Hartington Town Quarter Parish Council
A meeting of Hartington Town Quarter Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 17th July at 7.30pm in the Bakehouse.
Present: A Grindey, D Annat, S Wager, S Bruce, R Sherratt, E Broomhead MBE and the clerk,
S Hampson plus 5 members of the public in attendance, including the representative from Connect Fibre, for part of the meeting.
Part 1 Non-confidential information
24.7.1 Apologies and attendance register
There were no apologies but the Vice Chairman briefly commenced the meeting until the Chairman’s arrival. The members present completed the attendance register.
24.7.2 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 of proceedings. The minutes were duly signed by Mr Wager.
24.7.3 Public speaking
One of the members of the public attended regarding broadband issues. Following the general election, there had been a change of MP and she had been in touch with him in this regard. She was unaware of the erection of a mast at Sheen which seems to have improved EE connectivity in the village. She asked for publication of this development through local information channels such as News and Views and Community Web pages. It was reiterated that a proposal for a large, intrusive communication mast just out of the village had been refused. Also see the item on Connect Fibre.
A resident asked for permission for a different type of longer, flat memorial in the old Garden of Remembrance for her parents’ memorial plots. This was agreed in principle, subject to dimensions being provided and for further liaison with the clerk.
24.7.4 Attendance by representative of Connect Fibre
It was reported that multiple poles will be erected within the parish as part of Connect Fibre’s communications installation programme (a government initiative, prior to the proposed analogue signal switch off in 2025). Within the village, 11 poles will be erected and the council members did not see this as a positive step.
The representative reported that it will be necessary to go onto people’s land to erect some of the poles. Where possible, existing ducting is being used; however, in some places there is none and in others, the ducting is blocked. In outlying places, there is no infrastructure at all.
Mr Annat reported to the representative of Connect Fibre that this will not be accepted without all of the facts, including how landowners’ permissions are being obtained, how to reach the majority and what is fully involved. A proper plan is needed before re-evaluation can take place. It was reported that BDUK is liaising with the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA).
The parish council is in favour of achieving the best communication for the parish but how this is achieved is of the utmost importance, such as reducing the number of poles being erected and with a proper, agreed plan.
24.7.5 Update from the District Councillor
The District Councillor was not present. The clerk had emailed the District Councillor regarding the future security of field 0657 which was purchased by Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) for the purpose of an extension to the existing cemetery, managed by the parish council clerk and await a response.
24.7.6 Former cheese factory site
A small amount of groundwork has taken place on the outside area of the affordable houses. The parish council awaits action being taken by PDNPA to ensure the developer complies with requirements of the affordable houses.
24.7.7 Neighbourhood Plan and outcome of the meeting of 13th May 2024
Mr Annat, Mrs Hampson and a member of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee had completed an application for further grant funding on 14th June 2024 but it had been necessary for Mr Annat to resubmit the application and Mr Annat reported the success of the application and that grant funds of £3,500 will shortly be received into the parish council’s accounts, with notification being sent to the clerk and responsible finance officer. All legitimate expenditure will be recorded and the grant monies will need to be spent prior to March 2025. The final draft of the plan had been completed with the exemption of the redaction of personal information and will shortly be placed the parish council’s website prior to input being received from PDNPA
A Freedom of Information request had been received concerning aspects of the Neighbourhood Plan.
Neighbourhood Plan FOI Request 2 July 2024
Consultant and Fees
Firstly, the decision on appointing a consultant and the selection of that consultant was not solely a parish council decision but taken in collaboration with the Steering Group who have done the vast majority of work associated with the Neighbourhood Plan and were themselves elected from various public meetings by the members of this community.
Jane Newman was recommended to the parish council and steering group by David Chapman in his capacity as Vice Chairman of the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) and our District Councillor due to her expertise as the former planning manager of the PDNPA.
The parish council was unaware of any other candidate who met this level of expertise and certainly her expertise far exceeded any local resident. There is no requisite to inform the Local Planning Authority of the council’s choice of consultant, however, the parish council did so and they were most enthusiastic that a sound choice had been made.
The question of consultancy costs seems immaterial, since virtually all costs have been met by government grant under which they approved both the selection and cost of the consultant. Fees were agreed as the plan progressed, by the Steering Group, agreeing work required specifically to meet Grant Requirements. Quotations were received which were an integral part of that grant submission and varied slightly in discussion with grant assessors. The parish council was aware there would be no virtually cost to the council and is delighted to report a further grant of £3,500 has been approved to meet ongoing consultancy fees.
The Plan
The Plan is progressing and the section 16 draft will be available for all to see on a bespoke website, together with all associated statutory documents, at the same time as it is submitted to the Local Planning Authority (LPA). There will then be ample time for further public comment under this regulation.
The right of a Neighbourhood Plan to determine a Development or Settlement boundary is covered in 3.36 of DMP and has never been questioned by any statutory authority, including the LPA, during two section 14 consultations. For avoidance of doubt, an up to date response from the local planning authority on this matter dated 03 July 2024 is included.
You can establish a development boundary in a neighbourhood plan. We have a live example; Bradwell Neighbourhood plan has established a development boundary for Bradwell.
Kind Regards
Policy and Communities Team Manager
Peak District National Park Authority
Local Plan
The Parish Council will engage in consultation, when dates are announced in Autumn 2024. Any individual is invited to respond to the PDNPA and the parish council will be more than happy to receive and co-ordinate comments from members of this community. The parish council welcomes input from any individual with specific expertise in this area.
Other Planning Matters
On 5th April 2023, the Parish Council called a public meeting, attended by over 100 people, to discuss outline development of the field to the north of Stonewell Lane. Any resident expertise and support in this or other significant planning matters will be welcome. The parish council has already recorded thanks for the efforts of the resident who met with the PDNPA to discuss the non-delivery of the Affordable Homes and expressed our support for the Peakland Grange Residents Group in respect of their efforts to see the developer fully meet his obligations at Peakland Grange.
24.7.8 Underground camera survey
Derbyshire County Council (DCC) cannot afford to fund a programme of underground camera survey work to be undertaken in the village hence the reason for the parish council trying to find a specialist company to carry out the investigation. Mr Grindey reported he had liaised with a representative from the company.
Resolved: Mr Grindey and Mr Wager to obtain costs for the work from the company and report to the other members.
24.7.9 Review of policies
The clerk had updated the policy review dates for all existing policies and had posted these to the website. As previously mentioned, a new Accessibility Policy will need to be written in relation to the new parish council website. The clerk had liaised with the website manager in this regard.
Resolved: to review the parish council’s financial regulations in September 2024.
24.7 10 Telephone box
Mrs Broomhead MBE reported that all history of the War Memorial will be in the telephone box in time for 100th Centenery.
24.7.11 War Memorial Stone
Mr Annat had made contact with the stone suppliers and had provided a diagram and measurements to get the stone cut to size and to invoice the parish council. The previously purchased plaque will subsequently be fixed to the sloping stone.
24.7.12 Items of account, salaries HMRC, general administration, banking, mowing contractor
Cq 1760 B Coles Mowing and weed killing (April to June) £1512.00 (VAT £252.00)
Cq 1768 Hartington Village Hall Meeting hire £27.50
Cq 1769 S Hampson July and August internet provision £34.00
Cq 1770 Shelter Maintenance Ltd Bus shelter cleaning service £11.80 (VAT £2.47)
Cq 1771 S Hampson Reimbursement of expenses £12.10
Cq 1772 S Hampson July and August salaries £859.14
The clerk had liaised with the website manager and reported that he is happy to manage the website for £250 per year.
24.7.13 Planning applications, planning sub-committee and appeals
There were no new planning applications to consider. It had been brought to the attention of the parish council that a proposal for a further 3 bay extension may be forthcoming at Leanlow Farm. Caravans for rent have also allegedly been observed at this location.
Resolved: not to contact Enforcement at this location regarding the caravans until further information becomes available from PDNPA.
24.7.14 Highway issues, yellow lines, pot holes, street lighting
Some concerns have been expressed over the building of garden walls and iron fencing at a property on Hall Bank as this may potentially impact on the highway when the owner’s vehicle is parked immediately in front of the garden wall.
Resolved: not to contact PDNPA Enforcement regarding this matter, at this stage.
The clerk reported that the Derbyshire Association of Local Councils (DALC) is going to take DCC to task over some lack of communication and action, as a number of clerks have reported issues with DCC to DALC.
24.7.15 Items for News and Views
To place an article in News and Views regarding some improved connectivity for users of EE in the village.
24.7.16 Correspondence and communication, email address
Correspondence had been forwarded to members in advance of the meeting and included: the impact of the 24 hour ECG monitor at the surgery, DALC Newsletters, Peak District Challenge, new system to report planning breaches, parishes bulletin, work completed at Hand Dale, Rural Services Network, archaeology. The pond has patches of algae forming.
Resolved: to contact the volunteer group to attend to the pond.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request had been received and had been submitted to the members in advance of the meeting. This was further discussed in the meeting. The clerk had sought professional advice regarding the matter and Mr Annat had prepared further information.
Resolved: to include the information from Mr Annat below, within the minutes and for the clerk to send an agreed response to the gentleman who had issued the FOI request.
Resolved: The clerk to seek further professional advice regarding another letter, also from the same gentleman regarding the council prior to responding.
Statement from Mr D Annat
“I would be grateful if councillors will allow me, as Chairman during the period in question, to make a personal statement for the record in response to the assertion by the sender that “written communication sent to the Council by a local resident has been totally ignored”.
Firstly, a general comment. Having served this community as a parish councillor, during periods spanning 40 years, I never expected to see FOIs served on this council with all the work involved, particularly for our outstanding Clerk, who is paid for just 6 hours service a week. We are not some inaccessible corporation, but elected members of a small community who have a public speaking session at the start of every meeting, designed to hear specific individuals’ issues, to which I think we have always fully responded.
The council and Clerk will of course consider the FOI demands in specific detail but I wish to respond personally to the core accusation above of lack of response to the various e-mails by the individual.
During a period of two years, I received 49 personal (and often very lengthy) emails from this individual, several personal phone calls and even agreed to a face-to-face meetings at my home. I provided as much information as I was able, on each occasion.
Inadvertently, in replying and trying to provide information yet again, on 6 November 2023 I forwarded an e-mail to the individual that contained the personal e-mails of other council members. Upon these being used, I had to request the individual to not use personal email addresses and any future communication must be dealt with by the council as a whole via the Clerk. Since then, the individual has continued to communicate via our Clerk who forwarded each email to all members.
Far from ignoring these emails, each was discussed in meeting and response recorded in our minutes which are then in the public domain for all residents to see (Nov 2023 minute 23.11.5; Feb 2024 minute 24.2.5; April 2024 minute 24.4.6; May 2024 minute 24.5.15; June 2024 minute 24.6.5.)”.
24.7.17 Items for the next agenda
War Memorial plaque, Neighbourhood Plan, former cheese factory site, underground camera survey, telephone box, generic email address, Freedom of Information requests. Additional items to be compiled by the clerk.
24.7.18 Date of next meeting: Wednesday, 4th September 2024, parish council does not meet in August.
Confidential Items
There were no confidential items to discuss.
The meeting was declared closed at 9.35 pm
Mrs S Hampson, Clerk,Hartington Town Quarter Parish Council
19th July 2024
©Hartington Town Quarter Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting