Parish Council Meeting 15th May 2002

Cllr. Hirst opened the meeting early, as the preceding Annual Meeting had progressed rapidly. There were no apologies, the minutes were approved with two matters arising: DDDC Cllr. Mrs. Crowther clarified the position of Barn Furlong - it was ready for quotes for adoption, not ready for adoption. Mrs. Crowther also reported that she had asked the PPPB to keep the Council updated on matters related to Backdale Quarry.

Next on the agenda, the election of a new officers: Roger Cox and Gordon Bowering were proposed, seconded and unanimously elected as the new Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively. They immediately undertook their roles and Cllr. Hirst retired to the ‘back-benches’.

A planning application for a new hall for Great Longstone School was considered and approved. It is hoped that being separate from the main school, the hall can be made available to villagers for activities. Secondly, a revision to an already approved application for a conservatory at The Gables, Main Street was considered. This being only a change of materials, it was rapidly approved also. PPPB approvals for an extension and loft conversion at Netherdale, Moor Lane and the demolition of The Bungalow, Mires Lane and erection of a stone dwelling were noted. Related to the last, the applicant has asked for a copy of the minutes of the meeting that considered the application.

Under financial matters, the balances were noted as £1000 in the current account, £14418.49 in the deposit account, the latter being so great an amount as this year’s precept has just been received. Several minor payments totalling £594.94 were approved, the largest being £352.69 for the Council’s public liability insurance.

There are still two vacant plots on the allotments, but two have been let recently, one of which has a large tree in it, which the new holder has asked to be removed. The Council considered this a reasonable request, but as they were hoping to make good use of the tree later this year, hoped that agreeing to fell it later would be acceptable. Not all the plot holders have replied to the letter asking whether they would contribute towards lead testing for the allotments, so no decision could be taken. Cllr. Mrs. Gregory suggested that the matter be discussed in two months and a final decision made then. The WREN grant application for the new green has been submitted, there has been no response yet, but their next meeting is on 11th June. The Council are optimistic of receiving some aid this time. The surplus tree has been felled and removed from the new green land, and Mr. T. Cox has offered to remove the stump. The PPPB planning application for the new green has been submitted.

On the topic of maintenance: there has been no reply from the DDDC on the matter of the revision of the ‘no dogs’ sign on the recreation ground, so the decision was postponed again. It has been reported that the footpath by the play area has got very narrow and slippery, so it was resolved to request Mr. Watson to trim the edges of the grass back and clean up the path. The grant application that was submitted last year for the replacement of the climbing frame will be resubmitted this year; it was believed the application would be favourably considered. Unsurprisingly, there has been little progress on getting the grit bins refilled, as the County Council have described it as “a low priority job”. An objection to the proposed new street light on Station Road has been received. The complainant raised several issues, of which the Council considered several rather spurious. There has only been the one objection, and as the Parish Council had received several requests for a new light over the years, it was felt on balance that the work should go ahead as planned. It was brought to the Council’s attention that the footpath by Harrow House had broken glass on it and was in need of repair. It was resolved to ask Mr. Watson to clean it up, then Cllr. Bowering would inspect the path and report back to the Council next month. Mr. Watson has informed the Council that the hawthorn tree on the green (by the Post Office) was rotten and needed felling before it collapsed and caused some damage. The Council decided to ask the PDNPA Tree Officer to inspect all the trees on the green and offer advice.

A letter has been received from Patrick McLoughlin with a copy of the DTLR’s ‘Mineral development in the Peak District National Park’ - this wasn’t considered relevant to either Glebe Mines or Backdale Quarry. A copy of a PPPB Planning Control Committee letter has been received (following Cllr. Mrs. Crowther’s asking the PPPB to keep the PC informed). This was read out to the meeting but was apparently only concerned with procedural matters.

No reply has been received from the DDDC on the subject of a stone picnic table being erected in the play area. However a telephone call to Wicksteed has revealed that there are regulations regarding ‘safe play areas’ that should be complied with. Whilst they could not comment directly on this particular issue without making a formal inspection of the site (which would be chargeable), Wicksteed intimated that a stone structure close to play equipment would not be considered safe. Thus the Council felt there would probably not be enough room to put the table in the play area. It was hoped a compromise could be agreed with the Kim Bramley Fund.

Regarding the Glebe Court houses, although the original complainant has now had to purchase elsewhere, there still remained the principle of the matter: the 6 houses were all given planning consent with the ‘local needs’ clause applying. It would now seem that the developer (who is also the owner of most) was quite happily disregarding this. Also, the PC were under the impression that: a/ the original planning consent stipulated that three properties were for sale and three for rent and b/ the ‘local needs’ clause also applied to rental. The Council resolved to write to the PPPB and ask them to clarify matters but at the moment it seems that any conditions on planning consents are not legally enforceable, so nothing can be done.

Cllr. Fawcett reported that the arrangements for the Jubilee Sports Day (on 2nd June) were complete. Celebratory hats and flags had been purchased.

Although not the Council’s direct responsibility, it was announced that the present Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator wished to retire and so a replacement would be sought. An ‘advertisement’ would be inserted in Under The Edge. Cllr. Askew reported that PC Lowe had failed to attend his last ‘surgery’ on the appointed day, instead coming - unexpectedly - a few days later. Cllr. Askew pointed out that no one could just turn up and expect the hall to be made available to them on the spot, there was a booking system to be followed.

Two interviews for a replacement for the Clerk had been arranged, but in the event only one candidate turned up. Thus David Burns (of Print Room fame) will be the new Clerk as from the next meeting. The Chairman thanked the retiring Clerk for her hard work during her time ‘in post’.

There were only 13 items of correspondence received, none of which were considered in any detail.

The next meeting will be Wednesday 19th June - not 26th as previously advertised - at 7:30pm

Chris Raynor