GRINDLEFORD PARISH COUNCIL – MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12 February 2026 AT 7.15 PM IN THE PAVILION
Present: Andrew Battarbee (chair), Anwen Fryer Burrows, Hilary Hart, Peter O’Brien, Esther Stewart, Ray Whiteley, Alex Erskine, Simon Hutchinson. District Cllr Simon Ripton.
There was no meeting in January due to bad weather. It was agreed that forecast extreme wintry conditions would make it unsafe for Cllrs to get to the meeting.
| COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT | Cllr Sutton had given apologies. He has been in correspondence with the Clerk about Scott’s Close to some positive effect and there had been action about the bus stop floods. | |
| DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT | The Tropical Butterfly House are keen to put in a hard surface (chippings) path across their field as the footpath is getting wider and muddier. Peak Park have objected to the application. The TBH have also been asked to replace the pipe conducting the brook under the path with a bridge as there was a perceived danger of children getting stuck in it. New Park rules require a fee for pre-planning advice. Council would like to meet with TBH to understand their vision. They are coming to give a talk in March, so it was proposed that Council members should attend. Action Clerk to talk to Hortisoc. Cllr O’Brien reported on Scott’s Close, which was discussed further under the agenda item. | |
| POLICE REPORT | Council was very grateful to PC Boswell for coming out on a cold night. PC Boswell reported a public order crime and the theft of a parcel. He encouraged the Council to respond to the priorities survey. The recent attendance of a police speed check was noted and thanks given. Police have been issuing £100 fines and points for parking opposite solid white lines but are reliant on the pubic to report parking transgressions, as five beat areas are covering 60 villages. PC Boswell said he was happy to set up a meeting outside of the parish council if that would be helpful. |
| Agenda Item | Decision | |
| 1 | Apologies | Cllr Coe |
| 2 | MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING. | These were agreed as a true record, Pro RW sec AF |
| 3 | MATTERS ARISING | |
| Budget | The Clerk presented an interim budget which suggested, after the cancellation of the village gates project due to lack of planning permission, a surplus of a little under £5K. The archive project had also stalled but may continue at a future date. Taking all this into account a precept in line with cost of living had been mooted at the December meeting for approval at this meeting. The Chairman proposed that a finance committee be re-established. Cllrs to put forward their names before the next meeting. | |
| Parish Precept 2026/27 | This was agreed at 3% all in favour. Action Clerk to notify DDDC | |
| Flooding Scott’s Close | Clerk reported on correspondence with DCC, who explained that the problem had slipped through the net last year but was now back on their radar. Two meetings with residents had taken place. DCC confirmed there had been no camera inspection under the path. There was unlikely to be any action under the drier weather, meanwhile the water continues to run past Tommy’s Cottage. Cllrs discussed the possibility of commissioning their own survey under the path. Clerk to pursue. Action Clerk. | |
| Flooding preparations – update Clerk | Clerk reported that free hi-viz jackets had been ordered; the flood resilience plan had been updated and circulated to residents and the river group. Throw bags had been agreed, Clerk enquired as to arrangements for mooring. Agreed all in favour that they should be purchased and given to the flood wardens. | |
| 4 | OTHER MATTERS | |
| Lloyds bank account | Clerk reported that this was now up and successfully running, although more signatories were required. A transfer of funds from NatWest to Lloyds was necessary, which would need a cheque signing. Action Clerk. | |
| Understanding the regulatory position re empty houses | It was agreed that it was important to understand the regulatory context for empty houses as a general thing, although discussion of individual properties would not be appropriate. Clerk to set up a sub-group of the Council to establish the parameters. Action Clerk. | |
| Assertion 10 GDPR AGAR | The external auditors have added a new assertion, assertion 10, to the AGAR process. We have until 31 March to comply, which we will meet as our new website is compliant. All Cllrs will need gov.uk email addresses. This is in progress. The status of the Grindleford enewsletter was discussed. Clerk to consider how best to make this compliant. Action Clerk. Cllrs noted that Clerk had been on a training course re the new assertion. | |
| Grindleford News | Clerk had spoken to the current editor and agreed that three punctual editions 1 May, 1 August 1 December were the key issue. Clerk to acquire the relevant software and work with the current editor, (who had provided two excellent editions but was constrained by pressures of work and family), in order to ensure the deadlines were met. | |
| 5 | PLANNING MATTERS | |
| NP/DDD/1225/1269 Sandown, unnamed from 10901020 northwards to entrance of Valve House, Upper Padley, Grindleford. Construction of a new garage and retaining wall. | In support | |
| NP/DDD/1125/1209 New single-storey garden studio housing home office and gym. The Coach House, Grindleford Road, Calver. | This application has been withdrawn. | |
| NP/DDD/0126/0079 Padley Mill Cottage, Unnamed Road From Station Road westwards to track leading To A6187, Upper Padley, Grindleford. Conversion and extension of existing building to a two bedroom (intermediate) dwelling, including remodelled access, hard and soft landscaping, and associated infrastructure. | In support. The Council welcomed the opportunity to create a new dwelling as well as freeing up the original dwelling potentially for a new family. | |
| NP/DDD/0126/0016 5 St. Helens Close, Grindleford. Single storey rear extension and front extension, two storey front extension, loft conversion with rear dormer window and alterations to front boundary with driveway access and new gate and new disable access ramp to front. | In support. | |
| NP/DDD/1225/1217 Long Ridge House,Maynard Road,Nether Padley,Grindleford, Replacement dwelling, including outbuilding and raised patio. Decided: 04 February 2026. Granted conditionally. | Decided: 04 February 2026. Granted conditionally, with conditions around solar panels and an air source heat pump. |
| 7 | ACCOUNTS | ||||
| Date approved | Amount | Payee | Date paid | Purpose | |
| 38 | 12 March 2026 | £34.50 | Andrew Battarbee | 17 April 26 | Grit |
| 12 March 2026 | £14 | Ray Whiteley | Pending approval | Flowers for Remembrance Sunday |
These accounts were approved for payment via Bank Transfer from the Lloyds account. It was pro SH sec AE that these accounts be paid.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – the date of the next meeting is 12 March 2026.
There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.51 pm.
Sarah Battarbee
Clerk to the Council