BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Inspector Paul Allen, Superintendent Gary Sherwood, one member of the public (Roger Carter of Belper Hockey Club) and Councillor Chris Jackson.

307. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
     The newly elected Councillor for North Ward, Mick Potter, was welcomed to the meeting.
     Mr Roger Carter of Belper Hockey Club asked to speak to Members regarding the possible involvement of the Council in the arrangements for the proposed bonfire in November. Members considered that the Council was already fully committed with the organising of various events and activities this year but may be able to assist with funding or advertising and the Club was invited to complete a grant application form for consideration at a future meeting.
308. POLICE MATTERS
     Superintendent Gary Sherwood and Inspector Paul Allen were present in response to the request that the Chief Constable attend July Council to answer the queries raised by Members at their June meeting.
     Inspector Allen gave detailed information on how the police funds were allocated within the county and advised Members of the various measures that had been introduced over the past few years to combat ever developing crime. He said that the Derbyshire police were performing very well compared with similar sized forces facing the same challenges and issues and that Derbyshire was currently the fastest improving force in the country, despite being severely under-funded by the government.
     Inspector Allen's proposal to form a Neighbourhood Policing Team, as has been proved successful in other areas, was welcomed and it was therefore agreed that a Public Meeting be arranged on this subject as early as possible, preferably, in the Parks area.
     Councillors commented that although they were obviously mainly concerned with local problems they did appreciate the wider issues and the increasing demands facing the seriously under-funded police and thanked Inspector Allen and Superintendent Gary Sherwood for attending the meeting.
309. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
     Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mark Robertson (work commitment).
310. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
     RESOLVED to approve the inclusion of the following additional papers:
     Item 6: Christmas Committee Minutes of 7 July 2005
     Item 8b: Planning Schedule dated 12 July 2005
     Supplementary Agenda: Item 8c and Item 19
311. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
     Declarations of interests were made as follows:
     Prejudicial Interests: (Members would leave the room during discussions)
     Item 9: Councillors Martin Tomlinson and Les Dorey
     Item 15a: Councillors Peter Arnold and John Nelson
312. TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY ITEMS SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH THE PUBLIC EXCLUDED
     RESOLVED that Part II be taken under Exempt Items.
313. TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE MINUTES 272-306 OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 14 JUNE 2005
     It was RESOLVED to receive and approve Minutes 272-306 of the Council Meeting held 14 June 2005, with the following addition:
     276 - A declaration of Prejudicial Interest was declared by Councillor Peter Arnold in respect of the Citizens Advice Bureau (Item 13c)
314. TO NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE HELD 7 JULY 2005.
     The minutes of the Christmas Committee meeting held 7 July 2005 were noted. The suggestion that carols should be sung by the procession on the walk down to the Market Place on Christmas Eve would be put to the next meeting.
315. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
     The Mayor, Councillor Colin England, gave details of the various engagements he had attended since the last meeting.
     The Derbyshire Archery Club had contacted the Council to see if there was any interest in a fund-raising event it proposed to organise in aid of the Herbert Strutt Charity. A show of hands proved there would be enough support to hold the event on Thursday 11 August 2005 and the Club would be advised accordingly.
316. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
     1. Members were pleased to note that the retrospective planning permission requested by Morrisons in respect of the trolley shelters had been refused.
     2. RESOLVED to note the applications listed on the attached schedules dated 27 June and 4 and 12 July 2005.
     3. RESOLVED that Members should make their own responses to the draft Statement of Community Involvement in respect of the new development planning system.
317. JUSTICES AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
     RESOLVED to note the applications listed on the attached schedules dated 27 June and 4 and 12 July 2005.
318. FINANCE
     1. It was RESOLVED to agree the Statement of Accounts and Supporting Notes included in the AnnualReturn for the year ended 31 March 2005. The Statement was duly signed by the Mayor.
     2. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the attached schedule of receipts and payments for May 2005 showing expenditure of £12,155.24 and income of £7671.16 and to authorise the S137 expenditure listed.
319. BEAUREPAIRE GARDEN - INSURANCE
     The Clerk reported that the Council's Public Liability policy currently covered Beaurepaire Garden but there was no insurance in place for damage etc to the additional structures which had been erected.
     Members noted with concern that the Council's insurers had advised the Council against taking responsibility for any insurance of land or property which it does not own or lease. However, it had been originally agreed that the three parcels of land which make up the Garden should be leased to the Town Council at a peppercorn rent and that the Council should be responsible for its maintenance. The Clerk advised that the Strutt Estate solicitors were dragging their heels in preparing the first lease and had not responded to recent correspondence. It had been anticipated that once this lease had been drawn up, it could be used as the basis for drawing up the other two leases with Mr Peter Davies and Mrs Ann Shaw.
     The Clerk would again try and contact the Strutt Estate solicitors and report back to the next meeting of the Council.
320. USE OF THE COUNCIL'S LOGO
     RESOLVED that the Poetry People be permitted to use the Council's logo on its promotional material and should be asked to state "Sponsored by the Town Council".
321. APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE TO BELPER COMMUNITY HALL COMMITTEE
     RESOLVED that Councillor Mick Potter replace Anna Hingston as the Council's representative on the Community Hall Committee.
322. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
     Belper Community Hall Committee
     Councillor Jackie Cox reported that funds were needed for lighting and tables.
     Cultural Centre
     Councillor Les Dorey would prepare a report on the current position for the next meeting.
     Belper Forward
     Councillor Jim Anderson reported that the first meeting of this new committee (to replace Belper Town Centre Forum and the Amber Valley Partnership - Belper Derwent Project) was poorly attended. The next meeting would take place after the Shop Watch/Pub Watch meeting.
     Shop Watch/Pub Watch
     Councillor Deborah Biss advised of a special combined meeting which would be held at the Nailers at 6pm on 27 July to which all Members were welcome
323. GRANT REQUESTS
     1. 223 - Belper Historical Society and North Mill Volunteers Association
        This item had been deferred from the previous meeting in order to obtain further financial information which had not been forthcoming.
        However, Councillor Mick Potter expressed concern at the proposals to form a disabled access inside Beaurepaire Garden as, being a wheelchair user himself, he considered the entrance into the Garden itself was unsuitable. This matter would therefore need further investigation with EMDA.
     2. 222 - Belper Amateurs Cricket Club
        The application for a grant was considered and it was RESOLVED that the Town Council would match the £200 grant funding approved by Amber Valley Borough Council. The Club would be advised to make enquiries re the availability of an "Awards for All" grant.
324. BELPER MUSIC & ARTS
     RESOLVED to accept the financial information to June 2004 submitted by Belper Music & Arts showing a final balance remaining after one unpaid account of approximately £360 which would be accounted for in the following year's accounts. It was therefore agreed there was now no necessity for the Group to reimburse the Council with the grant monies paid to them.
325. LARKS IN THE PARK
     Councillor Les Dorey reported on the recent very successful event which had attracted approximately 300 people and requested stewarding assistance for the remaining performances. A full report would be produced at the end of the Series.
326. WELL DRESSINGS
     Councillor Nelson advised that all arrangements were in hand and asked for Members' assistance in volunteering to act as Stewards in order to adequately meet the required levels over the two day event.
327. DERBYSHIRE MINERALS AND WASTE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
     RESOLVED that, if desired, Members should submit their own comments on the two documents i) questionnaire on the Statement of Community Involvement and ii) development plans for mineral aggregates extraction.
328. USE OF THE COUNCIL'S SEAL
     RESOLVED to authorise the use of the Council's seal on the Pension Admission Agreement between the Derbyshire County Council and the Trustees of Belper Leisure Centre Trust ref. DWT/4128.
329. COPPICE CAR PARK
     RESOLVED to agree to the amendments suggested by Amber Valley Borough Council in order to meet the objections raised by residents to the new lighting columns.
     The Clerk advised that John Proctor would be submitting proposals to form spots of hard-standing on the soft verges around the perimeter of the car park to accommodate his vehicles and attractions during the Autumn Fair.
330. ALTERATIONS TO PAYPHONE PROVISION
     RESOLVED to note the conversion of two kiosks at Derby Road, Milford and Blackbrook to cashless.
331. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
     RESOLVED to note the items of information on the schedule attached to these minutes.
332. RESOLVED
     1. that the Nomination for the Year of the Volunteer 2005 Competition and
     2. that the discussion on the Lease of the Showground be taken with the public and press excluded in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 that in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted it was advisable in the public interest they be instructed to withdraw.
333. NOMINATION FOR THE YEAR OF THE VOLUNTEER 2005 COMPETITION.
     RESOLVED that Members would submit their own nominations, if desired.
334. BELPER SHOWGROUND
     RESOLVED to forgo the lease on the Showground which is little used and a financial burden on the Town Council and to ask the Borough Council if they would wish to take on the lease in view of the skateboarding area which is sited there.