Parish Council Meeting – 29 January 2025
Present: Cllrs A. Lagden, J. Barker, C. Wheatley, E. Spurdens, T. Hames, District Cllr. B. Mayhew and Ms J. Kendall Clerk
Apologies: no apologies received.
1. Cllr J. Barker took the role of chair, and welcomed all to the meeting.
2. Planning – This item was brought forward.
Two members of the Parochial church council of St Stephens church East Hardwick attended the meeting for this agenda item. The church has submitted planning permission for a new slate roof and solar panels with battery storage. The solar panels and battery will generate sufficient power to supply all the energy needs of the building and replace their reliance on their ancient boiler. It is hoped that when the building is warmer it will be able to be used more as a community venue. Fund raising has now successfully met 25% of the cost. Once permissions are in place, then grants can be applied for. It was agreed that the Parish Council supports their endeavours and has no objection to the planning application.
3. Minutes
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 27.11.24 were approved: Proposed Cllr Spurdens, Seconded Cllr Wheatley.
4. Matters Arising:
Drainage works on Darrington Road: Cllr Wheatley reported that the work has now been completed. There has been no flooding during the recent bad weather so the work seems successful.
Overhanging hedge at the junction of Darrington and Doncaster roads: Cllr Mayhew reported that the process is in motion – Street Scene has contacted residents.
Dog bins: Cllr Barker reported that the request for dog bins on Rigg Lane and in Hundhill which was approved by WMDC have still not been provided. ACTION: Cllr Mayhew reported that Cllr Ayre will chase this up.
Wilding: Cllr Mayhew reported that this will now revert back to the previous routine and there will be no additional charge. Mowing will start in the Spring.
Air quality concerns: Cllr Mayhew reported on behalf of Cllr Ayre that the nearest air quality monitor is in Horse Fair Pontefract. No moveable sensors are currently available. If residents have concerns then they should contact WMDC individually via the website. As the initial concern was raised anonymously it was felt that there is nothing further that the PC can do to support this matter.
Traffic monitoring: Cllr Mayhew reported he chased up the plan to use speed tubes on Doncaster Road to monitor traffic volume and speeding but the officer is currently away.
Cllr Hames reported that he had seen police monitoring traffic in the last fortnight.
He also reported that the decision by Highways to suspend the speed monitoring van, which has been so effective at slowing traffic, has been overturned due to popular request, but it will now be deployed less frequently as it is so expensive.
Gritting: 2 cars have slid off the ice on the road into the ditch this month at the bottom of Darrington Road, and a vehicle hit the chevron sign. The Clerk reported that the damaged chevron sign and fallen weight restriction sign were reported to WMDC. The chevron has been repaired but the other sign has not, she will contact WMDC. Cllr Wheatley has taken delivery of a small trundle gritter and has offered to grit the bottom corner of the village, if she gets a container, which she has offered to place on her land. Council workers recommended that Darrington road should be gritted. Cllr Craig was following this up and we are awaiting news.
Signage for new boundary: Cllr Barker has had no response to her requests for information. She has produced a mock-up of the new signs and it was agreed that these should be sent to the contact provided by Cllr Ayre to request a quotation. ACTION: the Clerk will progress.
Plaque: Cllr Spurdens has taken delivery of the plaque and it was agreed that she will arrange for it to be mounted on the inside of the pump shed. The Clerk will then add the photos to the website and return them to the family. ACTION: Cllr Spurdens and Clerk.
Notice board: the notice board was fitted at the beginning of January. There was a misunderstanding about the placement and also the lettering above the previous notice board. ACTION: Cllr Spurdens will see if this can be taken down.
Telephone Box: Cllr Lagden has sourced official GPO paint. ACTION: Cllr Spurdens will paint this in the spring.
5. Accounts
Cllr Barker reported that the balance is £7578.01. The CIL money balance is £5758.27 which must be spent by Autumn 2026. She expects to end the year on a surplus so there is therefore no need to increase the precept and it was agreed to hold it at the present level. The Clerk will return the precept paperwork to WMDC.
The Clerk reported that the laptop is compatible with Windows 11 so a new laptop is not needed.
Cllr Barker proposed that the clerical expenses be raised by £5 to £80 per meeting and this was agreed.
6. Highways
Cllr Mayhew reported that there is no money this fiscal year to improve the speed bumps.
He reported that Cllr Craig will be in touch as regards the Smiley Sids.
Cllr Lagden reported that the recent road works on the main road is due to fibre optics being installed.
Cllr Hames raised the concern that now the bus shelter at the Kennels has been dismantled, does this mean that there will never be a replacement bus service? He also raised concern about the new footpath being installed along the verge from the River Little Went toward the Fox and Hounds pub, this is not essential yet footpaths are needed at the Kennels, this is very frustrating to residents at the Kennels.
7. Planning
Cllr Lagden reported that work is ongoing at number 24, Darrington Road.
7. Correspondence
YLCA training courses and bulletins were forwarded to councillors as relevant.
Community Foundation Bed Poverty request for funding – this was discussed, it was noted that there is no policy on charitable donations. It was agreed to look at this at the year end when finance is more certain. ACTION: Cllr Spurdens was asked to give an update on the Riding for the Disabled at the next meeting.
Avian Flu prevention – posters have been displayed on the notice board.
8. AOB
Cllr Wheatley will send out letters and collect the rents. Fees will remain the same next year.
Cllr Hames informed the meeting that he had attended the Highways meeting at Darrington Golf club. The A1 repairs are scheduled to be completed at the end of August. The Wentedge bridge will be closed for 6 months which will cause great inconvenience to businesses and residents. There will be no contributions from Highways towards repair of roads affected by the increased volume of traffic, they say this is a matter for WMDC. Concerningly, there are plans to upgrade the A1 to a motorway and this will necessitate a reroute but no further information has been released.
He also attended the PC liaison group on behalf of East Hardwick PC and the feeling from other councils was that it is difficult to get a response from WMDC, which has been our experience. We are grateful for the involvement and support of District Councillors. Thanks to Cllr Hames for attending these meetings.
9. Date of the next meeting: Wednesday 26th March 2025. Chair: Cllr Hames.
The meeting closed at 9.00pm.
Chair: Cllr J. Barker
- Welcome, Attendance and Apologies
- Minutes of the last PC meeting 27.11.24
- Matters Arising:
- Drainage works on Darrington Road CW
- Overhanging hedges BM
- Dog bin request GA/ JB
- Wilding BM
- Air quality concern GA
- Traffic monitoring BM / JC
- Gritting JC
- Boundary signage JB
- Plaque for Mr W Smith ES
- Noticeboard JK
- Telephone box paint AL
- Accounts: Cllr. Barker
- CIL
- Highways: Cllr Wheatley
- Damaged road signs reported to WMDC by Clerk
- Planning: Cllr Lagden
- Correspondence
- Any Other Business
- Garage and allotment fee collection
- Date of next meeting: Wednesday 26th March 2025 – 7.30pm. Chair: Cllr T. Hames