November 26th, 2002

The meeting opened at 7:30, with Cllr. Cox in the chair. Apologies were received from Cllrs. Mrs. Gregory (who in fact arrived later) and Hirst, all other councillors were present.

The minutes of the last monthly meeting were approved, with two matters arising: Cllr. Cox pointed out that the minutes should have recorded that he had left the meeting during discussions about a planning application for Church Lane Farm. Secondly, as requested, DCC had been to look at the white lines under the bridge, decided they didn’t need repainting, but that the ones on Church Lane did! The minutes of the 22nd October meeting (regarding Glebe Mines and Iona) were approved with no matters arising. The minutes of the 26th October meeting - about Glebe again - were approved, with one matter arising: a reply had been received back from PPPB following the PC’s letter about the dust problems and monitoring of workings, but the contents were not revealed.

The meeting then jumped ahead in the agenda to allow PC Lowe to take part in the discussions about traffic problems in the village, and then to leave early. The Council has concerns about two issues: a/ the almost permanent constrictions for the length of Main Street, which leads to speeding, and parking and driving on the pavements; b/ the dangerous parking around the school at the beginning and end of the school day. PC Lowe pointed out that traffic levels were just a fact of everyday life, and that all villages suffered one way or another as their layout was historical and - obviously - motor cars were never anticipated. PC Lowe went on to explain that the relevant authorities were sympathetic to the problems, but any solutions must be proposed from within the village itself. Any proposals put forward would almost certainly be implemented, unless there were overwhelming factors against them. He also commented that he believed Longstone was the only village in his area that had absolutely no parking restrictions. As regards the school, PC Lowe said he had been there twice to give presentations on road safety and had given the school a standard police letter, for distribution to parents, explaining the dangers of hazardous parking near schools and asking parents to be careful about this. The Council resolved to write to the Traffic Management Officer to ask for a representative to visit the village and make suggestions for addressing the two issues. The matter would then be discussed again.

A planning application for an extension at Arbor Low, Furnall Avenue was approved. Cllr. Finney and DDDC Cllr. Mrs. Crowther reported on the site and PPPB meetings about Iona. The site meeting had determined that the building was slightly larger in area than had been approved, but on the more contentious issue of height, did seem to conform to the original plans. A letter had been received from the owners of Iona, criticising the Parish Council, but the Council felt they had done nothing improper. The Council considers planning applications from the point of view of the local environment and adjacent properties, not from the more technical viewpoints of construction specifications or detailed dimensions. The technical issues should have been considered by the planning authority, who are professionals, and the PC felt badly let down by the PPPB in this matter, in respect of both the original approval and on-going monitoring of the work. However, nothing could be done about this matter now and looking to the future it would seem that as the building is so far advanced, the PPPB will be granting retrospective approval for it to continue ‘as is’.

Under finance, the balances were noted as Ł1,000 in the current and more that Ł4,000 in the deposit account, but this not including Ł2,500 deposit had just been made. Five payments were approved, totalling Ł6,644.36, the largest being Ł3,899.06 for the new climbing frame. A replenishment of funds is expected shortly with Ł4,500, or more, coming in from the PDNPA, as grant aid towards West Green. There was then much discussion about a bill from a local contractor for clearing up a fallen tree in the quarry on Moor Road, the site being rented to several local contractors for storage purposes. The tree had blown down in the gales and completely blocked access to the quarry. The Clerk, unable to contact any councillors, had authorised the removal of the debris as it was preventing the tenants getting access. Several councillors thought this should not have been done without their approval and was not only contrary to two of the Council’s own guidelines (that at least five councillors should discuss/approve any resolution, and that at least three quotes should be obtained for work costing in excess of Ł100) but also went against national guidelines for local government. This matter then moved onto the issue of whether it was cost effective to rent out the quarry, when it would seem that it cost about two year’s rents to clear the tree. If anything similar happened again, then the parish would be losing money and effectively subsidising local traders. It was resolved to discuss the matter in more detail next month, after councillors had an opportunity to view the site.

Discussion then moved on to setting the precept for 2003/4. This had been discussed in outline last month, so this month it was only necessary to list the expected expenses and approve the precept. This was speedily done and a precept of Ł8,138 was approved, about Ł1,000 less than last year.

Landscaping/Allotments: The West Green was complete apart from the benches and bin. The grant application to WREN had been submitted, but it was not believed they have paid out yet (they pay direct to the contractors). The grant application to PDNPA would be submitted shortly, which should result in the best part of Ł5,000 being refunded. The ‘grand opening’ is expected to be next spring and Mrs. West will be invited. The Peak Park Ranger Service had been expected to trim back the shrubs in Feemouth Yard by now, but nothing had yet been heard from them. It was suggested by Cllr. Mrs. Gregory that a local contractor be asked to do the job, but after discussion it was felt that the opportunity to save Ł500 by having the work done for free should not be so readily passed over.

Maintenance: The suppliers had brought the new climbing frame, but upon arrival said that removing the old one and preparing the site was not their responsibility, so had not in fact done anything, although the Council had believed that the quote from the suppliers including this work. Thus, there had been some rapid ad-hoc work and improvisation, including excavations and the removal of the unwanted spoil by Cllr. Cox, and the project had progressed to the laying of concrete foundations, which was currently awaiting suitable weather.

Only one quote had been received back for the resurfacing work on the tennis court, and this only verbal. Basic resurfacing, adding a latex binder and repairs to the post sockets (which the contractor recommended) would require the best part of Ł7,000 to complete. As three quotes are required, no further discussion took place. As three quotes are required, no further discussion took place. Also on sporting matters, the nascent Sport Action Group was discussed. Cllr. Fawcett reported that this was at an early stage; it had no definite plans but was merely floating the idea of some sort of ‘sports resource’ and asking for opinions and ideas. There was then some discussion about whether the Council should have been approached before the article in UTE was published, but most councillors felt the Group had acted reasonably. The Council resolved to support the group in taking things forward to the next stage, coming up with some firmer proposals.

DCC had been to survey the Main Street footpath and agreed it would be repaired, but ownership of the Harrow House path was still as yet officially undetermined. A letter from a resident of Barn Furlong had been received complaining about the state of that road and that the 30mph limit did not extend to Barn Furlong. Cllr. Mrs. Crowther responded that she knew that the current owner of the road was seeking quotes for repairs. Once the road had been brought up to an acceptable standard, it would be adopted, then streetlights could be installed and then the 30mph limit could be moved. So the Council resolved to write to the owner and request that they completed the repairs as soon as possible. Also on the subject of roads, Cllr. Askew reported two large holes in Station Road and Cllr. Finney pointed out that four months after installing the new street light on Station Road, it still did not have a light in it. DCC would be contacted regarding both these matters.

A further letter had been received from the PPPB about Glebe Court, although again it seemed a masterpiece worthy of ‘Yes, Minister’. The gist seemed to be that although there were tenancy restrictions attached to the original planning approval, they could be ignored. Thus, there was nothing further the Parish Council felt it could do regarding this matter.

There have been 14 items of correspondence received, none of which was considered individually. The next meeting is on 11th December, at 7:30.

Chris Raynor