Present

Councillors G Baxter : M Emmens (Town Mayor) : N R Foster : C A Gill : F Higgins E Hodd : Mrs K Marr : W I Pryce : Mrs C A Smith : J Sorrill : J Stocks : J Williams.

Prior to the meeting, Mr Simeon Jones, the Planning Director of North East Derbyshire Primary Care Trust gave a presentation concerning the formal consultation procedure being undertaken about the future of primary care and community hospitals in the North East Derbyshire area.

Some 170,000 residents live in the area, which is basically the area covered by North East Derbyshire and Bolsover District Councils. There are currently two hospitals in the area at Clay Cross and Bolsover, both very modern and meeting all existing criteria.

It was realised that most residents of Dronfield requiring primary care attended at Walton Hospital, which is administered by the Chesterfield PCT and involves arduous journeys by either bespoke or public transport. There is sufficient evidence to show that more work needs to be done in the Dronfield and Eckington areas. Mr Jones explained and presented statistics to show that if Primary Care Trusts could offer more services, then less resources and beds would be needed in secondary care establishments – mainstream general hospitals.

Following some questions and discussion it was –

57. RESOLVED

That Dronfield would welcome the development of local facilities for elderly people with physical and mental health needs. The Council considered that more services, locally are what the general public and patients need and want.

 

Public Forum – Planning

No items raised.

 

Apologies

58. RESOLVED

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

Councillor M Brader	Other business
Councillor D Cheetham
Councillor T Furniss	Holiday

 

Youth Matters

It was reported that this was a momentous week for Dronfield with the amalgamation of the lower and upper schools of Dronfield into one building at the Fanshaw site.

59. RESOLVED

1. That congratulations on the reopening be sent to the school.

2. That the Youth Council of Dronfield (Fanshaw) School be invited periodically to attend these Council Meetings and participate in the Youth Matters section of the agenda.

1. Policing Plan 2004

57. RESOLVED

That the report be received and noted.

1. Other Police Matters

57. RESOLVED

1. That the report be received and noted.
2. That the newly appointed Inspector Mark Fitzpatrick be invited to attend a future meeting of this Council.

Members considered the Minutes of the meeting of the Council Meeting held on 5^th July 2004 (pages 21 – 30)

57. RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 5^th July 2004 be received and accepted and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.

 

Planning Matters

1. Planning Applications (Appendix 1)

Members considered a schedule of planning applications received from North East Derbyshire District Council for comment and observations.

58. RESOLVED

1. That application 04/01023/TCN56 – Telecommunications determination for the erection of a 15m monopole mast and associated equipment at Bentley Hall Farm, Eckington Road, Coal Aston be objected to on the following grounds.

• Located within the green belt.
• Would offer visual intrusion to nearby residents.
• The applicant had produced no evidence that ‘mast sharing’ had been considered or negotiated.
• Potential health hazard.

2. That application 04/01076/FL – Construction of a three-bedroom bungalow on land adjacent to 59 Snape Hill Lane, Dronfield be objected to on the following grounds.

 

• The proposal was back land development with poor access and egress onto the highway, which could result in a road safety hazard.
• Members had requested that a site visit by Members of the Planning Committee be convened prior to any decision being made.

 

3. That application 04/00426/FL (amended plans) – Erection of a building for use as a hot food takeaway and associated parking on land to the front (Conservation Area) at 11 High Street, Dronfield be objected to on the following grounds.

 

• Over commercialisation of fast food outlets in the conservation area.
• Parking manoeuvres to the site would exacerbate road safety hazard on the narrow highway.
• Potential litter and noise pollution caused by customers in the conservation area.

2. Planning Decisions

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

64. RESOLVED

That the schedule be received and noted.

 

3. Planning Appeal

Members were informed of a Planning Appeal against a decision of North East Derbyshire District Council in respect of 13 Pentland Road, Dronfield Woodhouse. The appeal was against the refusal of planning permission in respect of the construction of a two-storey side extension to form kitchen extension and carport with bedroom above, construction of porch to front and construction of new hardstanding and vehicular/pedestrian access onto Pentland Road (Amended Plans)

64. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

 

3. Planning Inspectorate Appeal Decision

Members were informed of the outcome of a planning appeal by Ferndale Nursery and Garden Centre against an enforcement notice issued by North East Derbyshire District Council.

64. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

 

3. The North East Derbyshire (No 240) Tree Preservation Order 2004. One Sycamore Tree located on the Front Boundary between 14 and 16 Sherwood Road, Dronfield, Derbyshire.

 

Members were appraised of the above Tree Preservation Order.

 

64. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

 

Model Code of Conduct

Members were reminded 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.

65. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

 

Town Clerk’s Report

1. Stonelow Pavilion and Outside Services

Members considered a report on the activities of the outside services staff and progress at Stonelow Recreation Ground Pavilion and changing rooms.

69. RESOLVED

1. That the information be received and noted.
2. That a vote of thanks and appreciation be given to all the volunteers from both Dronfield Town Football Club and Dronfield Town Council who have given up so much of their leisure time in achieving this prime example of community partnership working.
3. That North East Derbyshire District Council be thanked for the early release of the section 106 monies for this project.

2. Bus and Rail Interchange Improvements

Members considered correspondence from Derbyshire County Council concerning the provision of bus shelters at Rail/Road Interchanges.

 

 

69. RESOLVED

1. That the correspondence be received and noted.
2. That Derbyshire County Council be requested to move the existing two bus stops to a location closer to the Rail Station and then consider the provision of a free bus shelter at these locations.
3. That Derbyshire County Council be requested to advertise all the trains that stop at Dronfield in their area timetable booklets.

 

2. Civic Hall Market

Members considered correspondence from Mr M Giles concerning the state and trading conditions of local markets.

69. RESOLVED

1. That the correspondence be received and noted.
2. That the Town Clerk’s actions in approving expenditure of £61.50 towards advertising be approved.

 

4. Section 137 – Award Panel

Members were reminded of the previous resolution at the conclusion of the Best Value Review Panel funding concerning Section 137 awards.

70. RESOLVED

1. That a three Member panel be initiated to review and consider application for grant aid prior to make recommendations to Council.
2. That the Awards Panel be comprised of Councillors M Brader, Mrs K Marr and J Sorrill.

 

Reports from Dronfield Town Council Representatives and other information

1. Members considered a brief report on the Derbyshire Local Transport Plan Speed Campaign publication.

73. RESOLVED

That the report be received and noted.

1. Members were advised of the formal audit of the Council’s statement of accounts.

74. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

2. Councillor J Sorrill presented a brief verbal report on the make-up of the Committee of the Dronfield Woodhouse Sports and Social Club.

75. RESOLVED

That the report be received and noted.

 

Courses and Conferences

Members considered a schedule of courses and conferences.

76. RESOLVED

1. That the report be received and noted.
2. That the Mayor and Deputy Mayor be delegated to attend the Parish Council’s Evening at Police Headquarters on Thursday, 23^rd September 2004.

 

Working Groups

1. Members received notes of the Best Value Working Group held on 21^st July 2004 and noted the commence and recommendations.

77. RESOLVED

That the notes be received and noted.

2. Members received notes of the Properties Working Group held on 21^st July 2004 and noted the comments and recommendations. Councillor Sorrill also gave a brief update upon his investigations into the proposed skateboard facility, and would submit a more detailed report to the next Properties Working Group.

78. RESOLVED

That the notes be received and noted.

1. Members considered the notes and amended spreadsheet of evaluation of locations within the town at the Road Safety Working Group held on 23^rd July 2004.

78. RESOLVED

That the notes be received and noted.

Schedule of Payments (Appendix 2)

Members considered a schedule of payments for the months of June and July 2004 in the amount of £254,446.67 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account.

79. RESOLVED

That the schedule of payments for June and July 2004 in the amount of £254,446.67 be received and approved.

 

Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 3)

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the months of June and July 2004 in the amount of £82,224.79 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.

80. RESOLVED

That the schedule of receipts for June and July 2004 in the amount of £82,224.79 be received and noted.

 

Public Forum

Mr Dave Sneesby wished to raise an objection to a planning application that had been considered by Council and a resolution passed objecting to the development on Snape Hill Lane. Mr Sneesby stated that problems with narrow access had been created in the past, and that further development would be a road hazard.

Mr Jock Keay raised the problem of highway maintenance in the town, and asked for an approach be made to Derbyshire County Council to fill out some of the large potholes that can cause distress for disabled drivers and passengers.

 

There being no further business, the Town Mayor closed the meeting at 9.15 pm