BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk) and Inspector Arnie Hicklin

8. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
   There were no members of the public present.
9. POLICE MATTERS
   Comment was made on the road safety issues raised at the last meeting and in particular the recent incident at the Whitemoor Park Bowls Club over which Councillor Dorey had expressed concern about the police response. Inspector Arnie Hicklin denied that there had been a delay or lack of police response in this matter and in fact was pleased to report that as a result of this and other incidents, two offenders had actually just received custodial sentences. Unfortunately crime detection statistics would not be available until the next meeting but it was reported that, in the main, these were on target. No statistics were available on prosecutions for the illegal use of mobile telephones.
   Discussion took place regarding the Drop Inn Centre and the possibility of extending the times that this facility is available to young people. Inspector Hicklin explained that the centre was not just aimed at under 18's but also provided a valuable venue at other times for other groups. He said he thought that the current opening hours - Monday to Thursday - were sufficient bearing in mind that parents also had to accept some responsibility for their children and to extend the opening hours would over-stretch the limited resources available. Some concern was expressed by Councillor Nelson regarding the effect the Tesco development might have on the Drop Inn. However, Inspector Hicklin did not think this would become an issue but thanked Members for their offer of support should it be required.
10. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies were received from Councillors Les Dorey, Russell Horsley and Peter Makin.
11. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
    It was agreed to take items 27, 28 and 29 of the Supplementary Agenda before item 26 - In Camera.
12. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    There were no declarations of interest.
13. IN CAMERA
    No other items other than the In Camera Minute 257 warranted being taken in camera.
14. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD 6 APRIL 2004
    239 - Belper Leisure Centre Trust Councillor Alan Cox advised that he had since received accounts up to 31 March 2004 but was still awaiting budget figures.
    It was resolved to receive and adopt the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held 6 April 2004.
15. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF PARISH MEETING HELD 11 MAY 2004
    These were received and noted.
16. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD 11 MAY 2004
    These were received and noted.
17. MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HELD 20 APRIL 2004
    These were received and noted.
18. MINUTES OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 22 APRIL 2004
    These were received and noted.
19. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    The Mayor gave brief information on the invitations he had received since being elected in office. He invited all Councillors a photo shoot in the Memorial Gardens at 11.15 am the next day (Wednesday, 9th) to publicise the involvement of the children of Herbert Strutt School in a planting scheme.
    The Mayor stressed the importance of Members making themselves available to steward the Larks in the Parks events. Following the information provided by Councillor England, it was agreed to invite Mr Mike Perry of S E Derbyshire College to give a short presentation to Council on "Stewarding". This would take place at 6.30 pm on 13 July, before the start of the next Council meeting.
20. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    The planning schedules circulated on 15 April, 29 April, 10 May and 20 May 2004 were noted. No comments were made other than the following:
    Application AVA/2004/0359 - Penn Street
    Councillor Nelson said he had received a considerable number of letters and comments from the public concerning this proposed development. He advised that the developers were meeting with Amber Valley Borough Council when the major concerns of residents would be addressed. These were mainly the height of the development, the maintenance of the rock face and traffic management. Although it was obviously desirable to bring jobs to the area, the general feeling was that this site was not an ideal site for industrial development.
    Application AVA/2004/0580 and /0577 - Fuchs Site
    Councillor Arnold said that issues were being raised with the planners at AVBC regarding this application.
21. JUSTICES AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
    No comments were made on any of the applications listed on the schedules.
22. FINANCE
    It was resolved to approve the schedule of payments and receipts covering the period 19 March 2004 to 21 May 2004. The schedule is attached to these minutes and shows net expenditure of £33905.44 and receipts totalling £117,447.83.
    It was resolved to receive and approve the draft final accounts for the year to 31 March 2004.
23. STANDING ORDERS
    With an amendment under item 13c - to delete "Matters Arising", it was resolved to adopt the revised Standing Orders.
24. PROVISION OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
    The Amber Valley Borough Council's consultation report on the public convenience strategy was noted and discussed. It was resolved that, because of limited resources, the Town Council could not agree to take on the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public conveniences in Belper.
25. UPDATING OF IT EQUIPMENT
    Councillor Arnold advised that he had discussed the proposals submitted by Edge Design Ltd with the Council staff and new ideas were being put forward. It was therefore resolved that a small sub-committee of Councillors Peter Arnold and Alan Cox plus Elaine Hibbert should meet to discuss this matter and put forward a revised proposal to a future Council meeting.
26. ST JOHN'S CHAPEL - REMEDIAL WORK
    Norder Design were in the process of arranging for a builder with experience of English Heritage work to quote for the proposed remedial works. Once this was available, it could be used as basis for any application for grant funding.
27. UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES
    The Mayor said that thanks were due to all the groups and individuals involved in the various events and activities that had recently taken place within the Town eg Belper Market Towns Week, Belper Celebration and Wakes Weekend.
    It had been agreed by Council to underwrite the cost of the provision of the marquee for the Wakes Weekend and the Clerk was therefore authorised to pay the account for the marquee in full but to reclaim the amount in excess of £1500 ie £376.00 from the organising committee. Arrangements for next year needed to be put in motion and so this item would be included on the next Agenda for the Recreation and Development Committee.
28. FLY-POSTING
    Following incidents of fly-posting advertising events and car boot sales, the Clerk circulated a copy of the relevant legislation prohibiting this ie Section 132 of the Highways Act 1980. It was agreed that the public should be advised through the Belper News and the Council's notice board of the requirement to obtain permission from the Town Council as a market authority for the holding of such sales and also that fly-posting is not allowed.
29. COPPICE CAR PARK
    1. Compound:
       The compound had now been completed at the rear of the Disabled Ambulance Garage and would be used mainly for the storage of the market stalls. This freed space at the side of the Council Depot to allow easier access to the mower and lighting stores and also facilitate the temporary storage of plants and baskets ready for summer planting.
    2. Barrier
       Councillor Booth expressed concern that a decision had been taken since the last meeting to withdraw the key facility to the height restriction barrier from all except authorised users. This action had resulted in complaints from local businesses who were unable to find anywhere else to park. A letter was read out from Councillor Anderson (in his absence) which also expressed concern at the withdrawal of this key facility and said that he too considered the Council should make provision for local businesses to park at that end of town. Councillor Nelson explained that the barrier system had been abused in that it had regularly been left open, the padlock had had to be replaced several times and time and money had been spent on renewing the lock and obtaining and issuing replacement keys.
       As there was some debate as to how to resolve this matter and whether the Council was in fact obligated to provide a parking facility for local businesses, it was agreed to take a vote on the issue. All Members were however in agreement that the barrier was an absolute security necessity if travellers were to be kept out of the car park.
       The proposal put forward was that the Coppice Car Park should be available for use by all classes of vehicle but that, where requested, keys to the barrier should be issued for which a deposit may be charged. The result of the vote was seven against the proposal and three for. It was therefore resolved to keep the barrier in place with keys issued to authorised personnel only.
30. AMBER VALLEY BEST KEPT TOWN COMPETITION
    It was agreed to take part in this competition as in previous years. The Clerk reported that to date sponsorship of just under £2000 had been received for the summer bedding.
31. FRIENDS OF BELPER PARKS - THE LOST TUNNEL
    A letter had been sent to Friends of Belper Parks stating the Council's interest in the architectural survey of the area around the Coppice Car Park and any excavations which may prove the existence of the tunnel which it is rumoured runs from there to St Johns Chapel. Following a request from Friends of Belper Parks, the Clerk would contact the Secretary to determine what kind of support they are seeking from the Council to assist with their application for a Local Heritage Initiative Grant.
32. RIGHTS OF WAY MINOR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
    The Clerk was authorised to submit a notice of claim to Derbyshire County Council for the maximum amount of £565 to be made at the end of the current financial year.
33. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    The items of correspondence notified to Members on the schedules dated 28 April 2004 and 21 May 2004 were noted.
34. TOWNSCAPE HERITAGE INITIATIVE SCHEME - COPPICE CAR PARK
    Amber Valley Borough Council had been successful in raising match funding for the Townscape Heritage Initiative scheme for Belper and Milford which will enable grants to be provided for certain buildings and environmental improvements. The scheme also provides expenditure for the resurfacing and marking out of the Coppice Car Park with a proviso that a contribution is made by Belper Town Council and the work is completed by March 2006. As the Town Council has sufficient reserves, it was resolved to agree to make the requested contribution but pay the £28,900 over a two year period, during which time some of the expenditure would be recovered due to the savings anticipated in other areas.
35. CAR BOOT SALE - Ambergate Carnival Committee
    It was resolved to agree the request by Ambergate Carnival Committee to hold a Car Boot Sale on Sunday 13th June 2004 on the field adjacent to the Hurt Arms Inn.
36. BARGATE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
    Councillor Bull had brought to Council's attention the fact that Derbyshire County Council had been dealing directly with Bargate Neighbourhood Watch regarding a mini-roundabout proposal at the junction of Sandbed Lane and Bargate Road.
    The Clerk was asked to write to the County Council to express Members' concerns that a small group of residents were able to bypass the normal channels of consultation on such matters and to ask why no contact had been made with the Town Council.