CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of the Parish Council meeting

held at 7pm on 10^th February 2026

at Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Hall

Present: Cllrs J Adshead, M Chantler, T Dales (Chair), Miss M Daniels, T Gilfilan, P Ockenden & S Young 

In Attendance: In the absence of the Clerks,Cllr T Gilfillan took the Minutes of the meeting

Councillor Adshead requested clarification of the validity of the meeting.  He gave a pre-prepared statement to the minute taker Councillor Gilfillan.

Councillor Miss Daniels requested that she be allowed to record the meeting for her records.  Councillor Gilfilan quoted GDPR and refused to allow the meeting to be recorded.

A discussion took place where the Chair confirmed that the meeting would be going ahead.

26/395 Apologies: Councillors J Perkins, M Chantler, Mrs M Drabble and M Drabble were absent.  Councillor C Williams was also not present at the meeting. 

26/396 To make any Declarations of Interests – The Chair declared an interest in Agenda item 10, planning application HPK/2026/0011, 34 Hordens Road as he has worked with the applicant on a number of local initiatives.

26/397 To consider any applications for Dispensations - None

26/398 Matters to be discussed following the exclusion of press and public – Proposal to exclude members of the press and public to agenda item 15.  All agreed.

26/399 To agree any variations of order of business – None.

26/400 Police matters –PCSO Karen Green sent a list of reported crimes during the month together with her apologies for her absence.

26/401 Public Speaking – there was one member of the public present at the meeting who wished to raise a query about the removal of the MUGA and the subsequent placement of planters on the site rather than the site being grassed over. 

They also asked:

What is it? As it appears to be a cross between “Banksy and Alan Titchmarsh”.

Who designed it?

Is it finished?

How much did it cost?

The Chair thanked him for his input and stated that a written answer to his queries would given to him within 7 days. This response would also be communicated to all Councillors as well as published on the website.

County Councillor Ruth George sent a written update, however it was not received in time to be circulated and so she provided a verbal update to members. See below for written report.

Borough Councillor Angela Benham was in attendance and gave a verbal update on the Peak Cluster consultation, a project helping to secure the future of 40% of Britain’s cement and lime production industry, in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.  Councillors asked questions regarding the proposed route of the pipeline and the environmental impact on the area.

26/402 To approve minutes of the previous meetings. The Council failed to approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 13^th January and also the minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 29^th January.

26/403 The Chair did not present a report at the meeting.

26/404 To Consider Planning Applications notified to the Parish Council  

·         HPK/2026/0011 - 34 Horderns Park Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith - The addition of a rear extension.

It was agreed that the Council has no objection this application.

26/405 To consider any Planning Appeals notified to the Parish Council

·         HPK/2025/0268 - 154 Manchester Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith

26/406 To comment on any Planning Decision Notices  

·         HPK/2025/0443 – Lilac Cottage, Crossings Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith - granted

·         HPK/2025/0475 – 8 Nearwell Close, Chapel-en-le-Frith - granted

·         HPK/2025/0463 – Windy Walls Farm, Ashbourne Lane, Chapel-en-le-Frith - granted

·         HPK/2025/0121 – Brook Cottage, Long Lane, Chapel-en-le-Frith - granted

·         HPK/2025/0456 – 16 Eley Way, Chapel-en-le-Frith - granted

·         HPK/2025/0442 – Concept Life Sciences, Frith Knoll, Chapel-en-le-Frith – granted

26/407 To consider the report received from the Planning Consultant regarding the Parish Council’s response to the Crossings Road Planning Application – It was resolved to submit the report to HBPC Planners.

Councillor Adshead wanted it recorded that Councillors recognised Councillor Dales efforts with the planning appeal and wanted it acknowledged for his sterling efforts. All agreed.

26/408 Finance

(a)  It was agreed that the schedule of accounts presented for payment totalling £23,615.85 (including VAT) be authorised and the accounts to which they relate be paid.

Phil Ockenden will liaise with the Clerk to improve the clarity of the payment schedule and improve transparency.

(b)  It was noted that the year-to-date income and expenditure actual -v- budget schedule was not included in the agenda papers. 

26/409 Update regarding the Motion from Councillor Gilfillan that the Council Implements a triage system for Councillor queries – Councillor Gilfillan provided an update on the proposed process and rationale for why a triage system was needed.

Discussion regarding the rationale took place.  It was felt that the one to one meetings with individual Councillors should take place before any further discussions or decision was made about the proposed system of triage.

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.40pm.

______________________                    

CHAIR

Crime statistics from PCSO Karen Green between 11/01/26 – 10/02/26

Assault – Juvenile assaults officer – dealing by the YJS - Chapel

Assault – Dog bite to child – Dealt with by RJ

Assault – third party report of victim being hit in face – chapel

Assault – ex partner grabbed by hair – Chapel

Assault – Elderly female with Dementia pushes her husband – Chapel

Assault – child assaulted by family member – Chapel

Assaults x 2 - known male assaults ex partner

Report Fraud - elderly couple targeted by computer software company – Chapel

Report Fraud – adult targeted by investment fraud

Theft x 2 - person conceals bottle of wine -  dealt with by Community resolution- Chapel

Theft – Adult suspect takes cash from brother who live together – Chapel

Theft – friend takes victims vehicle without permission – Dove Holes

Drugs – 3 males stopped, 17 bags of cocaine found - Chapel

Stop search x 2 – Child found in possession of drugs – chapel

Domestic – father and son have argument – chapel

Domestic x 2 – verbal argument between sisters -  Dove Holes

Harassment – child targeted by another child – chapel

Harassment – male shouts abuse and attacks car, causing alarm and distress -  Chapel

Harassment – ex partner sends abusive messages with threats -  Dove Holes

Harassment - victim feels she is a victim of hate crime -  Dove Holes

Criminal Damage – glue put on lock - chapel

Criminal Damage – younger sister causes damage to sisters’ car - RJ outcome

Criminal Damage – known male attends address and breaks a mirror belonging to ex partner

Stalking – known male makes calls to ex partner – Dove Holes

Stalking – stalking from ex partner over a period of 12 months – Chapel

Stalking – ex partner sends multiple text messages – chapel

Vehicle crime – 2 males interfere with mini digger – no suspects ID – chapel

Traffic offences – drink driver fails to provide - Arrested

Attempted Burglary of a home – Chapel

Dog causing injury - two dogs fight, owner ends up with minor cut.

RTC – vehicle hits wall – Notie of Intended Prosecution sent to owner of vehicle – chapel

DCC Report to Chapel Parish Council – Ruth George, February 2026

Local Issues

1.      Attended the Peak Cluster consultation event in Buxton on 10^th February and liaised with the companies and chief engineer to answer residents’ questions

2.      Speedwatch Groups – set up for Whaley Bridge, Tunstead Milton and Chapel. I organised training for all 3 groups and co-ordinator training has now also been held.

3.      Submitted enforcement complaint over the commencement of development of land near Combs reservoir for 14 holiday homes and 3 houses.

4.      Blocked drainage and large pothole, Whitehough Head Road – reported to DCC and liaised with inspector and United Utilities to ensure repair of drain and pothole

5.      Proposed roads for resurfacing scheme:

Chapel-en-le-Frith:

·         Crossings Road from junction with Manchester Road to junction with Spencer Road

·         Crossings Road from junction with Eccles Road to junction with Charley Lane

Chinley:

·         Derwent Square turning area

·         Station Road from the station car park to the junction with The Sidings

·         Whitehough Head Lane from the bridge over the A6 to the junction with Forge Road

Furness Vale:

·         Station Road from the level crossing to the junction with the A6

Whaley Bridge:

·         Bings Road up to the resurfacing on Silk Hill

·         Elnor Lane steep uphill section past the junctions with Paddock Lane and Elnor Avenue

·         Old Road – lots of problem areas

·         Hockerley Lane: from the junction with Meadowfield to the junction with Hill Drive

·         Start Lane: from the junction with Whaley Lane up to Toddbrook Farm

·         Shallcross Road: at the junction with Elnor Lane and the section between the junction with Old Hall Drive and Shallcross Hall Barns

·         New Horwich Road from the last house on the corner to the Cricket pitch – this is an adopted road and some minor repairs were done in the autumn but have since lifted out

·         Whiteleas Road through Taxal village, Whaley Bridge - from the junction with Lanehead Road, past Taxal Church to Glebe Farm

Tunstead Milton:

·         Milton Lane from the junction with Manchester Road to where it gets steep (although the steep section needs clearing of moss etc)

Combs:

·         Combs Road at the junction with Lesser Lane and Ridge Road – the large junction area in front of the Beehive pub

The Wash:

·         The Wash Road

·         Malcoff Road

Derbyshire-wide Issues

1.      Budget: a balanced budget has been proposed for 2026-27 with a council tax increase of 4.9% which will be voted on at tomorrow’s Full Council.

2.      School Transport: increases in the charges for ‘spare seats’ on school buses are proposed for 18% - £483 to £570. For post-16 SEND transport, the fare contribution is proposed to increase by 45% from £483 to £700. A consultation is running until 26^th February.

3.      Local Government Reorganisation: the government has launched the statutory consultation on the 5 proposed options for the county area of Derbyshire, which were submitted to Government in November last year:

Seven of Derbyshire's eight district and borough councils (excluding Derbyshire Dales), together with Derby City Council, submitted their 'One Derbyshire, Two Councils' plan to create two new unitary councils to cover the whole of the county. This plan includes four separate proposals, which differentiate as to where the boundary line between the northern and southern councils is drawn.

Derbyshire County Council submitted a separate proposal to create a single unitary council covering the whole of the county.

The statutory consultation is a formal, legally-required process which must be carried out by the Government before it can mak