BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 18th JANUARY 2011

PRESENT:
Councillor John Nelson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Joe Booth, Norman Bull, Kay Charlton, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Colin England, Nick Mothershaw, Mick Nelson, Mark Robertson, David Smith.

In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk) County Councillors Stuart Bradford, Chris Jackson, Peter Makin, Sgt. Booth (Police) one member of the press (Belper Express) seven members of the public.

1845. QUALITY COUNCIL RE-ACCREDITION CERTIFICATE
      Prior to the formal business of the meeting Alan Cooke, a member of the Derbyshire Accreditation Panel, accompanied by Brian Wood, the Secretary/Treasurer of the Derbyshire Association of Local Councils, presented the Council with its Quality Council re-accreditation Certificate.
1846. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
      Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Martin Tomlinson (work) and Kevin Hallsworth (family illness).
1847. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
      There were no declarations of interest recorded.
1848. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
      
      1. County Councillors
         Councillor Stuart Bradford reported that the County Council are to install traffic lights at Hopping Hill/Shaw Lane at the junction with the A6 to improve road safety. Councillor Alan Cox informed the Council that the Road Safety committee had recommended a no right turn at this junction to help improve road safety.
         Councillor Peter Makin reported on the problems incurred with the weather and that the three local authorities had done their best with the resources available to them. He was disappointed that no members of the Town Council attended a meeting about winter services. RESOLVED Clerk to send a letter to the County Council thanking them for keeping the major roads open during the recent severe weather conditions.
      2. Police
         Sgt. Booth informed the Council that suspects had been arrested in connection with the robbery at the Milford Store. There is still a problem with people not securing their vehicles. The police are concentrating their efforts to try and reduce anti social behaviour and vandalism. The Safer Neighbourhood wards and boundaries are to be moved but this will not affect Belper.
      3. Members of the Public
         A resident from Lawn Nook raised concerns about a proposed telecommunication installation next to the playing field at Lawn Nook. RESOLVED the Clerk will place the item on next month's agenda and will ask the agent to extend the consultation period to allow more time for the Council to submit any comments that they may have.
1849. ORDER OF BUSINESS
      RESOLVED to agree to follow the order of business as set out on the agenda.
1850. 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 20 Exempt Items Minutes of a Staff Working Party held 14 December 2010 in camera and they be instructed to withdraw
1851. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 21 DECEMBER 2010
      RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1822 -1844 of the Council Meeting held 21 December 2010. Subject to one amendment that Councillor Mick Nelson was in attendance at this meeting.
1852. MINUTES OF A FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 16 DECEMBER 2010
      RESOLVED to note Minutes 234 - 237 of the Finance Working Party committee held 16 December 2010.
1853. MINUTES OF A STAFF WORKING PARTY HELD 14 DECEMBER 2010
      RESOLVED to note Minutes 94 -100 of the Staff Working Party committee held 14 December 2010.
1854. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
      Forthcoming events/Notices etc.
      The Mayor thoroughly enjoyed carrying out his mayoral duties over the hectic time over the Christmas period. The Christmas Festival and the Christmas Eve Carol Service were a great success and he thanked Adrian Farmer for switching on the lights. The Mayor informed the Council of a Belper Civic Forum meeting to be held 3 February 2011 about proposals for the future development of the town.
1855. FINANCE
      RESOLVED:
      1. To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the months of November and December covering transactions of 5587 - 5695. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £68.07 and Expenditure of £14,495.53.
      2. To note the bank reconciliation for current/public reserve accounts as at 30 November 2010.
      3. RESOLVED that the Council's Precept for the year 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 be set at £242,950.
1856. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
      1. RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 27 December 2010 - 17 January 2011.
      2. RESOLVED to note the planning decisions listed on schedules dated 21 December 2010 - 10 January 2011.
1857. DERWENT VALLEY MILLS WORLD HERITAGE SITE
      Adrian Farmer, WHS co-ordinator, updated the Council on the project's post and future events and asked the Council to consider sponsoring one of the events planned for 2011/12. The Town Council recommended that he submit a grant application and thanked him for all the good work that he has carried out in Belper and for putting the town on the map for tourism.
1858. OUTSIDE BODIES
      Belper Cottage Project
      Councillor Jackie Cox invited the Council to an 'Open Day' to raise the profile of the project. The Open Day would take place 12.30pm - 2.00pm on 3 February 2011. Belper & District Road Safety Committee
      Councillor Alan Cox informed the Council that the committee members will be writing to the County Council to ask for the removal of the parking bays outside the Co Op supermarket which the committee believe are stopping the flow of traffic on New Road and Strutt Street. The committee was very disappointed with the County Council's refusal to reduce the speed limit on the A6 outside the entrance of St Elizabeth's School and will continue to campaign for the speed limit to be reduced inline with other areas in the County.
1859. WAKES DAY
      RESOLVED Clerk to organise a Wakes Day event on a date when the Belper Meadows Sports ground is available.
1860. PARKING ON KILBURN ROAD
      The Town Council had asked the County Council to provide additional public car parking at Kilburn Road.. RESOLVED to note the County Council's response that the Council does not provide off street parking for use by the general public.
1861. THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION 'GREAT POPPY WEEKEND'
      RESOLVED to note the Royal British Legion is encouraging individuals and groups across the nation to organise a Poppy Party over the weekend of 10 - 12 June 2011.
1862. SURFACE WATER FLOODING IN BELPER
      RESOLVED to note the County Council's request for the Council to annotate a plan of Belper to highlight the flood risk areas in Belper.
1863. ANNUAL DERBYSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY AND CONSTABULARY PUBLIC EVENT
      RESOLVED to note the Ripley Annual Derbyshire Police Authority and Constabulary Public event is to be held 9 February 2011.
1864. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACT - THE BIG SOCIETY
      Central Government want to give people the opportunity to suggest ideas about their local areas and are introducing opportunities to do this RESOLVED to note the Sustainable Communities Act - Big Society. The Town Council will consult the local community on local issues and reach an agreement with them about what is best for Belper.
1865. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
      RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the agenda and the schedule attached to these minutes.