Town Councillors present: S.J. Barrow (for G.M. Doughty), I Fletcher , M Huddleston (Chair), T.E.S. Jefcoate, S.E. Rae; Town Clerk: Susan Stevens; Parks Manager: Stephen Lewis

Chair Cllr Martin Huddleston opened the meeting with a few moments silence for Cllr Chris Barnes and for Christine Howe of New Mills Interest Group.

Planning Applications

There were no objections to applications HPK/2003/0637, 638, 659, 681.

HPK/2003/0617 Replacement store building and lock-up garages off Poplar Av. Cllr Ian Fletcher described this as a vast improvement. Cllr Trevor Jefcoate expressed concern considering the future development of adjoining derelict Council land [refering to the small park]. Martin Huddleston said they have to look at the application as it stands, there is no change of use or development, only from the view that it has become derelict. Trevor Jefcoate questioned the access, which Martin indicated to be a right of way.

HPK/2003/0628 Barclays ATM - Cllr Sheila Rae felt this looked better before, the new design being not aesthetically pleasing. Ian Fletcher noted that a similar application had been granted for a bank opposite. Martin Huddleston said the conservation people will look at it. Sheila Rae described it as garish and hoped that HPBC could find a way to improve it.

HPK/2003/0680 Roller shutters at 72 Albion Rd - Ian Fletcher felt that if granted this would send the wrong signals to the rest of New Mills. It would be just as effective if the shutter was on the inside. Chair Martin Huddleston said they would ask for that.

Accounts

Cllr Trevor Jefcoate asked if the Heritage Centre accounts had been submitted yet. He expressed concern that there are no figures under a separate budget head complete with stock take, to indicate their profits. Town Clerk Susan Stevens and Chair Martin Huddleston explained the methods of the accounts. The Heritage Centre keep everything above £6000 made on sales, to plough back into the Centre. They said they will look to provide figures for the next meeting.

Cllr Trevor Jefcoate asked if there was money in the budget to purchase an additional mower, as Stephen Lewis is overstretched and cannot bid for additional work if he doesn't have the equipment. Chair Martin Huddleston agreed to look into this for the next meeting. Stephen Lewis said he will produce a list of things needed. Trevor Jefcoate proposed that be done.

Regarding the increase in rent of the cricket ground at Birch Vale, Cllr Susan Barrow had responded verbally to a letter in the Buxton Advertiser - the main problem was that they had not been told of the increase but had read of it in the press.

Stephen Lewis noted that the paddling pool at High Lea Park has been converted into a fountain and that this has proved to be very popular.

Matters arising from the minutes of 2 Jun 2003

Rent review - Susan would get comparative figures for the next meeting.

Torr Mill Ruins - United Utilities had agreed to pay for repairs to the damaged wall.

Floodlight Hague Bar Rd - Susan said Derek Brumhead is assessing security around the Heritage Centre and may not want the light moving yet. Trevor Jefcoate said that at a Heritage Centre meeting they had discussed fencing off the courtyard. There had also been concerns about security while scaffolding is in place for painting a mural.

Ollersett Avenue Playing Fields - because of the land size there would be a fee of £3000 for an outline planning application, so it would be cheaper to do a detailed application in one go. Martin Huddlestone thought they now need to move on with the allotments, by contacting Andy Brown at HPBC to see if they could support this. Sheila Rae said the Allotment Society are up and running and prepared to work with HPBC. Martin would also contact Cllr John Pritchard. Trevor Jefcoate asked if the Allotment Society had been involved. Sheila said thay had been involved all along and are happy with what is suggested. HPBC has a legal responsibility to help provide allotments. Martin Huddleston said that although there is money for allotments there is not necessarily any for sports. They wanted HPBC to work with and run the allotments part of the project. They have not moved forward on the project, except in knowing what they want to do. Trevor Jefcoate asked if they had established a need. Sheila Rae said there had been no proper survey, but the need had been established at meetings. Trevor Jefcoate felt there would be more weight to it if they could say how many require allotments. Martin Huddleston said they had such figures. For other potential sites at Newtown Rec and Yates Rd there had been a lack of response and some concerns expressed at Newtown. Trevor Jefcoate thought that proximity to an allotment is an important factor for people to use them.

High Lea Hall & Gardens - Stephen Lewis described how vandalism had dropped off since demolition of the shelter, but there is now more at the Memorial Gardens. Most people like the new flower bed at St Mary's Rd. Cllr Rae reported that the Festival Committee would like to use the Hall garden in the future. Susan Stevens said Alderbrook had no interest in its use. Martin Huddleston asked if they should now set up a group to move ideas forward on the Hall and garden. Stephen could produce a paper on the ideas to open up use of the gardens to the community and the Festival Committee could outline what they want to do. They would meet at the Town Hall on 29th Sept. Trevor Jefcoate said he would participate, and inquired about the involvement of Manchester Metropolitan University as a student project to investigate possible uses. Martin Huddlestone felt there could be questions about costs arising from that. Trevor said there would be no charge and no obligation to do anything, it would just be a feasbility project.

Millfields and Ladyshaw (the 'Picker') - Martin Huddleston considered the full Council should be apraised of where we are on this matter. Sheila Rae noted that the owner in his latest circular letter says that false statements were made by councillors about the auction.

Correspondence

Whitle Road Trees - Letters were considered from Mr Benson and Nigel Bates (HPBC Arboriculturalist). Stephen Lewis said they always arrive at the same point on this matter - the trees have TPOs (Tree Protection Orders) and have nothing wrong with them. So it is a dead issue until the trees show signs of decay. There is not much scope for the suggested canopy reduction - branches which Nigel Bates would allow to be removed are not significant and the work would be at the Council's expense. Replanting is a different matter - there would be a 20-year maturation timescale, and wherever placed they would take away someone's light and view. Chair Martin Huddleston noted that while a number of people are badly affected, there had been an outcry from even more people when action had been suggested. Trevor Jefcoate described resident concerns about the regrowth and the suggestions to spray, but then there is concern that it will affect children and wildlife. Sheila Rae felt they should reply that nothing can be done. Martin Huddleston said rather that they see no need to do anything. Nigel Bates mentions changes if there is more support. Stephen said public opinion is of no matter as the trees have TPOs. One tree had been removed at Whitle, but there is nothing wrong with the others. The cost of cutting trees is massive. There is some funding for training to use the chain saw, but this takes a full week and needs a quiet time like after Christmas. Martin Huddleston said they are now more aware of the condition of trees than 2 years ago and have a list of potential dangers.

Mono-Rail at High Lea Park - a letter requested a safety surface be placed around the mono-rail. Martin Huddleston described how this had been installed since it did not require safety surfaces due to its low height off the ground. They have generally looked to have some items not requiring safe surfaces as the cost of the surface can match that of the equipment. It would be very expensive to surface it. Stephen would like to move it as it is on too steep a slope.

Seddon's Field - Chair Martin Huddleston stated that there have been some complaints from Hague Bar residents. Stephen Lewis said there had also been around 50 names in favour, including New Mills Primary and Secondary schools, Taxal school and a lot from individuals. A few more schools may reply as the letters went out at the end of term. Martin asked what we need to do next given the strength of opinion in favour. Trevor Jefcoate wanted to know first what the concerns have been. Stephen felt they were merely aversed to change, Hague Bar residents who don't want anything at the back of their houses. Cllr Susan Barrow thought that a bit too negative; there were concerns about anti-social behaviour of entrants to the site; loss of light - which was due to a misunderstanding; and leaves. Stephen said there seemed to be a concept that it would be an extension of High Lea Park, however, it will not be open in that way. There will not be loads of people walking through. There will be no access during the development. Trevor Jefcoate thought it needed to be laid down when access will be open and what limitations there will be on that. Susan Barrow felt they could consider planting further away and have objectors on the panel. Martin Huddleston agreed, that would be a useful brake to make sure things were not rushed into. Trevor Jefcoate considered they could also employ phased planting. Martin asked Stephen if he could progress this project during the winter. Stephen said he would invite those in favour and against to a meeting. Martin felt they would not want a meeting just of objectors. Everybody who responded should be invited to set up an association. Sheila Rae asked if HPBC or DCC had responded. Stephen replied that there had been no response from HPBC. He added that there would not need to be mass planting, it could be in blocks. He did not want to dictate what is done, that is a decision for the group - it is to be a community orchard. Martin said the meeting needed to be set up in October. Susan Barrow suggested timing it for Apple Day.

Parks Site Visits

Site visits had been made on 9th June. At the Torrs there were issues of the electricity supply; the top of the steps; meeting with the County for joint working; access from Torr Top St for the Landrover. Sheila Rae suggested inviting the warden Mr Fynn to a meeting. Trevor Jefcoate questioned the access from the Heritage Centre. Martin Huddleston said this would be a large project needing joint funding. There was supposed to have been a meeting with Chris Combes about managing the Torrs. Common concerns have been identified, the Council now need to put pressure on to get a response. Sheila Rae said there were many ideas that needed discussing and a meeting should be set. Martin said this could include Sheila, Sir Martin Doughty, DCC representatives, Stephen Lewis.

There had been no issues to do with Ravenslack at Birch Vale. Trevor Jefcoate described it as a model of good practice, there was just a question of how it could be developed as a picnic area off Sett Valley Trail - signs were needed. Stephen Lewis said the main problem there was with horses. A local resident is anti-horses, but the Bridleway Association want there to be a bridle way from SVT up by Zion Cottage.

Spinnerbottom - Cllr Jefcoate noted that there were safety issues with the river boundary. And with the road added Chair Martin Huddleston - they would only be insured up to the boundaries. Sheila Rae considered it to be an issue of liability that they could not take on. Stephen Lewis identified the problem of there being no proper boundaries. Martin Huddleston said they would be looking to fence it off. Trevor Jefcoate said they would be talking about safety surfaces as well - at what point do you draw the line? Stephen Lewis thought there had been a recommendation for safety surfaces.

Sheila Rae said this was a problem, but these small play areas close to where people live are a big plus for New Mills. However, Trevor Jefcoate felt they are in a position of less funding, manpower spread thinly and so a need to consolidate. Martin Huddleston said they are not looking to prioritise or improve these parks, but it may come to a position where they have to. Use can change over years. We are not just talking about Spinnerbottom, also Batemill Rd, Redmoor Ln, Yates Rd, Poplar Av, and possibly also Rowarth. Trevor Jefcoate considered they had to be more proactive rather than merely reacting, and consider the future legal requirements and whether expenditure is going to be useful. Sheila Rae said they could cross that bridge when they come to it.

Chair Martin Huddleston thought they needed a report on safety surfaces. They only have to conform to new standards when renewing the surface, e.g. on Alsfeld to cover a larger area. Stephen Lewis noted that they had an engineers report. Martin said they needed to assess what needs doing and what the costs will be. Susan Barrow asked if this could be done for the next meeting. Sheila Rae felt they could leave Spinnerbottom until then and write to tell the owners what the insurers have said. Trevor Jefcoate was concerned about the considerable cost implications - a 3ft fence would be needed around the play area - that would meet our requirements. Stephen Lewis wondered if the owners could be asked to pay for the fencing. Trevor Jefcoate reiterated that they may then later need safety surfaces. Sheila Rae said the owners are aware of the safety issues. Chair Martin Huddleston summed up that they need to be certain what they are insured for - does it cover falling in the river or running into the road.

Birch Vale Bus Shelter - Susan Barrow had discovered that HPBC have a duty to maintain the boundary but not the garden. Sheila Rae said the Borough had cut down all the climbing plants put in by the Allotment Society a year ago and as a result all enthusiasm then went out the window. Martin Huddleston said they had talked of clearing the garden if given the money and then doing someting easy maintenance.

Hawk Road Trees - a letter had been received complaining that the tall trees on Council land affect TV reception. Stephen Lewis said they are aware of this, it has been going on a long time. Martin Huddleston confirmed that he had been given advice that trees can so affect reception. In the past some poplar tress have been cut out at a cost of several hundred pounds, but this could go on indefinitely. Stephen Lewis felt they could be added to the list of trees due to be cut.

Goytside Meadows - a report had been received from Sir Martin Doughty on behalf of the Goytside Meadows Local Nature Reserve Advisory Group. Sheila Rae said that fencing and signage are going ahead. Martin Huddleston thought a trip was needed to the site at a good time.

Waterside Meadows - two letters were concerned about horses there. Martin Huddleston considered the need to get balanced advice. Horses can be disturbing. Trevor Jefcoate thought some documentation was needed regarding bridle paths and cycle ways. Martin indicated that the matter was rather to do with people keeping horses which run free in areas where people walk. Trevor Jefcoate thought that to be a matter of heath and safety and public liability. Could they erect electric fencing? Stephen Lewis said they did not necessarily need horses on, cattle are a possibility. Dogs should be kept on leads if others are using the area. Ian Fletcher asked if they pay much. Stephen said they did not, it is more a matter of land management, which would rapidly become scrub if left. Susan Barrow said they should write in reply to say that the horses will be off by the end of November.

At this point the public were asked to leave while another matter on Hawk Rd was discussed.