GRINDLEFORD PARISH COUNCIL – MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 14 August 2025 AT 7 PM IN THE PAVILION
Present: Andrew Battarbee (chair), Simon Hutchinson, Esther Stewart, Anwen Fryer Burrows, Hilary Hart, Ray Whiteley, Simon Ripton (District Council)
| COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – Cllr Sutton sent apologies. | ||
| DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – reported on DDDC meeting concerning Network Rail following a motion put down by Cllr O’Brien. There was unanimous agreement to pursue a solution, and the District Council chair had written to NR, but there had been no subsequent action. Cllr Ripton suggested a nudge to the District Council chair to pursue further. Cllr Hutchinson thanked Cllr Battarbee for his efforts as Chair but reported that there had been two disturbed nights in the last week with shouting, laughing and swearing. All residents were asking for was consideration from individuals on site. | ||
| POLICE REPORT – none. |
| Agenda Item | Decision | |
| 1 | Apologies | Cllr Alex Erskine, Cllr Peter O’Brien, Cllr Elizabeth Coe |
| 2 | MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING. These were agreed as a true record. | Pro SH sec HH |
| 3 | MATTERS ARISING | |
| Website. A development site was now available. It was agreed that next steps would be to get it ready for Council business first, before opening it more widely to items of village interest; but that it was important the site was also interesting enough to attract residents to look at it. A schedule throughout the year for Cllrs to contribute articles was agreed, with a standing item on the agenda. Cllr Battarbee would start the ball rolling and would also write a monthly update on Council business. How to launch the site would be on the agenda for the September meeting. | Clerk to put a standing item on the agenda for website contributions from Cllrs. Launch plans for next meeting on next agenda. Action: Clerk | |
| Footpath restoration. After consultation with residents, it was agreed on balance to leave Haslin Slack uncleared. Clerk to investigate formal signs for Haslin Slack (preserving the existing sign), Scott’s Close and Stoney Bank, in the first instance. The Grinsey, The Halve and Church Lane possibles for stage 2. | Investigate signs Action Clerk | |
| DCC PLACE active travel consultation. Page 59 (Grindleford specific proposals). It was agreed to support all the proposals except E5, the multi-use track past the Windses to Hathersage. With residents’ cars, Brunts Barn traffic and issues with keeping the track maintained, there had been strong representations that other alternative routes would be preferable – along the riverside, where proposals exist for a Derwent Way multi-use trail, or Leam Lane, where there is ongoing work to apply for Quiet Lane status. While Leam Lane involves some steep climbs, the climb up from Hathersage to the other end of the E5 proposal is also long, steep and on a main road. | Clerk to summarise these decisions, clear with Cllr Hutchinson and reply by the deadline. Action Clerk | |
| Green Lane – It was agreed that Clerk would take forward the development of a proposal and contact Cllr Sutton to help us. | Form a working group with residents and contact Cllr Sutton. Action Clerk. | |
| John Whitby Visit. It was agreed that the Council would support this visit and funding for refreshments was approved. Clerk would work with a team of volunteers to set up the event and bring it the September meeting for approval. | Work with residents to set up the event and liaise with JW’s office. Action Clerk | |
| Network Rail. It was agreed that Cllr Hutchinson would send a note to John Davies and residents would keep a log of incidents, with photos where possible. | Contact John Davies Action SH | |
| Chair to write to the leader of DDDC asking for an update on progress. | Action Chair and clerk |
| 4 | OTHER MATTERS | |
| Quarterly budget update. This was presented to Cllrs and approved. | ||
| Discussion of possible projects for 25/26. This was deferred to the September meeting to give time for consideration by Councillors. The issue of clerk’s wages was raised, and the need to future proof the budget against the time when the current Clerk, who operates at preferential rates with the boundaries of employment law, moves on. It was agreed to discuss this in more detail at the next meeting, and the need for the Finance Committee to convene. Cllr Battarbee recused himself from this part of the discussion. | Include projects and finance committee on agenda for September meeting Action Clerk | |
| Flood Barriers – next steps. A parish councillor from Castleton, Angela Darlington, had enquired about the flood barriers. As our flood mitigation has stalled indefinitely, Cllrs agreed all in favour that we should discuss lending the barriers to Castleton with the proviso of issues of return, liability and insurance were suitably resolved. | Cllrs to consider possible projects Action Cllrs | |
| Visitor Management. Clerk updated Cllrs on recent activity – an East Midlands Mayoral Summit with involvement from PPPF; a plenary session run by Karen Bradley MP in Staffordshire Moorlands; and a Hope Valley initiative to submit an agenda item for the East Midlands summit headed by Castleton. Cllrs agreed that Grindleford would endorse the Hope Valley initiative. | Clerk to meet with AD and report back. Action Clerk | |
| Dark Skies proposal. In the event, this was an information only agenda item. Richard Campen had suggested that Grindleford and surrounding areas apply for Dark Skies status, but lack of take-up by residents has put it on the back burner. May be revisited. Cllrs expressed an interest should anything come of it, although arguments either way were noted. | Clerk to keep the Council updated on further developments. Action Clerk. |
| 5 | PLANNING MATTERS | |
| 6 | PLANNING DECISIONS | |
| Planning decisions can be found at Planning Search |
| 7 | ACCOUNTS |
| Date approved | Amount | Payee | Purpose |
| 14 August 2025 | 50 | S Battarbee | Replacement payment for cheque 1186, returned |
| 14 August 2025 | 195 | Grindleford and Eyam pre-school | Water tray |
These accounts were approved for payment via Bank Transfer from the new Lloyds account. Pro ES sec SH
It was pro EC sec AE that these accounts be paid.
There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.30 pm.
Sarah Battarbee
Clerk to the Council
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – 11 September 2025