BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 8th NOVEMBER 2005

PRESENT: Councillor Colin England (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Deborah Biss, Peter Makin, John Nelson, Mick Nelson, Martin Tomlinson
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Inspector Pete Szabo, 21 members of the public, Belper News and Mr Roger Carter of Belper Hockey Club.
  1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    1. Twenty one residents attended the meeting seeking Council's support in respect of their objections to St John's School application for a Premises Licence. Their objections were included in a petition to the Borough Council which mainly concerned issues of traffic congestion and anti-social behaviour.
      It was agreed that the Clerk would write to the Licensing Department at the Borough County Council indicating Council's support for the residents and also that the Head and Governors of the school be invited to discuss the matter with residents to try and agree a way forward.
    2. Mr David Jones had asked to speak at Council in order to present a petition to the Mayor of 858 signatures in support of the continuation of the Larks in the Parks series. Mr Jones said he had drawn up the petition in order to make known the strength of opinion on this matter and that the few complaints of excessive noise at the last event should not be allowed to spoil the enjoyment of the majority of people in Belper. Members were delighted that the series should provoke such a strong demonstration of support and were hopeful that the problems would be overcome to enable the event to continue.
  2. PRESENTATION BY MR ROGER CARTER OF BELPER HOCKEY CLUB
    Mr Carter had been asked to attend the meeting to provide information on the work of the Hockey Club with particularly reference to the way the grant from the Council had been utilised.
    Mr Carter reported that the Club was the third largest in the UK and also the most successful. There were nine Men's, seven Ladies' and ten Junior teams who played at the highest level including several international standard players. The Club was funded solely by the Town Council grant and sponsorship. All management, coaching etc was carried out by volunteers.
    As an aside, Mr Carter reported on the recent bonfire which had been very well attended by 3000 people and said he hoped that the Town Council would be able to participate in the arrangements next year.
    Members were delighted to note the excellent record of the Club and applauded the many successes that had been achieved across all age groups. Mr Carter was thanked for attending the meeting.
  3. POLICE MATTERS
    Councillor Mick Nelson reported on the recent Police Parish Liaison Committee meeting that he had recently attended where the issues discussed were: increased community policing (PCSO's), improved performance figures across all major crime areas and regionalisation. He then welcomed to the meeting the new Inspector , Pete Szabo who had replaced Inspector Paul Allen.
    Inspector Szabo gave details of his background and said that as a local himself, he was aware of the problems within the town and his main priorities would be to target anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. He looked forward to building up good channels of communication with the Town Council and not just at Council meetings. He would be looking for his team to perform well and would also be pushing for a PCSO in the Town.
    Members raised problems of traffic congestion, parking, cycling/skating etc on pavements and vandalism. Inspector Szabo asked for specific instances to be reported so that they could be acted upon. Regarding the problems at Parks Estate, he advised that steps were currently being taken to base members of the Beat Team there.
    Inspector Szabo advised that the Council would be kept informed of any developments regarding regionalisation.
  4. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from Members as follows:
    Councillors: Jim Anderson (family commitment), Peter Arnold (back injury), Joe Booth (work commitment), Mel Cluskey (work commitment), Les Dorey (Police Consultative Meeting) and Russell Horsley (working abroad). County Councillor Chris Jackson (Parish meeting).
  5. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to approve the inclusion of the following additional papers:
    8(b) Additional planning schedule dated 8 November 2005.
    6(b) Minutes of the Christmas Committee held 13 October 2005 (to note).
  6. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Declarations of interests were made as follows:
    Prejudicial Interests: (Members would leave the room during discussions) Councillor Martin Tomlinson - item 9(a and b) Justice's Licence Councillor Debbie Biss - item 12(a) Shopmobility
    Councillor Martin Tomlinson had also declared an interest in the public participation section - Minute 384 (i) and (ii) when licensing matters were discussed and he had left the meeting.
  7. 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 nature of the business about to be transacted it was advisable in the public interest that the public and press be excluded from the meeting and they be instructed to withdraw during discussions of the two items included under Part II - Exempt Information.
  8. TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE MINUTES 360-383 OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 11 OCTOBER 2005.
    It was RESOLVED to receive and approve Minutes 360-383 of the Council Meeting held on 11 October 2005 with an amendment under Minute 370(b) to read "….a twinning visit was planned over the weekend of 29/30 October….".
  9. TO NOTE MINUTES 70-77 OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 28 OCTOBER 2005.
    RESOLVED to note the Minutes 70-77 of a Meeting of the Finance Working Party held 28 October 2005 and agree the recommendations contained therein. However, the recommendation contained in Minute 74(b) regarding the allocation of reserves would be reconsidered at the next meeting of the Finance Working Party.
  10. TO NOTE MINUTES 110-119 OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 13 OCTOBER 2005
    The Minutes of the Christmas Committee meeting held 13 October 2005 were noted.
  11. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    The Mayor, Councillor Colin England, gave details of the engagements he had had since the last meeting amongst which was the Trafalgar Celebration Service, the Opening of the Fair and the Twinning visit of parties from Pawtucket, Sweden and Poland at the end of October.
  12. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    The planning applications listed on the schedules dated 24 October and 8 November were noted. No comments were thought appropriate.
  13. JUSTICES AND ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES
    As the Town Council is no longer a consultee on applications for Justices and Entertainment Licences, this item would be deleted from future agendas.
  14. FINANCE
    1. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the attached schedule of receipts and payments for September 2005 showing income of £112,951.64 and expenditure of £34,821.97.
    2. In the absence of Councillors Dorey and Arnold, discussions on Broadband would be deferred to the next meeting.
  15. DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS
    1. Road Safety Improvements - A6/Broadholme Lane junction
      The proposal was considered to be dangerous in that it would encourage road users to drive on the wrong side of the road. Comment should be made to the County Council that insufficient time had been allowed for a response to the proposals and also that the Borough Councillor had not been consulted on the matter.
    2. Statement of Community Involvement in respect of Planning for Minerals and Waste in Derbyshire
      No comments were thought necessary.
    3. Greenwatch Awards
      RESOLVED to nominate the Friends of Belper Parks as recipients of the Greenwatch Award.
  16. GRANT APPLICATIONS
    As discussed at the October meeting, it was RESOLVED to make an award of £2000 to Shopmobility in respect of a further six months' provision of the service.
  17. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
    1. The Drop Inn Councillor Mick Nelson presented his report. It was agreed that the Drop Inn were providing a very valuable service in the town and Members were anxious to ensure a continuance of the funding required. Suggestions were made regarding the various forms of possible funding.
    2. Milford Residents' Association Councillor Debbie Biss wished to make it known in case of any conflict of interest that she was attending Milford Residents' Association meetings. She advised that discussion was taking place as to proposals to form a Milford parish council.
  18. STANDARDS BOARD
    The changes identified in Bulletin 05 concerning the Code of Conduct appeared to be a move towards clearer guidelines and these were noted and welcomed by Members.
  19. PARISH/BOROUGH LIAISON COMMITTEE
    It was agreed that the Clerk would attend the meeting on 30 November along with Councillors John Nelson and Deborah Biss. As Councillor Mick Nelson, the Council's representative would be unable to attend the meeting scheduled for 24 January 2006, Councillor Mick Potter would attend in his absence.
  20. DERBY FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT
    The options for future action as contained in the letter from the Environment Agency dated 27 October 2005 were considered. It was agreed that the preferred options would be 3 (investigate flood storage areas), 4 (improve conveyance of flood waters) and 5 (upgrade existing defences). A response would be made to that effect.
  21. FARMERS' MARKET BANNER
    RESOLVED to pay an annual rental cost of £100 to Belper Town Football Club in respect of the continued display of the Farmers' Market banner.
  22. BEAUREPAIRE GARDEN
    Councillor Potter reported that he had discussed the issue of access with Peter Davies and made representations to the Amber Valley Access Group. Mr Davies had informed him however that as the corner wall had been knocked down three times, he was personally arranging for the wall to be moved back which would create a wider pavement. The joint grant application from the North Mill and Historical Society concerning pathways inside the gardens had been withdrawn.
    The Clerk reported that no further progress had taken place regarding transfer of the lease and no reply had been forthcoming from the Strutt's surveyors who appeared to be having difficulty in proving ownership. The Clerk was asked to contact the Legal Department at Amber Valley Borough Council to obtain advice on this issue.
  23. MEMORIAL GARDENS BOUNDARY WITH OXFAM
    The letter from Martin Slowe Chartered Surveyors concerning their request that the Council build up the boundary wall between the Memorial Gardens and 74 King Street (Oxfam) was discussed. The Clerk had responded that access to the void is regularly required by Oxfam and, upon their further reply, advice would be sought from the Borough Council on the legal position.
  24. OVERWINTERING OF SHOWMEN ON THE COPPICE CAR PARK
    RESOLVED that Mr Michael Mckean's request to overwinter on the Coppice Car Park from 4 December 2005 to Easter be granted with an increase in rent to £60 per week. The usual terms and conditions would apply.
  25. CAR BOOT SALES
    RESOLVED to grant approval for the following Car Boot Sales at Pottery Primary School: 2 April, 7 May, 11 June, 2 July, 17 September and 15 October 2006.
  26. HUNTER ROAD ALLOTMENTS
    RESOLVED to decline the request that the Council create further plots at the Hunter Road Allotments as this was considered to be the responsibility of the Allotment Association.
  27. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the items for information on the schedule attached.
  28. DRAINAGE AT THE COPPICE CAR PARK
    The letter from Selways regarding the problems experienced with water draining onto their property from the Coppice Car Park was discussed. The Clerk was asked to obtain a report on the situation from Mr Bob Thornton at Amber Valley Borough Council who had responsibility for organising the recent works. A copy of the letter would be passed to the Council's insurers.
  29. CONTRACT GARDENING ARRANGEMENTS
    The contract gardening arrangements were reviewed. The contractor would be asked to confirm that he wished to continue to undertake the work on behalf of the Town Council and assist with the Council's entry into East Midlands in Bloom.
  30. ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS
    RESOLVED to approve Councillor Russell Horsley's continued absence from Council meetings due to his work commitment