Hartington Town Quarter Parish Council
A meeting of Hartington Town Quarter Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 5th March 2025 at 7.30pm in the Bakehouse.
Present: A Grindey, S Wager, D Annat, R Sherratt, the clerk, S Hampson and District Councillor,
D Chapman. There were no members of the public in attendance.
Part 1 Non-confidential information
25.3.1 Apologies and attendance register
Apologies had been received from Ms S Spencer and Mrs S Bruce. The members present completed the attendance register.
25.3.2 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 Grindey.
25.3.3 Public speaking
The public speaking procedures document was available but there were no members of the public in attendance.
From previous meetings, problematic trees on Hyde Lane had been reported by the clerk to the highways department; however, these had still not been attended to by the meeting. Two members may attend to this.
25.3.4 Update from District Councillor and possible update on field 0657
The District Councillor was in attendance and provided a brief update on field 0657. Funds previously allocated to the development of the field had been taken out of the capital reserve, as no action has been taken for a number of years. District Councillor Chapman did confirm; however, that the funds are not lost for future development which is referred to within the Neighbourhood Plan. Members discussed again the need for the development of additional Garden of Remembrance facilities and possibly a small number of grave spaces in this field. The aspirations of the future of field 0657 could be submitted; however, these have already been submitted to the Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) as part of the Neighbourhood Plan consultation.
The District Councillor reported: an increase in council tax of 2.9%; some details of the ‘Ashbourne Reborn’ project which will have a significant impact on heavy goods traffic, due to an imposed temporary weight limit restriction for approximately 6 months; a forthcoming meeting regarding unitary authorities and Derbyshire County Council (DCC) elections on 1st May.
25.3.5 Former cheese factory site and flood measures
From previous minutes, the developer is required to carry out flood attenuation measures in full, within a within a deadline date of 15th April 2025. Works do not appear to have commenced; however, the officer has assured the parish council that he is monitoring the implementation of the flood scheme. This is very important as these measures also prevent further development in these particular areas. Plot 1 has now commenced in accordance with the plans and discharge of conditions.
The clerk had liaised with the Head of Planning and Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) regarding the affordable homes and the District Valuer’s valuation of these properties. These 4 homes are now remarketed on Right Move with valuations which represent a 35% discount, in comparison to market values. The values for the two 2-bedroom properties are £211,250 and £217,750 and the two 3-bedroom properties are both £237,250. The PDNPA legal team confirmed that an agreement had been reached at these prices and the advertisements contain full details of the local occupancy requirements. The clause may have an impact on obtaining mortgages. None is available for rent. There is now no further action required by the parish council.
Resolved: The clerk to submit information regarding the marketing of the 4 affordable homes to the News section of the parish council’s website. Mr Annat to place similar information on the community website.
25.3.6 Neighbourhood Plan
The consultation period has now been publicised for the period 3rd March to 28th April 2025. It was publicised in News and Views and can be found on the website. The matter is now completely in the hands of PDNPA, including costs. The inspector has been employed by PDNPA. He is quite a local gentleman. If the Plan succeeds, it will be only the second one within the PDNPA area.
25.3.7 Traffic regulation order (TRO) and yellow lines
The clerk had requested confirmation of the specific additional yellow lines proposed for Hartington as part of the TRO. The case is FS48732440. The map is visible on line as part of the Neighbourhood Plan. There was no further update on the ‘No through road’ sign for the bottom of Reynard’s Lane.
Resolved: Mr Annat to advise the clerk of the exact link to the map to resubmit to Derbyshire County Council (DCC).
25.3.8 Village seat
The officer at PDNPA has not yet forwarded the specific details of the seats they previously installed as part of the enhancement scheme. The clerk had replied to a resident who had expressed interest in partial funding of the seats. Mr Grindey and Mr Annat had found details of a company who can supply seats of a simple design, made from recycled wood, with wrought iron end supports.
Resolved: Mr Grindey/Mr Annat to supply the seat company details to the clerk with a view to purchasing 2 replacement seats and to consider relocation of the other seats around the pond.
25.3.9 Community noticeboard
Subsequent to the previous meeting, Mrs Bruce had advised the clerk that dimensions of the noticeboard would fit the available space on the wall of the tearooms, above the Woodyard sign.
Resolved: Mr Grindey to check what would be required to relocate the noticeboard.
25.3.10 Items of account, salaries HMRC, general administration, neighbourhood plan, on line banking
Cq 1820 S Hampson March clerk’s salary £442.23
Cq 1821 S Hampson March internet provision £17.00
Cq 1822 S Hampson Reimbursement of expenses £8.55
Cq 1823 HMRC Quarter 4 income tax £331.60
Cq 1824 Hartington Village Hall Meeting hire £27.50*
Cq 1825 DCC 2 grit refills £149.62 (VAT £41.60)
*Resolved: to make a single annual payment to Hartington Village Hall for the meeting hire costs for the parish council with effect from 1st April 2025.
Resolved: To continue to donate £250 towards the production costs of News and Views.
Resolved: To not commit future funding towards the Hartington Community Group.
A resident had raised issues with the conclusion of the external audit. Documentation had been posted to the website and parish council noticeboard. The clerk had confirmed this with the website manager and advised the resident.
Members discussed internet banking in addition to the existing bank account. The clerk had contacted the internal auditor regarding this but had not received an update by the meeting.
Resolved: to place internet banking on the next agenda.
25.3.11 Planning applications, planning sub-committee and appeals, enforcement
The clerk had not received any details of new planning applications; however, from the website, Mr Annat reported that a resident had submitted a proposal for the removal of an apple tree.
Resolved: To not submit a response regarding the fruit tree.
25.3.12 Highway issues, yellow lines, pot holes, street lighting
Members agreed that it was disappointing that the new tarmac on Hall Bank had not been laid beyond the lane end near the Water Treatment works. The clerk had reported potholes near the grass island in the centre of the village (ref FS Case 693296183).
25.3.13 Grit bin monitoring and snow warden scheme
The clerk had pursued enquiries with the insurance company and DCC regarding insurance for a registered snow warden scheme for the village. DCC had been non-committal regarding the insurance and had directed the clerk to snow@derbyshire.gov.uk. The clerk had submitted emails to this link and to the parish council’s insurance company again but there were no updates in time for the meeting. A registered snow warden will be required for winter 2025.
It had been reported to the clerk that the top grit bin on Reynards Lane was empty.
Resolved: Mr Grindey to investigate, advise the clerk and if necessary, an order for a refill to be completed by the clerk.
25.3.14 Items for News and Views
The next deadline will be after the April meeting.
25.3.15 Correspondence and communication
Correspondence had been forwarded to members in advance of the meeting and included: DALC information, DCC news, Rural Bulletins, Peak Park media release, business waste poster, DDDC forums, Community safety survey, active travel consultation.
The clerk had reported to the Ranger Service a dangerous gate on a footpath.
The members noted the rationalisation programme is proceeding at PDNPA and hoped this will not cause a reduction in services. The members acknowledged the importance of the Ranger Service to the parish.
25.3.16 Items for the next agenda
Neighbourhood Plan, former cheese factory site and flood measures, grit bins and snow warden, traffic regulation orders/yellow lines and Reynards Lane No through road, community noticeboard, village seats. Additional items to be compiled by the clerk.
25.3.17 Date of next meeting: Wednesday, 2nd April 2025
Confidential Items
There were no confidential items to discuss.
The meeting was declared closed at 8.40 pm
Mrs S Hampson
Clerk
Hartington Town Quarter Parish Council
12th March 2025
©Hartington Town Quarter Parish Council minutes remain draft until approved by the parish council at the next meeting