Town Councillors present: R. Bickerton, C. Barnes, , D.T. Gladding, L.E. Dowson, M. Huddleston(Chair), D. Rae, S.E. Rae.

Planning Applications

0683 - 6 semidetached houses off Godward Rd. Cllr Roy Bickerton said there was concern from a resident about the main sewer to the development passing near to her house. HPBC would need to investigate. The site has caused drainage problems for New Mills Primary School on the top playground. Drainage of the field above was promised, but not done, as far as aware. Disturbance of the hillside is a problem for drainage. Cllr Sheila Rae was concerned about the visual impact from across the valley, it could be looked into whether it is necessary for it to be 3 storey. Cllr Martin Huddleston described this area as the biggest eyesore in New Mills. Cllr Donald Rae said it should be made sure that the development does not worsen the visual impact.

Matters arising from previous meeting

Cllr Martin Huddleston said Whittle play area has been completed and substandard work on the play-area resolved. Stephen Lewis organised a good opening ceremony.
Some adjacent residents are looking to get rid of poplar trees. The visual impact is being checked after the removal of one tree, it is too early yet to say what the consequences are. Stephen Lewis said the problem of rooks in the trees could not be assessed until autumn/winter. Cllr Bickerton thought the problem is somewhat of the residents own making, in that rooks nest in chimney stacks of adjoining houses, and this might be prevented with cowls or wire. The poplar trees have Tree Protection Orders. Cllr Huddleston said some residents want removal of the trees, others are against. A replacement for the removed tree will be planted further into the park.

Lighting has been increased at the toilets in High Lea Park. These toilets became blocked at the One World Festival, which was a source of embarrassment - the problem must be fixed by the next festival or portaloos provided. Stephen Lewis said there would be short-term professional clearing of the drains, but the long-term problem is roots in the drains. Roy Bickerton wondered if the drains could be taken out to the road at a sharper angle to avoid trees. Cllr Chris Barnes said there had been a similar problem with roots at St Mary's Church.

Mr Williams of Kinder View had pressed for renewal of the flood-lights in the Torrs. Clerk Susan Stevens said the TC were looking to move the flood-light at the bus station toward the Heritage Centre as it is currently blocked by trees. The light on Union Rd bridge works, but the clock is set wrongly - it comes on at 5am. They are also looking to reintroduce the Torrs carpark light, as it will light-up the footpath below. Cllr Barnes described the Torrs and Millennium Walkway as a great asset which should be well lit. Susan said Nigel Bates would be consulted about cutting back the trees. Cllr Sheila Rae felt enquiries should be made about the possibility of solar-powered lights.

With regard to the lighting of a path near to New Mills Primary School, there was a need to chase-up a request for a contribution to the installation of lights. Cllr Bickerton felt it a bit rich to ask a Primary School to light a public footpath (declaring an interest as a governor of the school). The school is short of money, which is needed for an extra classroom and toilets. Lighting of the path is the responsibility of the councils - Town, Borough and County. Martin Huddleston said they would like to do the lighting, but could not on their own, and were exploring ways of funding. Roy suggested making a request to DCC.

Cllr Chris Barnes brought-up the subject of traffic calming on Bridge St - he did not accept the benefit supposed to be gained. Traffic backs-up on Mellor Rd. Junctions used to be widened for safety, now they are made narrow. This is an arterial route out of New Mills and a bus route. The Member for the County had done this off his own bat - it had never been discussed at the Town Council. Cllr Donald Rae said the TC are not the highway authority. Cllr Roy Bickerton said it had been discussed. He considered the problem is parked cars, not the width of the junction, but people have nowhere else to park. Cllr Sheila Rae felt the corner was much better for pedestrians. Donald Rae said the humps have slowed the traffic.

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Sports Field Development off Ollersett Avenue

Chair Martin Huddleston said the evening consultation meeting at Lowleighton Methodist Hall had been very successful. A file of comments from residents has been looked at by Richard Hutchins of the consultants PMP. The skatepark was felt to be a potential nuisance through increase use of the site. Councillors considered it is in the wrong place. Cllr Donald Rae said it is shown on the plan as being very close to the back doors of houses on Ollersett Av. There is an evident demand for a skatepark and a consensus about relocating it. They did not want to do anything detrimental to the Skateland skatepark (referring to a letter from the owner). Cllr Sheila Rae said it would be nice to work with and support Skateland, but a skatepark at Ollersett will not mean the end of his business. Donald Rae agreed that the two aren't contradictory, and Chris Barnes felt that a private skatepark could not exclude the council doing one.

Cllr Rae felt there to be a question of balance regarding the positioning of the skatepark, there would be issues of security if it was put too far down the field. Chair Martin Huddleston noted the concerns of residents and gave those present the opportunity to speak. Resident Mr Large said he lived at the passageway leading from Ollersett Avenue to the field - there are needles and condoms lying around, kids play on the 5-aside pitch until 11pm, but never playing football. It is just an after-dark meeting place, with all manner of foul language from 6-8 year olds. He had called in the police about the playing of football in the street, but they said they could do nothing.

Cllr Donald Rae pointed out that some residents wanted the allotments closer to their houses. Martin Huddleston said they could look to change the location of the allotments, but that the Allotment Society had decided the position on the plan. Once the land is identified it would be a matter for the Society. It is important to have the backing of the immediate neighbours. Mr Large indicated that the flattest part of the land is near the houses. He said he would want to apply for an allotment immediately behind his house.

Cll Donald Rae said they needed to raise with the police concerns expressed here and to have a broader discussion about youth involvement at the next meeting with the police. Martin Huddleston said there were issues about the positioning of the pavilion and carpark, whether to swap over. There is an element of people who don't want it due to noise and nuisance. Access and parking are also concerns, with Watburn Road residents preferring access off Ollersett Avenue. PMP consultants regard Watburn as the only acceptable access. Sheila Rae asked if access at the other end of Ollersett Av had been ruled out. Donald Rae said it was not considered wide enough. Martin Huddleston said there were also issues of land ownership as HPBC own some of this land. If there were two access points a rat-run may be created and the useable land would be reduced. Informally people may chose to access the allotments from that end, so this will be decided by others.

Cllr Donald Rae said there were other issues about constraints on funding - can the FA bid be stretched to include other community activities. Martin Huddleston said the feasibility study has looked at this. The dearth of sports pitches was the starting point, this escalated to the need for drainage and changing rooms and then to further developments, the question was how far to go.

Cllr Roy Bickerton said they have yet to discuss ongoing costs - these will depend on how big the facility is. No one has talked about the likely costs of caretaking, security, maintenance, replacement, etc. What additional financial and human resources would be needed? Martin Huddleston replied that the use of the facilities could generate income, and they would look to utilise the space as much as possible. They are aware of ongoing costs, but we do not want to talk ourselves out of it - this can be a great asset. Roy reiterated that they must not lose sight of the ongoing costs, this information was needed before a decision could be made. Donald Rae agreed that they must look to maximise income and it all needs costing prior to a decision. Martin Huddleston described how some cutbacks had been made, for instance there is no community hall in that area, but the costs were astronomical, so they took £100,000 off the scheme by removing this. There is a compromise as to what is wanted and what can be afforded - may be it can be pared down more.

Chris Barnes said several people thought there was a bias toward football, he would like to see athletics catered for as well. If it can be developed to give kids somewhere to go and play it will be a worthwhile asset. It needs to be properly organised to meet the concerns of residents. Martin Huddlestone answered that football is the priority at the moment as 70% of the capital cost will come from the Football Foundation, they expect 80% of use to be football. They needed to talk to Lynne Allen (Community Development Worker with the Healthy Living Project) about multi-sport funding.

Sheila Rae felt they needed to meet with some of the people who have made very good responses.

Resident Mr Large wondered what method of drainage was proposed. £40,000 was to be spent. The site has been drained twice. If hydrate lime is used, will this not wash out in time and be an ongoing cost? Martin Huddleston said he had not gone into detail on that, but had been told that the technology has moved on. They would need assurances of a good pitch. Donald Rae said that 3 years ago the County engineer had quoted that it could be done for £30,000+. Roy Bickerton described previous drainage attempts as a disaster. £45,000 had been quoted 12 years ago for 2 pitches with no guarantee. He questioned the possibility of doing it now for £30,000. HPBC identified the shortage of pitches in the borough but without mention of New Mills as we have a Town Council - HPBC should be approached for a contribution. Martin Huddleston said the other 30% of the funding would be from HPBC, DCC via schools, and the Junior FC. At the end of the day they may not be able to afford it, but it was worth investigating. HPBC and DCC needed to be in on the maintenance.

Mr Large questioned why land at Derby road had been sold off to speculators. Martin Huddleston said some of this land is now back into community use. He added that all funding possibilities needed to be looked at. Roy Bickerton described land at the end of Godward Rd as still classified as for use as a schools field. Peter Simmonds asked why they didn't look for land that is already drained. Donald Rae said the land at Ollersett is a flat piece that is in the control of the council, and they have been assured it can be drained. Martin Huddleston said New Mills School do not want involvement in developing their land. Chris Barnes was sure there are now good companies who can drain the land with a guarantee.

Sheila Rae asked if they could now move forward on consulting people who had responded. There is much that could be agreed to with minor amendments. Martin Huddleston said there is strong feeling that fencing would exclude local people. He moved to have a meeting with major contributors and other interested parties and PMP. Apart from sports there is the wider aspect of wildlife, and the skatepark. The schools sport development officers at HPBC and DCC also need consulting. Donald Rae said that statements of there being no demand for football in New Mills are contrary to the discoveries of the consultation exercise.

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Health and Safety - mobile phones may be needed by parks staff, as in the case of one accident Stephen had to leave a colleague to find a phone. Donald Rae felt a mobile phone would not be expensive for emergency use.

Budget reports - these were described by Sheila Rae as a welcome novelty.
Regarding the memorial plaque for Torr Top, £310 was now being asked for the labour of installation. Stephen Lewis has raised half of this and has ideas to raise the other half from contributions.
A grant application for Goytside meadows was going ahead with matched funding from HPBC.

Grazing at Waterside - it had been agreed not to re-let this through the winter due to the impact on walkers. There had been complaints from people with dogs, that a mare with a foal reacts adversely. Chris Barnes felt a balance needed to be struck as the fields may get quite overgrown. The parks department could keep a check on the condition of the land. Roy Bickerton was concerned about the danger to children from a mare with a foal, they can turn nasty. The land was primarily for people to use. Martin Huddleston agreed that it should not be let through the winter.

A letter from Zion cottage sought involvement in repair of the road to the side. Donald Rae felt it appropriate to make a contribution. Stephen Lewis said the upper section is poor. Roy Bickerton stated that as HPBC also use it for waste collection it is a matter also for them.

A letter from Sean Lally, the owner of Skateland, complained that a skatepark at Ollersett would drive him out of business. Donald Rae thought that other skating facilities will increase the market and his trade. They should offer to keep in touch with him about what is going on.

A request for a children's party on Newtown Recreation Ground was accepted provided there is no clash with the Carnival or Festival use. Roy said there would be need to indemnify the council.

A letter about the play area at Newtown Recreation Ground drew the response that it is the next for redevelopment, which had been put off due to the potential development of Torr Vale Mill.

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At this point the public were asked to leave and the Council discussed sensitive matters.