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

Mr Les Mills wished to draw Members’ attention to a planning application for a 10m monopole telecommunications mast, plus ancillary equipment, adjacent to the Hyde Park public house. He said he had already written to North East Derbyshire District Council objecting to the proposal because of possible health hazards of such installations in close proximity to a public footpath.

94. RESOLVED

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

1. The Town Mayor reported that he had recently attended the Guides AGM and was pleased to see that it was going from strength to strength.
2. The Baptist Guides had increased from 25 to 37, which showed how well the local youth groups and leaders were working to make a substantial contribution to community life.

PC Andrews was present for this item and had submitted the comparative crime statistics for October 2003 and October 2004. It was noted that almost all crime figures were still falling, with the exception of assaults, which had risen due to two private parties where things had got out of hand, but were of a minor nature. It was also noted that thefts from motor vehicles had fallen once again due to specific initiatives whereby the culprits had been caught.

In answer to a question, PC Andrews reported that crime figures in neighbouring areas were also showing a decrease.

95. RESOLVED

That the report be received and noted.

 

Council Minutes

Members considered the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 4^th October 2004 (Pages 47-57).

96. RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 4^th October 2004 (Pages 47-57) be received, approved and accepted as a true record of events, and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.

1. Planning Applications (Appendix 1)

1. Ref 04/01244/TCN56 – Telecommunications determination for the erection of a 10m high telegraph pole mast, three antenna, one dish antenna and equipment cabinet at land adjacent to Hyde Park Inn on Gosforth Lane for Hutchinson 3G (UK) Ltd.

97. RESOLVED

That Dronfield Town Council object strongly to this development on the following grounds.

• The mast will cause visual intrusion due to it being erected in a prominent position.
• The site is adjacent to the green belt.
• The operator has given no evidence that mast sharing with other operators has been considered.

1. Ref 04/01318/AD – Advertisement consent for freestanding and building mounted sign scheme at The Bowshaw Inn, Sheffield Road for Mitchells and Butler.

98. RESOLVED

That Dronfield Town Council expresses its concern that this proposal could cause visual distraction for motorists on the adjacent busy road network, and that the proposal could cause visual intrusion to the nearby adjacent green belt.

 

2. Planning Decisions

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

99. RESOLVED

That this schedule be received and noted.

1. Appeal Decisions

98. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

1. Planning Appeal

98. RESOLVED

That Dronfield Town Council notify the Planning Inspector of its original resolution and reiterates its objection.

 

Model Code of Conduct

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

99. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

Members considered several reports of the Town Clerk concerning the following projects and ongoing procedures.

1. Works Services.
2. Stonelow Pavilion.
3. External Audit.
4. Dropped Kerbs.
5. Free Tree Scheme.
6. Blue Map Proposals.
7. Economic Development Strategy.
8. Licensing Policy – consultation.
9. Publications received.

 

103. RESOLVED
1. That the report on the Works Services be received and noted.
2. That the report on Stonelow Pavilion be received and noted and that Messrs Bloor Homes be informed that Dronfield Town Council grants permission for them to erect signs at Stonelow Recreation Ground and for potential buyers to use a triangle of land for parking purposes.
3. That the external audit report be received and noted.
4. That the report on dropped kerbs be received and noted and that Dronfield Town Council would wish for the status quo to remain for the provision of dropped kerbs within the town.
5. That the information on the free tree scheme be received and noted.
6. That the report on the blue map proposals be received and noted and that no further action be taken.
7. That the information on the economic development strategy be received and noted.
8. That the report on the licensing policy be received and noted.
9. That the publications received be received and noted

Members reported on an invited tour of inspection recently undertaken at the new development of The Forge on Church Street. It was reported that the development had retained much of its former heritage, that the Mayor and Members had been made most welcome and that the precinct was well worth a visit.

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of September 2004 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account in the amount of £104,285.12.

104. RESOLVED

That the schedule of payments for the month of September 2004 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account in the sum of £104,285.12 be received, noted and approved.

 

Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 3)

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of September 2004 paid into the Council’s No 2 deposit account in the sum of £11,560.26.

105. RESOLVED

That the schedule of receipts for the month of September 2004 paid into the Council’s No 2 deposit account in the sum of £11,560.26 be received and noted.

Mr Robert Hardcastle wished to raise certain issues concerning the Local Plan Review of the District Council, which Dronfield Town Council had discussed and commented upon some four months ago. Mr Hardcastle then raised an issue concerning the recent public inquiry and complained that he had not been afforded the opportunity of fully stating his case.

At this point, it was referred to the Mayor by Members that this was surely a matter for the Planning Inspectorate to answer and that Dronfield Town Council has no responsibility or powers to interfere with a Planning Inspector who is appointed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The proper course of action would be for Mr Hardcastle to write to the Planning Inspectorate with his concerns.