BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 14th MARCH 2006

PRESENT: Councillor Colin England (Town Mayor) - in the Chair Councillors: Mick Nelson, Joe Booth, Jim Anderson, Deborah Biss, Peter Makin, Les Dorey, John Nelson, Peter Arnold, Mark Robertson, Martin Tomlinson, Jackie Cox

In Attendance: Ms Rita Beard, Ms Rosemary Bridges, Sergeant Mike Nichols, Mr Peter Davies, Mr Adrian Dudley

  1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    Mr Peter Davies gave a short presentation on the proposal to erect a flagpole in the Beaurepaire Garden. He reported that he would only be flying the Union flag and the Saints' flags on the appropriate days. Members reminded Mr Davies that he must notify the Council of any changes or new proposals taking place in the Beaurepaire Garden which could affect the Council's insurance policy.
  2. POLICE MATTERS
    Sergeant Nichols asked Council for permission for the Amber Valley Community Safety Partnership to site a mobile Police station on the Market Place on Friday 31 March 2006 10am - 2.30pm to run a campaign called 'Lock Up' which offers free crime prevention advice. Members agreed that it would be useful to members of the public.
    He reported that no further progress had been made on the site for the Beat Office on Parks Estate. Councillors reported that the Police presence around Ladywell Court and Whitemoor had been noted by residents and the situation seemed much improved. The order for the 'No Drinking Zone' at Whitemoor has been submitted to AVBC. He also reported that the Police did not want to force the restriction at the River Gardens because of the Larks in the Park etc. Regular patrols were also being made at the River Gardens as there had been a few problems with groups of youths hanging around and seats had been thrown into the river. Letters regarding anti-social behaviour have been sent to parents and Police have suggested that the benches be bolted down.
    Parking restrictions to help relieve congestion on Field Lane have been submitted to D.C.C
    There have been no more reports of camping on Sandbed Lane and the situation is regularly monitored.
    The new Puffin crossing outside Babington Hospital is being installed.
    CCTV has been reinstated on the Market Place
    Force restructuring is currently taking place and an announcement will be made in due course.
    A surgery held by the beat bobbies at Gregory's Way proved successful. There were two complaints concerning speeding. Sergeant Nichols asked Council Members for their views on speed bumps. Members were not keen on the use of speed bumps and considered the use of speed activated illuminated signs to be more effective.
    It was reported to the Police that there have been a lot of complaints from residents regarding the state of the grass verge at Laund Nook, which has been damaged by parents going to St John's School parking on it. The Headmaster regularly sends letters home to parents reminding them of the parking issue.
  3. PRESENTATION IN SUPPORT OF GRANT APPLICATION BY MILFORD AND MAKENEY WELL DRESSING GROUP
    Mr Adrian Dudley attended the meeting to give a short presentation about the group and to answer questions raised by Council. Members suggested that the group should seek sponsorship from local businesses in the future. Some Members were disappointed that the group pay £400 for a person to co-ordinate the week when it should be a Community spirited event.
  4. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from:
    Councillors: Melvyn Cluskey (illness), Alan Cox (illness), Mick Potter (delayed at work), Inspector Pete Szabo (holiday)
  5. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to approve the inclusion of the following additional papers:
    Item 14: To discuss the letter from Belper Celebration
    Item 15: To note the letter from AVBC regarding Belper and Milford Townscape Heritage Initiative - The Footpath Project
  6. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Declarations of interest were made as follows:
    Personal
    Item 11 Councillors Deborah Biss, Les Dorey, Jackie Cox, Jim Anderson, John Nelson
    Prejudicial (Members left the room)
    Item 8(d) Councillor John Nelson
    Item 8(e) Councillor Martin Tomlinson
    Item 8(f) Councillors Martin Tomlinson, Les Dorey
  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 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 on the Agenda included under Part II - Exempt Information
  8. TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE MINUTES 458-479 0F THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 14 FEBRUARY 2006
    It was RESOLVED to approve minutes 458-479 of the Council Meeting on 14 February 2006 subject to the addition of Councillor Peter Makin to those present.
  9. NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD ON 24 FEBRUARY 2006
    The minutes of the Finance Working Party held 24 February 2006 were noted.
  10. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    1. The Mayor, Councillor Colin England gave details of the many engagements he had had since the last meeting and advised that he had run a raffle at Morrisons which raised £424.23 for the Breast Cancer Appeal.
    2. The Mayor read out an e-mail from the Town Clerk to Council regarding the situation of the injury to her leg. He also proposed to send her a bouquet from the Council and Members agreed.
  11. FINANCE
    1. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the attached schedule of receipts and payments for January 2006 showing income of £7,936.74 and expenditure of £8,544.07.
    2. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the 2005/6 Budget Revision
    3. RESOLVED to underwrite the Milford and Makeney Well Dressing Group's event by up to £300.
    4. Beaurepaire Garden Project - The Clerk was asked to request more information before a decision could be taken. The Steering Committee should be reformed.
    5. Belper Music Festival - The Clerk was asked to request more information before a decision could be taken.
    6. RESOLVED to award a grant of £250 to the River Gardens Centenary Group
  12. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    The planning applications listed on the attached schedules dated 1 March 2006 and 14 March 2006 were noted. There were no matters which required comment.
  13. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
    1. Belper Leisure Centre Trust
      Councillor Joe Booth reported that the 'Be Active Belper' health scheme commences on 1 April 2006
    2. The Drop Inn
      Councillor Mick Nelson reported that the group needed financial support and has requested that they be invited to the next Council meeting.
    3. Matthew Smith Almshouse Trust
      Councillor Jackie Cox reported that the trust is in need of new members.
    4. Larks in the Parks
      Councillor Les Dorey reported that he was having problems engaging performers which were mainly due to the conditions laid down in the new licensing laws.
  14. CREMATORIUM PROPOSALS
    Comments were noted and will be returned to AVBC
  15. LIGHTING AT FARNAH GREEN
    The letter from Mr Rogers was noted
  16. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the items for information on the schedule attached
  17. BELPER CELEBRATION
    RESOLVED to underwrite the Belper Celebration Carnival by up to £500
  18. BELPER AND MILFORD TOWNSCAPE HERITAGE INITIATIVE
    The letter from AVBC regarding the Footpath Project was noted.
  19. MINUTES OF THE STAFF WORKING PARTY HELD 24 FEBRUARY 2006
    It was RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the Staff Working Party held 24 February 2006
  20. TOWN SERVICE AWARD
    There were two nominations
  21. LITTER - FREE ZONE AWARD
    Members agreed to advertise the award in the next newsletter