BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.

POLICE MATTERS
Inspector Graham Lamin reported that reported crime and detection rates continued on target and that enquiries were in progress regarding several burglaries and the recent spate of vehicle break-ins. To deter the tendency towards increasing violent crime, funding had been granted for extra officers to maintain a police presence at strategic places into the early hours. The approved additional CCTV cameras would be sited in the next month.
Members reported instances of vandalism, particularly at Wyver Lane, and intimidating crowds of young people at Whitemoor. These were ongoing problems which the Police continued to monitor.
Concern was expressed at the difficulties caused by the road closures at Blackbrook (and highlighted in an e-mail by County Councillor Chris Jackson). Several road diversions were in place and fixed penalties had been issued. Inspector Lamin agreed to investigate any complaints.
Following complaints about the excessive noise emanating from the Dog Pound at the Police Station on Green Lane, the Clerk was asked to write to the Chief Constable and ask for the Pound to be relocated.

763. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
     Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Councillors: Mel Cluskey, Debbie Biss (illness) and Joe Booth.
764. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
     RESOLVED to include the following additional papers:
     Agenda Item 9 - Additional planning schedules dated 7 and 13 February 2007.
     Agenda Item 8C - Bank Reconciliation as at 31 January 2007
     Agenda Item 11 - Minutes of St John's Working Party held 7 February 2007.
     Agenda Item 14 - Results of Consultation on the River Gardens Lottery Application.
     
765. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
     Councillors made declarations of Interest as follows.
     Prejudicial: ie would leave the room during discussions.
     Councillor Peter Arnold - Item 15a
     Councillors John Nelson and Jim Anderson - Item 9
     Personal:
     Councillor Les Dorey - Item 14c
     Councillor John Nelson - Item 18
     
766. 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 Part II of the Agenda, and they be instructed to withdraw.
767. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 9 JANUARY 2007
     RESOLVED to approve Minutes 744-762 of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 9 January 2007.
768. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 20 DECEMBER 2006
     RESOLVED to note Minutes 118-122 of a Meeting of the Finance Working Party held 20 December 2006.
769. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 26 JANUARY 2007
     RESOLVED to note Minutes 123-133 of the Meeting of the Finance Working Party held 26 January 2007 and to approve a recommendation that the Working Party be granted delegated authority to proceed with the matters contained therein.
770. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
     Councillor Mick Nelson reported on the various events attended in the month and thanked fellow Members for their contribution towards the resounding success of his Civic Service.
     He reported that with the closure of the American Adventure Theme Park, Mr Potato Head, a gift from Pawtucket, had returned to Belper and had been installed in the children's play area run by the Mill View Residents' Association alongside the A6. The question of whether to transfer ownership to the Association would be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
     A suggestion that the Town Council may wish to participate in a special St George's Day Event would be taken forward for consideration in 2008.
     Invitations from the Cricket Club were circulated to Members for individual responses.
771. FINANCE
     1. It was RESOLVED to note and approve the income and expenditure for the period 29 December 2006 to 31 January 2007. The schedules are attached showing gross income of £7999.50 and gross expenditure of £21,723.50.
     2. It was RESOLVED to note and agree the additional income and expenditure transactions from 1 April to 28 December 2006 not previously reported to Council. The schedules are attached showing gross income of £2,868.61 and gross expenditure of £10,966.16.
     3. It was RESOLVED to note the bank reconciliation for the current/public reserve accounts as at 31 January 2007.
772. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
     RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 18 January, 25 January, 7 and 13 February 2007. No objections were raised.
773. ANNUAL INSURANCE REVIEW
     Following a recent review of potential alternative insurers, it was RESOLVED to renew the Council's insurance policies with Zurich with effect from 1 March 2007.
774. ST JOHN'S CHAPEL WORKING PARTY
     RESOLVED to note the Minutes of St John's Chapel Working Party held 7 February 2007. The Clerk had contacted St Peter's PCC with a view to amending the draft lease re St John's Car Park facility to bring it in line with the term of the lease relating to the Council's use of the Chapel.
775. WAKES DAY
     RESOLVED to note and agree the arrangements for Wakes Day on Monday 28 August 2007, as reported, following a meeting held 13 February.
776. FOOD FAIR
     RESOLVED to note and agree the arrangements for the Food Fair on Sunday 15 July 2007, as reported, following a meeting held 13 February. It was further RESOLVED that the Council should underwrite the event by £1200.
777. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
     1. Fleet Arts
        Councillor Anderson reported on the activities of Fleet Arts and advised that, although space for the Fleet Arts had been included in the new Library project, they would unfortunately lose their soundproofed studio which had been much used by many people throughout Derbyshire. The Clerk was asked to contact Derbyshire County Council and express the Town Council's concern at the loss of this valuable asset and ask whether they had any proposals to replace it. The Clerk would also contact the Drop Inn on Derwent Street who might be able to offer an alternative location for the studio.
     2. Belper Civic Forum
        Councillor Arnold reported on a meeting he had attended with the Civic Forum on Monday evening 12 February which discussed the anticipated Tesco proposals for Derwent Street. Members expressed the view that Town Council Members should avoid participating in such discussions when an application had not yet been submitted to the Borough Council for approval.
     3. Belper River Gardens
        RESOLVED to note the report on the results of the recent River Gardens Consultation in connection with the lottery bid application. Councillor Colin England had attended a workshop on behalf of the Council but had not been listed as present.
     4. Police Consultative Committee
        Councillor Jackie Cox briefly reported on this very well attended meeting which she had attended in place of Councillor Martin Tomlinson.
778. BELPER MARKET PLACE
     RESOLVED to note and support the Market Place Masterplan which had been commissioned by the Belper and Milford Townscape Heritage Initiative Group. Local residents were, without exception, in agreement with the proposals. At a recent workshop to discuss the Masterplan and consider the use to which the proposed new buildings would be put, a majority view was expressed that the Market Place would make an excellent, central location for the new Library and Arts Centre. This view was unanimously endorsed by Council Members and it was therefore RESOLVED that the Clerk should contact the appropriate Cabinet Member of Derbyshire County Council to state that Belper Town Council's preferred location of the new Library and Arts Centre was the Market Place and not Derwent Street as was currently being proposed.
     It was further RESOLVED that the Town Council would support the planning application submitted by the Black Swan Public House re the provision of an outdoor seating area.
779. DALC
     RESOLVED to note the correspondence and circulars 1-4 received from DALC.
780. TOWN CRIER
     RESOLVED to accept the quote of £929.40 from Ms Jennifer McKee in respect of the provision of suitable attire for the newly appointed Town Crier, Mr Terry Porter.
781. BEAUREPAIRE GARDEN
     RESOLVED to reject Mr Peter Davies' claim for a sum of money to cover the planning application in respect of structures added to Beaurepaire Garden as these had been erected by Mr Peter Davies without the agreement of the Town Council.
     Concern was again expressed that the Council continued to include the Garden in its Public Liability insurance when it had no actual interest in it. It had proved impossible to obtain a lease from the Strutt Estate for the undeveloped part of the Garden as they were unable to prove ownership.
782. CODE OF CONDUCT
     Councillor Peter Makin reported that he was frustrated by the rules of the Code of Conduct for Councillors which he found so restricting that he was unable to fulfill his role and represent his constituents as he would wish. He therefore advised that he would not be standing for re-election in May. Members endorsed Councillor Makin's reservations about the Code of Conduct and expressed their disappointment at his decision not to stand for re-election.
783. PROVISION OF BUS SHELTERS
     Further to discussion on the Clerk's report re the proposal for three new bus shelters, it was RESOLVED:
     1. Sandbed Lane/Pinchoms Hill - to take no action as not possible to find a suitable location.
     2. Hillcrest, Overlane - to consult with residents about the suggested location.
     3. Whitemoor Lane - to proceed with an application to Derbyshire County Council for 50% funding.
     4. Parks Estate - to repair the shelter in front of the shops with vandal proof panels.
784. ANNUAL FAIR
     RESOLVED to agree John Proctor's request to hold the Annual Fair on the Coppice Car Park and Market Place from 1st to 3rd November 2007. The Fair will be on site from Sunday 29 October and will leave by Monday 5 November 2007.
785. EAST MIDLANDS IN BLOOM COMPETITION
     RESOLVED to agree the Town's entry into this year's competition.
786. ILLUMINATION OF THE COPPICE CAR PARK
     Further to a request that the Coppice Car Park should be illuminated throughout the night, the Clerk was asked to contact residents in properties overlooking the Car Park to seek their views on this prior to seeking to vary the planning condition concerning times of illumination.
787. BELPER BAPTIST CHURCH AND CHURCHES TOGETHER EVENT 24/25 MARCH 2007
     The Town Council had no objections to this event taking place on King Street provided that environmental health and trading standards legislation were fully complied with.
788. NATIONAL PROBATION SERVICE
     The letter from Derbyshire County Council was noted with no comment being thought appropriate.
789. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
     RESOLVED to note the items for information included on the attached sheet.
790. CLAIM AGAINST THE COUNCIL'S PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE
     Details of the claim against the Council's Public Liability insurance arising from an accident at the Farmers' Market in 2004 were noted.
791. REVIEW OF BELPER LEISURE CENTRE TRUST
     Councillor Nelson reported on a meeting held with the Leader, the Clerk and the Consultants carrying out a review of Belper Leisure Centre Trust.