BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 11th OCTOBER 2005

PRESENT: Councillor Colin England (Town Mayor) - in the Chair Councillors: Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Deborah Biss, Mel Cluskey, Les Dorey, Peter Makin, John Nelson and Mick Nelson.

In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Inspector Paul Allen, 4 members of the public, Derbyshire Telegraph Reporter, Mr Patrick Dawson of Amber Valley Community Transport.

  1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    1. Three residents addressed the meeting seeking Council's support in petitioning the County Council to agree to carrying out resurfacing works to "The Clusters", ie William Street, George Street and Joseph Street. This situation had been long ongoing as there was an issue with the County Council's adoption of the roads which are in a conservation area and as such there are restrictions on the type of materials permitted. Additionally, these are through roads and the residents consider it unfair that they should have to substantially subsidise the works for other users.
      It was agreed that the Clerk would write to the County Council indicating support for the residents and asking the Council to investigate a suitable scheme.
    2. Mr Dave Fisher asked to speak to Members re his complaint about the contractor working on the Coppice car park who had tipped soil over onto the Parks. The Clerk advised that the contractor was working for John Proctor in levelling the ground to take fairground equipment and vehicles and that the matter was in hand.
  2. POLICE MATTERS Inspector Paul Allen was available to answer any queries raised by Members. Discussion mainly concerned the traffic warden rota. Inspector Allen advised that crime in the area was reducing as more offenders were being caught and agreed with Members that in general the police would welcome harsher penalties being imposed.
  3. PRESENTATION BY AMBER VALLEY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT
    Mr Patrick Dawson had been invited to make a presentation on the work of Amber Valley Community Transport as recipients of an annual grant from the Council. Mr Dawson thanked the Council for their past generosity and circulated the Annual Report. He explained the aims and structure of the organisation, the overheads, and how the various amounts of funding was utilised to provide affordable, accessible transport via the Dial a Bus Service and Social Car Scheme, with specific reference to the Belper area. Mr Dawson advised that a joint scheme was being considered with Shopmobility in Belper.
    He paid particularly tribute to the volunteers without whom the organisation would not be able to operate.
    Mr Dawson was thanked for his attendance.
  4. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Joe Booth and Mark Robertson (work commitments), Martin Tomlinson (AVBC Licensing Board meeting) and Mick Potter (hospital attendance) .
  5. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to approve the inclusion of the following additional papers:
    8(b) Additional planning schedule dated 11 October 2005.
    As a reporter from the Derby Telegraph had attended specifically concerning discussions on the Larks in the Parks, it was RESOLVED to take this item (13) before item (5) on the Agenda.
  6. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Declarations of interests were made as follows:
    Prejudicial Interests: (Members would leave the room during discussions)
    Councillor John Nelson declared an interest in 12(b) Belper Marlins, (12a) Belper River Gardens Society and also in (8) Planning - Schedule 11/10/05 item 3
    Councillor Mick Nelson declared an interest in 12(a) Belper River Gardens Society.
    Councillors Jim Anderson, Alan Cox and Les Dorey declared an interest in Planning items (8) but would remain in the meeting without comment to give advice if required.
  7. TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY ITEMS SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH THE PUBLIC EXCLUDED
    None
  8. LARKS IN THE PARKS
    Members were asked to comment on the problems experienced with the recent Larks in the Parks Series, with particular reference to the last event on 28 August.
    All were in agreement that the varied summer programme had been very much enjoyed by residents and visitors to Belper alike and that Councillors Les Dorey and Colin England had done an excellent job in organising this event over the last couple of years. It was considered unfortunate that the few complaints about noise that had been received from some Wyver Lane residents were able to put the future of the Larks series in jeopardy particularly as the series only involved a maximum of twelve hours per year.
    At the request of the Licensing Board, a meeting had been held with John Grady and staff at AVBC attended by Councillors Les Dorey, Colin England and the Clerk. At that meeting, the Town Council's procedure for monitoring of sound levels was scrutinised. It was confirmed that attempts had been made to comply with the licensing regulations as action had been taken on 28 August to reduce the level of sound when the complaints were received, ie before the start of the performance. The geography and acoustics of the River Gardens was accepted as being a contributory factor on that day when the weather conditions were such that the sound level at Wyver Lane registered similar to that at the bandstand. It was commented that the sound readings taken on that afternoon when no performance was taking place was already above permitted levels.
    Members made suggestions as to the future choice of music, the re-siting of loudspeakers and monitoring of equipment. However, even after taking such measures, it was agreed that there would doubtless be a future occasion when inadvertently, sound levels exceeded the desired level. Members were therefore glad to note that AVBC were arranging a meeting with Wyver Lane residents at St John's Chapel to attempt to come to a satisfactory solution for all involved.
  9. TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE MINUTES 335-359 OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 6 SEPTEMBER 2005.
    It was RESOLVED to receive and approve Minutes 335-359 of the Council Meeting held on 6 September 2005.
    335 - Belper Cultural Centre
    The Clerk was asked to chase up a response to her letter.
    352 - October Fair
    The Clerk was to obtain a risk assessment from John Proctor.
  10. TO NOTE MINUTES 100-109 OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 8 SEPTEMBER 2005
    The Minutes of the Christmas Committee meeting held 8 September 2005 were noted.
  11. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    1. Visitor to HMS Brocklesby
      This visit took place on Friday 23 September 2005 whilst HMS Brocklesby was berthed at Grimsby Docks. All had a very enjoyable evening.
    2. Visit of party from Pawtucket
      The Clerk had advised that a twinning visit was planned over the weekend of 29/30 October and the Council had been asked to provide a reception on Sunday 30th. It was suggested that the party may alternatively wish to visit the opening of the Fair on the 27th or the model show on Saturday 29th.
    3. Trafalgar Celebration Service
      The Clerk asked Members to endeavour to attend the service at St Peter's on 23 October 2005 at 6 pm.
    4. Belper News
      The editor's response to the Clerk's letter concerning the absence of Belper News' reporters at Council meetings was discussed with concern. The Council did not have the resources to appoint a Press Officer and would therefore suggest to Belper News that in addition to any press releases they could view the Minutes on the Council's web-site which are available soon after the meeting.
    5. Engagements
      The Mayor detailed the many engagements he had had since the previous meeting.
    6. Shopmobility
      Members gave consideration to contributing £2000 towards the funding of the Shopmobility scheme. All were in agreement. To be ratified at the next meeting.
  12. PLANNING APPLICATIONS The planning applications listed on the schedules dated 21 and 29 September and 11 October were noted and it was RESOLVED that comments should be submitted as follows:
    Schedule 11 October 2005:
    AVA/2005/1180 Item 3 - Change of use from A1 to A5 Hot Food Takeaway including a 400 mm flue to the rear elevation at Windows of Character, 15 Market Place.
    RESOLVED to object to this amended application on previous grounds.
    AVA/2005/1189 Item 8 - Replacement of 15m monopole mast with 18m lattice mast at Crich Lane
    RESOLVED to object on the grounds that 15m is sufficient height.
  13. JUSTICES AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
    It was RESOLVED to note the list of applications for Justices and Entertainment Licences included on the schedule dated 11 October 2005.
  14. FINANCE
    1. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the attached schedule of receipts and payments for August 2005 showing income of £3,343.17 and expenditure of £5,485.92.
    2. It was RESOLVED that a suitable Broadband package be obtained. Councillors Dorey and Arnold would investigate.
    3. The resignation of Councillor Mick Nelson from the Finance Working Party had been withdrawn. Councillor Les Dorey had however tendered his resignation from the Committee and it was RESOLVED that Councillor Alan Cox should fill the vacancy.
    4. It was RESOLVED that the usual Town Council advert be placed in the next edition of the Belper Celebration magazine and that a message would be included from the Mayor.
  15. DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS
    1. RESOLVED to note the Provisional Second Derbyshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) for 2006-2011. No comments were made.
    2. RESOLVED to note the adoption of Mill View, the accessway off Mill View and the soakaway area off Mill View (off Matlock Road).
    3. The request to nominate a Young Achiever was received too late for the Council to consider.
  16. GRANT REQUESTS
    1. Belper River Gardens Society - 288
      RESOLVED to make a grant of £250 towards the running costs of Santa's Arrival in the River Gardens.
    2. Belper Marlins Swimming Club - 227
      RESOLVED to make a grant of £105 in respect of sponsorship awards at the Club's Open Meet Gala.
  17. PEDESTRIANISATION OF KING STREET
    An insufficient response from the public had made discussions on this matter inappropriate.
  18. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
    1. Councillor Jackie Cox reported on the Cottage Project's support for the disability scooters scheme
    2. Councillor Mick Nelson asked that the Clerk should write to Belper Meadows to apply for the use of their facilities in respect of Belper Wakes Day in 2006.
    378 TRAINING FOR COUNCILLORS
    1. Members were reminded of the Code of Conduct Training which would take place on 25 October 2005 at Ripley Town Hall at 6pm for 6.30pm .
    2. It was RESOLVED that Councillors Colin England and Mick Nelson attend the Chairmanship Skills course on 14 November. The fee to be met by the Council.
  19. AMBER VALLEY LOCAL PLAN
    It was RESOLVED to note without comment the following four documents in respect of the Local Plan:
    1. Proposed modifications to the Amber Valley Borough Local Plan Review (Regulation 29) September 2005
    2. Inspector's report into objections to the Amber Valley Borough Local Plan Review (File 1)
    3. Inspector's report into objections to the Amber Valley Borough Local Plan Review (File 2)
    4. The Council's response to recommendations of the Inspector's report into objections to the Amber Valley Borough Local Plan Review (Regulation 27) September 2005
  20. BEAUREPAIRE GARDEN
    1. In the absence of Councillor Mick Potter, no discussion took place on the issue of improving the disabled access into the garden and would be put on the Agenda for the next meeting.
    2. The Clerk reported that no further progress had been made on the transfer of the lease.
  21. TRANSPEAK BUS SERVICE
    The new timetable changes were noted. The Clerk would write to Trent Barton to ask for the reinstatement of the bus stop at the end of Broadholme Lane in respect of the service between Belper and Ambergate.
  22. SUSPENSION AND SUBSEQUENT RESIGNATION OF THE HEAD OF LEGAL SERVICES AT NALC
    The suspension and subsequent resignation of the Head of Legal Services at NALC was noted.
  23. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the items for information included on the schedule attached to these minutes.