BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 4th NOVEMBER 2003
PRESENT: Councillor Jim Anderson (Town Mayor) - in the chair
Councillors: Peter Arnold, Deborah Biss, Joseph Booth, Melvyne Cluskey, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, 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 Councillors Les Dorey and Russell Horsley.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
The following papers were tabled:-
Item 4: letter from AVBC concerning the consumption of alcohol in public,
Item 8: copy letter from the County Council's Director of Environmental Services to County Councillor Joyce Sanders concerning minute 116, highways maintenance in Belper,
Item 10: minutes of the Finance Working Party: 23rd October, and
Item 12: Planning Schedule to 4th November.
As a Mr McEwan of Milford had given notice of attendance to speak on item 15, the pedestrian crossing in Milford, and Inspector Hicklin was also in attendance it was agreed to bring Item 15 forward and take it after item 4, Police Matters.
There would also be an additional item to be taken in camera.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
- POLICE MATTERS
Speaking to the report he had tabled Inspector Arnie Hicklin said that for September of the four main categories of crime, those for violence, house burglary, and theft of motor vehicles were all slightly above target, whilst theft from motor vehicles was only half the target figure of 26.
In response to queries from Councillors he updated them on the various matters raised at the previous meeting. He explained that due to a block on recruitment steps had only recently been taken to replace the traffic warden.
It was noted, with thanks, that the mobile speed camera had been seen in operation on Kilbourne Road.
The map showing those parts of the town centre where the consumption of alcohol in public would be banned was studied with care. Both the Council and the Police would ask the Borough Council to include the railway station and footpaths leading to it and the Bowling Alley in the designated area.
Reference was made to the rumour that Bugsy's was in the process of being sold. This occasioned a lively discussion on whether or not nightclubs should be encouraged in Belper. Undoubtedly there was a demand which some Councillors believed should be catered for, whilst others were concerned about the Public Order aspects. This latter view was supported by Inspector Hicklin who said that he had insufficient resources to deal with the possible consequences of one or more nightclubs in the town.
The Mayor then read out an e-mail to the Council from Inspector Hicklin expressing his concern that he may be unable to provide a police presence for the Christmas Eve candlelit procession from St John's to the Market Place. The Council would complete the necessary paperwork and return it to the Inspector in the hope that he would be able to escort the procession across the main road onto High Pavement.
The circumstances surrounding the recent tragic accident on Jackson's Lane were considered. It was concluded that Mr Womsley's proposal to introduce a 30 mph speed limit, along the full length of the Lane would be supported in our representations to the County Council.
- PEDESTRIAN CROSSING - STRUTT ARMS - MILFORD
As Mr McEwan was unable to attend the meeting because of traffic conditions Councillor Peter Arnold lead the discussion. It was considered that the County Council's report was based on the premise that the numbers of pedestrians crossing the road at this point were insufficient to warrant a pelican crossing. However the County Council had failed to appreciate that if a crossing existed then, for example, parents taking their children to the Primary School would park on the east side of the A6 and use the crossing. They would not add to the traffic dangers involved in negotiating the difficult junction into Chevin Road. A strongly-worded letter would be sent to the County Council pointing out this fact and asking them to reconsider their position.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public present.
- IN CAMERA
It was considered that there was no need to take the item on the Coppice car park in camera. Accordingly minutes 123 and 124 of the last Council meeting would be taken in camera as well as the item referred to in minute 126.
- MINUTES 100-122 OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON 14th OCTOBER 2003
Minutes 100 - 122 of the Council meeting held on 14th October 2003 were received and adopted subject to the following amendments:-
minute 102 being amended to read "Councillors Alan and Jackie Cox declared an interest in item 5";
the deletion of the final sentence of the final paragraph of minute 112; and
in the final line of the first paragraph of minute 116 "him" should read "Town Clerk".
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 14th OCTOBER 2003
Minute 103 - Payphone, The Butts
It was reported that a letter had been received from BT stating that they could not agree to our request to maintain the public payphone on The Butts because of its very low usage and the proximity of another payphone on Shortlands car park.
Minute 113 - Justices and Entertainments Licences
The legal position of inscribing the landlord's name above the front door of licensed premises would be reported to the next Council meeting.
Minute 116 - Maintenance of Roads in Belper
From the information contained in a letter from the County Council's Director of Environmental Services to County Councillor Joyce Sanders, and the information she had already given this Council, Councillor Alan Cox said it appeared that spending on highways within Belper was some 20% lower in this financial year than in 2002/3. It was agreed to send a strongly-worded letter to the County Council pointing out that it appeared Belper was not receiving its proportionate share of highways maintenance money. The letter would also include a list of roads within Belper which required urgent maintenance. Some Councillors have already given information on the roads in their wards to the Town Clerk. Details of the roads in other wards were requested to ensure a comprehensive list as possible was forwarded to the County. Copies of the letter would be sent to the Belper News.
Minute 118 - Young Achievers Awards
Though there had been a negligible response it was considered the Council had done all it reasonably could do to publicise this most worthwhile initiative.
- MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HELD ON 21st OCTOBER 2003
The minutes of the Recreation and Development Committee held on 21st October were received and noted.
- MINUTES OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD ON 23rd OCTOBER 2003
The minutes of the Finance Working Party held on 23rd October, which had been tabled, were received and noted. The action taken in relation to minutes 10 and 11 was approved.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor referred to various social and civic functions he had attended since the last Council meeting. One of the highlights had been the opening of the Autumn Fair the previous Thursday. On the Friday and Saturday evenings he had worked on the dodgems to raise money for the Herbert Strutt Charity, his designated charity for the mayoral year.
As neither he nor the Deputy Mayor could attend the County Council's Civic Service on 23rd November, Councillor John Nelson said he would endeavour to represent the Council at this function.
The Mayor then reminded Councillors of the arrangements for Remembrance Sunday and hoped that all would be able to attend the civic reception for Lieutenant Commander Andy Price and members of the crew of HMS Brocklesby. Commander David Bewick, who commanded the squadron which included HMS Brocklesby, and who lived in Belper, would also be present.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
No comments were made on either the schedule of applications that had been circulated with the agenda or on those that had been tabled for the meeting. However it was noted that the refusal of permission for the erection of a new primary school on the former Parks School site was due to the residential development element of the application.
In answer to a query, it was explained that a Certificate of Lawfulness was given where, a use for which planning permission was normally required, could be proved to have been established for a period of at least 10 years.
- JUSTICE'S AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENCES
No comments were made on the application to transfer the justices licence at the Bluebell Inn, Farnah Green.
- PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS
The schedule of payments and receipts covering the period from 26th September to 22nd October 2003 was received and approved. The schedule is attached to these minutes and shows net expenditure of £26,901.30 and net income of £111,946.00.
- QUALITY COUNCILS SCHEME
In introducing his two reports the Town Clerk said that if the Council adopted what was now considered to be good practice in administrative matters then it would greatly assist it in becoming a designated Quality Council. Both reports had been modelled on formats provided by the National Association of Local Councils.
Though it was questionable as to the circumstances when the complaints procedure would be put into operation the procedures set out in the report would be adopted by the Council and used as a guide in dealing with complaints about the administration and administrative processes of the Council.
The report on meeting procedures and record keeping was considered to be far too prescriptive, though it was recognised that certain principles should be incorporated into the Council's agendas.
Particular exception was taken to the way in which NALC advocated that minutes should be written. It was considered that the narrative form used by the Council, which explained the reasons why decisions were taken, was more informative not only as a working document to refer to at a subsequent meeting but also to someone looking at the Council's records in, say, 50 years' time. It was agreed to prepare two agendas for a subsequent meeting, one on the present basis, and one incorporating some of the principles propounded by NALC.
However the AGM would be split into its two constituent parts, as required by law, with the annual meeting of the parish being followed immediately by the annual meeting of the Council rather than having them, as advised, on separate days.
- COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
The Audit Commission would be carrying out a comprehensive performance assessment of the Borough Council early in the new year. To help them in their task the Commission are carrying out a survey of all local Councils in Amber Valley. This is in the form of a questionnaire and is directed to the Town Clerk to complete. However because the of the very high proportion of Councillors who are members of both the Borough Council and the Town Council the Town Clerk considered he was being put in an invidious position. Accordingly it was agreed that he should liaise with the Deputy Leader and, if necessary other members who only sat on the Town Council, when completing the form.
The Borough Council in preparing for the assessment were setting up a focus group drawn from the local councils in the Borough. This would be meeting on the next day (5th November). Unfortunately none of those members eligible to sit on the focus group were able to attend. ( In fact Councillor Mick Nelson did represent the Council at the focus group meeting.)
- DERBYSHIRE LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - PROGRESS REPORT
The Third Annual Progress Report of the Local Transport Plan was noted. The questionnaire was referred to the Strategic Planning Working Party to complete.
- COPPICE CAR-PARK
The Town Clerk reported that the East Midlands Development Agency apparently had funds available for schemes that could be completed by the end of the financial year. A similar situation had arisen two years ago and some work had been done on a scheme to resurface the whole of the Coppice car-park. Accordingly he had pursued the matter with the Borough Council and had had several meetings, including one the previous day, involving the Leader, to explore the feasibility of making a bid.
He said that it was not a straightforward job of simply asphalting the car park as with a non-permeable surface there would be far more run-off and accordingly it would be necessary to create a reservoir of oversized pipes for the full length of the car park. These would have to have a hydro break to limit the flow into the Coppice Brook and it would also need an interceptor tank to prevent fuel leaking into the water course.
As some of the car park was taken up by the overwintering showmen asphalting could not start until early March. However planning permission would be necessary, as would the approval of the Environment Agency. Because rights of way traversed the car park, and went on into the land between the car-park and the Coppice Brook, where it would be necessary to install some out-flow pipes, a temporary footpath closure order would have to be obtained.
Though details of the financing of the scheme were still awaited it was likely that the work would have to be completed by the end of March and the money paid over to the contractor(s) in this financial year. As most emda initiatives required match funding of some 10% by the authority benefiting from the investment the Town Council could be faced with finding a sum in excess of £20,000.
Nevertheless it was agreed that the opportunity should be seized if at all possible as it may never arise again. Indeed if the money was available a structural survey of the retaining walls on the south and west sides of the car park could be undertaken. If remedial work had to be carried out this could be started almost immediately, as could the demolition of the old public toilets and the creation of a salt/grit store.
- CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
The schedule of correspondence received was noted.