Minutes of the Meeting of Denby Dale Parish Council held on Tuesday 4 September 2007 in the Civic Chamber, Council Offices, Skelmanthorpe
Members Present: Cllr G Turner (Chair), M Barlow, T Barlow, C Barnfield, J C Birdsall, J E Birdsall, R Brook, A Heaton, M Mills, C Rimmer, T Sigsworth, S Simpson, A Stimson, K Thursby, A Tribe, K Waites, N Wilson
174 Declarations of Councillors’ Interests
There were no declarations of interest.
175 Public Discussion Time
No items were raised.
176 Apologies
Reasons for absence were submitted by Cllrs H Cole, D Kaye and E Shaw. It was RESOLVED that the reasons for absence from the above councillors be accepted as valid.
177 Minutes
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2007 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
178 Visit to Diamond Street Recycling Centre
Further to minute No. 109, the Clerk confirmed that the visit to the recycling centre would now take place on 10 September 2007. Councillors were asked to indicate if they would be attending and it was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
179 Bus Stop Opposite Triangle, Huddersfield Road, Skelmanthorpe
Further to Minute No. 115, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Ryan Kinder of Kirklees MC confirming that he had been out to look at the site and had taken measurements but concluded that there was not sufficient road width to accommodate any type of traffic island at this location as requested by the Parish Council. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
180 Junction Huddersfield Road/Station Road, Skelmanthorpe
Further to Minute No. 116, the Clerk reported that Kirklees MC had now responded. While the letter confirmed that a low level tub might resolve the problem of people parking on the pavement, it was pointed out that it not something that Highways would be able to provide, manage or maintain, but if the Parish Council wished to provide it, it could do so. It was pointed out in discussion that the original idea for this solution had come from Chris Platts of Highways and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk seek a meeting with Mr Platts to raise this and other outstanding matters.
181 Shelley Woodhouse Lane Footpath
In relation to Minute No. 117, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees MC indicating that with the number of resurfacing schemes identified in the ward, work on Shelley Woodhouse Lane would be a very low priority. Members expressed concerns that the path is well used by students going to Shelley College and that currently the verges are so overgrown with weeds that the children are forced to walk in the road. It was RESOLVED that Kirklees MC be asked to arrange for the verges to be cut back.
182 Advertising Boards and other Pavement Obstructions
In relation to Minute No. 119, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Geof Thorpe of Kirklees MC indicating that retailers in the area would be given leaflets advising them to remove any pavement adverts, and depending on the response the exercise would be followed up with polite letters. Members noted that there were similar problems in Denby Dale with adverts appearing on the pavement opposite the Midland Bank. It was RESOLVED that Geof Thorpe be thanked for the action he has taken and the pavement adverts in Denby Dale be brought to his attention.
183 Plastic Bags
The Clerk reported that she had obtained information from Overton Parish Council which was taking action to eliminate the use of plastic bags and introduce reusable bags. This was being pursued through the local Business Association. It was noted that no such organisation existed within the Parish and members considered how the establishment of a Business Association could be encouraged. It was RESOLVED
a) to contact the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce to explore ways of encouraging a local business association.
b) depending on the outcome of the discussion with the MYCCI, to organise a meeting of all employers in the area with a view to facilitating a business organisation
c) to write to the Cooperative Society nationally to ascertain whether it would be possible for them to provide reusable bags in their shops
d) obtain costings for reusable bags
184 Traffic Problems on Station Road, Skelmanthorpe
Further to Minute No. 127, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees MC Highways and Transportation Department enclosing a letter to a resident of Gib Lane, Skelmanthorpe who had complained about similar problems to those raised by the parish council. The letter confirmed that removal of parking on any length of road would require a Traffic Regulation Order which is a long and expensive process and the fact that there have been no injury accidents recorded in the past 5 years indicates that drivers are manoeuvring in and out of Gib Lane junction with caution. The situation does not therefore merit the introduction of a TPO. The letter also points out that since this is a residential area, it is the residents themselves who are causing the problem rather than people from outside the area. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED that Kirklees MC be asked instead to install a white bar line at the junction similar to those installed at the bottom of Holmfield Road in Clayton West.
185 Reduction in Bus Services
The Clerk submitted correspondence from the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber concerning the reduction in the bus services in the parish. It was RESOLVED that the correspondence be noted.
186 Traffic Calming on Barnsley Road, Denby Dale
In relation to Minute No. 128, the Clerk reported that a full reply had not yet been received. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
187 ROSS Street Care
In relation to Minute No. 169, the Clerk submitted correspondence from Kirklees MC detailing the performance statistics for ROSS for the period 1 June to 19 July 2007. Over this period, 73% of calls were answered in 3 minutes and 85% in 5 minutes though these figures were skewed by the heavy rain days when Kirklees Direct processed over four times the normal daily volume of calls. It was RESOLVED that Kirklees Council be asked to indicate what the targets are for the service.
188 Internal Auditor
The Clerk reported that no recommendations had been received for a new internal auditor other than the firm Torevell Dent, which is used by neighbouring parish councils. It was RESOLVED to appoint the firm Torevell Dent as internal auditors.
189 Assessment of Response to Recent Flooding
Cllr Barnfield raised the issue of the response by the appropriate authorities to the recent flooding. Members were concerned that sandbags were not already available in preparation for such an emergency, that the drainage system appeared to be inadequate to cope with the amount of rainfall experienced and that new housing developments may be contributing to the problem by reducing the amount of natural run-off and perhaps by being improperly sited in relation to the flood plain. Given the speed of climate change, it was felt the area could experience similar heavy rainfall in future and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk should write to the Chief Executive of Kirklees MC setting out the council’s concerns and asking what emergency plans are in place to cope with any future flooding. The Clerk submitted information from Kirklees MC outlining the proposals which were to be put to the Cabinet the following day detailing the flood relief payments to be paid to householders affected by the recent flooding. These payments are banded into three categories and range from £100 to £500 per household. Councillors welcomed the scheme, especially in view of the number of householders with no insurance and those with insurance who are facing large increases in premia. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Mary Creagh MP to ask her to raise at a national level the possibility of the Government making provision for affordable insurance for householders affected by flooding.
190 Parking on Commercial Road, Skelmanthorpe
Cllr Cole had placed this item on the agenda but was not able to attend the meeting. It was RESOLVED that the item be placed on the agenda of the October meeting.
191 Hanging Baskets
The Clerk submitted a detailed proposal for the provision of hanging basket across the parish. The cost of providing 10 baskets in each of the ten villages would be approximately £2700 plus £2750 for 50 double brackets (the latter being a one off cost), making a total cost of approximately £5450 for the first year. It was RESOLVED that
a) £5,500 be set aside in the budget for the year 2008/9 and then £3000 per year thereafter
b) the Clerk seek sponsors for the baskets from among local companies and residents
c) the Area Committee be approached for funds to provide further floral displays
d) the council establish whether Bradley Nurseries, an arm of Kirklees MC be asked to indicate whether it had the capacity to provide the baskets and if not, then a similar organisation be contacted.
e) consideration be given to offering a prize to the house with the best floral display in the parish.
192 Newsletter No 15
The Clerk submitted copies of the latest Newsletter No. 15 prepared by Cllrs J C and J E Birdsall. It was RESOLVED that Cllrs Birdsall and Birdsall be thanked for producing the newsletter.
193 Focus on the Dale Newsletter 2007
It was reported Cllrs J C and J E Birdsall are currently editing the annual “Focus on the Dale”. Members agreed to supply articles direct to Cllr J E Birdsall by the end of September. The Clerk submitted additional quotes from local printers and it was agreed to accept the lower quote.
194 Yorkshire Rural Community Council AGM
The Clerk reported that the AGM of Yorkshire Rural Community Council will be held on Saturday, 3 November as part of a day conference on the theme of “The 21st Century Village” from 10am to 4pm at a venue to be confirmed. It was RESOLVED that Cllrs A Tribe and K Thursby attend the AGM.
195 Safety Improvements outside Shelley College and Nortonthorpe Hall School
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Ryan Kinder of Kirklees MC Highway Safety giving information about proposals for signing and lining changes to improve safety outside Shelley College as well as information about ‘slow’ markings to be provided outside Nortonthorpe Hall School. It was RESOLVED that the improvements outside Shelley College be welcomed and that Mr Kinder be asked if Nortonthorpe Hall School could have the same markings as those of Shelley High School.
196 Metro
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Metro responding to recommendations contained in the Parish Plan. It was RESOLVED that the correspondence be noted.
197 Joint Kirklees/Parish and Town Councils Meeting
The Clerk reported that the next Joint Kirklees MC and Parish/Town Councils meeting would be held at 7pm on Wednesday, 19 September in the Burton Village Hall, Kirkburton and that members were invited to submit items for the agenda. It was RESOLVED that Cllrs K Thursby, J C Birdsall, G Turner, Tony Barlow and the Clerk attend on behalf of the Parish Council and that the following items be submitted for the agenda: flooding/emergency planning; the removal of the automatic right of parish councils to submit applications to the Planning Committee of Kirklees MC; the request for assistance from Kirklees MC for equipment for displaying plans.
198 West Yorkshire Pennine Local Access Forum
The Clerk submitted correspondence from Calderdale Council giving details of the West Yorkshire Pennine Local Access Forum and inviting the Parish Council to encourage applications from suitable candidates for selection to the Forum. It was RESOLVED that the correspondence be noted.
199 Working Party on Public Transport
Members of the working party on public transport gave a report on their work to date. They had worked up proposed changes to the 80/81 routes. Following changes to the 435 service, there is now no longer a bus service on the section of the Wakefield Road between Scissett and Clayton West going towards Wakefield leaving a large number of people without access to a bus. The new 80/81 bus routes from Huddersfield go to Clayton West via Chapel Hill and return to Huddersfield via the main Road. The Working Party is proposing that Stagecoach runs the 81 service in the opposite direction around Clayton West, i.e. going out along Wakefield Road and returning via Chapel Hill. In addition, the Group is working on an alternative bus route from Denby Dale to Barnsley via Clayton West, High Hoyland and Darton. It was RESOLVED that the group’s proposals be put to Metro and that the proposals together with a residents’ survey be put on the website.
200 Kirkburton Parish Council Public Meeting on Public Transport
The Clerk reported that Kirkburton Parish Council has provisionally arranged its public meeting on public transport for 8 October 2007. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
201 Modification to Public Footpath Busker Lane, Scissett
The Clerk submitted details of the application for a definitive map modification order to add a public footpath to the map at Busker Lane, Scissett. It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.
202 Minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Meeting
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 31 July 2007 be received and that the minutes of the Plans Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 28 August 2007 be signed as a correct record.
203 Yorkshire Local Councils Association
The Clerk submitted the minutes of the South Pennine Branch of YLCA held on 13 June 2007. It was RESOLVED that the minutes be noted.
204 Public Rights of Way Forum
The Clerk submitted the minutes of the Public Rights of Way Forum held on 14 June 2007. It was RESOLVED that the minutes be noted.
205 YRCC Rural Community Buildings Conference
Cllr Sigsworth gave a verbal report of the YRCC Rural Community Buildings Conference held on 19 May 2007. The conference had been thorough and covered issues such as community buildings, funding strategies and making applications to the National Lottery.
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Sigsworth be thanked for his report.
206 Orders for Payment
It was RESOLVED that orders for payment on schedule No. 457 totalling £3136.78 and schedule No. 458 totalling £2139.95 be authorised.
207 October Council Meeting Agenda
It was RESOLVED that the following items be put on the agenda of the October Council meeting: Flowers at Denby Dale Station (Cllr Sigsworth), Cycle Lanes (Cllr Sigsworth. The Clerk advised that the deadline for receipt of any items for the agenda was 25 September 2007.
208 Dates of next meetings
Environmental Trust 18 September 2007
Plans Scrutiny Committee at 7pm on 25 September 2007
Council Meeting at 7pm on 2 October 2007
Signed……………………………………….
CHAIR