1/07 APPOINTMENT OF CLERK FOR THE MEETING
Mrs Elaine Hibbert was appointed Clerk for the meeting.
2/07 MINUTES OF THE 32nd ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF PARISH AND ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD 9 MAY 2006
The Minutes of the 32nd Annual Assembly of the Parish of Belper held 9 May 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.
3/07 ANNUAL REPORT 2006/2007
The Mayor, Councillor Mick Nelson introduced the Annual Report of the Town Council for the municipal year 2006/7. He said the year had been a momentous year for the Council when the excellent service provided to the town had been marked by the distinction of several awards:
· the prestigious Quality Status;
· Silver Gilt Award and a Special Award for Excellence in Belper's Parks and Gardens in the East Midlands in Bloom Competition; and
· the Best Kept Town in Amber Valley.
Councillor Nelson said he considered that these awards demonstrated the competence, enthusiasm and dedication of staff and councillors who had worked hard to provide the services and amenities required and expected by the Belper community. He then handed over to the Leader of the Council, Councillor John Nelson, to continue with the presentation of the Annual Report.
Councillor John Nelson highlighted the various events organised by the Town Council during the year eg Wakes Day, Larks in the Park and the Christmas Festival which had all proved very successful. He gave details of the various ways in which the precept had been utilised, amongst which were: grant funding of various groups and organizations; provision of floral displays and, maintenance and improvements to public open spaces - including the power supply to the Memorial Gardens which would facilitate the illumination of the cenotaph. He reported on the continuing success of Belper's Farmers' Market which was now in its sixth year and had built up a reputation as the best Farmers' Market in the East Midlands.
Councillor Nelson ended by thanking the retiring Mayor and Mayoress, Mick Nelson and his wife Christine for their exceptional dedication and enthusiasm during the year. He also thanked all those councillors who had served during the last four years and, in particular, Les Dorey for his hard work in organising the Larks in the Parks.
Councillor Alan Cox then presented the figures detailed in the Income and Expenditure Summary for the Year to 31 March 2007. He advised that with careful management the precept had been kept at the same level over the past four years with no deterioration in service. However, the reserves would be drawn on to cover increased costs in some areas eg the cost of the elections and the anticipated maintenance to St John's Chapel.
It was RESOLVED to note the Annual Report for 2006/7.
4/07 BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX PRECEPT FOR 2007/2008
RESOLVED to note the Budget and Council Tax Precept of £222,000 for 2007/2008.
5/07 MAURICE HEELY AWARD
The shield, certificate and cheque for £400 for services to the young people of Belper was presented to Paul Maddison of the Badger Explorer Scouts. The Mayor, being himself involved in the Scout movement, said he was particularly pleased to present this very well deserved award in the Scouts' Centenary year.
6/07 TOWN SERVICE AWARDS
Three framed certificates were awarded in appreciation of outstanding services provided to the Belper community as follows:
Mr Ray Asher - for his work as Chairman of Friends of Babington Hospital for the past fifteen years during which he had raised an amount of £149,000 for various projects.
Mr Graham Booth - for outstanding dedication to his duties as Gardener at the River Gardens during its Centenary Year which had greatly helped Belper achieve success in the East Midlands in Bloom competition.
Mr Keith Gascoyne - for sterling work for Amber Valley Housing particularly within the Parks Estate which has been above and beyond the call of duty.
7/07 OTHER PARISH MATTERS
No matters were raised under this heading.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Peter Makin (Borough Councillor) commented that he had been very pleased to have served on the Town Council over the last four years and said he was confident that the newly formed Council would continue to provide an excellent service to Belper ratepayers.