Present

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

56. Apologies

RESOLVED That apologies for non-attendance by Councillors M Brader, F Higgins and M Wing be received and noted.

 

57. Youth Matters

None raised.

 

58. Police Matters

1. Pentland Road shopping area where youths are congregating and causing upset to local users and residents.

PC Crook replied that these areas do attract the youth element and an operation was in the pipeline to target this specific area for more patrols and further action.

2. The abuse of cars parking on double yellow lines in Stubley Lane adjacent to Gunstones. No action seems ever to be taken.

56. Council Minutes

RESLVED That the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 1^st July 2002 be received and noted as a true record of events and that the Town Mayor be authorised to sign them as such.

 

57. Matters Arising

None raised.

 

58. Planning Matters

1. Planning Applications

RESOLVED That the following comments, concerns and objections be made.

1. Application 02/00758/FL – Proposed demolition of existing dwelling and construction of two four-bedroom detached houses at 70 Hilltop Road, Dronfield.

Members expressed serious concerns about this proposal as the development on this site would be detrimental to the existing street scene. All the dwellings on this side of Hilltop Road are single storey bungalows and the erection of two four-bedroom double storey buildings would be incongruous.

2. Application 00760/FL – Proposed change of use from extension to shop, to a children’s nursery at 46 Eckington Road, Coal Aston

That the Council strenuously objects to this application as the proposal would lead to additional parking on Stone Road where there is already a perceived traffic hazard for children attending local primary schools. The times of operation of a nursery are the same as those for schoolchildren using adjacent roads.

3. Application 02/00872/FL – Use of agricultural land for caravan storage for a temporary three year period at Barnes Farm, Barnes Lane, Dronfield Woodhouse

That the Council strenuously object to this application because this proposal is within, or adjacent to, the Green Belt and would lead to over-commercialisation. The track and footpath would be subject to additional traffic and cause hazards to users. Concern was also expressed that this would appear to be a retrospective application for a project already in use.

4. Application 02/00864/FL – Proposed change of use from warehousing to car storage and valeting at Exel Logistics, Wreakes Lane, Dronfield

Concern was expressed regarding this application and it was requested that conditions be placed on any consent given specifying that large car carriers do not extrude into the highway in Wreakes Lane thereby causing a hazard.

5. Application 02/00936/TCNFL – Upgrading of existing telecommunications equipment including construction of a shroud to screen equipment and increase in height of section of the cooling tower at Gunstones Bakery, Stubley Lane, Dronfield

Strenuous objections were made to this application on the grounds that the applicant has not offered evidence that discussions regarding mast sharing have taken place. Increasing the height of the existing cooling tower could result in a health hazard for local residents and that emissions from these installations are still perceived by residents to offer a present, or future, health hazard.

6. Application NED 02/00897/FL – Construction of two storey extension and detached double garage (Conservation Area) at 3 Cross Lane, Coal Aston

1. Schedule of Planning Decisions

Members considered a schedule of planning decisions submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council for information.

RESOLVED That the schedule be received and noted.

 

2. Planning Appeal Decision – Land at Pighills Lane, Coal Aston

Correspondence had been received stating that following a site visit held on 16^th July the Planning Inspectorate allowed the appeal, the notice was quashed and planning permission granted for one detached dwelling and garage subject to the conditions outlined in the notice.

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

 

3. Parish and Town Councils to retain role in Planning

Members considered correspondence from DEFRA which stated that the rights of Parish or Town Councils to be notified of all planning applications be retained and that Town Councils should not lose this right of notification.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received, noted and welcomed.

 

4. Proposed Telecommunications Installation at Stubley Hollow Farm

Members considered correspondence from Messrs Higham & Co concerning a proposed telecommunications installation at Stubley Hollow Farm.

RESOLVED That this report be noted, but that no comments be made at this stage. The Town Council will continue to note and comment on the application as and when it is received.

 

5. Callywhite Lane Reclamation

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

56. Model Code of Conduct

No changes declared.

 

57. Town Clerk’s Progress Report

1. Civic Hall

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

2. Gosforth Lodge

1. That the report be received and noted.
2. That the Properties Working Group considers the methods of working and security of staff employed in Cliffe Park.
3. That the Town Council give due publicity and offer advice to all BT users in the town who would wish to see Broadband Internet connections becoming available to the Dronfield Exchange to register a declaration of interest to BT who may then upgrade the exchange to broadband capability.

1. Civic Society

Correspondence had been received from the Dronfield Civic Society who informed the Council that they had nominated Dronfield Civic Hall for a Civic Trust Award 2002.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

2. Public Sculpture

RESOLVED That the information from Graham Ibbeson offering his services as a sculptor be received and noted.

 

3. DALC President 2002/2003

RESOLVED That the information from DALC advising that the election of the President and Vice President on 5^th October 2002 be received and noted.

 

4. Peel Centre

RESOLVED That the Council expresses its thanks to Councillor Baxter and Mrs Jenkins for their commitment.

 

5. Dronfield in Bloom Presentation

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

6. Internal Audit Procedures

1. That the report be received and noted.
2. That the Town Clerk continues to liaise with the North East Derbyshire consortium.
3. That tenders from appropriately qualified persons be sought for the position of Internal Auditor.

1. Year End Accounts

Members received a brief report on adjustments to the year end accounts previously approved.

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

 

2. Accounts Summary 2003 to date

Members had received a schedule of current income and expenditure vis a vis the budget proposals.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

3. Heart of Dronfield Initiative

Members had been circulated with a progress report of the above initiative.

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

 

4. Publications received

RESOLVED That the publications be received and noted.

56. Reports from Dronfield Town Council representatives

None received.

 

57. Grant Aid

1. That Dronfield Police Community Consultative Group be awarded a grant of £75 under S.137 of the Local Government Act 1972 and that the grant be acknowledged in any literature produced.
2. That the following grants be made under S.137 of the Local Government Act 1974.

1. Dronfield Horticultural Society £100
2. Dronfield Tuesday Club £100
3. Dronfield School Council £100
4. Dronfield Town Twinning Federation £200

56. North East Derbyshire District Council – Forward Plan

Members considered the Forward Plans, submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council, for the periods 1^st August to 30^th November and 1^st September to 31^st December 2002

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

57. Courses and Conferences

Members had received notification that the Annual General Meeting of DALC would be held on 5^th October 2002.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

58. Working Groups of Dronfield Town Council

1. Town Guide Working Party held on 15^th July and 19^th August 2002.
2. Properties Working Group held on 16^th and 30^th July 2002.
3. Public Consultation Meeting concerning The Heart of Dronfield held on 22^nd July 2002.
4. Road Safety Working Group held on 19^th August 2002.

RESOLVED That the notes of the above Working Groups be received and noted.

56. Mediumtown

RESOLVED

1. That the correspondence be received and noted.
2. That Dronfield Camera Club be furnished with a copy of the letter for information.

56. School Travel Plan

1. That the report be received and noted.
2. That this travel plan be placed on a future agenda of the Road Safety Working Group.
3. That the information contained in the plan be incorporated into The Heart of Dronfield draft report.
4. That all other primary schools in Dronfield be appraised of this plan.

56. Walking Route – North Chesterfield Way

Correspondence had been received from the Dronfield Footpaths and Bridleways Society which sought permission to way mark a walking route that is being developed by the society.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

 

57. Schedule of Payments (Appendix 2)

RESOLVED That the schedule of payments in the sum of £229,693.00 (bought ledger) and £82,525.67 (cashbook) be approved and noted.

 

58. Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 3)

RESOLVED That the schedule of receipts for the months of June and July in the sum of £9,170.28 and £40,347.34 respectively be received and noted.

 

59. Public Forum

Mr Jock Keay asked why no Town Council newsletter had been published. He was informed that five issues had been published as a full page advertisement in the Dronfield Advertiser reaching every household in the town.

Mr John Marples of Dronfield Town Football Club asked why other than local teams were being allocated pitches at Coal Aston (where the new changing rooms have just been opened), because he was having to turn down young players because no pitch was available.

He was informed that North East Derbyshire District Council let the pitches and pavilions on the Town Council’s behalf. All teams stipulate the percentage of players residing in North East Derbyshire. There are currently vacancies at Stonelow Recreation Ground.

North East Derbyshire District Council submits a schedule of teams allocated to pitches for the Town Council’s information and comment.

 

60. 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.

76. Franking Machine

RESOLVED That a contract be awarded to Ascom Hasler at their tendered price of £1,300 for the supply of a Smile Franking Machine with electronic scales.