BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 6th JUNE 2006

PRESENT: Councillor Mick Nelson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Deborah Biss, Joseph Booth, Melvyne Cluskey, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Les Dorey, Colin England, Peter Makin, John Nelson, Mick Nelson, Mick Potter, Mark Robertson and Martin Tomlinson.
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Councillor Chris Jackson, Ms Francesca Machin (Townscape Heritage Initiative), two members of the public (from the Black Swan)
  1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    Police Inspector, Pete Szabo reported that April and May had seen an improvement in the rates of reported and detected crime. Recognising the benefits of CCTV, Members agreed to consider making a contribution towards the provision of one or two more cameras in the town and asked Inspector Szabo to provide proposals for the next meeting.
    Various crime and disorder issues were considered including The River Gardens, Nottingham Road and Parking on Goods Road. Inspector Szabo confirmed that the Shop Watch and Pub Watch schemes would be developed and extra police would be on duty during the World Cup. He advised that the Police work closely with the Fire and Rescue Service on the Community Safety Programme and are addressing the potential problems of arson.
  2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Councillors Russell Horsley (working abroad) and Peter Arnold (attending another meeting).
  3. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to bring forward items 15, 16 and 19 in order to allow relevant input from Francesca Machin of the Townscape Heritage Initiative.
    RESOLVED to include additional papers as follows:
    Agenda Item 8 - Christmas Committee Minutes
    Agenda Item 10a) - Planning Schedule
    Agenda Item 16 - Letter from AVBC re the footpath at the Coppice Car Park
  4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Declarations of Interest were made by Councillors as follows:
    Prejudicial:
    Martin Tomlinson - Agenda Item 19
    Alan Cox - Agenda Items 10b, 12a, 15 and 16
    Les Dorey - Agenda Item 10b
    Jim Anderson - Agenda Item 10b
    Personal Interest:
    John Nelson - Agenda Items 10b, 15 and 16
    Debbie Biss - Agenda Item 12c
  5. TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY ITEMS SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH THE PUBLIC EXCLUDED
    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 is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be excluded from the meeting during discussion of Agenda Item 14b and they be instructed to withdraw.
  6. TO CONSIDER WORKS TO THE MEMORIAL GARDENS
    Francesca Machin of the THI circulated a discussion document concerning the border of lime trees adjacent to the Public Hall. The Council has permission to pollard these twenty trees but there is some concern as to whether they are causing structural damage to the boundary wall and adjacent building. The THI have requested that the Town Council fell the first three trees to open up the grandeur of the former Public Hall.
    It was RESOLVED that before carrying out any work on the trees, the Borough Council be contacted for advice on the issues involved.
    It was RESOLVED that a small working party of John Nelson, Martin Tomlinson, Peter Makin, Jim Anderson and Jackie Cox be formed to draw up a timetable for all the proposed work in the Memorial Gardens.
  7. FOOTPATH ADJACENT TO THE COPPICE CAR PARK
    Francesca Machin of the THI had circulated a discussion document concerning proposals for repairing the damage to the stone wall which borders the footpath running alongside the Coppice Car Park.
    Members RESOLVED to agree to carry out routine maintenance only of this footpath after THI funded repairs have been completed.
  8. BELPER MARKET PLACE
    Francesca Machin of the THI outlined their proposals under the Masterplan for the Market Place and asked for Council's support for the proposals put forward by the Black Swan. Suggestions were made to improve the area, ie remove one of the disabled parking spaces and remove the three wheelie bins into the Coppice Car Park.
    RESOLVED that Belper Town Council supports, in principle, the second phase of the Masterplan for Belper Market Place and agrees to further consultation with the objective of producing a scheme that is attractive to all stakeholders.
  9. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PARISH OF BELPER HELD 9 MAY 2006
    RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the Annual Assembly of the Parish of Belper held 9 May 2006.
  10. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD 9 MAY 2006
    RESOLVED to approve Minutes 531-541 of the Annual Meeting of the Town Council held on 9 May 2006.
  11. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 18 MAY 2006
    RESOLVED to approve Minutes 542-563 of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 18 May 2006.
  12. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE HELD 18 MAY 2006
    For "The Fuse Experience" read "TFX".
    RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the Meeting of the Christmas Committee held 18 May 2006.
  13. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Councillor Mick Nelson advised that the various events attended in the month, amongst which was: a visit to HMS Brocklesby and the Greenwatch Awards at Derbyshire County Council where the Friends of Belper Parks were very successful following their nomination by the Town Council.
    Other items mentioned were: the Wakes Day event, the forthcoming article in Derbyshire Life, the Drop Inn Millionaire's Night on 16 June and Amber Valley Community Transport Open Morning on 24 June.
  14. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    The planning applications listed on the schedule dated 6 June were considered. No comments were required to be submitted to Amber Valley Borough Council's Planning Board.
  15. FINANCE
    1. It was RESOLVED to approve the Financial Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2006.
    2. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the income and expenditure for the period 24-31 March and 1 April to 18 May 2006 as sheets attached.
      1. 24-31 March showing expenditure of £9,611.50 (no income).
      2. 1 April - 18 May showing expenditure of £28,246.11 and income of £116,777.86.
    3. It was RESOLVED to approve the payment of annual grants in accordance with the budget at the appropriate time.
  16. GRANTS
    1. Application 236: Amber Valley Access Group. RESOLVED to reject the application for grant funding.
    2. Application 237: Belper and District Road Safety Committee. RESOLVED to agree a grant of £30.
    3. Application 238: Derbyshire Coalition for Inclusive Living. RESOLVED to reject the application for grant funding.
  17. COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL
    RESOLVED to add Councillor Joe Booth onto the Finance Committee. No other changes were considered necessary.
  18. REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
    RESOLVED to note the following changes:
    Delete the following committees that have not met:
    Amber Valley Partnership - Belper Derwent Project
    Belper Town Centre Forum
    Belper Improvement Group
    Cultural Centre Committee
    Parish Liaison Committee
    St Peter's Redevelopment
    Rename Amber Valley Local Plan Forum to Planning Consultation.
    Councillor Mick Potter - appointed to the Belper and Milford Townscape Heritage Initiative Steering Committee
    The Clerk is to make enquiries about the Rugby Club Liaison Committee
  19. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
    Councillor Jackie Cox invited Members to the Coffee Morning at Belper Cottage Project on 17 June.
  20. USE OF ST JOHN'S CHAPEL
    RESOLVED to grant Mr James Reader's request to film inside St John's Chapel providing on the understanding that Members are allowed to view the film prior to publication.
  21. CLOSURE OF JOB CENTRE OFFICES
    The Clerk was asked to contact the Job Centre to verify the information received concerning the closure of Job Centre Offices.
  22. DALC
    RESOLVED to note the various circulars and Minutes of a Meeting held 4 March 2006.
    RESOLVED to agree the Clerk's attendance at a Regional Conference for Clerks and Councillors on 29 June 2006 in Nottingham.
  23. AMBER VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL GRANT SCHEME FOR NEW SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
    RESOLVED to note the AVBC grant scheme in respect of new social enterprises.
  24. DERWENT VALLEY MILLS WORLD HERITAGE SITE
    RESOLVED to note the Economic Development Plan of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
  25. AMBER VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL LOCAL PLAN
    RESOLVED to note the adoption of the Local Plan.
  26. DISCUSSION PAPER ON LOCAL AUTHORITY BYELAWS
    RESOLVED to note the availability of this document.
  27. TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF KING STREET
    RESOLVED to note the temporary closure of King Street during the Christmas Festival on the evening of 1 December 2006.
  28. CHARTER 88
    RESOLVED to note this campaign.
  29. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the various items for information on the attached sheet.
  30. MAYORAL CHAIN
    No estimates yet to hand.
  31. LANNING APPLICATION - BEAUREPAIRE GARDEN
    This application to erect lighting columns in Beaurepaire Garden was considered and it was RESOLVED to make no comments either in support or objection to the scheme.
    It was further RESOLVED that Councillors Mick Nelson and Debbie Biss would try and hold an informal meeting with Peter Davies to discuss current and future issues relevant to the management of the Beaurepaire Garden.