BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 13th JANUARY 2004
PRESENT: Councillors Anna Hingston (in the Chair) Les Dorey, Colin England, John Nelson. and Martin Tomlinson.
Councillors Deborah Biss, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Peter Makin and Mick Nelson were also in attendance.
- APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Russell Horsley.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
As neither Councillor Mark Robertson nor a representative of Belper Marlin Swimming Club were present item 6 was removed from the agenda.
A letter from Victim Support Derbyshire seeking financial support was tabled and it was agreed to consider this with the other grant applications (item 12).
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
As a member of Belper Meadows Sports Club Councillor Mick Nelson declared an interest in items 7 and 8.
- BONFIRE NIGHT ON THE MEADOWS
Mr Roger Carter, Chairman of the Hockey Club, and Mr Gary Spendlove Chairman of the Cricket Club said that the Belper Meadows Sports Club had submitted an application to the Lottery Fund to enhance the facilities at what was generally regarded as the best outdoor sports complex in the county. If their bid was to succeed they had to raise a substantial amount themselves and they thought that a bonfire and firework display on November 5th, in conjunction with the Council, would help their funds.
At the last meeting of the Committee it was believed that Thorntons would not be holding their traditional bonfire at the beginning of November. However they had done so. The Town Clerk would ascertain whether they intended to continue with the event this year. If they did not intend to do so then the Sports Club, supported by the Council would step into the breach. However if Thorntons wished to go ahead then it would be necessary to hold discussions with them to see whether there could be two separate events or a combined one.
At this stage it was considered that the Council could provide assistance with stewards and publicity. and the Town Clerk would liaise with Messrs Carter and Spendlove. Progress would be reviewed at the next Committee meeting.
- WAKES DAY
Mr Spendlove and Mr Carter suggested that the highly successful Wakes Day could be expanded to cover the whole of the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, with the children's sporting activities, supervised by the Borough Council's Sports Development Team, taking place on Monday 31st May. They envisaged a programme of events starting on Friday 28th May and continuing through the weekend. These would focus on a marquee which could be used for music, dance, arts workshops, an ecumenical church service and a Sports Forum.
They were looking to the Council for significant financial support, and suggested that the cost of hiring a marquee of some £2,000 could be met by the Council. However they appreciated they would have to adapt their proposals according to the finance available.
Their proposals to expand Wakes Day were welcomed, but the Council had not budgeted for such an event. Nevertheless the Chairman of the Finance Working Party and Town Clerk would endeavour to identify some means of providing financial support for the event and would report accordingly to Council. Council would also be requested to nominate two members to sit on the Wakes Weekend Organising Committee.
- HUNTER ROAD ALLOTMENTS
Because of family illness Mr Holden was unable to attend the meeting. Although a letter from him explaining the concerns of the allotment holders about the possible cost of the water consumed was read out, it was agreed to defer detailed consideration of this topic until the next Committee meeting, when it was hoped that both Mr Holden and some of the allotment holders would be present.
- MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 21st OCTOBER 2003
The minutes of the meeting held on 21st October 2003 were received and approved.
- MATTERS ARISING
Minute 24 c - Christmas Festivities - Belper River Gardens
The Town Clerk was asked to write to the three principal organisers of the Arrival of Father Christmas to congratulate them on creating such a colourful and successful event.
- GRANT APPLICATIONS
- Belper Folk Club - 194
It was agreed to underwrite the Folk Clubs expenditure on the annual Folk Moot up to £1,000. It was noted that because the Club had lost one of their sources of income that they would be more likely to call on the Council than in previous years.
- Milford and Makeney Well Dressing Group - 195
It was agreed to underwrite the Group's expenditure on its various activities this year up to a maximum of £400. However it should be made clear to the Group that money provided by the Council may only be used to meet the Group's expenditure. On no account should any part of it be passed on for charitable purposes. This does not preclude the Group from sending money collected at individual wells on to charities.
- Belper Town Wind Band - 190
The letter of thanks from the Band's Musical Director was noted.
- Victim Support Derbyshire
As a result of the restructuring of Victim Support Derbyshire the Council no longer had a representative on the organisation and furthermore there was no means of ensuring that the Council's contribution would be spent in Belper. Accordingly it was regretted that the Council would not accede to the request for a grant.
- MUSIC AND ARTS
Councillor Les Dorey, as one of the Council's representatives on the Music and Arts Committee, passed round a set of accounts prepared by them for the year 2002/03. Though they provided details of each of the events organised by Music and Arts he considered them totally inadequate as a record of the Group's stewardship of the Council's money. Criticisms were made about the narrowness of the programme and the preponderance of musical events being held at the Queen's Head as well as the inadequacy of the group's financial and administrative systems.
Because of their grave concerns Committee decided to recommend to Council that the proposed grant of £3,500 should not be made.
- LARKS IN THE PARK
It was agreed to continue with the summer Sunday evening programme of musical events in the River Gardens. Councillors Les Dorey and Colin England would work with the Town Clerk in developing a programme that catered for a wider spectrum of musical tastes.
- WALK FESTIVAL - 2004
It was agreed that the Council should participate in the 2004 event. The organisers of the event would be provided with details of the various published walks available. Councillor John Nelson volunteered to lead one of the walks.