BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 10th JULY 2007

PRESENT: Councillor Jackie Cox (Town Mayor) – in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Debbie Biss, Kay Charlton, Alan Cox, Colin England, Kevin Hallsworth, John Nelson, Ben Miller and Mick Nelson.
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), Police Inspector Graham Lamin and the Belper News. Five Members of the Public were present for Public Participation plus Councillor Barry Lewis.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Peter Broadbent as the representative of three bands who have in the past hired the facilities at the Herbert Strutt School for rehearsals asked for Council’s support in finding an alternative location due to the closure of the School. Although it was anticipated that the building would revert to Amber Valley Borough Council, there were takeover issues because of its very dilapidated condition. Various suggestions of possible locations were put forward but most could not meet the requirement for storage facilities. Councillor Alan Cox asked the group to contact him directly, as Leader of AVBC, to enable him to present their case to the appropriate Borough Council Committee.

POLICE MATTERS
Inspector Lamin reported that there had been instances of arson in the town amongst which was the burning out of the old caravan dumped in the Coppice Car Park following its removal from St John’s Car Park. The Police considered that the same people were responsible for all the arsons and had in fact made arrests with bail having been granted pending forensic tests.
It was noted that arrangements for the Teen Shelter were progressing as funding had been found. Inspector Lamin thanked Councillors Jackie Cox and Martin Tomlinson for their valuable assistance and support.
Problems with vandalism and break-ins at the River Gardens continued but the presence of the Safer Neighbourhood teams was making an impact and plans were underway to fence off the area.
Among the issues raised with Inspector Lamin were complaints about anti-social behaviour in St John’s Chapel grounds; speeding at the top of Belper Lane and litter (cans) on Parks Estate. The question of available help for under age drinkers was raised and it was noted that although AA meet at the Cottage Project, this is for adults only. A request was made for the presence of a PCSO at the Food Fair on Sunday 15 July.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Councillors: Peter Arnold (at Buckingham Palace), Hassan Dervish (holiday), Mick Potter (other meeting), Mark Robertson (work) and Martin Tomlinson (holiday). Councillor Norman Bull had advised that he might be late but did not make the meeting.
  2. CHANGE IN ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to include the following additional papers:
    Agenda Item 7 - Nominations to AVBC Standards Committee
    Agenda Item 9 - Further planning schedule 10.7.07
    Agenda Item 16 - Request for free use of St Johns Chapel – Derwent Valley Line
    Agenda Item 24 - Further schedule of Items for Information plus an invitation from Derbyshire Renaissance Heritage and an e-mail from Andrea Fox concerning the handover of the Drop Inn
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillors made declarations of Interest as follows.
    Personal: Councillor Debbie Biss (Item 23)
  4. TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY ITEMS SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH THE PUBLIC EXCLUDED
    None.
  5. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 12 JUNE 2007
    861 – Council Representation on Outside Bodies
    Members were asked to note that they may only attend meetings as representatives of the Town Council if appointed by Full Council in that capacity.
    864 – Beaurepaire Garden
    Members were concerned at the adverse press coverage (Belper News) and the fact that the article omitted to point out that the Town Council had invited Mr Davies to submit a grant application to cover the cost of the public liability insurance.
    RESOLVED to receive and approve Minutes 845-868 of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 12 June 2007.
  6. MINUTES OF THE FOOD COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD 8 JUNE 2007 and 27 JUNE 2007
    RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the Food Committee Meetings held 8 June and 27 June 2007.
  7. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Councillor Jackie Cox reported on the various events attended in the month and again reminded Members about assisting with stewarding at the Food Fair on Sunday 15 July.
  8. FINANCE
    RESOLVED to note and approve the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2007.
  9. PARISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE TO SERVE ON AVBC STANDARDS COMMITTEE
    RESOLVED to vote for Councillor Mrs Kathleen Brown as the Parish Council Representative to serve on Amber Valley Borough Council’s Standards Committee.
  10. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 19, 27 June and 10 July 2007. No comments were made on any of the applications.
  11. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
    1. Fleet Arts
      Councillor Anderson reported that the small dedicated team continued to provide an excellent service but relied heavily on the Town Council grant.
    2. Drop Inn
      Councillor Anderson reported that Andrea Fox was leaving to work in Ireland for one year and expressed his concern that the management team would seriously struggle for funding. The matter would be further discussed later on the Agenda.
    3. Friends of Belper Parks
      Councillor Biss reported that, unfortunately, the group had not been successful in the recent Green Flag awards.
    4. Cottage Project
      Councillor Jackie Cox was pleased to report that the Cottage Project was one of five successful projects that had been given help from the Derbyshire Community Fund.
  12. TEEN SHELTER
    Councillor Jackie Cox spoke on this matter in the absence of Councillor Martin Tomlinson and advised that the costs of providing the teen shelter were currently being determined. In addition, plans were underway to use the Whitemoor Centre for Marshall Art Training for young people but there were no funds available to pay the rent of £180 for the six week period. Derbyshire County Council would provide the course free of charge.
    It was RESOLVED that the Council would pay the room charges of £180.
  13. BELPER TOWN TRAIL LEAFLET
    RESOLVED that the Town Council would provide £500 to assist the Derwent Valley Mills Partnership in producing the Belper Town Trail leaflet.
  14. APPOINTMENT OF A TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER ON THE WAKES COMMITTEE
    RESOLVED that Councillor Colin England would serve on the Wakes Committee.
  15. ALTERATION TO BOROUGH WARD AND COUNTY DIVISION BOUNDARIES
    RESOLVED to note the alteration to the Borough Ward and County Division Boundaries.
  16. BECKSITCH LANE – TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
    The response from Derbyshire County Council was noted. It was agreed that the Clerk would arrange for Mr Kevin Renshaw, who raised this issue at April Council, to carry out a survey of local residents.
  17. ST JOHN’S CHAPEL – BOOKING FEES
    RESOLVED that Rough Truffles be charged the lowest rate for the hire of the Chapel for one year.
    RESOLVED that the Derwent Valley Line Partnership be allowed to use St John’s Chapel free of charge provided the meetings are infrequent and held during office opening hours.
  18. POETRY TRAIL – CALDERS CORNER
    RESOLVED that permission be granted for a Poetry Plaque to be erected in Calders Corner.
  19. REQUEST TO HOLD PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION IN ST JOHN’S CHAPEL
    RESOLVED that permission be given for a paranormal investigation to be carried out in St John’s Chapel. Councillor Jim Anderson agreed to unlock and lock the Chapel provided he was able to take part in the investigation.
  20. USE OF THE MARKET PLACE BY THE SALVATION ARMY
    RESOLVED that the Salvation Army be given permission to use a section of the Market Place to hold a Children’s Fun Day.
  21. LOTTERY FUNDING APPLICATION – MAYPOLE PROMOTIONS
    RESOLVED that the Council should provide a letter of support in respect of Maypole Promotion’s lottery funding application.
  22. EAST MIDLANDS IN BLOOM COMPETITION
    RESOLVED to note the Judging Day of Friday 13 July 2007. The Mayor would meet the Judges and Councillor John Nelson would assist with the presentation of the portfolio of evidence and escort the Judges on the tour of the town.
  23. HEALTH AND SAFETY
    RESOLVED to adopt the revised Health & Safety Policy with immediate effect.
    RESOLVED to note the completed risk assessments in respect of St John’s Chapel and the Coppice Depot following the No Smoking regulations in force from 1 July 2007.
  24. FRIENDS OF BELPER PARKS – REQUEST FOR TRELLIS
    RESOLVED that Council staff be instructed to assist with the erection of a trellis against the stone wall in the Coppice Car Park.
  25. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the items for information listed on the two schedules dated 10 July 2007.
    Discussion took place on the e-mail from Andrea Fox and the funding requirements of the new management team at the Drop Inn. It was RESOLVED that the group be invited to apply for grant funding from the Council.