MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 5th February 2002
PRESENT: Councillor Randall Sanders (Town Mayor) in the Chair,
Councillors Tim Benson, Alan Broughton, Ron Buzzard, Alan Cox, Ron Day, Peter Leahy, Ben Miller, John Nelson, Joyce Sanders and Richard Watson.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Elaine Emmott, and Robert Hallsworth.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
As there had been no meeting of the Belper Leisure Centre Trust so far this year item 16 was removed from the agenda.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Alan Cox declared an interest in item 12 (Planning Applications) and Councillor Ben Miller declared an interest in item 13 (Justices and Entertainments Licences).
Councillor Randall Sanders declared an interest in Planning Application AVA/2002/0044 (classroom extension at St Elizabeth's School).
- POLICE REPORT
Inspector Arnie Hicklin tabled a schedule showing actual crimes reported in the Belper Section against the target figures as set out in the five year plan. Overall crimes reported were very close to the target with violent and vehicle crime being significantly below the anticipated level.
He then went on to describe the background to the Community Safety Audit and then focussed on Belper South which had the second highest incidence of crime in Amber Valley. He then identified the main types of crime, most of which took place in the town centre. Inspector Hicklin said that to combat town centre crime there were now more police patrolling the main thoroughfares, and this was having a beneficial effect. Nevertheless it was essential that the proposed Community Beat Team was established as soon as possible.
From the audit and the consequent consultation process the Amber Valley Partnership will produce a draft strategy which the Town Council will have the opportunity of influencing.
The effectiveness of CCTV in combating town centre crime, and in particular its role in leading to successful prosecutions was questioned. Inspector Hicklin would endeavour to obtain greater publicity for CCTV related successes.
The meeting then discussed ways in which the Police could deal with relatively minor offences, including dropping litter, the dumping of waste and urinating in public places, which were frequently raised by members of the public with Councillors.
- FLEET ARTS
Sarah Laman, the Co-ordinator for Fleet Arts, tabled a report setting out the work that the Project had undertaken in the current year. She drew particular attention to the diverse programme of Children's Holiday Arts activities at the Centre as well as those at the Parks Estate Youth Club. She stated that there were 17 different arts groups running classes and courses at the Centre and another 30 organisations used the building and its facilities: in total almost 10,000 visits had been made to the building over the preceding year.
The last page of the report identified how Fleet Arts intended to use the £5,500 that had been requested from and approved by the Council. As well as the Holiday Workshops (£1,400) and Parks Estate Project (£1,000), £1,400 had been earmarked for Nail it Down and the remaining £1,700 for venue support or basic running costs of the Centre itself.
In thanking her for the presentation Councillor Tim Benson congratulated Sarah Laman for the work that was being carried out by Fleet Arts and spoke of its increasingly important role in the day to day life of Belper.
- ITEMS TAKEN IN CAMERA
There were no items that warranted being taken in camera.
- MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 16 JANUARY 2001
The minutes of the meeting held on 16th January 2002 were received
and approved.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES
452 - Planning Application - Belper Mills
Councillor Ben Miller passed on the thanks of all those members of the public who had attended the last meeting and had been allowed the time and opportunity to discuss the proposal to convert the former restaurant at the Mills into a night club. It was noted that the application had now been withdrawn.
458-442 Public Conveniences - Market Place
The reply in response to the letter that had been sent to the Borough Council implied that there were insufficient resources and no suitable site to provide a public convenience in the Market Place area. Previous correspondence had stated that the Strutt Street toilets were sufficiently close to serve the Market Place, however it was pointed out that these had irregular opening times often being closed in the evenings.
471 - Parish Boundary
A plan showing the existing boundary between Belper and Duffield at Courthouse Farm, the modification agreed at the last meeting and a further amendment suggested by the Borough Council which had the effect of tidying up the boundary, was tabled. The new proposal, which meant the inclusion of a further two fields into Duffield was agreed.
472 - Nominations to Outside Bodies
The Council's representatives on Amber Valley Access Group were Mr Michael Bestwick and Mr Frank Wheeldon. However the latter had not attended any meetings of the Group for some time. Consequently they were seeking a replacement. It was agreed to ask Mr Michael Potter to serve as one of the Council's two representatives on the Group.
- RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
The minutes of the Recreation and Development Committee held on 22nd January 2002 were noted.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor reminded Councillors of the Civic Service which would take place at St Peter's Church at 10,30am on Sunday (10th February). The service would also serve as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.
It was noted that the planned Belper Exhibition at the Slater Mill in Pawtucket was going ahead with the official opening being on 11th October. A party of Mill Volunteers would be attending the opening. It was hoped that a party of Americans would be visiting Belper in late July. They would be mainly from a church group that hosted some of the Mill Volunteers on their last visit.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Councillor Joyce Sanders reported on the planning applications circulated at the last Council meeting and on 29th January. Following discussion it was considered that the Council should raise the following issues with the Planning Authority :-
- AVA/2002/0082 - as Broadholme Farm was within the Derwent Heritage Corridor and on the edge of both the Green Belt and an area of landscape significance the proposed works should be carried out with great sensitivity. There must be adequate car parking both for the holiday lets and the craft shop. It was also considered that the residential properties must be kept as holiday lets and not allowed to become permanent accommodation.
- AVA/2002/0092 - it was essential that as many of the mature trees on this Becksitch Lane site were retained as practicable
- AVA/2002/0066 - adequate parking must be provided for the offices which were to be created from the conversion of the old Congregational Church.
- JUSTICE'S AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
No comments were made on the various Applications for Gaming Permits, Justices' Licences and Entertainments Licences set out in the schedules of 8th and 29th January and 5th February.
- PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS
The Schedule of Payments and Receipts covering the period from 2nd to 24th January 2002 was received and approved. The Schedule is attached to these minutes and shows total payments of £15,168.77 and receipts of £1,169.00.
- DISTRICT AUDITOR'S REPORT
The detailed comments of the auditor who had carried out the Council's audit for 2000/01 were noted as were the responses thereto.
- PARISH ELECTIONS 2003
The letter and plan showing the four town wards which would be in place for next year's Parish Elections were noted. It was regretted that at a time when there was declining public interest in local elections and there was a consequent need for greater accountability of the individual councillor each of the new wards should have four members. As well as confusing residents as to which councillor to take their problems to it could confuse voters when faced with at least eight names on the voting paper.
- DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
The Local Elections (Declaration of Acceptance of Office) Order 2001 and covering letter from the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions was noted. The suggested form of written undertaking would be adopted at the same time as the Code of Conduct (see minute 470).
- RACE RELATIONS
The letter from the Commission for Racial Equality outlined the amendments to the Race Relations Act that came into operation in December. These gave public authorities a new general statutory duty to promote race equality. Codes of Practice were being formulated by the Commission on these new duties. As part of the process consultation documents had been issued for public authorities and educational establishments. Councillor Ron Buzzard took on the responsibility for completing the detailed questionnaire which accompanied these documents.
- TOWN VEHICLE
A report which recommended the purchase of a new white Ford Transit 300 short wheel base 2.0l turbo diesel 75ps pick-up with an alloy drop sided body and cab mounted beacon was tabled. The recommendation was agreed at an all inclusive cost of £11,750. Half would be paid on delivery of the vehicle with the remainder being paid in 24 monthly instalments of £244.79. This was the most cost effective way of buying the vehicle as no interest was charged on these payments.
Delivery would be in five to six weeks: as soon as this happened the Renault van would be disposed of.
- BELPER ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
As Belper Art in Public Places had been successful in promoting art in Belper to commemorate the Millennium it had fulfilled its principal aim. This together with the resignation of the Chair had led to the decision to disband the group. Under the terms of their constitution the balance of £2,432.18 on the bank account and cash in hand was to be transferred to a community group with similar aims to BAPP. They had decided that the most appropriate organisation was Fleet Arts and accordingly was in the process of transferring the money, which they had specified should be used within Belper and if possible for public arts.
- ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
The request for a grit bin outside 19 Wren Park Close was agreed subject to the approval of the owners of the property and neighbouring premises who could be affected.
The request for a dog bin at the junction of Shireoaks and Mount Pleasant Drive was also approved. The Borough Council would be asked to move the bin in the private fisherman's car park in Wyver Lane to the new site.
Though the grit bin at the junction of High Street and Primary Close had been installed the one at Meadow Court which was also included in this winter's programme had not been actioned. This would be done.
- CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
The schedule of correspondence received, together with various items that had been received since the agenda had been circulated, were noted. The latter included a letter from the County Council giving notice of the extension of the temporary closure of footpath 50 (rear of Deepdale Road) until 1st August 2002.