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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
HELD AT 7.30 pm ON 3rd JULY 2006 IN
GOSFORTH LODGE, CALLYWHITE LANE, DRONFIELD
Present
Councillors G Baxter : M Brader : D Cheetham : M Emmens : N R Foster : T Furniss : C A Gill : F Higgins : Mrs K Marr (Town Mayor) : W I Pryce : Mrs C A Smith : J Sorrill : S Temple : Mrs W Temple : J Williams.
Public Forum for Planning Matters
No items raised.
Model Code of Conduct
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.
Apologies
30.
RESOLVED
That apologies for non-attendance at this meeting be received and accepted from the following Members for the reasons stated in brackets.
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Councillor D Hill |
Hospital |
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Councillor M Wing |
Other business |
Youth Matters
Members considered a report by two pupils of Dronfield Henry Fanshaw School regarding the use of a proposed ‘gum pot’ to alleviate the nuisance of chewing gum being discarded on floors, pavements and other areas in the town.
30. RESOLVED
31. That the report be received and noted.
32. That the girls be congratulated on showing such a worthwhile public spirit and that it was hoped that a local entrepreneur would take up the initiative and maybe market such ‘gum pots’.
33. That the ‘YOU’ project be informed of this proposal and it may be a scheme whereby they could offer support and funding.
Police Matters
34. PC Phutter attended the meeting and presented the latest crime statistics for the month of June 2006. The verbal report detailed the following.
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Burglary (Dwellings) |
11 |
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Burglary (non Dwellings) |
7 |
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Thefts from Motor Vehicles |
9 |
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Theft of Motor Vehicles |
7 |
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Shoplifting |
2 |
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Damage/Vandalism |
25 |
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Assaults |
11 |
He repeated the police warnings about residents leaving their car keys in the hallway (near entrance doors) as there had been cases of the doors being smashed in, keys taken and expensive cars in the driveway stolen.
PC Phutter was requested to ask if the crime statistics could be submitted to the Town Clerk prior to the meeting so that Members could be given hard copies of the statistics, and therefore, more time to compare and prepare questions. The police were also requested to provide periodical data on crimes ward by ward in North East Derbyshire for comparison purposes.
30. RESOLVED
That the report be received and noted.
31. Members were informed that the Annual Report (2005/2006 of the Derbyshire Police Authority had recently been published and was available for consideration.
32. RESOLVED
That the report be received and noted.
Council Minutes
of 5th June 2006
Members considered the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 5th June 2006 (pages 6 – 16)
33. RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 5th June 2006 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
Prior to any discussion regarding planning applications to be considered, Councillors Furniss and S Temple left the meeting so did not, therefore, take part in any discussions or vote thereon.
1. Planning Applications
Members then considered a schedule of planning applications submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council for comment.
(a) Application 06/00603/OL by Taylor Made Estates, Wreakes Lane for outline planning permission for residential development (means of access not reserved) on land accessed off Stubley Hollow (amended plan).
35. RESOLVED
That this application be strenuously objected to on the following grounds.
(i) The development is contrary to the Local Plan, which clearly designates this area as for industrial development.
(ii) The highway at this point would create additional hazards for traffic accessing the proposed development.
(b) Application 06/00611/FL for demolition of existing dwelling and erection of three dwellings (vehicular access to two units off Derwent Close) at 115 Green Lane, Dronfield.
35. RESOLVED
That the Planning Committee of North East Derbyshire District council be requested to convene a site visit of inspection to this location prior to making any decision thereon.
(b) Application 06/00673/OL in respect of 15 Wilson Street for construction of two houses (all matters reserved)
37. RESOLVED
That this Council expresses concern about the highway access at this proposed development.
(b) Application 00722/FL in respect of conversion of outbuildings to a single residential unit and extension and alterations to existing cottages to form one dwelling (2 units in total).
38. RESOLVED
That Members express concern about the possible felling of mature trees at this site, and would wish to see conditions imposed for their retention should North East Derbyshire District Council grant the application.
1. Planning Decisions
Members considered a schedule of planning decisions submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council for information.
39. RESOLVED
That the schedule be received and noted.
2. Planning Appeals
Members had been informed of a planning appeal by Hutchison 3G UK Limited in respect of site at The Talbot Arms, Stubley Lane, Dronfield Woodhouse against refusal of planning permission in respect of telecommunications determination for the erection of a 12.5m high slimline streetworks monopole mast with three antenna and radio housing equipment on highway verge adjacent.
40. RESOLVED
That this information be received and noted and that this Council’s objections be reiterated to the Planning Inspectorate.
Town Clerk’s Report
Members considered the report of the Town Clerk on various functions, services and matters in the town.
1. Outside Services
41. RESOLVED
That the report be received and noted.
2. Development of the Town and Parish Sector
Members were informed of the new Government Department (DCLG) for Communities and Local Government and that Her Majesty’s Government still intend to issue a White Paper in October 2006 with a new Local Government Bill to follow in 2007.
Members were issued with the full circular published by the National Association of Local Councils, which contained items likely to be proposed in the White Paper.
42. RESOLVED
That the information be received and noted.
3. YOU Project
Members had been informed of the above project, which had recently been set up with funding from the Coalfield Regeneration Trust and the Big Lottery Young People’s Fund. They had also asked if this Council could identify any projects within the town that young people could carry out with the help and guidance from the Y.O.U. project.
43. RESOLVED
(a) That this report be received and noted.
(b) That the initiative of the two schoolgirls at Henry Fanshaw be nominated as a worthwhile community project.
4. Dronfield Railway Station
Members had been informed of recent initiatives to ensure that Dronfield Rail Station is better utilised, and that more frequent and regular stopping of trains served the town.
Residents had offered comments of why the passenger usage figures were not accurate in that on overcrowded trains, fares were not being collected or recorded. The fare from Sheffield to Dronfield was 20p higher than the fare to Chesterfield, so passengers bought a ticket to Chesterfield, again resulting in inaccurate and understated usage of Dronfield as a destination.
The Department for Transport had recently announced a new East Midlands franchise comprising Midland Mainline and the eastern parts of the central franchise and had issued a consultation document for views and comments to be made. Members were concerned that the illustrative map in the consultation papers did not show Dronfield. A new service from Leeds to Nottingham had been proposed in the consultation papers, and it is stated that ‘some of these trains’ could stop at Dronfield.
Members had also been informed that a local Action Group might be the best way to ensure that Dronfield residents can enjoy a better rail service.
44. RESOLVED
That Dronfield Town Council’s response to the Department for Transport consultation document should be –
(a) That the illustrative map contained in the consultation documents be amended to show Dronfield Station on the rail network under consideration .
(b) That Dronfield Town Council welcomes and supports the introduction of a new service from Leeds – Sheffield – Nottingham and that this service should offer an hourly stopping service in each direction at Dronfield on Mondays to Saturdays with additional stopping services at the peak commuter times.
(c) That Dronfield Town Council would welcome and actively support a local Action Group to fulfil the town’s rail requirements, and that if such an Action Group is formed, the Leader of this Council be nominated to serve on the group.
5. Proposed Tree Planting by the Bahai Faith
Members considered correspondence from the Bahai Faith in Dronfield regarding the possibility of tree plantings dedicated to Sir Richard St Barbe Baker, a ‘man of the tree’ to mark the 25th anniversary of his death.
45. RESOLVED
That the Bahai Faith in Dronfield be informed that Dronfield Town Council would welcome tree plantings on land within its ownership and suggested –
(a) Cliffe Park
(b) Lucas Gardens
(c) The Waterways Project site.
6. Proposed Police Merger – Derbyshire
Members considered correspondence from Natascha Engel MP, and a copy of a letter to her from John Reid (Home Secretary) following this Council’s resolution and concern over the proposed merger of five Midland police services.
46. RESOLVED
That the correspondence be received and noted.
7. Best Value Performance Plan (2006 – 2007)
Members considered the Best Value Performance Plan for 2006/2007, which had been prepared, published and distributed by the legal deadline of 30th June 2006.
47. RESOLVED
That the Best Value Performance Plan (2006/2007) be received, accepted and approved and that the Clerk’s actions in publishing the document by the 30th June 2006 deadline be approved and applauded given the ever reducing timescale between the financial year end and the date of publication.
8. Publications
Members considered a schedule of publications received.
48. RESOLVED
That the schedule be received and noted.
Reports from Outside Representatives
Councillor Sorrill reported that the Annual General Meeting of the Dronfield Woodhouse Sports and Social Club had recently been held when the same committee had been re-elected to office, and that the club was now thriving and successful.
Working Groups of the Town Council
Members considered the notes of the Properties Working Group held on 22nd June 2006. Members were informed that a site visit to Stonelow Football Pitches involving officers and players of Dronfield Town Football Club had taken place prior to the meeting to discuss various requests now that the senior team of Dronfield Town Football Club had won promotion to the Premier League of the Midlands Alliance.
49. RESOLVED
(i) Stonelow
That Dronfield Town Football Club be permitted to –
(a) Excavate a drainage trench for the length of the pitch adjacent to the changing rooms and fill with ‘one size’ limestone chippings topped off with asphalt, astro-turf or recycled plastic grass blocks.
(b) Erect a suitable fence round all four sides of the playing pitch at the designated distance from pitch playing perimeters.
(c) Erect dugouts on the halfway line in concrete blocks and metal profile roofing in a safe and secure manner.
(d) Be allowed to carry out minor additional maintenance of the playing area subject to conditions and restrictions specified by Dronfield Town Council.
(i) Waterways Project
Members were informed that Groundwork Creswell had submitted apologies for non-attendance.
50. RESOLVED
That a meeting between Members of the Properties Working Group and Groundwork Creswell be convened as early as possible to discuss concern about the timescale and progress of ongoing matters.
(ii) BMX Proposals
51. RESOLVED
That Standing Orders be now suspended in order for members of the public to address the meeting.
Members were informed that the Town Clerk and Chair of the Properties Working Group had recently visited three sites in the town that could be suitable for a BMX track. The group of BMX bikers then put forward certain proposed sites that could be investigated as suitable sites for a BMX track in the town. The sites included –
(a) Thorpe Avenue at Coal Aston
(b) Owler Carr Wood
(c) Marsh Avenue Recreation Ground
(d) Gladys Buxton site
(e) Land at Gosforth Drive
(f) Wm Lees playing fields
(g) Land Industries (land to rear).
52. RESOLVED
That a site visit be convened when all Members of the Council be invited to inspect suitable sites and report back to Council at its September meeting.
Standing Orders now reinstated.
Schedule of Payments
Members considered a schedule of payments in the sum of £15,674.14 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account for the month of June 2006.
53. RESOLVED
That the schedule of payments in the sum of £15,674.14 be received, accepted and approved.
Schedule of Receipts
Members considered a schedule of receipts in the sum of £372,881.30 and paid into the Council’s No 2 account.
54. RESOLVED
That the schedule of receipts in the sum of £372,881.30 be received, accepted and approved.
Public Forum
No items raised by members of the public.
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