BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 14th NOVEMBER 2006

PRESENT: Councillor Mick Nelson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Debbie Biss, Joseph Booth, Mel Cluskey, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Les Dorey, Colin England, Barry Lewis, Peter Makin, John Nelson, Mick Potter and Martin Tomlinson (arrived later)

In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Councillor Chris Jackson, Inspector Pete Szabo and Ms Debbie Lockett (Belper News)

PRESENTATION OF QUALITY COUNCIL CERTIFICATE
Mr Brian Wood of Derbyshire Association of Local Councils attended the meeting accompanied by Mr Derek Orchard (Chairman of the Accreditation Panel) who presented the Mayor with a Certificate in recognition of the Council having become a "Quality Town Council". Quality status would apply for the following four years after which a further application would have to be made.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public present.

POLICE MATTERS
Police Inspector Pete Szabo advised on current crime statistics and said that he would be bringing the new PCSO to the December meeting of Council.
Various road safety and parking issues were raised - the increase in yellow line parking fines and parking on Church Lane where it was agreed the Clerk should make representations to the County Council to request that passing bays be created. Councillor Chris Jackson advised he had pursued the County Council regarding the road works at the Farnah Green/Blackbrook crossroads and it was confirmed that work to the retaining wall had now commenced.
Inspector Szabo advised that in 2007 the Derbyshire Safety Camera Partnership would be responsible for a wider range of measures. All the information was available on their website.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Councillor Mark Robertson (delayed at work).
  2. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to include the following additional papers:
    Agenda Item 9b - Planning Schedule 14 November.
    Agenda Item 9c - Letter from Peter Davies re derelict property on King Street.
    Agenda Item 20 - Minutes of a Meeting of the Food Committee held 7.11.06.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillors made declarations of Interest as follows.
    Personal:
    Cllrs Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Mel Cluskey , John Nelson, Debbie Biss, Peter Arnold, Peter Makin and Jim Anderson - Agenda Items 11a and Part II, 3. - (Belper Leisure Centre Trust)
    Cllr Jim Anderson - Item 9
    Cllr Les Dorey - Item 11c
    Prejudicial: All would leave the room during discussions.
    Cllr Martin Tomlinson - Agenda Item 13
    Cllrs Alan and Jackie Cox - Agenda Item 19
  4. TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY ITEMS SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH THE PUBLIC EXCLUDED
    In accordance with Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, it was RESOLVED that, in the public interest, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the three items in Part II of the Agenda, and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 10 OCTOBER 2006
    664 - Planning Objection - Milford Foundry Site
    Councillor Arnold reported that following the objections raised, the permission for the retrospective planning application for sheds, fences and satellite dishes had been refused.
    666 - Report from Representatives
    Councillor Jackie Cox confirmed that the Matthew Smith Almshouses Trust was not actually looking for volunteers and she would remain as the Town Council's representative as the meetings would now take place in the afternoons.
    682 - Coppice Car Park - Water Repair Leak (Councillors Alan Cox and Jackie Cox left the room during discussion of this item)
    A letter had been received from AVBC stating the contractor's position which is that he denies any responsibility for the repairs. The Clerk was asked to request an itemised bill for consideration.
    RESOLVED to approve Minutes 657-687 of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 10 October 2006.
  6. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 27 OCTOBER 2006
    RESOLVED to note Minutes 102-111 of a Meeting of the Finance Working Party held 27 October 2006 and to approve the recommendations contained therein.
  7. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE HELD 12 OCTOBER 2006
    RESOLVED to note Minutes 169-176 of a Meeting of the Christmas Committee held 12 October 2006.
  8. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Councillor Mick Nelson reported on the various events attended in the month which included Armistice Day and the Remembrance Day Service and Parade which had been well attended by Members of the Council. He reminded Members of the Switching On of the Christmas Lights event on Friday 1 December at 6pm.
  9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    1. The planning applications listed on the schedules dated 19 and 30 October and 14 November were considered. RESOLVED that an objection should be submitted to Amber Valley Borough Council's Planning Board as follows:
      AVA/2006/1330 - Members of the Town Council objected to the change of design of two of the properties ie from two to three storeys which they did not consider appropriate for the area and commented that as building had already commenced, the developers should adhere to the plans already approved.
    2. RESOLVED that the letter with accompanying photographs concerning a derelict building on Bridge Street submitted by Mr Peter Davies would be forwarded to the Planning Authority as appropriate.
  10. FINANCE
    1. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the new Terms of Reference for the Finance Working Party.
    2. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the revised Financial Regulations dated 27.10.06.
    3. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the income and expenditure for the period 28 September to 31 October 2006 as the sheets attached showing net expenditure of £16,342.20 and net income of £8,000.09.
  11. GRANT REQUEST - AMBER VALLEY VICTIM SUPPORT
    RESOLVED to decline the request for a grant.
  12. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
    Councillor Booth advised that his report concerning Belper Leisure Centre Trust would be covered in Part II of the Agenda.
    RESOLVED to nominate Councillor England as the Council's non-voting representative on Friends of Belper River Gardens.
  13. DALC CIRCULARS
    RESOLVED to note Circulars 37 and 38. Re Circular 30 (Local Government White Paper - Strong and Prosperous Communities) concern was expressed that although there were proposals to pass down certain powers from the District Councils, there was no mention of re-allocation of the funding necessary to Parishes to enable these powers to be carried out.
  14. LICENSING ISSUES
    1. Belper Market Place
      The Clerk reported that a DPS had still not been found to take on the role for 365 days of the year in accordance with the condition attaching to the Market Place Premises Licence as requested by the Police. The matter was being pursued by Patrick McLoughlin MP.
    2. Belper Leisure Centre
      Councillor Dorey advised that because of the stewarding conditions stated in the Premises Licence at Belper Leisure Centre he was unfortunately unable to stage the proposed free concert. He had hoped to take advantage of the Council's free session (in accordance with the User Agreement) but had been advised that to comply with the terms of the licence, costs of over £300 would be incurred to train stewards and apply for a temporary event notice. Members were concerned that "free use" did not actually mean free and the Clerk was asked to raise this issue with the Leisure Centre Manager and the Chief Constable. Patrick McLoughlin MP would also be notified of this additional licensing issue.
  15. OUTDOOR SEATING AREA - BELPER MARKET PLACE
    Following a request from the Landlord of the Black Swan, Members RESOLVED that an area of the Market Place at the rear of the Black Swan should be made available for a fully enclosed seating area which would be covered by the Landlords own Premises Licence. The area would be specifically defined under a legally binding agreement with a peppercorn ground rent being payable.
    It was noted that the Black Swan had removed their wheelie bins from the Market Place. However, no response had been received from Threshers and the Clerk had sent a follow up letter.
  16. BLACKSPOT LIGHTING SCHEMES
    1. St Peter's Church
      No further communication had been received.
    2. Edensor Drive/Weaver Close
      The County Council had advised they would not fund any installation or the future energy and maintenance costs of a lighting installation on land which is not considered to be adopted for highway purposes. The Clerk was asked to a) make enquiries as to the ownership of the land and b) ask the County Council why the Town Council had not been informed of their change of policy.
  17. PARISH ALLOWANCE SCHEME FOR MEMBERS
    RESOLVED that Belper Town Council would not wish to adopt an allowance scheme for its Members.
  18. POSTCOMM CONSULTATION ON POSTAL SERVICES
    RESOLVED that Members would not wish to see any reduction in the number of postal deliveries or collections and would make their own responses to the consultation document.
  19. DERWENT VALLEY MILLS WORLD HERITAGE SITE
    RESOLVED to note the report.
  20. TREE WORKS - MEMORIAL GARDENS
    After further discussion of the issue of the border of lime trees, it was agreed that the best solution would be to remove the lime trees in stages ie for now, remove alternate trees and replant with something suitable and remove the remainder at a later date. RESOLVED that the Clerk should seek appropriate costings for the removal of half the lime trees and replacement with something similar.
  21. PROPOSED FOOD FAIR 2007
    RESOLVED to note the Minutes of a Meeting of the Food Committee held 7 November 2006 and agree the recommendations therein. The Clerk would report to the next meeting on the cost of a trailer and towbar for the Council vehicle.
  22. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the items for information included on the attached sheet.

    The following items were taken In Camera.

  23. MINUTES OF THE STAFF WORKING PARTY 27 OCTOBER 2006
    RESOLVED to note the minutes of the Staff Working Party held 27 October 2006 and agree the recommendations contained therein with effect from 1 January 2007 as attached Appendix I.
  24. TOWN CRIER
    RESOLVED to agree the appointment of Mr Terry Porter as the Town Crier following receipt of CRB clearance. The Clerk was asked to obtain costs of a suitable uniform.
  25. BELPER LEISURE CENTRE TRUST
    RESOLVED to note the letter from the Centre Manager about a current disability access issue. No action was thought appropriate.
    RESOLVED to agree to Amber Valley Borough Council's appointment of independent Consultants to carry out a Review of the Trust.