Our meeting last night was basically to discuss the precept for next year.

We had a meeting of the finance committee a couple of weeks ago and Brian worked out that we could reduce the precept dramatically. The Band D equivalent for next year for our part of the precept will be £19.80, a very considerable drop on last year. It still means we have our thousand pound contingency fund. So many thanks to Brian for making the finances work so well in our favour. By the way the meeting also asked to send best wishes to Brian for a speedy recovery. Full details will be on the notice board.

We discussed the possibility of drawing up a village plan. This will be done through the countryside agency to whom we apply for grants etc to allow us to draw up the plan without having to spend any of our own money on doing it. It was agreed at last night’s meeting that I would go ahead and apply for the initial grants from countryside agency which are available to offset any costs. Ian Fullilove of the peak park will be attending a special meeting in January to explain what it will mean for us.

The tenders for the greens, playing field and footpaths were agreed at the meeting. David’s quote was accepted for mowing the playing field; Derbyshire County Council was successful in mowing the greens; and Chris was once again successful in his tender for the footpaths. These will be for one year and we will do the same thing next year at this time.

We discussed in some detail the proposed village woodland project which will enhance the playing field area. At the village meeting last night there was discussion as to whether the grass area in the middle of the recreation field should be 90 or 60 metres long by 45 metres wide. If 90 x 45 ( the size of a full football pitch) it would mean smaller wetland and woodland areas but allow for several large events to take place at the same time ( e.g. a dog show and something else, say a steam tractor rally or gymkhana). A smaller area, it was felt, would be too restrictive for future possible activities. The down side of this would be that the peak park might not want to be involved because they could not do as much with the proposed woodland planting as they would like. They may well then pull out of the scheme altogether because they want the smaller playing area to allow for a bigger woodland, wetland, picnic area etc. In the end it was felt that for the good of the future recreation possibilities of the village we should not restrict the size of the central grass area and therefore it was agreed to go ahead with the plan which enabled the central grass area to be 90 x 45 metres. This was the plan approved at the last meeting and which was then pinned up on the notice board for all to see. The woodland, including wetland area, shrubs, trees, picnic area and areas for wildflowers and bulbs would surround this and have paths suitable for disabled walking and wheelchair access. This would best satisfy the original purpose and spirit for which the field was given to the village, to be a playing and recreation area for local use. The meeting gave the go ahead for this plan and I undertook to put it to the Peak Park who had previously said to us that a smaller area would be more in keeping with what they would like to take best advantage of the woodland proposals. I subsequently informed the Peak Park woodlands officers who are now taking advice as to whether they can any longer be involved. It may well be that they feel there will not be enough woodland for them to be involved. If this happens of course they would not then provide the grant for planting and upkeep of the area. I will report back at our next meeting in December and if they are still involved will have the final details of types of trees/shrubs etc for final approval. If they decide they can still be involved, I will invite the woodlands officers to our next meeting in December so they can explain more fully what will happen.  If they decide not to be involved, the feeling of the meeting was that we should then do it ourselves to our own specifications. I think there will be grants available for such work which we can apply for ourselves. Maintenance will then be a problem, but not an insurmountable one. Our first and foremost requirement should be to go for something that will best serve our needs now and in the future. The larger space will  do that.

The woodland area we agreed would have level paths and other means of access for wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties so that maximum use can be made of this area by the elderly, infirm and those with walking difficulties. The disabled-friendly nature of what we are wanting to do needs to be stressed and emphasised. I have asked Severn Trent for a water pipe junction as close as possible to the wetland area. The final plan will have significant areas of wildflowers and bluebells as well as other bulbs. Some seating made out of local wood from cut down trees and other wood sculptures will add to the beauty of the area. The trees will provide shelter for those on the playing area but also for the village as a whole. As part of the scheme the gateway would be levelled for easier disabled access and there would be a parking space for one car which would be used by your maintenance teams as well as for disabled use.

At the meeting Rosemary suggested that we should make provision for younger children as well as for the older generation so that all age groups are catered for. This is a good idea. The Playing field was after all given for the use of children to have a safe playing area as well as for other village uses. I am therefore going to explore the possibilities of some swings, a slide ( with a mound of earth similar to the way it has been done at Ashford), and perhaps one or two other safe playground type things for younger people of differing ages. These could go to the left of the gate. I will contact Peak Park to see what planning applications might be needed to do this. We have enough money in the playing field account to use some of it for such things as swings if we can’t get a grant. The playing area is now on our insurance at no additional cost, and the only requirement is for there to be regular assessments by myself to fulfil statutory requirements and to ensure that all is well on the field. Brian and I have undertaken to walk round the space regularly ( once a week on average) to make certain there are no risks of injury to anyone using it.

The result of the questionnaire was explained. There were eleven replies. All eleven said there should be trees replanted whenever any were cut down so this is now official village policy. In answer to where the trees should go:

8 said near the present stumps ( 2 say it should be where local residents want on those greens).

3 said somewhere else: 2 at the top of the village ( one of these said that if the trees have got to be on the greens one should go below the tree stump). 1 wanted it on the playing field.

Answer to second question of what type of tree:

no preference: 2

silver birch: 1

scarlet oak: 1

copper beech: 1

Chestnut: 3

Mountain Ash:1

Maple: 1

Acer Japonicas: 1

Ash: 1

Sycamore: 1

We discussed these results and the overwhelming vote of the meeting was for the Maple. So Maples they will be and the planting will take place as soon as possible.

We agreed not to go ahead with this appointment since Brian had said he would be happy to be deputy but not at the same time he was finance officer. There was unanimous agreement that he was a superb finance officer and if he could only do one job, it would be that. There was unanimous thanks to Brian for all his hard work and the way in which he has managed the finances of the village. So the question of a deputy, which is not urgent or important, was put in abeyance.

Marlene was elected unanimously. Congratulations to her.

Parish Clerk:

Julie was elected unanimously and will work alongside Chris for the next month,

We agreed to have another meeting on December 17. This is a very special one because at this meeting we would like to say farewell and thanks to Chris and Dave. I hope everyone can make the occasion. See you all on December 17.

John