MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 16th January 2002
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, Joyce Sanders and Richard Watson.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
As there were 45 to 50 members of the public present, wishing to discuss the Planning Application to change the use of the former restaurant at Belper Mills to a night club it was decided to take this item first.
Subsequently it was agreed to remove item 19 (Belper Leisure Centre) from the agenda as there had not been a recent meeting of the Leisure Centre Trust; refer item 20 (Golden Jubilee Celebrations) to Recreation and Development Committee; and defer item 23 (Amber Valley Community Safety Audit) to the next meeting when Inspector Arnie Hicklin would probably be present.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - PLANNING APPLICATION - BELPER MILLS
All of the members of the public who spoke were strongly opposed to the proposal to convert the former restaurant at Belper Mills into a night club. Initially they expressed their concern at the apparent change of stance of the Town Council. Councillor Joyce Sanders explained that the Town Council had objected to the first application, but had reluctantly concluded when the second application was received that there were insufficient planning grounds on which to base an objection. The principal reasons for opposing the change of use were more to do with ensuring compliance with the licensing regulations and that customers behaved in a lawful manner, especially at closing time.
It was pointed out that recently new planning guidelines had been issued that broadened the basis on which objections could be made. It was considered that these were particularly relevant in dealing with an application within a conservation area and even more so now that World Heritage status had been granted. Accordingly it was agreed that the Town Council should return the application to the Borough Council opposing it on the grounds that:-
- it would detract from the character and appearance of this historic site;
- it could create an unfavourable impression on tourists;
- the noise levels late at night would impact significantly on residents over a wide area because of the unique acoustic of the valley at this point;
- the likelihood of traffic accidents would increase at the dangerous entrance to the car park,
- to ensure the safety of those leaving the night club the owners would have to erect unsightly guard rails along the river frontages.
- however well policed, the anti-social behaviour of some customers after leaving the night club would seriously affect nearby residents, the North Mill Visitor Centre and employers in the complex:
- it would adversely impact on the River Gardens, Calder's Corner and the proposed "lost garden"; and
- the walkway by the river is probably insufficiently wide in the event of the building having to be evacuated in an emergency.
There was then a concluding discussion covering broader issues relating to the site and whether it was appropriate to have any night clubs in Belper
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Elaine Emmott, Michael Handley and John Nelson.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillors Ron Buzzard and Alan Cox had declared an interest in the Planning Application for the proposed night club at Belper Mills (minute 452) and were not present for this item.
Councillor Alan Cox declared an interest in item 10 (Planning Applications) and Councillor Ben Miller declared an interest in item 12 (Justices and Entertainments Licences).
Councillors Ron Buzzard and Joyce Sanders declared interests in Planning Applications AVA/2001/1287 (erection of floodlights at Holbrook Miners Welfare) and AVA/2001/1272 (new sixth form block at Belper School) respectively.
- AMBER VALLEY STREET WARDEN SCHEME
Mr Paul Whittingham the Borough Council's Housing Operations Manager outlined the main features of the draft implementation plan which had been developed following the receipt of provisional approval for the scheme. It embraced four wards in Amber Valley including Belper South.
At present the role of "wardening" the Borough Council's housing is undertaken by three mobile estates caretakers. Under the proposed match funded scheme the Borough Council's contribution would be these three employees, and the Government would fund an additional two street wardens. Though the scheme would only be funded for two years it was to be welcomed. Accordingly a letter of support would be sent to the Borough Council.
- ITEMS TAKEN IN CAMERA
There were no items that warranted being taken in camera other than minute 450 (Wall at 2 Field Lane) of the previous Council meeting.
- MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 11 DECEMBER 2001
Minutes 426 to 449 of the meeting held on 11th December 2001 were received
and approved.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES
434a Planning Application AVA/2001/1117
The Borough Council's Conservation Officer would meet the applicant to agree a more appropriate colour. He would then consult with this Council before re-submitting the application to his Council.
It was noted that Brook Cottage was listed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 17th December.
442 Public Conveniences - Market Place
As the provision of public conveniences was not the responsibility of this Council the Town Clerk would write to the Borough Council asking them to consider providing such a facility.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor reported that he and the Mayoress together with several other members and officers had visited HMS Brocklesby whilst it was in Grimsby yesterday. The Civic party had been received most warmly; they had toured the vessel and then had attended a cocktail reception. Gifts had been exchanged and the links between the ship and town which were first made in 1942 were re-affirmed. A letter would be sent to Commander Ireland thanking him and his crew for their hospitality and listing the main events in the Council's calendar in the hope that a party from HMS Brocklesby would be able to visit Belper at some time during the year.
Letters of condolence would be sent to Councillor Michael Handley and his wife, and to Councillor Peter Arnold, who represents Belper South ward on the Borough Council, regarding their sad losses.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Councillor Joyce Sanders reported on the planning applications circulated at the last Council meeting and on 8th January. 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/2001/1277 and 1283 - if consent was given for change of use from a barn to residential accommodation then every effort should be made to retain as many as possible of the site's original features, including stone walls and trees and any new building should be in stone. There were also problems over vehicular access to the site as well as use of the narrow driveway on the site itself.
b AVA/2001/1287 - as the application to erect floodlights at Holbrook Miners Welfare was similar to the one that had been submitted previously the Borough Council's attention would be drawn to this and they would be asked to ensure the views of the local residents were taken into account.
- AMBER VALLEY LOCAL PLAN REVIEW
In order to ensure the piece of land immediately to the south east of the Coppice car park was categorised as being for "playing fields, parks and informal open space" it would be necessary to make a formal objection to the First Deposit Plan.
As there was no mention of the need for a relief road for the A6 through the centre of Belper in the Plan it would also be necessary to raise this issue so reference was made to it in subsequent stages of the review process.
- JUSTICE'S AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
No comments were made on the applications for Justices' Licences, Gaming Permits and applications for Entertainments Licences on the schedules of 11th December and 8th January.
- PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS
The Schedule of Payments and Receipts covering the period from 3rd to 28th December 2001 was received and approved. The Schedule is attached to these minutes and shows total payments of £27,707.27 and receipts of £3260.98.
It was noted that cheque 203727 for £1,762.50 related to work carried out by Derbyshire County Council in the autumn of 1999, but only invoiced in November. Such a delay affected the County Council's finances adversely, losing notional interest and increasing administration costs because of additional queries. Though it meant this Council's income from bank interest was increased it could lead to cash flow problems at the year end. The issue would be raised with the County Council.
The payments to Bulldog related to the annual maintenance fee for the intruder alarm system and three call out charges when it was necessary for the company to reset the alarm.
As vandalism to the notice boards was increasing and the repair bills were now a significant item of expenditure it was agreed that when the doors of notice boards were vandalised they should be removed. This would mean that the notices for the notice boards which were open to the elements should be laminated.
- DISTRICT AUDITOR'S CERTIFICATE
The District Auditor's certificate and opinion which recorded the fact that he considered the Council's "financial statements present fairly the financial position" were noted. The informal comments made by the auditor responsible for examining the Council's accounts would be submitted to the next meeting.
- SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
Councillor Ron Buzzard reported that he had had a number of meetings with each of the three sports clubs. All three clubs played a vital role in the life of the community and were firmly committed to the concept of sports development and encouraging the participation of as many target groups as possible in their sport. Bearing in mind the specific requirements of each club and the limitations of the Council's financial resources he recommended that the Belper Rugby Club should be awarded a grant of £4,500 in 2002/3 and £4,000 in each of the next two years and that Belper Hockey Club and Belper Meadows Cricket Club should both be given grants of £3,000 per year for five years starting in 2002/3. His recommendations were agreed by the Council.
Councillor Ron Buzzard added that to develop the Meadows still further as one of the best sporting complexes in the East Midlands the sports clubs were considering making a joint submission to the National Lottery to provide a new suite of changing rooms. This could lead to a further request for grant aid to the Council.
- BELPER STEAM AND VINTAGE EVENT
It was agreed to make a grant of £500 towards the costs of this year's event which would be on 8th and 9th June. Furthermore the Council will underwrite the event to the extent of a further £500 should adverse circumstances arise.
- BELPER COMMUNITY HALL
Whilst sympathetic to their request it was considered that the County Council as owner, rather than the Community Hall Committee as tenant, should bear the cost of meeting the requirements of the recent legislation that necessitated a permanent ramp and a toilet with wheel chair access at the Community Hall. The Committee would be asked to pursue this with the County Council in the first instance.
- ST JOHN'S CHAPEL STRUCTURE
Before considering Norder's latest report in depth it was considered that the views of English Heritage should be obtained. It was anticipated that Bob Harrison the Area Officer for English Heritage would be attending Council in the near future to discuss the Market Place so the opportunity could be taken to consider St John's at the same time.
- PARISH TRANSPORT GRANT
Although it was considered that the grant applied to sparsely populated rural areas contact would be established with the Rural Transport Partnership Officer to see whether Belper could benefit from this initiative.
- STANDARDS AND CODE OF CONDUCT
The contents of the four documents:-
- Quality Parish and Town Councils,
- Strong Local Leadership - Quality Public Services,
- A New Appproach to Local Council Audit, and
- A National Training Strategy for Parish and Town Councils,
It was agreed to approve the Model Code of Conduct as set out in The Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2001 in its entirety. The Borough Council would be notified accordingly. The Code would become operative from either the date that it was adopted by the Borough or May 5th.
- PARISH BOUNDARY
As Court House Farm looked to Duffield and the road from the farm went to Duffield rather than Milford it was agreed that the Parish Boundary should be amended so that the farm was included in the Parish of Duffield.
- NOMINATIONS TO OUTSIDE BODIES
It was noted that the Conservative Group's representative on the Citizens Advice Bureau is Councillor Ron Day and on Amber Valley Access is Borough Councillor Peter Arnold.
The Mayor, Councillor Randall Sanders, was confirmed as the Council's representative on the Derwent Valley Mills Tourism, Arts and Heritage Sites Panel.
Councillor Tim Benson explained that the Council had withdrawn its nomination to the Borough Council's Standards Committee following the receipt of a letter from Ripley Town Council. It was considered that the Amber Valley Parish and Town Councils should decide on who should represent them on the Standards Committee rather than the Borough Council selecting a representative from a number of nominations. It appeared that DALC was taking the lead and was writing to all the third tier authorities.
- DERWENT VALLEY INTERPRETATION PANEL
It was agreed to write a letter of support to Groundwork Erewash Valley endorsing their approach as set out in their letter and emphasising the need for a uniform approach in colour, size and layout of interpretation panels throughout the Heritage area.
- CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
The schedule of correspondence received was noted.