PRESENT: Councillor Randall Sanders (Town Mayor) - in the Chair

Councillors Tim Benson, Ron Buzzard, Alan Broughton, Alan Cox, Ron Day, Robert Hallsworth, Peter Leahy, Ben Miller, John Nelson, Joyce Sanders, and Richard Watson

1. APOLOGIES
   Councillors Elaine Emmott and Michael Handley.
2. APPOINTMENT OF CLERK FOR THE MEETING
   Mr Tony Clifford was appointed Clerk for the meeting.
3. MINUTES OF ANNUAL ASSEMBLY ON 9th MAY 2000
   The Minutes of the 26th Annual Assembly held on 9th May 2000 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor. It was noted that under minute 3 (Work of the Town Council in 1999/2000) the reference to the sale of the Coope, Boyes and Simpson's CDs should have stated they were generating income for the Belper Millennium Music and Arts Celebration Committee rather than the Council itself.
4. ANNUAL REPORT 2000/2001
   Councillor Tim Benson, the Leader of the Council, explained that the Annual Report had been printed for the first time this year as one of the requirements that had to be met if the Council was to become a "Quality Town Council". Then, speaking to the report, he outlined the Council's achievements during the year. He stressed the key role the Council played by working in partnership with the two principal authorities, other public bodies and voluntary groups. By doing this the Town Council made the most effective use of its limited resources and played a pivotal role in the life of the town.
   Though it had been a year of consolidation in many areas he emphasised the measures that were being taken to regenerate Belper. At this time of structural change in the employment profile of the town the Council had an important role to play in ensuring that the challenges now facing the town were met and every opportunity was seized to make Belper a better place in which to live and work.
5. BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX PRECEPT FOR 2001/2002
   The Council Tax Precept for 2001/2002 was £212,000 and estimated expenditure for the forthcoming year was £240,850.
6. 6 MAURICE HEELY AWARD
   The shield and cheque for £250 for services to the young people of Belper was presented to Ms Sarah Laman the Coordinator of Fleet Arts on behalf of that organisation's "Nail it Down" project. This initiative which had been running for over six years helped young people to develop their musical talents and gave them an opportunity to experiment with different forms of popular music.
7. TOWN SERVICE AWARDS
   Two Awards were made:
   1. To Mrs Jean Byrne for her work over many years with the Neighbourhood Watch movement, and more specifically as Chair of Belper's Neighbourhood Watch Support Group for the last four years. In accepting the Award Mrs Byrne thanked the Council and said she considered it as being made to all those involved in the movement in Belper rather than to herself.
   2. To Mr Peter Davies in recognition of the many voluntary initiatives he had been involved in over the years. The Wells Dressings and Santa Aid were two major events in the life of the town that he had started and developed and now he was presiding at the birth of Belper's "Lost Garden". In thanking the Council for honouring him he, too, paid tribute to the many Belper people who worked with him and ensured the success of these events.
8. OTHER PARISH MATTERS
   No matters were raised under this heading.

PRESENT: Councillor Randall Sanders (Town Mayor) - in the Chair

Councillors Tim Benson, Ron Buzzard, Alan Broughton, Alan Cox, Ron Day, Robert Hallsworth, Peter Leahy, Ben Miller, John Nelson, Joyce Sanders, and Richard Watson

1. APOLOGIES Councillors Elaine Emmott and Michael Handley
2. ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR
   In reviewing his year of office, the Mayor referred to the many enjoyable visits he had made on behalf of the Council to a diverse range of organisations representing all aspects of the life of the community. He spoke particularly of the close contacts he had with all of Belper's schools and the growing involvement with local businesses.
   He closed by thanking his family and friends for all their support during the year, and paid particular tribute to the Mayoress (Councillor Joyce Sanders) and the Mayor's Secretary (Mrs Elaine Hibbert).
   On behalf of the Council, Councillor Tim Benson thanked the Mayor for his hard work during the preceding year. By his enthusiasm, friendliness and willingness to be involved in all aspects of the community's life he had raised the profile of the Council.
   Accordingly he nominated him to continue as Mayor for the coming year. The nomination was seconded by Councillor John Nelson and Councillor Randall Sanders was duly elected Mayor for the ensuing municipal year.
3. ELECTION OF DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR
   Councillor Ron Buzzard in thanking the Deputy Mayor (Councillor Richard Watson) for his work throughout the past year particularly stressed his key role in organising the Larks in the Park and many other musical and artistic events in Belper. He had been instrumental in making Belper a "happening town".
   Councillor Ron Buzzard was elected Deputy Mayor for the next municipal year.
4. MAYOR'S ALLOWANCE 2001/2002
   The Mayor's allowance was confirmed as £2000 for the municipal year. This amount has been provided for in the budget.
5. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES 2001/2002
   The Schedule of Committee membership as set out in the agenda papers was agreed.
6. MEMBERSHIP OF OUTSIDE BODIES 2001/2002
   With the exception of the Citizens Advice Bureau Steering Committee the Schedule of membership of Outside Bodies was agreed. A report on the expanding role of the Citizens Advice Bureau and the consequent changes to the membership of the Steering Committee would be submitted to the next Council meeting.
7. DATES OF COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2001/2002
   Subject to the Council meeting proposed for 17 July being deferred by one day to Wednesday 18 July the Schedule of meetings for the ensuing year was agreed.