Chapel-en-le-FrithFull Council Meeting Minutes 04.03.25
CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting
held at 7pm on 4th March 2025
at Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Hall
Present: Cllrs J Adshead, M Chantler, T Dales (Chair), Mrs M Drabble, M Drabble, A Foreshew-Cain, J Perkins, C Williams, S Young (from Minute number 25/391)
In Attendance: Ms. G Turner (Clerk). Mrs E Howe (Assistant Clerk)
25/380 Apologies were received from Cllr T Gilfillan who was unable to attend the meeting due to work commitments and J Bancroft who was unable to attend for personal reasons. Cllr T Gouldburn was also absent from the meeting.
25/381 To make any Declarations of Interests - None
25/382 To consider any applications for Dispensations - None
25/383 It was resolved under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s1 to exclude members of the press and public to agenda item 30 on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.
25/384 To agree any variations of order of business The Chair proposed, and Councillor Chantler seconded that agenda item 30 should be moved to before agenda item 12. All agreed.
25/385 Police matters PC Jake Schofield attended the meeting and reported that there had been 20 crimes in the Parish during February. Six thefts (including a burglary on Grange Park Road, although nothing was taken), 2 reported incidents of criminal damage, 7 assaults, 4 public order offences and 1 sexual offence.
There has been an increase in burglaries reported in Whaley Bridge and so residents should remain vigilant and report anything suspicious.
Police focus remains on speeding offences and speed check sites will take place throughout Chapel in April, together with proactive burglary patrols during March and April.
25/386 Public Speaking There were no members of the public at the meeting.
County Councillor Gourlay stated that as part of the County Elections he was visiting various Parish Council Meetings in the area and invited Parish Councillors to join him to witness how other parish Councils operate.
Borough Councillor DePree stated that Alliance Norse had been commissioned to supervise the renovation of the traffic lighted house on Market Street and work would start shortly. As soon as BC DePree has a timeframe she will communicate this to residents. It is hoped that the works will be finished by the end of the year.
Work on the public toilets on the Market Place will commence in April and once these start a survey of the trees and the best course of action will also be undertaken.
It was noted that there are a number of footpaths in the parish that are overgrown and difficult to walk along, including the one next to the A6 at Barmoor Clough and the path next to St Thomas the Becket Church. The grass verge next to the Park is also damaged where cars are parking on it.
It is anticipated at the moment that there will not be any boundary changes as a result of the new Unitary Authorities and High Peak will therefore remain part of Derbyshire.
25/387 To approve minutes of the previous meeting Councillor Chantler proposed and Councillor Williams seconded that the Chair be authorised to sign as being a true and correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 4th February. All Agreed.
25/388 Planning applications - The following applications were considered:
· HPK/2025/0020 – 4 Anchor Avenue, Chapel-en-le-Frith – To add a small single storey utility room to the side of the house. It was resolved that the Council has no objection to this application.
· HPK/2025/0034 – 31 Netherfield Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith – Single storey rear extension. It was resolved that the Council has no objection to this application.
· HPK/2025/0037 - 33 Greggs Avenue, Chapel-En-Le-Frith - Single storey side and front extension. It was resolved that the Council has no objection to this application.
25/389 Planning appeals Nil.
25/390 Planning Decision Notices
· HPK/2024/0442 (Hollin Knoll, Long Lane, Martinside, Chapel-En-Le-Frith): Granted
· HPK/2024/0458 (WM Morrison Petrol Filling Station, Market Street, Chapel-En-Le-Frith): Granted
· HPK/2024/0517 (4 The Avenue, Coombs): Granted
FOLLOWING THE EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
25/391 To note any court case matters
It was noted that the date for the hearing where the case stated will be heard is 8th April 2025. It is anticipated that the judicial review will also be heard at this time.
All agreed that a Without Prejudice letter, in the manner discussed, should be drafted by the Council’s legal representatives for submission to the Claimants’ legal representatives.
PRESS AND PUBLIC WERE READMITTED TO THE MEETING
25/392 To receive any reports from Committees/working groups (except if issue is elsewhere on agenda):
(a) Regeneration & Communications Committee – The Chair reported that the Spring newsletter is now being complied ready for publication by the end of March.
The next Regeneration & Communications Committee meeting will be held on 20th March at 6.30pm.
(b) Finance & Town Hall Committee – The Chair stated that the Committee has set a deadline for the refurbishment of the flat at 47/49 Market Street and the acquiring of quotes is underway.
The next Finance & Town Hall Committee meeting will be held on 18th March at 12pm.
25/393 Chair’s Report - The Chair stated that a question has been raised as to why the Assistant Clerk and Clerk are attending the monthly meetings. The Chair clarified that the Assistant Clerk is attending the meetings in her free time in order to assist on queries on historic matters that invariably arise.
25/394 Finance It was resolved to:
a. Approve the attached schedule of accounts for payment (totals £22,954.92 including VAT).
b. Note a detailed list of income and expenditure for the year to February 2025 and compared with the full year budget, circulated to Members for information.
25/395 To receive costs for replacing swing seats at Dove Holes Play Area – It was agreed to fund the repairs to the swings at Dove Holes play area and purchase new seats at a cost of £1,170.15 a grant is to be sought to fund the purchase of an inclusivity seat.
25/396 Update on traffic lights at 9 High Street – see public speaking paragraph above.
25/397 To consider whether emails received should be classed as vexatious – It was agreed that repetitive emails should be classed as vexatious and that the Clerks should no longer respond and simply move the email to a separate email folder.
25/398 Councillor email addresses - It reminder was given that Councillors should be using their Chapel Parish Council email addresses and not personal ones.
25/399 Review of Risk Assessment Register – A revised risk assessment register was circulated to Members. It was agreed to adopt the revised register subject to the court case and vexatious emails being added.
25/400 Auditor response to the complaint – The Clerk informed members that the External Auditors had now considered the objections raised to the 2023/24 AGAR and had rejected the first objection but accepted the second, for further consideration. The objection relates to the response given to Assertion 1 in the Annual Governance Statement, due to the process for the compilation and approval of 2024/25 budget and precept during the year.
The Clerk outlined the Parish Council’s situation at the time the budget was being set and all agreed to respond to the External Auditors in the manner discussed.
25/401 To consider increasing the Clerk’s spending authority level to £5000.00 – It was agreed to ask DALC whether this item is a proper motion that can be agreed upon. Once this is established it should be reconsidered by the Finance & Town Hall Committee.
25/402 Motion from Cllr Adshead – That the council makes a definitive decision regarding the missing bench on the Market Place that was damaged some 18 months ago. The Assistant Clerk stated that DCC had no record of the bench ever having been given permission to be placed on the Market Place and therefore permission would be required to replace the bench. CC Gourlay suggested that the best way forward would be to complete an application for an Object Licence through DCC’s website. All agreed that the Assistant Clerk should make an application.
25/403 Motion from Cllr Adshead – That the council agrees to finish the standardisation of the flower beds in Derbyshire Stone and by putting the plaque in place acknowledging the bequest. That any remaining money be used to support an application to the Tarmac Fund for footpath repairs around the Bowling Green. All agreed to this motion.
25/404 Motion from Cllr Adshead – That the council agrees to provide a skip to help clean the land up on Dove Holes allotments and provide regular updates on land not being used/ waiting lists. It was agreed to place a skip for one day at the top of the lane and informed allotment holders so that they can dispose of all their accumulated rubbish.
It was also agreed to amend the allotment policy to include a paragraph on regular advertising of empty plots.
It was also resolved that Councillor Foreshew-Cain will write an article for the Spring newsletter on the benefits of holding an allotment.
25/405 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. It was resolved due to time to constraints to defer this item to the April monthly meeting.
25/406 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. It was resolved due to time to constraints to defer this item to the April monthly meeting.
25/407 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. It was resolved due to time to constraints to defer this item to the April monthly meeting.
25/408 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. It was resolved due to time to constraints to defer this item to the April monthly meeting.
25/409 To appoint a Trustee to the Education Foundation. It was resolved due to time to constraints to defer this item to the April monthly meeting.
25/410 Date of next meeting - It was resolved that this will be on Tuesday 1st April 2025 at 7pm.
There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.30pm.
_________________________
CHAIR
