BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 16th JULY 2002
PRESENT: Councillor Ron Buzzard (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Tim Benson, Alan Cox, Ron Day, Peter Leahy, John Nelson, Joyce Sanders, Randall Sanders and Richard Watson
- APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Alan Broughton, Robert Hallsworth, Michael Handley and Ben Miller.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
As the information on the Council logo was still awaited from NALC item 20 was deferred until the next meeting.
An application for grant from the Parks Estate Residence Association would be taken after item 27.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor John Nelson declared an interest in all planning matters as he was a member of the Borough Council's Planning Board and Councillor Alan Cox as Chair of that Board declared an interest in specific planning issues but said he could speak on planning procedures.
Councillors Ron Buzzard, Pete Leahy and Joyce Sanders all declared an interest in the application concerning Herbert Strutt School (Application CD6/0602/41).
- POLICE REPORT
Sergeant Bob Hopkinson dealt with a number of issues raised by Councillors including those relating to drug dealing and licences for the Encore and Bugsy's clubs. It was regretted that the "Beat Bobbies" would not be operational in Belper until February next year. This issue would be raised by the Council's representatives attending the Police Parish Liaison meeting in September.
The annual letter from the County Council concerning their autumn "speed kills" road safety campaign had just been received. It was decided to nominate Kilbourne Road (in to town) and Spencer Road (out of town) as the two priorities for Belper. Councillor Joyce Sanders, as a County Councillor would nominate Chesterfield Road and Crich Lane.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
- IN CAMERA
Apart from minutes 35 and 36 of the last Council meeting and matters arising therefrom, there were no items that warranted being taken in camera.
- MINUTES 13-34, COUNCIL MEETING HELD 11TH JUNE 2002
Minutes 13-34 of the Council Meeting held on 11th June 2002 were received and approved. It was noted that Minute 34 should have referred to Mrs Josie McCormick of Belper Improvement Group as visiting the premises around the Market Place and not Councillor John Nelson.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES
13 - Council Membership
The Town Clerk reported that the period of fourteen days following the placing of the advertisement was now almost completed. Though he had received informal enquiries, there had not been any move to call a poll. Accordingly, the Council should fill the vacancy by the co-option of a suitable person qualified to serve as a Councillor as soon as practicable.
The Town Clerk was asked to write to Councillors Robert Hallsworth and Ben Miller reminding them that their seats would become vacant if they did not attend a meeting for a period of six months.
20/545 - Ashford Rise Play Area
Councillor John Nelson wished to make it clear that the Drop Inn Centre was not considering a move to Whitemoor as had been erroneously reported in the press.
20/550 - Railway
It was apparent from the letter from Central Trains that they did not appreciate the respective roles of the Borough Council and Town Council. Though steps had been taken to improve the appearance of the station and the track running through the town centre, much was left to be done. It was suggested that the author of the letter should be invited to a subsequent meeting of the Council.
27 - Membership of Outside Bodies
Councillor Robert Hallsworth sat on the Drop Inn Centre Management Committee. It was uncertain whether he was there as the occupier of a neighbouring property to the Drop Inn Centre or as a representative of the Town Council. Enquiries would be made with the possible objective of the Town Council being formally represented on that body.
28 - Environmental Issues in Belper
It was reported that a meeting at Officer level with the Borough Council and Groundwork Erewash had been arranged.
- GOLDEN JUBILEE COMMITTEE MINUTES 2ND JULY 2002
The minutes of the Golden Jubilee Committee held on 2nd July 2002 were received and noted.
- RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 9TH JULY 2002
The minutes of the Recreation and Development Committee Meeting held on 9th July 2002 were received and noted.
In the Deposit Plan, the land at Hunter Road was designated for educational use and had been earmarked in the past as a potential site for a Junior School.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor said that the past weekend with all its multifarious activities had kept him fully occupied and demonstrated how strong the community life of Belper was.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Planning application AVA/2002/0703/1018 concerning the opening hours at Bugsy's, which was being submitted as the Manager had recently changed, would be resisted by the Council on the same grounds as previous applications.
The proposed retail development at Green Lane (application AVA/2002/0298) was discussed in detail. It was considered that the façade on King Street was inappropriate, particularly the two higher units on the corner. There would also be problems of access for delivery lorries: their manoeuvring would affect traffic flows in both Green Lane and King Street. As the proposed development would take up much of the car park there would be a reduction in car parking provision; this could affect the economic livelihood of businesses in this part of the town. These matters would be raised in the strongest possible terms with the Borough Council. It would also be pointed out to the Borough that the car parking area that remained would be secluded and could be the site for undesirable activities.
- 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 27th May to 4th July 2002 was received and approved. The schedule is attached to these minutes and shows expenditure of £28,291.27 and income of £3404.19.
The Town Clerk was asked to ensure that all annual grants including those to the Citizens Advice Bureau and Community Transport had been paid. If there was a likelihood of there being cash flow problems before the payment of the second instalment of the precept, then half of the annual grants to the various organisations could be paid as soon as possible.
- SHOWGROUND
The Town Clerk reported that the cost of eviction of the travellers from the Showground totalled £1221, the cost of cleaning up was £4083 and the cost of repairing and securing the fencing was estimated at £815.
As Clowes Developments were not disposed to give a long term lease to the Council, there appeared to be three possible courses of action:-
1) to continue the present arrangements,
2) to terminate the lease and,
3) to improve the Showground by the provision of sports pitches.
The third option appeared the most attractive and an approach would be made to Clowes Developments to see whether they would permit such a use. If they did so, then it would be necessary to involve the Borough Council who had recognised that there is a shortage of playing field space in Belper. The possibility of working in partnership with the Borough Council would then be explored.
- BELPER LEISURE CENTRE
The Mayor reported that the capital works were now under way and though there had been a few problems satisfactory progress was being made. It was hoped that the new fitness suite would be opened in December.
- REVIEW OF PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES
The Town Clerk's letter was endorsed by the Council, though there was comment that it did not explore the knock-on effects of the proposals on other proposed constituencies in Derbyshire. A letter would be sent to the Boundary Commission pointing out yet again that the time scale allowed for discussion was inadequate and that they should have consulted directly with Town Councils rather than going through the National Association of Local Councils.
- DERWENT VALLEY HERITAGE WAY
It was noted that the work on that part of the way from the Coppice Car Park to Holbrook Road had now started. It was agreed to invite Rick Jillings the Derwent Valley Trust's Project Officer to the Council meeting on 3rd September.
- SPENCER MONUMENT LIGHTING
It was agreed to take on the responsibility for the annual electricity supply to the monument as requested by the County Council. This Council would also assume responsibility for maintenance of the monument and its insurance.
- WAR MEMORIALS
The contents of the letter from the Friends of War Memorials was noted. It was considered that it may be worth involving the Friends in making improvements to the shrubbery on the western part of the Gardens. Comments had recently been received about the state of the War Memorial. It was agreed that the costs of re-leading the names on the memorial and adding several that had been omitted would be ascertained. The British Legion would be approached to see whether they and/or other appropriate organisations would assist in financing these works.
- AMBER VALLEY COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP
Councillor Randall Sanders' name would be submitted to DALC as a possible representative of the Parish/Town Councils in Amber Valley on the Partnership.
- PUBLIC FOOTPATH NO. 50
It was noted that the temporary closure order for the footpath at the rear Deepdale Road had been extended to 1st February 2003.
- POLICE/PARISH LIAISON MEETING
It was agreed that Councillors Joyce and Randall Sanders should represent the Council at the meeting with the Chief Constable on 20th August.
- RACE RELATIONS (AMENDMENT) ACT 2000
The Council's existing equal opportunities policy was considered satisfactory. However, it was agreed that the Council should adopt the following resolution as advised by the National Association of Local Councils:-
"This Council acknowledges the general duty placed upon it by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. The Council will continue to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity, and promote racial equality between people of different racial groups in undertaking its functions and setting out its policies."
- HANGING BASKETS
Councillor Ron Day said that he had received a complaint from Mr J F Anderson (Motor Engineer) that he had paid for a hanging basket this year but there was no plaque showing his sponsorship. The Town Clerk would look into the matter.
- CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
The schedule of correspondence received was noted.
- PARKS ESTATE RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
It was agreed to make a contribution of £150 towards the Association's Annual Family Fun and Sports Day which was being held on 18th August.