Chapel-en-le-FrithMarch 2026 Minutes and Accounts Schedule
CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting
held at 7pm on 3rd March 2026
at Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Hall
Present: Cllrs Jason Adshead, Tony Dales (Chair), Michaela Daniels, Melissa Drabble, Mark Drabble, Philip Ockenden, Chris Williams & Stewart Young
In Attendance: Ms G Turner, Clerks & Mrs E Howe, Assistant Clerk
26/410 Apologies: Councillors Andrew Foreshew-Cain, Jim Perkins & Mike Chantler sent their apologies.
26/411 To make any Declarations of Interests – For future reference Councillor Jason Adshead stated that he has joined the Sewage Campaign Network.
26/412 To consider any applications for Dispensations – None.
26/413 It was resolved under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s1 to exclude members of the press and public to agenda items 8 and 17 on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.
26/414 To agree any variations of order of business – It was agreed to move item 8 to before item 17.
26/415 Police matters –The police were unable to attend the meeting but supplied a list of reported crimes during the month.
Crime Type Number
Theft 2
Criminal Damage 2
Assaults 19
Public Order 3
Drug Offences 1
Sexual Offences 12
Stalking/Harassment 7
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Incident of note – on 17th February there was a report of a male exposing himself on High Street, Chapel. This was reported by 5 witnesses and so recorded as 5 crimes. There have been no other reports of this male in any other locations.
Upcoming priorities, by the police, for Chapel-en-le-Frith are parking issues, retail thefts and speeding.
Councillors were asked whether there were any other priorities they would like to see the police concentrate on in the next quarter.
It was noted that Councillors would like to see more detail around the crimes, where possible, ie where thefts were from and the trends over the last few months included in the police reports.
26/416 Public Speaking – there were six members of the public present at the meeting one of whom wished to speak.
The member of the public stated that they would like to ask about the budget as the last set of minutes contained just one figure which was the precept amount.
They went on to say that the Transparency Regulations 2015 changed in February 2025 so that the Parish Council is now classified as a large council and has a statutory duty to publish all the attachments to the agenda. They stated that in the past the Council has issued a press release so that local taxpayers are aware of what they are going to be charged. The Clerk informed them that the draft budget was published alongside the agenda and the final budget for 2026/27 is also on the website.
County Councillor Ruth George provided a report prior to the meeting (see attached) and was also briefly present before having to leave for another meeting.
County Councillor Ruth George highlighted that she has organised a consultation drop-in and public meeting to be held at Whaley Bridge Bowling Club regarding the Peak Cluster Consultation on 17th March, 5.30-8.30pm with independent experts. Councillor Adshead asked whether there would be another meeting arranged as he was unable to attend this one. Councillor George stated that this would depends on how much interest there was.
County Councillor Gourlay was also present at the meeting but had nothing to report.
Borough Councillor Angela Benham sent her apologies for not being able to attend the meeting due to other commitments, along with Borough Councillor Sally DePee.
26/417 Councillor Co-option – The Chair stated that there were 3 applications for the current Councillor vacancy. Two of who were present and one who sent apologies as they were unable to attend due to a last minute work commitment. He also said that another vacancy had arisen and the Council was waiting to see whether the post can be filled by co-option or an election was required.
The Chair proposed to defer the co-option until the April meeting when it would be known whether the Council could co-opt applicants. This motion was not seconded.
Councillor Stewart Young stated that the Parish Council should consider filling the vacancy that arose in December tonight and that as Nick Hill was the only applicant that had applied in time, according to the Parish Council’s Standing Orders he should automatically be accepted back as a Councillor.
Councillor Stewart Young therefore counter proposed that the Council consider appointing Nick Hill to fill the vacancy that arose in December and then the outstanding one next month. Councillor Michaela Daniels seconded the counter proposal. A named vote took place with Councillors Tony Dales, Michaela Daniels, Melissa Drabble, Mark Drabble, Philip Ockenden, Chris Williams & Stewart Young voting in favour and Councillor Jason Adshead abstaining.
Councillor Nick Hill was therefore co-opted to fill the vacancy for the West Ward.
The other two applicants for the vacancy were thanked for attending and invited back to the April meeting, as the time limited for calling an election on the second vacancy had not yet expired.
26/418 The Chair stated that Friends of Park are waiting on the outcome of the amendment to the Abatement Order before they start consultations on the new MUGA.
The Parish Council has requested an urgent update from the solicitors regarding the amendment to the Abatement Order but have yet to hear back. A chasing email has been sent.
Councillor Chris Williams stated that he had attended a Friends of the Park meeting but that they feel that they have the expertise to take the lead and run with the project. He said that he was happy to resume responsibility for liaising with the Friends of the Park.
It was agreed to ask the Friends of the Park to provide a report for the Annual Parish Meeting.
It was also agreed to add an agenda item for the April meeting, to nominate 3 councillors to form a Parish Parks group to look at all the parks in the parish.
With regard to the toilets, the Chair attended the site whilst the workmen were there, and the excavation has revealed the extent of the damage caused by the chestnut tree roots encroaching on the roof.
The roots to the Chestnut tree have been cut close to the base of the tree which causes a concern for its stability and long-term survival. Councillor Jason Adshead stated that he would go and have a look with the Chair as he also has concerns about the roots affecting the war memorial and Market Cross.
The Chair will contact HPBC to discuss the long-term impact of the tree remaining in situ.
In the meantime, it was agreed to get the tree surveyed.
It was also noted that one of the benches on the Market Place has been smashed and the Chair will contact HPBC about this too.
Following the success of last year’s fete for the 800th Anniversary of the Church, Chapel Community Group will be holding another one on the Market Place on 18th July, and hope to make it an annual event going forward. If anyone is willing to get involved please let the Chair know.
26/419 To Consider Planning Applications notified to the Parish Council
HPK/2026/0055 – Lydgate Farm, Eccles Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith. Addition of photovoltaic solar panels on the rear (south) facing roof slopes and air source heat pump at the rear of the house. It was agreed that the Parish Council has no objection to this application.
HPK/2026/0089 - 18 Eccles Terrace, Chapel-en-le-Frith. Single storey rear extension. It was agreed that the Council has no objection this application.
26/420 Consideration of Planning Appeals notified to the Parish Council – none.
26/421 Comments on any Planning Decision Notices
· HPK/2025/0443 – Lilac Cottage, Crossings Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith – granted
· HPK/2025/0074 & 0075 - The Stables and Coach House, Bowden Hall, Bowden Lane, Bowden, Chapel-en-le-Frith - granted
· HPK/2025/0450 - 100 Eccles Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith - granted
26/422 Consideration of information requested by Councillor Ockenden relating to the Clerks emails. The Clerk reported that since the beginning of the year she had received 533 emails, received 5 Freedom of Information requests and one subject access request, which was later withdrawn. Three hundred and nine emails were sent. The Assistant Clerk added that the volume of emails she had received and sent was similar.
26/423 Finance
(a) Councillor Chris Williams proposed and Councillor Mark Drabble seconded that the schedule of accounts presented for payment totalling £18,373.43 (including VAT) be authorised and the accounts to which they relate be paid.
It was noted that the Town Hall & Assets Committee Meeting has been arranged for Thursday 19th March at 5.30pm.
(b) The year-to-date income and expenditure actual -v- budget schedule was circulated to members and noted.
26/424 Under health and safety consideration to bringing forward the purchase or lease of a commercial van for Park Staff – Councillor Phil Ockenden stated that he did not feel that purchasing a van for approximately 1,000 miles a year was good value. He suggested that the Parish Council should look at purchasing something like a Cushman, possibly electric if somewhere to charge it can be found.
Following further discussion Councillor Stewart Young proposed and the Chair seconded that a working group be set up to look at different options and prepare cost/benefit analysis. Councillors Phil Ockenden, Mark Drabble and Chris Williams will form the working group.
26/425 Approval of minutes of the previous meetings.
The following amendments were proposed to the 29th January minutes:
26/389 delete ‘none add: ‘Proposal to exclude member of the press and public to agenda items 15. All agreed.’
26/393 add ‘It was also agreed to publish the budget on the website and noticeboards.’
26/306 delete ‘These were expanded to include the concerns that have historically and are currently being aired by councillors and staff regarding communications.’
Councillor Tony Dales proposed and Councillor Mark Drabble seconded that the Chair be authorised to sign as being a true and correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 29th January. All Agreed.
The following amendments were proposed to the 10th February minutes:
Delete M Chantler from present at the meeting.
Delete ‘challenged’ in the first paragraph and replace with ’requested clarification of.’
Add a new paragraph after the first paragraph ‘Councillor Miss M Daniels requested that she be allowed to record the meeting for her records. Councillor Gilfillan quoted GDPR and refused to allow the meeting to be recorded.
Delete ‘….formal and necessity for the…’ and ‘…. had been discussed with DALC. Therefore, the meeting would be going ahead.’ from paragraph 2 and add ‘would go ahead’ to the sentence ‘A discussion took place where the Chair confirmed that the ….’
26/395 add M Chantler as giving his apologies and also change Miss M Drabble to Mrs M Drabble.
26/398 add ‘Proposal to exclude members of the press and public to agenda item 15. All agreed.’
26/401 add the sentence ‘This response will also be communicated to all Councillors, as well as published on the website’, to the end of the first paragraph.
26/408 add: ‘Councillor Ockenden will liaise with the Clerk to improve the clarity of the payment schedules to improve transparency’ to paragraph (a).
Councillor Philip Ockenden proposed and Councillor Michaela Daniels seconded that the Chair be authorised to sign as being a true and correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 10th February. All Agreed.
The following amendment was proposed to the 13th January minutes:
26/376 delete Police and Crime Commissioner and replace with ‘Chief Inspector of Neighbourhood Policing.’
Councillor Melissa Drabble proposed and Councillor Stewart Young seconded that the Chair be authorised to sign as being a true and correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 13th January. All Agreed.
Councillor Jason Adshead left the meeting.
26/426 Consideration the solicitors’ engagement letter regarding the Pre-Action Protocol for Judicial Review – a copy of a pre-Action Protocol letter for Judicial Review received by the Council was circulated to members along with the Solicitors terms of business.
It was noted that the Parish Council’s insurers have confirmed that it is covered for this matter.
A vote took place and 5 Councillors voted in favour of signing the Solicitors’ terms of business to enable them to respond to the letter and 2 abstained.
Voted in favour of: Cllr Tony Dales, Cllr Melissa Drabble, Cllr Mark Drabble, Cllr Stewart Young, Cllr Chris Williams
Abstained: Cllr Michaela Daniels, Cllr Philip Ockenden
26/427 Confirmation of the date of the next Parish Council meeting – it was agreed that the next full Council meeting will be held on 7th April at 7pm.
The Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.30pm.
______________________
CHAIR
DCC Report to Chapel-en-le-Frith Parish Council – Ruth George, March 2026
Local Issues
1. Peak Cluster: I attended the Peak Cluster consultation event in Buxton on 10th February and liaised with the companies and chief engineer to answer residents’ questions.
I have organised a consultation drop-in and public meeting to be held at Whaley Bridge Bowling Club on 17th March, 5.30-8.30pm with independent experts.
I raised residents’ concerns regarding safety, and the impact on nature and infrastructure with DCC who will include these in their S42 response to the pre-consultation for the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) application.
2. The East Midlands Mayor has responded to my invitation and agreed to visit Chinley Station to look at what may be possible to move the access forward.
3. I asked a question at Full Council and the Cabinet Member for Highways has agreed to visit narrow lanes with inadequate signage for HGVs in the area, including Eccles Road.
4. I asked another question at Full Council about Peak School and the potential to increase capacity by using the empty Alderbrook building. The cabinet member for Education and SEND has agreed to visit Peak School with me.
5. United Utilities are trying to repair the leak under the deep pothole in Whitehough but are unable to raise the manhole cover so have had to order a new one.
6. Speedwatch Groups – set up for Whaley Bridge, Tunstead Milton and Chapel. I organised training for all 3 groups in January and co-ordinator training was held in February. First session held on 3rd March on Chapel Road in Whaley Bridge. 13 vehicles were clocked in excess of 36mph and will receive a letter.
7. Potholes: Crossings Road had patches applied on areas breaking up, between Spencer Road and Manchester Road junctions.
Derbyshire-wide Issues
1. Budget: a balanced budget has been proposed for 2026-27 with a council tax increase of 4.9% was agreed at yesterday’s Full Council. An amendment to keep the household waste site at Glossop open was defeated.
2. School Transport: increases in the charges for ‘spare seats’ on school buses are proposed for 18% - £483 to £570. For post-16 SEND transport, the fare contribution is proposed to increase by 45% from £483 to £700. A consultation is running until 26th February.
3. Local Government Reorganisation: the government has launched the statutory consultation on the 5 proposed options for the county area of Derbyshire, which were submitted to Government in November last year. It will run for 7 weeks.
