Councillors G Baxter : M Brader : D Cheetham : M Emmens : T Furniss (Town Mayor) : J Gilbert : F Higgins : Mrs K Marr : Mrs C A Smith : Mrs M Taylor : Mrs W Temple : J Williams : M Wing.

192. Apologies

RESOLVED That apologies for non-attendance from the following Members be received and noted for the reasons stated in brackets.

Councillors N & Mrs M C Foster (Other business)

Councillor Mrs P England (Other business)

Councillor W I Pryce (Other business)

 

193. Planning

1. that Agenda item 6 (Planning Matters) be moved up the agenda
2. that Standing Orders be suspended so that members of the public could make representations at the end of the members’ deliberations.

1. Planning Applications (Appendix 1)

1. Application 01/01099/RM by Geo Jowitt and Son Ltd for approval of reserved matters for the construction of a Food Retail Store/Supermarket with associated access servicing car parking and landscaping (Conservation Area/Major Development) (Amended Plans)

RESOLVED

• That Dronfield Town Council remain firmly opposed to this development, and that North East Derbyshire District Council seek assurances from the highways authority that access/egress has been amended or improved from the previous application.
• That North East Derbyshire District Council be informed that this development is in close proximity to the new 20-mph town centre safety zone and what impact this may have on road safety, which is paramount to Members of this Council.

1. 00137/TCN56 – Telecommunications determination in respect of the erection of a 15m monopole mast with associated antennae, equipment cabin and fenced compound at Dore and Totley Golf Club, Bradway Road, Sheffield for One 2 One Personal Communications Ltd

RESOLVED That Dronfield Town Council strenuously objects to the proposal on the following grounds.

• The location is within the green belt and would cause visual intrusion.

• There is a public perception of danger from such installations.

• The applicant has offered no evidence that mast sharing with other operators has been investigated or considered.

1. 00157/TCB56 – Telecommunications determination in respect of a 15m timber monopole, 3 antennas, one dish antenna, equipment cabin and associated fenced compound at Barnes Farm, Barnes Lane for Hutchison 3G UK Ltd

RESOLVED That Dronfield Town Council strenuously objects to the proposal on the following grounds.

• The site is very close to a well populated residential area and would cause visual intrusion being in close proximity to the green belt.

• The proposal is in close proximity to a well used public footpath and there is a public perception that such installations could be a hazard to health.

• The applicant did not offer evidence that the Industry Code of Practice has been followed, or that any investigation with other operators concerning mast sharing has taken place.

1. 00152/FL – Raising of roof to provide first floor extension at 19 Langdale Drive for Mr & Mrs Lucas

RESOLVED That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene a site visit of the Planning Committee before any decision is reached. Members were aware that all residencies on Langdale Drive were currently bungalows, and would not wish the street scene to be adversely affected.

 

2. 02/00220/OL – Construction of a two storey dwelling and garage (Conservation Area/Adjacent Listed Building) to rear of 12 Eckington Road, Dronfield for Mr S Oxley

RESOLVED That further details be requested from North East Derbyshire District Council in respect of this application.

 

3. 02/0023/FL – Alterations and extensions to existing building to form a detached dwelling and garage on land adjacent (Conservation Area)

RESOLVED That further details be requested from North East Derbyshire District Council in respect of this application.

1. Schedule of Consents and Refusals

RESOLVED That the schedule be received and noted.

 

2. New Leaf Nursery

RESOLVED That an urgent letter be faxed to North East Derbyshire District Council setting out the Council’s objections and reiterating Dronfield Town Council’s view that this proposal would result in severe over commercialisation of a site within the green belt.

At this point Standing Orders were suspended in order for members of the public to speak on planning matters.

Mr David Neil of Barnes Lane spoke concerning the proposed telecommunication mast and ancillary equipment at Barnes Farm. He alleged that the public notification of planning applications was torn and unreadable having been posted on a 3" diameter lampstandard. He further asserted that no alternatives seemed to have been investigated by the operator concerned and no other company had been approached with a view to mast sharing.

A 200-signature petition had been sent to North East Derbyshire District Council opposing this proposal together with many residents writing in to oppose the plans. He informed Members that many parents had real concerns about possible health hazards from such installations and that the proposed mast was within 300 metres of residential housing and also created visual intrusion in the green belt and would ruin the local landscape.

Members thanked Mr Neil for his comments, which had already been incorporated into the Council’s resolution concerning this proposal.

192. Youth Matters

No items raised.

 

193. Police Matters

Due to other commitments no police officer was present at the meeting. Members however were informed that following a specific initiative re car crime and anti-social behaviour in the town, numerous arrests had been made.

Members expressed concern about the level of crime and anti-social behaviour on Lea Road.

Members were also aware that some re-organisation of policing is being envisaged, and would seek assurances that Dronfield will not suffer any deterioration of service.

 

194. Minutes of Council

Members considered the Minutes of Council held on Monday 4^th February 2002 (pages 109 – 122)

RESOLVED That with the amendment to Minute 180(3) on page 114 substituting the name of Jon Williams for John Gilbert, and with the amendment to Minute 181 substituting £5,000 for £59,000 in the second line, that the Minutes be agreed as a true record and that the Town Mayor be authorised to sign them as such.

 

195. Matters Arising

None.

 

196. Town Clerk’s Progress Report

1. Civic Hall
2. Outside Services
3. Details of EMDA bids
4. Publications received.

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

192. Reports from Dronfield Town Council Representatives

Members were informed that a meeting had taken place on 1^st March 2002 to consider a local resident’s wish to initiate a Dronfield Community Website whereby local community groups would have access to the site and participate in its set up and running.

It was felt that whilst Dronfield Town Council supported the proposal in principle, it would be for the "steering group" of local communities to find the funding for such a project. Advertising revenue for the continuing expense of operating the site may be considered.

RESOLVED That Mr Paul Kent be notified that Dronfield Town Council will make available a meeting room at no cost, for the proposals to be put to local community group representatives in the first instance.

 

193. Grant Aid

RESOLVED That the following groups be awarded a grant of £100 under S.137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

1. North East Derbyshire Music Centre
2. St Andrew’s over 60’s Club
3. Dronfield Town under 16’s Football Club.

192. Working Groups of the Town Council

1. Members considered notes of the Road Safety Working Group held on 22^nd February 2002 when it discussed the Derbyshire County Council proposals for additional traffic calming measures at Sheffield Road and Chesterfield Road.

RESOLVED That the notes of the Road Safety Working Group held on 22^nd February 2002 be received and noted.

2. Members considered a report of a meeting held with EMDA to consider further initiatives and to devise a "Strategy for Dronfield". Dronfield Town Council had produced a presentation brochure outlining this Council’s achievements and future proposals for improvements within the town.

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

192. Highway Matters

Members considered correspondence from Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick, which advised of essential carriageway resurfacing/reconstruction and drainage works to be carried out on the northbound carriageway of the A61 between Whittington Moor and Bowshaw roundabouts commencing 25^th February for approximately eleven weeks.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

 

193. Draft Economic Development Programme 2002-2003

Members considered the third programme under the 5-year Economic Development Strategy for North East Derbyshire, which set out the Council’s Strategic Objectives and Actions for 2002/2003.

RESOLVED That the programme be received and noted.

 

194. Callywhite Lane Regeneration Feasibility Study

Members considered correspondence from North East Derbyshire District Council advising that Vantage Point Consultants had completed the Callywhite Regeneration Feasibility Study. The Council had resolved to contribute £1,000 towards this study but were now informed that the contribution required would only be £800.

A copy of the full report is available at the Town Council offices for Members’ information.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

 

195. Ethical Framework

Members had been circulated with a document from the National Association of Local Councils outlining an Ethical Frame that aimed to ensure high standards of conduct in local government.

RESOLVED That the document be received and noted.

 

196. District/Parish Liaison Group Meeting

Members considered correspondence from North East Derbyshire District Council, which advised that the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 6th March, had been postponed until 1^st May 2002.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

197. The Local Government (Best Value) Performance Plans and Reviews Amendment and Specified Dates Order 2002

1. That the information be received and noted.
2. That Dronfield Town Council will reconsider its proposals to conduct service reviews in the light of the new regulations.

192. Schedule of Payments (Appendix 2)

Members considered schedules of payments in the amounts of £12,426.00 and £30,810.48 made on the Council’s No 1 account.

RESOLVED That the schedules of payments in the amounts of £12,426.00 (bought ledger) and £30,810.48 (cash book) payments be approved and agreed.

 

193. Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 3)

Members considered a schedule of receipts in the sum of £47,013.40 for the month of January 2002.

RESOLVED That the schedule of receipts in the sum of £47.013.40 be received and noted.

 

194. Public Forum