GRINDLEFORD PARISH COUNCIL – MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 10 July 2025 AT 7 PM IN THE PAVILION
Present: Andrew Battarbee (chair), Elizabeth Coe, Simon Hutchinson, Esther Stewart, Alex Erskine, Anwen Fryer Burrows, Peter O’Brien
Apologies: Hilary Hart, Ray Whiteley
Public speaking. Dick Turnbull spoke for the proposal to establish Leam Lane as a Quiet Lane. He outlined the work which had already been done and explained the benefits to residents and nature.
| 1 | COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – Cllr Sutton sent apologies. | |
| 2 | DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – District Cllr Simon Ripton referred to the ongoing discussions, or lack of them, with Network Rail. He reminded the Council that the LGR consultation closes on 10 August. Consultation on the new PSPO finishes on 17 August, Parish council to send an endorsement. Cllr O’Brien asked for support for the upcoming debate at DDDC on the Network Rail situation, following on from the motion presented by him to DDDC about Network Rail’s unacceptable behaviour. Parish Councillors were in support all in favour, and the Chair Andrew Battarbee agreed to attend the meeting with Cllr Hutchinson, Cllr O’Brien and resident John Davies. A suggestion to seek legal advice was not agreed at this time due to costs, although pro bono advice would be appropriate. | |
| 3 | POLICE REPORT – none. | |
| 4 | MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING. These were agreed as a true record. | Pro AE sec EC |
| 5 | MATTERS ARISING Village Gates. Jane Newman had secured a pro-bono pre-app assessment. Cllr Erskine will chase JN up about next steps. Website – parishcouncilwebsites had provided a first draft of the new website. It was widely approved and Cllr Battarbee made comments on next steps. Cllr Battarbee and clerk to take forward. To recap, we need a new website for ease of use and access and if we want to progress the decision to get gov.uk email addresses, which are more secure. Footpath restoration. There was discussion about Haslin Bank, as to whether clearance was appropriate given that the path leads nowhere useful, and the exit on the main Hathersage Road is dangerous; and also that it is already a footpath for nature. In addition the cost of clearance would be £640, and that money would need to spent again regularly to maintain it. It was agreed that Clerk should gather opinions from residents before a decision was made. Council felt more strongly that name plates for all the Grindleford pathways should be put up, to preserve the names. Newsletter. Cllr Erskine had spoken to the new editor and agreed that the News would continue at three times a year, deadlines and publication dates could be more tightly controlled now that templates were set up and the editor did not think that back up support was needed at this point. The News should be more a journal of village life going forward. A rolling contributors deadline is helpful, the News editor will look at phased deadlines. Clerk to provide a list of village contacts. It was agreed that word count is a sensible way to limit articles/control content. The editor noted many formatting issues, particularly images embedded in a document (images attached to email is preferred and saves a notable amount of time). Clerk to speak to the editor idc to discuss the best way to get these messages to contributors. | Action AE Decision: Council approved the first draft and gave Clerk and Chair permission to develop the text and content. Action: Clerk Decision: this way forward was approved by Council all in favour. Action Clerk |
| 6 | OTHER MATTERS DCC PLACE active travel consultation – the relevant extracts to be circulated for comments and discussed at the August meeting. 3.5 tonne weight limit on the bridge. It was agreed to continue pushing this for this, despite obfuscation in the past. It would be helpful to keep large lorries out of the narrow parts of residential Grindleford, including those heading to the station. Buses are anyway exempt. Cllr Stewart agreed to find out when the next structural review is due, at which point we will ask for a copy of the report. Green lanes – Leam Lane. Cllrs were interested in Dick Turnbull’s presentation and keen to support the proposal. Preschool application for funding for new water tray. It was agreed to support the water tray replacement. Coffee morning for John Whitby visit. Cllrs were in agreement with a proposal from a resident to have an early evening session with our MP if he is able to attend. | Action Clerk Action ES Decision: to take forward an application for Leam Lane to be designated a Quiet Lane Action Clerk to write to Cllr Sutton at DCC Decision: to approve payment of £195 for the new water tray Action: Clerk to go back to John Whitby’s office with some suggestions. |
| 7 | PLANNING MATTERS NP/DDD/0625/0589 Grindleford Youth Club, Sir William Hill, Grindleford. Changes to former youth club including; addition of gate and steps to improve access from Sir William Hill Road and changes to landscaping at rear, access steps for air source heat pump, addition of extract vents to rear elevation. NP/DDD/0725/0678 Padley Gate, Main Road, Nether Padley, Grindleford. S.73 application for the variation of a condition 4 on NP/DDD/0323/0280. | No comment. No comment |
| 8 | PLANNING DECISIONS Planning decisions can be found at Planning Search |
- ACCOUNTS
| Cheque no | Date | Amount | Payee | Purpose |
| 1185 | 10 July 2025 | 30.20 | Sarah Battarbee | Final bunting expenses |
| 1186 | 10 July 2025 | 50 | Sarah Battarbee | Bunting hoisting and taking down |
| 1187 | 10 July 2025 | 4000 | Lloyds Bank | Cash transfer |
It was pro EC sec AE that these accounts be paid.
There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.20 pm.
Sarah Battarbee
Clerk to the Council
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – 14 August 2025