Councillors G Baxter : D Cheetham : M Emmens : N R Foster : C A Gill : D Hill : Mrs K Marr : W I Pryce : Mrs C A Smith : J Sorrill : J Stocks : S Temple : J Williams (Town Mayor) : M Wing.

34. Public Forum on Planning Matters only

No items raised.

 

35. Apologies

RESOLVED That apologies for non-attendance be received and accepted from the following Members for the reasons stated.

M Brader	Vacation
T Furniss	Illness
F Higgins	Bereavement
E Hodd	Working
Mrs W Temple	Working

 

36. Youth Matters

1. Dronfield District Scout Council

Members considered an extract from the Annual Report of the Dronfield District Scout Council, which set out the main achievements during the year, together with the reports from the Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scout and Explorer Scout sections.

RESOLVED That the Council congratulates the Scouts on their activities and achievements during the past year.

 

2. Other Youth Matters

34. Police Matters

1. Members considered a report of the Chief Constable outlining the Force’s plans for the forthcoming year.

RESOLVED

1. That the Chief Constable’s report be received and noted.
2. That the Chief Constable be informed of this Council’s concern that Dronfield will not be allocated a community beat constable in the near future.
3. That the Council expresses its disappointment that despite a 21% increase in the Derbyshire Police funding, it seems that Dronfield is subsidising other areas in police resource matters.

1. Members than raised several points of local concern.

1. Under age drinking in public houses and other areas of the town.

Inspector Pickard and PC Crook replied that the comments had been noted and that where reports of under-age drinking are notified officers will attend and issue warnings and prosecutions where needed

2. Vandalism and damage at local shopping centres in the town

PC Crook replied that the incidents of damage and nuisance in the Civic Centre had fallen since the CCTV was upgraded, but this will continue to be positively monitored to ensure that the problem does not get out of hand.

 

3. Speeding cars on Hilltop Road and Hollins Spring Road

34. Council Minutes

Members considered the Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 2^nd June 2003. (Pages 7 – 21)

RESOLVED That the Minutes be received and accepted as a true record of events and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.

 

35. Matters Arising

None raised.

 

36. Planning Matters

1. Planning Applications (Appendix 1)

1. NED 03/00561/RM. Reserved Matters application for the demolition of the existing school and construction of a medical centre, eleven houses and eight flats (Major Development).

RESOLVED That this Council expresses its concern in that two retail units had now been included in this Reserved Matters application that were not apparent in the outline application and that this could have a detrimental impact on the adjacent shopping parade on Pentland Road.

2. NED 03/00577/FL. Demolition of the existing conservatory and construction of a replacement conservatory and installation of a 2.2m high boundary wall at 44 Ashford Road.

RESOLVED That concern be expressed that a hedge was being replaced by a 2.2 metre high wall and the impact that this might have for sight lines and the current street scene.

3. NED 03/00653/FL. Retention of four columns with floodlights to a 5-a-side football pitch at Callywhite Lane.

RESOLVED That this Council strenuously object to this application as the proposal would be out of keeping with the local green belt, would lead to over commercialisation of the green belt and would create unwanted light pollution adjacent to an area of local nature beauty that is abundant with natural wildlife.

4. NED 03/00671/TP. Use of agricultural land for caravan storage for a temporary three-year period at Barnes Farm, Barnes Lane, Dronfield Woodhouse

RESOLVED That this application be objected to as this development would lead to over commercialisation of the green belt and would create visual intrusion for neighbouring residents.

5. NED 03/00682/FL. Construction of six industrial units and an office block (Major Development) at land adjacent Hallam Polymer Ltd, Callywhite Lane, Dronfield.

RESOLVED That this proposal be welcomed as it would lead to further regeneration of the site and offer job opportunities for the local population.

1. Planning Decisions

Members considered a schedule of planning consents and refusals submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council.

RESOLVED That the schedule be received and noted.

 

2. Planning Appeal

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

34. Model Code of Conduct

Members were appraised that they must register any changes to their Declaration of Interest, details of which were given in the NALC leaflet contained at agenda item 14 of the Town Council agenda for the meeting held on 4^th March 2002.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

35. Town Clerk’s Progress Report

1. Civic Hall

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

 

 

2. Gosforth Lodge

1. That a written agreement with the Dronfield School be drawn up concerning their community partnerships and involvement in the Internet Café.
2. That the report be received and noted.

1. Outside Services

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted.

 

2. Service of Remembrance

Correspondence was received inviting two representatives of the Town Council to attend a special Service of Remembrance and Dedication of the first ever permanent United Kingdom Fire-fighters National Memorial to honour those had had made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their operational duties.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

 

3. Clerk and Council of the Year

1. That the Clerk submits a nomination for Dronfield Town Council to be considered as Council of the Year.
2. That this Council nominates the Town Clerk as Clerk of the Year.

1. Community Bus

Members considered a report on the replacement of the present community bus.

RESOLVED That no action be taken prior to a review of this function by the Best Value Review Panel.

 

2. Quality Council Status

Members considered a report on the implications of applying for Quality Council status.

RESOLVED That Dronfield Town Council applies for Quality Council status and the Clerk be empowered to provide the necessary evidence and training to achieve Quality Council status.

 

3. Best Value Performance Plan

Members considered the Best Value Performance Plan for the year of 2003/2004, which had been agreed by the Best Value Working Group on 24^th June 2003.

RESOLVED That the Best Value Performance Plan as amended by the Best Value working Group of 24^th June 2003 be approved, and that the actions taken in publishing it by the due date be approved.

 

4. Publications received

RESOLVED That the publications received be noted.

34. Reports from Dronfield Town Council Representatives and other information

It was reported verbally that the Town Mayor, Town Clerk and two Members of Council had attended the Strassenfest in Sindelfingen held on 21^st June 2003 at their own expense.

Open discussions and political feedback from all the seven participating towns had taken place and the Town Mayor gave a worthwhile presentation regarding the financial and social progress of Dronfield. It transpired that many of the other twin towns of Sindelfingen were suffering in similar ways with trying to achieve better performances with a reduction in the resources available.

Overall, the event once again helped to achieve a greater understanding of the cultural and social activities of our European partners and many relationships and friendships were cemented.

 

35. Grant Aid

1. That Victim Support Group (Chesterfield) be not awarded a grant due to their request not meeting the Council’s criteria.
2. That Dronfield Horticultural Society be awarded a grant of £100 under S.137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

34. Working Groups of the Council

1. Best Value working Group held on Tuesday, 24^th June 2003

RESOLVED That the notes be received and noted.

2. Properties Working Group held on 25^th June 2003

RESOLVED

1. That the notes be received and noted.
2. That Sainsbury’s be requested to investigate endowing the building by means of sponsorship over a period of years.
3. That an architectural survey be carried out to estimate the building’s value to the town at no cost to this Council.

1. Dronfield Woodhouse Sports and Social Club held on 25^th June 2003

RESOLVED That the noted be received and noted.

2. Road Safety Working Group held on 26^th June 2003

RESOLVED That the notes be received and noted.

3. Groundwork Creswell held on 30^th June 2003

RESOLVED That the notes be received and noted.

34. Courses and Conferences

Members considered a schedule outlining courses and conferences.

RESOLVED That the Clerk be authorised to attend the one day conference in Quality Councils to be held in Loughborough on 22^nd July 2003 at a cost of £25.00 per delegate.

 

35. District/Parish Liaison Group

Members considered correspondence from North East Derbyshire District Council, which informed Members that it was not proposed to continue with the District/Parish Liaison Group in the foreseeable future. North East Derbyshire District Council was proposing to hold Community Forums and Local Focus Groups, the details of which would be forwarded at the appropriate time.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

36. Gypsies and Travellers

Members considered correspondence received from Derbyshire County Council setting out the law relating to unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller encampments.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

 

37. Derby and Derbyshire Freight Quality Partnership Strategy

Members were informed that a copy of the above document was available for inspection at the Town Clerk’s Office.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

38. Draft Audit Plan

Members considered a schedule of proposals and costs for the audit of its books and Best Value plans submitted by the audit Commission for discussion and approval.

RESOLVED That the schedule be noted and accepted.

 

39. Improvement and Development Agency – Guide for New Members

Members considered a copy of the IdeA Guide for new Members.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

40. DALC – Election for Executive committee 2003 – 2007

Members considered correspondence from DALC requesting nominations for member Parish and Town Councils to nominate candidates from Councillors for election.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

 

41. Temporary Road Closure

RESOLVED

1. That the information be received and noted.
2. That concern be expressed regarding the lack of notice given prior to these works which had caused disruption. Members also highlighted the lack of adequate road signing.

34. Diversion of Public Footpath No 28

Members considered correspondence received from North East Derbyshire District council confirming the proposed Order for Diversion of Public Footpath No 28.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

 

35. Schedule of Payments (Appendix 2)

Members considered a report and a schedule of payments for the month of May 2003 in the amount of £83,484.14 transacted on the Council’s No 1 current account.

RESOLVED That the schedule of payments for the month of May 2003 in the amount of £83,484.14 drawn on the Council’s No 1 current account be received and accepted as a true record of transactions.

 

36. Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 3)

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of May 2003 paid into the Council’s No 2 deposit account in the sum of £320,447.41.

RESOLVED That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £320,447.41 paid into the Council’s No 2 deposit account be received and accepted as a true record of those transactions.

 

37. Public Forum