BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 9th JULY 2002
PRESENT: Councillor Richard Watson (in the Chair)
Councillors: Tim Benson, Ron Buzzard, Ron Day, John Nelson and Randall Sanders.
Councillor Pete Leahy was in attendance.
- APOLOGIES
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - SKATEPARK
Mr Stone, who owns premises adjacent to the new skatepark, complained that since its erection his property had been broken into and vandalised and that the caravans belonging to one of his tenants had been badly damaged. He claimed that because of these incidents existing tenants were leaving and prospective tenants were losing interest. Thus, he alleged, he was suffering financially and proposed that he should lease that part of his land on the floodplain to the Council, who, in return would make his property secure by providing a new steel fence. His offer was declined and he was informed that the responsibility for protecting his property lay with him as the owner rather than with the Town Council.
As Mr Stone had given notice of his attendance the opportunity had been taken of inviting Sergeant Bob Hopkinson, Mr Barrie Whittaker (Senior Leisure Officer AVBC) and Ms Andrea Fox (Drop Inn Centre) to the meeting. Sgt Hopkinson agreed to give a higher priority to policing the skatepark and said that he and his colleagues would endeavour to become personally involved with the users of the skatepark. Andrea Fox said she and other members of the Drop Inn Centre were monitoring the use of the skatepark. Her evidence suggested that most of those misusing the facility were from outside Belper. At present the skatepark was attracting users from Derby as well as Heanor and Ripley. Once the novelty had died down, the evenings shortened and other skateparks were opened the problems being experienced now should abate.
Barrie Whittaker reminded Mr Stone that the Borough Council had endeavoured to purchase the land, he was now offering to lease, from him for the skatepark, but to no avail. However as the skatepark was being officially opened on Saturday he would arrange to have the two holes in the present fence repaired as part of the work necessary before the opening. This repair would be on a without prejudice basis.
- MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 16TH APRIL 2002.
The minutes of the meeting held on 16th April 2002 were received and approved.
- MATTERS ARISING
93 - Hunter Road Allotments - Rent
The Town Clerk reported that he had made an informal approach to the County Council and he had been given every indication that the land would only be sold if its full developmental value could be obtained.
94 - American Circus
Because the Showground was occupied by travellers the circus had not taken place.
- MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION COMMITTEE HELD ON 30TH APRIL AND 2ND JULY 2002.
The minutes of the meeting of the Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee held on 30th April 2002 were received. Those for 2nd July had not been circulated and would be submitted to Council at its meeting on 16th July.
There were no matters arising that were not dealt with elsewhere on the agenda.
- GRANT APPLICATIONS
a) Belper Amber Club
It was agreed to make a grant of £128 towards the start up costs of this club for single people.
b) Home-Start Ripley and District
It was agreed to make a grant of £100 towards the administrative costs of this organisation which sought to help young families under stress.
- WORDS AND MUSIC
The report showed that the inaugural Words and Music series had broken even. It was agreed to organise another series for the period from September to May. The programme would be developed by the Chair and Town Clerk who would take on board the various suggestions made by members.
- GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
The Town Clerk's report showing a likely cost to the Council of £3,900 rather than the £2,000 budgeted for was noted.