Present

Councillors G Baxter : M Brader : D Cheetham : M Emmens : N R Foster : T Furniss C A Gill : F Higgins : D Hill : E N Hodd : Mrs K Marr : W I Pryce : Mrs C A Smith J Sorrill : J Stocks : S P Temple : J Williams (Town Mayor)

Mr Harry Barnes MP had been invited to address the Council on matters relating to Dronfield but had informed the Clerk that he was unable to attend, but requested further dates of Council Meetings and he would be happy to attend.

58. Public Forum on Planning Matters

None raised.

 

59. Apologies

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

Councillor Mrs W Temple (illness)

Councillor M Wing (holiday)

 

60. Youth Matters

None raised.

 

61. Police Matters

1. Parish Councils Evening

Members considered an invitation from the Chief Constable for two Members to attend a presentation evening on Thursday, 25^th September setting out a number of aspects relating to the County’s Police Plan.

RESOLVED That Councillors Gill and Pryce attend the presentation evening.

2. Beat Constables

1. That this Council expresses its disappointment with the Chief Constable’s report.
2. That a further letter be sent outlining the fact that funding for such beat constables was one of the cornerstone reasons why the police precept had been increased by 21% during this financial year.
3. That Dronfield, as the largest urban area in the North East Derbyshire district, contribute vast sums to the police budget, and it was high time that Dronfield received its fair allocation of resources.
4. That Members considered that money was being raised in Dronfield, and the town was subsidising other areas that receive a disproportionate share of resources.
5. That, as the police precept has doubled over the past four years, Dronfield should be allocated a dedicated beat constable now and not in 2004/2005.
6. That the correspondence be received and noted with disappointment.

1. Other Police Matters

RESOLVED That the reports be received and noted.

62. Council Minutes

Members considered the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 7^th July 2003. (Pages 22 – 37)

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

 

63. Matters Arising

None raised.

 

64. Planning Matters

1. Planning Applications (Appendix 1)

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

1. Application 03/00880/FL for provision of hard surfacing, removal of mound on eastern boundary and formation/excavation of fire barrier along northern and eastern boundaries for Cyclotech Environmental Ltd, Callywhite Lane, Dronfield

RESOLVED That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to impose a condition if consent were to be given to the above application, requiring the developer, or their insurers, to indemnify themselves should the excavations/groundworks cause a re-ignition of the underground fires which occurred some years ago. The reason for the condition to be that if the underground fires were to be re-ignited, then the cost of containment should not fall upon any of the three local authorities in the area.

 

2. Applications 03/00931/FL and 03/00932/LB for the conversion of existing barn to one dwelling (Conservation Area/adjacent Listed Building) at 1 Lea Road, Dronfield

RESOLVED That Dronfield Town Council objects to this proposal due to it being backland development within the conservation area. It would lead to over-development of the conservation area, detract from the current streetscene in the conservation area and access/egress from the site could cause a potential road hazard at a notoriously unsafe junction.

3. Application 03/00936/FL for one detached dwelling and detached garage on land to the rear (Conservation Area/adjacent Listed Building) at 12 Eckington Road, Coal Aston

RESOLVED That this Council objects to the proposal due to it being backland development, would lead to over-development and detract from the pleasant streetscene in the conservation area. Access/egress problems may also occur down this narrow lane leading to the proposed site.

 

4. Application 03/00994/FL for the retention of four columns with floodlights to a 5-a-side football pitch at Akadamy, Callywhite Lane, Dronfield

RESOLVED

• That this proposal be strenuously objected to because the development would lead to over commercialisation of the green belt, would cause light and noise pollution to the adjacent area of natural beauty and could damage the eco-structure of adjoining Frith Wood. It would also be visually obtrusive to residents on the far side of the valley.

• That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to supply a reason why no enforcement action had been taken against the offending columns and floodlights following the refusal of a previous application.

• That North East Derbyshire District Council be asked to investigate why the original condition for permission to build a café/restaurant stating that only users of the golf facilities could use the restaurant area not be rescinded. There are no golf facilities at this location and the restaurant is being used contrary to the condition imposed.

1. Application for Relaxation of Condition for Sainsbury’s Supermarket, Wreakes Lane, Dronfield

RESOLVED That Dronfield Town Council objects to this application to relax a condition to create a pedestrian footway between the store’s car park and the top of High Street, Dronfield.

The condition was specifically put in at the request of this Council, and North East Derbyshire District Council, to ensure that the shortest safest pedestrian access would be created between the store and the town centre. This would help the centre remain viable and accessible for people wishing to use both facilities.

 

2. Installation of a 30m high mast for GSM-R equipment at Dronfield Station

• That Dronfield Town Council object to the installation of a 30m high latticed mast at Dronfield Station which would cause severe visual intrusion for residents and be an eyesore in the conservation area.

• That whilst Dronfield Town Council recognises the safety implications of why such installations are required, Members requested a site visit to investigate alternative locations involving Officers of North East Derbyshire District council and Network Rail as soon as possible.

1. Schedule of Planning Decisions

Members considered a schedule of planning decisions supplied by North East Derbyshire District Council

RESOLVED That the schedule be received and noted.

 

2. Planning Appeals

• Site at Barnes Farm, Barnes Lane, Dronfield Woodhouse against refusal of planning permission in respect of telecommunications determination in respect of a 15m timber monopole with 3 antennas, one dish antenna, equipment cabin and associated fenced equipment compound (amended siting).

• Site at Ferndale Nursery and Garden Centre Ltd, Dyche Lane, Coal Aston against refusal of planning permission in respect of proposed relaxation of condition 2 of NED 1182/932 to allow conservatory sales.

• Site at 92 Carr Lane, Dronfield Woodhouse against conditions imposed upon granting planning permission in respect of the construction of a detached garage to the front.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

1. Appeal Decisions

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

62. Model Code of Conduct

Members were reminded that they must register any change 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, and that no amendments were received to the initial statements.

 

63. Town Clerk’s Progress Report

1. NED Local Plan

1. That the report be received and noted.
2. That Dronfield Town Council supports the revisions to the Local Plan Review which are in line with this Council’s original comments.

1. Former Council Depot – Stonelow

1. That the information be received and noted.
2. That the Town Clerk be authorised to continue discussions and negotiations for the proposed exchange of land between Dronfield Town Council and North East Derbyshire District Council.
3. That North East Derbyshire District Council be informed that this Council will construct the vehicle loading facility, and it will be dealt with under this Council’s existing planning consent.
4. That no independent assessment of this Council’s strip of land is undertaken.
5. That North East Derbyshire District council be reminded of the initial agreement that the land exchange would be at no land cost to either Council.

1. Year End Accounts – 31^st March 2003

1. That the statement of accounts for the financial year 2002/2003 ending on 31^st March 2003 be received and accepted as a true record of the Council’s financial affairs.
2. That the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign the accounts as having been accepted by the Council and that the Audit Commission is furnished with a signed copy.
3. That the amended statement of accounts for the financial years ending on 31^st March 2002, 2001 and 2000 be received and accepted as a true record of the Council’s financial affairs and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.

1. Dronfield Town Guide

Members considered the latest version of the official Town Guide recently published following deliberations by the Town Guide Working Group. Members expressed satisfaction with the new style layout and for the additional information about the work and facilities of this Council. Members also expressed thanks to the local business community whose paid advertisements helped to make the whole thing possible.

RESOLVED That the Town Guide 2003 be received and noted.

 

2. Cliffe Park Changing Rooms and Toilets

1. That an amount of £6,000 be vired from the budget heads 4018 and 4019 (litter bin and dog bin emptying) to compensate for the capital costs involved in renovating the two changing rooms and public toilet areas at Cliffe Park.
2. That an amount of £2,000 be vired from the budget heads 4018 and 4019 to the capital budgets of litter bin, salt/grit bin and dog control bins provision.
3. That the renovations to both changing rooms and the three toilet areas at Cliffe Park, as detailed above, be carried out on a programmed basis during the current financial year at a cost not exceeding £6,000 in total.

1. Publications Received

RESOLVED That the publications received and available for inspection at the Town Clerk’s Office be received and noted.

62. Reports from Dronfield Town Council Representatives

None received.

 

63. Grant Aid

Members considered a request from the Chair of North East Derbyshire District council requesting a grant to his annual appeal.

RESOLVED That a grant of £100 be awarded to the Chair’s Appeal (North East Derbyshire District Council) under S.137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

64. Working Groups of Dronfield Town Council

1. Civic Service Working Group held on 1^st July 2003.

RESOLVED That the information be received and noted.

2. Properties Working Group held on 16^th July 2003.

1. That the information be received and noted.
2. That the recommendations and Clerk’s actions be noted and approved.

62. Sponsored Walk

Members considered correspondence from Weston Park Hospital (Cancer Appeal) which invited Members, family and friends to join them on a sponsored walk from, and to, Meadowhall on Sunday, 5^th October. All participants could choose the long walk of 12k or the short walk of 6k.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

 

63. Code of Practice for Handling Complaints

Members considered information from the Derbyshire Association of Local Councils regarding the above Code of Practice.

RESOLVED That the report be received and noted and that Dronfield Town Council formally adopts the code of practice for handling complaints as attached to these Minutes.

 

64. CCTV Coverage

1. That the correspondence be received and noted.
2. That the person be notified that the installation of CCTV cameras is a matter for the local police in their efforts to reduce crime.

62. New Neighbours

Members considered correspondence from the Local Government International Bureau advising of two new publications about EU enlargement and its potential impact for local communities. Members were advised that the publications were available for inspection at the Town Clerk’s Office.

RESOLVED That the correspondence be received and noted.

 

63. School Milk

1. That Dronfield Town Council continues to finance the provision of a one third pint of milk for those primary scholars who do not take school meals for the two days per week when North East Derbyshire District Council do not supply the milk.
2. That information from North East Derbyshire District council be sought detailing which schools take up this provision and how many scholars per school it entails.

62. Land at Snape Hill, Dronfield

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk, which stated that an area of land at Snape Hill Crescent, which goes to make up a parking area, is leased to the developer for an annual sum of £75.00 per year. It had been agreed during 1998 that this would be reviewed, according to the retail price index, every five years.

RESOLVED That the rental be increased to £90.00 per annum for the next five years at which time it will be reviewed again.

 

63. Schedule of Payments (Appendix 2)

Members considered a schedule of payments in the amount of £105,968.57 for June 2003 and £65,461.67 for July 2003 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account.

RESOLVED That the schedule of payments, as attached at appendix 2, in the amount of £105,968.57 for June 2003 and £65,461.67 for July 2003 be noted and approved as a true record.

 

64. Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 3)

Members considered a schedule of receipts in the amount of £31,655.75 for the month of July 2003.

RESOLVED That the schedule of receipts, as attached at appendix 3, in the sum of £31,655.75 for the month of July 2003 be received and noted.

 

65. Public Forum