MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD

ON MONDAY 2nd JULY 2007 AT 7.30 pm

 

Present

 

Councillors:  W I Pryce (Town Mayor): F Higgins: Simon Temple : Mrs W Temple: D Oxspring:  A Memmott : G Gregory: J Sorrill: Mrs B Skelton:  Mrs C Smith : P H Blackburn : J D McGrory: G Baxter:  D K Gage: Mrs K Marr : M Emmens:

 

Plus 9 members of the public and press.

 

Public Forum on Planning Matters

 

No items raised but it was stated that credit should be given to the people and organisations who had planned and built the Jack Goodhand Memorial Flood Alleviation System as it had proved its worth in the recent torrential downpours with no major problems taking place in Dronfield.

 

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.

 

 

34/07-08    RESOLVED   That the information be received and noted.

 

Apologies

 

35/07-08    RESOLVED

 

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

 

Councillor Richard Bull   (Other Business)

Councillor Mike Wing     (Other Business)

Councillor John Stocks    (Other Business)

 

Youth Matters

 

Members considered the notes of the Annual Report of the Dronfield District Scouts Council held on 5^th June 2007.

 

 

36/07-08    RESOLVED

 

 (1)         That the information be received and noted.

(2)        That the Council’s appreciation be noted concerning this comprehensive report which details a wealth of vibrant youth activity in the town and demonstrates how capable and committed the staff and scouts are in achieving their goals.  

 

Police Matters

 

PC Murfin attended for this item and circulated the latest crime statistics for the town which showed that burglaries were down by 5 and that all 13 incidents of Section 47 Assaults had been detected and dealt with.

 

In answer to member’s questions, PC Murfin reported that the police were not responsible for monitoring the on-street waiting restrictions which were a matter for North East Derbyshire District Council but that both he and the PC support officers check parked vehicles for Motor Tax Evasion.

 

PC Murfin reported that minor problems had occurred on Fanshaw Bank, particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings with young people drinking but the drinks

 had been confiscated when these young people were caught in possession.

 

Allegations of speeding cars on Longcroft Road.  The Safety Camera Partnership would be asked to assess the situation and may attend with hand held cameras if thought appropriate.

 

The perennial problem of horses using pavements was raised again and was still causing concern despite all stable and riding schools being written to asking for more consideration by their riders.  The police responded that horses and riders should use the highways or bridleways not the pavements but enforcement was a problem unless seen by officers.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the minutes of the ordinary meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 4^th June 2007 (Pages 6-20)

 

37/07-08    RESOLVED  

 

That the Minutes of the meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 4^th June 2007 be accepted as a true record of events and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.

 

Planning Matters

 

It was again explained that members of this council who also sit on the Planning Committee of North East Derbyshire District Council would not comment or vote upon any applications being considered.  For clarification the following Town Council members sit on the Planning Committee of North East Derbyshire District Council: Councillors Graham Baxter, Philip Blackburn, Doug Oxspring, Kathy Marr and Frank Higgins.

 

(a) Planning Applications

 

Members considered a schedule of planning applications submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council for comment.

 

Application 07/00457/FL by Wellington House Estates at Standall Tools Ltd, Mickley Lane for the demolition of existing industrial buildings, formation of a new access road and construction of 35 dwellings (detached, townhouses and apartments of 2, 2.5 and 3 storeys in height (Major development and departure from Development Plan).

 

38/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That this application be strenuously objected to on the following grounds.

 

(i)         The development is in or an adjacent to the green belt and would impinge on the openness of the surrounding countryside.

 

(ii)        The development is proposed on a narrow country lane close to a dangerous bend where a recent fatal accident occurred.

 

(iii)       This proposal is in major departure from the North East Derbyshire District Council Development Plan for the town.

 

(iv)       The proposal would lead to unsafe and hazardous access and egress from the site.

 

Application 07/00504/FL by Punch Taverns at the Hearts of Oak, Northern Common

for the construction of a glazed timber framed canopy to front.

 

Application 07/00505/FL by Punch Taverns at The Hallowes, Cemetery Road for the

construction of a timber framed canopy to the front.

 

Application 07/00506/FL by The Spirit Group at The Chequers, Eckington Road, Coal Aston for the construction of a decked terrace with balustrade to 3 sides and a ramped access with the erection of two fixed jumbrellas with heating and lightening plus construction of a bin store compound with 2.45m gates.

 

39/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to consider the local Environment and location of each of three above applications and insist that the advertisement or signs be approved for the finished canopies or jumbrellas.

 

Application 07/00609/FL by Simon Cobb of Brookview Nursing Home, Holmely Lane for the removal of conditions 5 and 6 (provision of new access and closure of existing access on planning permission NED/03/00928/FL.

 

 

 

40/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That North East Derbyshire District Council planning committee be requested to convene a site visit of inspection to this location prior to any decision being reached concerning the removal of the two conditions.

 

Planning Decision

 

Members considered a schedule of planning decisions submitted by North East

Derbyshire for information.

 

41/07-08    RESOLVED   That the information be received and noted.

 

Town Clerks Report

 

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk of various activities, functions and duties being undertaken by all members of staff.

 

(a)        Outside Services

 

Members were informed that all hanging baskets and flower displays had been installed and would be maintained and watered until October.

 

The Ford Ranger has now been returned as fit for purpose after being repaired by the Council’s insurer’s preferred contractor.

 

A replacement Ford Transit Tipper had been acquired at a cost of £10,950 plus VAT following the theft of the previous vehicle.  This cost will be met by the Council’s insurance claim.

 

Footpath strimming of nettles and weeds will be undertaken during next 3 or 4 weeks along all the usual walking routes in the town.

 

42/07-08    RESOLVED

 

(1)        That the information be received and noted.

 

(2)        That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to exercise more care when applying weed killer to grass verges in the town due to complaints of over-spray in certain areas.

 

Mayor’s Chain of Office

 

Members considered a report on the condition of the Mayor’s chain and were informed that no additional lozenges denoting past Mayors had been affixed since  2001.

 

 

 

 

43/07-08    RESOLVED         

 

(1)        That the information be received and noted.

 

(2)        That Messrs Fattorinis be requested to carry out work in designing and repairing amendments to the chain as required at an appropriate cost of £800 - £1000.

 

(3)        That the Mayor’s chain is updated to include the names of previous Mayors from 2001 – 2006.

 

Fair Trade Initiative

 

Members considered further details concerning the objective of becoming a Fair Trade town.  Members were informed that 5 goals would need to be fulfilled and the whole community should be involved.

 

44/07-08    RESOLVED         

 

(1)        That the information be received and noted.

 

(2)        That a steering group involving community advocates be set up to consider this matter further and prepare a report for the Council meeting to be held in September.

 

(3)        That this Council’s delegates on the proposed steering group be Councillors Graham Baxter, John McGrory and Doug Oxspring.

 

(4)        That Councillor Simon Temple be delegated to meet after advocates to set up initial meeting.

 

Audit Plan 2007/2008

 

Members considered the Audit Plans 2007/2008 submitted by the Audit Commission Outlining details, requirements and costs of the external audit of the Councils affairs in  2007/2008.

 

45/07-08    RESOLVED         

 

That the Audit Plan 2007/2008 be received noted and accepted.

 

Statement of Responsibilities of Auditor and Audited Bodies

 

Members considered a suggestion of the District Auditor that all members be supplied with a copy of the above document which was received and accepted by the Council in 2005.

 

 

 

 

46/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That the statement of responsibilities of Auditor and Audited Bodies be received noted an accepted.

 

Code of Audit Practice (For Local Government Bodies)

 

Members considered the above documentation which had been noted, received and accepted by the Council in 2005 but following the District Auditor’s advice, was copied again to all members for information.

 

47/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That the Code of Audit Practice (for Local Government Bodies) be noted received and accepted.

 

Application for Hire of Football Pitches 2007/2008

 

Members considered correspondence from North East Derbyshire District Council setting out a schedule of successful applicants who would use the Council’s football pitches for the coming season.  Members were appraised that whilst Dronfield Town Council owned and managed all the pitches in question, North East Derbyshire District Council carried out the duty of letting the pitches and changing accommodation and retaining the income generated from them.

 

48/07-08    RESOLVED

 

(1)        That the information be received and noted.

 

(2)        That a letter be sent to Martin Kedward wishing him a long and happy retirement.

 

(3)        That the current practice concerning letting of pitches and changing rooms be     considered at a future meeting of the Budget Working Group.

 

Publications

 

Members considered a schedule of publications received and were available at the Town Clerk’s office for information.

 

 

49/07-08    RESOLVED   That the information be received and noted.

 

Reports of Dronfield Town Council Representatives

 

No items raised.

 

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of May 2007 in the amount of £98,966.27 drawn on the Council’s No 1 Account.

 

50/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments for the month of May 2007 in the amount of £98,966.27 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account be received, accepted and approved.

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of May 2007 in the amount of £372,527.20 and paid into the Council’s No 2 Account.

 

51/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts for the month of May 2007 in the amount of £372,527.20 be paid into the Council’s No 2 account be received, accepted and approved.

 

Public Forum

 

Mr Clive Gill reported that grass verges had been indiscriminately sprayed in his area and welcomed the Council’s decision to contact North East Derbyshire District Council about this practice.  He further stated that Hollins Spring Road and Hilltop Road were becoming rat-runs with younger drivers exceeding 40mph-causing danger to younger children.  He was informed that the second matter would be referred to a future meeting of the Road Safety Working Group.

 

Mr Paul Millington referred to problems being caused by young people in the Lea Brook Valley and stated that the culvert was being blocked by youngsters throwing stones and other articles into the river causing the culvert to be blocked.  He referred to the decision of the Council in March 2007 to refer the matter of security lighting to a meeting of the Properties Working Group when the police would be invited to attend.  Mr Millington was informed that the police had been invited to attend but that delays were inevitable due to a new council being selected in May.  Inspector Fitzpatrick would be invited again to attend a meeting of the Properties Working Group along with residents, to consider this matter again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLANNING APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL

ON MONDAY  2^nd  JULY 2007

 

Reference	Applicant	Location	Details
07/00135/FL	Ken Cook	The Pines Marsh Avenue	Conversion of existing garage/additional accommodation to form a separate dwelling.
07/00457/FL	Wellington Housing Estates	Standard Tools Ltd Mickley Lane	Demolition of existing industrial buildings/formation of a new access road and construction of 35 dwellings (detached townhouses and apartments/2/2.half and 3 storeys in height (Major Development/Departure from Development)
07/00504/FL	Punch Taverns	22 Northern Common	Construction of a glazed timber framed canopy
07/00505/FL	Punch Taverns	135 Cemetery Road	Construction of a timber framed canopy to front
07/00506/FL	Sprit Group	The Chequers 17 Eckington Road	Construction of a decked terrace with balas trade to three sides and a ramped access and erection of two fixed jumbrellas with heating and lighting plus construction of a bin store compound with 2.45m gates
07/00536/FL	Mr M Garton	7 Constable Close	Construction of a two storey side extension and a single storey front extension
07/00538/FL	Mr D Watson	5 Bowness Close	Construction of a conservatory to the rear
07/00563/FL	BHH Developments	1 Cross Lane	Demolition of existing offices and garage construction of two 2.half storey buildings containing 6 apartments (Additional Information)
07/00577/FL	Mr & Mrs P Hatton	6 Heaton Close	Construction of a two-storey front extension
07/00588/TPO	Mr Ken Cooke	The Pines Marsh Avenue	Pruning of four trees covered by NED TPO 13 (Amended Title)
07/00602/FL	Jim Sweeney	Accident Repair Shop Wreakes Lane	Extension to existing workshop
07/00608/CATPO	AJ Broadhead	25 High Street	Notification of intention to prune one Ash tree within Dronfield Conservation Area
07/00609/FL	Simon Cobb	Brookview Nursing Home, Holmley Lane	Removal of conditions 5 and 6 (provision of new access and closure of existing access) on planning permission
07/00610/FL	Mr I Atkinson	36 Netherdene Road	Construction of a two storey side extension
07/00612/FL	TJ Cooper Transport Ltd	Units 5A-D Callywhite Lane	Change of use from industrial estate to storage and distribution in Units 5C and 5D
07/00621/FL	Mr S Shaw	2 Stubley Close	Construction of a porch and insertion of additional side window to previously approved extension (06/00688)
07/00657/FL	Mrs J Bailey	Somerfield Supermarket	Installation of an Automated Teller Machine
07/00665/FL	Ms K Abdy	32 The Ridgeway	Construction of a single storey rear/side extension and a pitched roof over existing garage (Revised Scheme of 06/00532/FL)
07/00670/FL	Mr & Mrs Hughes	38 Moonpenny Way	Raising ridge height to create rooms in roofspace with side facing dormer windows and construction of a pitched roof over existing extension
07/00671/FL	Vodafone & T-Mobile	Dunstone & Wragg Ltd Wreakes Lane	Replacement of existing mast with a 22.5m high mast with associated antennas and extension to existing equipment compound with additional equipment cabinets
07/00676/FL	I Cook	3 Birchitt View	Construction of a two storey front extension and a detached garage
07/00678/FL	Mr & Mrs M Mason	47 Gainsborough Road	Construction of a porch to side
07/00679/FL	Mr C Georgeson	148 Longcroft Road	Retention of a boundary wall
07/00689/FL	North East Derbyshire District Council	Dronfield Sports Centre, Civic Centre	Refurbishment and extension of existing sports centres (N.E.D.D.C)
07/00712/FL	?	33 Northern Common	Installation of new soil and vent pipe to front elevation (Conservation Area)