BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 10th MARCH 2009

PRESENT: Councillor Martin Tomlinson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Norman Bull, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Mick Nelson, Mick Potter, Mark Robertson

In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk) County Councillor Chris Jackson, Borough Councillor Peter Makin, two members of the public and two members of the press (Belper News and Belper Express).

1289. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
      Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jim Anderson (Borough business), Kay Charlton (personal reasons) Peter Arnold, Colin England, Nick Mothershaw, John Nelson (holidays) Kevin Hallsworth (work commitments).
1290. ORDER OF BUSINESS
      RESOLVED to discuss item 16 'litter problem' during public participation.
1291. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
      Councillor Alan Cox declared a personal interest in item 12B Belper Cottage grant application. Councillor Alan Cox remained in the room whilst the item was discussed; he abstained from using his vote.
      Councillor Jackie Cox declared a prejudicial interest in item 12B Belper Cottage grant application. Councillor Jackie Cox gave a brief report to the Council regarding the grant application and left the room whilst the item was discussed.
1292. 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 Part II agenda items 1 and 2 and they be instructed to withdraw from the room.
1293. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
      Miss Brinkworth a member of the public raised concerns on the litter problems around Belper schools. RESOLVED Clerk to write to Borough Councillor Jack Brown and County Councillor Alan Charles to explain the problem and request to their assistance.
      Mr. Hartshorn a member of the public raised concerns on the excessive number of vehicles parked near junctions at Marsh Lane, Kilburn Road and Nottingham Road. Due to restricted visibility and the large amount of traffic in this area he is worried there will be a serious accident and asked if the roads could be marked with double yellow lines. Councillor Alan Cox to raise the problem at the next Road Safety Meeting.
      Borough Councillor Peter Makin raised concerns on the large group of young people congregating on King Street and in Green Lane car park. He believes the menacing nature of the group is frightening and he is worried that the situation may develop into something more serious.
1294. POLICE
      Due to illness there were no members of the police present.
1295. COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S BRIEFING
      Councillor Chris Jackson informed the Council that the next transport Forum meeting will be held 18 March 2009.
      Councillor Jackson responded to questions raised by the Council.
      He will contact the County Council Civil Parking Enforcement Manager James Adams to ask as to why enforcement officers were not issuing penalty charges for illegal parking on King Street and to look into the traffic problems due to cars parking on Bridge Street.
      Confirmed that the pavement at Wyver Lane has been reported and will make enquiries as to when it will be repaired.
1296. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 10 FEBRUARY 2009
      RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1268-1286 of the Council Meeting held 10 February.
1297. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
      Councillor Martin Tomlinson informed the Council of the Civic Service to be held Sunday 22 March 2009.
1298. FINANCE
      RESOLVED:
      1. To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the month covering transactions 2682 - 2813. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £3,844.75 and Expenditure of £24,632.68.
      2. To note the bank reconciliation for current/public reserve accounts as at 31 January 2009.
1299. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
      RESOLVED to note the planning application decisions listed on the schedules attached to these Minutes, dated 2February 2009 - 10 March 2009.
      RESOLVED To note the planning applications schedule dated 11 February 2009 - 10 March 2009. No comments were made.
1300. GRANT APPLICATIONS
      282 Ross Davenport
      The Clerk informed the Council that they had no power to provide a grant to an individual RESOLVED Grant refused Clerk to seek clarification re the sponsorship of an individual. 284 Belper Cottage Project
      RESOLVED to grant an award of £196.00 to the Belper Cottage Project.
1301. OUTSIDE BODIES
      Belper Cottage Project
      Councillor Jackie Cox reported on the recent vandalism at the cottage where a window had been broken. She also made an appeal on behalf of the project for a volunteer to man the office.
1302. PUBLIC FOOTPATH WHITEMOOR RECREATION GROUND
      Councillor Mick Nelson reported on a meeting with County Council officers, members of the police and local residents regarding the vandalism and antisocial behaviour on the footpath between Bobbin Way and the Whitemoor Recreation area. RESOLVED Clerk to write to County Council's Head of Rights of Way Officer Peter White to request that an order be raised to permanently close the public footpath.
1303. DATE OF NEXT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
      The date of the next Council meeting is scheduled to take place on an Easter concessionary holiday RESOLVED to bring the date of the next Council meeting forward to the 7 April 2009.
1304. BELPER LEISURE CENTRE TRUST TRANSFER AGREEMENT
      RESOLVED Councillor Alan Cox or Councillor Norman Bull authorised by the Council to sign the Belper Leisure Centre Trust Transfer Agreement on behalf of the Council.
1305. OVER LANE SPEED LIMIT CONSULTATION
      County Council consultation to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph at Over Lane RESOLVED The Council disagree with the proposal Clerk to respond with the Council's comments:
      The Council has not received any request from members of the public to reduce the speed limit in this area.
      There are other previously identified areas in Belper where road safety is an issue where the money could be spent.
      There is no direct access onto the highway from the properties in this area.
      
1306. DALC TRAINING
      RESOLVED to approve spending for the Clerk and Assistant Clerk to attend a Planning System training event.
1307. LCR JOURNAL
      RESOLVED to renew subscription to the NALC - LCR Journal.
1308. CAR BOOT SALES
      RESOLVED Clerk to write to Belper Leisure Centre to request they provide the Council with a calendar of dates of when they intend to hold car boot sales.
1309. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
      RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the agenda and the schedule attached to these minutes.

EXEMPT ITEMS

1310. TOWN SERVICE AWARDS
      RESOLVED Councillors to notify the Clerk of anyone they would like to nominate and the Clerk to compile a list of nominations and agenda for the next meeting.
1311. REMOVAL OF LIME TREES FROM MEMORIAL GARDEN
      RESOLVED Clerk to apply for planning permission for the removal of the lime trees and to obtain a quotation for their replacement with mature trees.