BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 3rd SEPTEMBER 2002
PRESENT: Councillor Ron Buzzard (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Tim Benson, Alan Broughton, Alan Cox, Ron Day, Peter Leahy, Ben Miller, John Nelson, Joyce Sanders, Randall Sanders and Richard Watson
- APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Michael Handley.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
Agenda item 22 - Improvements to Safeway Traffic Island - was withdrawn as further information was required.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor John Nelson declared a personal interest in planning application AVA/2002/0828.
- DERWENT VALLEY HERITAGE WAY
Mr Rick Jillings, the Derwent Valley Trust's Project Officer outlined the route of the Heritage Way from the Derwent Dams to the mouth of the Derwent at Shardlow. He had been seconded to the project for one year and so was having to create a route largely on existing public rights of way. The aim was to stay as close to the river as possible and use pavements on roads only where absolutely necessary. In time as new footpaths were provided this aim would be achieved. At present in Belper the route had to use roads extensively and there was a steep climb involved in traversing the Parks. The merits of using a footpath on the west side of the river were discussed as an alternative. However, this would take people away from Belper and would mean using the road at Milford.
The Heritage Way would be officially opened in the spring of next year and publications would be ready the following year. However the route would be waymarked with finger posts and disc markers prior to its opening
Mr Jillings was thanked for his presentation and was assured that the Council would let him know of any further proposals for improving the Way as it passed through Belper.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
- IN CAMERA
Apart from minutes 64 and 65 of the last Council meeting and matters arising therefrom, there were no items that warranted being taken in camera.
- MINUTES 37-63, COUNCIL MEETING HELD 16th JULY 2002
Minutes 37-63 of the Council Meeting held on 16th July 2002 were received and approved.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES
38 - Council Logo
The information requested from NALC was still not available. This item would not be placed on the agenda again.
40 - Road Safety Campaign
It was anticipated that the posters for the Autumn "Speed Kills" road safety campaign would be erected during the next few days.
44/13 - Council Membership
It was confirmed that as Councillor Robert Hallsworth last attended a meeting on 9th April he must attend the next Council meeting otherwise his seat would be declared vacant.
44/20 - Railway
Contact had been established with Railtrack who had removed much of the debris on the track side and were about to start replacing the broken fence on the footpath between the car park and the up platform.
44/27 - Membership of Drop Inn Centre Management Committee
Councillor Randall Sanders was appointed as the Council's representative on the Drop Inn Centre Management Committee.
44/28 - Environmental Issues
There was considerable debate about the standards of street sweeping and weed killing along the various categories of highway in Belper. The situation had been complicated by the County Council's recent withdrawal of the S.42 Agreement and the de-trunking of the A6. There was a very real need to clarify the respective roles of the County, Borough and Town Councils in relation to the maintenance of all roads and footpaths in Belper. A simple system should be introduced that would be comprehensible to the public.
51 - Showground
As there had been no communication from the organisers of the Steam Event about their possible use of the Showground next year the Town Clerk would write to Mr Terry Mellor to clarify the situation. The issue of reinstatement of the grassed area would also be raised
The contents of the letter from Clowes Developments was noted.
The request to hold a circus on the Showground during the week commencing 19th May 2003 was agreed, subject to the usual conditions about the use of performing animals.
55 - Spencer Monument
The delay in lighting the monument was regretted although it was hoped the work would be carried out this autumn. Because the basins did not drain, Councillor Joyce Sanders had enquired whether holes could be drilled to prevent a build-up of water. This was not possible because of the danger of cracking the marble. Accordingly, it was agreed to see whether a plastic liner could be moulded into the two basins so they could be planted with flowers.
56 - War Memorial
It was confirmed that the War Memorial was the responsibility of the Town Council. It appeared that funds from the British Legion both locally and nationally were unlikely to be available. It was noted that the Borough Council were involved in the refurbishment of the War Memorial at Ripley: accordingly, both the Borough Council and the County Council would be approached for grant aid once the likely cost of refurbishment was ascertained.
57 - Amber Valley Community Safety Partnership
Councillor Randall Sanders had been appointed as the representative of all the Parish/Town Councils in Amber Valley on the Partnership.
61 - Hanging Baskets
The Town Clerk reported that Mr Anderson had applied to have a hanging basket in Chapel Street this year. Due to an oversight, his plaque from two years previous had not been placed on the basket. When contact had finally been established with him it was explained that there had been a gap of some three weeks when the plaque was not present but it would be put on the basket immediately and his sponsorship would be noted in a news item in the Belper News. Despite the apologies offered he refused to pay £30 to sponsor a basket. It was pointed out that rather than going through a member, the three weeks' delay would have only been a few days if he had rung the office direct.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor reported on his activities since the last Council meeting.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Application AVA/2001/1232
Standing Orders were suspended so that Mr Chris Anderson of Belper Rugby Club and Alan McGowan, the architect for the scheme, could make a presentation. They outlined the history of the scheme since the original planning application had been submitted in November 2001. The position had been complicated by the involvement of English Heritage who had insisted on relocating the building slightly so that the old Strutt coach road would not be built on.
A further complication had arisen because the site was on the edge of the flood plain and therefore the floor levels had had to be raised. The building had been designed to be as cost effective as possible because of the funding constraints; indeed, one of the potential sources of income had been withdrawn because of the delay in starting the building. It was agreed to send a letter of support for the proposed scheme to the Borough Council. It was hoped that tenders could be sought in January with the building work taking place between April and September so that the facilities were available for the next rugby season.
Enquiries would be made to ascertain when the gate leading to the Rugby Club would either be repaired or replaced.
Councillor Joyce Sanders commented on several applications. It was noted that an objection had been lodged by Ashley Adams on the proposed change of use of 22 King Street (AVA/2002/0790).
- 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 4th July to 22nd August 2002 was received and approved. The schedule is attached to these minutes and shows expenditure of £39,518.76 and income of £4,083.68.
- ANNUAL RETURN
The Town Clerk explained the changes that had been made to the Annual Return. He drew particular attention to Section 1 and explained the reason for the significant change from 2000/2001 to 2001/2002 in the level of balances carried forward. The Council approved the Statement of Accounts.
He then went through the Statement of Assurance where all eight statements were approved.
Reference was made to the appointment of an Internal Auditor and the satisfactory report he had given on the systems of internal check and control that were in place.
As the Council had a turnover in excess of £100,000, it was necessary to undertake a risk assessment. Four particular areas of risk in relation to financial matters had been identified. These referred to the dangers of holding cash in the Chapel, the control of small tools and minor items of equipment, the difficulty of predicting expenditure on repairs and maintenance of the Council's buildings because of their age, and finally, the potential for damage by private hirers of the Chapel. The measures proposed to reduce the level of risk in all four cases were agreed by the Council.
- FUNDING - NALC AND COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS
The proposal by the Chairman of NALC to increase the affiliation fee to 40p per elector would mean an annual charge to the Council of over £6500, a ten-fold increase. The Derbyshire Association were totally opposed to the proposal and would be making their views known forcibly at a meeting to be held the following day. In view of the level of service provided by NALC (eg the use of the Council logo and their lack of advice on sanctions for the non-filling of vacant posts) it was agreed to endorse the views of DALC. An appropriate letter would be sent to them.
- BUDGET 2003/4
Councillors Tim Benson and Joyce Sanders were agreed as the representatives on the Working Party from the Labour Group. A representative from the Conservative Group would be invited to join the Working Party.
- FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
Whilst the Council's financial regulations needed updating and were possibly too brief, the model set produced by NALC were regarded as too prescriptive, yet they overlooked some basic requirements such as viring. It was agreed to set up a small Working Party comprising Councillors Alan Cox and Pete Leahy.
- VACANT SEAT
Under the terms of the Local Government Act 1972 the Council must fill the vacancy. However, there appeared to be no sanctions should the Council fail to do so and as it had been reported nationally that some one third of all third tier councils had vacancies, it was agreed the present position could continue. However NALC and the Amber Valley Standards Committee would be consulted.
- BELPER LEISURE CENTRE
It was reported that Tony Wain formerly the Finance Director of Hepworth's Heating Limited had been appointed Treasurer to the Trust. A manager for the Fitness Suite had also been appointed although the suite itself would only be ready for use in February 2003.
- TRAFFIC CALMING - FIELD LANE TO CHURCH LANE
Councillor Alan Cox queried the proposed use of road humps to slow down traffic and considered that the liberal use of paint would secure the same effect. He also queried the necessity to have any works carried out on Church Lane as there did not appear to be a problem of speeding along this short stretch of road. It was considered that there were too many traffic signs proposed for the scheme: they would detract from the appearance of the conservation area. A request was made to relocate sign number 4. As there was going to be a site meeting at 2 pm on 30th September, members could make their individual representations.
- FOOTPATH - TOP OF KING STREET
Councillor Alan Cox said that he had a complaint from Mr Michael Bestwick whose guide dog would not traverse the newly laid surface because of the sharpness of the grit that had been used. It could also be dangerous to anyone who fell. As the grit was still loose and was causing problems for adjacent premises and, aesthetically, was displeasing, the County Council would be requested to consider changing the surface to something more appropriate.
- STREET LIGHTING
a) Bessalone Drive to Crich Lane
Councillors Alan Cox and Joyce Sanders had met with officers and local residents to discuss the most appropriate way of illuminating the blackspot on the channel leading from Bessalone Drive to Crich Lane. They had concluded that the only practicable and cost effective way ahead was to site a lamp post some two metres from the corner midway along the footpath. Their view was endorsed by the meeting.
b) Farnah Green
Because the inhabitants of Farnah Green had rejected the Council's original proposal some four years ago and consequently only three lamps rather than the four proposed had been erected, it would be necessary to ensure that all the residents were in agreement with the installation of a fourth light. As the three that had been installed were cast iron, then the proposed new one should also be cast iron. Subject to these two conditions, it was agreed that the scheme should proceed and the contribution by the owner of Long House would be accepted.
- BELPER CULTURAL CENTRE
Councillors Ron Day and Richard Watson were nominated to attend the meeting at 7 pm on 19th September 2002 at County Hall.
With the Library, Fleet Arts, Adult Community Education, and the Belper Learning Centre all looking for new and more suitable premises, there was a golden opportunity to create a purpose built integrated cultural centre. The proposal for a building incorporating a library, cinema/theatre, workshops, meeting rooms, business centre and catering facility was imaginative and should be pursued with vigour. With Belper's vibrant arts and cultural scene, such a centre could be justified.
- DALC AGM
Councillors Joyce and Randall Sanders would attend this year's AGM on Saturday 5th October 2002 at County Hall as the Council's representatives.
- DERWENT VALLEY MILLS WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Although no time and date had been chosen for the meeting with Parish and Town Council representatives, it was agreed that Councillors John Nelson and Randall Sanders would represent this Council.
- LOCAL COUNCIL'S ROLE IN PLANNING
The letter from DEFRA and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister confirming that parish and town councils would retain their present role on planning matters was noted.
- BELPER RIVER GARDENS RESTORATION
Councillors Joyce and Randall Sanders reported on the presentation that they had attended on behalf of the Council earlier in the day. The proposals focused on seven elements in the River Gardens. The proposals made by the Parklands Consortium Ltd would, if implemented, bring the River Gardens back to its former glories.
- AUTUMN FAIR
The request by Proctor's (Nottingham) Fun Fairs to hold the annual fair from 31st October to 2nd November 2002 was approved. It was noted that the fair would be moving onto site on 27th October and departing on 3rd November.
- BEST KEPT TOWN COMPETITION 2002
It was noted that Belper was placed first in Amber Valley Borough Council's Best Kept Town Competition again.
- CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
The schedule of correspondence received was noted.