GRINDLEFORD PARISH COUNCIL – MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 10 OCTOBER 2024 AT 7 PM IN THE PAVILION
There was no meeting in September.
Present: Andrew Battarbee, Elizabth Coe, Hilary Hart, Simon Hutchinson, Esther Stewart, Dave Kirkup, Ray Whiteley, Peter O’Brien, Alex Erskine
Apologies: None
- COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – Cllr Sutton had sent apologies.
- DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – There were still no notes of the Network Rail plenary meeting with the new area office. Cllr O’Brien is pursuing. Meetings in the local area had not yet identified a new site for travellers. The Hathersage affordable homes project had stalled as the owner was no longer willing to sell the land.
- POLICE REPORT – there was none. Clerk was asked to request a report if possible in time for the meeting if a police representative were unable to attend.
- PUBLIC SPEAKING. Cllr Kirkup spoke on behalf of residents who were concerned about work being done, apparently to drain the land, by the farmer by the concrete bridge on the path to Hathersage. There were concerns about loss of habitat and increased flow into the river. RW said there was an existing pipe and the farmer had the right to drain his land. Clerk to inform DWT and PDNPA.
- MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Subject to two corrections, the date being 8 August and the location the Church, this was agreed as a true record pro DK sec AE.
- UPDATE ON MATTERS ARISING
Village gates. Cllr Erskine had provided an excellent report as a basis to commission Jane Newman. RW reported that if this project were for some reason unable to go ahead, he had seen more traditional wooden village gates which could be considered as an alternative.
Flood Measures. The flood impact assessment had been commissioned from ELMS at a cost of £1200 plus VAT. Cllr Kirkup had applied for an EA exemption for a FR 8: maintenance of a river or sea defence, which allowed for the restoration of the riverbank to its original levels. This will be from the wall opposite John Morton’s house to Alan Fairbrother’s fence. This had been granted and the Chair noted that this was something of a triumph and thanked Cllr Kirkup warmly. The tree in the river had been removed by helpful contractors working locally (Nathaniel and Chris) who could also potentially do the work to restore the bank if residents agree to the costs. Cllr Kirkup has asked residents to find temporary homes for the barriers in the village as flood season in approaching, while storage and local transport are sorted out. Cllr Kirkup noted that Stoney Middleton had a container on their allotments field which had been clad and looked well. GPFA had been contacted about siting the barriers storage. AE suggested that the school might be asked to be involved in creating an art space on the storage. PO’B asked about insuring the barriers themselves, and against liability. The Clerk had been making enquiries of Zurich.
Grindleford News. As all the long-standing delivery team had retired, options were discussed for distributing the News if new volunteers could not be found. Clerk to put out a request for a new team.
Network Rail. Cllr O’Brien reported. The Hope Valley upgrade project was due to be finished last March but wasn’t. Despite promises there has been a lot of unannounced extra work. The previous area office had given a commitment that once the project was completed there would be no need to use the Grindleford site for track upgrade work except in an emergency, but the new office refused to uphold that commitment. A further commitment to maintain and restore the yard area, rather than using it as a dumping ground, was also not upheld. The meeting was informed that the upgrade will be finished as soon as possible, but new major works in the tunnel hitherto unmentioned will use the Grindleford site and the work will be at night. Residents have reported contractors shouting obscenities and generally breaching the peace. Residents should report this to the police. Chair raised the question of getting more precise information on the exact scope of NR’s powers to do whatever is necessary to maintain the Railway, and where the crossover is with national law about breaching the peace. NR have promised to keep to their undertaking to replant trees which will be this autumn, allegedly. They have also promised to tidy up the yard but have said that what looks like chaos might be planned logistics. There was still an issue with huge potholes. SH to update.
PNDPA Local Plan. This was now out for consultation, with responses required by the end of November. The Parish Council had received a hard copy. It was agreed to advertise that the Plan would be discussed at the November Council meeting on 14th. Clerk to advertise. AE kindly volunteered to identify the elements of the Plan which were specifically relevant to Grindleford.
- OTHER MATTERS
- Finance Regulations – the 2024 Finance Regulations have been amended for Grindleford Parish Council and were sent to the Finance Committee, who approved the modifications. The Regulations were adopted by the Parish Council all in favour.
- Policies update – Clerk provided a list of statutory policies, and it was agreed that she would in the first instance make sure that those were in place and up to date before moving on to non-statutory policies.
- Website – Clerk and Cllr Erskine to meet and consider a way forward.
- Larch removal – Felicity Stout from PDNPA had circulated a letter about larch removal from Leam Lane. Clerk to publicise.
- GB Energy Bill – it was agreed not to respond to this request as it is outside the Council’s remit.
- Parish Statement – it was agreed that Clerk would respond to the request to update it.
- MATTERS FOR DECISION
It was agreed all in favour that the Council’s insurance should be increased to cover flood mitigation measures, Clerk to advise.
- HIGHWAY MATTERS
Puddle by Mount Pleasant bus stop – next steps. It was agreed to look at this again at the November meeting. PO’B suggested that Cllr Sutton be invited to the next meeting to consider the problem.
Traffic light installation at Froggatt – impact and next steps. It was agreed to monitor the impact on the village and consider this once the works had been completed.
- PLANNING MATTERS
NP/DDD/0824/0867 https://portal.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ 3 Flora Cottages, New Road, Grindleford. Extension to accommodation for holiday let use. In support.
NP/DDD/0724/0778 2 Derwent Close, Grindleford, demolition of existing garage, erection of a 2 storey side extension and loft conversion of main dwelling. Withdrawn. Elizabeth asked for our objections on the Peak Park website.
NP/DIS/1024/1057 15 Eyam Woodlands Grindleford. Discharge of Conditions – no objections.
NP/DDD/1024/1040 River View Tedgness Road Nether Padley Grindleford Replacement dwelling – no comments.
NP/DDD/0824/0887 Padley Chapel Bungalow Windses Estate – unnamed road from Station road Upper Padley. Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) No objection. .
- PLANNING DECISIONS
Planning decisions can be found at https://portal.peakdistrict.gov.uk
NP/DDD/0824/0793 https://portal.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ Long Ridge House, Maynard Road, Nether Padley, Grindleford. External alterations to property including installation of new and replacement windows, alterations to the roof and external walls, extensions to the rear and side of dwelling and construction of an outbuilding, decking and pergola. Granted.
NP/DDD/0724/0778 2 Derwent Close, Grindleford, demolition of existing garage, erection of a 2 storey side extension and loft conversion of main dwelling. Withdrawn.
- ACCOUNTS
- ACCOUNTS
| Date | Amount | Payee | Purpose |
| 10 October 24 | 250 | Mad4Ink | Grindleford News * |
| 10 October 24 | 98 | GPFA | Room hire |
| 10 October 24 | 1772.14 | Sarah Battarbee | Clerk’s wages |
| 10 October 24 | 100 | Sarah Battarbee | Donation, Ukraine group |
- *This was a replacement cheque for cheque no 1141, which was returned and destroyed. 1141 was made out in error to Mad4Ink, who do not accept cheques.
There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.45 pm.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – 14 November 2024