BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 12th FEBRUARY 2008

PRESENT: Councillor Jackie Cox (Town Mayor) – in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Debbie Biss, Norman Bull, Kay Charlton, Alan Cox, Colin England, Mick Nelson, Mick Potter and Martin Tomlinson
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), County Councillor Chris Jackson, Police Inspector Graham Lamin, Borough Councillors Peter Makin and Les Dorey, three members of the press (Belper News, Belper Bugle and Belper Express), and two members of the public.
  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: John Nelson (Holiday), Ben Miller and Mark Robertson (work commitments)
  2. ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to agree the inclusion of the following additional papers:
    Item 15 – Planning Schedule dated 11.02.08
    Item 16a – Memo giving financial info re grant application
    Item 26 – Additional info in support of sponsorship request
    Pt II Confidential – Item 3 – Correspondence received
    RESOLVED to take item 2 from Part II after item 27 and to withdraw item 22.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillors made declarations of Interest as follows.
    Prejudicial: Members to leave the room
    Councillor Martin Tomlinson (Item 20)
    Personal:
    Councillor Jim Anderson (Item 15)
  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 the items 1, 3 and 4 of Part II and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    1. Belper TV
      Mr Steve Lilley addressed the Council to inform them of his new project - Belper TV. The Channel will be funded by sponsorship and advertising from local businesses and will have a local content of interest to everyone covering local sport, local history, news, comedy, events and competitions. Belper TV will be available from the end of March on the internet, google video, on you tube download as a podcast and also delivered free on DVD to every home in the area.
      Members of the Council very much welcomed this exciting project and wished Mr Lilley every success in the future.
    2. Church Lane Traffic
      There was some discussion on Councillor Peter Makin’s proposal for a pedestrian refuge at the bottom of Church Lane at the junction with Green Lane. Members were generally in agreement with this. Councillor Mick Nelson advised that through the press he was seeking the views of members of the public on a proposal to restrict parking to one side only of Field Lane and no parking at all on Church Lane.
  6. POLICE MATTERS
    Police Inspector Graham Lamin reported a satisfactory rate of crime reduction and detection with all areas being on target. Extra patrols were arranged for Easter. However, it was recognised that the Belper area was currently undermanned and concern was expressed by Members at the Government’s policies which demonstrated an unfair allocation of funding to the different Police Authorities.
  7. LARKS IN THE PARK
    Councillor Les Dorey addressed the meeting in connection with Friends of Belper Park’s management of this year’s Larks in the Parks series. A list of expenditure in 2007 was circulated along with projected expense for eight events in 2008, one of which was the Proms concert at the end of August. The Programme was noted.
    Members confirmed that the Council’s budget for these events in 2008 was £3,300 and thanked Councillor Dorey most sincerely for all the hard work that he undertakes to provide these excellent concerts. The question as to whether the Council would pay the monies in advance to the Friends of Belper Parks to organise the Larks programme on a contract basis would be considered after the Clerk had determined the insurance position.
  8. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S BRIEFING
    Councillor Chris Jackson advised:
    He had met with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service re the fencing at the Fire Station and had found that this has proved necessary because of problems with vandals who had caused considerable damage and because of individuals who insisted on causing disruption by walking through when parades were taking place.
    He had met with Mr David Orton of the County Council re the request for a mirror at Lodge Drive. This request was denied but consideration was being given to adjusting the road linings to give more room at the junction.
    Other issues being pursued by Councillor Jackson was enforcement of the speed limit on Belper Lane; traffic congestion at the School around Pingle Crescent; and in light of the recent flooding, blocked drains and culverts.
    The Mayor informed Members of a letter just received from the County Council giving mainly negative responses to recent issues raised with Mr David Orton:
    Wyver Lane Speed Limit – No agreement to reducing the speed limit to 10mph.
    Pedestrian Crossing on the A6 at Milford – Request denied. The Clerk was asked to again take this up with the County Council.
    Church Lane/Field Lane – No agreement to imposing parking restrictions.
  9. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON 8 JANUARY 2008
    983 Anti-Social Behaviour
    Councillor Alan Cox reported on a meeting that had been held with the Police, Church Representatives and Community Safety Officers to discuss measures to deal with the anti-social behaviour in the area of St John’s Chapel.
    984 Police Matters
    Incorrect name: should be PCSO Donna Shaw
    RESOLVED to receive and approve Minutes 979-997 of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 8 January 2008.
  10. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 25 JANUARY 2008
    It was RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the Finance Working Party held 25 January 2008 and to approve the recommendations contained therein.
  11. MINUTES OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE HELD 15 JANUARY 2008
    It was RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the Christmas Committee Meeting held 15 January 2008.
  12. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE WAKES COMMITTEE HELD 8 JANUARY 2008
    It was RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the Meeting of the Wakes Committee held 8 January 2008.
  13. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE FOOD COMMITTEE HELD 8 JANUARY 2008
    It was noted that a major sponsor for this event is being sought. RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the Meeting of the Food Committee held 8 January 2008.
  14. MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    1Events in the past month
    Amongst these were the Flood Fair which had been quite well attended and the “Citizenship” classes being held on Wednesday mornings in St John’s Chapel for Belper School. The classes were also going to take place at St Elizabeth’s School.
    2Forthcoming Events
    Tea at the Ritz – 14 February 2008
    Community Forum – 26 February 2008
    Civic Service – 9 March 2008
  15. FINANCE
    1. RESOLVED to note and approve the income and expenditure as detailed on the attached schedules for transactions 991-1163 showing income of £3356.84 and expenditure of £24563.58. The payment for the half share of the new bus shelter at Whitemoor was noted and the Clerk was asked to pursue with the County Council the lighting situation and the absence of the Town Council’s logo.
    2. RESOLVED to note the bank reconciliation statements for the current/public reserve accounts as at 31 January 2008.
  16. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the five schedules dated 8 January to 11 February 2008. No comments were made.
  17. GRANT APPLICATIONS
    263 Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre
    From the information given, it was RESOLVED to decline the application for funding from Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre but to advise the organisation to make an application to Belper United Charities who were able to make grants to individuals who were 'poor and necessitous'.
  18. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
    1. Friends of Belper Parks
      RESOLVED that Councillor Peter Arnold will replace Councillor Ben Miller as one of the Council’s representatives on Friends of Belper Parks and Councillor Jim Anderson will represent the Borough Council.
    2. Mid Derbyshire Citizens’ Advice Bureau
      RESOLVED that Councillor Peter Arnold will be the Town Council’s Representative on the Citizens’ Advice Bureau at the appropriate time.
    3. Fleet Arts
      Councillor Jim Anderson reported that Fleet Arts were continuing to do well but relied upon the Town Council’s financial support to meet the increasing overheads.
    4. Drop Inn
      Councillor Jim Anderson reported no problems at the Drop Inn other than the recent roof leak which had damaged a computer.
    5. Wakes Committee
      RESOLVED that the Council’s representative on this Committee would be Councillor Mick Potter to replace Councillor Kay Charlton.
  19. CAR BOOT SALES
    RESOLVED to agree car boot sales at
    1. Belper Leisure Centre on 30 March, 27April, 26 October and 30 November 2008. The Clerk should however make a request for better signs.
    2. Pottery School on 11 May, 13 July and 21 September 2008
  20. BELPER CELEBRATION
    RESOLVED to agree further advertising of St John’s Chapel Heritage Centre at a cost per issue of £100.
  21. JOHN LAWSON’S CIRCUS
    Members had no concerns other than car parking in respect of John Lawson’s request to hold a Circus on the Showground which is now leased to the Borough Council.
  22. AMBER VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL SERVICE AGREEMENT
    RESOLVED to agree the Service Agreement in respect of the Sports Outreach Scheme organised by the Borough Council.
  23. BUS SHELTERS
    RESOLVED to remove and discard the redundant bus shelter at Ashford Rise.
    RESOLVED to purchase on a 50/50 basis with the County Council a new metal and perspex bus shelter on Whitemoor Lane to replace the wooden one which has been vandalised.
  24. BLACK SPOT LIGHTING
    RESOLVED to note the information supplied by Amber Valley Borough Council in respect of their Blackspot Lighting Scheme.
  25. CODE OF CONDUCT
    RESOLVED to note the Code of Conduct Communities document and to agree that Councillors should undertake a training session on all aspects of the Code which will be run by the Compliance Officer, John Grady of the Borough Council.
  26. AMBER VALLEY COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP – FOOTBALL IN THE COMMUNITY EVENT
    RESOLVED to support this sporting and educational event aimed for young people of Belper and surrounding area and to agree a grant of £500 towards expenses.
  27. REPRESENTATION ON AMBER VALLEY ACCESS GROUP COMMITTEE
    Members expressed concern at the complaint that Councillor Dervish and had not been representing the Town Council at meetings of the Amber Valley Access Group. The Mayor stressed the importance of Councillors fulfilling the roles to which they had been appointed and asked that a full check of all representatives on all outside bodies and committees be made at the next meeting. The Mayor also said that members should tender apologies if they were unable to attend any meeting.
  28. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the items for information included in the schedule attached to these minutes.
  29. COPPICE CAR PARK
    The Clerk had reported on the serious water leak to the pipework under the Coppice Car Park and it was RESOLVED that the water connection to the two outside taps – one at the Disabled Garage and the other used by the Showmen – be disconnected forthwith and a new outside tap be installed at the side of the Council’s Depot. This work will cost in the region of £700 and will necessitate closure of the car park for two days.
  30. DISABLED VEHICLE GARAGE
    As the Disabled Vehicle had been transferred to Amber Valley Transport for a five year period and the garage was not being used, it was RESOLVED that the Clerk should contact the Disabled Club notifying them that in accordance with the terms of the lease, the Council will take over the Garage until such time as it again required for housing the vehicle.
  31. MEMORIAL GARDENS
    The Clerk reported on the boundary wall between the rear of the Public Hall and the Memorial Gardens which had collapsed. In the light of correspondence which had been received from representatives of the owners of the wall, it was RESOLVED to refer this matter to the Council’s insurers.
  32. ACCIDENT TO MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC – ST JOHN’S CHAPEL
    RESOLVED to note that an accident had occurred to a member of the public who was entering the building through the priest’s door during a letting by Belper &District Organ Club.