BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 20th APRIL 2004
PRESENT: Councillors: Anna Hingston (in the Chair), Les Dorey, Colin England, John Nelson, Mark Robertson and Martin Tomlinson.
In attendance:
Councillors: Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Peter Makin and Mick Nelson.
Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk)
- APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Russell Horsley.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
It was agreed to consider two additional grant applications under Item 10: c) Belper & District Road Safety Committee and d) St John Ambulance. Additional information regarding the Mayfayres Day and Celebration Week was tabled and would be considered under item 13.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillors John Nelson, Mark Robertson and Peter Makin declared personal interests in Belper Meadows Sports Club in respect of discussions on item 6 - Belper Marlin Swimming Club. Councillor Alan Cox declared a personal interest in item 10c - Belper & District Road Safety Committee.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present other than those who had been invited to address the Council under items 6 and 7.
- ITEMS TO BE TAKEN IN CAMERA
There were no items that warranted being taken in Camera.
- BELPER MARLINS SWIMMING CLUB
Representatives of Belper Marlins Swimming Club, Messrs Kevin Hallsworth, Mick Howe and Mick Potter had attended the meeting to bring to Council's attention the difficulty the Club had experienced in obtaining adequate water time at Belper Leisure Centre. Currently the Club are only allowed 8 hours of pool time per week across all ages and abilities, the majority of which are at unsociable hours and not suitable for children. This situation has led to Club members being unable to fully develop their abilities and having to use the pool at Heanor Leisure Centre to get some of the extra pool time required. They considered that this would not be necessary if the slack time at Belper Leisure Centre were better utilised.
The training programme and the requirement for "Swim 21" accreditation (a national learn to swim programme) was explained. Council recognised the value of the Club's development programme which was reflected in the high standards and excellent achievements of Belper Marlins and applauded the policy of integration for people with disabilities.
Whilst Members agreed that more pool time at Belper Leisure Centre was obviously desirable (and the ideal solution would be a new teaching pool in Belper) they could only suggest that the Club put their case for more water time to the Centre Manager. However, because of the obvious breakdown in communications between the Club and the Leisure Centre management, the Town Clerk would write to the Leisure Centre Trust to ask if they would meet with Club representatives to discuss a way forward.
In response to their request for funding of the Open Meet, the Club were asked to complete and return the appropriate application form so that this could be given consideration at the next appropriate Council meeting.
- HUNTER ROAD ALLOTMENTS
Mr Bernard Holden and three allotment holders (or their representatives) were present to discuss the arrangements for the provision of water. The cost of installing the supply was estimated at £1000 towards which Derbyshire County Council had agreed to contribute £500. However this would mean an increase of £50 in the annual rental charged by County which would have to be recovered from the allotment holders.
The Town Council had indicated its reluctance to take on responsibility for payment of the metered water and discussion took place as to how this could be fairly split between the allotment holders. Unfortunately, as there was not an Allotment Association in place it was difficult to come to an agreement on this issue. It was therefore suggested that those allotment holders present would try and form an Association which could then nominate one spokesperson to negotiate on their behalf. The Chapel was offered as a meeting venue.
No immediate action would therefore be taken to provide water and the allotment rent would remain at £13 until the allotment holders had discussed this matter further and reported back to the Council.
- TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 13 JANUARY 2004
The minutes of the meeting held 13 January 2004 were received and approved.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 13 JANUARY 2004
There were no matters arising which were not covered on the Agenda.
- GRANT APPLICATIONS
- The Drop Inn - 198
As the Drop Inn was making a valuable contribution towards the life of young people in the town, Members were sympathetic to their grant application for £1000. However, it was decided to ask for a representative of the Drop Inn to attend the next available Council meeting to explain the organisation's balance sheet prior to approval of the grant.
- Belper Community Tennis Programme/Belper Meadows Sports Club Tennis Section - 200
It was resolved to make a grant of £400 as requested towards the provision of improved facilities for youth and adult players.
- Belper and District Road Safety Committee
It was resolved to make a grant of £30 towards the running costs of the committee.
- St John Ambulance - Belper Division
The Council gave the application careful consideration but were unable to agree the payment of a grant on this occasion.
- WAKES WEEKEND
Arrangements for the Wakes Weekend were noted.
- LARKS IN THE PARK
The programme of entertainment and associated costs was noted. Enquiries would be made of the Licensing Section at Amber Valley Borough Council regarding the payment of royalties to the Performing Rights Society.
- BELPER MARKET TOWNS CELEBRATION WEEK
The programme of entertainment tabled at the meeting was noted.