BRETBY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY PARISH MEETING HELD
MONDAY 1st JULY 2024 AT 7:30pm
AT ST WYSTANS CHURCH, BRETBY
Present: Cllr Toone (Chairman), Cllr Meyrick, Cllr G Corner, Cllr Falder.
In Attendance: Cllr Lowe, Cllr Muller (to 8:10pm), 1 Member of the public, Mrs J Storer – Clerk.
24/1051 Apologies
Apologies were noted from Cllr Ballington and Cllr Haines.
As a quorum was established, the Chair commenced the meeting.
24/1052 Variation of Order of Business
There was no alteration to the variation of the order of business.
24/10253 Declaration of Interests:
Cllrs considered their obligations relating to declaration of interests. No declarations were made.
24/1054 Public Speaking
a) Members of the Public and Council to comment on any matter
A member of the public updated the meeting about the bus shelter close to the Stanhope Arms. A new shelter was installed 3 months ago, the bus timetable is still sited above a readable height.
The installation of a litterbin on Ashby Road East near to the new bus shelter might be considered by SDDC – no definite answer has been provided by SDDC, but Cllr Lowe agreed to pursue with SDDC about the possibility of SDDC funding a new litterbin.
Part of the footpath on Ashby Road East was previously cleared of weeds by SDDC however the vegetation is now beginning to encroach again.
Water remains in a gully on Ashby Road East even in dry periods, the water comes up between the gully and the edge of the road. South Staffs Water (SSW) has carried out investigations via a test dig; the hole filled with water which upon testing, concluded the water is not mains water. Cllrs noted that there are a lot of springs running now that have not run for many, many years and offered this as a possibility.
Many of the drains along Ashby Road East are clogged up and blocked.
b) County Council and District Council members to raise any relevant matter
Cllr Muller reported that the County Council boundary changes will be published very shortly.
Freeport – nothing new is happening, Cllr Muller reported hearing the delays may be connected with the forthcoming General Election.
A site meeting with Highways Dept is still to be arranged and Cllr Muller has raised it with the relevant Cabinet Member; as a result, repairs have been undertaken at Geary Lane. Cllr Muller is still pushing for a visit and reported that DCC is very aware of the problems being experienced in the parish.
There has been an influx of diversion signs which are thought to be in relation to the sink hole in Repton.
Cllr Muller explained he has a community fund and offered to use some funds towards a new bin at the bus shelter mentioned earlier in the meeting. Cllr Lowe will continue to look if SDDC can install a bin.
In reply to a question raised by the Chair if DCC controlled the contractors who control traffic lights placed at roadworks, Cllr Muller informed DCC does control the issuing of permits and if there are any issues, these should be reported to DCC.
Cllr Lowe reported that there is a new housing maintenance contractor. There is a housing review to take place, similar to that undertaken on the planning dept. The outcomes and recommendations from the planning review are not expected to be known until the autumn.
SDDC former CEO, Mr F McArdle, has received an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
In relation to Beat the Street project; the project was commended however no locations were available in Bretby.
c) Parish Council Members declaring an interest other than Disclosable Pecuniary Interest wishing to make representation
No representations were made.
8:10pm Cllr Muller left the meeting.
24/1055 To approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 7th May 2024
These were circulated, read, approved and signed as a correct record by Cllr Toone.
24/1056 To approve the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on 7th May 2024
These were circulated, read, approved and signed as a correct record by Cllr Toone.
24/1057 To approve the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish held on 7th May 2024
These were circulated, read, approved and signed as a correct record by Cllr Toone.
24/1058 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 other than that listed on the agenda.
24/1059 To receive the Chairman’s Announcements
No particular announcements were made, other than to again raise the poor state of the roads which now need urgent major repairs.
24/1060 To receive the Report of the Clerk
The Clerk’s report as previously circulated was accepted with no further comments.
24/1061 Governance
a) Risk Register update
There are no recommended changes to the risk register, this had been considered at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.
b) General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
No changes are recommended and there are no reports of any breaches.
c) Parish Council elections, vacancies and co-options
There are two vacancies on the parish council and no expressions of interest have been received.
d) Environment Act 2021 – to receive any updates and review of the Parish Council’s Plan
There were no reported updates to the parish council’s environmental plan.
e) To approve the new Financial Regulations
The new financial regulations were circulated with the meeting papers.
RESOLVED to adopt the new Financial Regulations.
f) To review and adopt Policies
The policies were circulated prior to the meeting
RESOLVED to adopt all the policies previously circulated.
| Child Protection and vulnerable adults | Code of Conduct | Cllr co-operation |
| Consent Form | Complaints | Data Breach |
| Data Privacy | Dignity at work | Disciplinary |
| Dispensations | Equal Opportunities | Freedom of Information |
| IT & Internet | Press & Media | Privacy Notices |
| Recording on meetings | Scheme of Delegation | Social Media |
| Training | Vexatious complaints | Whistleblowing |
24/1062 Drainage and flooding issues
Min 24/1044 – A request for a site visit with the Highways Dept has repeatedly been made, no response has been received and the matter was discussed earlier in the meeting.
- DALC – Various circulars and information
- DALC – advice on pre election period
- SDDC – Gambling Act 2005 Statement Licencing Policy and Local Area Profile Plan deadline 16.08.24
- Local Government Boundary Commission for England – Extension of deadline on draft recommendations on review of Derbyshire to 21st June 2024
- DCC – Parish and Town Liaison meeting – Highway Development Control
circulated to Cllrs 30.05.24
All Cllrs have been circulated with the information prior to the meeting.
24/1064 Finance
| BACS | Staffing – Jun | £158.05 |
| BACS | HMRC – Staffing NI & PAYE (Jun) | £42.20 |
| BACS | DCC – Pension contribution (Jun) | £53.62 |
| Mrs J Storer | Expenses | £18.57 |
| BACS | Staffing – July | £157.85 |
| BACS | HMRC – Staffing NI & PAYE (July) | £42.40 |
| BACS | DCC – Pension contribution (July) | £53.62 |
| Mrs J Storer | Clerk use of home (Apr-Jun 24) | £81.00 |
Money Received
| Deposit account interest (May 24) | £3.26 |
| Deposit account interest (Jun 24) | £3.48 |
| HMRC – Refund VAT 2023/24 | £512.12 |
Balance at bank @ 20.06.24
| Deposit account | £3,059.16 |
| Current account | £4,889.88 |
(b) to consider any requests for funding made under s137 LGA 1971
None received
(c) To receive the actual t budget report to 20th June 2024
The report had been circulated with the meeting papers.
RESOLVED to accept the financial report with no questions.
24/1065 To consider Planning Applications and to agree the response to SDDC’s comments to the parish council’s complaint including to planning application – DMPA/2023/1579 at 70 Ashby Road East
No planning applications were considered. A request was made for an update relating to the potential solar panel farm in Newton Solney. The possible application and location was discussed, no actions were agreed as no application has been received.
DMPA/2023/1579 – Ashby Road East application – Cllrs expressed discontent and dismay about the response to its complaint lodged with SDDC, Cllrs noted that work continues at the site and no actions have been taken by the Enforcement Team in relation to what Cllrs perceived to be blatant breaches of the planning conditions.
The application for a leisure centre at Knights Lodge – Cllr Lowe reported that statutory consultees have no objections so officer’s recommendation is to remove the condition but not to fall back onto the Shades Farm application. However, the planning application is not listed for the Planning Committee meeting next week due to an irregularity noted in relation to the car park. Planning officers noted the irregularity and have informed the applicant, which as a result, the application will be considered by the Planning Committee at its meeting at the end of July. Cllrs requested the exercise of control of the conditions previously imposed e.g. lighting and music continues past the curfew times and the landscaping is still outstanding. These areas were some examples provided at the meeting that parish cllrs urge the Planning and Enforcement Officers to enforce.
SDDC’s reply to the parish council’s complaint and concerns surrounding the planning processes utilised by SDDC were considered to be dismissive and failed to address the concerns raised.
RESOLVED for Cllr Toone to draft a response based on Cllrs comments made at this meeting.
24/1066 Consultations
National Grid – Chesterfield to Willington Upgrade Phase 1 – deadline 17th September 2024. This includes the invitation from South Wingfield to join in a meeting to consider the impact and implications of the upgrade.
Cllrs discussed the upgrade and if there will be any impact upon the parish; none were perceived.
RESOLVED no comments will be made and which the invitation to attend a meeting organised by South Wingfield parish council was noted; no cllr will attend the meeting.
23/1067 Items for information only
(a) To receive reports from Meetings attended
None received.
(b) Notification of Forthcoming meeting
None known.
(c) Training Sessions – See DALC circulars which have been provided to all Cllrs
No training sessions have taken place since the last meeting.
23/1068 Date of next meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on MONDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER 2024 at 7.30pm at St Wystan’s Church, Bretby.
There being no further business, the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8:41pm.