BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 5TH APRIL 2005
PRESENT: Councillor Peter Arnold (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Jim Anderson, Joe Booth, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Colin England, Mel Cluskey, Les Dorey, John Nelson, Mick Nelson, and Martin Tomlinson
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Ms Sarah Layman and Councillor Patrick Clark
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
- Fleet Arts
Ms Sarah Layman made a short presentation on the work carried out by Fleet Arts during the year and also gave details of activities planned for the future. Her attendance was at the request of Council so that Members were able to give informed consideration of Fleet Arts' grant funding application which was an item for discussion on the Agenda.
- Several issues were raised with County Councillor Patrick Clark ie footpath off the Fleet, the condition of many of the roads in Belper and safety concerns re the new road layout at the junction of John O'Gaunts Way and Kilbourne Road. Councillor Clark said he would pursue all matters at County level and that the road safety concerns should be reported to the Belper & District Road Safety Committee.
- Police Matters
Members were very disappointed that for the second month running there was no member of the Police present and commented that Belper was not getting the service the ratepayers had a right to expect following the tremendous increase in the Police portion of the Council tax. Concern was particularly expressed at the lack of control over car parking because of the absence of a traffic warden.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anna Hingston, Mark Robertson and Peter Makin (work commitments) and Deborah Biss (holidays).
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
RESOLVED to approve the inclusion of the following additional papers:
Item 7) Planning Schedule dated 5 April 2005
Item 21) Letter from St Peter's Church Warden regarding future use of the car park and,
Item 10) to bring forward the discussion on the grants application from Fleet Arts to the beginning of the Agenda
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Declarations of interests were made as follows:
Personal Interests:
Councillor Martin Tomlinson - Item 8: Justices & Entertainments Licences
Councillor John Nelson - Item 12: Belper Well Dressings. As Treasurer of the Well Dressing Committee, Councillor Nelson said he would leave the room if discussion took place on funding as his interest would then become prejudicial.
Councillor Jim Anderson - Item 10: Fleet Arts
Prejudicial Interests: (Members would leave the room during discussions)
Councillor John Nelson - Item 18 : Amber Valley Sports Development
Councillors Alan Cox and Jackie Cox - Item 15: Belper Community Hall
- TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY ITEMS SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH THE PUBLIC EXCLUDED
RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, in view of the confidential business about to be transacted, it was advisable in the public interest that the public and press be excluded from the meeting during discussion of Item 23 (Exempt Minutes) and they be instructed to withdraw".
- TO CONSIDER AN ANNUAL REQUEST FOR GRANT FUNDING FROM FLEET ARTS
RESOLVED to agree an annual grant for the year 2005-2006 of £7,000 in recognition of the excellent work carried out by the organisation in Belper.
- TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE MINUTES 209-233 OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 8 MARCH 2005
Minute 211 - Declarations of Interest
Omission - Declarations of prejudicial interest were declared by Councillors Anna Hingston, Jackie Cox and Alan Cox in respect Belper Community Hall and had left the room during discussions of that item.
It was RESOLVED to receive and adopt Minutes 209-233 of the Council Meeting held on 8 March 2005.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Maurice Heely Award:
Three nominations had been received and, in accordance with usual practice, these would be considered at a meeting with the County Youth Service and the Police Community Liaison Officer.
- Town Service Awards:
RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, in view of the confidential business about to be discussed, it was advisable in the public interest that the public and press be excluded from the meeting during discussion of this matter which would therefore be included in the Exempt Section.
- St George's Day Parade:
Arrangements for the weekend of 23/24 April 2005 were notified to Members.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
- Planning Applications:
AVA/2005/0292 - T Mobile Radio Mast
RESOLVED to object to the application to increase the height of the existing mast from 15m to 20m on the grounds that it would be severely detrimental to the visual amenity of the landscaped area.
RESOLVED to note the applications listed on the attached schedules dated 22 March 2005 and 5 April 2005.
- JUSTICES AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
RESOLVED to note the applications listed on the attached schedules dated 22 March 2005 and 5 April 2005.
- FINANCE
RESOLVED to note the attached schedule of receipts and payments for the period 1 - 22 March 2005 and to approve the expenditure of £7508.38.
- TO CONSIDER THE COUNCIL'S RESPONSE TO THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON THE CODE OF CONDUCT
RESOLVED to complete the questionnaire concerning the Code of Conduct in line with the comments made by Councillor Alan Cox in his personal response.
- TO DISCUSS BELPER'S WELL DRESSINGS 2005
Councillors reported on the recent public meeting held to discuss the arrangements for this year's event in view of the ill health of the principle organisers. It had been agreed that the Council take the lead in the organisation for this year only and follow the successful format of previous years.
RESOLVED to agree expenditure up to £1000 on Belper's Well Dressings in 2005 which would hopefully be recouped during the Festival.
- TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
The Cottage Project:
Councillor Jackie Cox invited all Members to the 10th Anniversary of the Project to be held on 7 May 2005 between 2 and 4 pm
Beaurepaire Garden Steering Committee:
Councillor Alan Cox advised Council that The Friends of St Faith's wished to erect a wrought iron archway at the entrance to Beaurepaire Garden in memory of Rev Basil Wesson. Whilst Members had no objection to the archway being put in place, it was RESOLVED that the Council should not be responsible for insurance cover on this structure, either public liability or all risks and the Group would therefore be asked to ensure cover is provided from their own funds.
- TO REPORT ON THE RESURFACING OF THE COPPICE CAR PARK
RESOLVED to note the letter from Amber Valley Borough Council concerning the approval of the scheme at the THI Steering Group on 11 March 2005. Members were concerned however at condition (1) which states that should the Town Council wish to change the free status of the car park in the future it would have to refer back to the Steering Group. Councillor Nelson advised that his understanding was that there would be a time limit of five years on the free parking condition but that agreement had had to be given to allow the scheme to go ahead.
Members agreed that the car park should be laid out in a herringbone fashion with a one-way system in operation.
- TO CONSIDER THE LOAN TO BELPER COMMUNITY HALL
RESOLVED to extend the outstanding loan of £1440 owed to the Council to be repaid by the end of December 2007.
- TO CONSIDER A FRENCH MARKET IN KING STREET
RESOLVED to approve the holding of a French Market on Sunday 8 May 2005 in King Street organised by Amber Valley Town Centre Management as an event to be held during Market Town Week.
- TO CONSIDER DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL'S RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN
RESOLVED to note the plan and recommend that access across Belper Showground to Belper Town Football Ground be designated a right of way and be included on the definitive map.
- TO CONSIDER A GRANT TO AMBER VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL RE SPORTS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
RESOLVED to agree payment of the annual grant of £1500 to Amber Valley Borough Council in respect of Sports Leadership Development and Outreach in Belper.
- ST PETER'S COMMUNITY LUNCH
The lunch on Tuesday 12 April 2005 would be attended by Councillors Alan and Jackie Cox and Mick Nelson.
- REQUEST FOR USE OF THE SHOWGROUND AS CAR PARKING
RESOLVED that Morrisons' request to use the Showground on a regular basis for overflow car parking be declined in view of the uncertainty regarding ownership of the land and whether the Council still had rights under the lease as previously agreed with Clowes Developments.
- CAR PARKING AT ST JOHN'S CHAPEL
RESOLVED that Councillors John Nelson, Peter Arnold and the Clerk meet with St Peter's Church Wardens as soon as possible to explain the extent to which the car park is used by visitors to the Chapel and the serious effect that a closure of the car park would have on the Council's activities.
- ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
RESOLVED to note the items for information listed on the schedule dated 5 April 2005.