BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 10th DECEMBER 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
- APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Robert Hallsworth and Ben Miller.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
Additional papers were circulated on Belper Station and the cessation of dispensing services on Sunday which would be dealt with under Matters Arising. At item 11 it was agreed to take an urgent item from the Ramblers Association concerning the role of Town and Parish Councils in the planning process. At item 14 when debating the budget, the Council would also consider a letter from Amber Valley Borough Council concerning the Belper River Gardens' proposals and a grant application from Applewood Jubilee Fund.
It was agreed that item 17 concerning the Marsh Lane, Laund Hill, Chesterfield Road junction should be taken at item 4 with the Police report and that item 20 (Outdoor Maintenance) should be deferred to the January meeting.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Joyce Sanders declared an interest in the application (AVA/2002/1321) to erect a security fence at Belper Youth and Community Centre as she would be involved in the decision making process at the County Council.
- POLICE REPORT
Inspector Hicklin circulated a report detailing the crime figures from 1st April to 30th November 2002. Although in three of the four categories (house burglary, violence and vehicle crime) they exceeded the targets set, he considered that incidents of reported crime were moving in the right direction.
He confirmed that the Beat Team would be operating from Babington Hospital with effect from 27th January 2003.
Referring to the two incidents of vandalism suffered by the Council, Inspector Hicklin said that the CCTV cameras in both cases had failed to pick up the required evidence. He hoped the inadequacies of the CCTV system would be made up for by the presence of the Beat Team in the town centre.
The parking issues discussed at the last meeting were brought to the attention of the Inspector. Various specific problems were highlighted but the fact was that police resources were insufficient and as a consequence parking was not one of their higher priorities. He suggested that in the case of the Market Place if the complaints about the control of parking could be substantiated then this should be pursued officially. It was particularly important that the Market Place should be completely devoid of vehicles on Farmers' Market days.
- MARSH LANE, LAUND HILL, CHESTERFIELD ROAD JUNCTION
Although there had been a number of accidents in recent years at this junction, it was considered that there were greater priorities for junction improvements in Belper. Nevertheless, it was recognised that the junction could be improved but the County Council's proposals were considered inappropriate. Several alternative suggestions were made; the one that gained most favour was the installation of a mini traffic island which should be designed to enable it to cope with large vehicles. Comments and suggestions would be put to the County Council who would also be asked to put forward fresh proposals of their own.
- PARKS MULTI PURPOSE PLAY AREA
Unfortunately Mr Barrie Whittaker was indisposed: it was hoped he would be able to attend the meeting in January and provide details of the vandalism that had occurred over a period of time to the lights at the Multi-Purpose Play Area. The future use of the site and the possible relocation of the Play Area would be considered in greater detail at the next meeting.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
- IN CAMERA
There were no matters that warranted being taken in camera.
- MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING - 5th NOVEMBER 2002
The minutes of the Council Meeting held on 5th November 2002 were received and approved apart from Minute 127-100 - Police Report where Councillor Alan Cox reported he had met the Chief Superintendent and not the Chief Constable.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES
127-100 - Police Report
It was reported that the Borough Council would be discussing the ban on alcoholic drinks in Belper at their meeting the following evening. During the consultation process it must be ensured that the Market Place and the Coppice Car Park were included in the ban.
127-112 - Railway Station
The letter from the County Council's Transportation Officer stating that Network Rail and Central Trains may not be carrying out the work they had agreed to at the meeting in September was most disappointing. However, the various initiatives by the County Council to improve the footpaths, the lighting thereon and the signing were welcomed. If the improvements promised in September were not forthcoming then Councillor Joyce Sanders said she would press to have the station closed on the grounds that it was unfit to serve its purpose.
There were indications that the Matlock/Birmingham train service was not regarded as a priority by the train operator and could suffer delays at the expense of other services or even cease altogether. This would be investigated and a letter would be sent to the rail authorities pressing for the service to be given equal priority with the others serving Belper.
127-105 - Safeway Traffic Island
It was noted that the contract had been awarded to Tarmac and that the cabling work would be carried out during the next week or two but there was a twelve week delay in the supply of the uplighters.
128 - Recreation and Development Committee
It was reported that the North Mill Volunteers Association would take the lead both in erecting a memorial inside the North Mill to William Strutt to mark the bicentenary, in 2004, of the building of the Mill, and the provision of a memorial to Jedediah Strutt. The latter, it was hoped, would be a full life-size statue and would be positioned at a prominent location in the town. The favoured site was either in or close to the "Lost Garden". The Association's initiative in promoting tourism in Belper was welcomed.
130 - Planning Applications
Councillor Alan Cox reported on the satisfactory outcome of the application for a horsedrawn vehicle store/horse shelter on Morrells Lane at Milford.
135 - Local Plan Review - Revised Deposit Plan
The contents of the Borough Council's Development Policy Manager's letter were noted. Councillor Alan Cox assured the meeting that the views expressed in the minutes of the last meeting would be taken on board.
138 - Milford Foundry Regeneration Scheme
Councillor Tim Benson reported on the meeting with Tapton Estates which he considered had been most useful in stating the Council's view. He looked forward to seeing the developer's proposals when they were submitted to the planning authority.
143 - Chemists' Sunday Service
The letter from the Chief Executive of the Primary Care Trust was most disappointing as it accepted there was a deterioration in the service provided to the people of Belper. Mrs Wendy Lawrence would be invited to address a future meeting of the Council on this and other issues within her domain.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor reminded Members of the Farmers' Market on Saturday, the Christmas Festivities on Sunday and the Christmas Eve Carol Service.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Councillor Joyce Sanders said there were no contentious issues to report on the schedules before the Council. However it was recommended that the appeal by Bugsy's to their request to extend their opening hours should be opposed.
It was alleged that in the conservation area, plastic windows had been used to replace the originals. Councillor Alan Cox undertook to investigate the allegation if provided with the specific details.
It was reported that an e-mail had been received from the Ramblers Association claiming that town and parish councils were no longer going to be consulted as of right in the planning process under proposed new legislation. This appeared to conflict with the information reported to Council's September meeting from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This apparent conflict of information would be investigated further.
- JUSTICES AND ENTERTAINMENT 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 from 7th October to 22nd November 2002 was received and approved. The schedule is attached to these minutes and shows expenditure of £12,765.71 and income of £2,873.34.
- BUDGET 2003-2004
Councillor Tim Benson introduced the proposed budget for the next financial year. He said the budget concentrated on the themes of the last few years with the emphasis being on the development of recreational facilities to serve the community. These ranged from a variety of sports development initiatives through to the major grant made to the Leisure Centre. The support given by the Council to sporting and artistic bodies in the town meant that they were all able to be far more effective in serving the local community.
It was estimated that there would be a carry forward figure of approximately £33,000 at the financial year end, but some £19,000 of this would be spent in April as the precept was not received until 30th April.
The proposed precept of £220,000 was resolved. The appropriate procedures would be taken to inform Amber Valley Borough Council of this.
The letter from Amber Valley Borough Council referring to the proposed regeneration of Belper River Gardens was considered. In order to obtain funding the Borough Council had to demonstrate they were in partnership with other bodies including the Town Council. As the initiative was most welcome, it was agreed to support the Borough Council and make a contribution of £2,000 in the coming year. This would have to be met from contingencies. As the scheme would take several years to implement provision would have to be made in subsequent budgets for support for the scheme at a similar level. The financial support in 2003/4 and the following years would be given on the condition that the Council was invited to participate in the group managing the project and it received statements of direct income and expenditure which justified the payment of the grant.
The grant application from Applewood Jubilee Fund of £165 was agreed.
- FEES AND CHARGES
The proposed fees and charges for the forthcoming financial year were agreed.
- BELPER LEISURE CENTRE
The Mayor reported that good progress was being made with the building works and the staff were coping well with the day to day management of the Centre. As the contract progressed, it had become apparent that some extra minor works were necessary. Accordingly, the final cost would exceed the budget figure. This additional cost could be met by either increasing borrowing or going back to the four funding bodies. It was pointed out that the Borough Council had reduced their grant by £30,000 this year and if this were to be reinstated then the work could continue whilst other funding alternatives were being sought.
The discussion then broadened onto a debate on the inequities of double taxation in so far as leisure facilities in Belper as opposed to the rest of Amber Valley were concerned.
- FOOTPATH - REAR OF SEVEN STARS, KILBOURN ROAD
The proposed change to the footpath at the rear of the Seven Stars Public House was noted. In effect the legal process was recognising the change that had taken place a number of years previous.
- CHEVIN ROAD
The two letters from residents of Chevin Road were considered. Although a number of the points raised were outwith the Council's responsibilities, it was agreed to provide two grit bins and request the County Council to include Chevin Road on their gritting route. The letter from Mr Postles would be passed on to the appropriate officers at the County Council.
- PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES
It was noted that following the groundswell of opinion against the Boundary Commissioner's proposals that a public enquiry would be opening in Derby on 28th January 2003.
- FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
The recommendations contained in the Town Clerk's report were agreed.
- CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
The schedule of correspondence received was noted.