BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 8th FEBRUARY 2011

PRESENT:
Councillor John Nelson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Deborah Biss, Joe Booth, Norman Bull, Kay Charlton, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Colin England, Mark Robertson, David Smith and Councillor Martin Tomlinson

In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk) County Councillor Peter Makin, one member of the press (Belper Express) and three members of the public.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from Mick Nelson (Holiday) Nick Mothershaw and Kevin Hallsworth (Work commitments).
  2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillor Alan Cox declared a prejudicial interest in minute numbers 1877 (iv) pre planning consultation on the provision of telecommunication masts in Belper; and 1893 Pottery School car boot sales. He made representation about the second item during the public participation part of the meeting and left the meeting when the items were discussed.
  3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
    1. County Councillors
      Councillor Peter Makin informed the Council that the proposed telecommunication masts were causing a lot of concern to local residents. School Lane footpath that runs from Over Lane to John O'Gaunt's Way has been repaired. The private road near Morrison's petrol station has a lot of potholes and he will put pressure on the owners for its repair. Councillor Jackie Cox raised concerns about the condition of the highway at Over Lane following water repairs and asked Councillor Makin to ensure that the contractors reinstate the road to its original condition. Councillor John Nelson asked Councillor Makin what the criteria is for applying for grit salt from the County Council.
    2. Police
      No members of the police were present.
    3. Members of the Public
      A resident from Laund Nook raised concerns about a proposed telecommunication installation next to the playing field at Laund Nook. The Council informed the resident that even if Belper Council object to a planning application the Borough Council who is the planning authority may approve the application. The Planning Officers can only refuse an application if the application doesn't meet planning legislation.
  4. ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to discuss item 12e pre planning consultations on the provision of telecommunication masts at four areas in Belper.
  5. 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 7 Minutes of a Staff Working Party held 3 February 2011 in camera and they be instructed to withdraw
  6. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 18 JANUARY 2011
    RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1845 -1865 of the Council Meeting held 18 January 2011. Subject to a spelling error Lawn Nook to read Laund Nook.
  7. MINUTES OF A STAFF WORKING PARTY HELD 3 FEBRUARY 2011
    RESOLVED to note Minutes 107 - 109 of the Staff Working Party committee held 3 February 2011.
  8. MINUTES OF A WAKES MEETING 10 JANUARY 2011
    RESOLVED to note Minutes 1 - 11 of the Wakes Day meeting held 10 January 2011.
  9. BOROUGH DEVELOPMENT SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT
    Following the Borough Council's decision to terminate the SLA between the Borough Council and the Town Council a meeting was held to discuss what effect this decision would have on the Town Council RESOLVED to note that as of 29 January 2011 the Borough council will be responsible for the maintenance of:
    • All the bus shelters in the town with the exception of one at Whitemoor Lane.
    • All the litter and dog bins in the town.
    • Any litter hot spot areas in the town.
    • Weed spraying all the footpaths and channels in the town.
    • Borough Council owned grit bins.
    • Borough Council owned flower beds and planters.
    Belper Town Council will be responsible for the maintenance of:
    • 1 bus shelter at Whitemoor Lane opposite John O'Gaunt's Way for which they have a signed agreement with the County Council to maintain.
    • 12 footpaths/channels in the town centre.
    • Belper Town Council owned grit bins.
    RESOLVED to note representatives from the County Council, Borough Council and Town Council will be invited to attend a meeting in the Spring to discuss gritting issues.
    RESOLVED to note a meeting with Town and Borough Council representatives is to be held 11.00am Friday 24 June 2011 to discuss mutual responsibilities.
  10. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Forthcoming events/Notices etc.
    The Mayor attended an 'Open Day' at Belper Cottage Project and he was impressed with the work that is carried out there.
    To mark St Georges Day, flags and bunting will be erected around the town. The Scouts and guides will parade through the town centre and attend special church services Sunday 17 April 2011.
    The Mayor made a plea for information of any land available in the town suitable for allotments and for a piece of land suitable for a piece of artwork designed in gravel.
  11. FINANCE
    RESOLVED:
    1. To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the months of December and January covering transactions of 5696 - 5808. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £920.28 and Expenditure of £9,951.09.
    2. To note the bank reconciliation for current/public reserve accounts as at 31 December 2010.
  12. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    1. RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 25 January 2011 - 8 February 2011.
    2. RESOLVED to note the planning decisions listed on schedules dated 11 January 2011 - 31 January 2011.
    3. RESOLVED to note following the refusal of planning application AVA/2010/0456 outline planning application for the erection of 75 dwellings on land at Hill Top Farm, Mill Lane, Belper an appeal has been made and a public meeting is to be held 12 April 2011.
    4. The Council considered pre planning application consultations for the proposed installation of 4 telephone masts in the town. Councillors Jim Anderson, Norman Bull, Alan Cox and John Nelson left the room whilst this item was discussed. RESOLVED to object the Chairman of the Council's Planning Response committee Councillor Arnold to respond stating valid objections to the proposed installations.
  13. GRANT APPLICATIONS
    311 - Fleet Arts
    RESOLVED to refuse grant application 311 - Fleet Arts.
  14. OUTSIDE BODIES
    Belper Cottage Project
    Councillor Jackie Cox thanked the Mayor for attending the projects 'Open Day' the event was very well attended and similar events are planned for the future.
    Belper Community Hall Committee
    Councillor Jackie Cox informed the Council that the group was getting smaller and she made a plea for new trustees to join the group.
  15. GRITTING AT SUNNY HILL, MILFORD
    The Council considered a letter from a resident at Sunny Hill offering assistance with gritting RESOLVED Clerk to invite the resident to a meeting planned to be held in the Spring where the Council will discuss winter services.
  16. AMERICAN CIRCUS
    RESOLVED to note the Borough Council has received a request from an American Circus to hire Belper Show ground and for permission to bring a Circus that does not include animals for 5 days in April 2011.
  17. THE QUEENS 2012 DIAMOND JUBILEE
    RESOLVED to defer discussion of this item until the June meeting to allow the new Council to decide what celebrations are to take place.
  18. DERBYSHIRE FESTIVAL FORUM
    RESOLVED Clerk to attend a further two meetings of the Derbyshire Festival Forum and report back to the Council any benefits to the Council.
  19. SPEED LIMIT ON THE A6 AT THE ENTRANCE OF ST ELIZABETH'S SCHOOL
    Letter received from Councillor Chris Jackson explaining the reasoning behind the County Council's decision not to reduce the speed limit on the A6 at the entrance of St Elizabeth's School. RESOLVED Clerk to send a reply asking for an explanation as to why the speed limit is 30mph on the A6 at Duffield which has a similar road layout as Belper.
  20. MEETING WITH THE BOROUGH COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE PROMOTION OF BELPER TOWN
    RESOLVED Councillors Peter Arnold, Joe Booth and John Nelson to attend a meeting with Borough Council officers to discuss how the Borough Council can continue to promote Belper for visitors in light of the cuts to the Borough's budget.
  21. PROCTORS FUNFAIR LTD
    RESOLVED to grant permission for Proctors Fun Fair Ltd to hold a Fun Fair on a section of the Coppice car park 31 March until 2 April. For the purpose of building and dismantling the of equipment a section of the car park will closed from Sunday 29 March until Sunday 3 April.
  22. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS HAVE YOUR SAY
    RESOLVED to note 'Local Development Plans - Have Your Say' community consultation to be held 2pm until 7pm 17 February at the Lion Hotel, Belper.
  23. TREE IN ST JOHN'S CHAPEL'S GROUNDS
    Letter received from St John's Management Company informing the Council that a tree in the grounds at St John's Chapel is affecting the light in two of the adjacent apartments. The tree was there before the school was converted into apartments and is a conservation area. RESOLVED not to prune the tree.
  24. DERWENT VALLEY TRIUMPH SPORTS SIX CLUB RALLEY
    RESOLVED to grant permission for the Derwent Valley Triumph Sports Six Club annual rally to start on the Market Place Sunday 26 June 2011.
  25. HMS BROCKLESBY
    Letter received from Lieutenant Commander, Commanding Officer James Byron updating the Council of the ships programme RESOLVED Clerk to thank the officer for his letter and wish the crew Good Luck and a safe journey.
  26. CAR BOOT SALES
    Councillor Alan Cox left the room whilst this item was discussed RESOLVED to note the dates of the Pottery School car boot sales.
  27. TREE MAINTENANCE IN THE MEMORIAL GARDENS
    RESOLVED to accept the quotation received from Landscape Maintenance Services Ltd to carry out the works to make the sycamore tree safe in the Memorial Gardens behind the Jehovah's Witness building and to remove the self setting trees that are affecting the retaining wall.
  28. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the agenda and the schedule attached to these minutes.