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 : J Williams : M Wing.

179. Public Forum – Planning Matters

Mr M Wood of Longacre Road addressed the Council concerning an amended planning application for the erection of two detached houses to the rear of 10 Longacre Road. He still considered the development inappropriate due to restricted access and style of proposed houses not in keeping with the streetscene. The amended houses would have a lower pitched roof, but would still be two storey houses in an area dominated by bungalows.

Mr Wood had asked the Council at the previous meeting to object to the original application. The Council at the meeting held in January 2003 had resolved to object to the application.

 

180. Apologies

RESOLVED That apologies from Councillors Mrs P A England, Mrs M C Foster and Mrs W Temple be received and accepted.

 

181. Youth Matters

None raised.

 

182. Police Matters

PC Dave Crook attended and presented the month’s crime statistics (appendix 1). He reported that an operation targeting car crime was held in February and had been successful. There had been a reduction in car related crime. Routine patrols had also been stepped up to stop such crimes.

Members suggested that there was a public perception that there was a lack of police interest in some crimes (petty vandalism, burglary of outbuildings, damage etc). It was suggested that the local police write a column in the weekly ‘Advertiser’ to get their message across.

It was reported that North East Derbyshire District Council was improving lighting and making improvements to local car parks in a bid to reduce car crime. The new CCTV cameras are now operational at Callywhite Lane and Cliffe Park.

PC Crook stated that a new foot beat policeman had been appointed for Dronfield and would soon take up his duties.

RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.

 

183. Council Minutes

Members considered the Minutes of the meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 3^rd February 2003. (Pages 103 – 113)

RESOLVED That the Minutes (pages 103 – 113) be accepted and received as a true record of events and that the Town Mayor be authorised to sign them as such.

 

184. Matters Arising

None.

 

185. Planning Matters

1. Planning Applications (Appendix 2)

RESOLVED That the Council reiterates its former objections to this proposal due to the fact that it is backland development, access may cause a safety hazard and that the proposed dwellings would be incongruous to the present streetscene.

1. That this Council expresses its concern regarding this application due to previous applications, which were refused.
2. That North East Derbyshire District Council Planning Committee be requested to conduct a site visit before any decision is reached.

RESOLVED That this proposal be objected to as the proposed mast is within the narrow restricted green belt, would offer visual intrusion in the green belt and the applicant gave no evidence of seeking to share masts with other telecommunication operators.

1. 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 Appeals

RESOLVED That the schedule of received and noted.

179. Model Code of Conduct

Members were reminded that any changes to their entry in the register must be recorded. No changes were reported.

 

180. Town Clerk’s Progress Report

1. That the report be received and noted.
2. That Mr Robin Brooker be sent a letter expressing the Council’s appreciation regarding the manner in which he carries out his duties in the Civic Hall.

179. Reports from Town Council Representatives

Councillor Foster reported on a meeting with Groundwork Creswell regarding the Heart of Dronfield Initiative. Additional facts and information were exchanged so that a draft submission report could be sent to this Council and EMDA within the next two weeks. EMDA had granted Dronfield Town Council the sum of £63,337 for Groundwork Creswell to improve the environment and create walkways for the Mill Lane to Callywhite network of paths and improve the general area of Mill Lane.

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

 

180. Grant Aid

Members considered a request for grant aid from the St John Ambulance (Divisional Section) towards the provision of ambulances throughout the County.

RESOLVED That no grant be offered in this case due to the geographical nature of the organisation, and also due to the fact that the local St John Ambulance Brigade had recently acquired a new ambulance with the help and assistance from local community groups.

 

181. Working Groups of the Town Council

1. Properties Working Group

Members considered the notes of the meeting of the Properties Working Group held on 26^th February 2003.

RESOLVED That the notes of the Properties Working Group held on 26^th February 2003 be received and noted.

2. Road Safety Working Group

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

179. Courses and Conferences

Members considered a schedule of Courses and Conferences.

RESOLVED That the schedule be received and noted but that no further action be taken.

 

180. Coal Aston Bowling Club

Members considered a schedule of sessions for which the Coal Aston Bowling Club required consent to use the Bowling Green at Coal Aston,.

RESOLVED That the schedule be noted and that Coal Aston Bowling Club be granted permission to use the Bowling Green for those fixtures.

 

181. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Members considered correspondence from Derbyshire County Council, which explained how to claim an area of land as a public right of way.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

 

182. Derby and Derbyshire Minerals Local Plan : First Alteration : Coal Policies – Adoption

Members were informed that the adopted edition of the Alteration to the Derby and Derbyshire Minerals Local Plan has been published.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

183. Derby and Derbyshire Joint Local Access Forum

Members considered the comments upon the geographical coverage of a proposed Derby and Derbyshire Joint Local Access Forum.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

184. Schedule of Payments (Appendix 3)

Members considered schedules of payments in the sum of £43,110.75 (Bought Ledger) and £27,363.33 (Cash Book) for the month January 2003.

RESOLVED That the schedules of payments in the sum of £43,110.75 (Bought Ledger) and £27,363.33 (Cash Book) for the month January 2003 be noted and authorised for payment.

 

185. Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 4)

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of January 2003 in the sum of £59,227.45.

RESOLVED That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £59,227.45 for the month of January 2003 be received and noted.

 

186. Public Forum