MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 11th DECEMBER 2001
PRESENT: Councillor Randall Sanders (Town Mayor) in the Chair,
Councillors Tim Benson, Alan Broughton, Ron Buzzard, Alan Cox, Ron Day, Robert Hallsworth, Peter Leahy, Ben Miller, John Nelson, Joyce Sanders and Richard Watson.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Elaine Emmott and Michael Handley.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
Item 14 (Sports Development) was deferred until the next meeting so that all three submissions could be considered at the same time.
It was agreed to take an additional item "Proposed footpath at St John's" after item 21.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Alan Cox declared an interest in item 9 (Planning Applications) and Councillor Ben Miller declared an interest in item 10 (Justices and Entertainments Licences).
Councillors Joyce and Randall Sanders declared interests in Planning Application AVA/2001/0853 of item 9 and also in item 20 (Resignation of Relief Caretaker).
Councillor Ron Buzzard declared an interest in Planning Application AVA/2001/1216 of item 9.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were in attendance.
- ITEMS TAKEN IN CAMERA
It was agreed to discuss the issue of payment for the wall at 2 Field Lane (item 11 Payments and Receipts) in camera.
- MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 6th NOVEMBER 2001
The minutes of the meeting held on 6th November 2001 were received and approved. It was noted that there were two minutes numbered 405. For record purposes the first "Town Centre Cleanliness" would be 405 and the second "Public Participation" would be 405a.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES
405 Town Centre Cleanliness
Reference was made to a vehicle that had been parked on the pavement at the bottom of St John's Road close to the junction with Nottingham Road. The amount of leaves under the car suggested that it had not been moved for a considerable time. Councillor John Nelson would take the matter up with the Borough Council.
408/394 East Midlands in Bloom
It was confirmed that the suggestion that the Field Lane flower bed should be raised had not been agreed.
It was agreed Standing Order 66 should be waived so that the order for next year's summer bedding plants and those for hanging baskets and planters may be placed with Broadholme Nursery. The total cost was likely to be in the region of £2,500.
It was agreed that if the surface of the Market Place was cleaned the process would have to be carried out at regular intervals. Accordingly it was decided to take no action and let it weather naturally.
The Town Clerk reported that the Borough Council would be willing to act on behalf of the Town Council if it wished to prosecute for fly posting. However the Borough Council generally found that a letter to the offender resulted in the removal of the posters.
411 Market Place Working Group
Councillor Joyce Sanders reported that she had met Bob Harrison of English Heritage who had confirmed that the Market Place should not be softened by the use of plants, though there was no reason why the properties surrounding the Market Place could not be adorned with hanging baskets. It was agreed to invite Bob Harrison to a future meeting to consider whether there were any ways in which an acceptable compromise could be achieved.
The Town Clerk confirmed that the members of the Rugby Club who were erecting and dismantling the market stalls were working under the supervision of a Fire Officer who was fully qualified in all aspects of health and safety. Those helping were issued with gloves and hard hats, but were required to provide their own protective footwear.
419 Butts Improvement Scheme
As the available finance was insufficient to improve the appearance of Sweetings' corner other possible sources of income would be explored, including Land Fill Tax and the Town Heritage Initiative, to see if there was any way in which the Improvement Scheme could be extended.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor reminded Councillors of the Christmas Festivities and Christmas Farmers' Market that would be taking place on Sunday 16th December between 11.00am and 3.00pm, and of the Christmas Eve Carol Service in the Market Place which would be at 8.00pm. He hoped as many members as possible would attend both events.
The office would be closed on 24th, 25th and 26th December and 1st January. Because of several incidents that had taken place in the Chapel grounds in recent weeks staff, if working alone, could have the door locked both during and outside normal working hours.
On behalf of the Council the Leader, Councillor Tim Benson, thanked the Mayor for all the work he had undertaken in preparing the Christmas lights for display, liasing with those property owners who supplied electricity, working closely with the County Council staff during their erection and then ensuring they were in working order throughout the Christmas period.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Councillor Joyce Sanders reported on the planning applications circulated at the last Council meeting and on 30th November. She and Councillor Robert Hallsworth had considered that the Council should raise the following issues with the Planning Authority and had written accordingly:-
a AVA/2001/1117 - the proposed colour of pastel green was inappropriate for a listed building.
b AVA/2001/1183 - the construction of 18 flats and 16 houses on the main entrance to Belper from the north would not only reflect badly on the town but generate a significant amount of additional traffic. Councillor Joyce Sanders said she believed the site was suitable for three or four executive houses. She suggested that Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee bell now housed at the North Mill Visitor Centre could serve as a focal point for the site and mark the entrance to Belper. This would in turn allow the Mill bell currently on view in the Heritage Centre to be returned to its rightful home.
c AVA/2001/1198 - though there was no objection to the security fence the trees on the northern boundary of the Pottery School site should be pruned as they were restricting light to neighbouring properties.
On the Schedule that had been tabled at the meeting Councillor Joyce Sanders commented that careful scrutiny of Application AVA/2001/1228 would be necessary both on usage and fire safety grounds. She also considered that Application AVA/2001/1216 was now likely to be approved on the grounds that a night club at Belper Mills was the least worst option and to be preferred to one in the town centre.
Arising from a discussion on the revised application for the Convent Councillor Alan Cox said he would provide editorial for the Belper News explaining the planning roles of the three tiers of local authority operating in the town.
The sentiments expressed in the Belper Historical Society's letter were endorsed and it was agreed to send a letter to the Borough Council in support of the Society's views.
- JUSTICE'S AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
No comments were made on the application for a Justices' Licence and the three applications for Entertainments Licences on the schedules of 29th November and 11th December.
- PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS
The Schedule of Payments and Receipts covering the period from 30th October to 28th November 2001 was received and approved. The Schedule is attached to these Minutes and shows total payments of £19,469.48 and receipts of £1,512.50.
- BUDGET 2002/3
In introducing the proposed budget for the next financial year Councillor Tim Benson referred to the Council's ongoing commitments and the limited flexibility that existed. However he stressed the growing importance of working in partnership with other authorities and organisations to make the most effective use of the Council's limited resources.
He specifically referred to proposed increases in grant to Fleet Arts (£5,500) and Belper Music and Arts (£5,000) and the one off costs associated with the Golden Jubilee which together with the Larks in the Park and band concert programme would be met from the Arts budget of £17,300. The Sports budget had been increased to £47,500 to provide for the expected bids from the cricket, hockey and rugby clubs as well as providing for the contribution to the Leisure Centre (£27,000) and the final instalment of the sports development support programme for Belper Town Football Club (£4,000).
During the general discussion that ensued reference was made to various items of expenditure that may have to be met from either contingencies or virement as no provision had been made for them specifically in the budget. Chief amongst these were the structural works that may have to be carried out to the Chapel and the purchase of a new vehicle.
The proposal that the precept for the year should be £218,000 an increase of £6,000 was resolved and Amber Valley Borough Council should be formally informed of this.
- COPPICE DEPOT
Various Health and Safety measures to the Coppice depot, including the provision of an adequate mess room and improvements to the ventilation, had been approved by the Council earlier in the year. It was reported that tenders had been sought from four builders, but only two had been submitted.
It was agreed that the lower of the two (£2,198.75), that submitted by Best Building Ltd, should be accepted.
- BELPER LEISURE CENTRE
Councillor Ron Buzzard reported that because of the increased responsibilities placed on the Centre Manager he had been regraded. He expected the retendering process would take place in January or February. He hoped for more realistic quotes this time, now that some of the proposals had been pruned down and the economy had taken a downturn.
- GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
The report of the public meeting held on 20 November to consider proposals to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee was noted.
- THURSDAY MARKET
The Town Clerk reported that Amber Markets had, with effect from 15 November, ceased managing the Thursday Market and the responsibility for managing it and collecting rents from the three or four regular traders had now fallen on the Town Council. The position would be kept under review.
- PUBLIC CONVENIENCES - TOWN CENTRE
Arising from the discussion on the letter from the Borough Council's Refuse and Street Cleansing Manager it was suggested that there should be a public convenience on the Market Place. The Town Clerk would look into the feasibility of providing such a facility.
- PARISH LIAISON COMMITTEE - CIVIL EMERGENCIES
The Mayor reported on the presentations by Ian Shuttleworth, the County Council's Chief Emergency Planning Officer, and John Dutton of the Environment Agency's Flood Warning and Projects Team. The presentations concentrated on those areas in Amber Valley prone to flooding and the steps being taken to minimise the danger.
The Council noted the information given and decided that because of its limited resources there was little merit in formulating its own Community Response Plan
- PARISH LIAISON COMMITTEE - ETHICS
The Town Clerk distributed various papers including the schedule appended to Statutory Instrument 2001/3576 on The Model Code of Conduct for Parish Councils, a summary of the Consultation Paper on Quality Parish and Town Councils, an outline of the role of the Standards Board, an outline of the National Training Strategy for Town and Parish Councils and a summary of the Audit Commission's New Approach to Local Audit. He explained that these were elements in the new ethical framework for local authorities that had been at the core of the Local Government Act 2000.
The advice of both the National Association of Local Councils and the Borough Council was to adopt the Model Code of Conduct in its entirety rather than try to adapt it to the Council's specific circumstances. The Model Code introduced the concepts of personal and prejudicial interest.
Comments on the Consultation Paper were required by the end of January. The Council had received only one copy and because it was fundamental in determining the future role of third tier authorities further copies had been requested. Though ordered on receipt of the single copy they had still not been issued.
It was agreed that the Consultation Paper should be sent out to members as soon as it arrived and that this and the Model Code should be considered in depth at the next meeting.
- RELIEF CARETAKER
It was reported that Andrew Sanders, the Relief Caretaker, had resigned because of increasing work commitments, and that his position had been filled by Mr Albert Smith.
Tributes were paid to Andrew for his competent and reliable service over the last two years, and in turn, his Mother, Councillor Joyce Sanders, thanked the Council for giving him the opportunity of establishing himself in regular employment.
- DERWENT VALLEY MILLS INTEGRATED TRANSPORTATION STUDY
The Derwent Valley Partnership, in anticipation of the Derwent Valley becoming a World Heritage Site, is developing a Management Plan. As part of the Plan a Transport Panel has been established with a remit to formulate an Integrated Transport Strategy. Scott Wilson have been recruited as consultants to develop the strategy and are organising a workshop which is to be held at St John's.
It was agreed, at Councillor Joyce Sanders' suggestion, that the Council should host the meeting and provide lunch and refreshments for the 30 - 35 participants.
- PROPOSED FOOTPATH AT ST JOHN'S
Councillor John Nelson said that there was a desire line from the car park across the churchyard passing near to the west end of the Chapel and joining the footpath from the porch to the lychgate. As this well trodden path across the grass was becoming unsightly and resulted in mud being trampled into the Chapel it was agreed to take soundings from both the Diocese and the Planning Authority.
- PRIVATE STREET WORKS
It was noted that the following streets and footpaths had been adopted by the County Council and were now maintainable at public expense:-
a Laund Farm Mews off Far Laund for a distance of 89 metres,
b Ashdene Gardens off Edensor Drive (95.5m),
c Footpath from Ashdene Gardens to Gregory's Way (30m), and
d Footpath off Ashdene Gardens between no7 and no9 (23m).
- CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
The schedule of correspondence received was noted.
A letter would be sent to Mr Jack Oldrini thanking him for his services as Honorary Secretary to Belper District Road Safety Committee for the last 26 years.