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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
HELD ON MONDAY 3rd APRIL 2006 AT 7.30 pm IN
GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD, DERBYSHIRE
Present
Councillors G Baxter (in the Chair) : D Cheetham : T Furniss : C A Gill : F Higgins : Mrs K M Marr : W I Pryce : Mrs C A Smith : J Sorrill : J Stocks : S Temple : Mrs W Temple : J Williams : M Wing.
Public Forum for Planning Matters
No items raised.
Model Code of Conduct and Declarations of Interest
Members were reminded that any changes to their Declaration of Interests should be declared. Members were also advised to declare, at this point, any items of the agenda where they may consider themselves to have a particular or prejudicial interest in the matter to be conducted.
155. RESOLVED
That the information be received and noted.
Apologies
156. RESOLVED
That apologies and the reasons for absence be received and accepted from the following Members.
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Councillor M Brader |
Other business |
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Councillor M Emmens |
Other business |
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Councillor N R Foster |
Other business |
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Councillor D Hill |
Illness |
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Councillor E Hodd |
Other business
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Youth Matters
No items raised.
Police Matters
PC Mirfin attended for this item and related crime statistics for the past month. These figures included –
· Assaults 9
· Criminal Damage 3
· Thefts from Vehicles 13
· Burglary (Dwellings) 7
· Burglary (other buildings) 12
· Other thefts 12
PC Mirfin emphasised that expensive equipment in vehicles should not be left in a highly visible state. Most of the thefts from vehicles were of satellite navigation systems, expensive radio/CD players and laptop computers left in clear sight of intending thieves.
Members raised the question of horses and riders using footpaths, grass verges and public parks that could affect the safety of other users. The Town Clerk was requested to write to all stables and riding schools in the town requesting them to notify horse riders of their obligation concerning safety for all road users.
Council Minutes of 6th March 2006
Members considered the Minutes of the meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 6th March 2006. (Pages 90 – 98)
155. RESOLVED
That with the addition of Councillor Mrs C A Smith being shown present for the meeting, then the Minutes be received, accepted and approved as a true record of events and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.
Planning Matters
1. Planning Applications (Appendix 1)
Prior to any discussion taking place, Councillor W I Pryce declared a prejudicial interest on item 1 of the schedule and withdrew from the meeting. Councillors T Furniss and S Temple, as Members of North East Derbyshire District Council Planning Committee also withdrew from the meeting.
Members then considered a schedule of planning applications submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council for comment.
(a) NED 06/00285/FL – Seven dwellings (all detached 2.5 storey properties), three accessed from Gomersal Lane and four accessed from Netherdene Road) at Gomersal Farm, Gomersal Lane, Dronfield for Highdale Homes Ltd.
158. RESOLVED
That Members, whilst not wishing to object to this application, expressed reservations about the road safety implications for access and egress to the proposed development.
(a) NED 00302/CA and 06/00303/FL – Conservation area consent for demolition of existing medical centre and boundary wall (Conservation Area/affecting setting of a Listed Building) and redevelopment of site by the construction of a two storey health centre (Conservation area/affecting setting of a Listed Building) at the Health Centre, High Street, Dronfield for Drs Harvey and Saunders.
159. RESOLVED
That this Council welcomes this application and would wish to see the proposed development completed as soon as possible for the benefit of the whole town.
1. Planning Decisions
Members considered a schedule of planning decisions submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council for information.
160. RESOLVED
That the schedule be received and noted.
Town Clerk’s Report
Members considered reports of the Town Clerk concerning various projects and tasks being undertaken in the town including –
(a) Outside Services – Progress.
(b) Stonelow Pavilion – Progress.
(c) Coal Aston Bowling Club – Use of green.
(d) Footpath Closures – Notice from Derbyshire County Council.
(e) Sheffield Football Club – Invite to forthcoming event.
(f) Publications received.
160. RESOLVED
That these reports be received and noted.
Reports from Town Council Representatives
None raised.
Working Groups of the Town Council
Members considered the notes of -
(a) The Properties Working Group held on 16th March 2006.
160. RESOLVED
That the Notes be received and noted.
(a) Waterways Project
The notes included an update of progress on the Waterways Project.
160. RESOLVED
That the Notes be received and noted.
(a) Stonelow Recreation Ground
Members were informed of a meeting with Dronfield Town Football Club and proposals for possible improvements subject to a long-term lease being offered.
160. RESOLVED
That the Town Clerk prepare a detailed report following consultation with all other users and North East Derbyshire District Council for further consideration by the Working Group.
Donation/Gift to Town Council
Members considered the terms of a donation of £5,000 from a local businessman to be used for the benefit of the town.
161. RESOLVED
That the donation be used to fund a sports tournament in the town, and that Mr Barry Mirfin be invited to the next meeting of the Working Group to discuss further proposals.
Schedule of Payments (Appendix 2)
Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of February 2006 in the amount of £66,242.75 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account.
162. RESOLVED
That the schedule of payments in the amount of £66,242.75 for February 2006 be received, noted and approved.
Schedule of Receipts (Appendix 3)
Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of February 2006 in the amount of £13,370.91 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.
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163. RESOLVED
That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £13,370.91 be received, noted and approved.
Public Forum
Mr Peter Kahler spoke on behalf of 15 – 20 local BMX bikers who had been using the site at Chesterfield Road as a BMX track. He stated that they had done a lot of work in repairing and renewing the ‘earth’ jumps at the site, and questioned why the Council had now earmarked this site for the waterways project and installation of a fishing pond. Several other people also spoke on this subject and asked why the Council was levelling the site without consulting the youths who were using it.
It was explained that the old BMX track had been closed in 1995 for health and safety reasons due to glass and methane gas rising to the surface. A barrier gate had been installed and notices posted. The Council was unaware that BMX bikers were using the site as any user groups had requested no formal permission.
Several of the younger bikers remarked that they had carried out a lot of work in creating jumps etc and that the nearest alternative site was five kilometres away and difficult to access by public transport.
The question of a skate park and BMX track was raised, and it was confirmed that the bid for funding from EMDA was still valid but their priorities this year were for environmental matters and this is why the Waterways Project had been successful.
The Chairman thanked the groups for attending and putting their points of view forward and assured them that their concerns would be considered by Council in the near future.
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