BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 6th JULY 2004
PRESENT: Councillors: Russell Horsley (in the Chair), Les Dorey, Colin England, John Nelson, Mark Robertson.
In attendance: Councillor: Peter Makin; Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk); Three members of the public
- APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anna Hingston and Martin Tomlinson.
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Russell Horsley declared an interest in Belper Football Club (Senior Section).
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
- ITEMS TO BE TAKEN IN CAMERA
There were no items that warranted being taken in Camera.
- TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 20 APRIL 2004
The minutes of the meeting held 20 April 2004 were received and approved.
Comment was made on item 45 (Belper Marlins Swimming Club) that the Club had been advised to contact the Chair of the Leisure Centre, Councillor Joyce Sanders, if they were not happy with the decision of the Manager regarding the availability of pool time.
- PRESENTATION BY THE DROP INN
Inspector Arnie Hicklin, as Chair of the Trustees of the Drop Inn, attended the meeting to give a brief presentation in support of their recent grant application. He circulated a report which gave the background to the Drop Inn and detailed the various uses the centre is put to. Details were also given of the other agencies with which the Drop Inn is involved plus opening times, attendance and referrals. Members were in agreement that the Drop Inn provides an excellent service for young people in the town and were pleased to note the variety of achievements and projects either currently being undertaken or planned for the future which included educational, physical, social and artistic activities.
With reference to the Drop Inn's grant application, Members queried the necessity for a grant when the accounts actually showed a balance remaining of over £5700. Inspector Hicklin explained that most of this money was already accounted for as it had been grant aided for specific purposes which were still ongoing. He was however asked to provide a detailed written breakdown of this anticipated expenditure so that the grant application could then be considered at the next available full Council meeting.
- GRANT APPLICATIONS
- Winged Fellowship Trust - 204
It was resolved that as this was a national charity and of no specific benefit to the people of Belper that no grant should be given on this occasion.
- Belper Town Under 12's - 205
Some concern was expressed that the Football Club were applying for grant funding yet, according to recent press reports, obviously had sufficient funds to make expensive purchases of land.
As the Chairman of the Football Club, Mr Phil Varney, was amongst the public present, it was agreed to suspend Standing Orders to allow questions on the Club's finances to be raised. Mr Varney advised that the Club were certainly not cash rich and explained that the purchase of the land at the Meadows was made by the Club's Directors and not by the Club itself. Further, the Thornton's land had not been purchased but was taken on a lease with a peppercorn rent. He also explained that the Junior Club is a totally separate financial entity from the Seniors. Mr Varney was thanked for his contribution.
Standing Orders were reinstated and discussion ensued about the Under 12's grant application for £1000. Members were in agreement that the ties with Pawtucket should be encouraged and that relations between young people of different countries was beneficial and should be fostered.
It was resolved to make a grant of £600 to the Club for a tour to Pawtucket in May 2005.
- Belper Pottery Bowls Club - 206
The application for funding for upgrading the floodlights was discussed. The question arose as to the ownership of the land and Pavilion and whether there was any relevant insurance cover in place. These issues would have to be resolved before the grant application could be considered and the matter was therefore deferred until a future meeting.
- Belper Celebration - 199
It was agreed to pay the full amount claimed of £650 for this very popular series of events.
- Milford & Makeney Well Dressing Group - 195
Council had previously agreed to underwrite this event by £400. The claim for £400 was considered and several questions arose as follows:
- why was funding of £800 sought on the original application for 2004 when actual costs for 2003 were less than half that amount?
- did the Group receive the £400 grant they applied for from the Herbert Strutt Charity?
- why are professional services used to design the wells and why has the cost of this increased by 33%?
- was any collection made and any donation given to charity?
- as the Group had a carried forward balance of £99 from 2003 and expenditure for 2004 was £477.61, the actual shortfall is £378.61.
The Secretary of the organising committee would be asked to attend the next available Council meeting to explain these points of concern before any grant payment could be agreed
As the Town Council will not normally make grants to organisations which then go on to make charitable donations, it was agreed that the Council needed to clarify its position as regards all grant aided groups in the future.
- HUNTER ROAD ALLOTMENTS
The Clerk explained that an Allotment Association had been set up and a meeting had taken place regarding the provision of water on the site. It had been agreed by the allotment holders that they would pay the proposed increase in rent and also the water charges if the Town Council paid for the water connection by Severn Trent. Gerry Stuart of the Association was liaising with a local plumber regarding the position of the tap and the connection to the boundary. Once a satisfactory quote was obtained, the work would have to be carried out before an order could be placed with Severn Trent.
- LARKS IN THE PARK
The events so far had been fairly well supported but publicity needed to be improved for future events. It was also suggested that the next year the timing should be changed to 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm to coincide with the timings of the brass bands organised by Amber Valley Borough Council on alternate Sundays.
Members commented that under the licence agreement, rigorous conditions had been imposed by Amber Valley Borough Council as regards stewarding, monitoring of noise levels etc. However, it appeared that no such conditions applied to the holding of the brass band concerts organised by the Borough Council and the Clerk was therefore asked to query this issue with the Chief Executive.
- WAKES WEEKEND 2005
The costs of this year's event were discussed and the additional expenditure incurred due to the hire of the marquee would have to be taken into account when considering arrangements for 2005.