December 11th, 2002

The meeting opened at 7:30, with Cllr. Cox in the chair. Apologies were received from DDDC Cllr. Mrs. Crowther (who in fact arrived later) and parish councillors Fawcett, Hirst, Askew and Finney.

The minutes of the last monthly meeting were approved, with no matters arising. There were two planning applications to consider. Firstly, an application from agents acting for Great Longstone Post Office requested a change of use from Post Office and shop to residential property. The chairman read out the letter supporting the application, wherein the reasons for requiring the change were given as: the Post Office intends to close rural offices anyway; the shop is not viable; Longstone has an alternative shop; the property has been on the market for over 12 months and has not received any interest; the house is not big enough for a family as it is; Longstone needs more residential properties. The application was then discussed. The council was shocked to hear of this proposal, describing it as ‘a bombshell’. All felt the loss of the Post Office facilities would be a severe blow to the village, particularly affecting the elderly and those without cars. It was also noted that the Office served not only Longstone, but also quite a large surrounding area, including all the outlying hamlets. If it were to close, it would not only affect Longstone residents, but people over quite a large area. The nearest alternative would be Bakewell, and aside from difficulties in getting there and parking, the Office there always had a large queue. The council had sympathy for the current owner’s wish to move away, but the council had to think of the village as a whole and so resolved to refuse the application. A letter would be sent to the PPPB strongly opposing the application. The second planning application, for permission to extract calcite from land off Castlegate Lane was quickly approved.

Under finance, the balances were noted as Ł1,000 in the current and Ł4,032.39 in the deposit account, but this not including further deposits of over Ł8,000 received in grants and donations. Five payments were approved, totalling Ł1,302.46, the largest being Ł708 for groundwork for the new climbing frame. The council then discussed the distribution of the annual ‘oatmeal and flannel’* charity payments. Last year’s list of twelve recipients was taken as the basis, but a new addition was required to make up the twelve. After considering several suggestions, a choice was made. Cllr. Mrs. Gregory said she felt the choices were made somewhat arbitrarily, there didn’t appear to be any pattern to those chosen, and the Council should formulate and agree set criteria for the awards. This was initially opposed, but eventually it was resolved to make the matter a subject for more detailed discussion at a later date.

Landscaping/Allotments: The West Green was complete except for the commemorative plaque. The grants from WREN and the PDNPA had been received, although the PDNPA did have a minor moan about the fact that the Council had not bought the benches they had recommended! After some previous controversy about the wording on the plaque, it was decided to leave it entirely in the hands of the West family, and the plaque should be completed shortly. It would then be inserted into one of the walls, for security. The worst of the bushes in Feemouth Yard had been cut back. Some councillors felt the cutting was too severe, but the Peak Park Rangers had said this was what should be done and it would grow back. It was resolved to ask a local gardener his opinion before the Rangers came back to attack the other clump of bushes, early next year. Cllr. Bowering thanked Cllr. Cox for his assistance with removing the cut wood, and the work done for the new climbing frame. A copy of a letter to the PCC had been received expressing concern about the PCC’s intention to let part of the new churchyard ‘run wild’. The letter pointed out that it had taken a lot of time, effort and money to get the whole of both churchyards in the state they were in now, and it seemed silly to let them go wild again after all that. When compared to some, the state of the churchyard was undoubtedly a big plus for the village in the Village of the Year competition. Besides this, ‘wildflower meadows’ did not just happen naturally; they in fact required more work than simple grass to maintain properly. The Council agreed with these views, and resolved to write to the PCC expressing their opposition to the plan.

Maintenance: The new climbing frame is complete and the walls on the recreation ground should be repaired this week. Three quotes for the tennis court resurfacing were still awaited, but plans for this may now be affected by the new Sports Action Group, from whom nothing had been heard this month. A fallen tree blocking Hardrake Lane has been removed, but it was noted that several other trees were straggling into the lane, making progress difficult in places. Following last month’s fallen tree incident on Moor Road, Cllr. Bowering put forward two proposals: that all councillors visit every council owned site at least once a year, and that a councillor (or two) be appointed especially responsible for the recreation ground and should inspect the ground every month. Both proposals were accepted. DCC have agreed to repair the Harrow House footpath when they do Main Street footpath. A letter has been received back from the Traffic Management division of the police, stating that nothing could be done about bad parking or speeding in the village. The council was prepared to let the matter lie there, Cllr. Mrs. Gregory felt this was unacceptable, that the Council had a responsibility to do something, before tragedy struck in the form of a child being hit by a car, or emergency vehicles unable to get past the melee. On the same subject, the meeting was read a letter from a resident of Ashford - whose children attend the school - putting the opposing point of view, that the parking by the school was not a hazard, that cars were always parked safely and that as the ‘problem’ only occurred for 30 minutes, twice a day, it wasn’t really much of a problem. In the end, the subject was left with no further action decided upon. The meeting heard that the owner of the Business Park had received confirmation of his planning permission being granted and hence some of the park would be redeveloped. This also meant that Barn Furlong would be getting tarmac, and hence would be adopted by DCC and so the extension of the 30mph limit should follow in the non-too-distant future. DCC had replied to the Council’s letter about blocked drains at the bottom of Moor Road, and would be unblocking them. The PC have received a request for Ł44 to fill up the grit bin on Grisedale Road. Apparently this is because the PC paid for the bin, hence DCC don’t see filling it as their responsibility. After some discussion it was resolved to pay.

There have been 15 items of correspondence received, only three of which were considered individually. The PC resolved to buy a new copy of the Electors Register. DCC have asked all parish councils for suggestions for the new Local Transport Plan; the PC couldn’t think of any, but if anyone else can, just call DCC with your suggestions. DCC have also asked for nominations for the Greenwatch Award Scheme, which gives awards on the basis of environmentally friendly ‘stewardship’ of property. The council couldn’t think of anyone to propose, but again, if you can, just give DCC a ring.

The next monthly meeting is on 15th January, at 7:30.

Chris Raynor

* Apparently, the original purpose of the charity was to provide monies for the ‘poor of the parish’ to buy oatmeal and red flannel! The amount distributed used to be linked to the price of oatmeal, but is now fixed.