BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 14th FEBRUARY 2012

PRESENT: Councillor Alan Cox (Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Jim Anderson, Peter Arnold, Alan Broughton, Joseph Booth, Kay Charlton, Jackie Cox, David Fisher, Stephen Holden, Eric Johnsen, John Nelson, Mark Robertson, Deborah Biss (arrived at 7.20).
In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk), 2 members of the press (Belper Express and Belper News) County Councillor Chris Jackson and Peter Makin, Sgt. Richard Booth.

2129. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
      Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Black and Shepherd (holidays) and Tomlinson.
2130. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
      There were no declarations of interest recorded.
2131. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
      1. Police
         Sgt Richard Booth informed the Council that following two new initiatives, arrests have been made which has made a significant impact in reducing the number of burglaries in Belper. The Skate Park lighting event was a success and 50 young people signed up to form a youth forum with a view to adopt the park. There has been a series of lead thefts in the town and to help detect offenders two new operations have been put in place.
      2. County and Borough Councillors
         1. Councillor Chris Jackson agreed to look into the problems of road congestion in Belper. Councillor Peter Makin informed the Council that the Drop Inn centre has been awarded a £25,000 grant.
         2. Borough Councillor John Nelson informed the Council that a bench is to be installed at the bottom of New Road.
2132. ORDER OF BUSINESS
      RESOLVED to discuss supplementary agenda item 24 Minutes 031 - 036 of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee meeting held 10 February 2012, discuss the Options for Housing Growth consultation.
2133. 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 agenda item 22 to consider the findings of a report on a commercial building in Belper.
2134. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 10 JANUARY 2012
      RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 2111 - 2128 of the Council Meeting held 10 January 2012.
2135. MINUTES OF A FOOD FESTIVAL COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 30 JANUARY 2012
      RESOLVED to note the Minutes 293 - 302 of the Food Festival committee held 30 January 2012.
2136. MINUTES OF A FINANCE WORKING PARTY HELD 2 FEBRUARY 2012
      RESOLVED to note and adopt the recommendations of the Minutes 264 - 268 of the Finance Working Party committee held 2 February 2012.
2137. MINUTES OF A QUEENS DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 10 FEBRUARY 2012
      RESOLVED to note and adopt the recommendations of the Minutes 031 - 036 of the Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations committee held 10 February 2012.
2138. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
      Forthcoming events/Notices etc.
      • The Jubilee weekend was very successful apart from a few people couldn't attend due to the weather.
      • The Commander of HMS Brocklesby travelled from Portsmouth to be at the Mayor's Civic Service.
      • The Mayor's Quiz was a success.
      • 10 people joined the Mayor for the Royal Connections Walk organised by the World Heritage Tourism.
      • The Mayor attended the opening of the Community Theatre at Belper School and is to see the theatre's first production Copacabana.
      • The Mayor will be attending a 100th Birthday Party.
2139. FINANCE
      RESOLVED:
      To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the months of December and January covering transactions of 7233 - 7321. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £100.30 and Expenditure of £6,890.39.
2140. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
      1. RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 17 January 2012 - 14 February 2012.
      2. RESOLVED to note the planning decisions listed on schedules dated 17 January 2012 - 14 February 2012.
      3. RESOLVED to note the planning application appeal for the proposed dropped kerb to the front of 27 Upper Hartshay has been dismissed.
      4. RESOLVED to note the appeal against the enforcement notice for the change of use at 4 The Bent, Jackson Lane has been upheld.
2141. OUTSIDE BODIES
      • Belper United Charities
        Councillor Jackie Cox asked the press to publicise that there is money available from the charity for residents who are in need in Belper and Milford.
      • Belper Cottage Project
        Councillor Jackie Cox made a plea for trustees and volunteers to join the committee.
2142. PARISH LIAISON MEETING
      RESOLVED to note the next Parish Liaison meeting is to be held 26 April 2012.
2143. PUBLIC FOOTPATH CLOSURE No 64 and No 66
      The Council considered a letter asking if Footpath No 64(part) and No 66 which has been temporarily closed off to facilitate public safety during bridge works could be open at weekends RESOLVED Clerk to inform the resident that the contractors will agree to lift the closure of the bridge from 17 February on the understanding that they reserve the right to close the bridge at very short notice.
2144. COMPANY VEHICLE
      RESOLVED after consultation with Councillors Jim Anderson, Alan Cox and John Nelson the Clerk has purchased a used Mercedes Sprinter Tipper at a cost of £14,750 plus VAT to replace the Councils current vehicle. Clerk to monitor that faults covered under the 6 month warranty are corrected at no cost to the Council.
2145. YOUTH SERVICES
      RESOLVED to note the Derby County Council consultation on the changes to the way they deliver youth activities and the series of Youth Consultation events and to ask Councillors Black and Shepherd if they would like to attend one of the consultation events.
2146. BELPER POLICE ENQUIRIES OFFICE
      RESOLVED to note the enquiries office at Belper Police Station is to close.
2147. TREE OF LIGHT APPEAL
      RESOLVED to note Belper and Duffield Rotary Club thanked the Council for the use of the Christmas Tree on the market place for their Tree of Light appeal which raised £100.
2148. BRITAIN IN BLOOM AWARDS CEREMONY
      The RHS Britain in Bloom 2012 awards are to be held 6 October at Guernsey, a maximum of five places are available RESOLVED the Clerk, Councillors Alan and Jackie Cox, Councillor John Nelson and his wife are to attend the presentation to receive the Council's award. The Council agreed to pay the costs for Councillors and the Clerk. The Councillors indiicated they would not be making any claim.
2149. NEW SETTLEMENT AT DENBY - OPTIONS FOR HOUSING GROWTH CONSULTATION
      The Council agree that there is a need for housing growth and realise that if there was to be a new settlement at Denby this would take the pressure for new houses to be built in Belper RESOLVED to note the Borough Council's Options for Housing Growth consultation and to recommend residents register their comments.
2150. DERWENT VALLEY TRIUMPH SPORTS SIX CLUB RALLY
      RESOLVED to grant permission for the Derwent Valley Triumph Sports Six Club annual rally to start on the Market Place Sunday 24 June 2012.
2151. COUNCIL PREMISES
      RESOLVED to note after consultation with Councilor John Nelson and the Chairman of the Finance Working Party, Councillor Alan Cox, the Clerk has made an offer inline with an independent valuation for the purchase of a commercial building.
2152. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
      RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the agenda and the schedule attached to these minutes.