BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 15th July 2003
PRESENT: Councillor Jim Anderson ( Town Mayor) - in the chair
Councillors: Peter Arnold, Deborah Biss, Joseph Booth, Melvyne Cluskey, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Les Dorey, Colin England, Anna Hingston, Peter Makin, John Nelson, Mick Nelson, Mark Robertson and Martin Tomlinson.
The meeting commenced with prayers led by Councillor Peter Makin.
- APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillor Russell Horsley.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
The following papers were tabled:-
Item 10 - minutes of the Recreation and Development Committee,
Item 12 - Planning Schedule,
Item 15 - reports on risk assessment by Councillor Mick Nelson and the Town Clerk together with the annual return, and
Item 16 - a schedule of appointments to committees and outside bodies, and the recent publications "The quality parish and town council scheme" and "the good councillors guide".
As a member of the public, Ms Pippa Mansell, wished to speak on items 17, "The Cultural Centre" and 18 "Coppice Car Park" it was agreed to take them under item 6, "Public Participation".
It was also agreed to consider two additional items:-
i) payment of the invoice for the illumination of the flying geese, and
ii) the possible part financing of a footbridge at the Coppice Brook outfall,
under item 14, "Payments and Receipts.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
- POLICE MATTERS
PC Neil Sanders was asked to find out why the Police were apparently delaying the implementation of the ban on alcoholic drinks in public places in the town centre of Belper.
As well as expressing his disappointment with the police over the ban on town centre drinking Councillor Alan Cox regretted the County Council's attitude towards this Council's request to introduce a 30mph limit on Broadholme Lane.
Though he was aware it had been raised on previous occasions Councillor Les Dorey asked the police representative to find out what measures could be taken to reduce the dangers on Kilbourne Road and Nottingham Road where speeding vehicles and parked cars were a recipe for minor and major accidents.
Eleven members said they wished to visit "A" Division's headquarters to see this CCTV monitoring room in action. Accordingly two visits would be made, the first on 23rd July and the second on 30th July.
PC Neil Sanders then reported back on the progress that had been made on the issues raised at the last meeting. He said that the problem of parking on the pavement on The Butts appeared to have been overcome by the issue of warnings and a few fines. The Police could not justify monitoring parking on the Market Place in the evenings as their priorities lay elsewhere. He added that the owner of the white van parked at the Triangle had been fined and the vehicle, which had been recently vandalised, had been moved a few feet. Investigations are now taking place to see whether a further prosecution can be made.
- HOUSING - PARKS ESTATE
As a result of the debate at the last Council meeting on the anti-social behaviour of some of the residents of Alder Road Ms Lindsey Williams, Chief of the ex Amber Valley Housing Service, and Mr Paul Whittingham, Housing Operations and Care Services Manager were in attendance. In response to vigorous questioning by residents of Alder Road, and members, including the Mayor they outlined the difficulties experienced in dealing with problem tenants and the lengthy processes necessary to secure an eviction order.
They reported that the process of eviction of four of the tenants was under way, but stressed the importance of continuing to report every incident that occurred.
Ms Williams and Mr Whittingham were thanked for attending the Council meeting and explaining housing allocation policy both in principle and practice.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - CULTURAL CENTRE
Speaking on behalf of many groups and individuals in Belper Ms Pippa Mansell expressed her great regret that the County Council had withdrawn from the Joint Working Party set up to steer the Cultural Centre scheme to fruition. She said the scheme was imaginative and unique for a town of the size of Belper. If implemented the Centre would help to improve the quality of life in Belper even further.
Her sentiments were echoed by the Council unanimously. Various suggestions were made as to why the County Council had withdrawn from the scheme, but it was agreed that it needed to be resurrected. As several of the essential components of the proposed Cultural Centre were the statutory responsibility of the County Council they must be involved both in the design and management of the Centre.
It was agreed that in the first instance the Town Clerk would write to the County Council and, depending on the response, a small working party (Councillors Colin England and Mick Nelson) would take the matter further.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - COPPICE CAR PARK
As the resident of a house close to the car park Ms Pippa Mansell spoke of her alarm and that of some of her neighbours about the proposals from Amber Valley Borough Council to improve the car park and manage it on behalf of the Town Council on the basis that it became a pay-and-display car park.
Councillor Alan Cox, Leader of the Borough Council, said that the proposal in the letter had not been discussed as a political level as the Borough members had no intention of pursuing such a course of action. He expressed his grave concern that the matter had entered the public domain and the contents of the letter had been made known to the local press some 10 days before some of the Town Council members had received the agenda. He had called for a full investigation to take place within the Borough Council to see whether the letter had been leaked to the press at the originating end, and asked that a similar investigation take place at the receiving end.
- IN CAMERA
No matters warranted being taken in camera.
- MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON 3rd JUNE 2003
The minutes of the Council meeting held on 3rd June 2003 were received and adopted.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 3RD JUNE 2003
Minute 22.- Grant to Leisure Centre Trust
The Town Clerk reported that the grant to the Leisure Centre Trust in its first year of operation, 1998/9, had been £20,000. It had increased roughly in line with inflation and in the current year was £22,400. However with VAT this became £26,320. The figure of £28,000 in this year's budget had been based on the previous year's budget figure of £27,000.
Minute 30.2 - Appointments to Outside Bodies
As Mr Ron Day had declined the offer to sit on Belper Music and Arts the vacant position would be filled by Councillor Colin England.
minute 31 - Pedestrian Crossing: Milford
Councillor Peter Arnold gave examples of other crossings where sightlines were more restricted than at the proposed crossing in Milford. He said he would pursue the matter vigorously with the County Council.
minute 33 - Larks in the Park
Members, particularly those who had volunteered to act as stewards, were reminded that the last two performances were on August 3rd and 17th
- MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON 8TH JULY 2003
The minutes of the Recreation and Development Committee held on 8th July were received and noted.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor left the Chamber whilst the offer he had received to have free use of a stretched limousine for performing his Mayoral duties was discussed. It was agreed that the Mayor be sanctioned to take up the offer. However in any publicity material it should be made clear that no costs would fall on the Town Council or its council tax payers.
On his return the Mayor described the 14 functions he had attended since the last Council meeting.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Concern was expressed that application AVA/2003/0790 involved the installation of an LPG tank. The possible implications of this proposal were reported as being under consideration by the Borough Council.
In response to a comment on application AVA/2003/0691 Councillor Peter Arnold said he would be visiting the property on the following day.
- JUSTICE'S AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENCES
No comments were made on the various applications set out in the schedules under consideration.
- PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS
The schedule of payments and receipts covering the period from 2nd June to 1st July 2003 was received and approved. The schedule is attached to these minutes and shows expenditure of £43,896.47 and income of £3,672.58.
The Town Clerk was asked to pay the annual grant to the Citizens Advice Bureau and review the other annual payments.
- ILLUMINATION OF FLYING GEESE SCULPTURE
The Council accepted a tender for £2,332.92 in the autumn for the illumination of the flying geese sculpture. The work was carried out by Tarmac under the supervision of Derbyshire County Council's Lighting Team. In March we received a bill for £3,537.24 for the work, almost 50 per cent more than the tender price.
It transpired that the drawings on which Tarmac based their tender were inaccurate and in the end they had to dig a trench twice as far and twice as deep as anticipated. Because of pressure of work the Lighting Team failed to inform us of the situation, for which they have apologised.
Though the Council appreciated that the County Council's Lighting Team have provided a good service over the years to the Council it was considered that the additional costs should fall on the County Council rather than this Council. Accordingly Tarmac would be paid £2,332.92 and a letter would be written to the County Council asking them to pay the balance.
- FOOTBRIDGE AT SHOWGROUND
The Town Clerk reported that several months ago the Environment Agency had approached the Council about the possible replacement of the footbridge over the Coppice Brook at the point where it enters the Derwent. The Agency said they would be able to fund half the cost and would seek sponsorship for the balance.
The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, based in Wirksworth, were approached to carry out the work. An estimate of £1,550 had been received. The Agency was still seeking sponsorship and though the local angling club had come forward with £200 it appeared that the Council may have to make up some of the shortfall. Accordingly the Town Clerk was authorised to make a payment of up to £250 towards the cost of the footbridge.
- ANNUAL RETURN AND RISK ASSESSMENT
As part of the Annual Return submitted to the Council's external auditor the Council had to sign a Statement of Assurance. This had eight elements which Council had to be satisfied it complied with. The fifth element, was perhaps the most onerous, and reads "We have carried out an assessment of the risks facing the Council and taken appropriate steps to manage those risks including the introduction of internal controls and/or external insurance cover where required".
The Town Clerk's report outlined the Council's approach to risk assessment and identified one particular area where it was considered urgent action must be taken. This was when a member of staff was working alone in St John's Chapel. A report would be submitted to Council in September recommending a door entry system with a colour monitor and a modification to the fire exit in the vestry, so that it could be used for locking and unlocking the building.
The detailed task of identifying areas of risk was being undertaken by Councillors Mick Nelson and Peter Arnold. Their report outlined the approach they had taken to identifying risks and the progress they have made to date.
After due consideration the Statement of Assurance was approved in its entirety by the Council. Similarly the Statement of Accounts contained in the Annual Return was certified as representing the financial position of the Council fairly and being a true record of the Council's income and expenditure for the year ended 31st March 2003.
- APPOINTMENTS TO WORKING PARTIES AND OUTSIDE BODIES
Referring to minute 30 of the previous meeting the Town Clerk said that he had now been advised that town and parish councils no longer have the power to remove school governors they had appointed in the first place without going through a convoluted procedure which had no guarantee of success.
Accordingly it was agreed that those governors who were still serving as the Council's representatives on the primary schools' governing bodies should be allowed to serve their full term of office.
However as Mr Michael Handley wished to resign from his post at Herbert Strutt School Councillor Melvyne Cluskey would replace him with effect from the start of the new school year.
A letter had recently been received from the Cinderhill Liaison Committee inviting the Town Council to nominate two representatives to serve on this body. It was agreed to accept the invitation and Councillors Les Dorey and Martin Tomlinson were nominated to represent the Council on the Liaison Committee.
It was agreed that Councillors Colin England, John Nelson and Mick Nelson would form the nucleus of the Christmas Working Party.
- FARMERS' MARKET
It was noted that Belper was the first authority in the county to be able to term itself a "Certified Farmers' Market" under the prestigious scheme run by the National Association of Farmers' Markets. Various members paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of Elaine Hibbert in making the monthly farmers' market such a success.
- PEDESTRIANISATION OF KING STREET
This item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Mick Nelson, the Deputy Leader. He asked that it be deferred to a later meeting, possibly until after the £50,000 worth of work promised by the County Council had been carried out.
- ROADS USED AS PUBLIC PATHS AND NON CLASSIFIED HIGHWAYS
As several members questioned the policy of the former administration it was agreed to defer detailed consideration of this matter until the next meeting.
- STRATEGIC PLANNING
In proposing the establishment of a Strategic Planning Working Party Councillor Peter Makin instanced the number of significant developments that had taken place in Belper in the last 12 months or were at the planning stage (eg: the fire station site, Derwent Street, Silkolene, and Hepworths at Milford). He said that all such schemes would generate additional demands on the town's infrastructure which in many instances was designed to cope with the demands of the 1950's rather than those of the 21st century.
It was agreed in to set up a Strategic Planning Working Party under Councillor Peter Makin's chairmanship. The other members would be Councillors Melvyne Cluskey and Mark Robertson.
- CHRISTMAS LIGHTING
Councillor John Nelson reported that the Christmas Working Party would be meeting in two days' time when, inter alia, it would be speaking to potential tenderers to erect and dismantle the Christmas lights.
- BUSINESS CARDS
Councillor Peter Makin's suggestion that those members who only serve on the Town Council should have business cards in the same way as those who serve on Amber Valley Borough Council was agreed. Councillor Makin said that the cost of 50 cards for each of the members involved would be less than £45. The Assistant Town Clerk would make the appropriate arrangements.
- PROPOSED FOOTWAY AT RAIL BRIDGE - FIELD LANE
The County Council's proposals to provide a footpath on the south side of Field Lane over the railway line were welcomed. As the consequent reduction in road width could lead to difficulties in vehicles going in opposite directions passing each other priority should be given to traffic travelling up hill.
- DRAFT BUS INFORMATION STRATEGY
Following a brief discussion the draft strategy was noted.
- PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES
Unfortunately the revised recommendations of the Boundary Commission
appeared to have been mislaid and so were not circulated at the meeting. However the proposal to include Belper and Spondon in the same consituency was to be regretted as there was little in common between the two areas.
- QUALITY COUNCILS
As no Councillors were available on 22nd July it was decided that no one should attend the conference at Loughborough.
- CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
The schedule of correspondence received was noted.