BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 10th JUNE 2008

PRESENT: Councillor Martin Tomlinson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Debbie Biss, Kay Charlton, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Colin England, Nick Mothershaw, John Nelson, Mick Potter, and Mark Robertson

In Attendance: Mrs Elaine Hibbert (Clerk), County Councillor Chris Jackson, Police Inspector Graham Lamin and Chief Superintendant Mike Isherwood, two members of the press (Belper News and Belper Express), Borough Councillor Peter Makin and two members of the public.

1088. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
      Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Norman Bull (Borough meeting), Mick Nelson (personal reasons), Ben Miller and Kevin Hallsworth (work commitments) and Peter Arnold (holiday).
1089. ORDER OF BUSINESS
      RESOLVED to agree the inclusion of a further planning schedule as at 9 June 2008 under Item 16b.
1090. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
      Councillors made declarations of Interest as follows.
      Prejudicial: Members would leave the room during any discussion
      Councillor Jim Anderson - Item 17a - Fleet Arts
      Councillor Alan Cox - Item 17a (ii) - Citizens Advice Bureau
      Councillor John Nelson - Item 17d - Belper Club for the Disabled
1091. 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 item 23c and the three items in Part II and they be instructed to withdraw.
1092. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
      1. Proposed Arts Festival:
         Mr Ivan Smith asked to address the Council re Item 26 on the Agenda - an Arts Festival in September. Mr Smith explained the background to the project for which he was looking for accommodation for about ten artists plus somewhere to display the art works over a two week period. His suggestion was to use the old Herbert Strutt School.
      2. Becksitch Lane
         Mr Kevin Renshaw addressed the Council to seek Members' support in putting pressure on Derbyshire County Council to make Becksitch Lane one way.
      3. Reorganisation of Derbyshire Constabulary A Division
         Councillor Peter Makin expressed his concern at the break-down in communication between the public and the police in respect of the proposed reorganisation of A-division.
1093. POLICE MATTERS
      Chief Superintendent Mike Isherwood gave a presentation on the current performance and the future structure of A-Division which is to be reorganised. The statistics showed effective use of resources, achieving good results throughout the county despite being poorly funded when compared with other areas. It was noted that if Derbyshire received the same funding as other areas, an increase in 234 more police would be possible.
      The effect of the reorganisation on Belper is that Inspector Lamin will no longer be based at Belper, becoming a Section Inspector for the whole of Amber Valley. The senior officer in Belper will then be a "Safer Neighbourhood" Sergeant with responsibility for a team of PCSOs.
      Members expressed great concern at the loss of an Inspector in Belper and considered that the proposed staffing structure would not provide sufficient cover for the town. Chief Superintendent Isherwood confirmed that although the patrol capability of PCs and PCSOs would remain the same, the split in numbers would change. He also confirmed that the Sergeant would regularly attend Council meetings.
      Members thanked Chief Superintendent Isherwood for his presentation and Police Inspector Lamin for his valued attendance at meetings and co-operation with the Council in the past. It was agreed that a meeting be arranged in the future to monitor performance following the reorganisation.
1094. COUNTY COUNCILLORS' BRIEFING
      Councillor Chris Jackson updated Members on progress with various traffic issues: Church Lane (parking), Wyver Lane (speed limit) and Belper Lane (white lines). He also advised that despite reports to the contrary, Derbyshire County Council were still seeking to replace the Library with the funding that had already been allocated.
      Councillor Jackson expressed his concern that the Environment Agency was not proposing to erect any flood defences in Belper despite the problems suffered by residents in the floods last year. He asked that the Council put pressure on the County Council to insist that urgent action be taken.
      Other issues raised with Councillor Jackson were: the missing weight restriction signs for the bridge at Bridge Hill; and the signage from the Ashbourne Shottle direction about the low bridge at Bridge Foot.
      Councillor Anderson read out a letter from a Mrs Seely of Help the Aged who are currently running a campaign re "Fatal Falls". Her complaint of poor pavement surfaces in Belper would be brought to the attention of the County Council to reinforce the Town Council's recent request that a survey of all the pavements in Belper should be carried out.
1095. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 8 APRIL 2008
      1069 - The Clerk reported that Mr Watson was not proceeding with his proposals for a new market.
      RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1054-1073 of the Council Meeting held 8 April 2008.
1096. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 13 MAY 2008.
      Public Participation:
      Councillor Anderson asked that the Minutes be changed to record that it was he who had thanked Councillor Chris Jackson and not Councillor John Nelson.
      RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1074-1087 of the Annual General Meeting held 13 May 2008.
1097. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE 34TH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PARISH OF BELPER HELD 13 MAY 2008.
      RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the 34th Annual Assembly of the Parish of Belper held 13 May 2008.
1098. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE HELD 1 APRIL 2008
      RESOLVED to note the Minutes of the Christmas Committee held 1 April 2008.
1099. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FOOD FESTIVAL COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 6 MAY 2008
      RESOLVED to note the Minutes of a Meeting of the Food Festival Committee Meeting held 6 May 2008.
1100. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE WAKES COMMITTEE HELD 6 MAY 2008
      RESOLVED to note a meeting of the Wakes Committee held 6 May 2008.
1101. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
      The Mayor read out a letter from Derbyshire County Council confirming that funding was still in place for the Library project.
      Events in the past month
      Wakes Day - The Mayor attended to present the prizes. He thanked Councillors Colin England and Mick Potter and the Clerk for their work on the day.
1102. FINANCE
      1. RESOLVED to note and approve the income and expenditure for the month as detailed on the attached schedules (transactions 1356-1513 and 1609-1974) showing income of £121,131.78 and expenditure of £29,057.75.
      2. RESOLVED to note the bank reconciliation statements for the current/public reserve accounts as at 30.4.08.
1103. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
      RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 9, 15 and 24 April, 1, 6 and 14 May, and 22-28 May 2008.
      Milford Mills Development AVA/2006/0297/0300
      Members of the Council agreed to support the Milford & Makeney Community Group's request that informal consultation should take place with all residents and interested parties prior to a planning decision being taken. An extension of the stipulated response time of twenty-three days would therefore be requested.
      AVA/2008/546 - 20 Matlock Road
      RESOLVED to ask the Borough Council to review car parking provision.
      Councillors Jim Anderson, Alan Cox and John Nelson, as members of Amber Valley Borough Council's Planning Board took no part in the discussion and vote on these items.
      Councillor Jim Anderson advised that a short talk/information on planning issues could be arranged should any councillors so desire.
1104. GRANT APPLICATIONS
      1. RESOLVED that the following budgeted grant payments should be made in the year:
         1. Fleet Arts - £7400
         2. Belper & District Citizens Advice - £7500
         3. Amber Valley Community Transport - £2000
         4. HERS - £1500
         5. Belper North Mill Trust - £7200
         6. AVBC Sports Development - £1500
      2. 270 - Derwent Valley Mills Partnership (World Heritage Site).
         RESOLVED to make a grant of £500.
      3. 271 - Belper Stroke Club.
         RESOLVED to make a grant of £200
      4. 272 - Belper Social Club for the Disabled.
         RESOLVED to make a grant of £300.
1105. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
      1. Councillor Colin England reported that work on the Belper River Gardens project would commence in November.
      2. Councillor Debbie Biss reported that the Friends of Belper Parks had reseeded the wildflower meadow.
      3. Councillor Jim Anderson reported that Fleet Arts was progressing well but that he had unfortunately been unable to attend the latest meeting of the Drop Inn due to a clash of meetings.
1106. COUNCIL ADMINSTRATION MATTERS
      RESOLVED to note:
      1. the purchase of a Canon photocopier at a cost of £4800;
      2. the installation of BT Broadband and the networking of the three PCs; and
      3. the two recent work experience placements from Belper School - Joshua Riches and Samantha Robinson.
1107. BELPER IN BLOOM
      RESOLVED to note that East Midlands in Bloom Judging it to take place in Belper on the morning of Wednesday 16 July 2008.
1108. STANDING ORDERS
      RESOLVED to adopt the revised standing orders as presented to the Annual General Meeting on 13 May 2008.
1109. DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS
      RESOLVED to note the stopping up of the highway at 1 High Street which Members commented was in a deplorable state.
      RESOLVED to note without comment the South East Derbyshire Accessibility Strategy.
1110. CAR PARKING
      1. Thornton's car park. RESOLVED to agree expenditure of £950 in respect of the installation of a height restriction barrier and clearing away of debris from the site. The condition of the lease on the car park and installation of the barrier was that the Council would be responsible for reinstating the perimeter fencing if required at a future date.
      2. The proposal from Mr Robert Toplis re car parking provision at the DEB site was noted.
1111. PROGRESSIVE TOWNS GRANT FUND
      Round Two of the Progressive Towns Grant Fund was noted. However, Members did not consider that the Town Council currently had any projects which would fall within the grant criteria.
1112. REMOVAL OF TELEPHONE KIOSKS
      Members agreed to respond that the proposed removal of further telephone kiosks was unacceptable particularly in remote areas where they were considered to be absolutely essential.
1113. ART RESIDENCY
      Mr Smith's request to Council for support re the proposed Sandarbh UK International Artist Residency in Belper was considered. It was not entirely clear as to what way the Council could support this proposal but Mr Smith would be advised that he would need to contact the County Council for permission to use the old Herbert Strutt School for accommodation and an exhibition. Meanwhile, the Clerk would invite Mr Smith to complete a grant application form and keep in contact with the Council.
1114. CAR BOOT SALES - LEISURE CENTRE
      RESOLVED to approve additional car boot sales at Belper Leisure Centre on 14 September and 14 December plus the change of dates in October and November to 12 and 9 respectively. Mr Andrews would be advised yet again that he should not fly post.
1115. LIGHTING SCHEME - WHITEMOOR RECREATION GROUND
      RESOLVED to note the correspondence regarding a proposed lighting scheme for Whitemoor Recreation Ground and to ask Councillor Dorey to obtain a quote for the scheme for consideration by the Town and Borough Councils.
1116. ETHICAL TRAINING COMPACT
      RESOLVED not to participate in the Trading Compact with the local Standards Committee.
1117. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
      RESOLVED to note the items for information included in the schedule attached to these minutes.
1118. MEMORIAL GARDENS
      RESOLVED to agree the expenditure of approx £3000 to resurface the paths in the Memorial Gardens.
1119. COPPICE CAR PARK
      RESOLVED to agree to the siting of the Black Swan's three wheelie bins on the Coppice Car Park (adjacent to the Council skip) at a charge of £10 per week.
1120. BUS SHELTERS - WHITEMOOR LANE
      RESOLVED that agreement would be given to maintaining the two new bus shelters at Whitemoor Lane Medical Centre on the understanding that a satisfactory bus service be provided (ie every twenty minutes).
1121. STAFF SALARY INCREMENTS
      RESOLVED to note the payment of staff salary increments in accordance with agreed scales with effect from 1 April 2008.
1122. REGISTER OF INTERESTS
      The Clerk collected completed register of interest forms from Members.
1123. BELPER LEISURE CENTRE TRUST
      The proposals for the future management of the Leisure Centre were discussed and it was RESOLVED that the Council should not apply for membership of Belper Leisure Centre Limited and should not therefore nominate any directors of that new Company. The Clerk was asked to obtain confirmation that any or all undertakings attaching to the Council's previous role as Trustee would no longer be applicable and that no liabilities in this respect would fall to the Town Council at any future date.