BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 8th APRIL 2008

PRESENT: Councillor Jackie Cox (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Debbie Biss, Norman Bull, Alan Cox, Colin England, John Nelson, Mick Nelson, Mick Potter, and Martin Tomlinson
In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), County Councillor Chris Jackson, Police Inspector Graham Lamin, three members of the press (Belper News, Belper Bugle and Belper Express), and one member of the public.
  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kay Charlton (family business), Ben Miller (work commitments) and Mark Robertson (illness)
  2. ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to agree the inclusion of the following supporting papers:
    Item 11b - Bank Reconciliation as at 31 March 2008
    Item 12 - Planning Schedule dated 7 April 2008
    Item 19 - Clerk's Report re Photocopier quotes
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillors made declarations of Interest as follows.
    Personal:
    Councillor Jim Anderson - Item 12
    Prejudicial: Members to leave the room
    Councillor John Nelson (if any discussion re Belper Disabled Club)
  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 item in Part II and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    Mr Gareth Greenwood asked to address the Council to seek Members' support for the local 'Dream Scheme' which formed part of Hope 08 (a national, combined churches' initiative). The Scheme - in partnership with the Police, Amber Valley Housing and Derwent Living - was aimed at involving young people in community projects. Members welcomed this initiative and agreed to give consideration to suitable projects.
  6. POLICE MATTERS
    District Councillor Peter Makin asked Inspector Graham Lamin to comment on the proposed reorganisation of A Division. Inspector Lamin confirmed that A Division would reduce from five operational units to three and although the Safer Neighbourhood teams would continue to work out of Belper, it had not yet been decided whether Belper would be one of the three reactive units.
    Members expressed grave concerns at these proposals which they considered represented a serious reduction in the police service. The Clerk was asked to write accordingly to the Chief Constable, the MP and the County Council.
    Inspector Lamin, commenting on the year's performance, was pleased to report that detection rates matched the previous year's performance, albeit with fewer staff.
    Following discussion re the difficulties of monitoring parking on the Market Place, the Clerk was asked to contact English Heritage to enquire whether the no parking stipulation could be waived
  7. COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S BRIEFING
    Councillor Chris Jackson advised he was:
    1. arranging to meet with the Chief Constable and Chairman of the Police Committee to discuss the reorganisation proposals for A Division;
    2. recommending that the surplus of funds raised through the Safety Camera Partnership should be paid directly to the Police;
    3. awaiting details of the Environment Agency's proposed scheme in respect of flooding; and
    4. still pursuing the traffic management issues of: a reduced speed restriction on Wyver Lane, white lining on Belper Lane and no parking on Church Lane.
  8. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER FOOD FESTIVAL COMMITTEE HELD 4 MARCH 2008
    RESOLVED to note the Minutes of a meeting of Belper Food Festival Committee held 4 March 2008.
  9. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
    The Mayor advised Members that the Whitemoor Centre was now available for booking by local groups.
    A request had been received from Councillor Les Dorey concerning the Council's free sessions at Belper Leisure Centre. The Clerk would raise the matter with the Leisure Centre as appropriate later in the year should the booking actually be required.
    Events in the past month
    These included St George's Day Parade, the citizenship classes held in St John's Chapel, charity concerts and several civic dinners.
    Forthcoming Events
    Reception for German Students - Tuesday morning 13 May in St John's Chapel.
  10. FINANCE
    1. RESOLVED to note and approve the income and expenditure as detailed on the attached schedules for transactions 1258-1355 showing income of £673.62 and expenditure of £30284.79.
    2. RESOLVED to note the bank reconciliation statements for the current/public reserve accounts as at 31 March 2008.
    3. RESOLVED to note the appointment by the Audit Commission of Jackie Bellard as External Auditor.
  11. PLANNING APPLICATIONS RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 13-19 March, 20-26 March and 27 March to 1 April 2008. No comments were made.
  12. GRANT APPLICATIONS
    268 - Mencap
    RESOLVED that no grant should be paid on this occasion.
    269 - Thursday Club
    RESOLVED to agree an award of £250 in respect of a proposed coach outing.
  13. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
    1. Councillor Alan Cox reported on a recent meeting of Belper and District Road Safety Committee where the various problems of traffic management in the town were discussed.
    2. Councillor Jackie Cox reported that a recent coffee morning at the Belper Cottage Project raised £125.
  14. COUNCIL VACANCY
    RESOLVED to note the advertising of the Council vacancy.
  15. BELPER IN BLOOM
    RESOLVED to agree the placing of an order with Derbyshire County Council in respect of the work required to reduce the height of the chevrons on the roundabout on the A6 at Morrisons. This will require a contribution from the Council of £2500.
    Concern was expressed that the Town Council had not received any notification about the major works to the gas main in the town. The work is scheduled to last for one year. The Clerk was asked to liaise with National Grid regarding the timing of works on the A6.
  16. MARKET IN BELPER
    The proposals put forward by Mr Richard Watson regarding a market in the town were considered by Members. In view of the past failure of ordinary markets on the Market Place and the Council's recent decision not to hold a market on King Street, the Clerk was asked to contact Mr Watson to enquire whether he had carried out any market research to support his proposals. Mr Watson would be invited to attend the June Council meeting and make a presentation.
  17. GREEN WALK
    The request for repairs to be carried out to the wire fencing on Green Walk had been passed to the Borough Council for action.
  18. PHOTOCOPIER
    The Clerk's report and recommendations on the purchase of a new photocopier was noted. It was however RESOLVED that the Clerk be authorised to purchase a higher specification copier up to the budgeted amount of £5000.
  19. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED to note the items for information included in the schedule attached to these minutes.
  20. MAURICE HEELY AWARD
    RESOLVED that Belper & District Army Cadets be awarded the Maurice Heely Award for 2008.