CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Monthly Parish Council meeting

held at 7pm on 8^th September 2026

at Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Hall

Present: Cllrs Jason Adshead (Chair), Michaela Daniels, Tony Dales, Nick Hill, Philip Ockenden & S Young

In Attendance: Ms G Turner, Clerk

27/278  Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Mike Chantler, Melissa Drabble, Mark Drabble, Nigel Gourlay & Chris Williams.

27/279 To make any Declarations of Interests – none.

27/280  To consider any applications for Dispensations – none.

27/281  Police Officer Jake Schofield gave the following report on local incidents for August:

Thefts

1x shop thefts – Morrisons

1x theft from a person

 Criminal Damage

1x neighbour damages lock

Assaults

2x common assaults — no injury

1x assault on an emergency worker

1x DV - mother assaulted by son

Public Order

3x s5 public order offences

Stalking/harassment

1x harassment by neighbours

4x domestic stalking/harassment

Upcoming priorities for Chapel-en-le-Frith - Anti social behaviour, parking and speeding.

27/282  Public Participation

(a)  There were no members of the public in attendance.

(b)  County Councillor Ruth George attended the meeting and gave the following update:

Cllr George has linked up the Head of Highways at DCC with Combs Sailing Club regarding cutting the speed limit on the nearby 55470, Manchester Road to 30mph.  This move is also supported by the police.

Progress has been made regarding Combs residents desire for the mobile library to stop in their village. DCC are aware of the demand in the village and will review the mobile library’s schedule after December.

Cllr George is now a member of the Fire & Rescue Authority.  Blue watch has raised several issues with the Authority, mainly around the Tintwistle Moor fires and there will be an enquiry into this incident.

The Local Government Reorganisation is on hold with the Unitary Authority in Derbyshire under review.

27/283    Chief Inspector Anna Woodhouse, Communities Manager, gave a presentation on the changes taking place within Neighbourhood Policing, and how these changes may affect Chapel-en-le-Frith

The Chair welcomed Chief Inspector Woodhouse, who introduced herself and presented an update on neighbourhood policing and its implications for Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Local policing structure and resources

·         PCSO Karen Green and PC Jake Schofield provide frontline neighbourhood policing.

·         Sergeant Laura Bullock supervises the local team.

·         Inspector Hayley Repton oversees neighbourhood and response policing across the High Peak.

·         Chief Inspector Woodhouse provides strategic oversight across northern Derbyshire.

Chief Inspector Woodhouse summarised the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, launched in June 2025, under five pillars:

1. Police back on the beat: Funding had been secured to increase High Peak neighbourhood constables from nine to twelve.

2. Community-led policing: Each Safer Neighbourhood area has a named officer, quarterly priorities and a published engagement plan. High Peak recorded the highest number of Derbyshire Alert messages in June. Details of local officers and street-meet events are available at www.police.uk.

Councillors were asked to encourage residents to complete the Community Voice Survey, the results of which inform Safer Neighbourhood Team priorities.

3. Performance standards and professional excellence: All neighbourhood officers, from Inspector to PCSO, had received College of Policing training in engagement, problem-solving and tackling anti-social behaviour.

Performance is measured through stop and searches, investigations, outstanding suspects, arrests, positive outcomes and hotspot patrol hours. The current detection rate was reported as 40%. In response to Cllr Young, Chief Inspector Woodhouse agreed to consider providing information on incident outcomes.

4. Crackdown on anti-social behaviour: Measures include hotspot patrols, a North Division Youth Engagement Sergeant and SARA problem-management plans (Scanning, Analysis, Response and Assessment). Chief Inspector Woodhouse advised that the apparent rise in ASB partly reflected improved recording.

5. Safer town centres: Enhanced activity during the summer and winter of 2025 focused on the night-time economy, violence against women and girls, retail crime and ASB. The police are also seeking to recruit Special Constables and Police Volunteers who reflected local communities.

Questions and discussion

Cllr Philip Ockenden asked about targets and where Chapel sits on a benchmark. Chief Inspector Woodhouse advised that meaningful benchmarking between areas was difficult because of differing demographics.

Cllr Stewart Young stressed the importance of continuity, noting the established local presence of PCSO Karen Green and PC Jake Schofield. Neighbourhood teams had engagement targets, including eight Facebook posts and ten Derbyshire Alert sign-ups, with success assessed through public interaction.

In response to Cllr Tony Dales’ question about public satisfaction and whether it is driven by police presence in the community, Chief Inspector Woodhouse said the Community Voice Survey was a key measure of public satisfaction. Members were asked to promote the survey to residents.

Cllr Jason Adshead raised concerns about inconsiderate and dangerous parking. Chief Inspector Woodhouse explained that faded road markings hindered enforcement. Cllr Ruth George reported that Derbyshire County Council’s line-painting programme was progressing northwards through the county.

In response to Cllr Jason Adshead query about reaching all sections of the community, Chief Inspector Woodhouse said engagement would extend beyond social media to reach groups including parents, farmers and commuters, with street meets considered at locations such as stations, schools and livestock markets.

Cllr Jason Adshead asked whether it was still the case that the area was on the lower level of the policing requirement. Chief Inspector Woodhouse advised that the staffing formula indicated three officers, but the High Peak’s geography required greater provision.

Responding to Cllr Ruth George’s query, Chief Inspector Woodhouse confirmed that police teams met Derbyshire County Council’s Youth Justice Team approximately fortnightly and found its support helpful. She also confirmed that the loss of Chapel’s Carelink facilities and monitoring station would affect policing.

27/284  There were no matters that required the exclusion of press and public.

27/285  To agree any variations of order of business – County Councillor Ruth George arrived at the meeting at 7.15pm and so it was resolved to revisit agenda item 27/282, and then consider 27/009, and 27/290 straight after. It was also agreed to discuss agenda items 27/246 and 27/289 together.

27/286    To approve the minutes of the Monthly Council meetings held on 11^th August 2026 – All agreed that the Chair be authorised to sign the minutes of the monthly council meeting held on 11^th August, as being a true and correct record.

27/287    The Chair’s Report – no update.

Councillor Stewart Young stated that a card of thanks had been sent to the Council from Councillor Jim Perkins for the card and gift, sent by Councillors, following his retirement as a Parish Councillor. 

27/288    Finance:

(a)  It was resolved to authorise the schedule of accounts presented for payment totalling £17,883.15 (including VAT).

(b)  Actual income and expenditure against budget was noted.

It was noted that the Sherwood Forester carving was on the incorrect budget line and should be moved to S106 rather than S137.

Councillors asked for an update on the renovations to the flat.  The Clerks stated that they were struggling to obtain a third quote for the windows and door replacements and Councillors therefore resolved that only 2 quotes would be necessary and they would delegate it to the Clerks to determine which company to use based on quality and timeframe.  It was also agreed that the Clerks should decide which cooker to purchase, based on value for money up to a limit of £500 plus VAT.

To receive updates on Actions from previous Minutes

27/009 Peak Cluster proposal – County Councillor Ruth George reported that an exhibition was currently being held at the Mechanics Institute showing how the proposal would affect Whaley Bridge.  If the exhibition is effective the Campaigners would like to produce a similar one for Chapel. Campaigners were due to walk the length of the pipeline on 27^th September to raise awareness of the proposal.

27/107 New Parish Council ``3`24 and Online Booking System – Councillor Nick Hill stated that he had spoken to Aubergine and was happy to proceed if that is the preferred supplier, although he still has reservations about the Council not owning the website.  It was therefore agreed that the costs of the full package from Aubergine including the booking system integration with Rialtas should be considered at the October Full Council Meeting.

27/232 Election of Vice Chair for the remaining 2026/2027 year – The Chair proposed and Councillor Tony Dales seconded that Councillor Nick Hill should be elected as Vice Chair.

There being no further nominations it was resolved that Councillor Nick Hill be elected as Vice-Chair of the Parish Council for the period to the next Annual Meeting of the Council. All agreed.

27/246 Motion from Planning Committee - The committee proposed a motion to the Full Council to consider engaging a Neighbourhood Planning Consultant, once the amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) have been published by the Government to aid with decision making regarding the future viability of the Parish having a Neighbourhood Plan.

Prior to the publication of the NPPF the Council undertakes to begin drafting amendments to its existing Neighbourhood plan and undertake consultations with parishioners – Following discussions it was agreed by a vote of 5 to 1 to commence drafting amendments to Chapel-en-le-Frith’s Neighbourhood Plan.  It was also agreed that Councillor Tony Dales will contact Owen Hoare from Objections Experts to see if he can assist with reviewing the Neighbourhood Plan and what the likely costs would be.  Councillor Ruth George and the Assistant Clerk both offered to assist with the process.

27/247 To adopt the Terms of Reference of the Planning Committee – A copy of the Planning Committee terms of reference were circulated to members.  Councillor Stewart Young proposed and Councillor Nick Hill seconded that the Planning Committee terms of reference should be adopted.  All agreed.

27/253 Motion from Cllr Hill - That this council approves the valuation and sale of the MUGA frame removed from the Memorial Park and all proceeds be provided to the Friends of the Memorial Park to acquire and implement the new MUGA. The Proceeds will only be used to for the procurement of the new MUGA and no ancillary activities relating to the project – Following discussion an amended motion was proposed by Councillor Adshead and seconded by Councillor Tony Dales that Councillor Nick Hill should meet with Councillor Mark Drabble and create a roadmap containing details of ownership, an inventory of items held with their condition and insurance cover.  All agreed.

27/289  Prior to publishing the NPPF the Council undertakes to begin drafting amendments to its existing Neighbourhood plan and undertake consultations with parishioners – see 27/246 above.

27/290 To consider a request from County Councillor George that the Parish Council support an application to DCC for Combs village to be a 20mph zone under their new policy – County Councillor Ruth George explained that the Safer Neighbourhood Team had organised a meeting at the end of July attended by between 50 and 60 residents, which is a huge turnout from the village.  Concerns were raised about the lack of pavements for pedestrians, the speed of cars travelling through the village and the risk posed by increased numbers of tourists who are unaware of the village layout.

Councillor Nick Hill asked whether 20mph zones include speed bumps, to which Councillor Ruth George responded no, DCC’s policy is not to install speed bumps as this creates problems with insurance claims.  A 20mph zone is however enforceable by the police. 

Councillor Ruth George stated that she was looking for a letter of support from the Parish Council for the proposed 20mph zone in Combs Village.   

Councillors resolved to support the introduction of a 20mph speed limit in Combs Village and will write to County Councillor Ruth George confirming its support.

27/291 Motion from Cllr Melissa Drabble - That the Parish Council proceeds with a planning application for new play equipment at Dove Holes Park, using the available S106 funding, and serves the necessary notice on the landowner as part of the application – As Councillor Melissa Drabble was not in attendance, it was agreed to defer this item to the October meeting.

27/292  It was agreed that the next full council meeting will be held on Tuesday 6^th October 2026.

There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.30pm.

______________________                            

CHAIR