Town Councillors present: C. Barnes, R. Bickerton, I.S.E. Huddlestone (Chair), S.E. Rae.
Others attending: Susan Stevens (Clerk), Gordon Roscoe (HPBC Planning Officer), Caitlin J Bisknell (HPBC), Alan Wilkes (Trader).

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Planning Applications -

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Cllr Roy Bickerton described the access to the NHS dentist in Sett Valley Medical Centre as totally useless for those with restricted mobility. As a volunteer driver he had taken a physically restricted person (with problems in walking, rather than being in a wheelchair) to this dentist, and experienced great difficulty in access. The Council needed to write to the practice and their Primary Health Care Trust about this matter. A dentist at Chapel has recently changed from NHS to private and this will further restrict options for people.
Cllr Chris Barnes said that otherwise this was a very good and efficient dental practice.

Cllr Bickerton was also concerned about a footpath from Combs Close to Alsfeld Way, which is maintained by HPBC, but probably belongs to DCC. The stone steps have been taken up and it is now being grassed over. The stepped path has been there for over 30 years without anything being done to it, and their removal is a loss of amenity for local residents. The Council should ask for the steps to be replaced.
Chair Cllr Ian Huddlestone also highlighted a path from LowLeighton Rd to Quarry Rd, which has not been cut - it was necessary to find out who it belongs to.

Matters arising from the previous minutes:
Regarding the Town Hall flag pole, Town Clerk Susan Stevens said that work was supposed to start today, but the contractors were running late and hoped to start on Thursday or Friday.
Joanne Brookes and Alan Morrison had visited the Town Hall to check about the replacement windows and have indicated that the specifications are not correct, so that puts matters back to square one. Graham Holland was to resurvey the windows, and then quotes would be obtained from joiners.

Cllr Chris Barnes expressed concern about car parking at Stepping Hill Hospital. The Town Council wrote some time ago regarding this. A lady from the hospital had told him that an application was submitted for a multi-storey car park, but had been turned down by Liberal Democrat-controlled Stockport Town Hall. The Council should write directly to Stockport MBC. Cllr Bickerton jokingly replied that he was sure the opposition of Liberal-Democrat Stockport councillors was for very good reasons. Susan read a reply from Stepping Hill to the Town Council letter regarding car parking - this indicated a 5-7 year wait for developments to be undertaken. Cllr Bickerton suggested writing to Stepping Hill to ask if any support could be given to an application to improve parking.

On the Town Council Budget, Cllr Susan Rae wanted to know why there were such large costs for bus shelters. Susan indicated that Barry Price had ordered a new bus shelter for New St. Cllr Rae felt that other means of funding could be looked at for shelters. She also questioned an entry of £2500 for the Volunteer Centre. Cllr Bickerton (Chair of New Mills & District Volunteer Centre) also stated that there was nothing entered in the budgeting for the first year's repayment of the mortgage on the new Volunteer Centre premises, which the Council would pay, pending addition to the Volunteer Centre annual payments. Susan said she would speak to the accountants about this and also about the acquisition of the Volunteer Centre premises.

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Gordon Roscoe (Chief Planning Officer) and Cllr Caitlin Bisknell represented HPBC to address concerns about loss of trade in New Mills.

Susan said she had written to New Mills Traders Association, and around 10-12 people had promised to come to this meeting to address concerns about loss of trade in the town as a result of the new Tesco store at Whaley Bridge and the introduction of parking fees. It had been suggested that there be a regeneration officer to promote shopping in New Mills. Only one local trader was at the meeting. Cllr Sheila Rae considered there was still relevance to the meeting as the Town Council is itself concerned about the matter. Cllr Roy Bickerton said traders were always likely to be concerned about a new supermarket affecting trade, but what is the biggest factor - is it the business rate, which is way out of date, or is it a number of factors?

Gordon Roscoe said they did not want to put forward any particular solutions. They were primarily here to listen to issues. Both Tesco and parking charges are likely to have effects on trade. Susan said that a big issue is the high rates. As HPBC have no control over this, would national government look at it if enough local councils complained? Mr Roscoe replied that there is active lobbying about this throughout the country. New Mills could set up a Town Centre Partnership (TCP) and tap into national organisations, attaining more clout that way.

Cllr Bisknell described a national trend for local markets. Cllr Rae said the Friday market in New Mills is thriving. However, Cllr Bickerton felt it is not big enough to attract people into the town, compared with Buxton. Gordon Roscoe said that Buxton market is struggling, though Glossop is now doing well. Such markets are very fragile and need talking up. Cllr Bisknell considered there to be scope for a farmers market in New Mills, not on Friday or Saturday, but another weekday or Sunday. Cllr Rae described current Saturday trading in the town as mainly in the morning, and a market might extend the day. Cllr Bisknell replied that market traders go elsewhere and there was little chance to get them into New Mills on Friday and Saturday. Gordon Roscoe said it was necessary to find when they are not committed elsewhere.

Cllr Chris Barnes said permanent traders are suffering through high rates and new supermarket developments. Cllr Rae asked is the TCP is an option and how to go about it. Mr Roscoe answered that various parties needed to commit to setting one up. He suggested there be a Town Centre Health Check (TCHC) as in Glossop and Chapel - a bid for support for this must come from a partnership.

Cllr Bickerton said that while not wishing to be pessimistic, this problem had been talked over in the past and nothing had happened. Traders need to go out and fight rather than accept the inevitable. Parking charges are a negative move for the town, a backward step. It had been suggested that Tesco would take 17% of the town business. He suggested to go ahead in forming a TCP.

Chair Ian Huddlestone said the Council were prepared to look into management of car parks for effective use - HPBC were not capable of doing this. Gordon Roscoe agreed that HPBC did not have the resources. They did not own the car park at Torr Top, it is leased from Rail Track, and HPBC looked to break even.

Cllr Sheila Rae enquired if Chapel have a more advantageous economic status. Mr Roscoe said it had received funds as a result of being in a Rural Development Area, but was no longer. It had obtained money for a TCHC - New Mills could bid for such money.

Local trader Alan Wilkes said he had been trading in the town for a long time. One of the things that annoys him is that on Friday no one can make use of the facilities on the prom - forms and waste bins - due to the market stalls. This is a public amenity for people to meet and sit, but it cannot be used. Roy said that this has been taken up in the past and recommendations may not have been actively followed. It was suggested to move the seats. The stalls do give the appearance of it being a busy main street. He suggested looking into resiting the seats so they can be used by the public when the stalls are on the prom. Cllr Barnes said the problem was finding space to put the stalls. Mr Wilkes asked what the rent is for a stall? No one was sure.

Chair Ian Huddlestone asked Mr Wilkes if traders would get involved. Mr Wilkes said he had come to the meeting to voice opinions - he felt people should put-up or shut-up - the parties needed to talk together - it was a non political matter - as a trader he was wanting to make a living. He said he was happy to be involved, but wary of TCP. Torr Vale Mill had been given money with nothing to show. He said he had no problem with car parking charges at 10p/hr for people who could afford to drive a car. There are double yellow lines in Market St, but these are not enforced. Cllr Huddlestone said the parking needs to be managed effectively. Town Clerk Susan Stevens thought this could be part of the Health Check. Cllr Barnes was worried that people can park free at Tesco, so there was a need to provide similar in New Mills. Mr Wilkes felt this was flawed logic as people don't worry about the cost of running a car - for example £3.50 to drive to Whaley to shop. Cllr Barnes said cars were now as important as homes to people, they would not give them up for buses. Cllr Bickerton felt that though this is something that cannot be changed, drivers do not want to pay parking charges. We do not want to worsen things in New Mills.

Mr Wilkes described how if one trader was busy they were all busy. He had suggested that if visitors spend £10 in the town they could have their parking fee refunded. Traders had raised money to do this, but it had been poo-pooed. He thought it worth a go. He described the prom as a credit to the HPBC for keeping it clean. He wondered about funds from Europe, which seemed to be widely available. Mr Roscoe said that funding from the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) were 50-50. There first needed to be an expression of interest. He was happy to get a letter out to start the ball rolling. Then to have an open meeting, with speakers on the subject. Roy asked how long this would take. Mr Roscoe thought it should be done for the budget round of next April.

Cllr Barnes asked about improving the appearance of the town, with decorations at Christmas. Mr Roscoe thought that was appropriate. A dedicated Project Officer for the town could work on initiatives like this, where HPBC were too busy. Alan Wilkes described how in the past a successful initiative was a raffle, funded by the traders, with a colour TV or bikes as prizes, bought at net price from local businesses. Another idea is to have hanging baskets outside each shop to brighten the town up - these could be watered by the council. He was happy to spend £40-50 on this, and CCTV may now prevent vandalism.

Cllr Bisknell said that Chapel have appointed a Project Officer (Town Centre Manger). Mr Roscoe indicated that though the Town Council may contribute money, the partnership would decide where it is spent. Alan Wilkes said he would be prepared to contribute. Gordon Roscoe commended this positive attitude, saying it needs that for the partnership to work. The Health Check survey should get the views of everyone, including people on the street, and prioritise them. Cllr Bisknell said that in Chapel such surveys had brought up concerns that there is not enough for young people to do. Gordon Roscoe interjected that young people's organisations have a part to play in the partnership. Cllr Sheila Rae said some consultation work has already been done with schools.

Cllr Roy Bickerton asked when a letter would go out, as currently people would be going on holidays. Gordon Roscoe replied that mid September would be best. Susan wondered who would be invited. Mr Roscoe thought the meeting needed to be open, but not public. They needed to identify main groups and their representatives - the Town Council could help with this. He needed to seek a formal view from HPBC, though they were likely to support the initiative. Alan Wilkes asked if the Health Check involved consultants and how much it would cost. Gordon Roscoe said there would be a short-term appointment of a person or consultant to do the work - not at great cost. In Chapel the parish Clerk had undertaken it. The Countryside Agency has an arrangement for qualified students to do the Health Checks as placements. Most of the work involves interviewing and analysis. In Glossop it cost about £6000 (gasps from Mr Wilkes). There could be EMDA Countryside Agency funding for this. There is a standard questionnaire, so results can be compared across towns. Alan Wilkes was worried by the involvement of consultants who spend big money. Mr Roscoe said that proper consultation work was necessary to bid for bigger money. Cllr Bisknell said the consultation Health Check is a substantial piece of work, half-inch thick in Chapel, and part of a three-year plan. Mr Roscoe said that although best done professionally, it could be done on a self-help basis.

Clerk Susan Stevens asked what sort of organisations should they be looking to invite. Gordon replied 'Anyone with a heart for New Mills' - they needed to be enthusiastic and motivated - not there to grind an axe of their own, but there for the partnership. Cllr Barnes suggested asking around other people who have already done this. Gordon Roscoe said the important question is what can it do for the town. Cllr Bisknell said she did not want to put a damper on, but there is a lot of work and cost attached. A Town Centre Manager has costs, but also benefits. Gordon Roscoe said the partnerships work best if driven by local people rather than by councils. Cllr Barnes hoped that the Town Council would be involved. Alan Wilkes described apathy as a problem, from his experience. He had spoken to 3 traders about coming here tonight, and was ashamed of the poor turnout - however, he felt there had also been a lack of publicity. Cllr Rae hoped that a partnership would pull people in. Gordon Roscoe said it doesn't always happen - there is a struggle to involve traders in Glossop. Alan Wilkes thought they needed to consider there was something to get out of it. Cllr Roy Bickerton said we would see what the response is like in September at the open meeting.