MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 14th MAY 2002
PRESENT: Councillor Randall Sanders (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Tim Benson, Ron Buzzard, Alan Broughton, Alan Cox, Michael Handley, Peter Leahy, John Nelson, Joyce Sanders and Richard Watson
- APOLOGIES
Councillors Ron Day and Ben Miller.
- AGENDA CHANGES
Items 10 and 11 (Membership of Committees 2002/03 and Membership of Outside Bodies) was deferred until the next meeting of the Council.
- MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PARISH AND THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL 19TH JUNE 2001
The Minutes of the Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Council held 19th June 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.
- ANNUAL REPORT
In introducing the Annual Report Councillor Tim Benson, the Leader of the Council, spoke of the steady and prudent growth in the Council's services during the year. He particularly stressed the importance of partnership with other organisations to ensure the most cost effective use of the Council's resources. As examples he quoted the emphasis being placed on sports development where the Council had entered into long term sponsorship agreements with Belper Meadows Cricket Club, Belper Hockey Club and Belper Rugby Club to assist in the development of their respective sports at the junior grass roots level.
He also referred to the successful nomination of the Derwent Valley Mills as a World Heritage site. This presented a golden opportunity for Belper to develop as a centre for tourism during the retraction of its traditional industries.
He also made reference to successful initiatives that had been introduced during the last year including the highly regarded Farmers' Markets and the eclectic Words and Music series in St John's.
- BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX PRECEPT
The budget and Council tax precept for 2002/2003 was £218,000 and estimated expenditure for the forthcoming year was £250,450.
- THE MAURICE HEELY AWARD
The shield and cheque for £250 for services to the young people of Belper was presented to Mr Jeffrey Pickering, the President of Belper Marlin Swimming Club. In thanking the Council, Mr Pickering outlined the history of the Swimming Club which had originally been formed in the 1880's. However, this year it was celebrating the 25th Anniversary of its change of status into amixed club which coincided with its change of name to the Belper Marlin Swimming Club. He said he was accepting the award on behalf of all those who through the years had been teachers and members of the Club and who had made such an impact on the lives of so many of Belper's young people.
- TOWN SERVICE AWARDS
Two awards were made:
1. To Mrs Barbara Pickering who had been a member of the Belper Social Club for the Disabled for twenty-one years and who had been Secretary for the last fifteen. Mrs Pickering spoke of her pride in receiving the award which she accepted on behalf of all those who had helped in the Club in the 40 years that it had been in existence. The highlight of the Club's current year was the purchase of a new Ambibus which was costing some £50,000: she praised the generosity of Belper people both in the fund raising for this new vehicle and for their general support of the Club.
2. To Mr James Wilson who had been involved in the Scouting movement in Belper for over 50 years. He had served the movement with distinction both at local and county level where he had been Assistant District Commissioner. He had received the highest awards that could be given for his voluntary work. Again, in response, Mr Wilson spoke of his pride at being honoured by the Council and accepted the certificate on behalf of the many other people involved in scouting in Belper over his lifetime.
- ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR
In reviewing his second year of office the Mayor spoke of the developing relationships he had established with such a wide range of organisations in the local community following the groundwork that had been undertaken in his first year of office.
Councillors from both sides paid tribute to the hard work and devotion that the Mayor had put into his term of office as first citizen of Belper. He had put the town and Council at the top of his priorities throughout his mayoralty.
The Mayor closed by thanking his family and friends for all their support during his period of office and paid particular tribute to the Mayoress (Councillor Joyce Sanders) and the Mayor's Secretary (Mrs Elaine Hibbert).
Councillor Ron Buzzard was nominated by Councillor Tim Benson and seconded by Councillor John Nelson as Mayor for the ensuing municipal year. He was duly elected. In his speech of acceptance, the Mayor emphasised the importance of involving as wide a spectrum of the community as possible in the life of the town; this would be the theme of his year of office.
- ELECTION OF DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR
Councillor Tim Benson was elected Deputy Mayor for the forthcoming municipal year.
- MAYOR'S ALLOWANCE 2002/2003
The Mayor's allowance was confirmed as £2000 for the municipal year. This amount had been provided for in the budget.
- DATES OF COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2002/2003
The schedule of meetings for the ensuing year was agreed.
- OTHER PARISH MATTERS
No other matters were raised under this item.