Present

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

Prior to the meeting, the Town Mayor requested Members to stand and observe one minute’s silence in memory of former Town Councillor Pat England, and Mr Jack Duncan, the husband of a former Town Councillor.

No matters raised.

82. RESOLVED

That apologies be received and accepted from Councillor David Cheetham.

 

Youth Matters

Ms Denise Holmes introduced herself as the new youth worker for Dronfield and informed Members that this was her first visit. She apologised for not attending sooner due to staffing difficulties.

Ms Holmes reported that both Gosforth and Gladys Buxton sites were well used, and that future initiatives could include mobile youth units to reach areas without a fixed facility. The North East Derbyshire Young People’s Forum involving youth, members and staff welcomed feedback from users and members. A new advisory group would shortly be set up involving youth workers, members and local youth to set parameters. Attendances vary, but are between fifteen and forty for the youth club meetings, and ranges of topics included seminars/tutorials on drug awareness and health issues for young people.

Consternation exists about the fabric of the buildings at both Gosforth and Gladys Buxton, but this is a matter for Derbyshire County Council to consider and decide upon.

Members thanked Denise for her report and hoped it would be a regular item on future agendas.

83. RESOLVED

That the report be received and noted.

 

Police Matters

PC Jones attended for this item and offered apologies for PC Andrews who was not available. He presented the crime statistics (appendix 1) showing comparative figures for the months of September 2003 and 2004. It was apparent that the overall crime figures had dropped substantially once again, with the exception of assaults, which had risen for very specific reasons. Car crime was also well down due to joint initiatives with the South Yorkshire Police in tackling this problem.

 

Council Minutes

Members considered the Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th September 2004 (Pages 31 – 46).

84. RESOLVED

That with the addition of Councillors S and Mrs W Temple being shown as present, and with the addition of Councillor Wing’s apologies being accepted due to other business, the Minutes be accepted as a true record of events and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.

1. Planning Applications (Appendix 2)

82. RESOLVED

That the following observations be made.

1. NED 04/01195/FL – Change of use of land to keeping of horses and construction of a manage at lot 5 at land off Barnes Avenue, Dronfield Woodhouse.

Objections be made due to the cumulative effect of over commercialisation of the green belt at this location and the possible detrimental effect to indigenous wildlife in the area. Members did not wish to see unsatisfactory precedents being set for this type of application.

2. NED 04/01207/FL – First floor extension over existing bungalow to provide additional living space, conversion of ground floor room to provide integral garage, construction of conservatory to rear and demolition of detached garage at 1 Hazel Close, Dronfield.

Objections be made on the grounds that the proposal would not be in keeping with the existing street scene.

3. NED 04/01225/FL – Construction of 16 dwellings (7 semi-detached and terraced and 9 three-storey flats on land (Major Development) at Gomersal Farm, Gomersal Lane, Dronfield.

This application be strenuously objected to for the following reasons.

• The development would create a hazard for the existing road network due to additional access and egress into narrow access roads.
• It could have a detrimental effect on indigenous wildlife in the area.
• It is incongruous with the existing area.

4. NED 04/01235/TCNFL – Erection of a 15m high fake cypress tree to be used as a telecommunications radio base station and associated equipment cabinets and fenced equipment compound on land adjacent Ockley Farm, Dyche Lane, Coal Aston (Conservation Area).

This application be objected to on the following grounds.

• That the site is within the green belt and adjacent to the conservation area creating visual intrusion.
• That doubts still exist about the safety of such installations.
• That the applicant has shown no evidence of considering mast sharing with other operators.

2. Planning Decisions

82. RESOLVED

That the schedule be received and noted.

2. Planning Appeal

82. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

 

Model Code of Conduct

Members had been 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.

83. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

Members considered reports on the following projects and ongoing services.

1. Outside Services projects.
2. Stonelow Pavilion.
3. Redecoration of Civic Hall rooms.
4. Temporary Footpath Closure.
5. Internal Auditor’s Report.
6. Young Achiever’s Award.
7. Publications received.

 

89. RESOLVED

1. That the reports be received and noted.
2. That an article for NED News be submitted for item 2 above.

 

Reports from Town Council Representatives on Outside Bodies

None received.

 

Working Groups

No reports.

 

Schedule of Payments (Appendix 3)

Members considered a schedule of payments in the amount of £78,122.87 for the month of August 2004 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account.

90. RESOLVED

That the schedule of payments in the amount of £78,122.87 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account be accepted and approved.

 

Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 4)

Members considered a schedule of receipts in the sum of £17,363.99 for the month of August 2004 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.

91. RESOLVED

That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £17,363.99 paid into the Council’s No 2 account be accepted and approved.

 

Public Forum

No items raised.

 

Exclusion of the Press and Public

92. RESOLVED

That in accordance with the provision of S1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, as amended by S100 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council do now exclude the press and the public for the remaining items of the agenda by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, since publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest.

 

Staffing Matters

Members received a report of the Town Clerk concerning staffing matters at Cliffe Park.

93. RESOLVED

That the report be received and noted.