March 19th, 2003

The meeting opened at 7:30, with Cllr. Cox in the chair, Cllrs. Fawcett and Finney absent. The minutes of the last monthly meeting were approved, with no matters arising. There had been an additional meeting, on 7th March, for planning purposes, but no further details of this are known. The minutes for this meeting were approved, with no matters arising.

Three planning applications were considered. An application for an extension at 12, Edge View Drive was unanimously refused on the grounds that it was a massive extension, out of character with the surrounding buildings and if approved would set a dangerous precedent for extensions to bungalows. A resubmission of an application for 3, Edge View Drive was considered; a previous application for this property had been approved by the PC, but apparently the PPPB required modifications, hence the resubmission. The PC approved this revised application. Finally, an application for a conservatory at The Farm, at the bottom of Moor Road, was considered. Although very substantial, the PC approved this as it was in keeping and proportion with the existing property. PPPB planning approval for alterations and extensions at Thornbridge Manor were noted. Cllr. Mrs. Gregory requested that in future all councillors be made aware of the details of PPPB approvals, in case there were any special conditions applied. This was agreed.

Financially, things were looking better than last month, with Ł1,000 in the current account and Ł2,421.86 in the deposit, with a further Ł1,971 expected in VAT refunds in the near future. Payments totalling Ł814.86 were approved.

The arrangements for the official opening of West Green were discussed; this will be on Saturday 12th April, at 12:00 noon. All the donors, people who had worked on the project and the West family would be specifically invited, but parishioners are also welcome to attend. It was felt that the new grass needed rolling and mowing before the ceremony, so Mr Watson’s quote for maintaining the new green for a year was accepted, and he would be asked to roll and mow the green before the opening.

The allotment plots and paths had been marked out with small stakes, but now a plan has been located it appears that some may be in the wrong place, and so they will be relocated. A reminder to plot-holders: you are responsible for maintaining the paths around your plots, wide enough for a wheelbarrow. Although not all the taken plots are actually being used yet, there is now only one plot free. It was resolved to remove the ‘christmas tree’ so that particular plot could be fully used.

Further considerations on the resurfacing of the tennis court would be abandoned until the plans of the Sports Action Group became clearer, although there was no update from the Group this month. A group of youngsters made a brief presentation to the Council requesting a skateboard ramp on the old cricket nets base. The PC was generally favourable to the idea, but it may have to wait until next financial year, as a higher priority call upon funds has arisen, in the form of a report on the playground equipment. This found problems with almost every piece of equipment - although most were minor - and several Ł100s would be required to make the repairs and alterations. It was resolved that local contractors would be asked to carry out the work as soon as possible.

On roads and paths, no reply has been received from a second letter to DCC asking when the Main Street and Harrow House footpaths would be resurfaced. As winter is over, it was felt it was pointless pursuing the salt bin issue and it would be dropped until next autumn. Cllr. Mrs Gregory reported that the new streetlight on Station Road was finally working. A request to the PDNPA to resurface the path by Bell’s Stile had been refused and external funding will need to be sought for this work. Cllr. Mrs. Gregory reported a very poor response to the ‘adopt a road’ litter-cleaning scheme, not enough to make it workable, really. Although on the plus side, it was noted that Fosca had been doing a lot of cleaning and tidying around the village. A letter had been received about the lychgate to the new churchyard; apparently as the level of the road has been raised by resurfacing, it has made the lychgate a mud-trap as run-off now collects there. The PC felt that this wasn’t really their responsibility, DCC had raised the road and the lychgate was the PCC’s property, but they would send a supporting letter to DCC if the PCC felt it would help.

The Clerk distributed application packs for the parish council elections, which will be held on 1st May.

Correspondence: 16 items received - only a few were discussed in detail: DCC have requested advance notification of any village event that will use public roads. DDDC have notified the PC that the mobile recycling facility (the trailer) is being withdrawn. This isn’t really a great loss, as we have fortnightly paper and bottle collections and there are now big bins for plastic bottles in the White Lion car park. Clothes can be recycled at Bakewell. A letter from Bakewell Youth Theatre has been received, requesting financial support. Cllr. Hirst - who is Treasurer of the group - gave a brief description of the group’s activities. The Council felt unable to contribute at the moment as funds were running low, but would consider this next financial year when making the other charitable donations.

The next meeting is 16th April, at 7:30 in the Village Hall.

Chris Raynor