BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 14th JULY 2009

PRESENT:
Councillor Norman Bull (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Kay Charlton, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Colin England, Nick Mothershaw, John Nelson, Mick Nelson
In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk) County Councillor Chris Jackson, four 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 (illness) Councillors Kevin Hallsworth, Ben Miller and Mick Potter (work commitments) Councillors Martin Tomlinson (holiday) .
  2. ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to discuss the provision of 'Larks in Parks' in exempt items.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillors Jim Anderson, Alan Cox and John Nelson declared a prejudicial interest in minute number 1418 Supplementary Planning Document on the land between the A6 and the River Derwent they left the room whilst the item was discussed. Councillor Nick Mothershaw declared a personnel interest in minute number 1403 Fleet Arts funding application he remained in the room whilst the item was discussed. Councillor Mick Nelson declared a personnel interest in minute number 1402 planning application AVA/2009/0576 he remained in the room whilst this item was discussed.
  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 item 39 'Larks in the Park' and the consideration of staff pension arrangements and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    The chairperson of the newly formed Belper Traders Association outlined the group's objectives to the Council.
    Councillor Alan Cox agreed to add Belper Traders Association web address link to the Town Council's website.
    Borough Councillor Les Dorey informed the Council that his four year term as Chairman of the Friends of Belper River Gardens was coming to an end. The committee will continue to organise future Promenade Concerts but are unable to continue with the 'Larks in the Park' programme. He offered to project manage the event as an independent contractor on behalf of the council provided he was given sole responsibility.
    The Council thanked Councillor Dorey for his previous work organising the 'Larks in Park' events.
  6. POLICE
    There was no police representative in attendance.
  7. COUNTY COUNCIL BRIEFING
    Councillor Chris Jackson was asked to look into the County Council's decision not to make any changes at Milford in respect of the Milford School Travel Plan.
  8. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 14 JUNE 2009
    RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1337-1390 of the Council Meeting held 14 June 2009 subject to an amendment to minute number 1385 anyone who wished to hold a car boot sale within a radius of six and two thirds of a mile from Belper's market must request permission from Belper Town Council.
    RESOLVED Clerk to write to the Borough Council to explain the effect the removal of the recycling bank at Greyhound public house, Whitemoor has had on the members of the public and request the possible relocation to the Whitemoor recreation ground.
  9. MINUTES OF THE FOOD FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
    RESOLVED to note the minutes of the Belper Food Festival held 30 June 2009.
    Councillor Alan Cox informed the Council on Babington Hospital's decision to dispose of their market stalls. The stalls are for sale should the council wish to purchase them.
  10. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Forthcoming events/Notices etc.
    Councillor Norman Bull reported on various events.
    1. Attendance to Denby Pottery 200th birthday party 27 June 2009.
    2. Opening of the Belper Food & Real Ale Festival 5 July 2009.
    3. High Sheriff's reception at Repton School 7 July 2009.
    4. Opening of the new Iceland store 9 July 2009.
    5. Army Cadet Detachment official reopening 13 July 2009.
    6. "Cycling Saturdays" to be held during July and August every Saturday afternoon on Green Lane starting outside Four Seasons Outdoors.
    7. The British Youth Council is inviting councils on behalf on behalf of 'The Youth of Today' to participate in a Local Councillor Shadowing Programme.
  11. FINANCE
    RESOLVED:
    1. To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the months of June covering transactions 3291 - 3467. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £1,504.90 and Expenditure of £20,563.78.
    2. To note the bank reconciliation for current/public reserve accounts as at 31 May 2009.
  12. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 3 June 2009 - 22 June 2009 23 June - 6 July 2009. RESOLVED Clerk to write a letter to the Environmental Health department outlining the complaint received regarding increase noise and smoke problems.
  13. GRANT APPLICATIONS
    287 - Fleet Arts
    Request received for £5,600 towards art projects and £2,000 for towards the building and resources RESOLVED to donate £5,600 towards their planned art projects. Clerk to write a letter advising them of the Council's decision and should they wish to submit second funding application to fund art projects then this will be considered by the council. Clerk to include in the letter that they do not rely on reserves as stated in their supporting papers to pay for any potential negligence claims but to take out an adequate insurance policy.
  14. REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES FOR 2009/10
    No reports received.
  15. EAST MIDLANDS REGIONAL ASSEMBLY
    RESOLVED all comments on the East Midlands Regional Partial Plan Review- Options Consultation to be forwarded to the Clerk by 6 October 2009.
  16. ALLOTMENT SPACE
    RESOLVED Clerk to write the County Council to request the release of land adjacent to the existing allotments at Hunters Road. Clerk to issue a press release requesting information of any suitable plots of land for sale.
  17. FRIENDS OF BELPER PARKS INTERPRETATION BOARD
    RESOLVED to note the artwork of the Friends of Belper Parks interpretation board and approve the positioning of the Town Council logo.
  18. BLOOMING MILFORD PLANTING REQUEST
    RESOLVED to approve Blooming Milford's request to approach the County Council for a cultivation licence to plant bulbs on the grass verge alongside of the A6 at Milford.
  19. ROAD MANAGEMENT FOR TOWN COUNCIL EVENTS
    The Clerk informed the Council it is now the Town Council's responsibility to implement temporary parking restrictions for all Town Council events, the police no longer have any cones and will not cone off roads for any future Town Council events. RESOLVED not to purchase any cones and leave any problems with traffic congestion and obstructions during events to the police authority to deal with.
  20. PARKING ON PAVEMENTS
    Email received from a member of the public asking for the Council's support in raising awareness to the dangers of parking on pavements RESOLVED Councillor Alan Cox to forward the email onto police Chief Superintendant Sherwood. County Councillor Chris Jackson agreed to investigate further.
  21. FRIENDS OF BELPER PARKS KITE FLYING EVENT
    Kite flying event to be held on the Manor recreation ground Saturday 26 September 2009. Request received for a letter of support to help with their County Council funding application. RESOLVED Clerk to send a letter of support to assist with their funding application.
  22. LITTER BIN STRUTTS FIELD
    Request received for a litter bin to be placed at the side of the footpath next to Strutts Field RESOLVED not to place a litter on private land.
  23. REMOVAL OF ROYAL MAIL POST BOXES
    Royal Mail post boxes at Hunters Road and Mount Pleasant Drive were removed without any consultation or notices being erected. The Clerk has written to the Royal Mail to ask why they have been removed and whether they are to be returned RESOLVED both boxes have been repainted and reinstated. Clerk to ask the Royal Mail why they don't keep people informed.
  24. BELPER TRADERS ASSOCIATION
    RESOLVED Councillors Jackie Cox and Peter Arnold to attend the next meeting of the newly formed Belper Traders Association.
  25. COPPICE BROOK
    Letter requesting support to help with improvements to the area around the Coppice Brook RESOLVED Councillor Biss nominated to attend a meeting to discuss the Coppice Brook project.
  26. ST. JOHN'S CHAPEL ENERGY AUDIT
    Free energy audit available for community buildings to assess the possibilities for installing renewable energy technologies. RESOLVED to apply for a free energy audit for St. John's Chapel.
  27. STAFF TRAINING
    RESOLVED Clerk to attend the Amber Valley Human Resources training event 4 September and 19 October 2009. Financial Officer to attend the DALC VAT and Parish Councils workshop 3 September 2009.
  28. LAND BETWEEN THE A6 AND THE RIVER DERWENT
    Email received from member of the public asking for the Town Council's support relating to the consultation on the Supplementary Planning Document regarding the land between the A6 and the river Derwent RESOLVED Clerk to request a copy of the consultation from the Borough Council and agenda for the next meeting. Representative from Amber Valley and the member of the public to be invited to the next meeting.
  29. DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN
    RESOLVED to note the Derbyshire County Council Local Transport Plan.
  30. SLCC & NALC ANNUAL CONFERENCES
    RESOLVED to note the invitation to attend the SLCC & NALC Annual Conference.
  31. PLANNING TRAINING
    RESOLVED to note the invitation received to attend the Planning Aid events to review the East Midlands Regional Plan and the DALC training course 'Responding to Planning'.
  32. PUBLICATIONS
    RESOLVED not to purchase the eight edition of the Charles Arnold Baker Local Council Administration.
  33. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT CONSULTATION
    RESOLVED to note comments requested on the Department of Transport 'Possible changes to the administration' consultation.
  34. CiLCA QUALIFICATION
    RESOLVED To note the Town Council congratulated the assistant Clerk on gaining section 7 CiLCA Power of Well-Being certificate.
  35. TOWN COUNCIL WEBSITE
    Letter and quotation received from private web designer to create a new Town Council website and management system RESOLVED Councillor Alan Cox to continue to maintain the Council's website.
  36. GEOFF CARLILE
    RESOLVED to note the sad loss of Councillor Geoff Carlilse and to send a £50 donation towards his nominated charities National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society and Cancer Research UK.
  37. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the agenda and the schedule attached to these minutes.
  38. EXEMPT ITEMS
    LARKS IN THE PARK
    Councillor Les Dorey offered to project manage the event on behalf of the council. RESOLVED A 'Larks in the Park' sub committee be formed consisting of four members Councillors John Nelson, Colin England, Norman Bull and Nick Mothershaw. Clerk to ask Councillor Dorey if he would organise the 2010 event alongside the Clerk and the sub committee.
    STAFF PENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    RESOLVED To approve the transfer of pension scheme payments for a member of staff to the County Councils pension scheme.