Councillors G Baxter : M Brader : D Cheetham (Town Mayor) : M Emmens : Mrs P England : N R Foster : T Furniss : J Gilbert : F Higgins : W I Pryce : Mrs C A Smith : Mrs M Taylor : Mrs W Temple : M Wing.

Prior to the meeting, Denis Langham had been invited to give a brief presentation of the work done by the Chesterfield Action for Access Group. He explained that the group was providing a social car scheme and was contemplating to expand the service to the whole of NE Derbyshire.

He outlined the recent success following a wide scale survey of 1500 people who were mainly elderly or disabled and had difficulty in accessing mainstream transport. Ninety five per cent of respondents reported a problem in using transport. He explained that the CAFA group offered an escorted social car scheme, mainly operated by volunteer drivers for people who cannot travel alone. The volunteers charge 37p per mile, which they keep after offering the service. The group now own several vehicles offering wheelchair access operated by paid staff.

He explained that grants were available from EMDA under the "Vital Villages" scheme whereby up to £10,000 could be available to each parish who joined the scheme. If four or five parishes form a consortium it may be possible for a purpose built access vehicle to be purchased and used within those parishes on a pro-rata basis. The grants would be applied for by Chesterfield Action for Access and the service provided within participating parishes using a paid driver.

Members thanked Denis Langham for his presentation, information and explanation of the scheme.

1. That Dronfield Town Council supports the scheme in principle.
2. That the matter is discussed by the Best Value Working Group and a further report presented to full Council.

10. Public Forum for Planning Matters

No items raised.

 

 

11. Apologies

RESOLVED That apologies be received and accepted from Councillor Mrs K Marr and Councillor J Williams.

 

12. Youth Matters

None raised.

 

13. Police Matters

PC Dave Crook had notified the Council that he would be on annual leave but had supplied the local crime figures for the months of May 2001 compared to May 2002.

	2002	2001
Burglary non dwelling	5	9
Burglary dwelling	6	2
Theft of motor vehicle	7	2
Theft from motor vehicle	13	26
Assault	6	8
Damage	24	21
Other	27	27
Total	88	95

 

The police had previously supplied crime figures by wards of North East Derbyshire District Council and it was requested if this information could be supplied on a monthly basis.

 

14. Council Minutes

Members considered the Minutes of Council held on Tuesday, 7^th May 2002 (Pages 151 – 163).

RESOLVED That these Minutes be received and accepted as a true record of events and that the Mayor be authorised to sign them as such.

 

Members considered the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council held on Monday 13^th May 2002 (Pages 1 – 6).

RESOLVED That these Minutes be received and accepted as a true record of events and that the Mayor be authorised to sign them as such.

 

15. Matters Arising

None.

 

16. Planning Matters

1. Planning Applications (Appendix 1)

1. That application 02/00413/FL at 180 Stonelow Road for the raising of roof to provide living accommodation and single storey extension to rear (amended plans) be objected to on the following grounds.

1. The development would not be in keeping with the current streetscene.
2. Approval of this specific development may set an unwanted precedent.

1. That application 00555/TCN56 at Dore and Totley Golf Club on Bradway Road for telecommunications determination in respect of the erection of a 15m high column mast with associated antennae, equipment cabinets and fenced compound be strenuously objected to on the following grounds.

1. The development is within the green belt and would be incongruous to the nature of the green belt.
2. The development would cause visual intrusion in a predominantly rural scene.
3. There is a public held perception that such installations could be a hazard to safety for residents.
4. That the applicant has shown no evidence of an investigation of mast sharing with other operators.

1. That application 00516/FL at Ockley Farm, Dyche Lane, Coal Aston for the construction of an agricultural building at land to the south (Conservation Area) be strenuously objected to on the following grounds.

1. This development is within the conservation area and would create visual intrusion for residents.
2. That a previous application for a silo comprising a telecommunications mast has been refused at this site, and it was considered that if approval for an agricultural building was granted, then further masts may be sought.

4. That application 00581/CM at Gorseybrigg Primary School for an extension to the existing Infant School to form a single site primary school be supported wholeheartedly because this development would lead to better educational opportunities for the children of Dronfield.

1. Planning Decisions

Members considered the schedule of planning decisions supplied by North East Derbyshire District Council.

RESOLVED That the schedule be received and noted.

 

2. Planning Appeals

1. Appeal by Mr K Grayson in respect of land between 217 Holmley Lane and Whitegates, Pighills Lane, Coal Aston, Dronfield.

RESOLVED That the Planning Inspectorate be notified that Dronfield Town Council re-affirm its objections to this development.

2. Appeal by Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd in respect of land adjacent to Unit 3A-D Callywhite Lane, Dronfield.

RESOLVED That the Planning Inspectorate be notified that Dronfield Town Council re-affirm its objections to this development.

3. Appeal by Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd in respect of site at Barnes Farm, Barnes Lane, Dronfield Woodhouse.

RESOLVED That the Planning Inspectorate be notified that Dronfield Town Council re-affirm its objections to this development.

1. Application 00137/TCN56

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

10. Model Code of Conduct

Members considered the standing item of the agenda whereby they were reminded to notify of any change to their Regulation of Interests.

RESOLVED That the Regulations be received and noted.

 

11. Town Clerk’s Progress Reportu

1. Obscene graffiti was evident on the play area at Dronfield Woodhouse.
2. Road danger at Gosforth Lane/Gomersal Lane due to the blind spot at this junction.
3. The abuse of parking restriction on Chesterfield Road adjacent to the shops and post office.
4. The dangerous position of a post box on Gosforth Lane.
5. Buses using Barnard Avenue.

RESOLVED That the reports be received and noted.

10. Reports from Dronfield Town Council Representatives

None.

 

11. Grant Aid

Members considered applications for grant aid from local organisations.

RESOLVED That the Welcome Club and the WRVS Darby and Joan Club be awarded a grant of £100 under S.137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

12. Courses and Conferences

Members considered a schedule of forthcoming courses and conferences.

RESOLVED That the Town Clerk or his nominee be authorised to attend the annual LCAS seminar at South Elmsall on 28^th June 2002. Dronfield Town Council is a member of LCAS and this attendance would not incur any charges or fees.

 

13. Working Groups of the Town Council

Members considered the notes of the Civic Service Working Party held on Thursday, 23^rd May 2002.

RESOLVED That the notes be received and noted.

 

14. Cultivation Licence

Members considered correspondence from Derbyshire County Council which advised of a cultivation licence agreed with the occupant of Norfolk Lodge, Chesterfield Road, Dronfield.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

15. Twinning

Correspondence had been received from the Dronfield Town Twinning Federation, which thanked the Council for the hospitality provided for their German visitors and hosts on Saturday, 18^th May 2002. The letter also thanked the Mayor for his speech of welcome and for his attendance.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

 

16. Hire of Cliffe Park Tennis Courts

Members considered a request from Mr P J Hatton for the hire of Cliffe Park Tennis Courts between 5^th – 9^th August from 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm.

RESOLVED That approval be given to Mr Hatton to conduct tennis training courses at Cliffe Park from 5^th – 9^th August at an hourly fee of £2.20.

 

17. Schedule of Payments (Appendix 2)

Members considered a schedule of payments in the amounts of £32,550.70 and £131,160.61.

RESOLVED That the schedule of payments in the amounts of £32,550.70 and £131,160.61 be received and approved.

 

18. Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 3)

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of April 2002 in the sum of £181,949.36.

RESOLVED That the schedule of receipts for the month of April 2002 in the sum of £181,949.36 be received and noted.

 

19. Public Forum

No matters were raised.

 

20. Exclusion of the Press and Public

RESOLVED That in accordance with the provision of S1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings Act 1960, as amended by S100 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council do now exclude the press and the public for the remaining items of the agenda by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, since publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest.

 

21. Stonelow Pavilion

RESOLVED That Dronfield Town Council agree in principle to the transfer of a small triangular piece of land adjacent to Stonelow Pavilion to North East Derbyshire District Council and be granted ownership of the lower storey of Stonelow Pavilion in exchange for no monetary cost to either authority.