This Information Is Available Free of Charge in Electronic, Audio, Braille and Large Print Versions, and in Other Languages on Request

This information is available free of charge in electronic, audio, Braille and large print versions, and in other languages on request.

For assistance in understanding or reading this document or specific information about these Notes please call Ros Hession on 01629 761302 or e-mail [email protected]

NORTHERN AREA COMMUNITY FORUM

Notes of the Northern Area Community Forum held on 17 February 2016 at 7.00pm at the Agricultural Business Centre, Bakewell

PRESENT

Derbyshire County Councillor Judith Twigg (in the Chair) Council and Community Representative

Derbyshire Dales - Councillors Albert Catt, Helen Froggatt, Chris Furness, Alyson District Council Hill, Neil Horton, Jean Monks, John Tibenham, Philippa Tilbrook and Jo Wild

Dorcas Bunton (Chief Executive), Paul Wilson (Corporate Director and Deputy Chief Executive), Karen Henriksen (Head of Resources), Steve Capes (Head of Regeneration & Policy) and Ros Hession (Community Engagement Officer)

Derbyshire County Robert Rowan (Digital Derbyshire Programme Manager), Council Kerry Bailey (Digital Derbyshire Engagement Officer) and Paul Jameson (Local Area Forum Liaison Officer)

BT Rob Shakespeare (BT Group Contract Manager)

Peak District National Sarah Fowler (Chief Executive) Park Authority

Members of the Public Bakewell resident – Leonard Twigg Bakewell Town Council – Steve Edwards, Councillor Viv Parnham, Bill Storey Eyam Parish Council - John Plant Foolow – Simon Wills Hassop – J N Anderson Hathersage – Roger Dickson, Jane Marsden Hucklow Parish Council – Martin Beer Laminar Systems Ltd – Chris Sheppard Peak Park Residents Group - Lynda Aylett Green Residents – Mary Chaplin, Mr & Mrs Marriott, Tim Rhodes, plus two Stanton in Peak Parish Council – Sue Fogg Winster resident / Winster West End Broadband Pressure Group – John Biggin, Jim Dixon, John Mills, Emlyn T Walters, Steven White, Larissa & Terry Worthington Other – B Allsopp, George & Janet Challenger, Henry Folkard, Pat Lunn, Sophie Summerlin, Peter Watts plus five (38 in total)

Presentations made be viewed in full on the District Council’s website, http://www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/your-council/consultations/area-community-forums

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Councillor Twigg introduced Members and Officers from the participating authorities and welcomed everyone to the Forum.

DIGITIAL DERBYSHIRE

Robert Rowan, Kerry Bailey and Rob Shakespeare gave an update from Digital Derbyshire & BT on the roll-out of fibre optic broadband locally, which included:-.

• Programme overview o What is Digital Derbyshire? o The Big Build Video • Programme update - Phase 1 and Phase 2 • Roll-out progress • Engagement • Useful links

What is Digital Derbyshire? • Upgrade fibre services in rural/semi urban areas • National framework • Supplier and partner – BT • Reduce the digital divide • Mainly Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC)

The Big Build video further explained fibre to the cabinet and the roll out programme.

Phase 1 • 358/433 cabinets enabled/live • Fibre broadband available to close to 76,000 premises • Over 500 miles of fibre cable has already been laid • More work between now and the end of 2016

Phase 2 • Contract signed summer 2015 • More funding – total contract £34m • Aim to extend coverage to 98% of Derbyshire • Remaining 2% other technologies - USC • Working with BT to map delivery

Roll-out progress (Phase 1) 56 out of 79 cabinets now live in Derbyshire Dales, this equates to 12,500 out of 17,500 premises enabled with fibre services.

Fibre enabled cabinets – locations (Phase 1) 2

Large parts of: • Bakewell, Hartington, Winster, Bradwell, Calver, Eyam and Hathersage can now order fibre broadband Still to be enabled in phase 1 – large parts of: • Taddington, Tideswell • More work to do in the future.

Ordering fibre broadband • Not automatic - subscription based • BT wholesale checker – www.btwholesale.com/adslchecker

Benefits of fibre broadband for business • Flexible working • Business growth • New market opportunities - international • Improved customer relations o Social media o Video conferencing • Cloud computing • Faster file & data transfer.

Benefits of fibre broadband for home users • Simultaneous use i.e. catching up with the news • Improved download and upload speeds • Watch HD/4K TV • Stream movies and TV • Do homework online • Stay in touch with family and friends • Download and play games • Online learning / hobbies and interests • Work from home

A table showed the take-up of fibre services in Derbyshire and the various districts within.

• New website - www.digitalderbyshire.org.uk • Marketing material • Focus is to work with partners to: o Inform residents/businesses o Display promotional materials – raise awareness o Encourage take-up

Digital Derbyshire Better Faster Broadband – a snapshot of what’s on the website includes:- • The whole family can be on line at the same tine • Ordering fibre broadband: Five easy steps • Better, faster broadband for businesses • Tips for choosing a broadband provider • Is better, faster broadband available in your area? Postcode search

Useful websites Digital Derbyshire http://www.digitalderbyshire.org.uk/ BT Wholesale checker https://www.btwholesale.com/includes/adsl/main.html

Openreach Fibre Broadband - See how it's built https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0qN5XHuI5Q Superfast Fibre Home. A world without any annoying buffering You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq5_ZdARalg

Our funders

DigitalDerbyshire

DigitalDbshire

Questions and comments were then invited from the floor and issues were raised as follows:-

• Nigel Anderson asked what broadband service could be expected. • Robert Rowan explained that copper technology enables a better broadband speed the nearer a property is to the cabinet. The BT wholesale checker allows either BT landline or postcode to show ‘fibre to the cabinet’ statistics. • Nigel Anderson further asked about costs to which Robert Rowan replied that BT Openreach is the provider and as such install the fibre and maintain the cabinets. BT Openreach work with internet providers, not direct with customers who are able to shop around for a provider.

• Pat Lunn reported that for an increase of £1.50 per month, she had a 34 Mbps download speed and 5 Mbps upload speed. • Another attendee reported of a £5 decrease in monthly payments.

• A member of the public noted the contract with BT and asked if there was potential to further upgrade capacity. For Europe, 800 Mbps capability per household was expected. • Rob Shakespeare explained that the infrastructure being installed is future proofed which will allow speed to be increased in the future.

• Steven White, a resident of West Bank, Winster noted 2 out of 2 enabled cabinets in Winster. However, a third cabinet was unlikely to be enabled which could potentially serve not just residential properties, but businesses including, 2 pubs, 3 B & Bs, 2 camp sites and at least 10 holiday lets as well as residential premises. He stressed the importance of demonstrating the very best on offer in the Peak Park. Trip Advisor statistics showed that 26% required superfast broadband. A three year wait for this

additional cabinet was unsatisfactory. Small & medium sized enterprises (SMEs) relied upon up to date technology. • Robert Rowan advised that enablement would hopefully be in less than 3 years, but explained that initially areas of high concentration were being targeted. He emphasised that part of the area had been enabled and other areas for re-investment were now being looked at.

• Chris Sheppard of Grange Mill was also served by cabinet 3 and asked how need was addressed and what research had been undertaken. Chris works from home - the technical infrastructure he uses is outside Derbyshire due to living in what he describes as an ‘infrastructure free zone’ and did not believe need had been looked at. • Robert Rowan clarified that; the assessment would have included speed, footfall and modelling. Digital Derbyshire is now looking with BT at remaining / outstanding areas and how these can be addressed and information should be available in the next 4 to 5 months. • In response to a further question from Mr Sheppard about how need is communicated, Robert Rowan urged residents to email Digital Derbyshire and stressed that they work with district councils to provide information to BT.

• James Summerlin of Hathersage commented on business provision and noted 2 business parks in Hathersage which seem to have been left out from the main tranches. The focus had been on where there is high residential concentrate, but business provision needed to be addressed.

• An Ible resident commented that provision seemed to be for the masses. She highlighted that all farm related paperwork now had to be submitted on line. There were many businesses in rural areas that sometimes struggled even with landline provision.

• Sue Fogg, of Pilhough, a small hamlet near Stanton in Peak, asked if Digital Derbyshire / BT communicated to residents of possible service disruptions when work is carried out on the cabinets. Her neighbourhood had experienced problems (6 weeks with no internet, landline or mobile services) when works were being undertaken to connect a new housing estate in Darley Dale. As a communication company, she urged for better communications about what’s happening. She also advised that some in her area were considering satellite provision. • Robert Rowan was not aware of any issues and advised for problems to be reported to Digital Derbyshire and service providers. Ofcom’s role is to ensure that internet service providers are regulated. • Rob Shakespeare added that new housing estate developers should be talking to BT Openreach to ensure that the installation runs smoothly.

• Rob Shakespeare advised that large parts of the network are underground, but if issues are straightforward remedial works should be carried out fairly quickly.

• Mr Dixon of Winster appreciated limitations on essential utilities in rural areas. In large settlements, certain services are expected so an unfair division is created. He urged for the decision making contract between BT and Digital Derbyshire to be looked at.

• Councillor Twigg cited examples of poor computer coverage for businesses in central Bakewell. • Rob Shakespeare highlighted that there is no discrimination between business and residential properties.

• Rob Shakespeare informed that fibre broadband has been around for 30 years so is not new technology. Having to update the networks, cables and ducts is a large engineering job. BT is working with Digital Derbyshire to roll out the service in highlighted areas, but is not a fast process.

• Ian Sneap of W3Z suggested that BT should be thinking about investment in satellite / wireless.

• Councillor Furness noted one converted box in Bradwell. Each year he succeeded in negotiating a new lower broadband rate, but with this came a higher line rental which he believed should be subject to regulation.

• Sarah Fowler thanked the representatives and urged for communications to continue. Comments she had received had been forwarded on to Digital Derbyshire and together with Derbyshire Dales District Council, the Peak District National Park Authority would continue to represent the views and concerns of its businesses and residents.

DERBYSHIRE DALES DISTRICT COUNCIL – SPENDING PROPOSALS 2016 / 17

Karen Henriksen gave an overview of the District Council’s spending plans for 2016/17 which had been updated to reflect increased government grants.

Main messages for 2016/17

• No significant service reductions, but…. • We propose an increase of 1.95% in the District Council’s share of the Council Tax from 1st April 2016

Local Government Finance settlement 2015/16 2016/17 Change

Settlement Funding £2,872,000 £2,269,000 - 21% Assessment

Spending Power £9,143,000 £9,253,000 +1%

It should be noted that the Government’s spending power figure assumes that the council tax for DDDC will be increased by £5 for a band D Property (2.6%) in 2016/17.

Five-year financial plan – funding

2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21

£000s £000s £000s £000s £000s

Government Grants 2,325 1,595 1,122 977 655

Council Tax 5,466 5,623 5,783 5,946 6,112

Business Rates 1,864 2,164 2,022 2,089 2,145

Total funding 9,655 9,382 8,927 9,012 8,912

Five-year financial plan

2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21

£000s £000s £000s £000s £000s

Forecast 9,065 9,045 9,161 9,422 9,641 Spending

Funding (as -9,732 -9,459 -8,927 -9,012 -8,912 previous slide)

Capital 667 414 0 0 0 Improvements / Replacements

Savings to be 0 0 234 410 729 achieved

What it costs you

Our proposed budget for 2016/17 will cost 53p a day for a Band D property… but we also collect Council Tax for others: • 70% goes to Derbyshire County Council • 12% to Derbyshire Dales District Council • 11% to Derbyshire Police & Crime Commissioner • 4% to Derbyshire Fire & Rescue • 3% to your local town or parish council

Where your money will go • Waste and recycling collections • Four leisure centres • More than 30 parks and gardens • Keeping your streets clean 7

• Helping local business • Providing affordable homes • + much more!

Savings achieved so far……. A rolling programme of service reviews over a five-year period. Savings identified include: • Grounds Maintenance / Street Cleansing – savings of £120,000 • Administration - £200,000 savings identified • Leisure – £111,500 of savings identified so far; phase 2 in progress • Tourism – savings of £23,000 p.a. • Discretionary Grants – 20,000 p.a. • Shared services e.g. ICT, Revenues and Benefits • Increasing fees and charges by 3% from 1 April 2016 • Looking for areas where we can generate income e.g. leisure services, trade waste • Managing land and buildings

Future savings to come from: • Continuing with the programme of comprehensive service reviews as a means of reviewing & reducing spending levels across all services; • Considering shared services and other alternative service delivery methods e.g. for building control; • Reducing fixed and variable employee costs, whilst protecting existing employees as far as possible; • Generating of additional income from fees and charges; • Assessing the utilisation of reserves and balances; • Considering future Council Tax increases.

Capital Programme

Programme approved 2015/16 2016/17 November 2015 £’000 £’000

Affordable Housing 965 820

Leisure centres, parks 123 390 and open spaces Car parking 989 100

Public conveniences 100 278

Vehicles 358 854

Other 749 602

Total 3,284 3,044

Key Messages • We’ve balanced the books for 2016/17 without a significant impact on frontline services • We’ve achieved this by reviewing services to make them more efficient; some services are now delivered differently. • We’ve looked critically at our revenue and capital spending, reviewed and rationalised reserves and sought ongoing savings or additional income • However, our medium term plans show that we still have significant savings to make over the next 5 years, amid uncertainty over government funding. • This might require some difficult decisions to be made

Consultation • This presentation will be placed on the Council’s website www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk • Please use the feedback forms to let us know your views

QUESTION TIME

Questions and comments were then invited from the floor and issues were raised as follows:-

Government grant settlement • Nigel Anderson of Hassop noted than circa £1,500 per head is spent on residents in Scotland. He noted variances on spend per head in England and asked if Derbyshire Dales’ residents were being treated fairly. • Dorcas explained that government grant is distributed by means of a complicated formula. Rural areas have campaigned long and hard over poor settlements and have been represented by a body called SPARSE who argue that the formula is unfair and weighted to metropolitan boroughs. Dorcas assured that the District Council would continue to campaign for a fair deal for the Derbyshire Dales.

Noise nuisance • Mary Chaplin of Bakewell asked about licensing regulations following 2 ‘tepee’ weddings in summer 2015 on the showground where noise went on beyond 11 pm. She also urged for the showground to employ security. • Dorcas advised that she would make Derbyshire Dales Licensing aware of the incidents cited. • Pat Lunn added that Temporary Licences had been applied for. Post meeting note – The District Council’s Environmental Health and Licensing Sections are aware of the situation and will monitor events in 2016.

Aldi update • In response to a request for an update from George Challenger, Sarah advised that the planning application had been approved in May 2015, but the decision had been challenged. We are waiting for the judge to decide if there is a case to answer with this challenge that has been received. The Aldi planning permission cannot be implemented until this has been decided, and if there is a case for the challenge then this will be heard at the high court.

Network Rail • A Hathersage resident spoke of his concerns over Network Rail’s proposals for a passing loop to move passenger trains east to west through the Hope Valley. He continued that this would result in a further 12 trains per day and understood that requests had been made for acoustic figures which had not yet been supplied. • Sarah Fowler acknowledged this as the Network Rail application to increase the number of trains and passing stops. She explained that the National Park Authority’s (NPA) response to the proposal had raised a number of objections, largely around 1) whether 9

the justification had been made for such a major development within the National Park 2) on landscape terms with the inappropriate design on bridges over the railway line. The National Park Authority is working with Network Rail as they work to overcome these objections. She explained that the NPA objections will stand until these objections are overcome. A public enquiry is planned shortly. She mentioned that the NPA had made no objections on the grounds of noise. A meeting is to take place 25 February. • In response to a further enquiry if the Peak Park are the right people to talk to, Sarah advised that the NPA’s Emily Fox is aware of issues, but Sarah urged for any representation to be made direct to Network Rail.

Engagement with residents • A resident of a small hamlet near Hartington, situated within the Staffordshire Moorlands, cited the notes of the previous Northern Forum where the Peak District National Park would be supportive of engagement with residents. • Sarah affirmed the Peak District National Park’s support of residents and found the District Council Forums and Peak Park Parishes Forum useful and had a preference to use mechanisms already in place. • The resident stated that there are no similar District Council Forums in the Staffordshire Moorlands and the resident felt she has no voice. She wished to speak to others with similar issues. • Councillor Twigg urged for residents to attend meetings of Parish Councils and Parish Meetings where there is usually a slot for the public to speak. • Sarah was happy to attend Parish Council meetings, but engages largely through Parish Council Forums.

• Linda Aylett Green noted the value of parish councils, describing them as splendid organisations, but viewed them as too fragmented and urged for a more collective voice. • Sarah would value a collective voice and noted the Peak Park Parishes Forum held in October 2015 where the agenda was driven by the parishes.

• A parish councillor noted apathy amongst residents. He had attended the Peak Park Parishes Forum and been impressed and would encourage attendance at Parish Council meetings.

• Jane Marsden of Hathersage had attended the Peak Park Parishes Day – there was an option to join the Forum for a subscription, but some chose not to join.

• Sarah had just signed off the next issue of the Park Life publication and stated that her own introductory piece highlighted the importance of community engagement and the value of the voice of Parish Councils. She offered to continue to work with Parish Councils and the Peak Park Parish Forum and also noted that any residents could email the Peak District National Park direct with specific issues or concerns and to become involved in the Peak Park Parishes Forum.

• A member of the public paid tribute to Parish and District Councillors who give their time and cited the example of dealing with travellers where parties had worked well together.

Peak District National Park representation / Local democracy • In response to comments about members of the Peak District National Park not being democratically elected, Sarah explained that representatives of Parish, District and County Councils are all elected democratically and then further nominated to serve on the Peak District National Park. She continued that around 5 years ago the government had discussions for National Park members to be directly elected. The Peak District 10

National Park at that time offered to be one of the two pilot authorities for this proposal. The Government has subsequently reported that this is not a priority for them.

• Len Twigg noted that Peak District National Park members include those appointed by central government, but believed members should be local. • Sarah explained that these are Secretary of State Members, appointed for specialist knowledge, but also recognising that as a national park it is not only for the people who live in it, but also those who don’t. On the whole most Peak District National Park members are local.

Public transport • Henry Folkard of Grindlow noted funding constraints, but stressed the importance of public transport in rural areas particularly with an increasing ageing population. • Paul Jameson highlighted £70 M savings to be achieved in the next 2 years. A consultation exercise on public transport was taking place 17 February to 24 April and encouraged residents to get involved either on line at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/HaveYourSay , at local libraries or by contacting Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190.

North Lees Estate • Mr Anderson, Hassop, lives near the North Lees Estate and is a member of the Stanage Forum. He had previously spoken to John Scott about North Lees Hall and asked for an update. • Sarah explained that the Stanage / North Lees Estate, includes North Lees Hall, a campsite and moorland and is of great interest. The hall, allegedly the inspiration for ‘Jane Eyre’, had been let on a long lease to The Vivat Trust that has now gone into liquidation and the Hall has now come back into the management control of the Peak District National Park. The Authority is exploring future options, hoping to retain it within Peak District National Park ownership.

Monsal Trail • Pat Lunn noted that many people are looking forward to the completion of the Monsal Trail and asked for an update. • Sarah reported that the funding secured from the Department of Transport by a range of partners, including the County Council and the National Park Authority has enabled delivery of a number of projects. One of which is being delivered by Derbyshire County Council, is the extension of the Monsal Trail from Matlock. She reported that the Matlock to Rowsley section is due to open in summer 2016, but the Rowsley to Bakewell section is proving to be more challenging.

CONCLUSION AND THANKS Councillor Twigg thanked everyone for their participation. The next Northern Forum will take place in July, date & venue to be advised.

Meeting closed at 9.10 pm