MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD

ON MONDAY 3^rd DECEMBER 2007

 

Present

 

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

 

Public Forum on Planning Matters Only

 

No items raised.

 

Public Forum on General Matters

 

Mr Clive Gill raised a question concerning the Waterways Project and was informed that it was the Dronfield Nature Park referred to in some reports.

 

He then asked if the highway authority would look at the sequencing of traffic lights at Stubley Hollow, such that traffic could turn left from Sheffield Road into Stubley Hollow when traffic from the opposite direction had a “right turn” arrow.  He was informed that this could be requested from Derbyshire County Council (the Highway Authority).

 

Mr Gill then questioned why the public forum had been amended to the beginning of the meeting and was informed that it may prove beneficial for residents to raise any matter without having to sit through the whole meeting.

 

Members Code of Conduct

 

Members were reminded that any changes to their Declarations of Interest should be stated now and that if any conflicting items on the agenda affected them, they should now declare their particular interest.

 

Councillor Izzy Pryce and Mrs Smith both stated that they would declare a prejucial interest in matters on the planning agenda.

 

117/07-08        RESOLVED    That this report be received and noted.

 

Apologies

 

118/07-08    RESOLVED 

 

That apologies be received, noted and accepted from the following member, for the reasons stated in brackets.

 

Councillor J D McGrory           (Illness)

                                    Councillor J Sorrill                    (Illness)           

 

Youth Matters

 

No reports from youth groups were received but Councillor Mrs Kathy Marr questioned whether a basketball court could be provided at Hilltop Recreation Ground.

 

119/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That this matter be referred to a future meeting of the Properties Working Group.

 

Police Matters

 

PC Murfin was in attendance for this item and circulated the latest crime statistics for Dronfield.

 

It was agreed that the statistics looked very promising and that patrols targeting specific areas and known hot spots was having an effect on the level and nature of crime in the area.

 

In answer to member’s questions, PC Murfin stated that there was usually only one car on duty after midnight when allegations of drunkenness and disorder were taking place.  It was reported that it sometimes takes the police 20 minutes before attending reported offences.  PC Murfin responded that the comments would be passed to Inspector Fitzpatrick who may wish to attend a future meeting.

 

In answer to further questions, PC Murfin replied that he would contact the camera safety partnership with a view to having a mobile or hand held radar camera on Eckington Road.

 

120/07-08        RESOLVED    That this report be received and noted.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the minutes of the meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 5 November 2007 (pages 62 - 73).

 

121/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That with a minor amendment to Minute 110/07-08 by the deletion of the words “and cricket” in the first paragraph, that the minutes were 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 on planning applications, Councillor Izzy Pryce declared a prejucial interest in application 07/01124/FL and withdrew from the meeting.  Councillor Mrs Christine Smith also declared a prejucial interest in applications 07/00802/FL and 07/01359/TPO and also withdrew from the meeting and both members did not vote or discuss any items on the agenda.

 

Councillor Mrs Wendy Temple assumed the chair.

 

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

 

122/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to conduct a site visit to the site of Application 07/01124/FL at the Gosforth School prior to reaching decision on the installation on electrically Sub-Station.  Members expressed concerns about such installations being sited near to a pre-school nursery and youth club and questioned whether there were any safety or noise pollution issues that the planning authority may wish to consider.

 

123/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That application 07/00941/AD for advertisement consent for an illuminated signage scheme at The Old Sidings only be approved if there are no “back lighted” signs included.  Only signs illuminated by down lighters or up lighters should be considered appropriate in the conservation area.

 

124/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That further details be sought concerning application 07/01468/FL for construction and ancillary works at 93 Northern Common.

 

Planning Decisions

 

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

 

125/07-08        RESOLVED               That this report be received and noted.

 

Town Clerk’s Report

 

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk covering various projects and

initiatives taking place.

 

(a)        Outside Services

 

Members were informed of progress of works being undertaken by outside service staff during the last few weeks, the Christmas illuminations and displays had been tested and erected prior to the switch on by the Town Mayor on 7 December 2007. 

 

A tree planting ceremony had been attended by the Town Mayor at the Waterways Project when members took the opportunity to inspect the current status of the informative interpretative notice boards.

 

Members were informed all the grit bins have now been replenished with Derbyshire County Council supplying the salt/grit bins in Dronfield (Those owned by Dronfield Town Council and Derbyshire County Council)

 

126/07-08        RESOLVED       That this report be received and noted

 

(b)        North East Derbyshire Safety Project

 

Members considered correspondence from the Derbyshire Crime Reduction Partnership, which set out the desired vision to address anti-social behaviour. 

Various schemes and scenarios were outlined in the report and a request was made for Dronfield Town Council to make a contribution of a suggested £10,000.

 

127/07-08        RESOLVED              

 

(1)       That this report be received and noted

 

(2)     That due to the complicated issues outlined in the report, the Council would require more information and discussion before a decision could be made regarding any level of contribution and that this matter be referred to the Properties Working Group for investigation prior to being reported back to full Council

 

(c)        North of Chesterfield Area Environmental Weight Limit

 

Members considered a report from Derbyshire County Council regarding the proposed environmental weight limit scheme to the north of Chesterfield.  The report and map detailed the boundaries of the weight limit and members were informed that the weight limits would apply to all roads bounded by but not including those boundary roads listed.

 

128/07-08        RESOLVED              

 

(1)       That this report be received and noted

 

(2)      That Derbyshire County Council be requested to consider amending the weight limit boundary roads by deleting Green Lane as a boundary road and extending the boundaries along the B6057 to Bowshaw Roundabout, Jordanthorpe Parkway and then Dyche Lane, rejoining their proposed boundary at the junction of Dyche Lane and Eckington Road.

 

(d)        This is Me Campaign

 

Members considered correspondence from Derbyshire County Council regarding the above campaign designed and innovated by young people of the Derbyshire Youth Forum.

 

Members were impressed that the campaign sought to highlight the valuable contribution made by young people from all backgrounds and to tackle some of the myths and stereotypes of teenagers, which inadvertently lead to mistrust and fears by older people.

 

129/07-08        RESOLVED               That this report be received and noted

 

Alcohol Free Zones

 

Members considered a report following consultations with the legal section of North East Derbyshire District Council.  It was explained that Dronfield Town Council do not have powers to invoke bye laws regarding alcohol free zones but that North East Derbyshire District Council will investigate setting up procedures for the introduction of alcohol free zones early in the New Year.  It was also suggested that the licensing authority (North East Derbyshire District Council) may have the powers to impose conditions on local licinceasees to serve drinks in plastic glasses outside for consumption.

 

130/07-08        RESOLVED              

 

(1)        That this report be received and noted

 

(2)        That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to include areas of Dronfield Town Centre when it considers the setting up of alcohol free zones.

 

(3)        That the licensing authority be requested to consider imposing conditions on certain licensed establishments in Dronfield enforcing them to serve drinks in plastic glasses for outside consumption.

 

Publications Received

 

Members considered a schedule of publications received that are available for

information the Town Council offices.

 

131/07-08        RESOLVED               That this report be received and noted

 

Reports from Dronfield Town Council Representatives

 

No Items raised.

 

Notes of Dronfield Town Council Working Groups

 

(a)        Members considered the notes of the Road Safety Working Group held on 13^th November 2007.

 

132/07-08        RESOLVED               That this report be received and noted

 

(b)        Community Partnership Steering Group held on 14^th November 2007.

 

133/07-08        RESOLVED               That this report be received and noted

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of October 2007 in the amount of £66,494.07 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account.

 

134/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments for the month of October 2007 in the amount of £66,494.07 be received accepted and approved.

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered a schedule of receipts for October 2007 in the amount of £371,379.53 paid into the Council’s No 2 Account.

 

135/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts for October 2007 in the amount of £371,379.53 be received accepted and approved.