BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 10th OCTOBER 2006

PRESENT: Councillor Mick Nelson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Debbie Biss, Joseph Booth, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Barry Lewis, Peter Makin, John Nelson, Mick Potter and Martin Tomlinson
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Councillor Chris Jackson, Inspector Pete Szabo and Ms Debbie Lockett (Belper News)
The Mayor welcomed the new Council Member, Councillor Barry Lewis.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public present.

POLICE MATTERS
Police Inspector Pete Szabo was pleased to report improved crime statistics: the rate of detection having improved by 5% and recorded crime being down by 15%. He reported that efforts were being made to provide additional CCTV cameras on Nottingham Road and Goods Road and, although these would be mobile, they would be quality units and link into the existing system.
He advised that the first of the three PCSO's would be at Belper by the end of October with the others arriving early in 2007 and he hoped to bring a PCSO to the next meeting of Council in order to make a short presentation.
Discussion took place on various issues ie problems with parked cars at the end of Kilbourne Road and parking on Church Lane and Nottingham Road. Major problems were being experienced because of works to a retaining wall at the Farnah Green/Blackbrook crossroads. Councillor Chris Jackson agreed to investigate this issue with the County Council. Police Inspector Szabo confirmed that more police presence was planned in Milford to alleviate the problems with the gathering of young people and associated vandalism at Hopping Hill, Shaw Lane and West Terrace. The police were asked to target the rear of the Cottage Project where drug activity was suspected.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Councillors: Mel Cluskey (holiday), Les Dorey (at a conference) and Colin England (holiday).
  2. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to include the following additional papers:
    Agenda Item 8b - Planning Schedule 10 October.
    Agenda Item 22a - Blackspot Lighting - St Peters' Church.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillors made declarations of Interest as follows.
    Prejudicial: All would leave the room during discussions.
    Cllrs: Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, - Agenda Items 8, 13, 14 and 25
    John Nelson - Agenda Item 25
    Peter Arnold - Agenda Items 13 and 25
    Martin Tomlinson - Agenda Items 12, 15 and 23
  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 a Member's report under Agenda Item 10 and Item 1 of Part II of the Supplementary Agenda, and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 5 SEPTEMBER 2006 631 - It was also RESOLVED to take in exclusion Items 1 and 2 of Part II of the Agenda for the meeting.
    RESOLVED to approve Minutes 628-656 of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 5 September 2006.
  6. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE HELD 31 AUGUST 2006
    RESOLVED to note the Minutes of a Meeting of the Christmas Committee held 31 August 2006 and to approve the recommendations contained therein.
  7. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Councillor Mick Nelson reported on the various events attended in the month amongst which were: the Floral Sponsors Buffet, the Parish Liaison Committee, the River Gardens Centenary (where he thanked the organisers for an excellent event), and the Amber Valley Best Kept Town Award.
    East Midlands in Bloom Presentations
    The Mayor was delighted to report on the wonderful successes at the East Midlands in Bloom Presentations at which the Town Council achieved a Silver Gilt Award and also were presented with a Special Award for Horticultural Excellence in its Parks and Gardens thanks to the hard work of the outdoor staff. The private gardens at Wyver Lane were also commended.
    Future events included a "Guess the Weight of the Pumpkin" competition to raise funds for the Herbert Strutt Charity organised by Councillor John Nelson at Morrisons Supermarket on 29 October 10am-3pm.
  8. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    The planning applications listed on the schedules dated 20, 28 September and 10 October 2006 were considered. RESOLVED that objections should be submitted to Amber Valley Borough Council's Planning Board as follows:
    AVA/2006/1172-Milford Foundry Site
    Objection to be raised in respect of retrospective planning permission for sheds, fences and satellite dishes because of their unsightliness which is inappropriate in a conservation area and world heritage site.
    Following a request from Councillor Makin it was RESOLVED that an Officer from Amber Valley Borough Council Planning Department should be asked to attend a future Council meeting to give guidance on planning issues.
  9. FINANCE
    1. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the income and expenditure for the period 25 August to 27 September as sheets attached showing net expenditure of £12,171.77 and net income of £115,838.00.
    2. Grant Request - 241 - Musica Donum Dei
      RESOLVED to agree the request for £300.
    3. Grant Request - 242 - Belper Marlin S.C.
      RESOLVED to agree the request for sponsorship for the amount of three events at the Club's Open Meet at £35 each ie a total of £105.00.
  10. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
    Councillor Booth advised that Belper Leisure Centre had received a visit from the Charity Commissioners and a report would follow.
    Councillor Jackie Cox reported that Matthew Smith Almshouses Trust are looking for volunteers to work afternoons and advised she would also like to be replaced as the Town Council's Representative. This matter would be included on the agenda for November's Council meeting.
  11. DALC CIRCULARS
    RESOLVED to note Circulars 35 and 36.
  12. LARKS IN THE PARK 2007
    RESOLVED to agree the proposals put forward by Councillor Dorey regarding the organisation of next year's Larks in the Parks by the Friends of Belper River Gardens ie that the Council would be invoiced and pay for the entertainment within the budget agreed of £3000. The events would continue to be covered on the Council's insurance policy.
  13. BELPER AND MILFORD TOWNSCAPE HERITAGE INITIATIVE
    Coppice Car Park - Repair to damaged wall to footpath:
    It was noted that remedial work has almost finished.
    Market Place:
    Members of the Council confirmed that English Heritage would not allow the storage of waste bins or even floral containers on the Market Place and properties around the Market Place would have to make their own arrangements to re-site them.
  14. MEMORIAL GARDENS - TREE SURVEY
    The report from Ilex on the condition of all the trees in the Memorial Gardens was noted. The recommendation for the border of lime trees was re-pollarding and pruning at this time. Members were anxious that the trees should be preserved for as long as possible as they were an attractive feature and hid the unsightly side of the Public Hall building. The Clerk was asked to make enquiries as to the age of the lime trees and all the recommendations in the report would be discussed further at the next meeting.
  15. LICENSING - BELPER MARKET PLACE
    The Clerk reported that further discussions had taken place with the Police and AVBC Licensing staff regarding the condition attaching to the Premises Licence that a Designated Premises Supervisor should be appointed for 365 of the year despite the application detailing that the sale of alcohol was required for one morning per month only. PC Harris, the Police Licensing Manager was still adamant that this was a legal requirement and the Clerk had asked Patrick McLoughlin, MP to take this matter up with the appropriate Minister. DALC would also be asked to make their enquiries on this issue. RESOLVED to re-submit the application in the hope that, after consideration, the Licensing Board would agree that the condition imposed was an unreasonable one.
  16. REQUEST FOR ANNUAL FOOD FAIR AND CONTINENTAL MARKET
    The request from Mr Sam Jackson of Fresh Basil to organise a Food Fair in the town was greeted with much enthusiasm.
    The suggestion of a continental market was also welcomed and approved.
    RESOLVED to form a sub-committee consisting of Sam Jackson, Councillors, Mick Nelson, John Nelson, Peter Arnold, Jackie Cox, Mick Potter and Layton Davis (AVBC) to discuss and organise both events. However it was agreed that these should be kept entirely separate and perhaps form a "Food Month" of events including the monthly Farmers' Market.
  17. REQUESTS FROM THE POLICE TO USE THE MARKET PLACE
    The two requests from the Police to use the Market Place in November for publicity purposes ie to park several Police and Fire Service vehicles would be declined on the grounds that English Heritage imposed a "no parking" condition at the time the Market Place was refurbished.
  18. ADOPTION OF BELPER RAILWAY STATION
    RESOLVED to note the letter from the Rural Transport Partnership.
  19. BELPER CARNIVAL
    The letter from the Belper Celebration regarding their decision not to organise future carnivals was noted with regret. RESOLVED to agree that remaining funds should be kept by Belper Celebration for other events they may organise.
  20. YOUNG ACHIEVERS AWARD
    No nominations from Members were received.
  21. BUS SHELTERS
    RESOLVED to note the letter from Trent Barton Ltd.
  22. QUALITY COUNCIL
    The Clerk was pleased to report that the Council had been awarded Quality status. Thanks were expressed to the Clerk and Rosemary Bridges who assisted with the submission. A formal presentation would be made to the Council at the next meeting.
  23. TO CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR A BLACK SPOT LIGHTING SCHEME AT ST PETER'S CHURCH
    The Clerk was asked to obtain further information from the Parochial Church Council in view of the fact that the estimate of the work to be done had doubled since their original request.
  24. TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES - LICENSING ACT 2005
    RESOLVED to note the draft Statement of Principles - Licensing Act 2005.
  25. TO CONSIDER THE COMMISSION FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES DISCUSSION PAPER
    Members RESOLVED that Councillor Alan Cox should draft a letter for the Clerk to respond along the lines that the document did not give independent advice and thus failed to acknowledge the benefits of partnership working as can be seen in Derbyshire ie a move away from localism would be unnecessary, costly and harmful.
  26. COPPICE CAR PARK - WATER LEAK REPAIR INVOICE
    RESOLVED that the Clerk should enquire from the contractors why the leak was not noticed when the car park was resurfaced and whether it could have been the result of their heavy machinery.
  27. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the items for information included on the attached sheet. Particular attention was drawn to item 16: Renewal of certificated status for the Farmers' Market and item 23: Letter of thanks from member of the public for Larks events.
  28. DRAFT EAST MIDLANDS REGIONAL PLAN
    RESOLVED to note receipt of this draft document which would be available for viewing from the Clerk.
  29. BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTION COMPACT
    The Borough Council's adoption of a Local Election Compact whereby candidates and agents have to agree to take steps to: eliminate unlawful racial discrimination, promote equality of opportunity, and encourage good race relations was considered by Members to be an excellent idea. RESOLVED that the Town Council should adopt the same Compact.
  30. APPOINTMENT OF TOWN CRIER
    The Leader, Councillor John Nelson agreed to visit Mr Terry Porter to discuss the position of Town Crier and would report back to the next meeting.
  31. BELPER LEISURE CENTRE TRUST
    The Town Council, as a Trustee of Belper Leisure Centre, considered a complaint against the Centre concerning an issue of disabled access and rights. RESOLVED that the Clerk should write to the Manager of Belper Leisure Centre and request that he takes steps to resolve the matter immediately.