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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DRONFIELD CIVIC HALL

ON MONDAY 7th OCTOBER 2002 AT 7.30 pm

 

Present

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

 

Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Town Mayor advised Members that Councillor Mrs Pat England had just left hospital after an operation, and those present joined with the Mayor in wishing Mrs England a full and speedy recovery.

 

  1. Apologies

    2. RESOLVED That apologies received from Councillors Mrs P England and Mrs M C Foster be received and noted.

     

  2. Youth Matters

    3. Mr Doug Herring, Community Youth Worker for the Gosforth Youth Club gave of an overview of the Club’s activities. He stated that a recruitment drive was being undertaken, and that members of the Youth Club were working around the Civic Centre getting to know the young persons who congregate there. A leaflet drop had also taken place in the Dronfield area.

    He also reported on the success of the Gosforth Youth Theatre Group who had been very successful at a recent festival.

    RESOLVED That Mr Herring be thanked for attending the meeting and that a letter to be sent to congratulate the Gosforth Theatre Youth Group on their recent success.

     

  3. Police Matters

    1. Crime and Disorder Act 1988

      2. RESOLVED That the practical guide for parish and town councils in connection with the above be received and noted.

    2. Parish Council Liaison Meeting

      3. RESOLVED That the notes of the above meeting which took place on Tuesday, 20th August 2002 be received and noted.

    3. Other Matters

No Police Officer was present at the meeting and no report was made.

 

  1. Council Minutes

    2. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on Monday, 2nd September 2002 (pages 34 – 49) be received as a true and accurate record.

     

  2. Matters Arising

    3. None raised.

     

  3. Planning Matters

    1. Planning Applications (Appendix 1)

RESOLVED That subject to the following observations the schedule of planning applications be received and noted.

  1. Reference 01067/FL – Variation of Condition 2 (timescales for submission of reserved matters) on Planning Permission NED 397/198 for the construction of a food retail store (Conservation Area/Major Development)

Reference 01082/FL – Variation of Condition 4 (construction of new roundabout before any other operations commence) on approval of reserved matters NED 01/1099/RM for the construction of a food retail store (Conservation Area/Major Development)

Members asked that North East Derbyshire District Council clarify the Variation of Condition 2 and expressed concern that the construction of a new roundabout would be delayed until after the completion of the store. They were extremely concerned that if the highway matters were not resolved then severe congestion may result.

RESOLVED

  • That a meeting between the Developer, Derbyshire County Council and the Town Council’s Road Safety Working Group be sought to discuss the highways issue.

  • That a copy of the above applications be circulated to all Members.

 

 

  1. Reference 02/00964/FL – Proposed construction of four stables and tack room for private use and a haybarn on land off Barnes Avenue, Barnes Avenue, Dronfield

    2. Councillor Mrs M Taylor declared a non-pecuniary interest in this application and left the room whilst a discussion took place.

    Members expressed concern that this would constitute development in the green belt and were opposed to it.

    Councillor Mrs M Taylor returned to the meeting.

     

  2. Reference 01074/TPO – Felling of one silver birch tree covered by NED TPO 103 (Part 2) T3 at 4 Welbeck Close, Dronfield

    3. Concern was expressed that this tree appeared to be a healthy specimen and it was suggested that it would be better to prune the tree.

     

  3. Reference 01047/AD – Display of a double sided projecting illuminated sign (Conservation Area) at 10a High Street, Dronfield

Members stressed that they wished this sign to conform to the strict regulations relating to illuminated signs in a conservation area.

 

    1. Schedule of Planning Decisions

      2. Members had been circulated with a schedule of planning decisions submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council.

      RESOLVED That the schedule of planning decisions be received and noted.

       

    2. Planning Appeal Decision

      3. Members were advised that an appeal in respect of land adjacent to the Hyde Park Inn, Gosforth Valley, Dronfield had been allowed. Members had made observations on this application at their meeting held on 4th February 2002.

      RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

       

    3. Appeal by New Leaf Nursery, Dyche Lane, Coal Aston

      4. Members were advised that this appeal would be determined by Public Inquiry to be held on 29th and 30th October 2002.

      RESOLVED That Members reaffirm their objections to this application.

       

       

       

    4. Supermarket

Notification had been received from Sainsbury’s Property Company that it was to develop the Jowitt site on Wreakes Lane for a supermarket, which would create over 250 full, and part-time job opportunities.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

  1. Town Clerk’s Progress Report

    1. Civic Hall

It was reported that problems still existed with the wall tiling in the toilet areas and that there was a further meeting with the developers the following week.

Owing to prior commitments by users of the Civic Hall on Fridays and Saturdays the Properties Working Group had agreed to show films on a Monday afternoon.

RESOLVED

  1. That all local groups be circulated with details of films showing at the Civic Hall.

  2. That two free tickets be given to all local shops advertising the cinema.

 

    1. Outside Services

    • Bus Shelters

Three new bus shelters had been installed together with solar powered lighting at

Holmesdale Road

Civic Centre

Shakespeare Crescent.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

    • East Midlands in Bloom

Dronfield had been very successful in the East Midlands in Bloom coming third in the large town’s category. The Chantry Hotel received a special award and Dronfield Infant School received three prizes, together with a prize for submitting the best painting. The town had received the most awards for many years.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

    • Gosforth Lodge

The building works were slightly ahead of plans and the proposed completion date of 13th December was on target

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

    • Stonelow Pavilion

Andrew Lockwood was now drawing up amended plans for the pavilion.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

    • The Heart of Dronfield

Councillor N R Foster gave a comprehensive report on a meeting held with Groundwork Creswell and EMDA to consider progress on the bidding for grants.

The Town Council was to proceed with a feasibility study for stage one and Groundwork Creswell would submit an application to EMDA on the Town Council’s behalf. The target completion date for phase 1 was mid-January 2003 when the whole package of works suggested would be submitted.

EMDA were particularly keen on two schemes.

    1. Regeneration of the Mill Lane area which was backed by Derbyshire County Council and

    2. The green footways link from Mill Lane to Callywhite Lane.

The suggested improvements of Lea Brook Valley, the Alma development and Cliffe Park improvements would also form part of the feasibility study and would be looked at in Phase 2 of the project.

 

    • Questionnaires

There had been a positive response to those forms that had been returned and a comprehensive summary of these would be submitted to the November meeting of Council.

 

    • Publications Received

RESOLVED That these be received and noted.

 

  1. Reports from Dronfield Town Council Representatives and other information

    2. None received.

     

  2. Grant Aid

    3. Requests had been received from North East Derbyshire District Council Chair’s Appeal and the Dronfield Group of Visually Impaired People.

    RESOLVED That the standard grant of £75.00 be given to the North East Derbyshire District Council Chair’s Appeal and the Dronfield Group of Visually Impaired People.

     

  3. Courses and Conferences

    4. RESOLVED That the list of courses and conferences be received and noted.

     

  4. Notes of Working Groups

Members had been circulated with the notes of the Properties Working Group held on Monday, 9th September 2002.

Mrs Gillian Scotford who had spearheaded the Thomas’ Playground Appeal, had attended the meeting and reported that none of the playground equipment in the Dronfield play areas specifically catered for children with disabilities. It was stated that if a local group representing children with disabilities got together with the Town Council it would be possible to apply for grant aid.

RESOLVED

  1. That the notes be received and noted, and the Council would take into account these comments when refurbishing new play grounds

 

  1. Coal Aston Bowling Club

    2. Correspondence had been received from the Coal Aston Bowling Club requesting additional use of the bowling green on Thursday evenings. They hoped to enter a ladies team into the Chesterfield Ladies League and matches would be held on alternate Thursday evenings.

    RESOLVED That further information be submitted to the meeting of Council to be held on 4th November 2002.

     

  2. External Audit Appointment

    3. Information had been received from the Audit Commission proposing that they remain as the Council’s external auditor initially for the period 1st April 2002 until 31st March 2004.

    RESOLVED That this information be received and approved.

     

  3. Environmental Services Annual Environment Report 2001/2002

    4. A copy of the Environmental Services Department annual Environment Report for 2001/2002 had been received and was available for inspection.

    RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

     

  4. RSPCA – Use of Cliffe Park

    5. Further to Minute 222 (April 2002) the RSPCA, Chesterfield Division had agreed to the Council’s conditions in using the kiosk in Cliffe Park for the purchase of drinks and ice cream.

    RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

     

  5. Derbyshire County Council Young Achievers Awards 2002

Correspondence had been received from Derbyshire County Council inviting the Council to nominate any young person between the age of three and eighteen years of age that met the following criteria.

    • Bravery in fighting an illness

    • Kindness in helping others

    • Commitment to improving their school, community or local environment

    • Sporting, musical, artistic or academic success.

RESOLVED That if any Member knew of any young person fitting the above criteria they be asked to notify Derbyshire County Council.

 

  1. Council’s Lease Vehicles

    2. Members were advised that vehicle registration N714 EKU was on monthly lease extensions and if they wished the vehicle could be changed for a Peugeot Partner 800LX 2.9 Hdi van at an annual lease cost (5 year lease) of £3,050.

    This figure included maintenance, annual licence duty and MoT testing.

    RESOLVED That vehicle N714 EKU be exchanged for a Peugeot Partner 800Lx 2.9 Hdi van at an annual lease cost (5 year lease) of £3,050 to include maintenance, annual licence duty and MoT testing.

     

  2. Internal Audit Procedures

Members were appraised of a report stating that due to recent legislation all local councils had to appoint an independent internal auditor to carry out specific tests and duties as identified by the Audit Commission.

A consortium of fifteen to seventeen local councils in the North East Derbyshire area had agreed to the appointment of an independent internal auditor and it was agreed to advertise the contract. Following interviews held on 26th September 2002 Mrs Julie Moss was offered the contract at an agreed fee for a period of three years, subject to conditions.

RESOLVED

  1. That Dronfield Town Council forms a constituent part of the North East Derbyshire consortium of local councils wishing to use the services of an independent qualified internal auditor.

  2. That Dronfield town Council duly appoint Mrs Julie Moss as its internal auditor on a contractual basis for a period of three years subject to a bi-annual review.

  3. That the report be received and noted.

 

  1. Schedule of Payments (Appendix 2)

    2. Members considered a schedule of payments for the Town Council’s No 1 (Cashbook) in the sum of £59,919.84 and the Town Council’s Bought Ledger in the sum of £48,265.94.

    RESOLVED that the schedule of payments for the Town Council’s No 1 (Cashbook) in the sum of £59,919.84 and the Town Council’s Bought Ledger in the sum of £48,265.94 be received and approved.

     

  2. Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 3)

    3. Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of August 2002 in the sum of £17,830.88.

    RESOLVED That the schedule of receipts for the month of August 2002 in the sum of £17,830.88 be received and noted.

     

  3. Public Forum

Jock Keay congratulated the Town Council on the introduction of 20 mph road notices in the town.

Mr Keay stressed that a pelican crossing from Pentland Road to Carr Lane was badly needed and believed Derbyshire County Council owing to a cost factor had rejected it. A Member stated that it had not been rejected purely on a cost factor, the Highway Agency had done a survey, which had shown that a pelican crossing was not a necessity at this point.

Derek Oldman wished to know when the Town Council would make observations on the Local Plan and what its view were? It was stated that the Local Plan would be discussed at the November 2002 meeting of Council.

 

There being no further business the Mayor closed the meeting at 8.40 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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