BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 7th APRIL 2009

PRESENT:
Councillor Martin Tomlinson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Councillor Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Norman Bull, Kay Charlton, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Colin England, Nick Mothershaw, Mick Nelson, John Nelson, Mick Potter.
In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk) County Councillor Chris Jackson, Borough Councillor Peter Makin, Sgt. Smith, one member of the public and two members of the press (Belper News and Belper Express).
  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Debbie Biss (committee meeting).
  2. ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to agree to follow the order of business as set out on the agenda.
  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 Part II of the agenda items 1,2,3,4 and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    Borough Councillor Peter Makin thanked the police for addressing the antisocial behaviour problems on King Street.
  6. POLICE MATTERS
    Sgt. Smith advised the Council that he was retiring and Sgt. Richard Booth would be replacing him.
    Sgt Smith commented on the year's performance following the reorganisation of the police the annual crime figures and detection rates for Amber Valley are good.
    In response to various Councillors questions -
    • Caravans parked at the roadside
    • Caravans are classed as a trailer and when parked at the roadside they must be lit. The caravan must be parked with the reflectors showing on the correct side inline with other vehicles. If they are causing a nuisance the Council can have them removed.
    • Temporary traffic lights
    • The hire company who provide temporary traffic lights are responsible for setting up the timers on the lights. If there are any problems with the settings the hire company must be contacted for them to adjust the settings.
    • Recent spell of shed burglaries in the St John's area
    • This is a seasonal problem and there has been an initiative in place during the last few weeks.
    • Reported crime figures
    • The crime figures reported recently in the Belper News are not accurate. There has been on average 10 reported incidents per month which is about average.
    • Parking Enforcement
    • With three agencies dealing with the same problem the introduction of the new parking enforcement has caused an issue. RESOLVED Clerk to write to the local MP to ask that powers be given to the PCSO's for them to have the power to issue parking penalties.
    • Problem with vandalism at Cluster Road
    • This was an isolated incident and will be difficult to detect but it will be investigated.
    • St John's school parking problem
    • Sgt. Smith has talked to local schools to ask them to join a 'walk to school' campaign and to introduce sensible parking. He agreed to take on Cllr Alan Cox's suggestion of leaving the gate at Dove Dale open at start and close of school to help disperse traffic around the school.
    • Problem of parking at Over Lane
    • Sgt. Smith agreed to investigate the parking problem near the junction of Openwoodgate.
  7. COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S BRIEFING
    Councillor Chris Jackson updated Members on progress with various issues:
    • Introduction of the County Council's Civil Parking Enforcement
    • In the first month 460 tickets have been issued in Amber Valley and the problems with illegal parking on King Street and Bridge Street have been dealt with.
    • Transport Forum Meeting
    • It was reported at the last meeting that road casualties had reduced during 2008.
    • A6 reduction in speed limit
    • Cllr Jackson to arrange a site meeting with the highways department and the police to discuss.
    • Road side memorials
    • Draft policy statement will be finalised shortly.
    • Weed spraying at Mount Pleasant
    • The grass verge has been damaged at Mount Pleasant due the recent weed spraying by the Borough Council RESOLVED Cllr Cox to contact the Borough Council.

    Cllr Cox thanked Councillor Jackson for his attendance at Town Council meetings and this was unanimously supported by the whole Council.
  8. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 10 MARCH 2009
    RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1287-1311 of the Council Meeting held 10 March 2009. Councillor Alan Cox informed the Council that the Council's common seal would be required when signing the documents in connection with the transfer of assets from the Belper Leisure Centre Trust. RESOLVED to use the common seal.
  9. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Forthcoming events/Notices etc.
    Councillor Martin Tomlinson reported on various events.
    1. There will be services held on Sunday 26 April at the Central Methodist Church at 2.00pm and at St Peter's Church at 2.15pm for the celebration of St Georges Day. RESOLVED to use £500 out of the Council's publicity budget to promote St Georges Day in the town. Clerk to contact the local television stations to ask them to cover the event.
    2. The Drop Inn centre is hosting an event to celebrate European Day of Solidarity 29 April 2009 11am until 3.00pm.
    3. A Belper property is featured on the television programme 'To buy or not to buy' 8 April 2009.
    4. Funding is available to promote a 'Shop Local' campaign RESOLVED Clerk appointed to distribute the promotional literature in the town.
  10. FINANCE
    RESOLVED:
    1. To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the month covering transactions 2814 - 2925. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £905.57 and Expenditure of £18,858.64.
    2. To note the bank reconciliation for current/public reserve accounts as at 28 February 2009.
  11. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    RESOLVED to note the planning application decisions listed on the schedules attached to these Minutes, dated 3 March - 25 March 2009.
    RESOLVED To note the planning applications schedule dated 23 March - 6 April 2009.
    • Tesco Stores Ltd to increase opening hours AVA/2009/0243
    • RESOLVED to object to the application due to the possible increase in problems of antisocial behaviour in this area.
    • George Brettles Factory, Chapel Street AVA/2009/0280 Proposal for the addition of a two story development and change of use.
    • RESOLVED to object to the application due to insufficient parking and the poor visibility for entrance and exit onto the highway.
  12. GRANT APPLICATIONS
    286 - Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre
    RESOLVED not to award a grant to the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre.
  13. OUTSIDE BODIES
    RESOLVED to note
    • Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership
    • Councillor Alan Cox informed the Council that the East Midland Trains' funding identified to promote the line and improve the stations has been removed.
    • Friends of Belper River Gardens
    • Councillor Colin England informed the Council that the refurbishment at the River Gardens is one week ahead of schedule and distributed photographs of the ongoing works. RESOLVED Clerk to contact Sharon Thomas to ask if a slip road into the river can be made behind the boat shed.
    • Belper United Charities
    • Councillor Mick Potter explained he was finding it difficult attending the committee meetings and asked if the Council would find a replacement. RESOLVED to appoint a new representative at the AGM.
  14. BELPER CELEBRATION
    RESOLVED not to advertise in the next edition of the Belper Celebration magazine.
  15. ELECTRIC SUPPLY COPPICE CAR PARK
    Request received from Friends of Belper Parks to lay an electric cable in the Coppice Car Park RESOLVED to lay the cable whilst digging the trench to lay the new water supply for the over wintering showmen with a view to eventually providing a new power point and meter.
  16. QUEEN'S AWARDS FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE
    RESOLVED to note nomination requested for the Queen's Awards for voluntary service.
  17. DERBYSHIRE AGGREGATES LEVY GRANT SCHEME
    RESOLVED to note grants available from the Derbyshire Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund.
  18. LOCAL COUNCIL REVIEW
    RESOLVED to renew the DALC Annual Subscriptions and subscribe to the Local Council Review.
  19. BELPER FOOD AND REAL ALE FESTIVAL
    RESOLVED to note the Clerks request for volunteers to help with the Belper Food Festival 5 July 2009.
  20. FLEET ARTS
    RESOLVED to defer the funding request from Fleet Arts until the next meeting.
  21. ANIMAL AID COMPASSIONATE CHARTER
    RESOLVED to note the Animal Aid Compassionate Charter.
  22. TRAINING
    RESOLVED Clerk to attend the SLCC Derbyshire Clerks training event 24 April 2009.
  23. DERBYSHIRE MINERALS AND WASTE CORE STRATEGY
    RESOLVED to note the Derbyshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy Development was presented to the Council for comments.
  24. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the agenda and the schedule attached to these minutes.

    EXEMPT ITEMS

  25. RESOLVED that Trevor and Dorothy Griffin, Les Dorey, Elaine Lunn and Sandra Nix receive a Town Service Award for 2009 for all their dedication and hard work in the community.
    RESOLVED that 1st Alton Manor Scouts be awarded the Maurice Heely Award for 2009.
    RESOLVED the Wakes Day be cancelled due to the insufficient number of volunteers.
    RESOLVED to note the 'Notice of Finding' re the Standards Board complaint against a member of the Town Council.