Chapel-en-le-FrithAccounts Schedule September 2025
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held at 7pm on 9th September 2025 at Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Hall
Present: Cllrs J Adshead, M Daniels, Mrs M Drabble, M Drabble, A Foreshew-Cain (Chair), Cllr T Gilfillan, P Ockenden, S Young
In Attendance: Ms. G Turner (Clerk). Mrs E Howe (Assistant Clerk)
26/0216 Apologies were received from Cllrs M Chantler and T Dales who was unable to attend due to holiday and Cllrs J Perkins and C Williams who were unable to attend due to illness. Cllr T Gouldburn was also not in attendance.
26/0217 To make any Declarations of Interests – Councillors Mrs M Drabble and M Drabble declared an interest in planning application 76 Buxton Road, Dove Holes and took no part in the discussions or decision.
26/0218 To consider any applications for Dispensations - None
26/0219 It was resolved under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s1 to exclude members of the press and public to agenda item 25 on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted
26/0220 To agree any variations of order of business – None.
26/0221 Police matters – please see minutes of the extraordinary meeting on 2nd September, where the police attended and gave an update.
26/0222 Public Speaking – there were no public present at the meeting.
County Councillor Angela Benham was unable to attend the meeting, but sent an update on various issues (see below).
26/0223 To approve minutes of the previous meetings. Councillor Foreshew-Cain proposed and Councillor Gilfillan seconded that the Chair be authorised to sign as being a true and correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 5th August and the extraordinary meeting of 2nd September. All Agreed.
26/0224 Chair’s Report – see below.
It was noted that despite the works on the Market Place, it is important that a place for the Christmas tree at that location be found.
It was agreed to write to the organisers of the bonfire and fireworks requesting that they consider scaling down this year’s event due to the health and safety issues surrounding the ongoing work.
7.15pm Councillor Young arrived at the meeting.
To receive Actions on updates from previous Minutes
25/403 Standardisation of the flower beds in Derbyshire stone including plaque acknowledging the bequest – this is now complete.
26/018 Completion of Councillors Skills Audit – it was noted that the Clerk is still waiting for 2 Councillors to return their completed skills audit forms.
26/089 Response from DCC regarding HGVs using inappropriate roads to avoid road closures – Clerk to write and request that DCC reconsider their stance.
26/150 Confirmation of Market Place railings ownership/responsibility – see Chair’s report below.
26/204 Motion from Councillor Adshead that the Council progresses the cleaning of the Dove Holes War Memorial quickly in the hope we can get it done before Remembrance Sunday this year. – It was agreed that following additional works on the war memorial being identified to leave this item in abeyance for the time being.
26/206 Motion from Councillor Adshead that when any Councillor wishes to propose a motion, he should/can use the lectern purchased for such things – It was agreed that the lectern should be used by members of the public during the Public Speaking section of the meeting.
26/0225 Planning applications - The following applications were considered:
• HPK/2025/0121 - Brook Cottage, Long Lane, Chapel-en-le-Frith - Proposal to remove a section of the wall on Long Lane to create an opening of the driveway and parking area for the property (replacing the current driveway and parking). It was resolved that the Parish Council has no objection to this application as long as an application for a dropped kerb is also made.
• HPK/2025/0305 - 76 Buxton Road, Dove Holes – Two storey gable addition to form a ground floor hobbies/playroom/store with a bedroom over. It was resolved that the Parish Council has no objection to this application.
• HPK/2025/0307 - Windy Walls Farm, Ashbourne Lane, Chapel-en-le-Frith - Proposed extension to dwelling to form dependent relative annexe. It was resolved that the Parish Council has no objection to this application.
• HPK/2025/0309 - 2 Heyworth Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith - Construction of a two-storey side extension. It was resolved that the Parish Council has no objection to this application.
26/0226 Planning Appeals – none
26/0227 Panning Decisions
• HPK/2025/0127 – Ridge Smithy, Chapel-en-le-Frith - New garage outbuilding with roof mounted pv solar panels, to accommodate domestic services plant for renewable energy, ground source heat pump, and water treatment systems – granted.
• HPK/2025/0186 - 21 PEAK PHARMACY , High Street , Chapel-En-Le-Frith - Advertisement consent to add a sign to the front of the building above shop window where a sign was previously-MPs Office Signage – granted.
• HPK/2025/0171 - Higher Crossings Barn , Eccles Road , Chapel-En-Le-Frith - Replace windows and doors – granted.
• HPK/2025/0177 - 14 Spencer Road , Chapel-En-Le-Frith - Proposed Rear facing dormer to an existing first floor Front and rear disabled ramps – granted.
• HPK/2025/0182 - Bank Hall Lodge , Bankhall , Chapel-En-Le-Frith - Replacement of existing timber conservatory and replacement kitchen doors and window to rear elevation – granted.
26/0228 Reports from Committees/working groups (except if the issue is elsewhere on agenda):
(a) Regeneration & Communications Committee – no update, next meeting 19th September
(b) Finance & Town Hall Committee – no update, next meeting 26th September
(c) Personnel Committee – no update, next meeting 11th September
26/0229 Finance – it was resolved to authorise the schedule of accounts presented for payment totaling £50,477.45 (including VAT). It was noted that the contract with Alliance Norse will need to be reviewed in light of the MUGA being removed.
It was also agreed that the quality of the playground inspection reports received is poor and therefore the Council will look into other companies offering playground inspections.
(a) The year-to-date income and expenditure schedule was circulated to Councillors and noted.
26/0230 request raised at the Annual Parish Meeting from resident that the Parish Council supports a call for the National Park to be extended to take over the industrially developed areas along the A6 and A515 corridors. This area is about 1 to 2 miles wide, and almost 15 miles in length, starting in the Disley/New Mills area, and terminating near Flagg - It was agreed that the Parish Council would support any initiative by a working group set up to address this issue, but that it would not be directly involved in taking this matter forward with the PDNPA.
26/0231 Motion from Councillor Adshead - That the Council agrees to investigate the possibility of putting on a show over Christmas or New Year for the Parish using Live & Local. Councillor Daniels seconded the motion and it was agreed that Councillor Daniels will look into the feasibility of this motion.
26/0232 Motion from Councillor Adshead - That the Council considers procuring 20 tickets to the next Chapel Players Production and then raffles them off for a £1 each.
Following discussion an amended motion was proposed by Councillor Gilfillan and seconded by Councillor Foreshew-Cain that the Parish Council purchase 20 tickets for the next Chapel Players Production to be given FOC to local organisations. All Agreed to explore this motion further.
26/0233 Motion from Councillor Adshead – That the Council considers issuing branded workwear for all members of Staff so that people in the Town know who they are. Councillor Gilfillan proposed an amended motion that where practical staff should wear branded workwear and as a minimum their ID should be displayed on a lanyard. Councillor Adshead seconded the motion. All agreed.
26/0234 Motion from Councillor Adshead - That the Council renews all out-of-date DBS Checks for staff and Councillors. Councillor Gilfillan seconded the motion and all agreed.
26/0235 Motion from Councillor Adshead – That the Parish Council
(a) invites residents who painted stones to create the covid snake, to return and “touch up” their artwork, keeping the community involvement alive; or employs a local artist to do so.
(b) arranges for the stones to be sealed (if not already) with clear resin/weatherproof coating to protect them for the future.
(c) puts a plaque up acknowledging why, when and the story behind it.
(d) constructs a low wall using local Derbyshire stone around the sandpit area, to hide the exposed concrete base and improve the overall appearance – It was noted that the stone has been ordered.
(e) removes the picnic table as previously agreed at the Regeneration & Communications Committee – It was agreed to ask the Park Manager to remove the bench.
(f) Fills the gaps in the hedge, including reinstating the archway.
(g) tidy up the area by the wall and ensure it is left neat and attractive – It was agreed to ask the Park Manager to tidy up the area.
For motions (a) to (c) and (f) Councillor Gilfillan proposed an amended motion which was seconded by Councillor Daniels that the Council seeks a detailed plan for the memorial garden that will feed into the bigger parks plan. All agreed.
26/0236 Discussion item from Councillor Adshead. As Chapel-en-le-Frith grows, so do our neighbouring Towns and Villages this bringing increasing incidents of ASBO and other Crimes. A privately funded joint operation with those neighbours may be a workaround that might help ease the ever-increasing burden of cuts imposed nationally. It was agreed to invite a representative to meet with Councillors to discuss the scheme further.
26/0237 To consider discontinuing the Ukrainian website due to low traffic. It was agreed in conjunction with Whaley Bridge to discontinue the Ukrainian website next year when the current subscription runs out.
26/0238 Correspondence for Action.
• Email from District Councillor Sally De Pee regarding setting up a Community Speed Watch – anyone interested in volunteering for the Community Speed Watch should contact District Councillor DePee directly.
• Letter from the Hon Treasurer of St Thomas Beckett Church requesting financial support for its churchyard – It was agreed to look at what the Parish Council can offer all Churches, including manpower not just financial support. It was further agreed to look at this during the budget process.
26/0239 To agree any matters arising from the Court Case
A draft public statement was circulated to members. The wording was agreed and the Clerk will forward it to the Council’s legal team for approval, prior to publication.
Councillor Ockenden proposed and Councillor Young seconded that the practicalities of the removal of the MUGA be referred to the Regeneration and Communications Committee with a maximum budget of £20,000. All agreed.
There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.27pm.
______________________
CHAIR
Report for Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council Meeting
Tuesday 9th September at 7p.m.
Apologies for not joining you at this evening’s meeting. I am at another meeting in Chinley.
However I am submitting a short update of my involvement in Blackbrook Ward planning and pollution issues located in Chapel and Tunstead Milton.
1. July 11th I contacted planning enforcement on behalf of a resident unhappy about works done at Castle Manor 127 Manchester Road. July 17th I received a detailed reply from Compliance and Monitoring Officer Michael Darling explaining that there was no breach of planning control. I contacted the constituent and outlined the reasons given for that judgement.
2. Residents at the Peaks Static Homes Park have experienced a foul discharge running down onto their land from J.E.Morten’s AdBlue and animal feeds factory for a long time. Samples were taken away by Environmental Health in May and the effluvium was found to contain high levels of sugars, nitrates, carbon and ochre. These results and E.H.’s concerns with a full report of the findings were sent to the Environment Agency. Kevin Hartley from Environmental Health visited the site on 12/08/2025 and met the owner of the The Peaks and the residents. The evidence from this visit has been passed to the Environment Agency and Mr Morten and residents updated.
I am awaiting further information.
3. On July 15th Senior Planning Officer Ben Haywood informed me that Planning Applications Newfield Garage HPK/2025/0184 (factory wall) and HPK/2025/0190 (pipe/soakaway) have been noted down for committee on basis of concerns about pollution.
4. Having contacted Planning Enforcement due to a Peaks Park’s resident’s concern that works were being carried out on the watercourse in the field behind the Peaks Park I was notified on August 4th that a site visit was carried out Planning Enforcement were considering whether these works constitute repair and maintenance. In this case the works would not require planning permission but other consents might be required from either the Environment Agency or Environmental Health.
I will be updated when investigations are completed.
5. I was pleased to attend some events organised for the 800th anniversary of St Thomas Becket Church. They were excellent. Many congratulations and thanks to everyone involved in the organisation of the celebration.
Angela Benham – Councillor for Blackbrook Ward September 4th 2025
Vice Chair’s Report
Chapel PC 9th September 2025
1. A reminder to Councillors that individual Councillors should not be contacting any organisation or company on behalf of the PC, or in a way that could be construed as being on behalf of the PC, unless explicit permission has been given to do so in pursuit of PC business. The Clerk as the Proper Officer of the Parish Council is responsible for managing the council affairs and formal procedures and therefore should be the only person acting as a point of contact with organisations. This prevents Councillors from being exposed to the risk of allegations that they have said or promised something that they haven’t. Councillors are obviously entitled to liaise with any organisation they wish to as a member of the public.
2. Update on Market Place. Tony has met with both Borough Councillors (Sally Depee and Kath Sizeland) Thursday 4th Sept. Neither could provide any clarity on who is responsible for the upkeep to the railings and the stone flags across the Market Place. The PC concern about the safety of the uneven flags for local resident, the delay on completing the toilet restoration. Currently the future of the electricity supply to the Market Place is unclear. The Chair has asked for a further meeting, which the Borough Councillors will be organising. A draft statement for the PC website follows:
The Chair of the Parish Council has met again with our local Borough Councillors to raise our concerns about the state of the Market Place in Chapel. No further information was available on the progress of the restoration of the public toilets, the most recent survey of the trees on the Market Place or on responsibility (and therefore any action plans) for the state of the stone flags and railings. There is also some uncertainty about the future of the electricity supply to the Market Place that is used for events on the Market Place and for our Christmas light. The Parish Council has asked for a further meeting at which answers to these questions can be provided. We will update the community when that meeting is arranged and continue to press the Borough Council to take its responsibilities to our community more seriously.
3. Local Government Reorganisation. The Chair, Clerk and I attended a briefing for Parish Councils on 18th August at Chinley Parish Council Hall. It was attended by representatives of Chinley, Whaley, New Mills, Hayfield and Chapel PC. I will distribute a follow up paper. Two things of immediate interest stand out for Councillors to consider. Chapel PC will inevitably fall into the North Derbyshire Unitary Authority – which will be led from either Chesterfield or Matlock. No decision has yet been made on the main local site.
More importantly it is clear that Parish Councils will not be offered increased authority or responsibility as part of any planned reorganisation. Local Neighbourhood Committees are the preferred option by Government, and they will be constituted of elected members, with the power to consult with other local organisations and groups. The circulated paper explores the thinking behind this decision and its implications. A follow up meeting with representatives of the local PC’s has been suggested and a date is being set.
