HARTINGTON TOWN QUARTER PARISH COUNCIL
A meeting of Hartington Town Quarter Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 1st July 2026 at 7.30pm in the Beresford Tearooms.
Present: A Grindey (part of the meeting), Acting Chair, R Sherratt, S Bruce, D Annat, and the clerk, S Hampson. There were no members of the public in attendance.
Part 1 Non-confidential information
26.7.1 Apologies and attendance register
The members present completed the attendance register. Apologies had been received in advance of the meeting from Mr S Wager and Ms S Spencer.
26.7.2 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting had been forwarded to members, in advance of the meeting and posted on the parish council’s website and noticeboard.
Resolved: to accept the minutes as a true record. The minutes were duly signed by the Acting Chairman, Mr Sherratt
26.7.3 Public speaking
There were no members of the public in attendance.
26.7.4 County Councillor update
The County Councillor was not in attendance
26.7.5 Update from District Councillor, outcome of local projects fund application
The District Councillor was not in attendance. The clerk had completed an application to the local projects fund in relation to possible funding towards the achievement of a disabled access point to the pond and seating. (Reference number 1321211). There was no update in time for the meeting.
26.7.6 Neighbourhood Plan and referendum
The clerk has posted information from Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) regarding the referendum on the website and noticeboard including the notice of poll. The clerk had contacted members to advise the members to register directly if they wished to observe the count after the votes had been cast.
The parish council is the authorised body but is not allowed to indicate where it is for or against the Neighbourhood Plan; therefore, a short article has been published to remind parishioners of the date of the poll; how to vote and hope for a large turnout.
Councillor Mr Annat explained to the other members that although he is the Chair of the Neighbourhood Plan steering group, he has elected not to have any part in the campaign leaflet so there is absolutely no confusion about his role as a parish councillor, even though guidance is clear the he could have been involved. He does not wish to have any risk of a challenge to the referendum result. Councillor Mr Annat was; however, disappointed by the lack of clear support from an enquiry to DALC regarding this matter.
26.7.7 Former cheese factory site, flood attenuation measures
The clerk had contact Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) for a further update regarding the flood attenuation scheme. The local lead flood team (LLFT) at Derbyshire County Council (DCC) had provided a final response and raised no objections. Comments are online to view. Removal of trees at the site are required. The developer is in discussions with the Peak Park tree officers about what can be done to remove/reduce impact on the trees. Following discussions being concluded, the PDNPA officer will be a better position to recommend a decision.
The parish council is delighted that the PDNPA has finally accepted that a flood alleviation scheme is for the benefit of the village as a whole and not just for Peakland Grange which was part of the enablement on which the development was granted.
26.6.8 Seating
Also see agenda item 26.6.5 regarding the local project fund grant application form made by the clerk towards the possible achievement of disabled access/ pond seating.
The clerk had contacted DCC and PDNPA regarding the achievement of a disabled access.
DCC (enquiry reference 260746) would be fine as there is nothing on the highway, only accessed from the highway; however, DCC stated that permission would be required from PDNPA. PDNPA would require payment for pre-planning advice and input regarding alterations to an historic feature.
Members expressed some concerns about safety aspects of the access from a relatively busy road and also the nature of the slope leading down to the pond water. The clerk had contacted the parish council’s insurance company regarding safety concerns. Their response included the need for an up-to-date risk assessment regarding the slope; a maintenance check for safe condition; signing off by any installation contractor; signage would need to be put in place to make it absolutely clear to members of the public to exercise caution and be careful. If all the above could be met, then the liability insurance section should cover the parish council. However, all claims would be subject to the claims team.
The members felt the insurance company placed a large number of caveats and a large risk questioned. As the highways authority supported disability access but nothing on the highway itself may prove to be impractical.
Resolved: the parish council feels that a large amount of signage would be required around the pond to meet necessary obligations. The insurance company response is not conclusive. To create disability access would probably require the removal of a number of seats on one side. The damaged seat needs to be removed.
Resolved: The parish council is not in a position to progress the disabled access to the pond at this time but will continue to review the matter.
Members also discussed the overgrowth of vegetation in the pond. Half the clearance of this has commenced by the volunteer group. The parish council members are grateful to the volunteers for their hard work and look forward to the final result. The parish council would like the reeds to be thinned and reduced at an appropriate time.
A witness had evidence of a coach damaging a post at the far end of the pond and had a contact phone number.
Resolved: the clerk to contact the company to enquire if their insurance company is prepared to compensate the parish council to make any necessary replacement.
Resolved: to place the pond area on the next agenda.
26.7.9 A Boards/Advertising in the village
A draft letter had been prepared and amended in the meeting as not all village companies are placing advertising material in inappropriate places in the village. A number of businesses were however, identified as placing advertising ‘clutter’.
Resolved: the clerk to finalise the letter for distribution.
26.7.10 Items of account, salaries, clerk’s pay award, HMRC, general administration, mowing contractor, bus shelter maintenance, on line banking
Cq 1899 S Hampson July and August internet provision £34.00
Cq 1900 S Hampson July clerk’s salary £455.41
Cq 1901 S Hampson August clerk’s salary £455.21
Cq 1902 S Hampson Reimbursement of expenses & stationery £21.69
Cq 1903 Shelter Maintenance Ltd Bus shelter cleaning £14.99 (VAT £2.50)
Cq 1904 B Coles 2 x June mowing cuts £588.00 (VAT £98.00)
Cq 1905 B Coles invoice to follow
26.7.11 New standing orders
Resolved: to defer to a future meeting.
26.7.12 New financial regulations
Resolved: to defer to a future meeting
26.7.13 Planning applications, planning sub-committee and appeals, enforcement
There were no new planning applications to consider.
26.7.14 Highway issues, yellow lines, pot holes, street lighting, No though road sign at Reynards Lane
The members were delighted that the current repairs at Hall Bank and Dig Street had finally been undertaken and to a satisfactory standard. Repairs had also been made towards Wolfescote Grange and The Whim which were most welcome. However, the drain outside the doctors’ surgery still requires attention. Members also discussed works by Staffordshire County Council’s Rights of Way team to the footbridge near Pike Pool during July/August. Specific dates had not been supplied. Mill Lane car park payment methods were also discussed regarding car payment methods.
Resolved: The clerk to contact the District Councillor regarding payment methods at the Mill Lane car park.
Resolved: The clerk to contact the ranger service for any available further information regarding the footbridge repair work.
Resolved: The clerk to report the drain outside the surgery.
26.7.15 Articles for News and Views
The outcome of the Neighbourhood Plan referendum will be reported on.
26.7.16 Correspondence and communication
Correspondence had been forwarded to members in advance of the meeting and in addition to those items addressed through the agenda included: PCSO monthly newsletter, DALC newsletters.
26.7.17 Items for the next agenda
Neighbourhood Plan, former cheese factory site and flood measures, the pond including seating and access. Additional items to be compiled by the clerk.
26.7.18 Date of next meeting:
Wednesday, 2nd September 2026
Apologies were received in advance from Mr A Grindey and Mrs S Bruce
The meeting was declared closed at 8.35 pm
Mrs S Hampson, Clerk
Hartington Town Quarter Parish Council
15th July 2026
©Hartington Town Quarter Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting