PARISH COUNCIL

AMBER VALLEY BOROUGH COUCIL I THE COUTY OF

CHAIRMA COUCILLOR P. ISHERWOOD

IA F BAYLIS. F.C.I.S. DPA. Staunton View D.M.A. M.B.I.M. Broadstone Lane CLERK OF THE COUCIL Ticknall Tel: 01332 864247 Derby E mail: [email protected] DE73 7LD

Chairman’s Report 2010/11

I wish to take this opportunity to welcome Alan and Ros Harper to Kirk Langley. I was privileged to represent Kirk Langley Parish Council at the licensing service of Revd. Alan Peter Harper as Priest in Charge and Ros Harper as Reader of Kirk Langley, Mackworth, Mugginton and Kedleston Parishes. My warmest congratulations to all concerned.

Roads:

I am pleased to report that in response to our request for a safe road crossing at the junction of Moor Lane and the A52, the Highways Authority have re-engineered the road junction providing a central refuge. This is a significant improvement towards the safety of pedestrians crossing Moor Lane. We have again suffered considerable damage to many of the roads within the Parish due to exceptionally severe winter weather and large commercial vehicles using inappropriate routes. However, I am pleased to report that an inspection of some of the more serious damage has been carried out by KLPC and CC and we are promised repair work will start this summer. On a less optimistic note there is still no sign of any of the general improvements to Long Lane reaching this Parish. The passage of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) along Church Lane has become a serious concern. In an attempt to help ease the situation this Council has requested that a limit be imposed on the size of commercial vehicles using this road. It is understood this may well transfer the problem elsewhere; however the gravity of the situation on Church Lane gives us

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Footpaths and verges:

As I reported last year, this Council is resolved to keep our pavements and footpaths clear and safe to use. As well as ordering additional cuts to verges over and above those done by Derbyshire CC Highways department, we are actively engaged with the Local Authority to ensure the footpath along the A52 within our boundaries is kept in good order and is safe to use by all. Again I would also take this opportunity to thank those Landowners who maintain their hedges that bound the public roads and footpaths; to those who are not always as prompt, may I remind you it is your duty to ensure your hedges and trees do not become an obstruction. This also applies to vehicles blocking pavements and narrow lanes. Whilst we have seen a small reduction in the amount of litter being dumped on our roads and in our verges, again I must remind those responsible that it is an offence and if caught will be prosecuted. I would ask anyone witnessing any instances of fly-tipping to contact the Police with the appropriate details.

KLPC Assets:

I can report that the Pound on Church Lane and the Village Green are now registered with the Land Registration Authority as Kirk Langley Parish Council property. The Title to Mapplewell is still being researched. As I reported last year it has always been assumed that Mapplewell belongs to KLPC, indeed the Parish Council assisted by residents has looked after the site for as long as I can remember. I believe this issue will be resolved in the near future. I should like to thank the pupils of Kirk Langley School, along with parents and members of staff for all their efforts in tidying the Mapplewell site. The pupils are using it as a study area. I am pleased to report that the Kirk Langley funeral bier has been rescued from Elvaston Castle. I am indebted to Anna Rhodes of the Buxton Museum and Art Gallery for bringing the plight of the bier to our attention and providing invaluable help in its recovery. My thanks also go to Gill Forrester, Manager Environmental Services at Elvaston Castle and Cllr.

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Martyn Coldicott of Morley PC for their assistance in its safe return to Kirk Langley. Last but not least I must thank Cllr. Graham Penny for generously providing safe storage. This Council must now decide what to do with it. The bier is certainly in need of some TLC. Whilst of a macabre nature, it is certainly an artefact of significant local interest and as such its future deserves serious consideration. On a brighter note I can report that the two telephone kiosks acquired by KLPC have been painted and look very smart.

Planning:

As always this aspect of Parish Council business brings its own set of unique and often controversial problems. All the major issues identified in my report last year are still with us. Whilst the pressures to develop land for housing may have receded a little, other plans continue to threaten Kirk Langley. The proposal to build a large poultry unit near to the village alongside the A52 was met with much anger and opposition from both Parishioners and Parish Council alike. Whilst being an inappropriate location for such a development it would also pose a serious threat of pollution to adjacent water courses. This particular application was eventually withdrawn but there is a strong likelihood it will reappear in due course so we all need to be vigilant. The practice of using a road side business car park as an advertising area for mobile homes has been reported and KLPC is consulting with Borough Council Planners to determine the legality of this practice. I must stress that KLPC is supportive of all bona fide businesses within the parish. However, Kirk Langley is primarily a residential and traditional farming area, businesses need to be sympathetic to this and not attract the reputation of being bad neighbours. On a more relaxed note I’m sure I speak for all members of this council in welcoming Worth Brothers Wines to Kirk Langley, this business is situated in what was once the Meynell Hotel and is carrying on the fine tradition of dispensing comfort to one and all.

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Playing Field:

Last September a very successful event was held on the G.B. Barrington Playing Field. The day was sponsored by the Trustees with financial assistance from Derbyshire County Council under the “Bringing People Together” initiative. Our thanks go to everyone who attended and especially the dedicated team of residents whose generosity and hard work made it all possible. To mention names always runs the risk of forgetting someone but I must give special mention to Cllr. Jamie Goth, without his efforts it simply would not have happened. The great success of the day was reflected by a unanimous wish to do it all again this year and I understand plans for this are well advanced. However, this year there is no grand initiative to help with funding, we have received a most welcome grant from Cllr. Stuart Bradford but there is a need to be very careful with the finances. I am pleased to report that all the children’s play equipment is functional following a successful repair to the “Springy Seat”. We have not been so lucky with the Pavilion. Once again the extremely cold weather has damaged the plumbing. Following last year’s disaster the water had been turned off limiting damage to the pipework and the shower units. It seems that the plumbing configuration does not allow the system to be completely drained. To this end the Trustees are considering a review of the system with the aim of correcting this situation once and for all. I must extend the thanks of the Trustees to the Cricket Club who in addition to upgrading the kitchen area has affected repairs to the plumbing. I have to report that as a result of last year’s unplanned expense the Trustees have decided to postpone the surgery to some of the mature trees bordering the field. The Trustees hope this decision does not have too adverse an effect on users of the field. Hopefully we will be able to do this work in the not too distant future once our finances recover. I am pleased to report that Cricket and Football continue to be enjoyed on the Playing Field. This is most important as it satisfies a major condition of the original deed of gift. Last, but by no means least, may I thank Mr George Spencer for once again keeping the field hedges tidy.

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Finance:

In spite of inflationary pressures I am pleased to report that this Council has been able to retain this year’s precept at 2010 levels. As a result of prudent financial control the Parish Council is well placed to meet its obligations over the coming year. I am pleased to report that KLPC has been able to provide some financial assistance to St. Michael’s Church, Kirk Langley. Unfortunately the finances of the G B Barrington Playing Field, whilst solvent, are not so healthy. Members of KLPC, whilst acting as the Trustees responsible for the administration of the playing field, are obliged to keep the two sets of finances as separate entities. There can be no automatic subsidising of the playing field from the parish precept. The situation is that the playing field must be self-financing and to paraphrase the original bequest, must not be a burden to the people of Kirk Langley. The only sources of income are the playing field users, the Cricket and Football clubs being the primary ones, plus any interest generated by the capital of the original bequest. However, this Council is responsible for the maintenance of the children’s play area and the equipment it contains. Any other precept monies destined for the playing field would have to be sanctioned in response to a grant request in support of some particular qualifying circumstance. This would be considered by KLPC under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972. in the same way as any other request. As always both sets of audited accounts, Parish and Trustee, are available for public scrutiny and can be obtained from our Clerk.

County, District and Parish Councillors, Police and members of the Public:

I have to report that Kirk Langley has had to endure a spate of burglary and theft. In the past year our Parish Church has had lead from the roof stolen on more than one occasion. This is apparently part of a national problem that the Police are working hard to contain. There have also been a small number of distressing house burglaries reported. I would ask everyone to be watchful and not to hesitate in contacting the Police should they see any suspicious behaviour. I have not allotted a special section within this report to this subject because crime is, thankfully, rare in our community and hopefully it will remain so.

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I am particularly grateful to Cllr. Bradford who as a frequent visitor to our meetings keeps us informed of matters at County and Borough level. Cllr. Bradford’s interest in Kirk Langley is much appreciated. We have not seen as much of Cllr. Simon Hitchcock and PC Rebecca Salt as we would have liked, due no doubt to the many other requests for their time. Whilst not always able to attend our meetings their work for our Parish is greatly appreciated. Simon has stepped down as our Borough Councillor; I look forward to meeting his successor, Mrs Jane Orton, who will always be welcome at our meetings. Last year I gave special mention to Mr David Brown and expressed the wish that David might re-join our council. I am pleased to report that David did indeed step into the breach and join our council at the beginning of the year, bringing with him his extensive knowledge of Kirk Langley. Unfortunately David decided not to stand for re-election this April but has promised to be a regular attendee of KLPC meetings as a member of the public. With regret I have to report that Nigel Playdon has also stepped down from KLPC. Nigel is engaged in an extremely busy period of his life and we wish him well. This has reduced our numbers to four councillors, (three councillors constitute a quorum). Absenteeism due to sickness, bad weather or other commitments could soon further reduce our numbers at council meetings. To ensure the Council can properly conduct its business it is important to have a full complement of members, filling these vacancies will be a priority for our Council. I would like to finish this report by thanking my fellow Councillors for all their hard work and dedication. I must also extend my gratitude to Mr Ian Baylis, our Clerk, for his diligence throughout the year. I am particularly grateful to Ian for his valuable support and advice given to me during my time as Chairman of KLPC. In time honoured fashion, after two years in Office, I am standing down as Chairman. I wish the new Chairman all success. Thank you.

Councillor Paul Isherwood

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