BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 2ND NOVEMBER 2004
PRESENT: Councillor Colin England (Deputy Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Jim Anderson, Joe Booth, Deborah Biss, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Mel Cluskey, Les Dorey, Peter Makin, John Nelson, Mick Nelson and Martin Tomlinson.
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk).
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public present.
- POLICE MATTERS
Inspector Arnie Hicklin introduced his assistant Claire Pacey and apologised for the fact that no Police representative was able to attend the last Council meeting. Inspector Hicklin circulated the statistics to date which gave provisional figures for the end of October and explained how the information had been compiled and made comments on the various areas of crime detection. Incidents of burglaries were down and being kept to a manageable level and the target should be reached at the end of the year; arrests had been made on motor vehicle crimes where certain makes of motorcyles had been targeted; thefts from motor vehicles continued to occur where motorists left articles on show; the percentage detection rate on crimes of violence was improving although the number of offences had increased; the drug problem had drastically reduced.
At the last Council meeting there were reports of increasing vandalism at Gregory's Way/Ashford Rise. Inspector Hicklin said however that people were not actually reporting crime as only four incidents in the last few months had been recorded and the police were unable to act if they were not aware of the problem.
Problems of car parking were discussed particularly as regards Field Lane and Albert Street where DCC had been asked to consider residents only parking but had taken no action. There had also been a problem with an unauthorised trader parking on the pavement at the Butts.
Members were pleased with the results of the appointment of a Traffic Warden in Belper but were warned that this situation may not continue because of the initiative to appoint 80 Community Safety Officers across the county by the end of March. This would likely mean staff shortages within the police as some internal transfers were taking place.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Councillors Peter Arnold, Russell Horsley and Mark Robertson.
- CHANGE IN THE ORDER OF BUSINESS
Additional documents were circulated:
Finance Schedule (item 13), the Minutes of the Finance Committee 29.10.04 (item 9), Schedule of Planning Applications dated 2 November 2004 (item 11).
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillors Alan Cox and Jackie Cox declared a prejudicial interest in Minute 102 (Mid Derbyshire Citizens Advice Bureau) and would leave the room if any discussion took place on that item.
- IN CAMERA
There were no items other than items 17-18 which warranted being taken in camera.
- TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE MINUTES 95-117 OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 12 OCTOBER 2004
111 - DCC Young Achiever's Award
Councillor Mick Nelson advised that he was experiencing difficulty in obtaining the details of the proposed nominee from the Scout Leader as he was on holiday. However, he would endeavour to meet DCC's deadline for receipt of nominations.
102 - Grant to Citizens Advice Bureau
A decision was required on the grant requested by the Citizens Advice Bureau and this item would therefore be included on the Agenda for the next meeting.
116 - Showmen Overwintering on the Coppice Car Park
Discussion took place regarding a letter which had been read out from Mr Michael McKean explaining the need for the Showmen to have access into the car park for their vehicles which could not fit under the barrier. Because there was not a consensus of opinion on whether the Showmen should be allowed keys to the barrier, the matter was put to a vote. Seven Members were for the proposal that the Showmen should affix their own padlock to the barrier to allow them access onto the Coppice Car Park and four were against. The padlock would be removed when the Showmen left and the Council padlock would remain in place at all times.
It was Resolved to receive and adopt Minutes 95-117 of the Council Meeting held on 12 October 2004.
- TO RECEIVE AND NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HELD 29 OCTOBER 2004.
Matter referred to Council:
Minute 53 - Notice Boards
Following the discussion at the Finance Committee on 29 October 2004 concerning the inclusion of advertising material on the Council's notice boards, it was Resolved that the Council should adhere to the current policy of accepting no items of a commercial or political nature.
The Minutes of the Finance Committee held 29 October 2004 were received and noted.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
A letter from Maypole Promotions was circulated which requested the support of the Town Council for their proposed film on Samuel Slater. The Town Council were delighted to support their efforts and the Clerk would respond accordingly.
Councillor England gave brief details of the functions he had recently attended as Deputy Mayor.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
It was Resolved to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 21 October 2004 and 2 November 2004.
AVA/2004/1182 - Retail Units - Gregory's Way
Discussion took place regarding the letter circulated from Mr Kevin Walker of 12 Gregory's Way and in particular his comment about the land being allocated to the local council as the land was not in the ownership of the Town Council. There were differing views as to the suitability of this proposed development but Amber Valley Borough Council would be asked to keep the Town Council appraised of the situation.
- JUSTICES AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
It was Resolved to note the applications for Justices and Entertainment Licences detailed on the schedules dated 21 October 2004 and 2 November 2004.
- FINANCE
It was resolved to approve the schedule of payments and receipts covering the period 24 September 2004 to 21 October 2004. The schedule is attached to these minutes and shows expenditure of £14,051.80 and income of £112,003.92.
- STOPPING UP OF HIGHWAY
The stopping up of the highway at the Old Court House, 3 Chesterfield Road was noted.
- APPOINTMENT OF COMMUNITY GOVERNOR - ST JOHN'S C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL
It was Resolved that Councillor Russell Horsley. having expressed an interest, would be nominated as a Community Governor at St John's Church of England Primary School.
- ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The items of correspondence received and detailed on the schedule dated 2 November 2004 were noted.
Comment was made by Councillor Alan Cox on item 5 (AVBC draft licensing policy) that the new licensing arrangements whereby local district councils were to take on the role of licensing was unclear and would cause considerable chaos.
Councillors Alan Cox, Jackie Cox and Les Dorey would attend the Community Lunch at St Peters (item 14) on 4 November 2004.