BELPER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 6th SEPTEMBER 2005
PRESENT: Councillor Colin England (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Joe Booth, Alan Cox, Mel Cluskey, Deborah Biss, Mick Nelson and Mick Potter. Councillors Peter Makin and John Nelson arrived later in the meeting
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Sargeant Sally Turner and Councillor Chris Jackson,
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
- POLICE MATTERS
By agreement with the police representatives present, this item would be taken at the end of the meeting.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jackie Cox (illness), Les Dorey (holiday) and Martin Tomlinson (work commitment).
- CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
RESOLVED to approve the inclusion of the following additional papers:
Item 6 - Minutes of the Finance Working Party of 2 September 2005
Item 8 & 9 -
i Additional Planning schedule of 6.9.05 including Justices and Entertainment Licences
ii Letter to all Councillors requesting support for objection to planning application AVA/205/0779 re the proposed development off Queens Drive
Item 10 -
i Statement of Assurance and Supporting Notes to the Accounts
ii Risk Assessment summaries
Item 19 - Letter from Amber Valley Town Centre Manager requesting permission to arrange a weekend of French Markets in Belper
Exempt : Item 2 - Minutes of the Staff Working Party of 2 September 2005
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Declarations of interests were made as follows:
Prejudicial Interests: (Members would leave the room during discussions)
Councillors Peter Arnold and John Nelson expressed an interest in Item 12a: Derwent Valley Mills Partnership
Councillor Mick Nelson expressed an interest in Item 12b: Belper Meadows Sports Club and Item 8: Planning Item 7 on the Schedule of 22 July 2005
- TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY ITEMS SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH THE PUBLIC EXCLUDED
RESOLVED that Part II - Exempt Items be taken with the public and press excluded from the meeting in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 in view of the confidential nature of the business to be discussed.
- TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE MINUTES 307-334 OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 12 JULY 2005
It was RESOLVED to receive and approve Minutes 307-334 of the Council Meeting held 12 July 2005, with the following addition:
Item under Public Participation. A declaration of Prejudicial Interest was declared by Councillor Mick Nelson in respect of the bonfire proposed by Belper Hockey Club and he had left the meeting during discussion of this item.
- TO NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 2 SEPTEMBER 2005.
The minutes of the Finance Working Party held 2 September 2005 were noted. It was RESOLVED that the recommendations contained therein be approved except for Minute 67 recommending the installation of Broadband. The issue was discussed and put to the vote. The Clerk was asked to provide information regarding costs and usage for consideration at the next meeting.
- MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor, Councillor Colin England, gave details of the very busy schedule of engagements he had attended since the last meeting.
It was noted that Belper had won the Best Kept Town in Amber Valley competition and it was RESOLVED that Belper should enter the East Midlands in Bloom competition next year.
Concern was expressed at the complaints that had been made to the Mayor and Councillor Dorey by residents of Wyver Lane regarding the sound levels at the Larks concerts, in particular the one on 28 August 2005.
It was noted that the Town Council would be receiving an invitation to visit HMS Brocklesby at Grimsby during the week commencing 26 September 2005.
- PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The planning applications listed on the schedules dated 22 July, 10, 19, 23 August and 6 September were noted and it was RESOLVED that comments should be submitted as follows:
AVA/2006/0919 - To raise an objection to the proposed flue at 38 Market Place in that it would not be in keeping with the area.
AVA/2006/0948 - To raise an objection in respect of the proposed erection of eighteen apartments on land at Strutt Street in that there was no parking provision and that the development would not be in keeping with the area.
AVA/2005/0779 - To support the objections raised by the residents of Queens Drive in respect of the proposed development on land now occupied by "The Sheiling" and "Catchfrench" off Queens Drive.
Members were disappointed that the mini-roundabout scheme at the junction of Bargate Road and Sandbed Lane had gone ahead despite the Town Council's objections.
Comment was also made the County Council should be contacted to re-instate the white lines at Whitemoor Lane which had been covered over during the recent resurfacing.
- JUSTICES AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
It was RESOLVED to note the list of applications for Justices and Entertainment Licences included on the schedules dated 22 July, 10, 19, 23 August and 6 September.
- FINANCE
- It was RESOLVED to note and agree the attached schedule of receipts and payments for June and July 2005 showing income of £1270.64 and expenditure of £11,465.01 in June and income of £3008.02 and expenditure of £55,202.71 in July and to authorise the S137 expenditure listed.
- It was RESOLVED to agree the Statement of Assurance and Supporting Notes to the Accounts for 2004-5 as recommended by the Finance Working Party. The document was duly signed.
- It was RESOLVED to agree the Risk Assessments as recommended by the Finance Working Party.
- QUALITY COUNCIL
RESOLVED to form a small working party consisting of: Councillors Colin England, Mick Potter and Mel Cluskey and the Clerk to consider the criteria to which the Council would have to conform if it wished to apply for "Quality" status. It was further RESOLVED to continue with the quarterly Council Newsletter.
- GRANT REQUESTS
- Derwent Valley Mills Partnership
RESOLVED to make a grant of £500 towards the running costs of the management of the World Heritage Site.
- BELPER MEADOWS SPORTS CLUB - 225
RESOLVED not to make a grant towards the proposed bonfire but to offer assistance with stewarding.
- BELPER HISTORICAL SOCIETY/BELPER NORTH MILL VOLUNTEERS - 223
As the financial information requested had not been received, no discussion could take place on this application.
- REVIEW OF NALC LARGER LOCAL COUNCILS COMMITTEE
RESOLVED to note the report with no comment being considered necessary.
- BEAUREPAIRE GARDEN
- The letter received from the County Council was considered. Councillor Mick Potter was delegated to make further enquiries from Amber Valley Access regarding possible solutions to the problem of providing suitable disabled access into the Garden and also to investigate funding possibilities.
- The Clerk reported that although the Strutt's land agent had been in contact, no further progress had occurred on the transfer of the lease and this item would therefore remain on the Agenda for future meetings until resolved.
- COUNCIL REPRESENTATION ON OUTSIDE BODIES
- The Mid-Derbyshire Citizens' Advice Bureau.
The Clerk was asked to verify with the Citizens' Advice Bureau that a Town Council Representative was actually required.
- Membership of the Belper & Milford Townscape Heritage Initiative Steering Group
Some confusion had arisen regarding the Town Council's representative on this Committee which was confirmed as Councillor Deborah Biss.
- Membership of Belper Leisure Centre Trust
Councillor Mick Potter agreed to replace Councillor Jim Anderson as the Council's representative on this Committee.
- OCTOBER FAIR
RESOLVED to agree to the fair taking place on the Coppice Car Park on 27, 28 and 29 October 2005. It was noted that the car park would be closed from 23 to 30 October.
RESOLVED that the Clerk be delegated to liaise with John Proctor to assist as required with his proposals to create adequate hard-standing areas along the soft verges of the car park to accommodate the wheels of his vehicles.
- BELPER CULTURAL CENTRE
The report was noted. The Clerk was asked to contact the County Council to query why it was decided not to continue with the feasibility study on the proposed Cultural Centre and request that the study be continued.
- THE TOWN COUNCIL'S MAYPOLE
Upon consideration of the Clerk's report as to the use of the Council's maypole, it was RESOLVED that the present arrangement should continue. Currently, the maypole is stored by Fleet Arts and its use by different groups is managed by Mrs Eileen Till of Heage Windmillers. Mrs Till is willing to take on the responsibility for monitoring the use of the maypole and has the relevant expertise plus appropriate public liability insurance.
- CAR BOOT SALES
- RESOLVED to ratify the Clerk's decision to agree the holding of a car boot sale at the White Hart on Sandbed Lane on 20 August 2005.
- RESOLVED to decline the Town Centre Manager's request to hold a French Market in the town over the weekend of 7, 8 and 9 October 2005 as this would create parking problems and also compete with the Farmers' Market.
- TRAINING ON THE CODE OF CONDUCT
The date for the training was noted as the evening of 25 October 2005.
- ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
RESOLVED to note the items for information included on the schedule attached to these minutes.
- CLAIMS AGAINST THE COUNCIL'S PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE
- RESOLVED to note the claim for damages caused to a vehicle in respect of the height restriction barrier to the Coppice Car Park and to notify Amber Valley Borough Council of the claim.
- RESOLVED to note the claim for injury caused by a tripping incident at the Farmers' Market in February 2004.
- MINUTES OF THE STAFF WORKING PARTY HELD 2 SEPTEMBER 2005
The resignation of Mrs Janet Davis as Caretaker/Cleaner was noted with regret and it was hoped that Janet's health would soon see a marked improvement.
It was RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the Staff Working Party held 2 September 2005 and to agree the recommendations contained therein as follows:
- Minute 34 -
The Caretaker/Cleaner post would be restructured in that the cleaning hours required would be reduced to three with no requirement for clerical duties. The hours of the Administration Assistant would increase from 20 to 25 per week.
- Minute 35 -
Personnel at Amber Valley Borough Council would be contacted with a view to including the Town Council staff in their arrangements for the grading review of staff.
- Minute 36 -
Under the new nationally agreed pay scales, the Clerk's pay scale would become LC3 (SCP43-47), all other terms and conditions to be unaltered.