BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 11th JULY 2006

PRESENT: Councillor Mick Nelson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Joseph Booth, Melvyne Cluskey, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Les Dorey, Colin England, John Nelson, Mick Nelson, Mick Potter
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Sgt Mike Nichols and Mr Roger Northover (Traffic Warden), Ms Sara Bould (Belper News)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public present.

POLICE MATTERS
Sgt Mike Nicholls attended in the absence of Police Inspector Pete Szabo to answer any queries or issues raised and also to introduce the new Traffic Warden, Mr Roger Northover.
Members welcomed the arrival of the full-time Traffic Warden to the Belper Section and were pleased that by working flexible shifts he would be able to target difficult areas such as the Market Place. It was confirmed that new, clearer signage for the Market Place had been ordered.
The attention of the Police was drawn to a road safety issue resulting from the closure of Kilbourne Road.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Councillors: Debbie Biss (illness), Martin Tomlinson (Buckingham Palace Garden Party) and Peter Makin (holiday).
  2. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to include the following additional papers:
    Agenda Item 6b - Two quotes re the Mayor's chain
    Agenda Item 7b - Planning Schedule 11 July
    Agenda Item 9b - Financial statement in support of Grant 240
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Declarations of Interest were made by Councillors as follows:
    Prejudicial:
    Cllrs: Alan Cox, Jackie Cox and Peter Arnold - Agenda Item 18
    Cllr Mick Potter - Agenda Item 9a
    Personal Interest:
    Cllr John Nelson - Agenda Items 19b
    Cllr Jim Anderson - Agenda Item 7
    Cllr Mick Potter - Agenda Items 11a, 11c and 18
  4. 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 10 and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 8 JUNE 2006
    RESOLVED to approve Minutes 564-594 of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 8 June 2006.
  6. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Councillor Mick Nelson reported on the various events attended in the month, amongst which was a Reception in St Johns Chapel for German Exchange students visiting Belper School.
    Councillor Nelson advised Members that Mrs Lynne Kennedy had commenced employment with the Council with effect from 3 July 2006 and would replace Ms Rita Beard as Finance Officer.
    Following a request to the Mayor from Michael McKean, it was RESOLVED that Mr McKean and family be again allowed to overwinter at the far end of the Coppice Car Park at a cost of £60 per week for 20 weeks commencing 26 November.
  7. UPGRADING OF MAYOR'S CHAIN OF OFFICE
    The two quotes which had been received in connection with upgrading or replacing the current Mayor's Chain of Office were considered. RESOLVED that the Clerk should order a replacement chain to comprise of 2 rows of 25 linked medallions complete with new badge and town crest medallion (in silver gilt and enamel), mounted on black velvet at a total estimated cost of £2,500.
  8. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    The planning applications listed on the schedules dated 22 and 29 June and 11 July were considered. No comments were required to be submitted to Amber Valley Borough Council's Planning Board.
  9. FINANCE
    1. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the income and expenditure for the period 19 May to 30 June 2006 as sheets attached showing expenditure of £14,342.50 and income of £602.53.
    2. After consideration, it was RESOLVED to approve the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2006.
    3. RESOLVED to note and agree the Supporting Notes accompanying the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2006.
  10. GRANTS
    1. Application 239: Friends of Belper Parks. The Leader, Chair and Clerk were given delegated powers to grant an award of £300 to Friends of Belper Parks, subject to confirmation of their financial status.
    2. Application 240: Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre. After discussion, it was RESOLVED that the Council should regretfully decline this grant request but make a recommendation as to where such funding may be obtained. The vote in respect of the decision was 8 for and 2 against; Councillor Jim Anderson being against.
  11. REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
    Councillor Jackie Cox reported that the Community Hall Committee was now burdened with the responsibility for insuring the building.
    The Clerk was asked to ascertain when the meeting of the Derwent Valley Mills Tourism, Arts and Heritage Site Panel are held in order that a Council Representative may be appointed.
    RESOLVED to note receipt of the draft business plan of Belper Leisure Centre Trust. It was noted that the financial report for the last twelve months showed net income of £34,000.
  12. DALC
    RESOLVED to note DALC Circulars 20-23.
  13. MEMORIAL GARDENS
    The report on the site visit to the Memorial Gardens was noted. It was considered that the lime trees were not causing any structural damage to the Public Hall. However, it was RESOLVED that a survey should be carried out on the trees by an approved arboriculturist. It was further RESOLVED that the Council should take no action concerning the brick boundary wall at the rear of the Public Hall as this was not Council owned and was therefore the responsibility of the owner. As the Council had provided the funds for tree lighting in the River Gardens, it was agreed that the lights should be transferred to the Memorial Gardens should the event "Santa's arrival in the River Gardens" not take place.
  14. LICENSING ISSUES
    RESOLVED to note the granting of Premises Licences for Strutt Street, Campbell Street, King Street (Memorial Gardens), Chapel Street and Bridge Street.
    RESOLVED to agree an application from the Soroptomists to have a stall on King Street on 23 September 2006.
    RESOLVED to note the meeting of the Licensing Board on 12 July to consider the application for a Premises Licence on the Market Place. It was further RESOLVED to raise for discussion at the Licensing Board the request from the Black Swan Public House to create a seating/dining area on the Market Place. The Clerk would discuss with the Landlord the actual area required and insurance implications.
  15. STANDARDS BOARD PUBLICATION 07
    RESOLVED to note Standards Board Publication 07.
  16. WAITING RESTRICTIONS - FIELD LANE
    The Clerk was asked to write to the County Council and express Members' concern that the County Council had ignored the Town Council's recommendations regarding the proposed amendments to the parking restrictions on Field Lane.
  17. PROPOSED ROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENT - WHITEMOOR LANE
    Councillor Dorey advised that he had already made representations to the County Council on behalf of residents of Whitemoor Lane affected by the proposed road safety improvements.
    RESOLVED that the Clerk should write to the County Council in support of the recommendations submitted by Councillor Dorey ie extend the kerbed outbuild around 1 Alton Road further up Whitemoor Lane; similarly on the opposite side of Whitemoor Lane; delete kerbed outbuild outside 2 Alton Road; move the proposed pedestrian crossing twenty yards up Whitemoor Lane and erect restricted entry signage at the entry to Alton Road.
  18. CULTIVATION LICENCE APPLICATION
    RESOLVED to support this application.
  19. ALCOHOL DESIGNATION ORDER - BRIDGE STREET
    RESOLVED to agree to proposals to designate Bridge Street from its junction with King Street to the triangle, for the purposes of regulating alcohol consumption in the open, under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.
  20. BELPER AND MILFORD TOWNSCAPE HERITAGE INITIATIVE PROPOSALS FOR THE BUTTS PHASE II
    This scheme was welcomed by Members and had the full support of the Council.
  21. CONSULTATION ON PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE EXTRACTION OF AGGREGATE MINERALS IN DERBYSHIRE
    RESOLVED to note the proposals for the future extraction of aggregate minerals in Derbyshire.
  22. CONSULTATION ON PROPOSALS FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT SITES
    Members welcomed proposals for new sites in the area which were desperately required. Comment was made that the Ambergate site could be more fully utilised.
  23. REQUEST FOR THE TOWN COUNCIL TO ADOPT BELPER RAILWAY STATION
    The Clerk was asked to obtain further information on the "adoption" scheme, particularly as related to Health & Safety issues which in the past have prevented anyone working on the railway embankments.
  24. THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY'S SCOPING REPORT ON FLOOD RISKS IN THE DERBY AREA
    RESOLVED to note the report.
  25. PLAY AREA BETWEEN EDENSOR DRIVE/WEAVERS CLOSE
    RESOLVED to defer this item for discussion at the September meeting in the absence of Councillor Martin Tomlinson who requested that this item be included on the Agenda.
  26. THE POETRY TRAIL
    RESOLVED to note the erection of a plaque in the grounds of St John's Chapel and to support the erection of a suitable plaque in the Memorial Gardens provided the Royal British Legion are also consulted and in agreement.
  27. TOWN CRIER
    It was agreed that a new Town Crier should be appointed. The Belper News were asked to assist with publicity and state that interested parties should contact the Town Clerk.
  28. INVITATION FROM DERBYSHIRE ARCHERY CLUB
    Members were delighted to accept this invitation for 17 August.
  29. TOWN GUIDE
    RESOLVED that the Clerk should pursue the free publication of a new Town Guide incorporating an updated map of Belper.
  30. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the various items for information on the attached sheet.
  31. DISABLED ACCESS TO ST JOHN'S CHAPEL
    Following Councillor Mick Potter's recommendation, it was RESOLVED to purchase a suitable, portable ramp at a cost of £422 to provide better disabled access into St John's Chapel.
  32. LARKS IN THE PARK 2007
    Members were asked by Councillor Dorey to note that as he did not intend to stand for Council in 2007, he would not be organising the Larks in the Park series in 2007. He advised that arrangements would need to commence in September.
    Members were very appreciative of Councillor Dorey's hard work in organising the Larks events in the past and were interested in his suggestion that the Friends of Belper River Gardens may be amenable to taking on this role in the future. Councillor Dorey was asked to verify the position with them and report back to the next meeting.
  33. ABSENCE OF COUNCILLOR RUSSELL HORSLEY
    As Councillor Russell Horsley had now moved permanently to Spain and would not therefore be able to attend future meetings, it was RESOLVED that a vacancy should be declared. Members hoped however that Belper ratepayers would be spared the cost of an election so near to next May's elections when all the Town Council seats would become vacant.