BRETBY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY PARISH MEETING HELD
MONDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 2021 AT 7:30pm
AT ST WYSTANS CHURCH, BRETBY
Present: Cllr M Falder (Chairman), Cllr G Corner, Cllr M Bridges.
In Attendance: Mrs J Storer – Clerk, Cllrs Haines (to 8:14pm) and Muller (to 8:06pm), Cllr Churchill (to 8:14pm).
The venue had been unavailable for the meeting scheduled for 16th November 2021 and no alternative was available, which resulted in a change from the scheduled meeting date.
21/823 Apologies
Apologies were noted from Cllr Cllr S Betteridge-Sorby, Cllr S Toone, Cllr K Kemp, Cllr L Meyrick. As a quorum was established, the Chair commenced the meeting.
21/824 Variation of Order of Business
There was no alteration to the variation of the order of business.
21/825 Declaration of Interests:
Cllrs considered their obligations relating to declaration of interests.
21/826 Public Speaking
a) Members of the Public and Council to comment on any matter
No matters were raised.
b) County Council and District Council members to raise any relevant matter
Cllr Muller reported that no new reports have been released relating to the Freeport. Cllr Churchill added that no business plan has been submitted yet. Concerns were raised by parish cllrs about:-
- the level of infrastructure that will be essential in order to cope with additional industries and residential development taking place now and, in the future,
- whether prompt action will be taken both by DCC and SDDC to ensure that the correct infrastructure requirements brought about by the Freeport status and by developments generally are put into place.
The future allocation of housing stock numbers which maybe impacted by the Freeport status and changes relating to HS2 is to be resolved in the next Local Plan.
The congestion caused by temporary traffic lights at the end of Geary Lane was raised at the last meeting, however since then, there have been additional temporary lights in other areas of the parish and in Burton, these too are causing frustrations to motorists. Enquiries were made as to the necessity of temporary traffic lights at what appears to be every set of road works. Cllr Muller cited other examples of this problem and will raise it with the Highways Dept.
The road markings at roundabout on the A5111 outside the Chesterfield Pub requires repainting. Cllr Muller will take this matter to the Highways Dept.
The Newton Park Hotel has a contract to house immigrants seeking asylum. Heather Wheeler MP has written to Cllr Muller to explain the security arrangements that have been put into place including a requirement for residents to observe an overnight curfew, any breach of which could affect their asylum application. If the asylum application is granted, successful people will be passed to another local authority for rehousing. No one present could provide any information as to whether any asylum seekers are being housed in Derbyshire.
Cllr Muller still has money left in his Community Fund; additional separate funds are to be made available for the Jubilee celebrations. An application to Cllr Muller’s Community Fund will be submitted for a new noticeboard on the Village Green.
SDDC will not make any changes to the waste collection routine over the Christmas period and instances of fly tipping can still be reported. There remain staff shortages within the District Council and the Chairman congratulated SDDC in keeping the waste collections going through the pandemic and fuel crisis. There are also staff shortages in planning, with officers having up to double their caseloads; a duty planning system has been introduced to help resolve some of the service issues reported by those making planning applications. District Cllrs have fed back to the District Council the concerns expressed at the last parish council in relation to the large number of retrospective planning applications, not only being submitted but also of the high number of recitative applicants. Currently there are no solutions to the problem of the deliberate abuse of the planning system by those undertaking works and then seeking permission.
The ground maintenance team has ceased mowing for the year and have converted to their winter schedule.
The Green Energy scheme operated by SDDC was explained and the Community Grant Scheme remains available.
The coffee pod recycling scheme has so far recycled ¼ million pods since April 2021. Following a SDDC governance review, the Area Forum is now a Community Forum, the next meeting will be via Teams on 30th November.
8:06pm Cllr Muller left the meeting.
Contacting SDDC officers often remains problematical and both District Cllrs acknowledged that there has been a drop in the level of service. Both have made representations about this and reported that SDDC staff may move to a hybrid working model shortly; however this proposal is still subject to agreement and approval.
There is now a SDDC mapping portal with further expansion of its information due next year.
Questions were raised about the District Council budget and financial robustness in light of the rising level of inflation and other economic and social pressures. District Cllrs informed that there maybe a wage push at SDDC and at other authorities due to the increasing level of inflation, this coupled with the recycling contracts (which are coming to an end) no longer providing income means that there will be some significant cost pressures in the very near future.
8:14pm Cllrs Haines and Churchill left the meeting.
c) Parish Council Members declaring an interest other than Disclosable Pecuniary Interest wishing to make representation
No representations were made.
21/827 To approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 14th September 2021
These were circulated, read, approved and signed as a correct record by Cllr Falder.
21/828 To determine which items if any, should be taken with the public excluded.
No items were deemed necessary to be taken with the public excluded.
21/829 To receive the Chairman’s Announcements
The Chairman has been monitoring the bin collection at the Hall and reported that the bins are emptied quickly and efficiently and that there is no requirement for any increase in capacity at this location. The order for bins to be placed on Bretby Lane is regularly pursued by the Clerk and in light of comments made by the District Cllrs about the drop in some areas of service level, the Clerk will ensure that both District Cllrs are copied into future enquiries about the bins.
There was a bomb scare on Bretby Lane about a month ago following the discovery of a hand grenade during building work at a house. The bomb disposal unit removed and safely disposed of the grenade.
21/830 To receive the Report of the Clerk
The Clerk’s report as previously circulated was accepted with no further comments.
21/831 Governance
a) Risk Register update
There are no recommended changes to the risk register, all should remain mindful of the changing Covid situation.
RESOLVED to make no changes to the risk register.
b) General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
The Clerk reported that there is no further information, no actions were recommended and there were no incidents to report.
c) Communication Strategy
The matter was deferred.
21/831 Drainage issues
During a very heavy rain storm early in the month, part of Geary Lane flooded with water running off the fields but it was flash flooding and quickly dispersed. All agreed that regularly cleaning and maintenance is now a thing of the past.
The SDDC Flood Liaison Meeting held via TEAMS 2nd November 2021 – no report was received.
21/832 Correspondence
- DALC – Various circulars and information
- SDDC – Notification of Regulation 16 for Melbourne Parish Council
- DALC – Notification of meeting between Councils and the police on 3rd November 2021 (later cancelled)
All Cllrs have been circulated with the information prior to the meeting.
21/832 Finance
| BACS | HMRC – Staffing NI & PAYE (Oct) | £36.60 |
| BACS | DCC – Pension contribution (Oct) | £44.39 |
| BACS | Staffing – Oct | £136.20 |
| BACS | Staffing – November | £136.20 |
| BACS | HMRC – Staffing NI & PAYE (Nov) | £36.40 |
| BACS | DCC – Pension contribution (Nov) | £44.39 |
| Mrs J Storer | Clerk use of home Jul – September | £81.00 |
| Mrs J Storer | Clerk use of home Oct -December | £81.00 |
| Mrs J Storer | Reimburse PO Box renewal | £90.00 |
| Mrs J Storer | Expenses (May – Nov’21) | £130.66 |
Money Received
| Gross interest (Sept) | £0.03 |
| Gross interest (Oct) | £0.03 |
| Gross interest (Nov) | £0.02 |
Balance at bank 15.11.21
| Deposit account | £3,011.32 |
| Current account | £5,130.37 |
b) Requests for funding via S137
No requests for funding have been received.
c) To consider the draft budget for 2022/23
The draft budget had been previously circulated to all Cllrs. This will be deferred to the next meeting when more Cllrs will be in attendance.
21/833 To consider Planning Applications
DMPA/2021/1196: The erection of leisure building with associated access, parking and landscaping on Land at Knights Lane, Bretby, Burton on Trent, DE15 0RT (15/11/21)
RESOLVED: No objections
DMPA/2021/1209: The variation of condition nos. 2,4,5,6,7,9,11 of permission ref. DMPA/2019/1305 for the erection of 8 holiday cabins on Land at Knights Lane, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0RT (22/10/21)
RESOLVED: No objections
DMOT/2021/1427: The felling of an Ash tree at 1 Home Farm, Geary Lane, Bretby, Burton on Trent, DE15 0QE (13/10/21)
RESOLVED: No objections
DMPA/2021/1209: Retrospective application for the erection of 8 holiday lodge buildings (application DMPA/2019/1305 relates) on Land at Knights Lane, Bretby, Burton on Trent, DE15 0RT (22/10/21)
RESOLVED: No objections
DMPA/2021/1530: The erection of a single storey side extension at 61 Ashby Road East, Bretby, Burton on Trent DE15 0PS (01/11/21)
RESOLVED: No objections
DMPA/2021/1612: The erection of extensions at 17 Bretby Lane, Bretby, Burton on Trent, DE15 0QN (19/11/21)
RESOLVED: No objections
DMOT/2021/1632: The felling of a poplar tree and the felling of a cherry tree covered by South Derbyshire District Council Tree Preservation Order no. 459 at Burton on Trent Golf Club, Ashby Road East, Bretby, Burton on Trent, DE15 0PS (19/11/21)
RESOLVED: No objections
DMPA/2021/1519: Renovation and extension of the existing barn and cottage and conversion to residential accommodation at Brizlincote Hall Farm, Brizlincote Lane, Bretby, Burton on Trent, DE15 0PR (03/12/21)
RESOLVED: No objections
DMPA/2021/1552: Listed Building application for Renovation and extension of the existing barn and cottage and conversion to residential accommodation. Brizlincote Hall Farm, Brizlincote Lane, Bretby, Burton on Trent, DE15 0PR (03/12/21)
RESOLVED: No objections
21/834 Consultations
None received.
21/835 Items for information only
(a) To receive reports from Meetings attended
No meetings have been attended
The Chairman stressed that the 2022 Jubilee celebratory event is not a parish council function but is one that is to be organised by the community. Some suggestions raised at the organising meeting were reported. The next organising meeting will take place next week.
All are urged to continue to exercise caution as Covid cases continues to rise.
(b) Notification of Forthcoming meetings
Repton Community Forum – online – 30th November 2021 6pm.
(c) Training Sessions – See DALC circulars which have been provided to all Cllrs
Training continues to be provided remotely via Zoom.
21/836 Date of next meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on at 24th JANUARY 2022 at 7.30pm at St Wystan’s Church, Bretby. The Church remained the primary venue due to its large size which allows social distancing to continue.
There being no further business, the Chairman thanked everyone for attending, wished everyone to remain safe and well and wished everyone a Happy Christmas. He closed the meeting at 8:50pm.