Agenda and draft minutes

To enable members of the public to ask questions, express views or present petitions, IF NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN, (by telephone, in writing or by email) BY NO LATER THAN 12 NOON OF THE WORKING DAY PRECEDING THE MEETING. As per Procedural Rule 14.4 at any one meeting no person may submit more than 3 questions and no more than 1 such question may be asked on behalf of one organisation.

Councillor Hobson submitted a petition which had been posted to her, as follows:

For Derbyshire Dales District Council to withdraw the temporary traveller site on the land south east to Hopton Works, Middleton Road, Wirksworth

The petition contained 192 signatures.

Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any interests they may have in subsequent agenda items in accordance with the District Council’s Code of Conduct. Those interests are matters that relate to money or that which can be valued in money, affecting the Member, her/his partner, extended family and close friends. Interests that become apparent at a later stage in the proceedings may be declared at the time.

There were no declarations of interest.

Announcements of the Leader of the Council.

Councillor Steve Flitter, Leader of the Council, gave the following announcements:

“First I would just like to extend my welcome to Helen Froggatt rejoining us on this Council she was a positive member last time being involved in many subjects  and I hope that she will be a positive member and join in with activities whilst she is here.

I just wanted to mention that on Tuesday of this week I attended the EMCCA Transport meeting in Mansfield.  It soon became apparent to me being a non constituent member that we were asking all the questions the three of us that are non constituent members which means that all the papers had obviously been to the constituent members before the meeting so I am just wondering what input we will have.  But I did take the meeting very seriously and we were there to look at the transition and funding transport plans looking at the core problems there.  We have always known that East Midlands has been the poorest funded over many years and obviously we are looking a much better relationship this time and hopefully looking at the allocation of funds the government will make.

I would just like to say that yes Tommy he is really enjoying his 2 weeks that he has been in post he was actually officiating the meeting I went to and he does send all members his best regards.

So looking at some good news that I think it is important that we do look for more good news because there have been occasions where people are trying to talk down this council at this time and I think there is some good news to be made.

Firstly I am just going to highlight something on the economic development side which over the last 18 months the Economic Development Team have allocated 61 business grants worth a total of £641,827.00 which in turn has attracted match funding of nearly £700,000.00 which brings into total an investment into Derbyshire Dales  of £1.3m.  As a result of the grants 19 businesses are introducing new services and 20 business are introducing new technology. That is going to create 51 new jobs and safeguarding a further 40 jobs and that will act around improving productivity and increasing turnover and reduce carbon emissions.

 And just to think what people are saying about these grants.

One person says ‘receiving a grant from Derbyshire Dales District Council has been life changing to a small business the money we received will allow me to take the business to the next level and the grant is going to help future proof for years to come’. 

Also ‘Derbyshire Dales District Council has once again proved its commitment to local businesses in the peak district’.

The last person I am going to mention is ‘the grant proved invaluable in helping us to expand into larger premises and making us more efficient we are already reaping the benefits in increased turnover and I have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 226/24

Announcements of the Civic Chairman.

Councillor Peter Slack, Civic Chair, gave the following announcements:

“On Sunday 29th September I attended the Wirksworth Civic Service of Councillor Elisa McDonagh Mayor of the Wirksworth 2024- 2025.

It was well attended by all the charities of Wirksworth and Civic Digress, with the Service at St, Mary’s Church and buffet reception afterwards at Wirksworth Town Hall.

A Week later on Sunday 6th of October I represented the Derbyshire Dales District Council at  the Civic Service of the Bakewell Mayor Councillor  Helen Garvey, again it was well attended with the MP John Whitby in attendance.
The Service was at Bakewell Parish Church and afterwards the buffet reception at the home of the Mayor.

On Saturday 12  October I with my daughter, grandson - girlfriend attended Ilkeston Football Ground for Charity - Country for Country & Western Evening, for the Erewash Borough Council for the Chair ‘s Charity.

With everyone supporting cowboy shirts and cowboy hats and of course giant burgers were served to everyone.

It was a wonderful evening with very good Western Country & Western Performer, singing all the old Western songs of Roy Orbison Dolly Parton and many more great Western singers. Everyone was up dancing to the Country and Western songs, it was a very good Charity Event.

On Thursday, 17th October my daughter and myself Represented the Derbyshire Dales District Council at the Ilkeston Charter  Fair, which is one of the oldest fairs dating back to 1252, when King Henry 11 awarded Hugh de Muskham, who was Lord of the Manor and Townsfolk of Ilkeston it’s older than Nottingham Goose Fair.

It was a glorious sunny day with the marketplace completely full with residents, visitors and children from all the schools.

The bell was rung by the Mayor of Erewash at 10 or 11 am and the funfair started up.

I was pleased to go the big walk and see all the surrounding countryside, well while my daughter went on the Kate-walk, afterwards we had a buffet lunch Mayors and Civic Chair from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire which we had friendly discussions about the East Midlands joint authority.

On Sunday 15th October we represented the Derby Dales District Council at Derby Cathedral for the High Sheriff Legal Service the Cathedral was completely full, with Lawyers, Barrister and Civics from all over Derbyshire.

The first Festival of Remembrance was held at the Pavilion Matlock Bath on Thursday 7th November.

With Matlock Band, Alfreton Male Voice Choir, Matlock Churches together Choir and also a marvellous lady singer from Belper.

It was a wonderful night of Remembrance with all the old songs of the second World War being played by a band with the solo singer and choirs, making it  a Remembrance Night to remember, I was pleased to Represent Derbyshire Dales District Council.

On Sunday 10th November, I attended Wirksworth Saint Mary’s Church and the Wirksworth Memorial in the new Market Place to remember the fallen of the Wars, when all the Names of the Fallen were read out,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 227/24

To receive the non-exempt Minutes of the Committees shown below:

Non-exempt Minutes to be received:                                                           Date

Planning Committee                                                            10 September 2024

Scrutiny Committee                                                             17 September 2024

Licensing and Appeals Committee                                      24September 2024

Council                                                                                 26 September 2024

Planning Committee                                                                 08 October 2024

Governance and Resources Committee                                  10 October 2024

Community and Environment Committee                                29October 2024

It was moved by Councillor Neil Buttle, seconded by Councillor Nick Wilton and

RESOLVED

That the non-exempt minutes of the Committees listed in the Minute Book for the period 10 September 2024 to 29 October 2024 be received.

Voting

31 For

00 Against

01 Abstained

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

Questions, if any, from Members who have given notice.

Question from Councillor Susan Hobson to Councillor Steve Flitter, Leader of the Council:

“Can the Leader of the Council tell all councillors and residents of the Derbyshire Dales when the notes of the Temporary Traveller site consultation meetings will be shared; and also when the results of the Temporary Traveller site public consultation and Car Park public consultation will be shared, and give a clear timeline for the decision making process?”

Councillor Flitter provided the following response.

At the request of the Chair of Council, an extraordinary meeting of Council is to take place on Monday 9^th December at 6pm in the Council Chamber at Derbyshire County Council. The agenda for this meeting will be published tomorrow. The results of the Traveller site consultation and the notes from the public meetings will be included in the agenda papers.

Phase one of the car park review is to be considered at a meeting of the Community & Environment Committee on 16^th January 2025.

Question from Councillor David Chapman to Councillor Steve Flitter, Leader of the Council:

“Many family farms, even those considered modest in size, as in Derbyshire Dales, may exceed the one million pound inheritance tax threshold, recently unfairly imposed by the Labour Government, when accounting for land value, property, equipment and livestock. This will result in significant tax liabilities leading to financial strain requiring farmers to sell assets or land to meet tax obligations. Add to this a potential imposition of a swinging fertiliser tax. So will this Council join me in supporting Dales farmers in their opposition to this serious threat to them and future generations of farming families?”

Councillor Flitter provided the following response.

This is a very pertinent question very interesting and the clear answer is that  I agree whole heatedly with your comments. Don’t want to impose on our labour colleagues too much but I don’t think this policy was thought through and I feel that as a council with a large rural community we must be there to support them.  I would hope that you would be involved because I hold you in great integrity to put something forward on this issue where we can move forward as a council in the council’s name so if making this offer to you to put something forward we can all agree on.

Question from Councillor Nigel Edwards-Walker to Councillor Steve Flitter, Leader of the Council:

“Does the Leader of the Council share the concerns of the Conservative Group that Matlock’s excellent Post Office on Bank Road has been included in the list of crown branches that could be permanently shut down if it can’t be transferred to a retail partner or an independent postmaster? I know I don’t need to add how so many of us depend on the regular services Post Offices provide, but in our case, with us having lost our physical banks in Derbyshire Dales, we cannot afford to lose this Post Office’s banking facilities now they have become so important.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 229/24

26 September 2024

It was moved by Councillor David Hughes, seconded by Councillor Stuart Lees and

RESOLVED

That the minutes of a meeting of Council held on 26 September be approved as a correct record.

Voting

29 For

00 Against

03 Abstained

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

This report:

• outlines spending for each project against the approved 2024/25 capital programme as at 30th September, and

• seeks approval for an updated capital programme for 2024/25 to 2028/29 and associated financing.

The Director of Resources introduced a report outlining spending for each project against the approved 2024/25 capital programme as at 30 September 2024 and sought approval for an updated capital programme for 2024/25 to 2028/29 and associated financing, taking account of the expected slippage into 2025/26. There had been no new applications for projects received.

At the Council meeting on 26 September 2024 Members approved a revised capital programme totalling £38,450,376, covering the financial years 2023/24 to 2027/28, this was summarised in Table 1 of the report. A summary of changes to the capital programme was summarised in Table 4 of the report.

It was moved by Councillor Nick Wilton, seconded by Councillor Neil Buttle and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.     That the Capital Programme expenditure to 31 October 2024 be noted.

2.     That re-phasing of existing projects for completion over the next 5 years be approved.

3.     That the revised capital programme for 2024/25 to 2028/29, as shown in Appendix A, totalling £33,462,050 be approved.

4.      That financing of the Capital Programme from sources summarised at paragraph 3.21 and shown in Appendix B be approved.

5.      That the balance of funds available over the 5-year programme, shown at Appendix B, be noted.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

This report provides an update on the Council’s revenue budget for 2024/25 and seeks approval for virements and the revised budget for 2024/25.

The Director of Resources introduced a report which updated Members on the Council’s revenue budget for 2024/25 and sought approval for virements and the revised budget for 2024/25.

Following the setting of a net revenue budget at the February 2024 meeting of Council, this was subsequently updated when the revenue out-turn report 2023/24 was approved by Council in July 2024 and a further £1,175.174 was requested and transferred from the Committed Expenditure, Revenue Grants Unapplied and Local Plan Reserves to give a revised net revenue budget of £14,9255,335.. The report informed Members that following the approval of the revised budget, there had been a number of virements approved, which had impacted directorate totals. These approved budget changes were detailed at Appendix 1 to the report.

The current forecast out-turn position at Quarter 2 was a revenue underspending of £1,393,529, as detailed at Appendix 2 to the report. A breakdown of the key variances within the forecast out-turn position at Quarter 2 was presented within the report, and a full summary of reserves, with forecasts, was included at Appendix 3.

The budget amendments highlighted within the report had been introduced into an update of the Medium-Term financial Plan and the updated plan was presented in detail at Appendix 4 to the report.

It was moved by Councillor Roger Shelley, seconded by Councillor Nick Wilton and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.     That the updated revised revenue budget for 2024/25, including the virements as identified in paragraphs 1.2 of the report, be approved.

2.     That the forecast underspending of £1,393,529 for 20243/25 be received and agreed.

3.     That any underspend at out-turn for 2024/25 be transferred to reserves as detailed in paragraph 1.16 of the report.

4.     That the updated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) be approved.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

The District Council published its Equality, Consultation & Engagement Plan in September 2022, which set out the proposed equality, consultation and engagement activities for the period 2022-24. This report provides a summary of the progress and achievements against the actions set out in the Consultation & Engagement Action Plan 2022-24. 

This report also seeks approval for the new Consultation & Engagement Plan, covering the activities proposed for the period 2024-26.

The Corporate Policy Officer presented a report which set out the proposed equality, consultation and engagement activities for the period 2022-24. The report provided a summary of the progress and achievements against the Actions set out in the Consultation & Engagement Action Plan 2022-24.

The report also sought approval for the new Consultation & Engagement Plan, covering the activities proposed for the period 2024-26.

It was moved by Councillor Peter Dobbs, seconded by Councillor Martin Burfoot and

RESOVED (unanimously)

1.     That progress against the actions in the Consultation & Engagement Plan 2022-24 be noted.

2.     That the proposed activities in the Consultation & Engagement Plan 2024-26 be approved.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

The District Council published its Equality, Consultation & Engagement Plan in September 2022, which set out the proposed Equalities actions and activities for the period 2022-24. This report provides a summary of the progress and achievements against the actions set out in the Equality Action Plan 2022-24. 

This report also seeks approval for the new Equality Objectives and Plan, covering the activities proposed for the period 2024-26.

The Corporate Policy Officer presented a report which set out the proposed Equalities actions and activities for the period 2022-24 and provided a summary of the progress and achievements against the actions set out in the Equality Action Plan 2022-24.

The public sector equalities statutory duty comprises a general equality duty and a specific duty.  The District Council must comply with both, the details of which were presented in the report. The District Council must ensure due consideration is given to the aims of the Duty to all its decision. The paragraph at the end of every committee report reminds Members that although Officers have had regard to equality issues when preparing reports, Members should also consider equality issues in order to meet the Equality Duty.

The District Council has a comprehensive Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy which details how the Council meets the requirements of equality legislation and provides the context for the Equality, Consultation & Engagement Plan. The Equalities Objectives and Plan 2024-26 sets out a new range of objectives and actions, linked to the new Corporate Plan 2024-28.

It was moved by Councillor Peter O’Brien and seconded by Councillor David Hughes and

RESOVLED (unanimously)

1.     That progress against the actions in the Equality Action Plan 2022-24 be noted.

2.     That the proposed Equality Objectives and Plan 2024-26 be approved.

3.     That the Corporate Plan objective regarding improving levels of satisfaction and standards of property maintenance for Tenants in Social and Affordable Housing is added as an action to the Equality Action Plan 2024-26.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

This report seeks Full Council’s approval of the finalised Statement of Principles – Licensing Policy – Gambling Act 2005 2025 – 2028 after consideration by the Licensing and Appeals Committee and public consultation.

The Director of Place and Economy presented a report to seek Full Council approval of the finalised Statement of Principles – Licensing Policy – Gambling Act 2005 2025-2028 following consideration by the Licensing and Appeals Committee and public consultation.

Section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005 requires all licensing authorities to prepare and publish a statement of licensing principles that they propose to apply in exercising their functions under the Act, commonly known as a policy statement.  This forms the licensing authorities mandate for managing local gambling provision and sets out how the licensing authority views the local risk environments and therefore its expectations in relation to operators with premises in the locality.

It was moved by Councillor Peter Dobbs, seconded by Councillor Marilyn Franks and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.     That Council approved the final Statement of Principles -Licensing Policy-Gambling Act 2005 2025-2028 as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

The report informs Members of the conclusions arising from the Outline Business Case for the One Public Estate - Matlock Locality Review and seeks a formal response from Council in advance of the next meeting of the Project Control Board where clarification has been requested of the Council’s formal position.

The Chief Executive introduced a report which informed Members of the conclusions arising from the Outline Business Case for the One Public Estate – Matlock Locality Review and sought a formal response from Council in advance of the next meeting of the Project Control Board where clarification had been requested of the Council’s formal position.

Members were informed that the One Public Estate (OPE) programme was a collaborative initiative in the Uk that brought together local and national government partners to optimise the use of public land and property.  Launched in 2013 it aimed to:

-        Create economic growth by unlocking land for new homes and commercial spaces

-        Deliver more integrated and customer-focused services by co-locating services and improving public service delivery.

-        Generate efficiencies through capital receipts and reduced running costs.

It was moved by Councillor David Hughes, seconded by Councillor Sue Burfoot and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.     That to safeguard the interests of Derbyshire Dales District Council by the adoption of Option 1 of the report.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To report on the results of District Council by-elections held on 14^th November 2024.

The Returning Officer submitted a report on the results of the Derbyshire Dales District Council by-election held on 14 November 2024.

It was noted that the by-election was held in the district of Derbyshire Dales on 14 November to elect 1 Councillor to the ward of Calver and Longstone.  The results of the by election was set out in section 2.1 of the report.

It was moved by Councillor Sue Bull, seconded by Councillor Anthony Bates and

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

That the results of the by election held on 14 November 2024 in the District Council ward of Calver and Longstone be noted.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To report on the updated membership of political groups on the Council, the change to the political balance of the authority following the recent Calver and Longstone Ward By-Election and the revised entitlement of political groups to seats on committees for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year.

The Interim Director of Corporate and Customer Services introduced a report on the updated membership of political groups on the Council, the changes to the political balance of the authority following the recent Calver and Longstone By Election and the revised entitlement of political groups to seats on committees for the remainder of the 2024/5 municipal year.

Members were informed that the Proper Officer was required to notify the Council of any changes in the political balance of the authority or the operation of new political groups under the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990. Since the last ordinary meeting of the Council, one new councillor had been elected to serve on the District Council and had joined the existing Conservative group.

On 14 November 2024 a by election was held in the District Council ward of Calver and Longstone and Councillor Helen Froggatt was appointed.  The proper officer had been notified that Councillor Froggatt would be a Member of the Conservative group.  The effect of this result was that there are 11 members of the Conservative Group (previously 10).  This also meant that there continued to be no single political group that had overall control of the Council.

It was moved by Councillor David Hughes and seconded by Councillor Martin Burfoot and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.     That the Council notes, the revised composition of membership of the political groups on the Council.

2.     That Council approved the revised Proportionality Table at Paragraph 2.2 of the report.

3.     That Council approves the appointments set out at Paragraph 3 of the report.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.