BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 10th FEBRUARY 2009

PRESENT:
Councillor Martin Tomlinson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Debbie Biss, Norman Bull, Kay Charlton, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Colin England, Kevin Hallsworth, Nick Mothershaw, Mick Nelson, John Nelson, Ben Miller arrived at 7.35pm.
In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk) County Councillor Chris Jackson, Borough Councillor Peter Makin, Insp. Smith, D.I. Richards two members of the press (Belper News and Belper Express).
  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Peter Arnold, (holidays) Mick Potter (work commitments).
  2. ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to discuss item 11C insurance renewal quotations in camera.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillor Alan Cox declared an interest in item 15A the launch of 'Advice Derbyshire'.
  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 agenda item 15a, Part II item 1 and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    There were no members of the public present.
  6. POLICE MATTERS
    D.I. Richards informed the council of an aggravated burglary in Belper, a knife point robbery at a store in Heage where two people had been arrested. He updated the Council on the number of arrests following the disturbance in the market place which had taken place over the Christmas period; nine people had been charged and were waiting sentencing.
    Insp. Smith agreed to:

    Send information to Councillor Charlton as to how to start a neighbourhood watch scheme.
    Send an officer to look at the parking issues raised by Councillor Hallsworth on Openwood Road.
    To supply information regarding the parking of caravans on the highway to the next meeting.
    To supply information on the findings regarding the problem of vehicles churning up the grass verges outside St John's school to the next meeting.

    Insp. Smith requested more information regarding the motorbikes causing a nuisance in High Wood and a motorbike travelling around Belper with no silencer.

  7. COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S BRIEFING Councillor Chris Jackson updated Members on progress with various issues:
    • Lodge Lane and Belper Lane junction
    • County Highways have been monitoring this junction and state that if the new measures are not working there is little more they can do.   They will ensure that their maintenance team chase up any overhanging vegetation with roadside landowners.    If there are any parking problems, then these need to be reported to the police.   Councillor Jackson to monitor traffic movement at this junction.
    • Pavement at Bridge Foot
    • Still waiting for a response from the Highways department regarding the surface on the pavement at Bridge Foot between Wyver Lane and the A6.
    • Mini Roundabout Hunters Road/Whitemoor Lane
    • The roundabout is no longer needed and it will be removed.
    • Mill Lane Car Park
    • Meetings have been held with Amber Valley Housing to request that the car park remains open. There is a highway issue in this area and the closure of the car park has been delayed. Further meetings are planned with a hope to finding a solution.
    • Longwalls Lane
    • Camera signs to be erected.
    • Belper Lane
    • Police have been asked to carry out more speed checks.
    • Bridge Foot
    • There is only one company who can repair the Height Indicator at Belper Mill and the damaged sign is still awaiting repair.
    • Church Street
    • The double yellow lines on Church Lane are not working as intended. RESOLVED To allow the system a further 6 months settling in period then assess the situation.
    • Strutt Walk
    • The damaged green mesh fence on the Strutt Walk at the bottom of Belper Lane reported at the last meeting is not the responsibility of the County Council.
  8. COUNTY COUNCIL CIVIL PARKING PRESENTATION
    County Council Civil Parking Enforcement Manager James Adams informed the Council as of 19 February 2009, a private company working on behalf of the County Council will be responsible of parking enforcement in the County. The police will continue to be responsible for traffic issues and parking obstructions.

    There will be no set pattern to the Civil Enforcement officers shift pattern, parking will be monitored 24/7. APCOA performance will not receive incentive bonuses and will not be given any targets to meet. All the revenue received will be put back into the system to pay for improvements to car parks and roads.

    The Parking Charge Notice rate in the County is set at £70/£50 for both on and off-street contraventions. A discount amount of 50% of the penalty charge is available within 14 days of PCN issue. Should the PCN not be paid within 28 days and no representation or appeal is being considered then the penalty fee will increase from £70/£50 to £105/£75.The car owner/keeper not the driver will be issued with the penalty charge notice. There is an opportunity to appeal within 14 days of the issue of the PNC. RESOLVED to invite James Adams to the September meeting to update the Council on the system.

  9. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 13 JANUARY 2009
    RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1246-1267 of the Council Meeting held 13 January 2009. Councillor Alan Cox informed the Council that the Traffic Forum meeting he was scheduled to attend on 4 February 2009 had been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions (minute number 1252).
  10. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE STAFF WORKING PARTY HELD 10 FEBRUARY 2009
    To note the minutes of the Staff Working party held 10 February 2009.
  11. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Forthcoming events/Notices etc.
    Councillor Martin Tomlinson reported on various events.
    1. Civic Service to be held Sunday 22 March 2009.
    2. Members are invited to attend a site meeting with County Councillor Joyce Sanders regarding the footpath between Tesco Express and Whitemoor 9.00am 13 February 2009.
    3. Rosemary Bridges the assistant Clerk was congratulated on achieving her Certificate in Local Council Administration (The recognised qualification required for Town and Parish Clerks).
  12. FINANCE
    1. RESOLVED To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the month covering transactions 2572 - 2681. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £3,574.24 and Expenditure of £18,308.14.
    2. RESOLVED Finance Officer to ask the Belper Army Cadets to present the cheque issued 2 October 2008.
    3. RESOLVED To note the bank reconciliation for current/public reserve accounts as at 31 December 2008.
  13. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    • RESOLVED to note the planning application decisions listed on the schedules attached to these Minutes, dated 6 January 2009 - 2 February 2009.
    • RESOLVED To note the planning applications schedule dated 6 January 2009 - 10 February 2009. No comments were made.
  14. OUTSIDE BODIES RESOLVED to note
    • Fleet Arts
    • Councillor Jim Anderson informed the Council that the committee are worried that they may lose revenue when the Strutt School opens and they have decided to meet with the Strutt School committee to see if moving into the Strutt School would be an option.
    • Friends of Belper Parks
    • Councillor Biss informed the Council that the group was grateful and thanked the Town Council for their support with the Launch of their 'Education Pack' and the group has a good work plan arranged for 2009.
    • Belper & District Road Safety Partnership
    • Councillor Alan Cox confirmed that at the last meeting it was agreed that the mini roundabout at Hunters Road/Whitemoor Lane is no longer needed and it will be removed.
    • Belper Cottage Project
    • Councillor Jackie Cox confirmed that the kitchen refurbishment had now been completed and it looked fabulous.
  15. CALOR DERBYSHIRE VILLAGE OF THE YEAR 2009
    RESOLVED to forward the information onto Councillor Miller for the Milford residents to consider.
  16. CAR PARK - MILL LANE
    Councillor Mick Nelson has attended two meetings with Amber Valley Housing regarding the closure of the car park at Mill Lane. He sent a letter to the Borough Council Chief Executive on the 6 January 2009 and is still waiting for a reply. As an interim AVH has agreed to create ten temporary car parking spaces.
  17. CIVIL WEDDING CEREMONIES AT ST JOHN'S CHAPEL
    RESOLVED Clerk to request a copy of the Diocese of Derby's policy regarding holding Civil Ceremonies in redundant Churches.
  18. CIVIC TRUST AWARDS 2008
    The Town Council has been awarded a 'Mention' Belper and Milford Townscape Heritage Initiative Civic Trust Award for 2008. RESOLVED Clerk to send a letter of thanks to Francesca Machin for the excellent work she has carried out on behalf of Belper and Milford.
  19. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the agenda and the schedule attached to these minutes.
EXEMPT ITEMS
  1. RESOLVED to accept the Norwich Union insurance proposal for the Belper Town Council's insurance period 2009/10.
  2. RESOLVED to appoint Mrs Rosalind Bullimore as the Town Clerk