BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Police Inspector Graham Lamin and the Belper News. Two Members of the Public were present for Public Participation.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

1. Mrs Jane Middleton addressed Councillors in support of the Milford & Makeney Community Group's application for funding which was an Agenda item for consideration.
2. Mr David Jones spoke briefly on the issues of climate change and global warming and asked Members to attend a forthcoming showing of a film at the Ritz entitled "An Inconvenient Truth".
3. County Councillor Chris Jackson spoke on the road closures at Blackbrook; an agreement with Crich Quarry regarding the halting of road haulage at school times; and the possible restoration of Dallywash.

Inspector Lamin reported that crime in the month was static and that an arrest had been made in respect of two burglaries. He was pleased to advise that the dog pound had now closed.
Incidents involving groups of young people had again been reported at the Whitemoor area and twenty one letters had been sent to parents. The public were being encouraged to co-operate by providing the evidence required to help identify the ringleaders. It was hoped that once the new police office was in use at the Whitemoor Centre, the increased contact with the community would help to alleviate the problems. The absence of a youth club in the area was thought to be a contributory factor. Partnership working and the Safer Neighbourhoods scheme was discussed.

792. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
     Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Councillor Peter Arnold (holiday).
793. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
     RESOLVED to include the following additional papers:
     Agenda Item 13 - Further responses regarding the illumination of the Coppice Car Park.
     Agenda Item 20 - Press release from Amber Valley Borough Council re the Cinderhill proposals.
794. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
     Councillors made declarations of Interest as follows.
     Prejudicial: ie would leave the room during discussions.
     Councillor Les Dorey - Items 8 and 19
     Councillors Martin Tomlinson - Item 15
     Personal:
     Councillor John Nelson, Alan Cox and Jackie Cox - Item Pt II (1)
     Councillor Debbie Biss - Item 16b
795. 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.
796. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 13 FEBRUARY 2007
     RESOLVED to approve Minutes 763-791 of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 13 February 2007.
797. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
     Councillor Mick Nelson reported on the various events attended in the month including the Central Methodist Church Bi-Centenary Celebration Service. He invited Members to participate in a sponsored walk on 1 April 2007 to raise funds for the Mayor's Charity.
798. FINANCE
     1. It was RESOLVED to note and approve the income and expenditure for the period 1-28 February 2007. The schedules are attached showing gross income of £3,581.07 and gross expenditure of £23,525.96.
     2. It was RESOLVED to note the bank reconciliation for the current/public reserve accounts as at 28 February 2007.
799. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
     RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 20 February and 2 March 2007. No objections were raised on those applications. No comments were made on the proposals from T-Mobile for installation of telecomm apparatus at the East Mill.
800. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
     1. Belper Community Hall
        Representatives of the Town Council had attended an Open Day at the Community Hall when a presentation was given on the work carried out to date and proposals for future improvements and repairs. The Hall was being very successfully managed and the County Councillors present intimated they may be in a position to offer some financial support.
     2. Cottage Project
        Councillor Jackie Cox advised of the St Peter's Thankathon event on Saturday 17 March and the AGM on 14 May.
     3. Friends of Belper Parks
        Councillor Debbie Biss reported on current activities.
     4. Friends of Belper River Gardens
        Councillor Les Dorey reported that the Larks in the Park programme would shortly be finalised and would be circulated at the next meeting.
     5. Belper Quality Forum
        Councillor Mick Potter agreed to attend the next meeting of this Babington Hospital group which supports people with learning difficulties.
801. DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS
     RESOLVED to note Circulars 5-9 from DALC.
802. CODE OF CONDUCT
     RESOLVED to note the proposed revision to the Code of Conduct which had followed consultation.
803. PARKS ESTATE BUS SHELTER
     RESOLVED that further quotes should be obtained.
804. ILLUMINATION OF THE COPPICE CAR PARK
     After consideration of the responses for and against the proposal to illuminate the Coppice Car Park throughout the night, it was RESOLVED that the lighting up times should remain as approved on the planning application.
805. RISK ASSESSMENTS
     RESOLVED to note and agree the completion of risk assessments for the year ended 31 March 2007.
806. LICENSING ISSUES
     RESOLVED to note the response from the Government Minister which failed to address the issue of the unreasonable requirement for a DPS to be appointed for the Market Place Premises Licence for 365 days of the year.
807. APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDING
     1. St John Ambulance
        RESOLVED to decline this application.
     2. Milford & Makeney Community Group
        RESOLVED to make a grant of £330.
     3. Fleet Arts
        RESOLVED to agree the grant funding application for £7200. The Clerk was asked to ensure a set of accounts was circulated to Members.
808. WHITEMOOR ADVOCACY GROUP
     It was agreed that the Group should be asked to provide more information for consideration by the Council at their next meeting.
809. 2007 WALK FESTIVAL
     RESOLVED to note the arrangements for the 2007 Walk Festival.
810. REQUEST FOR SITE FOR A MIDLANDS OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM
     RESOLVED that the Council was not in a position to assist with this request.
811. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
     RESOLVED to note the items for information included on the attached sheet.
812. REVIEW OF BELPER LEISURE CENTRE TRUST
     RESOLVED to note the copy correspondence in connection with the Review of Belper Leisure Centre Trust.
813. TOWN SERVICE AWARDS
     Two Belper residents were nominated and agreed as recipients for this Award. The presentations would be made at the Annual Meeting.