Present

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

The Mayor allowed Mr Tony Ingle to speak prior to the meeting regarding the provision of a skateboard park in the town.

Mr Ingle said that such a facility was needed for teenagers as skateboarders were upsetting local residents by using roads and pavements. He agreed that the location of a skateboard park would need serious consideration due to noise generation. Local youths had organised a petition to gain support. A purpose built park would be most preferable in a central location. Temporary ramps etc used on public highways are dangerous. Mr Ingle asked if Dronfield Town Council could do anything to help provide these facilities.

Councillor Foster responded that the Council was fully supportive of facilities for the youth of the town, but unfortunately no Dronfield Town Council budget for a skateboard park was currently available. He outlined recent events and projects where lottery funding had been bid for, but had been unsuccessful. This facility had been included in the Dronfield Town Council’s Heart of Dronfield initiative whereby funding was being sought from EMDA and this bidding process is ongoing.

Councillor Foster asked for suggestions and dialogue of where a suitable site might be considered. It was then mentioned that Gosforth School site by the tennis courts might be appropriate. It was then suggested that the Derbyshire County Council Youth Service could be involved in the research, and that further meetings to consider locations and units required would be useful.

The Mayor thanked the deputation for attending and putting their case.

139. Public Forum on Planning Matters

Mr David Ward of Barnes Avenue spoke on behalf of more than twenty six residents in attendance, concerning a recent application for four stables and a haybarn on land adjacent to Barnes Avenue that had been granted consent with several conditions by North East Derbyshire District Council.

He questioned if anything further could be done concerning this granted application because residents were still worried that the conditions may not be adhered to. He questioned whether the effluent and foul water flows would be monitored and whether North East Derbyshire District Council would enforce any conditions attached. He spoke at length on the application process and how the application had been dealt with by North East Derbyshire District Council and seemed unhappy with certain alleged anomalies in the system.

He was informed that this Council had objected to the application before it was granted and that North East Derbyshire District Council now had a duty to ensure that all the conditions attached to the consent would be carried out by the applicant. He was further informed that North East Derbyshire District Council’s Enforcement Officer had the powers to insist that the conditions were met.

 

140. Apologies

RESOLVED That apologies from Councillor Mrs P England for non attendance be received and accepted.

 

141. Youth Matters

None received.

 

142. Police Matters

RESOLVED

1. That the report be received and noted.
2. That this Council requests the more meaningful quarterly crime statistics on a ward by ward basis in NE Derbyshire at regular intervals for consideration.

139. Council Minutes

Members considered the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on Monday, 2^nd December 2002. (Pages 76 – 90)

RESOLVED That with the alteration in Minute 115 "from Barnes Avenue to Barnes Lane", the Minutes be received, noted and accepted as a true record of events and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.

 

140. Matters Arising

None.

141. Planning Matters

1. Planning Applications (Appendix 1)

1. Application 01297/FL – Construction of replacement agricultural building at Ockley Farm, Dyches Lane, Coal Aston.

That further information be sought from North East Derbyshire District Council regarding which building will be replaced, and by what.

2. Reference 01329/FL (construction of new roundabout before any other operations commence) at Wreakes Lane, Dronfield

That this Council reiterates its objection to any variation or relaxation of Condition 4 on the application by Sainsbury’s –

3. Reference 01378/OL – demolition of existing school and construction of medical centre and housing development (Outline Application/Major Development)

That concerns be expressed regarding the relocation of the Health Centre which may have serious implications for users of the facility who need to access it by public transport.

4. Reference 01336/CM – Reclamation of derelict land at land adjacent Bath Works, Mill Lane, Dronfield by Derbyshire County Council

1. Planning Decisions

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

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

 

2. Planning Charter – Development Control

Members considered a copy of The Planning Charter published by North East Derbyshire District Council, which aimed to outline the nature and level of service provided, together with the type of work undertaken by the Development Control Team.

RESOLVED That The Planning Charter as published by North East Derbyshire District Council be received and noted.

3. Planning Appeal

1. That the details of the appeal by Sainsbury’s Supermarkets be received and noted.
2. That this Council reiterates its objection to any Variation of Conditions attached to the initial reserved matters.

139. Model Code of Conduct

1. That the information be received and noted.
2. That it be noted that no alteration to the schedule were submitted to this meeting.

139. Town Clerk’s Progress Report

1. Outside Services.
2. North East Derbyshire District Council – Contribution of Maintenance.
3. Litter at Dronfield Bottom.
4. Publications Received.

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

139. Reports from Dronfield Town Council Representatives

None received.

140. Grant Aid

1. That grant aid to the Childminders Support Group not be awarded due to the fact that the group is only currently being set up, but that free use of a meeting room in the Civic Hall is offered to the group for the purpose of becoming established.
2. That Dronfield pre School not be awarded grant aid under S.137 of the Local Government Act, but that they be informed that the Education Authority may have the facility to award discretionary grant aid to groups such as theirs.

139. Working Group of the Town Council

1. The road safety issues concerning the Sainsbury’s development were considered and explanations were given why North East Derbyshire District Council had refused the variation to Condition 4 of the previously given consent.
2. The proposal to construct a mini roundabout at Gosforth Lane/Gosforth Drive junction were considered and were cautiously welcomed with certain provisos of additional signage required and painted road hatchings on the Gosforth Drive downhill approach to the roundabout.
3. Green Lane (adjacent to School) was once again considered and it was thought that Derbyshire County Council consider what other measures may be appropriate to lessen the impact of pedestrian/vehicle additional usage when the School becomes a single site. It was thought that the triangle of Green Lane, Sheffield Road and Snape Hill Lane should be considered in total.
4. It was agreed that certain requests for traffic calming on some roads be considered and evaluated by the Town Clerk and the Chair of this Working Group.

139. Courses and Conferences

Members considered a schedule of courses and conferences by the Social Services Department of Derbyshire County Council and EMDA.

RESOLVED That the schedule be received and noted.

 

 

 

140. Greenwatch Award Scheme 2003

RESOLVED

1. That the correspondence be received and noted.
2. Should any Member know of a worthy nominee, the Town Clerk be informed who would then submit a nomination.

139. Audit of the Best Value Performance Plan 2002/2003

Members considered a report of the District Auditor following the audit of the Council’s Best Value Performance Plan (2002/2003). He had made no statutory recommendations following the audit.

RESOLVED That the audit report be noted and approved.

 

140. Budget 2003/2004

1. That the Council apply to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Loan Approval to borrow the sum of £125,000 from the Public Works Loan Board to complete funding for the three major capital projects of Coal Aston Changing Rooms, Gosforth Lodge Community Centre and Dronfield Woodhouse Bowls Pavilion.
2. That the Council approves a precept of £580,000 for the financial year of 2003/2004.

139. Schedule of Payments (Appendix 2)

Members considered a schedule of payments entered into the Bought Ledger in the amount of £109,484.90 and a schedule of payments in the Cash Book of £161,145.16.

RESOLVED That the schedule of payments (Bought Ledger) of £109,484.90 and the schedule of payments (Cash Book) in the amount of £161,145.16 be agreed and approved for payment from the Council’s No 1 account.

 

140. Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 3)

Members considered a schedule of receipts in the amount of £15,583.77 for the month of November 2002.

RESOLVED That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £15,583.77 for the month of November 2002 be received and approved.

 

141. Public Forum