Parish Council Meeting 19^th January 2000

The meeting opened at 7:30, with Clr. Cox in the chair. Apologies were received from Clrs. Hirst and Casey, the previous minutes were accepted, with no matters arising. There was no update on the Backdale Quarry situation.

Two Planning Applications were considered. The first was for an extension to Longstone Garage. An objection had already been received from a parishioner, who requested that the councillors hold a site meeting in order to see first-hand the impact of the proposed buildings on the surroundings. The Clerk to the Council advised that procedurally a site meeting was advisable, but it should only be site meeting and not a forum for discussion. The PC resolved to hold a site meeting, of all councillors, before making any resolution regarding the planning application. The second application was for a conservatory at Glebe Court; this was approved. Planning Approvals were noted for a garden shed at Glebe Court and a change of use from holiday cottage to residential property at Casscliff Barn, Wardlow.

Financial Matters: The balances were £1000 in the current account, £6,865.06 on deposit. Several minor payments were approved. The invoice for the millennium mugs has been received and approved for payment.

Clr. Askew reported that the Village Hall has had dado rails fitted in order to prevent damage to the walls. The decorators are due in the next couple of weeks.

Playground Equipment: No progress has been made in altering and repairing the slide. This has now become an urgent issue as it is the intention to have this work and the resurfacing completed by the spring. Clrs. Cox and Fawcett will chase this up.

Work on the Village Cross is now complete. It was noted that the cross in the churchyard was in a perilous state, and restoration work needed carrying out on this in order to safeguard its future.

The Millennium Mugs have been ordered. Much discussion took place on the subject of a millennium event to be sponsored by the PC. Several options were considered but eventually the choice was narrowed to a Social Evening. Hopefully, this will include a bar, a barbecue and music, but nothing is yet finalised. It is intended that the event will take place in the village’s "millennium week", in July. Clr. Fawcett will check the availability of dates and the issue will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.

The transfer of the Allotment Land is almost completed and should be done in the next couple of days.

Maintenance: The two broken kerbs reported to DCC have still not been repaired. The broken stile off Glebe Avenue has not yet been repaired, but the PC has been assured this is on a programme of work. It was noted that the footpaths running by the side of the Recreation Ground and Glebe Court were in a very poor state of repair and needed attention. The Clerk will write to DDC to report these.

Four tenders were invited for the New Notice Board, and two replies had been received. The lowest was accepted.

There are apparently still problems in getting the Glass Recycling collections; over the past few days the bins have been overflowing again. The new site for the bins has now been cleared and the DDDC will be informed they can now relocate the bins.

No comments have been received about the vehicles based in Great Longstone Business Park.

Correspondence: Letters of thanks have been received from the beneficiaries of the PC’s charity gifts. A letter from the PPPB has expressed concern over increased traffic in Longstone as a consequence of a planned caravan rally at Thornbridge, but the PC thought this wasn’t really an issue. In a typical example of bureaucratic efficiency, the DDDC has sent the PC a letter proposing that Glebe Court be renamed to Glebe Court, and asking if there were any objections! An updated Rural Transport Action Plan has been received. A communication from the Millennium Tree Scheme has asked for details of the tree the village would like to plant in 2000; the PC decided it would go by the footpath than runs from Station Road to Wager’s Bridge and that an oak or beech would be suitable. (This "millennium tree" has been mentioned before; in 2001 a plaque will be added listed all villagers who were born or who were 100 during the year 2000)