Present

Councillors G Baxter : M Brader : D Cheetham (Town Mayor) : M Emmens : Mrs M C 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 Wing.

115. Public Forum for Planning Matters

Mr Neil of Barnes Avenue, Mrs Hatfield, Mrs Mitchell and Mrs Rawlings all addressed the meeting concerning a planning application by Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd for a mast and associated telecommunications antennae at land adjacent to Barnes Avenue. It was stated that this phone company had recently had an application turned down by North East Derbyshire District Council and they were now applying for a similar facility at a nearby location.

The site is within the green belt, close to the home of local residents and schools, would be a visual eyesore on the local landscape being sited on the brow of a hill, and could present dangerous microwave emissions to young people. Any development would be obtrusive.

There are currently masts within three miles of this location and the operator does not appear to have considered mast sharing with other companies. Some 20/25 residents were in attendance and asked the Town Council to strenuously object to this application.

 

116. Apologies

RESOLVED That apologies be received and accepted from Councillors Mrs P A England (illness) and N R Foster (business) for the reasons stated.

 

117. Youth Matters

The Town Mayor announced the sad death of Mr Doug Herring who had given many years of service to the local youth community. He will be a great loss to the local community and his hard work and commitment to local youth will be sorely missed. Details of Mr Herring’s funeral and cremation were announced with a request that any donations could be made to the Renal Unit of Northern General Hospital.

 

118. Police Matters

1. Annual Report 2001/2002

RESOLVED That the Annual Report 2001/2002 circulated to Members be received and noted.

2. Other Police Matters

115. Council Minutes

Members considered Minutes of the Meeting held on 4^th November 2002.

RESOLVED That with the addition of Councillor Wing’s apologies being recorded, the Minutes be approved as a true and accurate record of events, and that the Town Mayor be authorised to sign them as such.

 

116. Matters Arising

Minute 103(1)

The Town Clerk reported that he had written again to set up a meeting with the supermarket developer and both North East Derbyshire District Council and Derbyshire County Council regarding highway matters associated with the development. It was hoped that a meeting would be convened in the first two weeks of the New Year.

 

117. Model Code of Conduct

No changes registered.

 

118. Planning Matters

1. Planning Applications (Appendix 2)

1. Reference 00758/FL – Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of one four-bedroomed detached house and one three-bedroomed bungalow (Amended Plans)

That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to conduct a site visit of the Planning Committee before any decision is reached.

2. Reference 00964/FL – Construction of four stables and tack room for private use and a haybarn (Amended Plans) at land off Barnes Avenue

Councillor Mrs M Taylor declared an interest in this item and did not speak or vote thereon, but left the meeting whilst it was considered.

That this application be objected to on the grounds of over-development of a site in the green belt.

Councillor Mrs Taylor rejoined the meeting.

3. Reference 01230/TCNFL – Telecommunications determination in respect of a 15m timber monopole with three antennae, one dish antenna, equipment cabin and associated fenced equipment compound (Amended Siting) at Barnes Farm, Barnes Lane, Dronfield Woodhouse

1. Perception of public hazard from microwave emissions and there being no proof that these installations are safe.
2. Obtrusive development in the green belt and sited on the brow of a hill to make matters worse.
3. That a very similar application by the same operator had recently been turned down by North East Derbyshire District council and it was perceived that the company was being obtuse in applying again for such a similar project.
4. That this operator had also had an appeal against North East Derbyshire District Council’s refusal turned down by a Government Planning Inspector on more than one ground.
5. That no evidence of consultation with other companies regarding mast sharing has taken place.

1. Reference 01241/FL – Attic conversion and extensions to dwelling at 8 Longcroft Road, Dronfield Woodhouse

Members requested further details before submitting any observations.

2. Reference 01269/FL – Two storey extension to the side, front and rear elevations plus single storey extensions to the front and rear at 125 Stubley Lane, Dronfield

Members requested further details before submitting any observations.

3. Reference 01274/FL – Application for approval of reserved matters for the erection of a detached house at land adjacent 24 Lea Road, Dronfield

1. Consent and Refusals

RESOLVED That the schedule of consents and refusals submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council be received and noted.

 

2. Planning Appeals

Reference APP/R1038/A/02/1094292

Land at New Leaf Nursery, Dyche Lane, Coal Aston

1. That the correspondence be received and noted.
2. That the decision allowing the appeal be viewed with disappointment.

RESOLVED That this Council reiterates its strenuous objections and notifies the Planning Inspectorate accordingly.

115. Town Clerk’s Progress Report

1. Civic Hall

RESOLVED That the main contractor be given twenty eight days notice to rectify continuing faults with wall tiling and wooden flooring. Failure to comply within twenty eight days will result in the Town Council commissioning the work using other contractors and the main builder will be invoiced for the work.

2. Outside Services

It was reported that the new Gosforth Lodge was nearing completion and outside services staff will be busy in helping to make the transition as smooth as possible.

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

3. EMDA Offers of Grant

Members were informed that EMDA had offered a grant of £16,500 for Groundwork Creswell to do initial feasibility work on the Heart of Dronfield Initiative.

RESOLVED That the offer of a 100% grant from EMDA for feasibility work in the Heart of Dronfield Initiative be accepted.

4. Publications Received

RESOLVED That the publications received be received and noted.

115. Reports from Dronfield town Council Representatives and other information

None received.

 

116. Grant Aid

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

 

117. Working Groups of the Town Council

1. Members considered the Notes of a meeting between Members and Coal Aston Bowling Club held on 31^st October 2002.

RESOLVED That the Notes be received and noted.

2. Members considered the Notes of the Properties Working Group held on 26^th November 2002.

RESOLVED

1. That the Notes be received and noted.
2. That Derbyshire County Council be requested to ensure that their grit bins are replenished before the inclement weather starts.
3. That residents be made aware via local press that the salt/grit in the bins is for use on footways and side roads and not for private drives.

115. Cliffe Park Bowling Club

Correspondence had been received from the Cliffe Park Bowling Club thanking the Council for the use of the Bowling Green during the 2002 season and requesting the use of the green for the 2003 season.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

 

116. Freedom of Information Act 2000

1. That the draft Model Code of Conduct be received and noted.
2. That this Council adopt Section 1 and 2 of the model code.

115. Derbyshire County Council (B6057 Sheffield Road, Dronfield) (Temporary Road Closure) Order 2002

RESOLVED That Members receive and note the above Order, which advised them of a temporary Traffic Regulation Order on the B6057 Sheffield Road between the junctions of Lea Road and B6158 Green Lane, Dronfield. This would take place between Sunday 1^st December and Sunday 8^th December 2002 to facilitate carriageway resurfacing.

116. Cinema

RESOLVED

1. That permission for the Churches Together in Dronfield and District not be given due to licencing and legal requirements of exhibiting films.
2. That Churches Together in Dronfield and District be informed that the Town Clerk would liaise with them and attempt to hire the films thought desirable, and then the Town Council would conduct the film shows at the approved rates of admittance.

115. Derbyshire and Derbyshire Minerals Local Plan – First alteration

Coal Policies – Notice of Intention to Adopt Alteration

Members were advised of the above Alteration, which had become operative on 11^th November 2002.

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

 

116. Bank Requirements

The Royal Bank of Scotland had requested the Council to supply a resolution authorising the opening and operation of its bank accounts, confirming that the officers representing the said authority had the relevant authority to sign the bank mandate.

RESOLVED that any two of the following be permitted to sign cheques on behalf of the Town Council together with either the Town Clerk or the Office Manager.

Co-ordinator of Finance/Policy Committee

Deputy Co-ordinator of Finance/Policy Committee

Town Mayor

Deputy Town Mayor

The above appointments are confirmed at the Annual Meeting of Council held during May of each year.

 

117. Schedule of Payments (Appendix 3)

RESOLVED That the schedule of payments in the sum of £84,372.64 (Bought Ledger) and £14,989.38 (Cashbook) be received and approved.

118. Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 4)

RESOLVED That the schedule of receipts for the month of October 2002 in the sum of £321,415.33 be received and noted.

 

119. Public Forum

Mr Jock Keay spoke about the hardship that could be caused by the imminent closure of the Housing Benefits Office in Dronfield by North East Derbyshire District Council. Elderly or disabled people would have difficulty in getting to Chesterfield to use this facility.

It was reported that North East Derbyshire District council will put a scheme in place which should result in a better service for clients by using an appointment and home visit system for such clients.

 

120. 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

 

121. Review of Charges in respect of Town Council Facilities (Appendix 5|)

RESOLVED That the schedule of fees and charges applicable for the Civic Year 2003/2004 be agreed.

 

122. Staffing Matters

1. That Mr Philip Taylor be thanked for his excellent work and commitment over the past years of his service. He was wished a successful future.
2. That Mr Craig Robinson be appointed as Foreman (Outside Services) effective from 1^st January 2003 on the relevant salary scale of point 23.
3. That a part-time park attendant/catering assistant be added to the payroll for duties in Cliffe Park from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm daily on a salary scale of spinal point 6.