GRINDLEFORD PARISH COUNCIL – MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 13 March 2025 AT 7 PM IN THE PAVILION
Present: Andrew Battarbee (Chair), Elizabeth Coe, Simon Hutchinson, Esther Stewart, Ray Whiteley, Alex Erskine, Peter O’Brien. Simon Ripton, DDD Cllr.
Apologies: Hilary Hart
- COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – Cllr Sutton sent apologies. He had continued to pursue the flooding at the bottom of Scotts Close.
- DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – Cllr Ripton reported on the social housing project in Eyam. Other sites were also being sought. Local Government reorganisation in Derbyshire was discussed, as was parking at hot spots such as Mam Tor and Castleton. Cllr Ripton said approaches to the problems of visitor parking were very fragmented and a summit was needed to take a more holistic area approach. This could include better train services, buses, etc, involving the National Trust, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire County Council and others. The situation at the station was also considered, in particular NR’s refusal to accept any responsibility for their access road.
- Cllr O’Brien told the meeting that DCC have taken away four subsidised bus services, and are finding new operators.
- POLICE REPORT – there was none.
- MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
These were agreed as a true record pro EC sec AE.
- MATTERS ARISING
Website. Cllr Erskine proposed that the Council accept the quote from Parish Council websites, which was agreed, all in favour. Part of the offer is a gov.uk domain and a council website address for all Councillors. AE and Clerk to pursue. It was agreed that joining up with other village websites was a good idea but should be stage 2, with basic legal requirements for a parish council being stage 1.
Flooding. Clerk reported that she was still pursuing the insurance company for third party liability cover; negotiations with DDDC and DCC had gone well and she was expecting funding of £2500 to cover the storage shed and trailer, in return for a donation of 12 of the 20 barriers. GPFA had given nominal agreement to site the shed where the old shed was. Work continues to reach a natural end point for parish council involvement.
Flooding Scotts Close and by the War Memorial. Further investigation by DCC of the War Memorial issue revealed that Severn Trent’s recent work had damaged a culvert and they now needed to come and fix it. Clerk to write to ST to ensure they follow up. The Scott’s Close flood has been traced to the boundary of a residential garden and should also be resolved soon. Cllr Sutton has been very active in working with Highways to take these investigations forward and Cllr Cupitt most supportive and proactive.
Network Rail. Clerk has written to our MP John Whitby on the Council’s behalf. JW is holding a surgery on 21 March, Clerk to alert residents.
- OTHER MATTERS
Imagine Hope. A request by Sophie Hunter and Matt Laurie for £200 funding to support the Grindleford Climate Action Plan, the first phase of which has come to an end and which needs revisiting and reinvigorating, was considered. They asked for £200 to run an initial event, their focus being on involvement from younger and older residents. The proposed venue was the Maynard. Cllrs were supportive but asked for more information on alternative, cheaper venues. Clerk to find out more.
Budget. Agreed, all in favour, with an amendment on room hire costs. Clerk raised the need to revisit the membership of the Finance Committee, current members are Cllr Hart and Cllr Battarbee, but there are possible conflicts of interest for Cllr Battarbee. An item for a future agenda.
Parish Meeting. Agreed, all in favour, to hold a similar event to last year, before the May council meeting, starting at 6.30pm. Light refreshments to be provided.
Footpath restoration. Cllr Whiteley had put forward an idea to clear the footpaths round the village which had become overgrown. Agreed, all in favour that this should be pursued with the option for some funding from the Council. Clerk to use the social media channels to perhaps gather together a small group. The litterpickers could possibly be approached, although for insurance reasons they are not a formal group.
Village Gates – Cllr Erskine updated on progress. Jane Newman advised not to include road markings and 30 mph speed signs in the application, but she will include other options for gates, eg plainer wooden ones. DCC might accept a more mainstream option even if they reject the stone gates. A scheme for 30 mph signs for the next agenda. It was agreed to pursue road markings, such as dragon’s teeth, and ask our County Councillor for their support, although DCC have a policy of keeping these to a minimum to avoid intensification of urbanisation.
Summer series – clerk is planning to do a series of presentations over the summer on flooding, EV charging for houses without off road parking, the hedges project and the village gates. Council all in favour gave their approval.
PPPF, HVCA. For information, clerk has signed up to be the new secretary of the Peak Park Parishes Forum. Davina Ripton and Sarah Roberts and the new co-chairs of HVCA.
Devolution. Clerk and Chair attended the County Council Parishes Liaison Forum. There was a presentation about managing budget cuts and budget shortfall, and then a discussion about the plans for a unitary authority to replace the current two-tier system. DCC wants a One Derbyshire structure, minus the City; District Councils and Derby City favour a north/south divide. The Government’s suggested population sizes in each authority suggest that the north south option will prevail but we shall see.
- MATTERS FOR DECISION
To confirm a website provider – approval given to approach Parish Council Websites.
To grant funding to Imagine Hope – £100 agreed in principle but more information to be sought
To agree the end of year budget – with minor modifications.
To agree a format for the Parish Meeting – as for last year, but with a shorter preliminary period and more round table discussion.
- PLANNING MATTERS
NP/DDD/0724/0782 Longshaw Lodge, Unnamed Track From Froggatt Edge to District Boundary Longshaw. Listed Building consent – Refurbishment of flat and work to reinstate former layout as two separate units. In support. The Council hopes this will not be used as holiday accommodation.
NP/DDD/0724/0781 Longshaw Lodge, Unnamed Track From Froggatt Edge to District Boundary Longshaw. Refurbishment of flat and work to reinstate former layout as two separate units. In support. The Council hopes this will not be used as holiday accommodation.
NP/DIS/0225/0138 Grindleford Youth Club, Sir William Hill Road, Grindleford. Discharge of conditions 3 and 4 on NP/DDD/1124/1247. No comment.
- PLANNING DECISIONS
Planning decisions can be found at Planning Search
- ACCOUNTS
| Cheque no | Date | Amount | Payee | Purpose |
| 1165 | 13 Feb 2025 | 96 | Sarah Battarbee | Carols round the tree expenses |
| 1166 | 13 Feb 2025 | 21.56 | Ray Whiteley | Grit |
| 1167 | 13 Feb 2025 | 65.77 | Sarah Battarbee | Printer costs |
| 1168 | 13 Feb 2025 | 1792 | Sarah Battarbee | Wages and additional carol expenses |
| 1169 | 13 Feb | 330.23 | Max Titovets | Benches |
It was pro EC sec AE that these accounts be paid.
There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.17 pm.
Sarah Battarbee
Clerk to the Council
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – 8 May 2025