Chapel-en-le-FrithFull Council Meeting Minutes 01.04.25
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting
held at 7pm on 1st April 2025
at Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Hall
Present: Cllrs J Adshead, J Bancroft, M Chantler, T Dales (Chair), A Foreshew-Cain, Cllr T Gilfillan, Cllr T Gouldburn (from minute 26/007), J Perkins, C Williams (from minute 26/013), S Young
In Attendance: Ms. G Turner (Clerk). Mrs E Howe (Assistant Clerk)
26/01 Apologies were received from Mrs M Drabble and M Drabble were unable to attend for personal reasons.
26/02 To make any Declarations of Interests - None
26/03 To consider any applications for Dispensations - None
26/04 It was resolved under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s1 to exclude members of the press and public to agenda item 29 on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.
26/05 To agree any variations of order of business - The Chair proposed, and Councillor Foreshew-Cain seconded that agenda item 29 should be moved to before agenda item 13. All agreed.
Councillor Adshead proposed and Councillor Chantler seconded that the agenda item 19 should be deferred until the Annual Meeting in May. All agreed.
Councillor Adshead proposed and Councillor Dales seconded that it would be more appropriate for agenda item 22 to be dealt with by the Personnel Committee and should therefore be on the agenda for the Committees next meeting.
Councillor Gouldburn joined the meeting.
26/06 Police matters - The Police were not in attendance but had submitted a list of incidents that took place during March. However, Councillors did not feel that this gave sufficient information. It was therefore agreed to write to the Police and express the Council’s disappointment that no one was available to attend the meeting and request that in future they send in a detailed report for circulation at the meeting if they are unable to attend.
26/07 Public Speaking - There were no members of the public at the meeting.
County Councillor Gourlay stated as the County Council is in its pre-election period he had nothing to report.
High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council have submitted their preferences for the boundaries for the new unitary authorities to the Minister for the Secretary of State and a decision will be made by the end of the year.
It was noted that Borough and County Councillors receive around £2,000 each year to give to small local voluntary organisations
There is no update on which date the public toilets on the Market Place will commence nor the work on 9 High Street.
26/08 To approve minutes of the previous meeting Councillor Foreshew-Cain proposed and Councillor Chantler seconded that the Chair be authorised to sign as being a true and correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 4th March. All Agreed.
To receive Actions on updates from previous Minutes
25/395 Replacement swing seats at Dove Holes Play Area – seats for the swings have been ordered and the Parish Council is hopeful that funding has been found for the accessibility seat for the swings.
25/402 Missing bench on the Market Place damaged by a vehicle – an application has been made to DCC for an object licence so that the bench can be replaced.
25/403 Standardisation of the flower beds in Derbyshire stone including plaque acknowledging the bequest – When the seasonal Parks and Open Space Maintenance Operative starts work his first task will be the standardisation of the flower beds. It was noted that the remainder of the money had been spent on the paths at the memorial playing. Councillor Adshead asked who had authorised the money spent on the paths to come from the bequest and it was agreed that the Ast Clerk will look into this.
25/404 Skip to help clear the land on Dove Holes Allotment – due to the road works on Meadow Lane this cannot currently be progressed.
26/09 Planning applications - The following applications were considered:
· HPK/2025/0074 & 75 (The Stables and Coach House, Bowden Hall, Bowden Lane, Chapel-En-Le-Frith) Conversion to 3 dwellings, internal and external works, parking and landscaping (part retrospective) and the associated listed building consent: It was resolved that the Council has no objection to the planning application.
· HPK/2025/0035 (Windy Walls Farm, Ashbourne Lane, Chapel-En-Le-Frith): It was resolved that the Council has no objection to the planning application.
· HPK/2024/0143 (Derbyshire County Council Works Dept, Ashbourne Lane, Chapel-En-Le-Frith): Following discussion a vote was taken and it was unanimously agreed that the Council should object to this application, for the following reasons:
o The height of the units on the amended application have been reduced but they still appear to be significantly higher than the neighbouring houses.
o The scale on the plans appears to be incorrect and the buildings will be closer to residential properties than the drawings suggest.
o Ashbourne Lane from the direction of Buxton Road is narrow, which is exacerbated by parked cars along one side of the road. This makes it inappropriate for larger delivery vans and lorries to navigate along the road to access the site.
o The site is surrounded on all sides by residential properties and very close to a children’s playground. Any increase in traffic in this area would not only pose a danger to local residents, but also to the children entering and exiting the playground.
o There remain concerns over nuisance to neighbouring properties relating to noise, odours and light pollution emitted from the site that do not appear to have been addressed.
o The revisions are so minute that there is very little difference to the original plans.
26/010 To consider any Planning Appeals notified to the Parish Council - none
26/011 To comment on any Planning Decision Notices
HPK/2024/0456 11 The Royal Oak, Market Street, Chapel-en-le-Frith – erection of ancillary accommodation block. Granted.
Councillor Williams joined the meeting
26/012 To note any court case matters
It was noted that the case stated hearing will go ahead on 8th April 2025.
It was agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting will include an update on the court case.
PRESS AND PUBLIC WERE READMITTED TO THE MEETING
26/013 To receive any reports from Committees/working groups (except if issue is elsewhere on agenda):
(a) Regeneration & Communications Committee – Minutes relating to the meeting held on 20th March 2025 were circulated to members along with relevant paperwork.
The Chair reported that production of the Spring newsletter has been delayed and that articles are still needed.
There has been a complaint of dog fouling in the War Memorial Park and that the Dog Warden at HPBC had been contacted for advice and to arrange a meeting. In the meantime, new signage and poo bags will be installed.
It was agreed in the first instance dog owners should be educated on not leaving any dog mess on the park as this can cause significant health issues to young children who also use the park.
It was noted that it would be difficult to police any move towards stating that dogs in the park must be on leads as the Park staff are the only people who can monitor it.
It was agreed to add this issue to the Annual Parish Meeting agenda.
It was noted that new gates had been ordered for the compound at the War Memorial Park as the old ones were broken and could not be securely locked, thereby causing a health and safety issue.
The Ast Clerk has been tasked with creating a draft 5-year maintenance and asset renewal plan for discussion at the next Regeneration & Communications meeting.
(b) Finance & Town Hall Committee – Minutes relating to the meeting held on 19th February 2025 were circulated to members along with relevant paperwork.
Councillor Williams stated that significant damp has been discovered in 47/49 Market Street. Various options are being explored but in the first instance permission is being sort from DCC to allow investigations to take place as to the condition of the drainpipe that runs under the pavement.
Work is ongoing on the 5-year renewal and maintenance plan for the Parish Council’s assets.
It was noted that the tenant of the flat at 47/49 Market Street has now moved out and the keys have been handed back to the Council.
(c) Personnel Committee - Minutes relating to the meeting held on 4th March 2025 were circulated to members along with relevant paperwork.
Following a review, by the Committee, of the additional duties taken on by the Ast Clerk during 2024, Councillor Foreshew-Cain proposed and Councillor Perkins seconded that her pay scale should be increased to LC2/20 and that upon satisfactory annual reviews the role will increase by 1 SCP each year until the pay scale LC2/23 is reached.
Councillor Adshead stating that he objected to the proposal and the Chair therefore proposed a vote asking those in favour to raise their hands. The vote was stopped by Councillor Adshead stating that the Parish Council was in breach of the Local Government Act.
The Chair then asked Councillor Adshead what his objections to the proposal were. Councillor Gilfillan also said that he would like to hear Councillor Adshead’s objections. Councillor Adshead declined to state his objections or put forward an alternative motion and following brief further discussion on the matter left the meeting.
The vote was then restarted and all agreed to the proposal to increase the Ast Clerk’s pay scale to LC2/20 to a maximum of LC2/23.
26/014 Chair’s Report – The Chair informed members that the Church had asked local organisations to make display boards to display in the Church as part of its 800th Anniversary. He stated that he had agreed that the Parish Council would create a display but was looking for a volunteer to put it together. Councillor Foreshew-Cain agreed to take on the task.
The Chair attended the HPBC Parishes Forum which took place earlier in the month and intends to attend these regular events going forward and will provide a summary of items discussed to Full Council. The next meeting is on 11th April.
Recycling in the Borough will change from next year as HPBC will be implementing changes to waste collection, including mandatory weekly food waste collections for most homes and a focus on recycling core recyclable waste streams.
The Parish Council is eligible to apply for funding from the Town and Parish Regeneration Fund, which will re-open later in 2025.
26/015 Finance It was resolved to:
a. Approve the attached schedule of accounts for payment (totals £37,727.88 including VAT).
b. Note the Full Year Income & Expenditure compared with Budget.
26/016 To note the Parish Council’s response to the External Auditors regarding the Complaint
Email correspondence between the Clerk and the External Auditors relating to the complaint was circulated to members. It was noted that the External Auditors will contact the Chair and if necessary, request additional information during their detailed work on the accepted objection, which is expected to be sometime in May.
26/017 To consider increasing the Clerk’s spending authority on any one item to £5,000 excluding VAT.
Councillor Foreshew-Cain proposed and Councillor Chantler seconded that the Clerk’s spending authority be increased to £5,000 excluding VAT on any one item, to better reflect the current cost of services. All agreed.
26/018 Motion from Cllr Adshead – That this council suspends all further subcommittee meetings until all members have attended suitable courses. That all council matters will be discussed at a Full Council meeting. Once training has been completed, careful consideration is to be given to the make-up of said committees moving forward – see minute 26/05 above.
26/019 Motion from Cllr Adshead - That the Council agrees to improve the transparency of all decisions made and to provide all relevant documentation in advance
Decisions made in sub committees must be accompanied with supporting evidence and made available to all Cllrs in good time to allow for opinions and questions before being voted on - The Chair stated that the Parish Council is already more transparent than in the past, but that more can be done. The Chair therefore proposed and Councillor Gillfillan seconded that Council should support Councillors Adshead’s motion to improve transparency of all decision made and to provide all relevant documentation in advance.
26/020 Motion from Councillor Adshead that the Town Hall & Finance Committee give a clear deadline for the remedial work that needs to be carried out at 47/49 Market Street, including quotes/costings – Councillor Dales proposed and Councillor Perkins seconded that the Parish Council should support Councillor Adshead’s motion that the Town Hall & Finance Committee should give a clear deadline for the remedial work that needs to be carried out at 47/49 Market Street, including quotes/costings.
26/021 Motion from Cllr Adshead - That the council conducts a full review of all paid roles with the intention of providing time/cost savings and improving productivity - see minute 26/05 above.
26/022 To appoint a Trustee to the Education Foundation – Councillors Dales and Williams agreed to be Trustees to the Education Foundation. All agreed.
26/023 To consider whether the Council wishes to mark the VE 80th Anniversary on 8th May - It was noted that the RBL are staging events in the Parish to mark the anniversary. All agreed to offer use of the Town Hall, subject to availability, free of charge to the RBL for any of their events.
26/024 To consider adoption of the Publication Scheme – A draft Publication Scheme was circulated to members for consideration. Councillor Gillfillan proposed and Councillor Young seconded that the Publication Scheme should be adopted. All agreed.
26/025 To consider date and planning for the Annual Parish Meeting (APM) – Following discussion it was agreed that the APM will be held on Wednesday 21st May at 7pm. Councillors Dale and Gillfillan will devise the format of the meeting.
26/026 To receive an update from the Leisure Centre – An update detailing gym numbers, promotions and customer satisfaction feedback was circulated to members. It was noted that the PFI scheme expires in two years.
26/027 Motion from Cllr Adshead - That this Council makes a lawful decision regarding the S106 money allocated to road safety on Long Lane and communicates it – it was agreed that Councillor Adshead needs to supply further information on this motion before it can be considered.
26/028 Date of the next Parish Council meeting – it was resolved that this will be on Tuesday 6th May at 7pm.
There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.15pm.
