BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 9th DECEMBER 2008

PRESENT:
Councillor Martin Tomlinson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Debbie Biss, Norman Bull, Kay Charlton, Colin England, Kevin Hallsworth, Nick Mothershaw, Mick Nelson, John Nelson, Mick Potter, Mark Robertson.
In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk) County Councillor Chris Jackson, Borough Councillor Peter Makin, PC Bacon, PCSO Slater, one member of the press (Belper News) 2 members of the public.

1221. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
      Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Peter Arnold, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox (holidays).
1222. ORDER OF BUSINESS
      RESOLVED to agree to follow the order of business as set out on the agenda.
1223. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
      Councillors made declarations of interest as follows.
      Prejudicial: Members would leave the room during any discussion.
      Councillor Kay Charlton - item 13 grant application 281 Belper Town Wind band.
      Councillor Norman Bull - exempt item 2 Incorporation of Belper Leisure Centre Trust.
      
1224. 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 1245 and they be instructed to withdraw.
1225. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
      Borough Councillor Peter Makin asked how many police officers were deployed from Belper. PC Bacon explained that the number of officers deployed from Belper has never changed and that there is one Inspector, two Safer Neighbourhood Team officers and two PCSO's. If there were to be any major incidents in Belper then there are officers available from other areas that can be drafted in to deal with the situation.
      Mr. Townsend raised concerns on the antisocial activity on the footpath between Tesco Express and the Whitemoor recreation area. The police confirmed that they are aware of the problem and suggest distraction events are organised.
      RESOLVED Clerk to write to:
      Chair of Derbyshire County Council Councillor Joyce Sanders to request the footpath be closed and to ask for some activities and a youth club be provided for the youths of Belper.
      The Derbyshire County Council Youth Services Team to request the provision of distraction events in Belper.
      The Borough Council to request that the land adjacent to the footpath is tidied up and fenced off.
      The landlady of the Welcome Tavern public house raised concerns on the Amber Valley Housings proposal to close the car park on Mill Lane and requested the Councils assistance to prevent the car parks closure. RESOLVED Clerk to write to Amber Valley Housing to request that the car park is left open until the outcome of any planning application. County Councillor Chris Jackson to contact Amber Valley Housing to discuss the impact on the closure of the car park.
1226. POLICE MATTERS
      Several questions were directed to PC Bacon which he felt unable to answer. RESOLVED PC Bacon will ask for one of the Command Team to attend the next Council meeting to address the Councils concerns.
1227. COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S BRIEFING
      Councillor Jackson informed the Council that he had satisfied Mr Walker of Broadholme Lane Farm with a reply in response to a surface drain water problem.
      Due to a health and safety issue a tree has been felled and a second tree trimmed on land at Mill House, Blackbrook.
      White lines have been placed on the road surface to assist the flow of traffic at the junction of Green Lane and The Orchard.
      Councillor Jackson agreed to make further enquiries regarding the white lining at the junction of Lodge Drive and Belper Lane.
      There is a continuing dispute between the residents and an adjoining land owner over the maintenance of the trees bordering Plains Lane.
      Councillor Kay Charlton informed Councillor Jackson that the double yellow lines painted on Church Lane are not working there is a problem with congestion as vehicles are being parked in the areas dedicated as passing spaces.
      Councillor Potter commented on the poor quality of the pavement surface on Bridge Foot between Wyver Lane and the A6 - Councillor Jackson agreed to look into the problem.
1228. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 11 NOVEMBER 2008
      RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1198-1220 of the Council Meeting held 11 November 2008 subject to the name of the scout group to be amended to openwoodgate.
1229. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HELD 23 OCTOBER 2008
      RESOLVED to note the minutes of the Finance Committee held 23 October 2008.
1230. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
      Forthcoming events/Notices etc.
      Councillor Martin Tomlinson reported on various events.
      1. 24 December Carol Service starting with a parade from St John's Chapel at 7.45pm. Service to be held at the Market Place 8.00pm until 9pm.
      2. Invitation received to all Councillors to attend the Beaurepaire Garden Project Carol Event Thursday 11 December.
1231. FINANCE
      RESOLVED:
      1. To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the month covering transactions 2372 - 2434. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £4,393.14 and Expenditure of £4,603.17.
      2. To note the bank reconciliation for current/public reserve accounts as at 30 October 2008.
1232. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
      RESOLVED to note the planning application decisions listed on the schedules attached to these Minutes, dated 11 November - 1 December.
      RESOLVED To note the planning applications schedule dated 2 - 8 December. No comments were made.
1233. GRANT APPLICATIONS
      280 Amber Valley Access Group
      RESOLVED Grant refused.
      281 Belper Town Wind Band
      RESOLVED to grant an award of £400 to Belper Town Wind Band.
1234. OUTSIDE BODIES
      RESOLVED to note
      Belper Community Hall Committee
      Councillor Mick Potter informed the Council that the Community Hall committee are to have a new kitchen installed and will be using their funds to pay for the installation.
      Drop in Centre
      Councillor Jim Anderson reported that over £600 had been raised during the Bondathon event.
      Belper River Gardens
      Councillor Colin England informed the Council that funding had been secured for the new playground and improvement works at the river gardens.
1235. PEDESTRIANISATION OF KING STREET
      The comments received regarding the consultation to pedestrianise King Street between Campbell Street and Strutt Street during the hours of 10am until 3pm are divided RESOLVED to put the proposal on hold for the foreseeable future.
1236. BELPER MEADOWS
      RESOLVED To note Amber Valley Borough Council has invited comments on the transfer of land at Belper Meadows from the Borough Council back to Belper Town Football Club.
1237. HUNTER ROAD ALLOTMENT AGREEMENT
      RESOLVED to adopt the Hunter Road allotment agreement.
1238. CORESPONDENCE
      RESOLVED to note the DALC questionnaire 'should the voting age be lowered to 16'.
      RESOLVED To note the request for sponsorship from Belper Town Football Club.
1239. COPPICE CAR PARK
      Disabled Garage.
      RESOLVED to approve the access licence prepared in preparation in order for the Belper Disabled Group to carry out maintenance work on the disabled garage in the Coppice car park. Clerk to send a copy of the license to the Belper Disabled Group and ask that it be signed and returned before any work is carried out.
      Car Parking
      RESOLVED To note the Belper and Milford Townscape Heritage Initiative Steering Group report regarding the Coppice car park.
1240. ST JOHN'S CHAPEL
      RESOLVED Clerk to write a letter to the Diocese of Derby to ask them to explain why they refuse to allow Civil Ceremonies to be held in St John's Chapel.
1241. ADMINISTRATION
      RESOLVED to affiliate to the Society of Local Council Clerks.
      RESOLVED to adopt and maintain the Freedom of Information Act model generic publication scheme and photocopies to be charged inline with the Borough Council's charges.
1242. CIVIC AMENITY SITES
      Letter received from the County Council refusing the Town Councils request for a house waste recycling centre to be provided in the west of Belper.
      RESOLVED Clerk to write to the County Council to ask them to identify the six areas stated in their letter where the County Council consider there is a need for a house waste recycling centre facility.
1243. BELPER LEISURE CENTRE
      Letter received from a member of the public regarding the grounds at Belper School
      RESOLVED Clerk to forward a copy of the letter to School Governors and the Borough Council.
1244. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
      RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the agenda and the schedule attached to these minutes.
1245. EXEMPT ITEMS
      Code of Conduct
      RESOLVED To note the report received regarding the findings of an alleged complaint against a member of Belper Town Council.
      Incorporation of Belper Leisure Centre Trust
      RESOLVED To note the letter received from the Borough Council regarding the trustees of Belper leisure Centre.
      Belper Food Festival
      RESOLVED Belper Food Festival to be held in August 2009.