GRINDLEFORD PARISH COUNCIL – MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 13 February 2025 AT 7 PM IN THE PAVILION
Present: Andrew Battarbee (Chair), Elizabeth Coe, Simon Hutchinson, Esther Stewart, Ray Whiteley, Alex Erskine, Hilary Hart, Peter O’Brien
Apologies: Dave Kirkup
- COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – Cllr Sutton had sent apologies, but had visited Grindleford. Clerk had asked about the second round of funding for school storage and he advised to reapply in mid to late March. Flooding at Scott’s Close was also discussed and Cllr Sutton was asking for a camera inspection.
- DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – Council tax agreed to increase by 3.99%. There had been some discussion about affordable housing in the carpark in Eyam but there were issues. With regard to local government reorganisation, DDDC was likely to disappear in the next two years and the County Council would also be subject to restructuring. Disposable BBQs would soon be illegal on the Moors. Network Rail –PO’B to take this further with the MP.
- POLICE REPORT – there was none.
- Resignation of Council member – the Chair read out the letter of resignation received by Cllr Kirkup (appended to these minutes). The Chair undertook to write to Cllr Kirkup reflecting best wishes and thanks from the Council. The normal process of filling the vacancy would now be put in train by the Clerk.
- MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Two amendments were requested. The minutes recorded the vote for the raise in precept as 5% EC and 10% ES. This was incorrect, Cllr Coe voted as an individual for 10% and as Chair for 10% and Cllr Stewart for 5%. Cllr Erskine amended the minute re additional traffic measures as part of the village gates project to include an interim stage concerning suggestions to him about what those additional measures might be. Otherwise, these were agreed as a true record pro AE sec RW.
- MATTERS ARISING
Website. A list of possible website providers had been supplied by PPPF. Clerk and AE were charged to consider them and had met to discuss. They identified Parish Council Websites as the most promising, offering a package to help build the website and provide technical advice, support, and compliance measures as well as a gov.uk domain. Technical support was felt to be of the utmost importance as the clerk has no WordPress training and has been fumbling along self-taught which is sub-optimal as well as time-consuming. The quality of the website has suffered as a result. A formal quote would be procured to bring to the next meeting, the advertised cost of the package being £749. Cleark and AE to compare this to the current cost, including hidden costs such as Johm Mottershaw very kindly building the current website for free.
Flooding. Next steps were discussed. In summary:
- the Parish Council had always been clear that it has no responsibility for flood protection measures. Those responsibilities lie with specialist and national bodies. However, given the scale of impact and the obvious fact that Grindleford is way down the priority list for those bodies, the PC decided to look at what, if anything, it could do. The PC’s policy has been that it will not undertake any intervention which disadvantages any one property or group of residents, even if there were “winners” from such a proposal.
- The PC decided to fund an impact assessment because without such an assessment there was simply no basis for action. They allocated funding for this from a special contribution received from Severn Trent Water. No action was possible without the assessment; but equally the council always had in mind that the assessment might show that there was no suitable.
- Having received the report there is a potential intervention based on a reinstated bank and using the flood barriers at particular points, which will protect houses below the bridge while not raising the water level in the pavilion field or down by the water treatment plant. However unanimous agreement from affected residents has not been reached. The parish council therefore agreed all in favour, to put the project summary and the flood risk assessment on the parish council website and leave the matter to rest, for someone else to pick up from that point at a future date if they wish. The clerk would finalise some outstanding issues re third party insurance, storage for the flood barriers and some means of transporting them in flood situations. Other than that, the parish council’s involvement is now considered to be closed, although it will maintain ties with our two flood wardens, and an interest in natural flood management measures with DWT and the river group.
Flooding Scotts Close and by the War Memorial. Some further progress has been made and a camera sent down. Some silting of a channel is being investigated by the residents and DCC hope this will solve the problem. It now seems clear that flooding by the War Memorial is not linked. Current theory is that it may be a result of damage from the Severn Trent works, possibly to a spring under the Memorial.
Speedwatch signs. RW enquired as to whether we could have some permanent signs at the village boundaries. Vetoed by DCC.
- OTHER MATTERS
Network Rail. NR have said they will have no further meetings with residents or the parish council as is their statutory right. Chair to write to our MP.
Double white lines by the Maynard proposal. This was discussed but Council felt that the disadvantages of preventing parking along the main road near the Maynard would outweigh the benefits. People will come to the Peak Park and to Grindleford and park where they can, so the effect might be to drive them further down into the village, as happened with the double yellow lines at Padley Gorge. It is also now being recognised by higher tier councils across the country that parking is a deterrent to speed. In addition, Cllrs were clear from previous experience that there was next to no chance that DCC would agree. There was however no reason why individuals shouldn’t approach DCC with a proposal, and the parish council would not object.
Vans at Mount Pleasant junction. Amicably resolved. PO’B to take the opportunity to have a word with the garage about pavement parking.
Flagpole. Another council had enquired as to whether we had our flagpole formally inspected for structural integrity. An enquiry to DALC suggested that the flagpole is covered by LOLER regulations: Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) – HSE which would suggest that at least annual testing would be required, but does not specify who by. Our flagpole is regularly inspected by Cllr Whiteley. Clerk checked with the council’s insurers who thought that as there is no requirement for inspection by a professional party, our current arrangements would suffice. Clerk will investigate further.
- MATTERS FOR DECISION
Agreed all in favour for Clerk to commission some standing feet for the noticeboard.
- PLANNING MATTERS
NP/DDD/1224/1296 Lawful Development Certificate relating to 2 Derwent Close Grindleford S32 2HD. Noted.
NP/DDD/0125/0002 River View, Tedgness Road, Nether Padley, Grindleford.
The proposed development consists of the demolition of the existing low quality property and construction of a new single family home with associated
landscaping and parking. No comment.
- PLANNING DECISIONS
Planning decisions can be found at https://portal.peakdistrict.gov.uk
dd
- 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 |
It was pro EC sec HH that these accounts be paid.
There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 7.57 pm.
Sarah Battarbee
Clerk to the Council
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – 13 March 2025