BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 11th DECEMBER 2007

PRESENT: Councillor Jackie Cox (Town Mayor) – in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Debbie Biss, Norman Bull, Kay Charlton, Alan Cox, Colin England, Ben Miller, John Nelson, Mick Nelson, Mick Potter and Martin Tomlinson (from 7.45pm).

In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), County Councillor Chris Jackson, Police Inspector Graham Lamin, Mr Cedric Blakey and Mr David Orton (DCC), three members of the press (Belper News, Belper Bugle and Derby Express), and four members of the public.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: Kevin Hallsworth, (family business), Hassan Dervish (family business) and Martin Tomlinson (for lateness as other meetings clashed).
  2. ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to agree the inclusion of an additional paper from Belper Civic Forum re the Herbert Strutt School Building – Agenda Item 15. Mr David Orton of the Derbyshire County Council (Highways) attended to speak and answer any questions from the public in Public Participation.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillors made declarations of Interest as follows.
    Personal:
    Councillor Alan Cox (Item 14)
    Councillor Jim Anderson (Item 11)
    Councillor Mick Nelson (Item 11)
    Prejudicial: (Member left the room)
    Councillor Mick Nelson (Item 12)
  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 an item under 13a and the item in Part II and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    1. Mr Jeff Collis presented a petition to Councillor Chris Jackson of Derbyshire County Council on behalf of the residents of Lodge Drive and asked the Town Council for support for their request for a sighting mirror to be erected at the junction of Belper Lane.
      Mr David Orton advised that the County Council have a policy of not using such mirrors because it was considered they distorted the image of approaching traffic. However Councillor Chris Jackson and County Council Officers would arrange for a site meeting to discuss possible solutions.
    2. Mr Cedric Blakey advised that a Community Flood Fair was to be held at St John’s Chapel on Monday evening 28 January 2008 from 6.30 – 8.30pm and invited Members to attend together with members of the public
    3. Mr David Orton had attended the meeting to answer any questions on traffic and highways matters in Belper. Issues raised and discussed were: signage onto Lander Lane; parking on Field Lane and Church Lane; the lack of consistency in highways matters (eg agreeing a dangerous vehicular access at a property at the bottom of Church Lane); access to the Football Club; the desirability of a crossing at Milford; Wyver Lane and Broadholme Lane speed limits.
      Mr Orton replied that in response to the recent petition, arrangements were being made to make Becksitch Lane one-way; the missing signage on Lander Lane was being replaced and confirmed the other issues would be reviewed. Additionally, DCC was currently reviewing the speed limits on all A and B Class roads and the Town Council would be consulted.
      Members concluded by requesting that Derbyshire County Council ensures that any views expressed by the Town Council as the representative of Belper residents are taken into consideration.
  6. POLICE MATTERS
    Inspector Graham Lamin reported that the “alcohol consumption orders” that had been put into effect in places such as the Parks had resulted in a reduction in instances of crime. However, a warning was given that sheds were currently being targeted by thieves. Complaints of vehicle damage at Makeney Hotel were noted and house break-ins at Milford House were being investigated and Inspector Lamin advised that arrests had been made following recent robberies along the A6. The ability to get swift information through number plate retrieval was proving very useful. Councillor Biss thanked the police for their prompt action following a burglary on Derwent Avenue. Inspector Lamin was asked to monitor the problem caused by parked cars which caused difficulties for articulated vehicles negotiating the bend at the bridge in Milford.
  7. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S BRIEFING
    None other than included in Public Participation.
  8. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 13 NOVEMBER 2007
    RESOLVED to receive and approve Minutes 939-957 of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 13 November 2007.
  9. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    1. Events attended in the past month These included: Various Christmas lunches and events, The Switching On of the Christmas Lights and Festival on 30 November. The winning shop displays were Kalico and Help the Aged who would share the £50 prize. The additional lights in the town made a very striking display and were very much complimented. It was agreed to keep the lights permanently illuminated throughout the Christmas season as the surge of power when switching on and off was causing the lights to constantly trip. The Mayor thanked the Council staff for all their efforts concerning the lights and the Festival and also those residents who were assisting by allowing the Council to connect to their electricity.
      The Mayor announced the winner of the “Name the Bulldog Competition” – Councillor Kay Charlton.
    2. Forthcoming Events
      MacDonald 10 years celebration – evening of Friday 14th; Belper Football Club Match for which sponsors were sought - 18 December; the Christmas Eve Carol Service – 8pm Market Place – commencing with Candlelight Procession from St John’s Chapel at 7.45pm
  10. FINANCE
    1. RESOLVED to note and approve the income and expenditure as detailed on the attached schedules for the period 1-29 November 2007 showing income of £2000.40 and expenditure of £5985.63.
    2. RESOLVED to note the bank reconciliation statements for the current/public reserve accounts as at 30 November 2007.
  11. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 29 October to 3 December 2007.
    RESOLVED to object to planning application AVA/2007/1436 re conversion to new apartments at Bugsy’s, Strutt Street on the grounds that no parking has been allowed for within the development. (Members of AVBC Planning Board did not discuss nor vote on this item).
    Additionally, the Borough Council Planning Officers would also be asked to ensure that parking provision be an absolute requirement in all future housing proposals.
  12. GRANT APPLICATIONS
    265 Belper Hockey Club
    RESOLVED to decline the application for grant funding. The Club had already received £15000 from the Council over a five year agreement which had been recognised as making a significant contribution towards the success of the Club. However, Members considered it was very important, in the interests of fairness, to give other Belper groups and organisations the same “pump- priming” opportunity and make best use of the limited funds available to the Council for this purpose.
  13. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
    1. Belper Community Hall
      Councillor Mick Potter reported that the wooden floor had been resurfaced.
    2. Friends of Belper Parks
      Councillor Debbie Biss updated Members on the work carried out by the group. The Mediaeval Fair had been well supported; half the wildflower meadow had now been prepared and seeded; research on the archives was still taking place using the remaining grant monies.
    3. Drop Inn
      Councillor Jim Anderson thanked the Council for providing the recent funding to assist with short-term rent and also thanked councillors for assistance in searching for alternative grant-funding.
    4. Derby and Derbyshire Local Access Forum
      RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Debbie Biss as the Council’s representative on this Forum.
  14. PROGRESSIVE TOWNS GRANT FUND
    RESOLVED to seek grant monies from this new fund for the proposed new Saturday market.
  15. BELPER CIVIC FORUM
    RESOLVED to accept the “Suggested Feasibility Study Brief” (circulated at the meeting) prepared by Ms Janet Honey concerning the future of the Herbert Strutt School. The Clerk was asked to forward this report to Amber Valley Borough Council and declare the Town Council’s support for the proposals contained in it with the request that it be given favourable consideration.
  16. DALC CORRESPONDENCE
    RESOLVED to note the correspondence from DALC.
  17. CAR BOOT SALES
    RESOLVED to agree the two car boot sales requested by Mr Lee Andrews to be held at Belper Leisure Centre on Sundays, 27 January and 24 February 2008. However, in order to give other organisations the opportunity to hold car boot sales during 2008, it was agreed to defer until future meetings the decisions on the four proposed for March, April, October and November.
  18. HUNTER ROAD ALLOTMENTS
    RESOLVED to note the Clerk’s signature on the Derbyshire County Council “Memorandum of Rent Review” concerning the increase in rent to £210 per annum with effect from April 2008 for the land used as Allotments at Hunter Road further to their contribution towards the provision of water.
  19. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the items for information included in the schedule attached to these minutes.
  20. STAFF PAY INCREASES
    RESOLVED to note the pay award of 2.475% back-dated to 1 April 2007.
  21. BELPER LEISURE CENTRE
    RESOLVED to consider the Council’s position as Trustee of Belper Leisure Centre in light of the forthcoming change in status in April 2008.