BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 18th MAY 2006

PRESENT: Councillor Mick Nelson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Peter Arnold, Deborah Biss, Joe Booth, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Les Dorey, John Nelson, Mark Robertson, Mick Potter, Martin Tomlinson
In Attendance: Ms Rosemary Bridges, Mrs Pam Bain, Mr Gary Spendlove and one member of the public
  1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    Mrs Pam Bain and Mr Gary Spendlove representing the group 'Friends of St Faiths' gave a short presentation regarding their objections to the planning application AVA/2006/0376 for change of use to dwelling at St Faith's Church, Dalley Lane, Belper. On behalf of the group they asked the Council for their full support to the effect that St Faith's be kept for Community use.
    Councillors Alan Cox, Les Dorey and John Nelson had declared an interest in this planning item and had left the room prior to discussion.
  2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from the following Councillors:
    Jim Anderson Work
    Colin England Holiday
  3. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to include item 8a (St Faiths planning application) with Public Participation
  4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Declarations of interest were made as follows:
    Personal
    Item 18 Councillor Deborah Biss
    Prejudical (Members left the room)
    Item 7 Councillor Martin Tomlinson
    Item 9 Councillor Martin Tomlinson
    Item 12 Councillor Peter Arnold
    Item 14 Councillor Les Dorey
  5. TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY ITEMS SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH THE PUBLIC EXCLUDED
    None
  6. TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE MINUTES 501-530 OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 11 APRIL 2006
    It was RESOLVED to approve minutes 501-530 of the Council meeting held on 11 April 2006.
  7. TO NOTE THE MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HELD ON 28 APRIL 2006
    The minutes of the Finance Committee held on 28 April 2006 were noted.
  8. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    The Mayor, Councillor Mick Nelson reported that he had attended a ladies coffee morning and the Music and Arts church service, which was held at Christchurch.
    The Mayor read out a letter of thanks from Mr Bernard Holden in appreciation of him being presented with the Town Service Award.
    The Mayor reported that Ms Andrea Fox had won the East Midland Regional final of 'Drug Worker of the Year'
    A request from the Belper and District Neighbourhood Watch had been received for the Council to sponsor the Maurice Coward Award. It was RESOLVED to sponsor the award by £50.
    Wakes Fun Day would take place on Monday 29 May 2006 on Belper Meadows Cricket Ground starting with registration at 11am. The event has been organised by Belper Town Council, Amber Valley Borough Council and Belper Meadows Sports Club.
    The Mayor reminded Members to contact the Town Clerk to confirm their current membership of outside bodies.
    A letter of thanks from Belper School had been received regarding Charlotte Bridges' Work Experience' placement.
    A letter from Derbyshire Police had been received regarding the Council's recent license applications detailing their concerns about section D boxing and wrestling and section M alcohol. Members RESOLVED to delete section D from the application and if necessary to comply with section M it was RESOLVED that the Clerk have the appropriate training to become the Designated Premises Supervisor.
    Councillor Les Dorey reported that on the 4 June 2006 all the Pentecostal Churches of Belper would be gathering together at the Larks in the Park to hold a picnic and would also be having a half hour slot to sing Gospel songs. He requested that he would require Councillors to attend to assist with stewarding between 2pm and 6pm.
    He also reported that the Committee that was formed to run the Belper River Garden Centenary celebrations intend to be recognised as Friends of the Belper River Gardens and continue to run all of the annual events at the gardens. Representatives from local groups have been invited to attend a meeting to discuss future events. He also enquired if the Council would be prepared to award an annual grant of £1,500 to the group. Although Members were receptive to this proposal further information would need to be supplied in support of the application.
  9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    The planning applications listed on the schedules dated 21 April, 9 May and 16 May were noted and no comments were required to be submitted to Amber Valley Borough Council's Planning Board.
  10. LICENSING COMMITTEE
    Councillors Joe Booth, Jackie Cox, Colin England, Mick Nelson, Mick Potter and Mark Robertson were selected to be the Members of the Council's Licensing Board. A meeting would be arranged at a later date.
  11. CONSULTATION OF COMMUNITY RAIL LINE
    Members agreed the following response to the proposal to designate the Matlock Branch (line between Ambergate Junction and Matlock) as a Community rail line:
    The service to Derby needs to be improved from 90 minutes
    The direct services to London and the direct service to Birmingham need to be reinstated
    Wheelchair users cannot access the trains via the platform
    Perhaps use a steam train from Matlock to Belper to increase tourism
  12. FARMERS' MARKET INSPECTION
    It was noted that the Farmers' Market would be inspected by FARMA in July so that it can retain certified market status
  13. GROUNDWORK EREWASH VALLEY
    The request from Groundwork Erewash Valley in respect of involvement in the adoption of local rights of way was noted. Councillor Biss nominated her husband and would report back to Council as to his availability. It was suggested to contact the Badger Explorer Scouts as a backup plan. Councillor Potter was nominated to prepare a draft disabled policy for the Council to adopt for walks.
  14. PROPOSED EXTENSION TO WAITING RESTRICTION AT FIELD LANE
    Members proposed that Derbyshire County Council extend the lines along the South side but do not extend them along the North side of Field Lane. Members also requested that the Clerk contact the County Councillor for their full support.
  15. GREEN LANE SURGERY
    The letter from Green Lane Doctors Surgery regarding the decision to relocate to Whitemoor Lane was noted.
  16. DAMAGE TO THE STONE WALL ABOVE THE COPPICE CAR PARK
    Members agreed that the Clerk should establish the ownership with the Land Registry and report back to Council before any further action is taken.
  17. BEST KEPT COMPETITION
    It was RESOLVED that the Town would be entered into this year's competition.
  18. DERBYSHIRE MINERAL AND WASTE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
    The Revised Statement of Community Involvement was noted and RESOLVED not to make a response.
  19. FRIENDS OF BELPER PARKS SURVEY ON THE COPPICE CAR PARK
    Permission was sought from the Friends of Belper Parks to carry out a survey on the Coppice car park and to use the Council depot to store tools and to also use St John's Chapel during the day. Members would not allow permission for the Council's depot to be used and requested more information on the group's intentions for the use of the Chapel. Members also agreed that the group be congratulated on receiving the grant from the Local Heritage Initiative.
  20. DERBYSHIRE POLICE RE-ORGANISATION
    The correspondence from the West Derbyshire MP, Derbyshire County Council and DALC regarding the proposed merger of Derbyshire Police Constabulary with Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire forces was noted. It was RESOLVED that a response should be made to the West Derbyshire MP and the local press in opposition to the merger and outlining the fustration of Councils not being heard.
  21. NOTE THE MINUTES 53-58 OF THE STAFF WORKING PARTY HELD ON 28 APRIL 2006
    The minutes of the Staff Working Party held on 28 April 2006 were noted
  22. RESPONSIBLE FINANCE OFFICER
    Mrs Lynne Kennedy has been appointed to the position of Responsible Finance Officer commencing on the 3 July 2006.