Parish Council Meeting July 26th, 2000

The meeting was opened at 7:30pm by Clr. Hirst; there were apologies received from Clr. Cox, the previous minutes were accepted, with one matter arising, this merely clarifying the intended recipient of a letter sent following last month’s meeting.

On Backdale Quarry, there was no update from SLEG, and no formal planning application had yet been received. However, some councillors had reports of tipping taking place in the present workings. Allegedly, hundreds of tons were being tipped, early in the morning, and then covered with legitimate backfill. Clr. Mrs. Crowther said that these matters should be reported to the PDNPA Minerals Officer and the District Environmental Health Department as soon as possible, preferably with evidence, such as times, dates or photographs. Councillors had also heard that a mobile crusher was on the present workings, implying that stone was being crushed and removed from the site, which is against the terms of the current extraction permit. Again, Clr. Mrs. Crowther recommended speedy contact with the officials responsible.

Approval for a planning application in the Close was noted, and a refusal for the application to build a new house on Moor Road. The PPPB’s refusal was based on the same issues the Parish Council had concerns about when they considered the application. This prompted further discussion on the seemingly perpetual local housing problem – a lack of affordable properties for locals. Two new applications were considered, both for extensions to properties on Barn Furlong. The PC approved both, but several councillors felt that these properties were already too large and out-of-keeping with the character of the village; extending them would exacerbate the issue. On planning applications in general, some councillors felt that any objections they had were merely overruled by the PPPB and so it was pointless to do more than cursorily look at applications. Clr Mrs. Crowther assured the PC that they did have meaningful input to the planning process and local opinions were taken into account.

The financial situation is £1000 in the current account, £9295.15 in the deposit account. Several payments were approved.

There were no developments in the Village Hall, the pump is still awaiting fitting and the Committee intends to obtain stainless steel covers for the gas exhausts on the front of the building.

It was noted that the repair and alterations to the playground equipment had still not commenced. The PC are now very concerned that they will not be able to submit for the anticipated grant for the resurfacing (which cannot take place until the slide has been altered) before the funds run out.

On the millennium, it was reported that the sports day was a great success, much appreciated by all that took part and may well become a regular event. Although the final reckoning remains to be done, it was anticipated that the event was within the £300 budgeted. The Council resolved to write a letter of thanks to all whom helped at the event. Related to this, the Millennium Mugs will be on sale at the Art Show, and free mugs will be available to all that were under 16 on 31st December 1999. Attendees of Great Longstone Primary School have had theirs; any older children who would like a mug should contact Anna Wager.

The field donated by Mrs West has been cut back, but rapidly regrown. The PC resolved to ask Mr. Watson to weedkiller the area. Again, unless the work to renovate this area commences soon, the chance of grants may be lost. There then followed a very lengthy – and ‘lively’ – discussion about what to actually do with the land. Eventually it was resolved to: remove part of the wall (that on Main Street will remain), level and grass the area, plant a commemorative, decorative tree with a circular bench, add a hard surfaced path to the bench, trim back the sycamores, build a wall along the back boundary, erect a fence along the boundary with the allotments. However, it was further resolved that Clr. Bowering, armed with these resolutions, should prepare a plan of the work required and report back to the full Council for their approval. So the plans for the area are still to be finalised.

On the subject of general village maintenance, a request had been received from the Post Office for a fixed litterbin, as children roll the present bin away. Clr. Mrs. Crowther volunteered to arrange a new bin, matching those already provided. The PPPB want to spend £5000 on turning the old sewage works (which they own) into a nature reserve for the disabled. Preliminary investigations have been done, and it was thought that the stream was polluted by effluent. Severn Trent has been asked to check this, and if so, remedial work will have to be carried out to clean up the area. It was noted that Bells Stile still needs cutting back and it was resolved to ask Mr. Watson to do this. The subject of dog fouling was raised again; a councillor had seen people exercising dogs on the recreation ground (which is actually prohibited) and when he asked the owners to remove the dogs, received a far from polite reply. The PC is still waiting for DDDC to supply "No dogs" signs, and the Clerk will chase this up.

It was believed that the recycling trailer was missing last month, and the Clerk will chase this up also.

The item on Longstone Business Park attracted a comment that some heavy vehicles are going through Longstone, and they are not supposed to. Clr. Fawcett said he believed this to be one driver only, and a letter to the company should clear the matter up. The Clerk will write with the Council’s concerns.

Correspondence: The DALC AGM will take place on 30th September, at County Hall. Two councillors must attend to support Baslow’s proposals (see previous reports). A letter had been received from a Colonel Slack (a relation to the Slacks still in the village) asking if the War Memorial could be cleaned. However, the PC had already sought professional advice on this matter, and this advised against any cleaning. A letter from DDDS offering grants for Village Parking Schemes (IE off-road) had been received, the Council thought this was of no interest to them. Finally, a response had been received about the unauthorised gate onto the recreation ground. It seems that the first letter from the Council asking for the gate to be stopped up had not been received and the second letter – couched in stronger terms – was the first the owners knew about the matter. They were very upset by the Council’s attitude and could not see why they should stop up the gate when it did no harm and gave them and others benefit. The Council discussed this at length and finally resolved to stick by the policy that had been in place for the last 30 or more years – no gates. The Clerk was instructed to write again, point out that the gate had been made without permission and ask for it to be stopped up.

Next month’s meeting is on 7th September, at 7:30 in the Village Hall. There may be an additional, special meeting to discuss the planning application from Glebe Mines if it is received before then.