BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 9th MARCH 2010

PRESENT:
Councillor Norman Bull (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Peter Arnold, Kay Charlton, Colin England, Kevin Hallsworth, Nick Mothershaw, John Nelson, Mick Nelson, Mark Robertson.
In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk) Sgt. Booth, 2 members of the public and two members of the press (Belper News and Belper Express).

1616. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
      Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Jim Anderson (work) Councillor Alan Cox and Jackie Cox (holidays).
1617. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
      Councillor Mick Nelson declared a prejudicial interest in minute number 1625 Planning application AVA/2010/0225 and agreed to leave the meeting when the item was discussed.
1618. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
      1. Members of the public.
         A member of the public outlined her concerns about the current vandalism problem on Nottingham. The police are currently working with the residents of Nottingham Road to try and find a solution and the resident asked the Council to consider ways to combat the problem.
         A member of the public provided additional information regarding an agenda item 'permission to hold a fun fair on the Coppice car park'.
      2. County Councillors
         There were no County Councillors present Councillor Makin and Councillor Jackson sent their apologies.
      3. Police
         Sgt. Booth reported that the police figures had risen slightly during the half term holiday and the main problem was criminal damage.
         Sgt. Booth confirmed that policing on Nottingham Road is one of their priorities and that the Nottingham Road residents have been contacted to ask if they would be interested in forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. The police are to arrange some distraction activities during the Easter holidays.
         Sgt. Booth at the Council's request has looked into the car parking problem at Belper High School and Belper Leisure Centre and found no significant problems, he suggests that the residents report any specific problems to the Civil Parking team for them to deal with.
         Derbyshire Constabulary Chief Inspector Graham McLaughlin updated the Council on the impending organisational structure changes due to their reduced budget. The organisation is looking at ways to save money but there is no intention in the foreseeable future of closing the Belper Police station.
1619. ORDER OF BUSINESS
      RESOLVED to bring forward items 14 'Permission for a Fun Fair and item 27 'Leaders Report'.
      The Mayor introduced the recently appointed vicar of Christ Church Jonathan Page to the Council.
1620. 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 ll Exempt Items Nominations for the appointment of Councillors for 2010/11 and they be instructed to withdraw.
1621. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 9 FEBRUARY 2010
      RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1585-1615 of the Council Meeting held 9 February 2010 subject to adding Councillor England and Councillor Mick Nelson to the list of attendees.
1622. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
      Forthcoming events/Notices etc.
      Councillor Norman Bull reported on various events.
      1. 16 February 2010 attended the Belper Musical Theatre to see the King & I performance.
      2. 3 February 2010 the Mayor and the winner of the design a Milford flag competition; 8 year old Michell Lakin raised the Flag at Milford Triangle.
      3. 27 February 2010 attended the Ripley Charity Concert.
      4. The Mayors Civic Service will be held 6.30pm Sunday 25 April 2010 at Christ Church.
      5. The Mercian Regiment will exercise their Freedom by marching through Ripley on Monday 15 March 2010.
1623. LEADERS REPORT
      The owners of the damaged wall in the Memorial Garden are disputing the outcome of the last insurance investigation where it was found that the damage to the wall was caused by the lack of maintenance and not because of the close proximity of the Council's trees. The Council's insurance has been notified.
      62 Flags and 18 lengths of bunting have been ordered by businesses in the town for the St Georges Day celebrations.
      The Council has not received any entries for the design a Belper sign competition.
      The Borough Council are consulting the local residents for their views on the design of the Tea Rooms in the River Gardens RESOLVED Clerk to write to the Borough Council to suggest that the Tea Rooms are either replaced or renovated to the original Edwardian design using as much of the original artefacts as possible.
1624. FINANCE
      RESOLVED:
      1. To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the months of January and February covering transactions 4230 - 4371. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £1,283.25 and Expenditure of £32,511.93.
      2. To note the bank reconciliation for current/public reserve accounts as at 31 January 2010.
1625. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
      
      1. RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 9 February 2010 to 8 March 2010.
      2. RESOLVED to note the amendments on planning application AVA/2009/1125 residential development of 31 dwellings for land at Whitemoor Lane.
1626. REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES FOR 2009/10
      Belper Cottage Project
      Councillor Arnold informed the Council on behalf of Councillor Jackie Cox that the Community Payback Scheme workers are currently decorating the cottage.
      Fleet Arts
      Councillor Mothershaw informed the Council the Fleet Arts website was launched in February and that part of the grant received from the Town Council has been used on a project at the Parks Estate.
      Belper North Mill and Museum Trust
      Councillor Arnold, informed the Council that there is to be an Enlightenment Exhibition in October.
1627. FUN FAIR
      Request received from McKean Fun Fairs to hold a fair on the Coppice car park 6 April to 11April 2010. RESOLVED to refuse the request as the date of the fair coincides with the monthly farmers market.
1628. DERWENT VALLEY MILLS PARTNERSHIP
      Adrian Farmer from the Derwent Valley Mills partnership thanked the Council for their continued support and updated them on the following:
      The Borough Council has started the repair work on the North Mill.
      World Heritage Site entry point signs are to be installed from the motorway directing people to the WHS and eventually directing tourist to individual places of interest and to Belper.
      The partnership has received funding for a three minute promotional film which will be shown in the run up to the Olympics. The Partnership is arguing strongly for the town to be included in the route of the torch relay, which would bring the symbolic Olympic Flame through Belper.
      The Belper Town Trail was a success and the income is to be used for a coloured version which is expected to be in print by Easter.
      Discovery Days 2009, the 7 Long Row property opened its door to the public and received over 130 visitors. The 2010 Belper Discovery Day will be on Sunday 24 October.
1629. DALC
      EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
      RESOLVED to Nominate Councillor Arnold for the DALC Executive Committee.
      DALC SUBSCRIPTIONS
      RESOLVED to renew the DALC subscriptions for 2010/11.
      TRAINING
      RESOLVED The Clerk and Assistant Clerk to attend the Standing Order training.
1630. THE DERBY & DERBYSHIRE WASTE CORE STRATEGY DEVELOMENT PLAN
      RESOLVED to note the Big Choices report consultation.
1631. PRESENTATION ABOUT THORNTONS BUSINESS
      RESOLVED to offer St John's Chapel free of charge as a suitable venue to hold a presentation in the town about Thornton's.
1632. HEART OF DERBY APPEAL
      RESOLVED to note the Heart of Derby appeal.
1633. FAR LAUND BUS STOP
      RESOLVED to note the quotation and email regarding the damage to the bus shelter at Far Laund.
1634. BELPER MEMORIAL
      RESOLVED to note the letter received from a member of the public thanking the Council for their decision to allow her sons name to be inscribed on the war memorial in the gardens on King Street. A plea is to be placed on the Council's website for any other names to be added to the war memorial.
1635. FOOTPATH BETWEEN BOBBIN WAY AND WHITEMOOR RECREATION.
      RESOLVED to note the letter received from the County Council advising the Council that their request for the public footpath between Bobbin Way and the Whitemoor Recreation to be closed to eliminate the antisocial behaviour problem in that area has been refused. The data gathered by the County Council following two separate surveys found the footpath was being used on a regular basis.
1636. DENBY POTTERY EVENTS
      RESOLVED to note the dates of the Denby Pottery events.
      3 April Food Fayre
      4 April Factory Shop Marquee
      5 April Gift Fayre
      2 May Bridal Fayre
      3 May Food and Gift Fayre
      28 - 30 August Food and Gift Fayre
      3 - 5 December Food and Gift Fayre
      
1637. DERBYSHIRE CONSTABULARY ORGANISATION CHANGES
      RESOLVED to note the letter received from Chief Constable Mick Creedon confirming that there are no immediate plans for the closure of Belper Police Station during the imminent organisational changes.
1638. PARKING CHARGE
      RESOLVED to note the letter received from a member of the public regarding a complaint on receiving a parking ticket whilst parking in a local supermarket car park in Belper.
1639. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
      RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the agenda and the schedule attached to these minutes.
1640. EXEMPT ITEMS
      COUNCILLOR APPOINTMENTS 2010/11
      RESOLVED Councillors to confirm with the Clerk the committees and outside bodies they would like to be appointed on.