BRETBY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY PARISH MEETING HELD MONDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2025 AT 7:30pm
AT ST WYSTANS CHURCH, BRETBY
Present: Cllr Toone (Chairman), Cllr Falder, Cllr T Ballington, Cllr Meyrick
In Attendance: Mrs J Storer – Clerk, Cllr Lowe, Cllr Muller (to 8:19pm), 2 members of the public.
24/1118 Apologies
Apologies were noted from Cllr Haines, Cllr Corner. As a quorum was established, the Chair commenced the meeting.
24/1119 Variation of Order of Business
There was no alteration to the variation of the order of business.
24/1120 Declaration of Interests:
Cllrs considered their obligations relating to declaration of interests, no declarations were received.
24/1121 Public Speaking
- Members of the Public and Council to comment on any matter
A resident provided the meeting with a written report of her four areas of concern.
The ongoing issues with weeds and overgrown vegetation along the Ashby Road footway; Cllr Haines will be asked to follow up this matter with SDDC.
Water has been seeping outside a property on Ashby Road East for 3 years, South Staffs Water made exploratory holes in mid-2024, but no action resulted. On 27th December 2024,South Staffs Water undertook further exploration and an old capped water pipe was found to have become uncapped, causing the problems. South Staffs Water now wishes to explore on the opposite side of Ashby Road East to see if there are other uncapped water pipes.
The resident has been monitoring the Royal Mail postal collections from post boxes near to Stanhope; the display informing of next collections is erratic and illogical (copies of letters sent to the Royal Mail were provided to parish cllrs).The resident was encouraged to continue to report the matter to the Royal Mail.
Beacons and bollards in the centre of Ashby Road East are damaged; many are missing and those remaining are filthy with the reflective surfaces perished. Cllrs commented on the clutter of street signs, of lights which never work and agreed the bollards are broken or filthy.
The Chair thanked the resident for her contribution.
Another resident attended the meeting to raise awareness of speeding along Bretby Lane and to make a request for funding for the speed watch survey she has set up. HGV lorries seem to be increasingly using Bretby Lane and vehicles in general are travelling at speed along the Lane. The Chair reported that he had raised the same issues 11 years ago.
Cllr Muller suggested asking other parish councils if their equipment can be borrowed. This was discussed and the advice given at the last SNT meeting was for each group to purchase their own equipment and to undertake training, however CREST is inundated with requests and consequently has temporarily suspended training. Cllr Muller has a community fund which after April he is happy to put something towards the cost of purchasing the equipment. The resident confirmed that volunteers are in place to run the speed watch campaign and the SNT is in consultation with the police about identifying safe locations for the monitoring to take place. An application for funding will be made direct to SNT.
Parking is also an issue, this is now the remit of SDDC Community Enforcement Officers and residents are urged to make direct contact with SDDC Community Enforcement Officers, of which there are currently 2.
Dog fouling is getting worse. The Chair reported that new bins have been installed but many dog walkers do not use them.
The resident reported dogs being let off the lead whilst visiting Jeff’s Wood and some are out of control; she recounted incidents when she and/or her dogs have been attacked by dogs off their leads. The landowner, present at the meeting, agreed to close the permissive public access to Jeff’s Wood for a short period of time due to a lack of control of some dogs when off the lead.
- County Council and District Council members to raise any relevant matter
Cllr Muller – The DCC elections will take place in May 2025. The devolution proposal is causing some concerns particularly in South Derbyshire, but any issues are unlikely to be resolved until 2026.
DCC proposal is for Derbyshire to be the one controlling authority for the area, excluding Derby City. In response to a question, Cllr Muller considered Derbyshire will not merge with Nottinghamshire. In response to a supplemental question about local residents having a voice/contribution about any proposals for the community; Cllr Muller stated the Government’s proposal does not allow for local contributions.
At the meeting, concern was expressed about the need for local representation in the south of the county if all services in the future are located in Matlock.
Cllr Lowe – the District Council budget will be presented to Council on 27th February 2024. SDDC Cllrs received a presentation about second homes in the district and the changes to council tax which come into effect in 2026 and these were reported at this meeting. This resulted in some discussion about grants being available for empty homes; of how this is at odds if second home owners can apply for the grants. Cllr Lowe will make further enquiries about which houses will qualify for the grants and the number of empty homes within the parish.
The Solar Farm application is likely to be taken by the Planning Committee in March.
Post meeting note – on 11th February 2025; notification was received that the solar farm application will be considered at the Planning Committee meeting to be held on 18th February 2025.
At the same Planning Committee meeting to be held on 18th February 2025, the extension of the grave yard will be considered. Local views are that Bretby Castle site has already been used without previous investigations and archaeological digs and the surveys now required by the Heritage and Archaeological Officers are excessive and financially prohibitive to any expansion. Bretby Parish Council reiterated its support for the application to extend the graveyard.
Temporary traffic lights have again been sited on Bretby Lane and Ashby Road and these continue to create long delays for traffic; Cllr Muller was urged and agreed to request Highways Officers to check on utility companies’ appropriate use of temporary lights and about the excessive time any temporary lights are in situ.
8:19pm Cllr Muller left the meeting.
c)Parish Council Members declaring an interest other than Disclosable Pecuniary Interest wishing to make representation
None were raised.
24/1122 To approve the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 9th December 2024
These were circulated, read, approved and signed as a correct record by Cllr Toone.
24/1123 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.
24/1124 To receive the Chairman’s Announcements
Nothing further to report.
24/1125 To receive the Report of the Clerk
This had previously been circulated, and no matters were raised.
24/1126 Governance
a) Risk Register update
There are no recommended changes to the risk register.
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.
24/1127 Drainage, flooding and highway issues
Concerns were expressed about the impact of recent building developments upon flooding in the parish; notably the expansion of the Garden Centre and at Knights Lodges; both were viewed to be causing an exponential increase in traffic along the various lanes.
RESLOVED to again request the implementation of the 30mph limit down to the Nurseries and for speed roundels to be painted on the roads.
Some resurfacing work on Bretby Lane and Geary Lane has taken place, but Cllrs expressed the opinion that more could have been done.
DCC Highways officers met with Parish Cllrs on 7th February 2025 regarding the long reported issues on the lanes around the parish; with Geary Lane flooding being listed as the priority. Cllrs were disturbed by the lack of concern from the officers when it was stated that Geary Lane is not designated high enough to warrant significant expenditure on it.
RESOLVED to request the upgrade in status of Geary Lane as a core route and as it serves the local crematorium. In addition a traffic survey is to be requested along Geary Lane.
DCC has agreed to undertake some gully cleaning on Newton Lane; however all agreed this action is wasteful until the drains have been repaired/replaced. Cllr Falder will meet with the contractors to explain again the location of the damaged drains and to request again that repairs are undertaken.
1. DALC – Various circulars and information
2. Ron Bailey – Safety of Lithium-ion Batteries Campaign – circulated
3. Bretby PCC – request for support seeking planning permission for St Wystan’s graveyard
4. STW – Cllr newsletter – circulated to all cllrs 21/1/25
5. Resident – request for support in establishing a speed watch system
All Cllrs have been circulated with the information prior to the meeting.
24/1129 Finance
- Accounts passed for payment
| BACS | Staffing – Dec | £163.98 |
| BACS | HMRC – Staffing NI and PAYE (Dec) | £44.00 |
| BACS | DCC – Pension contribution (Dec) | £57.89 |
| BACS | Staffing – Jan | £163.98 |
| BACS | HMRC – Staffing NI and PAYE (Jan) | £44.00 |
| BACS | DCC – Pension contribution (Jan) | £57.89 |
For approval
| Mrs J Storer | Expenses | £17.75 |
| BACS | Staffing – Feb | £163.98 |
| BACS | HMRC – Staffing NI & PAYE (Feb) | £44.00 |
| BACS | DCC – Pension contribution (Feb) | £57.89 |
| RBL | Donation for wreath s137 LGA ‘72 | £50.00 |
| Mrs J Storer | Clerk use of home Jan – Mar’ 25 | £81.00 |
| Church | £10 per meeting | £50.00 |
Money Received
| Deposit interest | Dec 2024 | £2.36 |
| Deposit interest | Jan 2025 | £2.61 |
Balance at bank @ 30.01.25
Deposit account £3,078.22
Current account £4,940.07
b) Requests for funding via S137
No requests for funding have been received.
- Change of bank from Lloyds to Unity Trust
The clerk made a request for Cllrs to provide information for signatories to the bank account.
24/1130 To consider Planning Applications
DMPA/2024/1380:The erection of a triple garage at 18 Ashby Road East, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0PT (09/01/25)
RESOLVED No objections
DMPA/2024/1608: The erection of a two storey side extension, single storey rear and side extension, alterations to front bay windows, formation of a new driveway and relocation of access and remodelling of existing dwelling with associated works at 1 Oldicote Lane, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0QH (06/01/25)
RESOLVED No objections
DMPA/2024/1491: Erection of two storey side extension at 14 Bretby Lane, Bretby, Burton-on-Trent, DE15 0QN (30/01/25)
RESOLVED No objections
DMPA/2025/0046: The removal of existing rear dormer, erection of two storey side extension and single storey rear extensions with new dormer extension to rear roof slope and alterations at 86 Bretby Lane, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0QP (17/02/25)
RESOLVED No objections
DMPA/2024/1589: The erection of a single storey rear extension and the installation of a new window at 14 Park Row, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0RL (17/02/25)
RESOLVED No objections
DMPA/2024/1662: Listed building consent for the erection of a single storey rear extension and the installation of a new window at 14 Park Row, Bretby, Burton On Trent, DE15 0RL (17/02/25)
RESOLVED No objections
24/1131 To decide if any events will be arranged for the VE day 80th anniversary
It had been agreed at the last meeting that no events would take place, this matter was listed on the agenda in error.
24/1132 Consultations
b) SDDC – Budget Consultation 2025/26 (responses by 17th January 2025) – circulated to Cllrs 13th December 2024 – NOTED
c) DCC – Derbyshire County Council Developer Contributions – (deadline 24th February) – circulated to Cllrs 20th January 2025– NOTED
24/1133 Items for information only
(a) To receive reports from Meetings attended
SDDC Planning Forum – 14th and 21st January 2025; Cllr Toone attended on 14th January and the Clerk on 21st January. The feedback provided by both to the planning forums is to be noted and actioned by the Planning Dept.
SDDC – Area Forum – Cllr Toone attended the meeting; he reported the contents of the Area Forum have been discussed in various earlier sections of the meeting; namely speed watch and parking.
Cllr Falder reported the hedge between the 30mph limit sign and the bend on Bretby Lane is encroaching the lane preventing safe pedestrian access. Also, the beech hedge outside the council houses is coming out onto the road, again restricting pedestrian access. The Clerk will report both of these to DCC.
(b) Notification of Forthcoming meeting
6th March 2025 – Clerk to attend a session at SDDC about elections and vacancies.
(c) Training Sessions – All Cllrs have been provided with the training information via the DALC circulars.
24/1117 Date of next meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on MONDAY 7th April 2025 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 8:50pm.