BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 8th SEPTEMBER 2009

PRESENT:
Councillor Norman Bull (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Kay Charlton, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Colin England, Kevin Hallsworth, Nick Mothershaw, John Nelson, Martin Tomlinson
In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk) County Councillor Chris Jackson, Sgt. Booth, two members 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, Mick Nelson and Mick Potter (holidays) Ben Miller (work commitments).
  2. ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to discuss provision of allotment space in exempt items.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillor Jim Anderson declared a prejudicial interest in minute number 1441 Planning Application AVA/2009/0754 and left the room whilst the item was discussed.
    Councillor Alan Cox declared a personnel interest in minute number 1442 Belper District Road Safety grant application - he remained in the room whilst the item was discussed.
    Councillor Alan Cox declared a prejudicial interest in minute numbers 1453 email regarding development of land alongside the A6 and remained in the room whilst the item was discussed.
    Councillors Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Alan Cox and Martin Tomlinson declared a prejudicial interest in minute numbers 1459 transfer of ownership of Gibfield Lane car park and left 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 24 provision of suitable allotment space and they be instructed to withdraw.
  5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    A member of the public raised his concerns on the vandalism of the dry stone walls surrounding the Oak Hurst Close playing fields. The police agreed to investigate the problem.
  6. POLICE
    Sgt Booth confirmed that the overall crime figures for Belper are the best since the figures were recorded. There are still problems with vehicles being damaged on Nottingham Road and meetings with some of the local residents have been arranged to try to solve the problem. Whitemoor recreation area is still having problems with antisocial behaviour one area to consider is the repositioning of the CCTV cameras.
    Councillor John Nelson asked for an explanation as to why a police vehicle was driving down a one way street in the wrong direction at speed. Insp. Booth agreed to investigate.
    Councillor Hallsworth thanked Sgt. Booth for the work carried out to improve parking on Over Lane.
  7. COUNTY COUNCIL BRIEFING
    Councillor Chris Jackson informed the Council of the new County Council's initiative to improve Derbyshire's roads. Residents are asked to report any problems on the roads in their area and all dangerous problems will be dealt with within 24 hours.
    Issued raised by Councillors included:
    Makeney Road - Overhanging vegetation and a build of silt on the highway.
    King Street - Uneven pedestrian surfaces.
    Chesterfield Road - Due to the closure of High Street whilst the gas work repairs are being carried out there is a problem with parked cars. The Council suggested parking restrictions be put in place.
  8. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 14 JULY 2009
    RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1391-1428 of the Council Meeting held 14 July 2009 subject to an amendment to minute number 1400 the Army Cadet Detachment official opening did not take place.
  9. MINUTES OF THE FOOD FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
    RESOLVED to note the minutes of the Belper Food Festival held 21 July 2009.
    During the festival one of the entertainers PA system was damaged their request for the Council to replace their damaged PA system was refused because the artist themselves are responsible for the siting of their equipment and for insuring their own equipment.
  10. MINUTES OF THE LARKS IN THE PARK COMMITTEE
    RESOLVED to note the minutes of the Larks in the Park meeting held 31 July 2009. The Council disagreed with the committee's decision to appoint a member of the public as the Chairman a Councillor is to be appointed as Chairman at the next meeting inline with the Council's Standing Orders.
    RESOLVED to note the minutes of the Larks in the Park meeting held 18 August 2009.
  11. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Forthcoming events/Notices etc.
    Councillor Norman Bull reported on various events.
    1. Attended First Alton Manor Scouts AGM.
    2. Attended Milford House twice to celebrate a 100th Birthday and to the Summer Fete.
    3. Derbyshire Housing Aid is to move into Belper.
    4. Invitation received to attend the Derbyshire Constabulary Annual Parish Evening 15 September unfortunately he is unable to attend other Councillors are invited.
    5. Received several invitations to attend the Mc Millan Coffee Mornings other Councillors to attend if possible.
    6. Ashbourne Town Council Civic Service 13 September at St Oswalds.
    7. 20th Army Cadets Annual Service 20 September at Derby Cathedral.
    8. Dalesman Concert 26 September at Christ Church to celebrate Lady Hiltons 90th birthday
  12. FINANCE
    RESOLVED:
    1. To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the months of July and August covering transactions 3468 - 3672. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £2,306.50 and Expenditure of £38,551.11.
    2. To note the bank reconciliation for current/public reserve accounts as at 28 July 2009.
    3. RESOLVED to deposit £100,000 of the Council's reserves into a long term deposit account and the RFO and Chairman of the Finance Committee delegated to determine account.
  13. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 22 July 2009 - 28 July 2009, 3 August 2009 - 24 August 2009, 2 September 2009 - 8 September 2009.
    Councillor Anderson left the room whilst a discussion took place on application number AVA/2009/0754 Listed Building Consent - Demolition of Tea Room RESOLVED Clerk to contact the planning department to request a public consultation is held so the views and aims of Belper residents can be considered before a planning application is submitted for a replacement Tea Room. Clerk to request that the original features are salvaged and reused in the new building.
  14. GRANT APPLICATIONS
    289 - Derwent Valley Mills Partnership - RESOLVED to grant an award of £500 to Derwent Valley Mills Partnership.
    290 Belper District Road Safety Committee - RESOLVED to grant an award of £30 to Belper District Road Safety Committee.
    291 Guardians of Strutts - RESOLVED to grant an award of £200 to the Guardians of Strutts.
  15. REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES FOR 2009/10
    Belper Traders Association - Councillor Arnold attended a meeting of the Belper Traders Association.
    Belper Cottage Project - Councillor Jackie Cox invited the Councillors to the Belper Cottage Project AGM 2.30pm Thursday 10 September 2009.
  16. MAINTENANCE OF LIME TREE NEXT TO THE OXFAM SHOP IN THE MEMORIAL GARDEN
    RESOLVED Clerk to seek permission from the Borough Council prior to any maintenance work being carried out. Once permission has been granted Clerk to instruct Emery Landscapes to carry out the work.
  17. REMOVAL OF 4 LIME TREES ALONGSIDE THE RITZ WALL
    The four lime trees next to the Ritz Cinema wall need to be removed before the boundary wall can be rebuilt RESOLVED to accept the lowest quote of £360 + VAT from Emery Landscapes to remove the four lime trees.
  18. REPLACEMENT TREE FOR MILFORD TRIANGLE
    RESOLVED to place an order with the Borough Council Landscape department for a replacement tree at Milford Triangle.
  19. PROCTORS ANNUAL FAIR
    RESOLVED to approve Proctors Fun Fairs Ltd request to hold their annual fair in the Coppice car park and on the Market Place 29 October to 31 October 2009.
  20. PROVISION OF BUS SHELTERS AT WHITEMOOR MEDICAL CENTRE
    The Council considered Wildgoose Construction companies offer to provide two bus shelters at the Whitemoor Medical Centre subject to the Council taking on the maintenance. RESOLVED not to enter into the agreement, the Council believe it is the bus company's responsibility to provide and maintain bus shelters for their customers.
  21. DALC PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT NOMINATIONS
    RESOLVED to nominate Councillor John Nelson for the DALC Vice President position.
  22. ADOPTION OF THE TELEPHONE KIOSK THE FLEET , GIBFIELD LANE
    Request received from a volunteer group for the Council to adopt The Fleet, Gibfield Lane telephone kiosk RESOLVED to adopt the kiosk from BT at a cost of £1 and the Friends of Belper River Gardens to maintain the kiosk.
    The structure is adopted without the telephone service.
    The existing windows are replaced with black painted metal plates, the interior is cleaned and the box resealed to limit future maintenance.
    The work of the conversion is arranged by the volunteer group.
    The future maintenance is carried out by the v volunteer group.
  23. PARISH AND TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON MEETING
    RESOLVED to note the invitation received to the Parish and Town Council Liaison meeting 22 October 2009. Councillor Alan Cox agreed to attend.
  24. EAST MIDLANDS IN BLOOM PRESENTATION
    RESOLVED to note the EMIB presentation will be held at Cleethorpes 9 September 2009 and to approve the spending for the four representatives attending.
  25. DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND ALONGSIDE THE A6 AND THE RIVER DERWENT
    RESOLVED to note the letter received regarding the development of the land alongside the A6 and the River Derwent.
  26. WAR MEMORIALS TRUST
    RESOLVED to note the request received from the War Memorials Trust for permission to use reports and photographs from the Councils previously submitted Small Grant Scheme application.
  27. FARMERS MARKET
    RESOLVED not to carry out any additional advertising for the Farmers Market.
  28. RECYCLING BANK GREY HOUSE PUBLIC HOUSE
    The removal of the recycling centre at the Grey House Public House has caused a big impact to the recycling centre at Bargate. RESOLVED Clerk to write to the Borough Council to inform them of their duty to provide recycling facilities and to request an increase in the number of collections at Bargate to avoid any further losses of recycling facilities in this area.
  29. GIBFIELD LANE CAR PARK
    RESOLVED to agree to the transfer of the ownership of the Gibfield Lane Car Park from the Borough Council to Belper Town Council subject to there being no restrictions of use.
  30. NOTICE BOARD MILFORD VILLAGE STORE
    RESOLVED to install a notice board at Milford Village Store.
  31. REPLACEMENT DIGITAL CAMERA
    RESOLVED to purchase a new digital camera and memory card.
  32. DERBYSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL AGM
    RESOLVED to note the invitation to attend the Derbyshire Rural Community Council AGM 29 September 2009.
  33. AMBER VALLEY OFF STREET PARKING ORDER
    RESOLVED to note the Borough Council's 'Notice of Proposals' regarding their new off street parking order.
  34. WHITEMOOR RECREATION GROUND TEEN SHELTER
    Following complaints that the Teen Shelter at Whitemoor Recreation ground is being misused and consequently causing a nuisance to local residents the Borough Council has proposed for the shelter to be removed RESOLVED to agree to the removal subject to prior consultation with the police.
  35. FLEET ARTS WORLD HERITAGE DAY CELEBRATIONS
    RESOLVED to grant permission to the Fleet Arts to erect a tent in the Memorial Garden Sunday 25 October 2009 and use of the lower of the two air raid shelters on King Street as part of their World Heritage Day celebrations subject to the satisfactory outcome of a risk assessment.
  36. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the agenda and the schedule attached to these minutes.
  37. EXEMPT ITEMS
    ALLOTMENT SPACE
    RESOLVED to register an interest in the purchase of a piece of land at Bridge Hill, Belper currently on sale for £30,000 for use as allotment space. Clerk to write to the estate agents and make an offer for the land subject to contract.