BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 12th DECEMBER 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

In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Councillor Chris Jackson, Inspector Pete Szabo and one member of the public (Pauline Latham)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No matters were raised.

POLICE MATTERS
Police Inspector Pete Szabo reported on current crime statistics which showed a considerable improvement in rates of detection and reported crime. He thanked the Town Council for the co-operation he had received during the year which was much appreciated. Members thanked PI Szabo and staff for their hard work in achieving such excellent crime figures and acknowledged the great strides that had been made in policing the area.
PI Szabo confirmed that a caution letter would be sent to an individual who contravened the road closed order on Friday 1 December.
The County Council's response to the Town Council's request for passing areas on Church Lane was read out stating that no action was deemed necessary. A further response regarding problems with the Goods Road/A6 junction was also read out stating that appropriate measures were already in place. The three months road closure at Ashbourne Road was noted with concern.
The Police were asked to note the date of the proposed Food Fair (Sunday 15 July 2007) which coincided with the Well Dressings that will be sited throughout the town.
Vandalism was reported at Wyver Lane and with road closed signage at Longwalls Lane. Parking problems were reported at Belper Lane End where DCC were being asked to investigate a residents' parking scheme.

  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 8 - Additional planning schedule and item re Wyver Lane.
    Agenda Item 14 - Letter from the Leisure Centre and request by Fleet Arts to use one of the Council's free sessions next year.
    Confidential Staff Item under Part II.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillors made declarations of Interest as follows.
    Prejudicial: All would leave the room during discussions.
    Cllrs Alan and Jackie Cox - Items 17 and 26
    Cllr Debbie Biss - Items 8c, 12, 22 and 27
    Cllr Martin Tomlinson - Items 12, 14 and 22
  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 an additional item concerning a Staff issue in Part II of the Agenda, and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 14 NOVEMBER 2006
    703 - Edensor Drive/Weaver Close
    A response from the County Council re their policy of provision of lighting was read out and noted.
    RESOLVED to approve Minutes 688-712 of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 14 November 2006.
  6. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE HELD 16 NOVEMBER 2006
    RESOLVED to note Minutes 177-184 of a Meeting of the Christmas Committee held 16 November 2006.
    It was reported that the Switching On of the Christmas Lights on 1 December 2006 had been very successful and enjoyable. £95.64 had been collected during the evening for the Strutt Charity by Councillors Dorey and Potter. Various issues were raised which would be referred to the next meeting of the Christmas Committee.
  7. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Councillor Mick Nelson reported on the various events attended in the month and reminded Members of the Carol Service on Christmas Eve and the Police Constabulary Carol Service at St Peters on 18 December.
    Regarding the festivities on 1 December, he asked that special thanks be recorded to:
    Sara Blizzard who switched on the Christmas lights,
    Geoffrey Alton who provided an open top vehicle,
    St Elizabeth's School for participating in the poster competition,
    Belper School for providing three Santa's Helpers,
    Layton Davis for assistance with publicity,
    the charities who provided stalls and
    the Town Council staff for all their hard work.
  8. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    The planning applications listed on the schedules dated 23 November, 4 and 12 December were considered. RESOLVED that an objection should be submitted to Amber Valley Borough Council's Planning Board as follows:
    AVA/2006/1482
    Members of the Town Council would object to the planning application should adequate car parking provision not be made.
    AVA/2006/1477
    Members expressed their concern that the Developer was now requesting a change to the original proposals for which planning consent was granted.
    RESOLVED to note the copy letter from Friends of Belper Parks concerning the development of the former Parks School site.
    Following recent publicity, it was RESOLVED that a Public Meeting be called in order that Belper residents may find out more information about Amber Valley Borough Council's proposals to sell off a piece of land which includes the Wyver Lane Nature Reserve.
  9. FINANCE
    1. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the income and expenditure for the period 1 to 30 November 2006 as the sheets attached showing net expenditure of £13,585.40 and net income of £2096.48.
    2. A further meeting of the Finance Working Party was to take place to agree the budget figures as discussed at the meeting on 11 December 2006. The budget would be presented to January Council for approval.
  10. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
    Belper Cottage Project
    Councillor Cox reported on the generous donation from County Councillor Patrick Clarke which assisted with the purchase of a new kitchen. She was pleased to report that she had received many appreciative comments re the appearance of the town throughout the year.
    Belper Leisure Centre Trust
    Following Councillor Joe Booth's resignation as Representative, it was RESOLVED that Councillor Les Dorey be nominated to represent the Town Council at meetings of Belper Leisure Centre Trust.
  11. AMBER VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING DOCUMENTS
    RESOLVED to note the availability of various planning documentation at the town's Library and on the Borough Council website.
  12. ALCOHOL DESIGNATION ORDER - BELPER PARKS
    RESOLVED that Members were in agreement with the Belper Parks area being designated for the purposes of consumption of alcohol.
  13. DALC CIRCULARS
    RESOLVED to note Circulars 40, 41 and 42 and receipt of the LCR Journal re the government's White Paper "Creating strong and prosperous communities".
  14. LICENSING ISSUES
    Belper Market Place and Belper Leisure Centre:
    The Clerk reported that responses were awaited from Patrick McLoughlin MP and the Chief Constable regarding the issues she had raised with them concerning the requirement for a) a Designated Premises Supervisor on the Market Place for 365 days of the year and b) the requirement for security trained door supervisors at the Leisure Centre.
    Members had no objections to a request from Fleet Arts for use of one of the Council's free sessions at the Leisure Centre in February or March 2007. However, it was considered that the door stewards' condition would affect their decision to hold an event there.
  15. ST JOHN'S CHAPEL - CAR PARK
    The proposed new lease agreement for the Council's use of St John's car park was considered and it was agreed that the legal section at the Borough Council be asked to give their opinion on this before taking the matter any further.
  16. ST JOHN'S CHAPEL - MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
    The report prepared by Councillor Barry Lewis regarding proposals for repairs and maintenance of the Chapel was noted. It was agreed that until the car parking issue had been resolved, the Council could not agree to undertake a programme of works. However, urgent works were required and the matter would need to be considered by the sub-committee which comprised Councillors: Debbie Biss, Barry Lewis, Mick Nelson, John Nelson, Mick Potter and Martin Tomlinson.
  17. TREE WORKS - BELPER MEMORIAL GARDENS
    A quotation of £2,500 had been given for the removing to ground level and treating the stumps of eleven of the lime trees. The Clerk was asked to obtain additional quotes.
  18. TRAILER FOR THE COUNCIL VEHICLE
    It was noted that estimates for a suitable trailer on which to transport market stalls were up to £2000. Enquiries were however being made into having a trailer custom built and the information should be available for the next meeting.
  19. TOWN GUIDE
    RESOLVED that the Clerk should proceed with an order for an Official Town Guide from Plus Publishing Services. The contract was that the Council would agree to four editions of the Guide at two yearly intervals. The cost to the Council would be: no charge for the first 10,000 copies and £315 per thousand for an additional 4000 copies ie £1260 for each edition.
  20. REQUEST FOR RESIDENTS' PARKING SCHEME
    The letter from Mr David Parker was noted and would be passed to the County Council for their consideration.
  21. PARKING - ST JOHN'S SCHOOL VICINITY
    The letter from the County Council was noted. However, Members were very concerned that the residents' wishes in this matter had not been taken into account. The County Council appeared to be unaware of the actual extent of the problem and the consensus of opinion that parking restrictions should be put in place. The Clerk was asked to respond accordingly.
  22. BELPER CIVIC FORUM
    The formation of the new Belper Civic Forum was noted with interest. The Clerk was asked to contact the Secretary with a view to the Council providing a non-voting representative on the committee.
  23. DERBYSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL
    RESOLVED not to subscribe to a Funding Newsletter.
  24. DERBYSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
    RESOLVED to note receipt of the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service action plan. No response was considered appropriate.
  25. COPPICE CAR PARK - LEAK
    The itemised breakdown of the invoice in respect of the repairs to the leak at the Coppice Car Park was noted. RESOLVED to pay the account in full but query the necessity for overtime working.
  26. COPPICE CAR PARK - VERGES
    RESOLVED to agree a request from Friends of Belper Parks for permission to plant the verges at the Coppice Car Park. However, the use of the verges during the annual fair should be pointed out.
  27. BELPER MEADOWS CRICKET CLUB
    RESOLVED to note the letter of thanks from the Cricket Club and the invitation to Councillors to watch a match. The Clerk would request a list of fixture dates.
  28. DERBYSHIRE CONSTABULARY - CONSULTATION REPORT
    RESOLVED to note receipt of the Derbyshire Constabulary Final Merger Consultation Report - Executive Summary.
  29. BELPER METHODIST CHURCH
    The invitation to Councillors to visit the Church next year was noted.
  30. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the items for information included on the attached sheet.