parish walks. It was RESOLVED that Andy be thanked for his work.
58. Return to Standing Orders
It was RESOLVED to return to Standing Orders.
59. Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 May 2007
It was RESOLVED subject to a correction to Minute no, 18c) to record Cllr Wilson as Vice Chair and not Chair, the minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2007 be accepted as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
60. Transport Issues
a) Stagecoach Bus Service Changes
Further to Minute No. 32, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Paul Lynch, the managing director of Stagecoach together with information confirming the number of students from Shelley College who travel from the Barnsley area, as well as the number of referrals from local health centres to Barnsley General Hospital (approximately 400 over a 12 month period from Skelmanthorpe Family Doctors and 124 over a 6 month period from Dearne Valley Health Centre). Members expressed regret that Mr Lynch had not accepted the Council’s invitation to attend the meeting and were further concerned that the information contained in his letter did not fully address the Council’s concerns. It was RESOLVED a) that the Clerk write to Mr Lynch to let him have the information about hospital referrals and to ask for the results of the review of bus use which the changes to the bus services had been based on; b) a letter setting out the problems be sent to the appropriate government department c) further information be sought from Shelley College about the transport arrangements for the students in Years 12 and 13.
b) Arriva
The Clerk reported that Arriva had recently published a revised timetable effectively cutting a number of bus services between Huddersfield and Wakefield and submitted a draft letter to Arriva setting out a number of amendments to the proposed timetable. It was RESOLVED that the proposed letter be sent to Arriva.
c) School Transport Problems
The Clerk reported that the Kirklees Association of School Governors had organised a meeting to be held at 7pm on 14 June at Shelley College and that the issue of School Transport as raised by the Parish Council was on the agenda. Two representatives from the Parish Council were invited to attend and it was RESOLVED that Cllrs Sigsworth and Waites attend the meeting on behalf of the Council.
61. Skelmanthorpe Health Centre
In relation to Minute No. 526, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees PCT confirming the problem of litter and vandalism around the Health Centre. The PCT is considering a range of responses in relation to the problem and following a clean up of the area, will be installing waste bins outside the Health Centre. If the problem escalates, however, consideration will be given to erecting fencing to protect the premises. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
62. Sewerage and Surface Water Problems, Skelmanthorpe
In relation to Minute No. 607, the Clerk reported that Yorkshire Water had investigated the reported problem and had found a fractured drain which they will now repair. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
63. Background to the Naming of Paddock Close
In relation to Minute No. 29, the Clerk confirmed that she had written to John Emms, Kirklees MC Solicitor and that he had now written to confirm that though he had doubts that on the basis of the information supplied, there had been any breach of the code of conduct, he did understand the Parish Council’s concerns and would raise the issue with Cllr Ward, explain the council’s concerns and point out that the Council would welcome an apology. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
64. Bromley Farm Recycling Centre
In relation to Minute No. 519, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees MC indicating that it would not be viable to alter the opening hours of the centre but that in relation to the Parish Council’s request for shredding facilities for confidential waste, Sita-Kirklees had been asked to put together a proposal for collection and secure destruction of confidential paperwork and electronic media for the five recycling centres. A lengthy discussion was then held which covered the range of problems caused by the pressure on the centre at weekends. Queues are often so long that some potential recyclers give up and leave. It was RESOLVED that Kirklees MC be asked to consider expanding the centre to accommodate the increased use at weekends and to encourage continued and increased recycling. It was also noted that many households in the area do not have recycling bins and that at the end of last year, Kirklees MC confirmed that it was trialling a liner based recycling system. It was therefore FURTHER RESOLVED to ask the Council to provide information on the outcome of the trial.
65. Active Road Signs
In relation to Minute No. 609, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees MC responding to the Parish Council’s proposed locations for siting active road signs. Kirklees MC will assess the sites and report back to the Council once speed assessments and collision studies have been completed, probably in early July. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
66. Code of Conduct
The Clerk submitted correspondence from the Kirklees MC Solicitor concerning the progress in the adoption of the new Code of Conduct. It was RESOLVED that the correspondence be noted.
67. Parkgate Trust
Further to Minute No. 627, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Parkgate Trust responding to the Council’s offer of a loan. The Trust indicated it would prefer a grant rather than a loan and rejected the condition that the Council have a seat with full voting rights on the Board of Directors/Trustees. Members had a lengthy discussion, during which it was noted firstly, that a sports facility of the type proposed by the Trust would be of enormous value to the community, but that secondly,. the council had a duty to act responsibly with public money and that the conditions which the Council had attached to the loan offer had been agreed following advice from the YCLA. It was RESOLVED unanimously that since the Trust does not accept all the conditions attached to the loan offer, the Council is unable to proceed with the offer. However, if, at a future date, the Trust wished to reconsider the offer, it should contact the Council with a view to meeting with members to discuss the issue further.
68. Zigzag Lines Outside Fire Station, Skelmanthorpe
Cllr Turner raised the concerns of local residents who live near the fire station in Skelmanthorpe who had been told by Kirklees MC that zigzag lines were to be painted around the entrance to the fire station in Skelmanthorpe. The Clerk reported that following investigation, it was now apparent that any proposal for such a course of action had been precipitous and had now been withdrawn. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
69. Advertising Boards and Other Pavement Obstructions
Cllr Turner expressed concern about the proliferation of advertising boards and other obstructions which had begun appearing on pavements in the parish, in particular in Denby Dale and in Scissett opposite Nortonthorpe Mills. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Kirklees MC to ask for the offending items to be removed.
70. Plastic Bags
Following the submission of a newspaper article about the decision by Modbury Council in Devon to ban plastic bags from the town and in view of the growing concern about the environment and climate change, members discussed the need for some action to be taken locally to reduce the number of plastic bags in circulation. It was RESOLVED that a) District Councillors be asked to pursue the possibility with Kirklees MC of taking action to ban or reduce the use of plastic bags across the district; b) since such action requires the support of government legislation, the Parish Council write to all Kirklees MPs as well as the appropriate government department asking for action to be taken; c) the local Co-op supermarket be asked to take action to encourage the re-use of plastic bags by its customers.
71. AFC Emley
The Clerk reported on correspondence from AFC Emley advising the Council that it had applied for a bar licence for the clubhouse and that when the project is completed members will be invited to a home game. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
72. Parish Plan
The Clerk reported that action had been taken on most of the recommendations of the Parish Plan and that the plan would be distributed to health centres, post offices, libraries, district councillors, members of Kirklees cabinet, senior officers within Kirklees MC and local voluntary and community organisations. It was agreed that members should contact the Clerk with any further suggestions and it was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
73. Skelmanthorpe Youth and Community Centre
Cllr Brook reported that the Skelmanthorpe Youth and Community Centre was engaged in intensive fundraising for the improvements planned for the centre and requested the help of the Council to run a fundraising coffee morning. It was RESOLVED that a fundraising coffee morning be held in the autumn and that the Clerk liaise with Vanessa Marsden over the arrangements.
74. Annual Return 2006-2007
It was 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.
75. Appointment of Representative to the Denby Dale Parish Accident Prevention Committee
It was RESOLVED that Cllr J C Birdsall be appointed to the Denby Dale Parish Accident Committee.
76. Website
The Clerk reported that the website was nearing completion and would be going live the following week. In the meantime, it was RESOLVED that where possible, members should look at the incomplete site and to let the Clerk have any views about the form and/or content.
77. Appointment of Representative to Historic Buildings Trust
The Clerk submitted information about the work of the Historic Buildings Trust and it was RESOLVED that Cllr T Barlow be nominated as the Council’s representative on the Trust.
78. Appointment of School Governor to Scissett First School
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Waites be nominated as governor to Scissett First School.
79. Allocation of Councillors to Committees
The Clerk reported that because of other longstanding commitments, Cllr M Barlow was not able to attend Plans Scrutiny Committee meetings. Cllr A Heaton offered to change committees and it was RESOLVED therefore that Cllr M Barlow serve on the Finance & General Purposes Committee and Cllr A Heaton on the Plans Scrutiny Committee.
80. Mary Creagh MP
It was RESOLVED that Mary Creagh MP be invited to address a future meeting of the Council at a date suitable to her. It was FURTHER RESOLVED that Ms Creagh be congratulated on her pregnancy.
81. Minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 22 May 2007 be signed as a correct record.
82. Yorkshire Local Councils Association
a) The Clerk submitted the May 2007 White Rose Update. It was RESOLVED that the document be noted.
b) The Clerk submitted details of YLCA training for newly elected parish councillors. It was RESOLVED that those Councillors interested in attending be booked onto the course to be held on 11 July at the Council Offices.
c) The Clerk submitted YLCA Advice Notes Nos. 16 and 17. It was RESOLVED that the documents be noted.
d) The Clerk reported that the next meeting of the Pennine Branch of the YLCA would be held on 13 June 2007 in Ripponden. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
e) The Clerk submitted information about a NALC/Standards Board conference to be held in Birmingham on 19 July 2007. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
83. Public Rights of Way Forum
The Clerk submitted the minutes of the meeting of the Public Rights of way Forum held on 15 March 2007. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
84. Orders for Payment
It was RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule No. 454 totalling £86,720.06
be authorised.
85. Date of next meetings
Finance & General Purposes Committee at 7.30pm on 19 June 2007
Plans Scrutiny Committee on at 7.30pm on 26 June 2007
Council Meeting at 7pm on 3 July 2007
Signed……………………………………….
(CHAIR)
