CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Monthly Parish Council meeting

held at 7pm on 7^th July 2026

at Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Hall

Present: Cllrs Jason Adshead (Chair), Tony Dales, Melissa Drabble, Nigel Gourlay, Nick Hill, S Young & Chris Williams

In Attendance: Ms G Turner, Clerk and Mrs E Howe, Assistant Clerk

27/0127               Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Mike Chantler, Michaela Daniels, Mark Drabble, Philip Ockenden & Jim Perkins

27/0128               To make any Declarations of Interests – Cllr Nigel Gourlay declared an interest in agenda item 27/072 as he is an elected member of DCC.

Cllr Tony Dales declared an interest in agenda item 27/138 as he is a Churchwarden.

27/0129 To consider any applications for Dispensations –None.

27/0130 There were no agenda items where it was resolved under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s1 to exclude members of the press and public on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. 

27/0131 To agree any variations of order of business – It was agreed to move agenda item 27/052, to be the first item discussed as representatives from HBPC’s Planning Policy team were in attendance to talk about the future of Neighbourhood Plans.

It was also agreed to bring forward agenda item 27/095 and 27/110 so that it wouldn’t be deferred again, due to the potential for cost savings identified.

27/0132 There were no Police Officers in attendance

27/0133 Public Speaking – there were two members of the public present at the meeting one of who wished to speak to express their concerns over the condition of the Memorial Park.

A member of the public raised concerns regarding maintenance standards and public safety within Memorial Park, including footpaths, play areas, vegetation management, litter and dog fouling. The speaker requested that the Council review the condition of the park and consider remedial action where necessary.

Councillors thanked the speaker for their comments and noted the matters raised.

There were no County and Borough Councillors present at the meeting.

27/0134  To approve the minutes of the Monthly Council meetings held on 2^nd June 2026 and the Extraordinary Meeting held on 16^th June 2026 – All agreed that the Chair be authorised to sign the minutes of the monthly council meeting held on 2^nd June and the minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 16^th June, as being true and correct records.

27/0135  The Chair’s Report – no updates. 

27/0136  Finance – It was resolved to:

(a)  Authorise the schedule of accounts presented for payment totalling £58,301.72 (including VAT).

(b)  The Quarter 1 actual income and expenditure against budget was noted.

Cllr Gourlay asked when the budgeted £40,000 HPBC Loan repayment was expected to be made.  It was agreed to place the timing of the repayment on the August Agenda.

27/0137  Motion from Councillor Hill that the Parish Council approves an additional budget uplift of £4k to the Parks Vehicle budget. This additional budget to come from budget line Amenities Equipment & Machinery Repair (Nominal Code 1339). There is £8,000 on this budget line for 2026/27 but only £3,000 was spent last year. Cllr Hill explained that once insurance, warranty and an inspection were taken from the budgeted £10k for a Park’s Vehicle, the money remaining was about £8,500.  After looking at vehicles around this price it was determined that they tend to have well over 100k mileages on the clock and look a bit shabby.  For a few thousand more a newer, smarter vehicle could be purchased with around 50k miles on the clock. This vehicle should then last at least 7-8 years.    Cllr Chris Williams seconded the motion, and all agreed.

To receive updates on Actions from previous Minutes

27/009     Peak Cluster proposal – no update

27/052      To consider whether to update the Neighbourhood Plan       - The Chair welcomed Scott Moran and Alasdair Cross from HPBC’s planning policy team, who had been invited to provide advice regarding the implications and potential benefits of updating the Neighbourhood Plan.

Cllr Gourlay stated that HPBC doesn’t have an agreed housing supply and therefore until there is a known housing supply in place how much weight does the neighbourhood plan have?

The Planning Policy Officers explained that if a Council’s Neighbourhood Plan has not been updated for more than 5 years, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) applied and there would be a tilted balance in favour of the developers.

They went on to clarify that although the Neighbourhood Plan has limited ability to prevent housing developments under current planning conditions it does remain part of the statutory development plan and continues to carry some weight in guiding planning decisions.  However, any policies which conflict with Government’s NPPF will attract little or no weight.

Any updates to the Neighbourhood Plan will need to closely align with the NPPF currently under review, as national policy will always trump local policy. If a local policy is against the new national policy, then it will not carry any weight.

The Planning Policy Officers advised that the changes to the NPPF are expected to significantly increase housing targets and further weaken the effectiveness of local planning policies intended to restrict development. It is expected that Chapel could see a 20% increase in housing over a 20-year period.

Under the new Unitary Authority, the NHP will carry the same weight. If HPBC can get their local plan finalised before the new Unitary Authority comes into effect then it will stay in place.  If not, then the Unity Authority will probably scrap the plan and start from scratch.

Cllr Young questioned whether it was worth updating the NHP, given the substantial financial and volunteer commitment required to review and update it would represent value for money if it could not effectively prevent unwanted development.

The Planning Policy Officers advised that, regardless of future local authority structures, an adopted Neighbourhood Plan would continue to form part of the development plan for the area.

They also stated that whilst a Neighbourhood Plan was unlikely to prevent development where there was an overriding housing requirement, it could still play an important role in shaping the type, design and quality of development and in setting local priorities.

Cllr Hill asked whether it was possible to identify affordable housing in the NHP.  It was noted that although the Government is keen on the promotion of affordable housing there is a problem with viability as finding an organisation to take on the management of the properties can be challenging.

Cllr Dales asked whether the Planning Policy Officers would recommend updating the NHP.  They responded that if the Council wanted to use it to restrict development, then no, but if you are wishing to guide development then yes.

It was noted that the Planning Policy Officer would be willing to provide technical support, mapping advice and planning guidance should the Parish Council choose to proceed with a review.

It was resolved that Councillors consider the information provided, review the implications of updating the Neighbourhood Plan, and submit any further questions to the Clerk for onward referral to HPBC Planning Policy Officers.

It was also agreed that the Planning Committee will discuss this further before bringing back to a Full Council meeting in the future.

27/072   Motion from the Finance & Assets Committee that they accept the proposal from DCC regarding accepting a 10-year term for the library lease with a rolling break after year one and that Councillors think about how to encourage community groups to use the library more – Cllr Nick Hill proposed and Cllr Tony Dales seconded that the Parish Council should agree to a ten year library lease with a one year rolling break clause after one year. All agreed.  As an elected member DCC Cllr Nigel Gourlay abstained from the vote.  It was also agreed that Councillors should consider ways to encourage community groups to make greater use of the library. 

27/073   Motion from the Finance & Assets Committee that where practicable the Parish Council supports a local first purchasing policy – Cllr Jason Adshead proposed that the Parish Council should support a local first purchasing policy where practicable, whilst also ensuring value of money. Cllr Nick Hill seconded the proposal, and all agreed.

27/074   Motion from the Finance & Assets Committee that Full Council considers further the Dove Holes hanging baskets contract and invites the Dove Holes Community Association to a meeting with the Finance & Assets Committee – Cllr Jason Adshead proposed and Cllr Nigel Gourlay seconded that Dove Holes Community Association should be invited to meet with the Finance & Assets Committee to discuss how they can work together for the benefit of Dove Holes.

It was noted that Cllrs Mark Drabble and Melissa Drabble have offered to contribute towards the hanging baskets in Dove Holes.

27/085   To consider further the proposal from LGRS relating to improvements to the way that the Council operates – no update.

27/093   To consider reinstating the Councils Community Awards Scheme funded through Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 – Cllr Jason Adshead proposed and Cllr Tony Dales seconded a motion that the Council’s Community Awards Scheme should be reinstated and that terms of reference should be prepared outlining the criteria for nomination for an award.  All agreed wholeheartedly to the reinstatement of these awards.

It was further agreed that this item will be referred to the Community, Communications and New Projects Committee to develop the terms of reference and to identify a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and costs.

27/095 and 27/110 IT Systems and Telephone Provision – a report including quotations was circulated to members for consideration. Following discussion Cllr Nigel Gourlay proposed and Cllr Nick Hill seconded that the Parish Council should proceed with Cloudy IT as the preferred provider, subject to confirmation that their broadband costs are competitive.  All agreed.

27/096 and 27/112 Insurance Agreement and Property Review – It was noted that the Council is now out of time to sign up for a 3-year fixed contract with the current insurer.

The Clerk informed members that a desktop rebuild cost valuation would cost £115 +VAT per property.  It was agreed to arrange for the properties to be valued for their rebuild cost to ensure that they are not under insured.

27/107   New Parish Council Website and Online Booking System – A report for circulated to members which recommended that the Parish Council website be moved to Aubergine as they specialise in Parish Council website.  Cllr Nick Hill raised a few issues one that the Council will not own the website ownership they merely licence it which could be a problem if the Council wishes to move to a new provider.  He also has concerns around the storage capacity and the extra costs involved in transferring more than 2 years of documents to the new website.  No decision was taken on a new website provider, and it was agreed that Cllr Nick Hill will arrange to meet with Aubergine so that he can raise his concerns.

It was also agreed to ask SK23 Design and IT to quote for a new website.

Cllr Nigel Gourlay proposed and Cllr Jason Adshead seconded that the Online Booking System should be move to the Town Hall & Assets Committee to make a decision.  All agreed.

27/0138 Motion from Councillor Adshead that the Council carries out an Office Modernisation Review – Cllr Adshead explained that he feels that the office staff were working in a not very pleasant environment and the office is well overdue a refurbishment, alongside digitalisation of all the paperwork.

Cllr Adshead further proposed that £10,000 could be moved from the budget for the repairs to 47/49 Market Street (NC 1168) to Town Hall painting & refurbishment (NC 1239), as the remaining refurbishments are now unlikely to be as much as £25,000.

Cllr Chris Williams seconded Cllr Adshead’s proposals and all agreed.

27/0139 To consider a funding request received from St Thomas Beckett towards the Churchyard maintenance – Following discussion it was agreed to write to St Thomas Beckett and inform them that there was no funding available within the current budget but that potential grants for churchyards would be considered during the 2027/28 budgeting process.

Cllr Tony Dales did not take part in this discussion as he is a Church warden at St Thomas Beckett.

27/0140  To confirm the date of the next Parish Council meeting – Due to holidays it was resolved that the August meeting will be on the second Tuesday, 11^th August 2026 at 7pm.

There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.11pm.