BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 21st OCTOBER 2003
PRESENT: Councillors Anna Hingston (in the Chair) Colin England and John Nelson.
Councillors Alan Cox, Jackie Cox and Mick Nelson were also in attendance.
- APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Les Dorey, Russell Horsley, Mark Robertson and Martin Tomlinson.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
Item 9d, the receipt of a letter of thanks from the organisers of the Milford and Makeney Well Dressings, was withdrawn as it had been noted at the previous meeting.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no matters that warranted any of those members present declaring an interest.
- BELPER HOCKEY CLUB
Mr Roger Carter, Chairman of the Hockey Club, said that the Club was playing at a higher level than any other sports club in the county. The men's team had reached the final of the Hockey Association Cup and had finished fourth in Division One of the National League. The success had not been confined to the men's team as the under 11 girls' team had won the national champion ship and the under 13 Boys' Team had finished as runners-up in the national championship for their age group.
In terms of teams and membership, with eight men's and seven ladies' teams they were the third biggest club in England. They were now preparing a bid for lottery money to improve their club facilities. The bid was likely to be for some £800,000 of which they have to raise £100,000 themselves. This, together with the men's team gaining promotion to the Premier League, was their target for the next year.
During a wide ranging discussion on the future development of the Hockey Club specifically and the Meadows in general it was suggested that as the Thornton's bonfire and firework display was no longer taking place, and the Hockey Club was continuing with theirs, that this could be developed, with input from the Town Council, to make it a major attraction. This item would be included on the agenda of the next meeting to which Mr Carter would be invited.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
- IN CAMERA ITEMS
No items warranted discussion in camera.
- MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 8th JULY 2003
The minutes of the meeting held on 8th July 2003 were received and approved.
- MATTERS ARISING
Belper Music and Arts
As a properly presented and audited set of accounts for 2002/3 had not been received a letter would be sent to the Chairman of the organisation stating that the proposed grant of £3,500 would not be paid until a satisfactory set of accounts was presented to the Council.
Wakes Day
This item would be included on the agenda for the next meeting. In the meantime the Town Clerk would confirm that both the Cricket Club and the Sports Development Team would be willing to be involved again this year
- GRANT APPLICATIONS
- Penguin Club - 188
As the various questions raised at the last meeting had been resolved satisfactorily it was agreed to make a grant of £200 towards the cost of the music system the club wished to buy.
- Belper and District Neighbourhood Watch Support Group - 192
As it appeared that the request for support was being made to the Belper United Charities rather than the Town Council it would be raised at the Charity's meeting in two days' time. If the Charity was unable to help then the Support Group would be invited to submit an application for grant aid to the Town Council.
- Christmas festivities - Belper River Gardens
It was agreed to make a grant of £150 to the organisers of the illuminations in the River Gardens. The money should be put towards the cost of additional features.
- Nailer's Folk Moot
The Town Clerk was asked to write to the organisers of the Moot congratulating them on the success of the event both artistically and financially.
- BELPER MARLIN SWIMMING CLUB
It was stated that Councillor Mark Robertson had established contact with the Swimming Club and would be in a position to report back to the next meeting of the Committee.
- HUNTER ROAD ALLOTMENTS
It was agreed to defer making a decision on the County Council's offer until consultations had taken place with the allotment holders to see whether they would accept the rent increase resulting from the County Council's proposal to increase the annual rent by £50. In addition to this the Council could also look to an increase to recover some of the expenses they would incur in providing a water supply to the allotments. The allotment holders would also be expected to pay for the water they consumed.
- BELPER FOLK CLUB
A letter would be sent to the Folk Club enquiring whether they had resolved their accommodation problems. If they had not, and they considered the Council could help them, then they would be invited to the next meeting of the Committee.