BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 12TH OCTOBER 2004
PRESENT: Councillor Peter Arnold (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Jim Anderson, Joe Booth, Deborah Biss, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Mel Cluskey, Les Dorey, Colin England, Peter Makin, John Nelson, Mick Nelson, Russell Horsley, Mark Robertson and Martin Tomlinson.
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Mrs Heather Clifton-Smith, Mr Harry Chandler and Mrs Alison Clamp to speak on item 7.
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public present.
- POLICE MATTERS
Council Members were disappointed that no Police representative was able to be present at the meeting.
Serious concern was expressed at the problems being experienced in the neighbourhood of Ashford Rise because of the congregation of young people who have been moved from other areas. Some were seen to be carrying weapons. Although the police were patrolling this area during the day, there was no police presence in the evenings and it was anticipated that a serious incident would soon occur. Members would like to see the police placing more emphasis on tackling minor crimes which may deter the offenders before they became involved in more serious offences.
The Clerk was asked to write the Chief Constable concerning this matter and to express the concerns of the Council that although the precept had been increased by 50% in the last three years no extra service was being provided by the police.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Councillor Anna Hingston.
- CHANGE IN THE ORDER OF BUSINESS
Item 7 would be taken upon the arrival of Mrs Clifton-Smith.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillors Peter Arnold, Alan Cox and Jackie Cox declared a prejudicial interest in item 7 (Mid Derbyshire Citizens Advice Bureau) and would leave the room during discussion on that item.
- IN CAMERA
There were no items other than items 24-26 which warranted being taken in camera.
- TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE MINUTES 64-90 OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 7 SEPTEMBER 2004
68 - Closure of Post Offices in Belper
87 - Belper Railway Station
Members were concerned that these and other important issues were either not being reported or were reported inaccurately in the Belper News.
83 - Dog Bins
The decision reached at the last Council meeting was that the general litter bin would be refurbished on Goods Road.
It was resolved to receive and adopt Minutes 64-90 of a Meeting of the Council held 7 September 2004.
- PRESENTATION RE MID-DERBYSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Mrs Clifton-Smith and representatives of the Mid-Derbyshire Citizens Advice Bureau were welcomed to the meeting.
Mrs Clifton-Smith explained that the Bureau had been set up in 1999 on a five year funding programme between NACAB, Amber Valley Borough Council and Belper Town Council. Now, at the end of the five years, the funding from NACAB had ceased and the Bureau were hoping for a renewed agreement between AVBC and Belper Town Council regarding continued funding.
Mrs Clifton-Smith explained that 2000 more enquiries than anticipated had been received since first opening and, because of the increased pressure, an appointment system had had to be set up which meant that fewer people could be seen and the drop in numbers was reflected in the statistics. Currently, the Bureau was open for two days per week plus one day for specialist advice. The majority of enquiries were from Belper people and the service provided in Belper was very professional and comprehensive which could not be offered through Outreach.
Members asked questions regarding overheads, whether other premises had been considered and whether consideration had been given to the CAB sharing their premises on the days the Bureau is closed. Mrs Clifton-Smith confirmed that all these matters had been properly investigated and was happy that the current arrangements were the best possible.
It was noted that Belper Town Council was contributing considerably more than other Town Councils in the area for the provision of their Citizens Advice services and there were also differences in the contributions made by the Borough and District Councils. Concern was also expressed that Derbyshire County Council currently makes no contribution towards the Citizens Advice Bureaux in the county and the Clerk was asked to make enquiries regarding this.
The Citizens Advice Bureau staff were thanked for taking the time to attend the meeting.
- TO RECEIVE AND NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE HELD 23 SEPTEMBER 2004.
The Christmas Committee would be asked to consider the feasibility of trimming the tree at the Triangle (near the North Mill) with pea lights.
The minutes of the Christmas Committee held 23 September 2004 were received and noted.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor advised he had had another hectic schedule during the month including the presentation by the Amber Valley Mayor of the Best Kept Town Award.
He had been asked to advise Members that a bonfire was to take place at Belper Meadows on 5 November 2004.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
It was resolved to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 20 September 2004 and 5 October 2004. The only comment made on the applications concerned AVA/2004/1118 where the Council resolved to support past decisions to refuse this application in that no new information had been received which warranted agreement to change of use to residential.
- JUSTICES AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
It was resolved to note the applications for Justices and Entertainment Licences detailed on the schedules dated 20 September and 5 October 2004.
- FINANCE
It was resolved to approve the schedule of payments and receipts covering the period 26 August 2004 to 23 September 2004. The schedule is attached to these minutes and shows expenditure of £22,365.56 and income of £10,236.14.
- FAIR
Members were asked to note that the Fair would be opened by the Mayor at 6pm on Thursday 28 October 2004 and this would be followed by a tour of the Fair and a Buffet in the Cross Keys provided by the Town Council.
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- DRAFT CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
- REVIEW OF RESTRICTIONS ON THE POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL AUTHORITY EMPLOYEES AND PAY OF POLITICAL ASSISTANTS
These draft documents were noted.
- LEISURE CENTRES IN AMBER VALLEY
Councillor Alan Cox advised that a recommendation regarding the refurbishing of the Leisure Centres at Alfreton, Ripley and Heanor was to be considered by Amber Valley Borough Council the following evening.
- DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL - YOUNG ACHIEVERS AWARD 2004
Council resolved to support the nomination suggested by Councillor Mick Nelson for the Derbyshire County Council Young Achiever's Award.
- BUILDING WORK AT ST JOHN'S CHAPEL
The Clerk had made enquiries as to the various grants that may be available to assist with the proposed repairs and improvements to the Chapel. The letter from the Diocese stating that they have no jurisdiction over the Chapel, just the grounds, was noted. Comment was made as to why the Diocese were therefore able to object to civil marriage ceremonies taking place in the Chapel and the Clerk was asked to investigate.
Firm quotes were needed however before any application for grant funding could be made and it was agreed that the Clerk should ask for advice for the Borough Council's Conservation Officer before taking any further action.
- CROSS KEYS - WATER PENETRATION
The Clerk advised that some initial investigation had taken place and that the build up of gravel between the Cross Keys and the Council Depot may be causing a problem and so would be removed. However the bricks forming the Cross Keys' wall were in a poor state of repair and would seem to be the major cause of water penetration. The Clerk would make further investigations.
- MEMORIAL GARDENS - BOUNDARY WALL
The surprising letter from the Legal Department at Amber Valley Borough Council advising that this wall posed no immediate danger had since been superceded by a telephone call from the Surveyor responsible who has now agreed that the wall is in fact dangerous and he will be monitoring the situation.
- CARERS' FEDERATION
The offer of a presentation by the Carers' Federation would be declined in that a presentation had recently been made by Amber Valley Primary Care Trust.
- OVERWINTERING OF SHOWMEN ON THE COPPICE CAR PARK
It was agreed that Mr Michael McKean would have the use of the Coppice Car Park for overwintering for a period of approximately 20 weeks at £50 per week. The area allotted should be clearly defined and the Coppice barrier would be kept locked. In accordance with Council policy, the Clerk was instructed not to issue a key to the barrier to Mr McKean.
- ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The schedule of items of correspondence for information was noted.