BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 7TH SEPTEMBER 2004
PRESENT: Councillor Peter Arnold (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Jim Anderson, Joe Booth, Deborah Biss, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Les Dorey, Colin England, Anna Hingston, Peter Makin, John Nelson, Mick Nelson, Russell Horsley and Mark Robertson
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Inspector Arnie Hicklin, and Mrs Pam Purdue (Amber Valley Primary Care Trust) to speak on item 7.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No issues were raised other than the Clerk was asked to send a letter of congratulations to local swimmer, Ross Davenport, in recognition of his tremendous achievement at the Athens Olympics.
- POLICE MATTERS
Inspector Arnie Hicklin circulated a report giving the performance statistics of the Belper section and commented on the detection rates against the targets set and explained the effect of seasonal trends in the types of crimes committed. He advised that efforts continued to be made to help reduce all areas of crime but that particular emphasis was being placed on improving the detection of house burglaries. Inspector Hicklin said that the public needed to be more aware of the simple security measures they could take themselves to help reduce crime.
The traffic warden would be asked to monitor the parking situation outside the newly created luxury flats in the old St John's School as problems were anticipated.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Councillors Martin Tomlinson and Mel Cluskey.
- CHANGE IN THE ORDER OF BUSINESS
It was agreed to take next on the Agenda an extra item raised by Members concerning the post office closures.
- CLOSURE OF POST OFFICES IN BELPER
It was noted that the Openwoodgate Post Office had had to close on Fridays and Saturdays as it was unable to cope with the extra business that had been generated because of the closure of other Post Offices in Belper. Problems were also being experienced because of the parking situation and the increased danger to pedestrians crossing the road. The situation would be reported to the Chairman of the Post Office and the Member of Parliament, with a request for action.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillors Peter Arnold, Alan Cox and Jackie Cox declared a prejudicial interest in item 16 (Mid Derbyshire Citizens Advice Bureau) and would leave the room during discussion on that item.
- IN CAMERA
There were no items other than items 27-30 which warranted being taken in camera.
- PRESENTATION BY AMBER VALLEY PRIMARY CARE TRUST
Mrs Pam Purdue had asked to attend the meeting to make Members aware of the new format of the Trust in that there had been a decentralising of services leading to a closer working relationship with organisations in Amber Valley. A new Act had been passed requiring the Trust to be more accountable to the people it serves and a leaflet had been produced to encourage more public participation either through active involvement or through feedback of opinions and ideas.
Circulation of this explanatory leaflet throughout Belper was discussed and various ideas suggested.
Mrs Purdue was thanked for attending the meeting.
- TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE MINUTES 37-63 OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 14 JULY 2004
52 - Speed Limit on the A6 Matlock Road
Councillor Cox confirmed that a petition requesting a reduction in the speed limit on the A6 Matlock Road had been sent by residents to the County Council and was supported by Belper & District Road Safety Committee.
It was resolved to receive and adopt Minutes 37-73 of a Meeting of the Council held 14 July 2004.
- TO RECEIVE AND NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 15 JULY 2004
The minutes of the Finance Working Party held 15 July 2004 were received and noted.
- TO RECEIVE AND NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE HELD 12 AUGUST 2004
The minutes of the Christmas Committee held 12 August 2004 were received and noted.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor briefly identified some of the functions he had attended in the month.
He had just been informed that the Fair would again be visiting in October. They would arrive on Monday 25th and leave on Sunday 31st - opening from 28th to 30th. It was the Council's turn to provide the joint buffet on the opening night and this would take place in the Cross Keys on the Market Place.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
It was resolved to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 29 July 2004 and 12 August 2004 and the one dated 3 September 2004 which was circulated at the meeting. No comments were made on any of the applications.
- JUSTICES AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
It was resolved to note the applications for Justices and Entertainment Licences detailed on the schedules dated 29 July 2004, 12 August 2004 and 3 September 2004.
- FINANCE
It was resolved to approve the schedule of payments and receipts covering the period 1 July to 29 August 2004. The schedule is attached to these minutes and shows expenditure of £51,391.64 and income of £3,601.21.
It was also resolved to agree the Annual Return to the Audit Commission and this was duly signed by the Chairman.
- BUILDING WORK AT ST JOHN'S CHAPEL
The rough estimate of costs of repairs to the Chapel following the survey by Norder Design were noted. As the Town Council lease the building from the Diocese they would have to be consulted, as would English Heritage, before a full specification of works could be drawn up. The Clerk would make enquiries as to any grants that may be available to assist with the costs.
- MID-DERBYSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
It was resolved that representatives of the Citizens Advice Bureau be asked to attend the next meeting of the Council to make a presentation on the service provided in Belper.
- NALC
The response from NALC confirmed the requirement for Councils to produce a quarterly Newsletter within the Quality scheme. It was suggested that the Clerk produce a basic Newsletter which would be publicly available through display in notice boards, post offices etc.
- MILFORD & MAKENEY WELL DRESSING GROUP
After consideration, it was resolved that the Council should meet the grant claim of the Milford & Makeney Well Dressing Group ie the excess of expenditure over actual income - £328.61.
- DOG BINS
It was resolved that Amber Valley Borough Council should be asked to provide and maintain one dog bin on the Riverside Walk off Goods Road and one on Over Lane. The costs would be borne by the Town Council.
- WORK BY TRANSCO IN THE MEMORIAL GARDENS
The proposals by Transco concerning its mains replacement programme were noted. However Transco would be asked to ensure that pathway and verges in the Memorial Gardens be reinstated to their original condition, if disturbed by this work.
- TRANSFER OF LAND AT SPENCER ROAD
After consideration, it was resolved that the Clerk should advise Amber Valley Borough Council that the Town Council do not wish to take over ownership of this small parcel of land.
- JOHN LAWSON'S CIRCUS 2005
It was agreed that the Circus could visit from 23 to 27 May 2005. However the Circus should be advised that no posters are to be affixed to street furniture and any put around the town should be removed immediately afterwards. A bond of £500 will be requested in respect of restitution of any damage that may be caused at the Showground.
- BELPER RAILWAY STATION - ALCOHOL FREE ZONE
The proposal to designate Belper Railway Station an alcohol consumption regulated area was welcomed.
- PUFFIN CROSSING - JUNCTION OF A609 KILBOURNE ROAD/JOHN O'GAUNTS WAY
There was a mixed reaction to the latest proposals for this junction with no solution being found agreeable to all. The majority opinion however was that the original proposal for traffic lights was the preferred option and the County Council would be advised accordingly.
- ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
Members were pleased to note that Belper had been placed first in the Best Kept Town in Amber Valley Competition. The Clerk would receive the Award on Tuesday 28 September 2004.
- CLOSURE OF BRIDGE OVER THE COPPICE BROOK