BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 8th JUNE 2010

PRESENT:
Councillor John Nelson (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Deborah Biss, Norman Bull, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Colin England, Nick Mothershaw, Mark Robertson, Martin Tomlinson.
In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk) seven members of the public and two members of the press (Belper News and Belper Express).

1684. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
      Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Kevin Hallsworth (work commitments) Councillor Mick Nelson and Councillor Kay Charlton (personnel).
1685. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
      Councillor Mothershaw declared a prejudicial interest in minute number 1695 to consider the grant request from Fleet Arts, Councillor Mothershaw made representation then left the room whilst the item was discussed.
1686. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
      1. Members of the public.
         A member of the public raised the problem of witnesses not coming forward due to the worry of reprisals. He asked the Council to make a statement that giving evidence in court is safe and worthwhile for our society.
         RESOLVED To note the police advised the Council that only the courts has special measures to offer protection to vulnerable witnesses. The police are working with local residents and more witnesses are coming forward.
         A member of the public raised his concerns on a letter in the local press asking for witnesses to come forward about offences in Belper. He was particularly upset that the article was aimed at the older generation.
      2. )County Councillors
         County Councillor Chris Jackson reported to the Council:
         Everything has been put in place to keep the traffic flowing and to keep disruption to a minimum whilst the road repairs on the A6 at Duffield are being carried out. Crich Quarry is to close and this should reduce the number of Heavy Goods Vehicles on the A6. 4.8 million is to be spent on resurfacing the highways and improving and updating safety on the roads in Derbyshire.
         Councillor Anderson raised concerns over the poor quality of the recent road surface repairs in Belper. Councillor Jackson agreed to send the Clerk a report on the costs and reasons for road surface dressings.
         Councillor Arnold raised concerns over the wet tar that had been left on the pavements following the road repairs at Chapel Street and Bridge Street.
         Councillor Alan Cox asked for the speed limit to be reviewed on the A6 between the Fire Station and St Elizabeth's School. RESOLVED Clerk to send a formal request for this speed limit on this section of road to be reviewed with the possibility of lowering the speed.
      3. Police
         Sgt. Booth reported on the antisocial behaviour problem on the A6 and the Belper Meadows. The arrest of one individual, the introduction of a Business Watch scheme and an increase in patrol in the area have made a huge impact.
         There has been an increase in anti social behaviour at the Tesco Express and the Whitemoor Recreation ground which is possibly due to the improvement in weather.
         The vandalism problem on Nottingham Road seems to be reducing.
         There has been a rise in lead thefts from residential properties, leaflets have been distributed and other initiatives introduced to increase awareness of the problem.
         Councillors raised issues including damage to fences, damaged grass areas, the problem of off road driving and antisocial behaviour. Sgt. Booth agreed to investigate and increase patrols in the areas.
1687. ORDER OF BUSINESS
      RESOLVED to bring forward item 13 'Outside Bodies' and discuss after the Mayors announcements.
1688. 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 Eligibility of an officer, Payments to Belper Music and Arts and the Reimbursement of the May 2008 election expenses and they be instructed to withdraw.
1689. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 13 APRIL 2010
      RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1641-1669 of the Council Meeting held 13 April 2010.
1690. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL'S ANNUAL MEETING HELD 11 MAY 2010
      RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1670-1683 of the Annual Meeting held 11 May 2010.
1691. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
      Forthcoming events/Notices etc.
      Mayor Councillor John Nelson informed the Council that the Strutt Charity will be his nominated charity for his term of office this year. He advised the Council that he will be attending the Belper Steam and Vintage event.
1692. FINANCE
      RESOLVED:
      1. To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the months of April and May covering transactions 4698 - 4805. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £12, 6370.98 and Expenditure of £16,249.48.
      2. To note the bank reconciliation for current/public reserve accounts as at 31 March 2010.
      3. The Council approved the Statement of Accounts, Annual Governance Statement and Annual Internal Audit report for the year ended 31 March 2010.
      4. To enter into a three year Insurance Long Term Agreement which will guarantee an annual 5% discount.
      5. To approve amendments to the Financial Regulations. The following Committees, Working Parties, the Mayor and Town Clerk are given delegated authority to spend up to the budget level of expenditure within the following budget headings in accordance with Financial Regulation 2.7:
         The Mayor - Mayoral allowances.
         Town Clerk - St. John's Administration, Staff Costs excluding wages, salaries and on-costs, Memorial Gardens, Market Place, The Coppice, Floral Displays, Vehicles/Equipment, General Maintenance, Allotments.
         Larks in the Park Committee - Larks in the Parks.
         Belper Food Committee - Food Fair.
         Christmas Committee - Christmas.
         All other expenditure must be approved by Full Council unless there is a specific resolution to delegate a decision to a committee, working party or individual.
1693. MINUTES OF THE FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 29 APRIL 2010
      RESOLVED to note Minutes 217-224 of the Finance Working Party held 29 April 2010 and to approve the recommendations for the market stall fees and the St John's Chapel room hire charges to remain the same and for the allotment charges to increase by 10% from April 2011.
1694. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
      1. RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 20 April 2010 - 2 June 2010.
      2. RESOLVED to note a public exhibition is to be held at the St John's Chapel 15 June 2010 regarding the proposed development of private and affordable housing at Mill Lane, Belper.
      3. RESOLVED to note a public meeting is to be held at St John's Chapel 11 June 2010 regarding the Borough Council's sale of land at Wyver Lane.
      4. RESOLVED to note the Council's response to the Amber Valley Local Development Framework - Core Strategy Issues and Options consultation. The Council thanked the sub committee for the work they had done in preparing the response.
1695. GRANT APPLICATIONS
      303 - Fleet Arts
      Request received for £7,750 towards arts projects and children's activities RESOLVED to grant an award of £5,600 towards their planned art projects. Clerk to write a letter advising them of the Council's decision and to recommend they submit a further application for the children's activities when they can confirm the exact details of how the money will be spent.
      304 - Heage & Netherheage Carnival Committee
      RESOLVED to refuse the grant application and to recommend they apply to their own local authority, Ripley Town Council.
1696. REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES FOR 2009/10
      Friends of Belper Parks
      Councillor Biss informed the Council that following a complaint from the Friends of Belper Parks committee to the ombudsman about the Borough Council's failure to deal with a formal complaint and its refusal to work with the Friends. The Borough Council has agreed to comply with the ombudsman's request to offer an apology and a reimbursement.
1697. COUNCILLOR VACANCIES
      RESOLVED To accept the resignation from Councillor Potter, Clerk to send a letter to him thanking him on behalf of the Council for the work he has carried out in Belper in his capacity as a Town Councillor. To note the advice from the monitoring officer with the regards to the eligibility of office for Councillor Miller. Clerk to notify the monitoring officer of two vacancies available on the Town Council.
1698. DALC AMBER VALLEY PARISH/TOWN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
      RESOLVED to note due to the closing date arising before the Town Council meeting the Clerk informed the DALC office of the Town Council's previously chosen candidate Councillor Arnold as a replacement member for the Amber Valley Parish/Town Council representative on the DALC Executive committee. To note that following the ballot of Member Councils, the successful nomination for the vacancy to serve on the Executive Committee to 2011 was Councillor K Buttery of Kilburn Parish Council.
1699. BUS STOP AT WHITEMOOR MEDICAL CENTRE
      Request received for a bus shelter to be placed outside the Whitemoor Medical centre RESOLVED Clerk to write and explain that it is not the Town Councils responsibility to provide a bus shelter at this site. Clerk to ask them to write to the developers to ask them to meet their planning conditions which include the provision of a footpath and provision of pedestrian crossing facilities with tactile paving and a refuge.
1700. TRADE REFUSE BINS
      Request received asking the Council to provide an area for the storage of a trade bin RESOLVED delegated powers given to Councillors Alan Cox, John Nelson and Jim Anderson to meet with the proprietor to discuss and decide on a suitable site.
1701. STEWARDS FOR THE LARKS IN THE PARK
      RESOLVED to appoint stewards for the next four events.
      13 June Councillor John Nelson
      20 June Councillors Nick Mothershaw and Colin England
      27 June Councillor Norman Bull
      4 July Councillor Peter Arnold
      
1702. SUNDAY CAR PARKING CHARGES
      RESOLVED to note the Borough Council will not make an exception to waive parking charges when the Town Council hold events on Sundays.
1703. CAR BOOT SALES
      RESOLVED to note the dates of the car boot sales previously agreed by the Clerk to be held at Pottery Primary School 23 May 2010 and 4 July 2010.
1704. ST JOHN'S CHAPEL ROOF REPAIRS
      The Clerk informed the Council that the repairs to the roof in the ladies toilets at St John's Chapel have been carried out. Following further inspections it has been found that more repairs to the Chapel roof is required RESOLVED Clerk to obtain quotations for the necessary repair work.
1705. WEEKLY MARKET
      Clerk reported on the proposed weekly market RESOLVED to note
      The market will be held Fridays at 7.00am until 2.00pm except on the Farmers Market weekend.
      The market will have a six month trial period and at any time within the trial period if any of the trader's goods or the market itself is considered unsuitable the individual trader or the whole market will be closed.
      The Town Council will receive a proportion of the income.
      The stalls will be set up as the Farmers Market layout wherever possible.
      The Council will provide one barrier key for the Market organiser.
1706. BELPER MUSIC AND ARTS
      RESOLVED Clerk to contact the police for advice as to whether funding provided to the Belper Music and Arts committee was used appropriately.
      
1707. ELECTION EXPENSES 1 MAY 2008
      The Clerk reported on the Town Council's attempt to recover election expenses for the joint by-election held 1 May 2008. RESOLVED to note no further action can be taken.
1708. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
      RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the agenda and the schedule attached to these minutes.