Town Councillors present: C. Barnes, R. Bickerton, Sir G.M. Doughty, L.E. Dowson, I.S.E. Huddlestone (Chair), M. Huddleston, S. E. Rae, M. Williams.

Cllr Sir Martin Doughty brought up the matter that the decision to proceed with claims for rights of way at Millfields and Ladyshawe Bottom had not been minuted. The decision was made before the option by the current owner. Sir Martin proposed there be a minute to support and submit claims for 3 rights of way on Mon 5th Aug 2002.

Regarding the minutes of the Parks and Leisure Council meeting on 25th Nov 2002, Cllr Roy Bickerton felt that comments seemed to suggest the Council were objecting to the dismissal of the Healthy Living Network Community Development Worker, whereas we have no knowledge of why this is. The post has not finished, it is important only that it be filled as soon as possible. The minutes of the Welfare meeting on 16th Dec 2002 need to note that he did not attend until item 6, as he was at a HPBC meeting.

Matters Arising

Town Centre Partnership - a draft application has been prepared. Sir Martin said he was very pleased with progress at the recent meeting. Some representative is needed from the GPs. Chair Ian Huddlestone indicated that a draft is to go to all councillors.

Town Hall windows - there have been 2 tenders so far and a phone call from another builder.

Town Hall clock-tower - the flag pole is still not accessible. Possibly it could be relocated. Sir Martin suggested that ultimately they could look at having two flag poles back at the entrance where they used to be, but it was not sensible to consider this yet.

Spinnerbottom - regarding the offer from the purchasers of the land it is necessary to speak to Mike Travis on the matter of the boundaries.

Ollersett Sports Development - Cllr Martin Huddleston said there had been meetings with the Chair for Social Inclusion (Jackie Wilkinson), the Sports Development Officer of HPBC (Andy Brown) and representatives from DCC. David Garrup of the HPBC planning department has looked at the site with regard to an application. If we step back to consider a bigger development - a community centre, inclusion of other sports, floodlighting - there is nothing in the HPBC capital programme. Mini football and women's football are seen as lacking and likely to receive lottery funding. HPBC are interested in allotments, for which HPBC Community Fund money is available. Jackie Wilkinson would work with the Allotment Society to apply for landfill tax credits etc. Such money could also be available for skate-boarding, and also money from the Community Against Drugs Fund. The proposed pavilion is likely to receive planning permission, but there would be more problems if it was expanded. The same is true of the inclusion of a multi-sports area - floodlights could be seen widely - also NMAFC already have such a facility. What should be OK is a sports pitch, pavilion/changing-facilities, car parking. There is a need to temper things. The cost would go up dramatically with a community centre. Scope would be left for future additions. It is now necessary to look for outline planning permission. The offer of HPBC to work with the Allotments Society could be taken up. Consultants PMP could be set to make lottery bids. The Army cadets are looking for a new drill hall, for which there may be MoD money. This is a possibility to explore, perhaps within the existing proposal for a pavilion.

Cllr Lance Dowson thought the best way forward is to do things in stages. A pavilion with public hall would add half a million pounds. Cllr Sheila Rae asked in PMP are doing the planning application, do we need to agree here for this to proceed.

Martin Huddleston said the Lottery contribution is likely to be 65%, with the rest from schools, sports clubs, DCC, but nothing from HPBC. Some money would be needed from the Town Council. Now need to do plans and then gear-up for a Lottery bid. Sheila Rae considered that once the boundaries are set the Allotments Society could go ahead independently. Martin Huddleston agreed, as this aspect would be relatively low cost. Lance Dowson declared himself a member of the Allotment Society, and stated that it is a legal obligation of the borough to provide allotments.

On the matter of fencing, Martin Huddleston said there is an issue of Health & Safety, but concerns had been expressed at restrictions on an open space. He suggested the fencing be removed from the proposal, this would also save money.

Cllr Chris Barnes said he would like to see progress and see what grants are available. Martin Huddleston thought that some who had been recently involved had too high expectations. Cllr Roy Bickerton noted that New Mills was omitted from the Local Plan consideration of sports facilities, this being left to the Town Council. He expressed disappointment that no HPBC money is available. Lance Dowson wondered if the Town Partnership is an avenue to attract funding, stressing the sports and healthy living angle.

Cllr Martin Huddleston moved to seek planning permission, then a Lottery application.

Regarding traffic calming measures for Marsh Lane, Cllr Lance Dowson reported that there had been a bad accident on the 9th Jan. Approval has now been granted for consultation and a bid for traffic calming measures is to be included in the 2003/4 Highways budget.

Cllr Sir Martin Doughty raised issues concerned with Footpath 96 from Central Station to the Torrs. Railtrack are to contribute to the replacement by DCC of the handrail smashed by falling trees. DCC will also repair the stone wall and look at resurfacing at the lower end. As DCC member he is content with this. He suggested the crossover gullies be reopened - some are cobbled and need maintaining, which the Town Council could attend to.

Cllr Martin Huddlestone recalled the meeting with members of the Festival Committee at the previous Parks & Leisure Council Meeting, where the need for a Town Council headline event had been called into question. The possibility of booking Cleo Lane and Johnny Dankworth had be put forward, but Alan Jackson has now reported that their fee is £8000+. Sir Martin interjected "Would that include doing the windows!". Cllr Sheila Rae did not think they should do a headline event. Town Clerk Susan Stevens said that the Festival want to hold a Ceilidh on a Saturday already booked by the Dance Club. Lance Dowson noted that the Club had been asked to cancel at the Public Inquiry, with some compensation. Sir Martin felt the Festival to now be well established. The headline event had not been well supported this year. There could be building works around the Town Hall, so they should not risk it for this year. Instead they should look at other ways to support the Festival. Martin Huddleston suggested matched funding. Sheila Rae agreed that she thought the Festival would welcome this. However, Susan thought that they are now saying they want a headline event. Martin Huddleston thought the strength of the Festival to be its community base. Having a band had been a tried and tested event, but has it run its course. Sheila Rae considered they could support community events. Susan said that fire sculptures had been funded last year. Sheila Rae asked if the consensus is that they do not put on a headline event. Cllr Roy Bickerton said the timing had been bad last year. He would give the headline event another year, unless the Festival don't want it. Sir Martin felt the Festival should have a greater stake in any headline event. Lance Dowson suggested Sheila Rae ask the Festival Committee what they want. Martin Huddleston asked if they could grant permission now for a headline event if the Festival want it, in view of time moving on. Sheila Rae reiterated the issue of the court building work, and Cllr Chris Barnes agreed it could be a considerable problem. If the Festival Committee definitely want a headline event let's go with it, with more involvement from them. Sheila Rae said that the financial risk would be on the Town Council. Susan suggested they should have a stake. Sir Martin suggested a smaller headline event.

Planning Applications:

There were no objections to applications HPK/2002/0985, 0992, 0927.

Regarding application 1009 for a helicopter flight training facility above Castle Edge, Sir Martin said more information was needed as the application was just a map of fields. Cllr Roy Bickerton cited detriment to neighbours, and the change of use from private to business. Sir Martin said it is a special landscape area, there is an objection on the basis of change to business use, including traffic on a substandard road.

0338 amendment - Cllr Dowson reported that from contact with HPBC at 4.30pm he was told that this application has not been withdrawn, but cannot be accepted as it is so different from the original.

Hague Bar Primary School had sent a letter informing the Council of their wish to co-opt a governor to the Minor Authority vacancy. Sir Martin said they could not do this. Martin Huddleston said they need to do this via the Council. Lance said they should check with DCC. Sir Martin replied that DCC will say it is not valid. The Minor Authority has to make the appointment.

Heritage Centre Constitution - Derek Brumhead indicated items of the original constitution of 18 July 1989 which require revision. Cllr Roy Bickerton wondered if point 8 of the Constitution, requiring a third of the committee to be re-elected, would be a problem if there were in any case large losses in a given year. Sir martin said this is a standard clause to have new blood. The Constitution should go to the County to be ratified.

Hope Valley Transport Partnership had sent an update of progress on the Partnership Project. They had also requested a nomination for Parish Council Representative on their Steering Group - the Council nominated John Prichard of Whaley Bridge Council.

A letter from a resident on Bridge St requested rental or purchase of Town Council land off Dyehouse Lane for vehicle access. Roy Bickerton considered this would need planning permission which would not be granted for access on to Dyehouse Lane. Sir Martin suggested inviting him to put in a planning application. Roy felt there to be little merit in that as it would be turned down, so they should reject the request. Sheila Rae suggested asking him to talk to the planners to see if he is likely to get approval. Chris Barnes said it would be a decision for Highways regarding the vehicle access. Roy said a similar application on Bridge St was rejected.

A resident of Bridge St had written regarding the traffic calming on Bridge St and the removal of the yellow lines. Cllr Marion Williams thought the humps to be ridiculous and dangerous, the street had been turned into one-way traffic. Chris Barnes observed that people on the right can now park on the road, the answer is to put the yellow lines back, which should be recommended to DCC Highways. Vehicles need to access factories. Lance Dowson noted that such a request had already been resolved, so has there been any feedback? Susan said there had not. Roy suggested forwarding the residents letter to DCC. Sir Martin said he was sorry to hear members do not like the scheme as they supported it at consultation, as did local residents. The humps do slow traffic, which was a particular problem at the steps from Parkway when there was double parking and speeding traffic. He defied anyone to say traffic is now faster. He had not personally been inconvenienced by the scheme. On Mellor Road it is inconvenient to have to wait, but it does slow down traffic. Inconvenience is not as important as stopping accidents. The scheme is a success. Roy said he had been held-up there today on the way to a planning meeting. Cars parked on the bend could lead to an accident. DCC should be asked to have another look. Marion Williams said the problem is with cars parking opposite one another. Sir Martin said that previously there were central double white lines, which means no parking at all. Lance noted that four years ago the residents were saying the same as Sir Martin.

Wirksmoor Rd has been included by DCC on the provisional list of residents parking schemes. Ian Huddelstone asked that they include also Wood St and Jodrell St.

---

- MORE TO FOLLOW -

---

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