Present

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

No items raised by members of the public.

159. RESOLVED

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

Councillor M Brader	Holiday
Councillor N R Foster	Business
Councillor J Stocks	Holiday
Councillor M Wing	Business

Youth Matters

The Deputy Town Mayor reported that he had attended the passing out parade of the local Air Training Corps and was pleased to report that recruitment was up by 45% and was going from strength to strength. Sixteen cadets were awarded with badges and certificates and the evening was thoroughly enjoyable, seeing so many younger residents accepting responsibility and joining in community events.

160. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

 

161. RESOLVED

That Standing Orders be suspended so that a member of the public could address Members of the Council.

A local resident wished to express her thanks to Members of this Council in opposing a planning application for a crisp factory on land adjacent to the town. The Planning Authority (North East Derbyshire District Council) had recently refused planning consent for this development in Holmesfield.

1. Annual Report

Members were notified that the Annual Report 2002/2003 had been received and was available for inspection.

159. RESOLVED

That the report be received and noted.

1. Other Police Matters

PC Dave Crook had tendered his apologies for not being able to attend at this meeting due to other duties. He had submitted the schedule of crime figures for the month of March 2004 and comparative figures for the month of March 2003 for Members’ information.

159. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

 

Council Minutes

Members considered the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on Monday, 1^st March 2004.

160. RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 1^st March 2004 be received and accepted as a true record of the proceedings and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.

 

Planning Matters (Appendix 1)

Prior to considering application NED/00338/AD submitted by KD5 (Dronfield) Ltd and also the notice of appeal by KD5 (Dronfield) Ltd against an enforcement notice issued by North East Derbyshire District Council, Councillor W I Pryce declared a particular interest in both issues and left the meeting whilst the items were discussed. He, therefore, took no part in the discussion or resolution concerning the applicant/appellant.

Members then considered the schedule of planning applications submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council.

161. RESOLVED

1. That application NED/00338/AD submitted by KD5 (Dronfield) Ltd for the retention of two wall mounted illuminated signs be strenuously objected to on the following grounds.

1. The retention of the lights would add to the visual intrusion in the green belt and could cause unnecessary suffering to the population of wildlife in the adjacent woodland areas, which are designated of special interest.
2. That these illuminated signs should not have been installed prior to consent being given.
3. That the applicant be informed by North East Derbyshire District Council that they cannot, and should not, embark upon initiatives prior to gaining planning consent in this sensitive green belt area.

2. That further details for application in respect of NED/00329/FL, 106 Carr Lane, Dronfield Woodhouse be requested from North East Derbyshire District Council.

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

159. RESOLVED

That the schedule be received and noted.

 

Appeal

Members considered a notice of appeal submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council against their Enforcement Notice issued to KD5 (Dronfield) Ltd.

160. RESOLVED

That this Council reiterate its previous stance on this issue and notify the Planning Inspectorate accordingly.

Members were reminded that they must register any changes to their Declaration of Interest pursuant to a Minute of this Council dated 4^th March 2002.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk, which covered the following initiatives and projects.

1. Outside Services

Members were appraised of progress and work details of the outside services staff.

159. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

1. Stonelow Recreation Ground

Members were informed that since CCTV and floodlights had been installed, criminal damage and vandalism had been reduced and that the legal deed of exchange of land between Dronfield Town Council and North East Derbyshire District Council had now been completed.

159. RESOLVED

1. That the information be received and noted.
2. That the signing and sealing of the legal deed of transfer by the Town Mayor and Deputy Convenor of Finance and Policy, witnessed by the Town Clerk on behalf of Dronfield Town Council be noted and approved.

 

3. End of Year Health Check

Members considered a short report that highlighted the new accounting and audit regulations, which will have implications on how the Council’s financial statements are prepared under the new codes of practice.

159. RESOLVED

That the report be received and noted.

4. North East Derbyshire Local Plan Review

Members were informed that the procedure for the Planning Inquiry to consider their Local Plan had now been finalised.

4. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

5. The Environment

Members were informed that Churches Together in Dronfield had requested that they wished to help with any ongoing tasks as part of their 2005 mission.

6. CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire Countryside Design Awards

Members were informed from the above organisation about the launch of its prestigious Countryside Design Awards 2004. The Awards encourage excellence in planning, architecture and landscape improvements.

4. RESOLVED

That Dronfield Town Council submits entries for the –

1. Mill Lane footway scheme recently completed by Groundwork Creswell.
2. The boundary and footpath improvement in Dronfield.

 

7. Hire of Cricket Pitches 2004 Season

Members considered correspondence from North East Derbyshire District Council advising of the schedule of applications for the 2004 season in respect of Dronfield Woodhouse Recreation Ground, Stonelow Playing Field, top and bottom wickets.

4. RESOLVED

That the correspondence be received and noted.

8. Publications Received

8. RESOLVED

That the list of publications received and available for inspection at the Town Clerk’s office be received and noted.

Members were informed by the Town Council representative on the Dronfield Woodhouse Sports and Social Club that some progress had been made to the club’s financial situation for the short term.

175. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

1. Members considered the Final Accounts draft memorandum issued by the audit Commission and the town Clerk’s response to the items raised.

176. RESOLVED

That the report be received and noted.

2. Members considered the final Statements of Accounts for year ending 31^st March 2003, as amended following the Audit Commission’s audit of the accounts

That the Final Statement of Accounts, audited by the audit Commission, be received, noted and accepted and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.

Schedule of Payments (Appendix 2)

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of February 2004 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account in the amount of £33,362.87.

That the schedule of payments for the month of February 2004 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account in the amount of £33,362.87 be received, noted and approved.

Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 3)

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of February 2004 paid into the Council’s No 2 account in the amount of £13,821.78.

1. RESOLVED

That the schedule of receipts for the month of February 2004 paid into the Council’s No 2 account in the amount of £13,821.78 be received, noted and accepted.

Mr Jock Keay reported that some of the road surfaces in Dronfield were in a bad state of repair with large potholes being apparent. He was informed that when any such reports are given to Dronfield Town Council staff, they telephone the Highways Authority to report them. County Councillor Mrs Hill had also recently submitted a schedule of areas, which she had reported.