BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 9th JANUARY 2007

PRESENT: Councillor Mick Nelson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Debbie Biss, Joseph Booth, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Colin England, Peter Makin, Mick Potter and Martin Tomlinson
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Police Inspector Pete Szabo and Inspector Graham Lamin.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.

POLICE MATTERS
Members of the Council were very sorry to note the transfer to Ilkeston of Police Inspector Szabo. The much improved crime statistics were recognised as being the result of measures introduced by Inspector Szabo and he was thanked for all the enthusiasm and effort he had put into improving law and order in the Belper area.
Police Inspector Graham Lamin, the new Inspector was welcomed to the meeting and it was hoped that the good working relationship with the police would continue.
Instances of vandalism were reported, particularly around the Hunter Road area. It was confirmed that measures were being taken to improve policing in the Belper and Milford area which included more Police Community Support Officers, portable CCTV cameras and the establishing of a Community Police Office at Ladywell Court.
Councillor Martin Tomlinson agreed to attend one of the Annual Policy Authority and Derbyshire Constabulary Budget Consultation events as the Council's Representative.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Councillors: Mel Cluskey, Les Dorey and Peter Makin who were attending a meeting of Belper Leisure Centre Trust and John Nelson (holiday).
  2. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to include the following additional papers:
    Agenda Item 9 - Additional planning schedule dated 9 January 2007.
    Agenda Item 12 - Two further quotes in respect of tree work in the Memorial Gardens.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillors made declarations of Interest as follows.
    Prejudicial: ie would leave the room during discussions.
    Councillor Peter Arnold - Items 11 and 17.
  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 Item 12 and Part II of the Agenda, and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 12 DECEMBER 2006
    RESOLVED to approve Minutes 713-742 of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 12 December 2006.
  6. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 11 DECEMBER 2006
    RESOLVED to note Minutes 112-117 of a Meeting of the Finance Working Party held 11 December 2006.
    Unfortunately the Minutes of the Finance Working Party held 20 December 2006 had not been circulated and would be included in the Agenda for the next meeting.
  7. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Councillor Mick Nelson reported on the various events attended in the month and advised that he would be holding a series of nine talks on Local Government for Belper School students. He reminded Members that his Civic Service was to take place on Sunday 28 January 2007.
  8. FINANCE
    1. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the income and expenditure for the period 1 to 28 December 2006 as the sheets attached showing net income of £927.44 and net expenditure of £15,187.53.
    2. Councillor Alan Cox as Chairman of the Finance Working Party presented the proposed budget for 2007/2008 requiring a precept of £222,000. This represented no increase in precept for the fourth year. Reserves were earmarked for repairs and maintenance to St John's Chapel. RESOLVED to approve the budget for the year to 3l March 2008.
    3. RESOLVED that the precept request for £222,000 should be duly signed and submitted with accompanying documents to Amber Valley Borough Council.
    4. RESOLVED to approve the revised schedule of charges with effect from 1 April 2007.
  9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    The planning applications listed on the schedules dated 20 December 2006 and 9 January 2007 were considered and noted with no objections raised.
  10. PUBLIC MEETING RE SALE OF LAND IN THE WYVER LANE AREA
    It was reported that at the public meeting held 5 January 2007, members of the public raised their concerns re Amber Valley Borough Council's proposals to sell land which includes the Wyver Lane Nature Reserve. The public were given the assurance that it is proposed to continue to use the land as a nature reserve under lease to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and for agricultural purposes and the land will be protected from development.
  11. BELPER HERITAGE ECONOMIC REGENERATION (HERS) SCHEME
    RESOLVED to make a contribution of £1500 towards a new English Heritage Scheme which is likely to continue for three years. Derbyshire County Council, Amber Valley Borough Council and the Town Council would contribute the same amount and work in partnership with the aim of providing grant assistance to eligible properties on Bridge Street and Chapel Street.
  12. PROGRAMME OF EVENTS - BELPER RIVER GARDENS
    RESOLVED to note the programme of events planned for the Summer by Friends of Belper River Gardens.
  13. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
    1. No reports were received.
    2. Belper Civic Forum:
      The formation of the Civic Forum was noted. Concern was expressed that the Town Council had no representative on this body
    3. Police Consultative Meeting:
      Councillor Martin Tomlinson was nominated to represent the Town Council at the forthcoming meeting.
  14. ELECTION COMPACT
    The Clerk would confirm with the Borough Council that Members had peviously resolved to adopt the election compact for signing by all Parish candidates in the 2007 Election.
  15. RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN
    RESOLVED to note the Derbyshire County Council Rights of Way Improvement Plan without comment.
  16. DERWENT VALLEY MILLS PARTNERSHIP
    RESOLVED to note the draft Management Plan for the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
  17. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the items for information included on the attached sheet.
  18. MINUTE 743 - STAFF ISSUE
    RESOLVED to approve Minute 743 as a true record.
  19. WORK TO TREES - BELPER MEMORIAL GARDENS
    RESOLVED to apply for planning approval to remove half the lime trees. Should permission be given to carry out the work, the cheapest quote of the three submitted in respect of the work would be accepted.