September, 26 2003

A good meeting on Thursday evening and thanks to all who attended and contributed so thoughtfully and helpfully. Many good points were raised and decisions made about future plans. Chris will shortly put the formal minutes of the meeting on the notice board, but as usual, for everyone, an unofficial run through what we discussed/decided.

As you know we've been considering how best to get British Gas interested in the possibility of bring gas to the village. They are very hard headed and commercial about this---it would, they say, cost so much, which we would have to pay, as to not be possible. However discussion at the meeting suggested that it would be worth while continuing trying to get them to see the benefits for us and them of a reasonable price, and so we will continue discussions with them. There might also be the possibility of some grants.

Brian tabled our latest statement of accounts and explained the healthy position we find ourselves in. Thanks to Brian for the excellent way in which he manages our finances and makes the accounts so transparent for all to see and understand. A copy will be on the notice board but briefly we have a balance in the Parish meeting account of £1475-83; a balance of £2884-27 in the village greens project account; and £2009-55 in the Playing Fields account. Total income from the three accounts so far this year is £9367.80; total expenditure so far this year from the three accounts is £2998.15. This gives us a balance of £6369.65 although there are still payments to be made for audit costs (£60) internal audit honorarium ( £25); and Hall fees ( £16). We have very low grass cutting costs as we've received a grant to cover most of the costs of the greens this year and reimbursable footpath costs ( £60-90).

We have accepted a quotation for maintenance of the playing field of £750 which is totally reimbursable from DDDC. The trench which as dug for the underground electricity cost us £450. So we are in a healthy position.

The precept will be set at the next meeting towards the end of October.

I mentioned in passing that there would shortly be vacancies for a trustee and secretary of the Village Hall as well as a parish clerk and deputy chair of the Parish Meeting. These vacancies will need to be filled and further discussion will take place at the next meeting of the Village Hall trustees to be held shortly and at the next Parish Meeting in October. So we'll be looking for volunteers!!!!

The electricity wires have now been put underground so that part of the future plans have been completed. We looked at a draft plan kindly drawn for us by Peak Park of the way the playing field would look if we go ahead with the woodland/playing area/picnic/ wetland idea. There was general agreement that it looked good, and the next meeting of the playing fields committee will hear from the Peak Park woodlands officers about how to proceed and we will report back at the next Village meeting. The plan will be on the Village Hall notice board so please have a look and discuss. Thanks to Martin Swindell for offering us the use of some of his students on work placement if we need to use them for any work on the Playing Field. We will.

Severn Trent say that the plans should be finalised in the next few weeks and planning permission will then be sought. They are waiting for some final feedback from the consultants on the second part of the work, the associated sewerage improvements to upgrade the system in the lower part of the village to remove the existing storm water overflow adjacent to Yew Tree Cottage. The land purchase negotiations are more or less complete and the tests on the soil in the field being used for the new plant are satisfactory. They are now in the process of getting the relevant quotes for the work. The start date is next spring for completion later in the year.

The negotiations for compensation for the village in order to allow a small part of the boundary wall to be moved back a couple of metres is now almost complete and the resulting sum will pay for the trench that was dug in the playing field and there will be some over. So we will do OK out of it. The plans for putting the electricity wires underground from the pole in the lane to the church are also well under way and should be completed shortly. Work can then start on that part of the project. The new plant will in fact be built on site, being transported there in small sections on small lorries so there will be no problems with access.

We received a letter from the Peak Park Rights of Way officer last month about the proposed public bridleway. We are now in discussion with the Environment Agency about any flooding implications and we are in discussions to establish whether planning permission will be needed. Everyone is in agreement in principle; now there is the question of funding which both the Peak Park and County Council are investigating. The work is so important that hopefully they will find the necessary funds to start the work as soon as possible, once all the planning is complete. More on that at the October meeting.

There was considerable discussion about the increasing speed of motorists through the village using the road as a shortcut to the dale to and from Buxton etc as well as the dangerous speeds that some motorists unaware of the dangers of the bottom of the Kirkdale road drive. Horses are particularly at risk (although the new bridleway will of course take them on a safe path). We agreed to ask the Highways Department again about ways in which speeds can be reduced and awareness increased at the dangers of this part of the road. I will write to the relevant authorities asking for reconsideration of a reduced speed limit of about 30 mph and the possible introduction there of some form of speed reduction on the road (humps or equivalent were suggested as possibilities). We will also explore the possibilities of making Sheldon an access only village...more on this at the next meeting.

There was discussion about what to do about replacing the two trees that had to be cut down on the greens. There was agreement that we would send a short questionnaire to everyone asking for comments about our future policy about (a) whether any trees should be replanted to replace the two which have been cut down; ( b) if the answer is yes, then what kind of trees, (c) and very importantly for the nearby residents, where they should be planted. We'll send that questionnaire round to everyone shortly and discuss the findings at the next Parish meeting. This is an important decision for the future of the village and needs to be made by everyone. Nearby residents of course are rightly concerned about the problems of roots from the very large trees that could be planted and this needs to be considered as well. On the other hand, trees are very important to the outlook of the village and the beauty we now have in the village needs to be protected for future generations. Remember that we are a conservation area and any tree pruning or felling must be approved beforehand by the Peak Park (which basically simply means a simple short letter saying what you intend). If you want to do any pruning or felling for any reason and would us to help writing the letter, no problem, just let us know and we'll send it for you. Peak Park will then give every help and advice they can. So it's worth doing it.

We have complained to the Highways Department about the way in which they replaced the village sign at the top of the village ( using the old rusty and dirty posts instead of using new ones as they have done at the bottom of the village). These will shortly be replaced to complete the job satisfactorily.

These have now been implemented fully and the process of removal has begun. However the property in question is now to be sold so any additional problems that could have arisen probably now won't.

As I mentioned in an earlier newsletter but not formally previously at a Parish meeting, I have now been elected a member of the Peak Park on behalf of the Parishes in Derbyshire Dales. I have attended a number of meetings and next week will be at the annual conference as a Peak Park delegate in Wales. I am now on the overall Policy Committee and Peak Park management Committee. Please let me know if there is anything you wish to have brought to the attention of Peak Park Committees or officers.

The Sheldon Day money has now been split into two and given to the Village Hall and Church. Rev. Clive has given the village grateful thanks for the kind donation. The Village Hall trustees would also like to thank the village and Sheldon Day organisers for the donation.

The last cream teas of the year were again very successful. Thanks to everyone who helped.

I mentioned the need for us to write a Local Village Plan for Sheldon. This will provide a blueprint for the future and give the village protection as well. The plan is something which we can do in conjunction with the relevant officers of the Peak Park and will allow us to tap into significant grants for any work we want to do in the village to make it a better, safer place. For example it will allow us a grant for a regular village newsletter such as this one. This will mean setting up a small independent committee to pursue the work on this. Other villages in the area, such as Monyash) are already doing it and it will be beneficial to us in all kinds of ways. I will ask the peak park officer who will be helping us to attend part of the next Village Parish meeting.

People often remark on how beautifully well kept the village is, and it is a credit to everyone that this is the case. A couple recently have commented to me about an increase of dog fouling on the main road through the village (and in fact occasionally in the village hall garden). It's good to remember that in our village, because there is so little footpath (and none at the bottom of the village at all) that the main road is also in fact our footpath on which we all walk. So could we remember to keep our dogs under control so that they do not foul either the footpath or, importantly, the road or driveways (which does happen regularly at the bottom end of the village). It would be a tragedy if we had to put up no-fouling signs. So a little consideration will solve the problem.

Our village has now been included in a widened area for aggregates tax funding grants. They are now looking for applications for the next round of grants which could be for such things as village hall roof repairs, pointing , the bridleway footpath at the bottom of the dale. So landowners, schools, religious groups and local parish councils and meetings are eligible to apply for any conservation work and other improvements to the life of the village. All we have to do when applying is to show that the work will bring about sustainable environmental and community improvements. So let me know if you have any ideas. We'll certainly be applying for money.

This went very well indeed from all accounts, and thanks to Ralph for his time and effort in organising the event which is always an important and enjoyable one. And it raised a good amount of money too. Thanks to everyone who took part.

See you all at the next meeting in October (Chris will let us know the date nearer to the time).