BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 11th JUNE 2002
PRESENT: Councillor Ron Buzzard (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Tim Benson, Alan Broughton, Alan Cox, Ron Day, Michael Handley, Peter Leahy, John Nelson, Joyce Sanders, Randall Sanders and Richard Watson
- COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
A brief report was tabled explaining that if a Member fails to attend a meeting for a period of six consecutive months then the seat he/she represents must be declared vacant at the next Council meeting.
As Mrs Elaine Emmott had not attended a meeting since 6th November 2001, then under the Local Government Act 1972, the Council must resolve to declare her seat vacant, and the vacancy must be advertised.
Accordingly, it was resolved to declare one of the Bessalone seats vacant and advertise the vacancy as soon as practical.
It was also agreed to write to Mrs Emmott thanking her for her service to the Council and wishing her well in the future.
- APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Robert Hallsworth and Ben Miller.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
As there had been no meeting of the Belper Leisure Centre Trust in the last four weeks and information on the Council logo was still awaited from NALC, it was agreed to defer items 19 and 22 until the next meeting.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
As the new Code of Conduct was now in operation, Councillor Alan Cox said there was no need for him to declare an interest in planning matters but he would refrain from speaking on specific planning issues.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
- IN CAMERA
Apart from minutes 570 and 571 of the last Council meeting and matters arising therefrom, there were no items that warranted being taken in camera.
- MINUTES 542-569, COUNCIL MEETING HELD 7TH MAY 2002
Minutes 542-569 of the Council Meeting held on 7th May 2002 were received and approved.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES
545 - Ashford Rise Play Area
A public meeting with representatives from the young people who attended the last Council meeting would be taking place at St John's on the 13th June. The Members for Pottery Ward would be attending the meeting.
546 - Police
It was noted that Inspector Arnie Hicklin now subscribed to the view that drinking in public places in Belper should be banned. Enquiries would be made to the Borough Council as to how this ban could be implemented in the Memorial Gardens.
550/537 - Notice Board
Because of time constraints, the work to the notice board at the Hawthorns and the provision of a new notice board at Belper Lane/Whitehouse Rise had still to be completed.
550/538 - Railway
Councillor John Nelson reported that he had spoken to the Secretary of the Chief Executive of Railtrack and Mr Patrick McLoughlin had also applied pressure which had resulted in an undertaking from Railtrack to take action on the clearance of litter and debris from the railway line.
559 - Markets
It was noted that steps were being taken that would lead to the compulsory licensing of Farmers' Markets.
562 - Skate Park
The skate park had been in operation for less than a fortnight but was already proving a great success. However, there had been some vandalism and a considerable amount of graffiti was in evidence. This would be checked on a daily basis and painted out by Council staff.
- MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 14TH MAY 2002
The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 14th May 2002 were received and noted.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor referred to the various events that he had attended since he took office and highlighted the Golden Jubilee Celebrations in particular.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Councillor Joyce Sanders reported that there were no contentious issues on any of the planning applications which were being considered by the committee.
- JUSTICES' AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
No comments were made on the various applications set out in the schedules that were under consideration.
- PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS
The schedule of payments and receipts covering the period from 16th April to 30th May 2002 was received and approved. The schedule is attached to these minutes and shows expenditure of £35,699.86 and income of £118,914.93.
- MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES 2002/2003
The Membership of Committees as set out in the schedule was confirmed.
- MEMBERSHIP OF OUTSIDE BODIES 2002/2003
The vacant positions on the Herbert Strutt Charity and the Belper Community Hall Committee were filled by the appointment of Councillors Michael Handley and Ron Day respectively. Councillor John Nelson would replace Councillor Ben Miller on the Town Centre Forum.
It was thought that several of the bodies were no longer in existence and, as a consequence, the Clerk would make enquiries. He would also ascertain the time and day when meetings of those bodies where vacancies existed met.
- ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN BELPER
In introducing the debate Councillor Richard Watson said that the Town Council should be taking a lead on promoting environmental issues within Belper. As a start, he suggested that the Council could initiate work on improving and upgrading the Coppice Brook. The first stage of this would be an audit on the brook and its ownership. The task of establishing ownership and riparian rights could be undertaken by Groundwork Erewash.
Various other possible initiatives were considered including encouraging taxis to convert to LPG.
- TRAVELLERS - SHOWGROUND
The Showground had now been cleaned up and made secure though the total cost of evicting the travellers and bringing the Showground back to its original condition had not been finalised.
As this was the second time in two years that the land had been taken over by travellers, it was considered that further steps should be taken to enhance its security. However, this could only be warranted if the Council could have a longer lease on the land. It was suggested that if a fifty year lease was granted then investment in the land to make greater use of it could be justified. Clowes Developments would be approached to see whether a new long term lease could be negotiated.
- QUEEN'S GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
The three principal events of Jubilee week (Sunday June 2 to Saturday June 8) were the Golden Picnic (Sunday), Music Live (Monday) and Wakes Day (Tuesday). The Golden Picnic which was aimed at families with younger children and the Wakes Day which had been aimed at junior school children benefited from good weather and were very well attended. Over 250 children participated in the Wakes Day sports activities. Despite continuous rain on the Monday, approximately 1,500 people enjoyed the wide range of music provided.
All three had taken a considerable amount of organisation and many people had given a great deal of voluntary time both beforehand and on the day. Letters of thanks would be sent to Sarah Laman for taking the lead on the Golden Picnic, Councillor Richard Watson for obtaining and programming the ten groups of performers for Music Live, Gary Spendlove and other members of Belper Meadows Cricket Club for the use of their facilities and their involvement in making the day such a success, and Alfie Smith, the Borough Council's Sports Development Officer and his team of sports leaders for organising and managing the sports activities. Thanks were also due to Councillors Joyce and Randall Sanders for their tireless work in sourcing material for the goody bags given to all those who participated in Wakes Day.
Many had been stewards at the three events but a special mention must be made of Andy Minion who as well as being present at all three, provided publicity material for the whole week. He also arranged the Coronation film shows on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday in St John's.
- SEALING OF DOCUMENTS
To comply with Standing Order 38, it was agreed to give retrospective authority to the sealing of various documents in connection with the capital works at the Leisure Centre. It was resolved to authorise a further sub-contract for work to be undertaken by Sterling Hydrotech Ltd in connection with the capital works at the Leisure Centre.
- BELPER AND MILFORD TOWNSCAPE HERITAGE INITIATIVE
Councillor Joyce Sanders said that it was necessary to confirm the Council's partnership involvement in the initiative by the end of June in order that a grant application could be submitted. The draft document that the initiative had produced was, she said, fundamentally flawed and needed much work to make it presentable. In particular, she mentioned the estimated cost of £289,000 for upgrading the Coppice Car Park. Expenditure at this level could not be justified even though this Council's contribution would only be 10%. Council took a vote in favour of the proposal not to support the financial contribution.
- MEMORIAL GARDENS - SECURITY
Councillor John Nelson said he had requested this item to be included on the Agenda as he had been approached by a resident of King Street who was most concerned about night time activities in the Memorial Gardens. Although it was considered impracticable to prevent access to the Gardens, additional lighting could be considered. Derbyshire County Council's Lighting Section would be asked to undertake a feasibility study into providing either intruder or security lighting systems.
- CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
The schedule of correspondence received was noted. Councillor Randall Sanders referred to the minutes of the Belper in Bloom meeting. He said there appeared to be some duplication of effort in organising hanging baskets in the Market Place. He had been charged by the Council with visiting the various premises around the Market Place but had found Councillor John Nelson carrying out a similar exercise. The latter explained he had offered to sponsor planters in the Market Place but his offer had not been taken up.