The meeting opened at 7:35, with four councillors present. In the absence of Clr. Hirst, Clr. Cox took the chair. The previous minutes were agreed and signed, there were no matters arising from those minutes and no apologies received.

Stephen Barton provided an update on Backdale Quarry: Bleaklow Mining had requested a judicial review of the ruling against them, and had succeeded in getting the ruling quashed. This put the game back to square one. RMC are no longer interested in working the site but it seems they are stuck with carrying on the legal fight, as they have yet to find someone else to carry it on. Laporte have an indirect interest, but only in respect of vein minerals, not limestone. The action group and the PC have no opposition to vein mineral extraction. So although the game is now back to square one, it seems there may be different players this time around. The action group continues to monitor developments.

A part of the problem dates back to extraction permissions granted in 1949 and 1952. The PC has obtained copies of the original documents. These documents give rights to extract minerals, and a major point of argument is whether limestone is a mineral or not. It would seem the original documents did not intend to include limestone as a mineral. As Clr. Askew pointed out, one of the documents specifies that the workings be back-filled with limestone, this being so, it is hardly very likely that the document’s intention was to give permission to extract limestone. Fortunately there has recently been a legal precedent set that documents from this period should not be taken to include limestone in their definition of minerals.

During the Backdale Quarry discussions, Clrs. Fawcett and Gregory arrived, with apologies.

The meeting noted the PPPB’s approval of planning permission for the barn conversions on Chuch Lane.

Financial matters were discussed: the council’s financial position at 1^st June was £11099 on deposit, £1000 in the current account. Several minor invoices were approved for payment. Clr. Gregory queried that for last month’s administration. The Clerk pointed out that he had to copy the 1949/52 documents referred to above and this had increased costs this month. Clr. Gregory triggered a long discussion on the financial wisdom of posting the agenda, documents etc. to the councillors. Postage costs in the past month had been nearly £5, and the Clerk could have delivered such things by hand, for free. Clr. Askew agreed with Clr. Gregory on this issue. Overall, the council felt that the money spent on postage was appropriate, as it ensured everyone got their paperwork, and in good time. Clr. Bowering suggested that if the Clerk didn’t have time to deliver the paperwork personally, he could deliver the documents en-masse to one councillor who had time to distribute them to the others. Clr. Gregory’s objections to the spending were noted in the minutes.

Village Hall: Clr. Askew reported that the Hall had purchased a new set of crockery and that the window frames should be stained next week.

Allotments: The allotments are in the process of being taken over by the PC, but at the moment are still the responsibility of Mr West. Clr. Cox reported that two people had expressed an interest to him, but until the PC had officially taken them over, nothing could be done. Several members of the council expressed the desire that the unallocated plots be let, as it seemed a shame not to use them. It was felt that perhaps they weren’t in use merely because people didn’t know how to ask for one! So, if you are interested, let a parish councillor know, as the plots should soon be in PC ownership.

In his report on the school, Clr. Fawcett reported that the new classroom was complete. The school is having an open day in July, so if you contributed, this is your chance to go and have a look at what your money bought.

The resurfacing work on Feemouth yard is still awaiting the gathering of three quotations for selection of a contractor.

Under the agenda item Verges, it was noted - yet again - that the clean-up operations in the wake of the EMEB work down Station Road have not yet been done to the council’s satisfaction. Some bits had been done, but others remained outstanding, and the quality of the work done was poor. It was resolved that Clrs. Cox and Bowering would walk the "site" again, take note of what work was outstanding and, if necessary, the council would contact EMEB to complain - yet again.

The Recreation Ground was discussed. The council felt that the grass cutting (done by DDDC under contact) was not of a satisfactory standard. The mowing of the bulk of the ground was now being done, but as well as this the contractors should be strimming the parts the gang mower can’t reach. The strimming had only been done once this year, and not very well at that. Clr. Gregory said that during the last school holidays the grass was so tall it was growing through the benches, and the grass in the playground area was too long for toddlers to walk in. It was resolved to contact DDDC and complain. If you have any complaints about the maintenance of the recreation ground, let a parish councillor know.

Clr. Cox reported on his observations during a walk around the Recreation Ground after completing repairing a bench with Clrs. Bowering: the Cricket Club have been dumping grass cuttings near the pavilion, when they have a proper dump for this purpose. This, together with general littering around the pavilion, was very untidy, and the council resolved to write to the Cricket Club and request them to tidy up. Clr. Cox noted the poor state of the two gates by the old people’s bungalows, and the council resolved to fit new gateposts. The disused cricket nets had been discussed at a previous meeting, but nothing resolved. After some discussion, it was resolved that, subject to the cricket club’s agreement, the council would to try and find someone who would remove the steel-work for nothing, in return for the steel. If this failed, the council would negotiate with the cricket club about having the steel-work removed by a local contractor. There was a lengthy discussion about the gate at the top of Spring Bank. A local builder had been contracted to replace this, but after many months, no work had been done. It was resolved to obtain a quote from another contractor and get the work done as soon as possible. The intention is to install a new oak gatepost, a new hardwood gate and generally tidy up this corner.

Clr. Gregory queried whether the walk around the recreation ground should be classed as a sub-meeting of the PC, as if it were, all councillors should have been notified of it and formal records kept. The general feeling of the council was that it was not a formal meeting, just an ad-hoc get together.

Finally, on the subject of the recreation ground, the work required to renovate the big slide was considered. This is in hand, although as it is not a simple job nothing has been done yet. Clr. Gregory urged that the work completed before the summer school holidays, and before there were any accidents.

Under the agenda item Correspondence, it was noted that the village had two new litter bins; DDDC Clr. Crowther was asked to request a third new bin for the recreation ground. An offer of a new bus shelter with 50% grant aid was rejected. A letter from a member of the public bringing attention to traffic hazards brought about by the ice cream van at Monsal Head was briefly discussed until it was realised that this fell under the jurisdiction of Little Longstone Parish Meeting. Clr. Gregory queried whether the timetable for weekend rubbish collection was available to the public and the Clerk confirmed it was on the official notice board.

The date for the next meeting is 21^st July, at 7:30pm. Do come along to the village hall and see your councillors at work.