Present

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

None raised.

48. RESOLVED

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

None raised.

48. Councillor Foster welcomed PC David Widdowson, Community Officer for Dronfield, to his first Town Council meeting.

PC Widdowson had supplied a schedule of Crime Statistics for the Dronfield section. He mentioned the increase in ‘Non Dwelling Burglaries’ and stated that residents needed to keep their garages and sheds securely locked as this, in part, accounted for the increase in this figure. There has been a three-fold increase in this crime this month alone.

Members raised various issues including the powers the police have regarding unsafe buildings and the rights of residents to cut hedges, which overshadow their land and who then return the cuttings to the owner of the hedge.

PC Widdowson reported on a police initiative inviting members of the public to complete cards indicating their interest in helping the community in some way. These would be available at the Town Council offices and would be returned to Derbyshire Constabulary HQ in Ripley after completion.

48. Policing Plan for Derbyshire

1. RESOLVED

That this report be received and noted.

 

Council Minutes

1. RESOLVED

That the Minutes of Dronfield Town Council for July 2005 (pages 18 – 26) be approved as a true and accurate record of events and that the Town Mayor be authorised to sign them as such.

48. Planning Applications (Appendix 1)

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

1. RESOLVED

That the following observations to be submitted to North East Derbyshire District Council.

Prior to consideration, Councillor W I Pryce declared an interest on application 05/00891/FL and did not speak or vote thereon.

48. Reference 05/00891/FL – Laying out of 2 all-weather pitches with associated lighting at The Akadamy, Callywhite Lane, Dronfield

The site has had a long history of controversial planning applications, borders open farmland on one side and residential areas on the other and was not considered a suitable site for very bright lighting.

Members had asked if the floodlighting would be permanent and concerns were raised about light pollution and the effect of wildlife in the area.

48. Reference 05/00956/FL – Retention of shed adjacent stables at plot 3 at land off Barnes Avenue, Dronfield

Members had expressed concern at the number of planning applications applying for ‘retention’ or retrospective’ permission.

48. Planning Decisions

48. RESOLVED

That the schedule 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.

 

Town Clerk’s Report

48. Outside Services

Members were informed that Wm Lees had renovated and replaced the car park security fencing so that the boundary hedges within Cliffe Park could now be cleared of excess debris and made more attractive.

48. RESOLVED

That Wm Lees be thanked for the work they had carried out.

 

48. Stonelow Pavilions

Meetings and consultations had taken place with the Buildings Inspector to ascertain that a second storey was acceptable without additional support to the foundations. The Cricket Club had been approached and had agreed to complete the internal renovation work.

48. RESOLVED

That this information be received and noted.

 

48. Planning Matters

North East Derbyshire District Council had issued an enforcement notice on the developer in connection with the work at 2-10 Sheffield Road.

48. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted and that the Police be asked to confirm their powers regarding unsafe buildings (Police Matters page 27 refers).

 

48. Internal Auditor’s Report
48. RESOLVED

That this very pleasing report be received and noted.

 

48. Premises Licence

Members were advised that an application to transfer and amend the licence in respect of Dronfield Civic Hall had been made.

48. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

 

48. Recognition of a Past Chairman

Members were informed of correspondence requesting that some recognition be made to Mr Geoffrey Speed. The letter, which outlined the live and times of Mr Speed extolled the hard work and commitment he had made to the town.

48. RESOLVED

That although Members were agreed on the commitment Mr Speed had made to the town it was the policy of the Council not to recognise any one resident.

 

48. Dronfield Squadron Air Training Corps

Correspondence had been received from the Dronfield Squadron Air Training Corps concerning the setting up of a civilian committee.

48. RESOLVED

That the Dronfield Squadron Air Training Corps be advised that the Town Council had nominated Councillor Mrs Kathy Marr to serve as its representative on the civilian committee at its Annual Meeting held in May 2005.

Prior to discussion on the following item, Councillor F Higgins declared an interest and did not speak or vote thereon.

 

48. Dronfield Town Twinning Federation – Football Weekend

Correspondence had been received from the Town Twinning Federation advising of the impending visit of twenty footballers and friends from its twin town, Sindelfingen, during 30^th September – 3^rd October 2005 and requesting that consideration be given to donating a grant towards expenses.

48. RESOLVED

That a donation of £200.00 be made towards this visit.

 

48. Closure of Footpath 31 in Dronfield

Correspondence had been received from Derbyshire County Council advising that footpath 31 (from Pighills Lane to Bowshaw) would continue to be closed until 24^th February 2006 or until the works were completed.

48. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

 

48. Campaign against Medical Examination Centres Closures

Members were apprised of correspondence from the Unemployed Workers Centre in Chesterfield advising of the proposed closure of these centres.

48. RESOLVED

That a letter be sent to the Minister for Work and Pensions advising of the dismay at the proposed closure of these centres.

 

48. Applications for Hire of Football/Rugby Pitches
48. RESOLVED

That the schedule received from North East Derbyshire District Council be received and accepted,.

 

48. The Barn – High Street

Correspondence had been received from the Peel Centre Trustees and Management Committee inviting Members to a public viewing of The Barn, High Street on Sunday, 18^th September 2005.

 

 

48. RESOLVED

That the information be received and noted.

48. Publications Received
48. RESOLVED

That these be received and noted.

It was reported that the Clerk to the Joint Burial Committee had resigned.

48. Notes of the Properties Working Group held on 4^th July 2005

1. RESOLVED

1. That the notes be received and noted.
1. Following a question by a Member, it was confirmed that this borrowing was entirely legal.

1. Notes of the Road Safety Working Group held on 22^nd July 2005

1. RESOLVED

That the Notes of the Road Safety Working Group held on 22^nd July 2005 be received and noted.

1. Notes of the Properties Working Group held on 24^th August 2005

48. RESOLVED

1. That Dronfield Town Council apply for Loan Sanction in the sum of £85,000.
1. Following a question by a Member it was confirmed that this borrowing was entirely legal.

Members were advised of the DALC Annual General Meeting to be held on Saturday, 17^th September 2005 at County Hall, Matlock.

48. RESOLVED

That Councillor David Hill, the Town Council’s representative on the Derbyshire Association of Local Councils (DALC) attends.

 

Schedule of Payments (Appendix 2)

48. RESOLVED

That payments made on the Town Council’s No 1 Account for June and July 2005 in the sum of £97,031.28 and £100,895.14 be received and approved.

 

Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 3)

48. RESOLVED

That receipts for the months of June and July 2005 in the sum of £22,409.67 and £37,752.04 be received and noted.

Mr Jock Keay expressed concern at the applications received for telecommunications masts in the Dronfield area and, in particular, one possible application for a mast on Stubley Lane.

Members stated that, in general, they had a policy of objecting to proposed telecommunications masts in the Dronfield area.