Minutes of the Meeting of Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday 3 June 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
591 Public Session
No matters were raised by members of the public.
592 Apologies for Absence
Reasons for absence from the meeting were submitted from Cllrs J C Birdsall, J E Birdsall, D Kaye and N Wilson. It was RESOLVED that reasons for absence submitted by all the above Councillors be accepted as valid reasons.
593 Declaration of Councillors’ Interests
No interests were declared.
594 Agenda
It was noted that Penny Hudson and Dick Hewitson of Kirklees Council had attended the meeting to hear the debate about the locality plan for Denby Dale and Kirkburton at Item 11. It was RESOLVED that the item be brought forward on the agenda to follow the Visiting Speaker, Cllr David Hall.
595 Chair’s Opening Remarks
Cllr Shaw reported that Cllr Kaye had now come out of hospital and he circulated a card for councillors to sign and asked for donations to send a basket of fruit. He then announced that the Clerk had completed the Society of Local Clerk’s Working with Your Council course and presented her with her certificate. Finally, he read a letter from Kenneth Haigh thanking councillors for the gift he received on his retirement.
596 Admission of the Public
It was RESOLVED that there were no items requiring the exclusion of the press and public.
597 Visiting Speaker – Cllr David Hall, Kirklees Council
Cllr David Hall, Kirklees Cabinet member responsible for transportation and green services, accompanied by Tim Lawrence. Senior Engineer and Matt Ward, Transport Planner, addressed the council on Kirklees Council’s plans to invest £500,000 in transport in rural areas over a three year period. A report was to be published the following day. The proposal which affected the Parish was a 6 month trial of a bus service from Denby Dale to Barnsley jointly funded with Metro. The service will be run on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis. The service will be assessed in terms of the number of people who use it with a target to carry over 6 passengers per journey and in January 2009, Metro will decide whether to pay for the continued operation of the service. Members raised a number of issues concerning the timetable, the question of through ticketing arrangements, the need to look at the whole network to find any gaps; whether any plans were in place to invest in community transport, the provision of park and ride facilities, and the need for proper publicity. It was pointed out that the next stage would be the assessment of the trial. The Parish Council asked Kirklees to ensure that it is further consulted over the trial and it was RESOLVED that any consultative feedback be channelled through the Working Party on Public Transport. It was further RESOLVED that Cllr Hall and his colleagues be thanked for their useful contribution.
598 Suspension of Standing Orders
It was RESOLVED in line with Standing Order No. 79, to suspend standing orders to enable Penny Hudson and Dick Hewitson to address the meeting.
599 Draft Locality Plan for Denby Dale and Kirkburton
Dick Hewitson, Kirklees Council Director of Finance introduced himself and explained that each Director had been charged with providing a lead input into a locality, and he was responsible for Denby Dale and Kirkburton and that Penny Hudson was the acting Locality Coordinator for the area. They explained that the draft Locality Plan had been drawn up with a restricted amount of consultation since it was felt that this would slow down the drafting process. The plan included both short term priorities (sustainable communities, involving the voluntary and community sector, using schools as a community resource, concerns about the needs of young people; reducing intergenerational tensions, public transport) and long term priorities (such as the quality of the environment, social and health care provision for older people, healthy lifestyles, affordable housing, sustainable economy). The council is now consulting on this plan and a second version will be made available in the autumn. It was RESOLVED that Mr Hewitson and Ms Hudson be thanked for attending the meeting, that the plan be discussed in detail at the July meeting, and that the Parish Council’s views be submitted to Kirklees Council.
600 Return to Standing Orders
It was RESOLVED to return to standing orders.
601 Minutes of Annual Council Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 6 May be signed by the Chair as a correct record.
602 Minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 20 May 2008 be signed by the Chair of the Committee as a correct record.
603 Traffic Island Commercial Road/Windmill Crescent
The Clerk reported that Kirklees Council had confirmed that a pedestrian/vehicle count would be carried out in order to assess the justification for an island. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
604 Parking at Shelley College
The Clerk submitted a note from John Fowler, Headteacher of Shelley College concerning car parking. He explained that car parking arrangements at the site had had to be revised and a number of additional bays had been provided last year with all available spaces allocated. There are occasions when the number of people using the site increases, particularly during exam times when the College employs exam invigilators and supply teachers. The college has no power to ban students or supply staff form driving to the school and parking legally on the main road. The police had been asked to check the arrangements and they had confirmed that the action taken by the College to ensure safety on site was appropriate. The police had also confirmed that cars were parked legally on the main road and did not provide a danger to the public. They had also been into school and spoken with students about safe parking and were pleased with the way students had accepted their advice. The College continues to explore with the Council additional travel strategies and to look for areas where they might be able to increase parking on site. The Clerk also submitted a letter from Kirklees Council advising that highways engineers had visited the College and confirmed that all parking taking place was legal. Members discussed the issue and it was RESOLVED that Kirklees Council be asked to put double yellow lines on the south side of Huddersfield Road to ensure that cars could only park on one side of the road.
605 Future Planning
Further to the Council’s decision to produce a long term development plan, the Clerk suggested that before holding a meeting to discuss a plan as previously proposed, it would be more effective if members had something tangible to discuss. It was RESOLVED, therefore, that members be circulated with a questionnaire to enable them to set out their thoughts on the Council’s long term aims and that the Clerk should investigate examples of similar plans produced by other parish councils.
606 Appointment of Representative to the Historic Buildings Trust
No members were available to represent the Parish Council on the Historic Buildings Trust and it was RESOLVED that the matter be returned to at a later date and the Historic Buildings Trust be advised accordingly.
607 Appointment of Representative to Clayton West Millennium Green Trust
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Simpson be the Council’s representative on the Clayton West Millennium Green Trust.
608 Street Naming
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees Council concerning street naming of the development off Cuttlehurst, Scissett. It was RESOLVED that the Council’s original proposal of Hirstlands be the preferred option.
609 Working Party on Public Transport
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Metro concerning the bus service to Barnsley confirming that the service will be provided by extending one of Stagecoach’s routes from Kexborough to Denby Dale and that within Kirklees a circular route would run from Barnsley/Kexborough serving the villages of High Hoyland, Clayton West, Scissett, Skelmanthorpe, Lower Cumberworth to Denby Dale, returning via the main road to Scissett and Clayton West to Kexborough. This would give the most direct service possible for passengers in Denby Dale and Clayton West. The Clerk also submitted correspondence from Arriva concerning the 435/436 bus route which advised that the route is a Metro tendered service and as such they specify the route and the timetable and Arriva Yorkshire operates the service as specified in the tender. Any requests for route or timetable amendments should be forwarded to Metro for their consideration. The Clerk reported that she had sent a copy of the letter to Arriva to Metro but had not yet had an answer. It was RESOLVED that a reminder letter be sent to Metro. Members of the working party reported that a meeting had been held with Russell Arden, the Managing Director of Centrebus, who had set out the company’s plans in relation to the operation at Waterloo. He had confirmed that the six new buses for the 80 to 84 service would be coming soon and they would have a distinctive green livery. Members raised with Mr Arden a number of problems, including unpunctuality, unreliability and overcrowding on services to Huddersfield, the failure to connect with trains at Denby Dale, the lack of off-peak buses through the Matherville estate; and the inadequacy of services to outlying villages. It was RESOLVED that members of the working party be thanked for their hard work.
610 Bovis Homes Development, Skelmanthorpe
The Clerk submitted a copy of correspondence from Cllr J C Birdsall to Paul Wood, Kirklees Council Planning Enforcement Officer expressing concern that the level of the houses under construction was being raised above that agreed in the planning consent. Mr Wood had replied immediately and confirmed that he had been in touch with the site manager asking him to check the site levels before any further work was carried out. It was RESOLVED that Mr Wood be asked for an update.
611 Kirklees Standards Committee
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Susan Betteridge, Head of Legal Services at Kirklees Council outlining the Council’s decision to expand the Standards Committee in order to enable it to fulfil its new function of taking responsibility for dealing with local complaints. Following the recruitment process, the Committee will comprise 12 members – four independent members, three parish council representatives and five Kirklees Council members. Cllr M Barlow reported that she had that afternoon attended a training session on the new structure and responsibilities. It was RESOLVED that the reports be noted.
612 Complaint About Emley
The Clerk submitted a letter from Robert Willis a resident of Emley, setting out a number of complaints about the state of the village. Specifically concern was expressed about the state of the footpaths and the poor standard of grass cutting. It was RESOLVED that the contents of the letter be sent to Kirklees Council and copied to Ward Councillors with a request that the issues raised be resolved at the earliest possible time.
613 RDPE Funding Application
Cllr Tribe reported that the LIG had met three times and was making good progress. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
614 YLCA Councillor Training 2008
The Clerk had circulated the 2008 training programme and it was RESOLVED that members should contact the Clerk direct if they wished to attend any of the training courses offered..
615 YHPTP/YLCA Training Conference Scarborough
The Clerk submitted information about the Joint Training Conference to be held in Scarborough from 26-28 September. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk and Cllr R Allen attend on behalf of the Council.
616 Report of Joint Parish/Town Councils Meeting with Kirklees Council
The Clerk gave a verbal report of the meeting that had been held on 7 May. Much of the meeting had been taken up with discussion about locality management. In addition, the meeting discussed that parish review as provided for in the 2007 Local Government Act. Kirklees Council will be establishing a project team to look at the practicalities of the review and had invited one clerk and one member to represent all five parish and town councils. The Clerk indicated that she had suggested to the other Clerks that her name should be put forward and since the meeting Holme Valley Parish Council had proposed the councillor representative should be Cllr Kaye. It was RESOLVED that the report be accepted and that the representation as outlined be accepted.
617 Report of Meeting concerning Crigglestone Railway Station
Cllr Shaw reported that two meetings had been held with Crigglestone Parish Council, West Bretton Parish Council and two Wakefield Rural Ward councillors. Two sites were identified as possibilities, the old railway station in Dennington and the marshalling yard at Calder Grove. The second meeting had involved a site visit to Calder Grove. It was RESOLVED that discussions proceed.
618 Safety Mirror at Wood Street, Skelmanthorpe
Cllr Waites submitted photographic evidence demonstrating the problems of sightlines at the junction of Wood Street and Huddersfield Road in Skelmanthorpe. He pointed out that the junction would be much improved in safety terms if two mirrors could be installed. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk request that Kirklees Council look at the site with a view to installing safety mirrors.
619 Parish Plan Update
Cllr Allen proposed that the Parish Plan should be updated and indicated he would be happy to take on the responsibility. It was RESOLVED that Cllr Allen update the Parish Plan.
620 Website
The Clerk reported that usage of the website continued to grow. In April, there had been 6425 unique visitors and in May, the figure was 6661. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
621 Finance Matters
It was RESOLVED that Orders for Payment No. 473 totalling £757.17 and Orders for Payment No. 474 totalling £8,447.58 be approved.
622 July Council Meeting
The Clerk reported that the Countryside Officer would be invited to address the July Council meeting. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
623 Dates of next meetings
Finance & General Purposes Committee at 7.30pm on 17 June 2008
Plans Scrutiny Committee at 7.30pm on 24 June 2008
Council Meeting at 7pm on 1 July 2008
Signed………………………………………
CHAIR
