BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 12th JUNE 2007

PRESENT: Councillor Jackie Cox (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Debbie Biss, Norman Bull, Kay Charlton, Alan Cox, Hassan Dervish, Colin England, John Nelson, Mick Nelson, Mick Potter, Mark Robertson and Martin Tomlinson
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), County Councillor Chris Jackson, Police Inspector Graham Lamin and the Belper News. Five Members of the Public were present for Public Participation.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

  1. Mr Kevin Renshaw who had previously spoken at Council about the traffic problems on Becksitch Lane said he was very disappointed by the County Council's refusal to take any action in this matter and would hold them responsible should any accidents occur.
  2. Mr and Mrs Johnson addressed the Council to complain of the anti-social behaviour of groups of young people congregating in a caravan behind the Labour Club on Lander Lane. The caravan had however that day been moved into St John's Car Park and the associated problems had transferred with it. Police Inspector Lamin explained that there was unfortunately no quick fix to the problem and outlined the procedures that had to be followed in such cases. St Peter's Church PCC as owners of the land would be notified along with the Borough Council.
  3. Les Dorey, representing Friends of Belper River Gardens reported on the financial situation of the Group and the necessity for fund raising. He thanked Councillor England for his assistance at the concerts.
  4. Mr Adrian Farmer spoke to Members in support of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site grant application which was to be discussed later on the Agenda. He also advised that in the future he would be looking to the Council to support a new "Trail" leaflet.
  5. Councillor Jackson raised several road safety issues including problems with satellite navigation systems directing heavy goods vehicles along Cemetery Lane; parked cars causing congestion on Church Lane; indiscriminate highway signage; overhanging trees; and the appalling state of some roads and pavements. Most of these issues were already being raised with the County Council.
POLICE MATTERS
Inspector Lamin reported that following completion of questionnaires, positive meetings had taken place with young people in the Whitemoor area involving Councillors Jackie Cox and Martin Tomlinson. Funding had been found for a new teen shelter.
Crime in the month was on target apart from criminal damage. Major problems had been reported at the old Thornton's site and the River Gardens. The presence of the new PCSOs was however proving to be beneficial.
  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Councillor Ben Miller.
  2. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to include the following additional papers:
    Agenda Item 12 - Income and Expenditure Schedules 1/4/07 to 29/5/07
    Bank Reconciliations as at 30/4/07 and 29/5/07
    Budget Comparison & Risk Assessment 1/4/07-31/5/07
    Agenda Item 13 - Further planning schedule dated 12 June 2007
    Agenda Item 17 - Request for representative from Belper & Milford THI - Clusters Design Scheme
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillors made declarations of Interest as follows.
    Personal:
    Councillors John Nelson and Peter Arnold - Item 14a
    Councillor Jackie Cox - Item 14b
  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 Part II of the Agenda, and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 10 APRIL 2007
    RESOLVED to receive and approve Minutes 814-833 of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 10 April 2007.
  6. MINUTES OF THE 33RD ASSEMBLY OF THE PARISH OF BELPER HELD 15 MAY 2007.
    RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the 33rd Assembly of the Parish of Belper held 15 May 2007.
  7. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 15 MAY 2007
    RESOLVED to receive and approve Minutes 834-844 of the Annual General Meeting of Belper Town Council held 15 May 2007.
  8. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 27 APRIL 2007
    RESOLVED to note the Minutes of a Meeting of the Finance Working Party held 27 April 2007 and approve the recommendations contained therein.
  9. MINUTES OF THE FOOD COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD 1 MAY 2007 and 30 MAY 2007
    RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the Food Committee Meetings held 1 May and 30 May 2007.
  10. MINUTES OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 24 MAY 2007
    RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the Christmas Committee Meeting held 24 May 2007.
  11. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Councillor Jackie Cox reported on the various events attended since becoming Mayor and also invited Members to the Chapel to meet the German exchange students on 2 July 2007. Members were asked to assist as Stewards at the Food Fair on 15 July and to advise the Clerk of their availability.
  12. FINANCE
    1. It was RESOLVED to approve the Financial Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2007.
    2. It was RESOLVED to note and approve the income and expenditure for the period 1 April to 30 May 2007. The schedules are attached showing for April, gross income of £117,479.86 and gross expenditure of £25,506.48 and for May, gross income of 5,173.25 and gross expenditure of £11,716.12.
    3. It was RESOLVED to note the bank reconciliation for the current/public Reserve accounts as at 30 April and 29 May 2007.
    4. It was RESOLVED to note the Financial Budget Comparison and Risk Assessment as at 31/05/07 and defer discussion on this document to the next Finance Working Party.
  13. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 20 April, 23 May and 12 June 2007.
    Objections were raised as follows:
    AVA/2007/0646 Demolition of existing semi-detached houses at 17 and 19 Hillside Rise. Members would prefer to see these buildings renovated as to demolish would cause undue hardship and inconvenience to residents.
    AVA/2007/0601 Proposed new dwelling and double garage at the Orchard, 8 Bradley Drive. Members objected on the grounds that the development would create traffic problems.
    CD6/0407/20 Proposed installation of a small scale wind turbine with a 25m high tower and rotor diameter of 15m with 3 no. blades at Herbert Strutt Primary School. Objections raised as to the height of the tower which will be detrimental to the area and also problems with noise pollution causing constant disturbance to the residents of the area.
    AVA/2007/0555 Erection of garden sheds and satellite dishes at plots 2,4,7,9, 10,11,12,14,15,16 and 17 Hopping Hill Meadows, Derby Road, Milford. Second objection to these sheds and satellite dishes as not appropriate in a conservation and world heritage site area.
  14. GRANT FUNDING APPLICATIONS
      a) 249 - Derwent Valley Mills Partnership
      RESOLVED to agree a donation of £500. b) 250 - Belper and District Neighbourhood Watch
      RESOLVED to decline the request for a grant. c) 251 - Hearing Help
      RESOLVED to decline the request for a grant. d) 252 - Belper and District Road Safety Committee
      RESOLVED to agree a grant of £30. e) 253 - Vitalise
      RESOLVED to decline the request for a grant.
  15. TERMS OF REFERENCE OF COUNCIL COMMITTEES AND WORKING PARTIES
    RESOLVED to agree the Terms of Reference of Town Council Committees and Working Parties.
  16. MEMBERSHIP OF COUNCIL COMMITTEES AND WORKING PARTIES
    RESOLVED to agree the Membership of Council Committees and Working Parties.
  17. COUNCIL REPRESENTATION ON OUTSIDE BODIES
    RESOLVED to agree Council membership on outside bodies as per the attached revised schedule. This included further appointments agreed during the meeting as follows:
    Belper & Milford THI (Clusters Scheme) - Councillor John Nelson
    Derwent Valley Line, Community Rail Partnership - Councillor Alan Cox
    Amber Valley Local Community Forum - Councillor Jackie Cox
  18. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
    1. Belper Leisure Centre Trust
      Councillors Norman Bull and Mark Robertson had attended a recent meeting but considered they needed guidance from the Council in order to be able to contribute more fully at future meetings.
    2. Friends of Belper Parks
      Report by Councillor Debbie Biss on volunteer days and the Green Flag awards.
  19. DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS
    RESOLVED to note Circulars 10-14 and other correspondence from DALC.
  20. BEAUREPAIRE GARDEN
    In the light of the Clerk's report, it was RESOLVED that at the earliest opportunity, the Council should withdraw from providing grounds maintenance assistance and also public liability insurance cover on Beaurepaire Garden.
  21. BELPER AND DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEE - GREEN LANE LOADING/UNLOADING RESTRICTIONS
    RESOLVED that the appropriate authorities should be notified that vehicles are unlawfully unloading on Green Lane and that the times of deliveries on King Street should be restricted to between 8am and after 5pm.
  22. TRAFFIC PROBLEMS - BECKSITCH LANE
    As raised in public participation, Members were disappointed with the County Council's response to their "one-way" suggestion for Becksitch Lane and the Clerk was asked to contact them and ask them to reconsider.
  23. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the items for information included on the attached sheet.
  24. MARKET PLACE MASTERPLAN
    RESOLVED to note the informal valuation of Council land to the rear of the Market Place. Members were, in principle, fully supportive of the proposals included in the report but there were issues which needed further consideration.