BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 11th NOVEMBER 2008

PRESENT:
Councillor Martin Tomlinson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Debbie Biss, Norman Bull, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Colin England, Kevin Hallsworth, Mick Nelson, Mark Robertson.

In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk) County Councillor Chris Jackson, Inspector Smith and PC Bacon, two members of the press (Belper News and Belper Express) 7 members from the Belper Detachment Army Cadets and forty members from 1st Openwood Scouts.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Peter Arnold, John Nelson (holidays) Kay Charlton, Mick Potter (illness) Nick Mothershaw (work commitments)
  2. ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to agree the withdrawal of grant application 278.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    No declarations of interest received.
  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 minute 1197 and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    No questions received from members of the public.
  6. POLICE MATTERS
    Inspector Smith apologised for the lack of police presence at the last meeting which was due to an unexpected illness. The overall crime figures are down although there has been an increase in burglaries.
    Councillor Alan Cox asked why there had been a large police presence at the opening of the fair. PC Bacon informed the council that he was keen for there to be police visibility on the street to portray a positive message to the members of the public.
    The Mayor asked why Councillor Mothershaw had not received a response to an email he had sent regarding vandalism problems on Joseph Street. PC Bacon explained that they were looking at prevention measures and a response would be sent once a solution had been formulated. A copy of the email was given to PC Bacon.
  7. COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S BRIEFING
    Councillor Chris Jackson updated Members on his progress with various County Council issues.
    Belper Town Council was asked to nominate a representative to attend the Road Transport Forum.
    The financial cost to replace the over height vehicle sign at Bridge Foot has been approved.
    Several new road signs have been installed in Belper to help with directing traffic in and around Belper.
  8. PRESENTATION OF STANDARD
    Councillor Jackie Cox presented the Standard to the Belper Detachment Army Cadets Company Sgt. Mayor Lindsey Harper, Sgt. Lucas Nicholson, Sgt. Mathew Ault and Sgt. Michelle Hanley.
  9. 1st OPENWOOD SCOUTS
    Representatives from 1st Openwood Scouts attended the meeting to ask questions to enable them to gain a greater understanding of how Belper Town Council works.
  10. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 14 OCTOBER 2008
    RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1173-1197 of the Council Meeting held 14 October 2008.
  11. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE HELD 22 OCTOBER 2008
    RESOLVED to note the minutes of the Christmas Committee held 22 October 2008.
  12. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Forthcoming events/Notices etc.
    Councillor Martin Tomlinson reported on various events.
    1. 28 November Christmas Festival 6pm until 8pm.
      The Mayor and Ross Davenport to switch on the lights at the Strutt Arms Hotel car park, Milford at 5.15pm.
      The Mayor and Ross Davenport to switch on the lights in the Memorial Gardens at 6.15pm.
    2. 13 November Christmas Market 9am until 2pm.
    3. 24 December Carol Service 8pm until 9pm.
    4. Amber Valley Borough Council's Civic Dinner 28 March 2009.
  13. FINANCE
    RESOLVED:
    1. To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the month covering transactions 2307 - 2371. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £5,439.20 and Expenditure of £18,604.16.
    2. To note the bank reconciliation for current/public reserve accounts as at 30 September 2008.
    3. To adopt the 2008/09 National interim salary award for Local Council Clerks.
    4. To approve emergency spending previously agreed between the Clerk and the Mayor for the essential repairs required to the air raid shelter doors King Street.
  14. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules attached to these Minutes, dated 16 October - 10 November. No comments were made.
    RESOLVED to note the invitation received from the East Midlands Planning Aid to attend a planning meeting to discuss Core Strategy plans for Amber Valley.
    To note the Cluster Legal Framework report.
    To note the invitation received from the Borough Council to attend an exhibition regarding the development of the land between the A6 and the river Derwent.
  15. GRANT APPLICATIONS
    277 Polarize
    RESOLVED Grant refused.
    279 Army Benevolent Fund
    RESOLVED Grant refused.
  16. OUTSIDE BODIES
    RESOLVED to note
    Belper Cottage Project
    Councillor Jackie Cox reported on their 'Open Day' which was well attended and thanked everyone for the donations and their support.
    Drop in Centre
    Councillor Jim Anderson informed the Council of the Bondathon event. Where several members watched James Bond films non stop for 24 hours to raise money for charity.
  17. DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS
    RESOLVED to note the Environmental Services report on the proposed one way system at Becksitch Lane.
    RESOLVED to support the request received from a member of the public for the south bound bus stop adjacent to the New Inn car park, Milford to be relocated to a safer position. Clerk to contact the County Council to request they consider installing pedestrian crossings in the area of all the four bus stops at Milford.
    RESOLVED to defer discussion regarding the letter received from David Orton (Derbyshire County Council Senior Traffic and Safety Technician) regarding full pedestrianisation of King Street until the next meeting.
  18. BELPER SOCIAL CLUB FOR THE DISABLED
    Councillor Jackie Cox reported on a meeting she and Councillor John Nelson had attended to discuss the repairs required to the disabled garage in the Coppice car park.
    RESOLVED Clerk to contact the Borough Council legal department for advice regarding the issue of a disclaimer before allowing them to carry out any repairs.
  19. HUNTER ROAD ALLOTMENT AGREEMENT
    RESOLVED to defer discussion until the next meeting.
  20. CORESPONDENCE
    Request received from Triumph Sports 6th Club to hold a Vintage Car event on the Market Place
    RESOLVED permission granted to use the Market Place for the event.
    RESOLVED to note the Clerk presented the Code of Conduct for Local Authorities members and employees consultation for comments.
  21. ADMINISTRATION
    RESOLVED The Town Councils photo copying facilities is not available for members of the general public use.
    RESOLVED Not to purchase an additional gazebo for use at future events.
  22. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the schedule attached to these minutes.
  23. EXEMPT ITEMS
    Staff Issues
    RESOLVED To note the Town Council approve on the Clerks disciplinary actions taken regarding a member of the staff.
    Code of Conduct
    Councillor Biss informed the Council on the Friends of the Belper Parks 'Education Pack Launch' 2 December
    RESOLVED Councillor Anderson to ask the Borough Council if they would attend the event. The Town Council agreed to support the event and provide free room hire. Clerk to write to the Chairman of FOBP and inform them on the Councils decision.