MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD

ON MONDAY 4^th FEBRUARY 2008

 

Present

 

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

 

Prior to commencement of the meeting, the Town Mayor announced that a show entitled “Dronfield’s Got Talent” will be held on 14th March 2008 in the Civic Hall in aid of his charity.  The show is being presented by the publishers of The Dronfield Eye and tickets are available from the Council offices at £5.00 adults and £3.00 concessions.

 

 Public Forum on Planning Matters Only

 

No items raised.

 

Public Forum on General Matters

 

Mr D Ingram highlighted problems of anti social behaviour and reported that over the Christmas and New Year period, he had taken 38 photographs of instances where glasses and bottles had been smashed in the streets of High Street and Church Street.  Over the New Year period he had taken another 53 photographs of similar incidents.  He questioned what the North East Derbyshire District Council and the police were doing about this problem.

 

It was explained that local residents had the power to apply to the licensing authority for a review of the licensee’s conditions and can request that conditions are imposed where the sale of alcohol in glasses is causing a problem.  The licensing authority then have the power to impose a condition that drinks are sold in plastic containers for consumption outside the premises.

 

Mr David Inman of Northern Common then wished to speak on a planning application that had been considered by Council at the January meeting and wished to “put his side of the case”.

 

It was explained that the Council had made a resolution at that meeting and could not now be altered.

 

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.

 

155/07/08    RESOLVED    That this report be received and noted.

 

Apologies

 

156/07-08    RESOLVED 

 

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

 

Councillor J Sorrill                    (Other Business)

                                    Councillor J M Stocks              (Other Business)

 

Youth Matters

 

Members considered the notes of the first meeting of the Youth Council Working Group, which had been tabled at this meeting due to only having met on the previous Wednesday (too late to be included in the agenda).

 

157/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That the comments of the Youth Council Working Group be noted and that they be presented to the next meeting of Council for further consideration.

 

Police Matters

 

PC Murfin was in attendance for this item and gave his report on crime statistics in the town over the previous month.  He reported that the total recorded crimes this year was 198 compared with 225 last year for the same period.  He then submitted a detailed schedule for member’s information.

 

He also reported that hand held speed cameras were in operation during January but did not have information or results of the exercise.  He was also aware of the damage and graffiti problems to bus shelters and investigations were continuing.  Beat patrols had been stepped up to combat street nuisances with some officers working overtime to get results.

 

PC Murfin was thanked for his report.

 

158/07-08        RESOLVED    That this report be received and noted.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the minutes of the meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 7^th January 2008 (pages 84 - 95).

 

159/07-08        RESOLVED   

 

That these Minutes, of the meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 7^th January 2008 be received and accepted as a true record of events and that the Town Mayor be duly authorised to sign them as such.

 

 

 

Planning Matters

 

Applications

 

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

 

Councillor P Blackburn declared a personal interest in application 08/0051/TPO and did not comment or vote thereon.

 

Application: 08/00090/FL for the construction of two dormer bungalows with access off Derwent Close, Dronfield (amended scheme) for Mr & Mrs Woods of 115 Green Lane.

 

160/07-08        RESOLVED   

 

That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene a site inspection of this proposed development prior to any decision being made.

 

Planning Decisions

 

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

 

161/07-08        RESOLVED        That this report be received and noted.

 

Town Clerk’s Report

 

(a)        Outside Services

 

Members were appraised of the ongoing tasks and duties being undertaken by outside services staff.  All staff have been kept informed and consulted regarding potential workloads, which may result from changes to the grounds maintenance procedures.  Members were also informed that one member of staff has intimated that he will retire in April on reaching the age of 70 years.

 

162/07-08        RESOLVED              

 

1.         That this report be received and noted.

 

2.         That the Council record its appreciation to Mr Don Shepherd for his long serving commitment to the work undertaken in the town and wishes him a long and happy retirement.

 

(b)        Representing the Future – Report of The Councillor’s Commission

 

Members considered the above report circulated by Derbyshire Association Local Councils as part of the on-going consultation exercise.

 

The key recommendations in the report were: -

 

·                 To develop and introduce clear role descriptions of what is expected of Councillors, including the parish and town Council tier.

·                 That principle authorities provide information and facilitate democratic engagements for the parish/town tier.

·                 Work to ensure that the roles of Councils and Councillors and the value of local democracy is built into the citizenship curriculum.

·                 That a census of parish/town Councillors be introduced.

·                 That parish/town Council elections should take place on the same day as the local elections and that principle authorities should always cover the cost of administering elections in full without passing them down to the first tier.

·                 To introduce a national framework for allowances for Councillors, including Town/Parish Councillors.

 

163/07-08        RESOLVED         That this report be received and noted.

 

(c)        Consultation on Orders and Regulations Relating to the Conduct of Local Authority Members in England.

 

Members considered the above report from The Department for Communities and Local Government, which seeks views on the detailed arrangements for putting into effect the orders and regulations to provide a revised more locally-based ethical regime for the conduct of local councillors in England.

 

164/07-08        RESOLVED              

 

1.         That this report be received and noted.

 

2.         That members noted a positive response to many of the suggested amendments,

 

(d)        Public Conveniences in Dronfield

 

Members considered correspondence from North East Derbyshire District Council stating an intention to close public conveniences throughout the district due to budgetary constraints and enquiring whether the Town Council would wish to assume

the responsibility for the two public conveniences in Dronfield.

 

165/07-08        RESOLVED              

 

1.         That this report be received and noted.

 

2.         That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to provide detailed costings for the maintenance and management of the two public conveniences at Chesterfield Road and Carr Lane.

 

3.         That the matter be referred to a meeting of the Properties Working Group when the above information is received.

 

(e)        Midsummer Midnight Walk (Ladies) 21^st June 2008

 

Members considered a request from Ashgate Hospice to hold a midsummer midnight walk, for Ladies only, to use Cliffe Park as the start and finish point of the walk to and

from Ashgate Hospice as part of their 20^th anniversary fund raising venture.

 

166/07-08        RESOLVED

 

1.         That Ashgate Hospice be given permission to use Cliffe Park as the start and finish point for a midsummer midnight fund raising walk.

 

2.         That Ashgate Hospice be allowed to use Gosforth Lodge subject to the normal supervision by Dronfield Town Council staff is in place.

 

3.         That the details of the event be referred to the Properties Working Group for determination.

 

(f)        Strassenfest in Sindelfingen: 20 – 22 June 2008

 

Members were informed that this year’s Strassenfest would be held from 20 – 22 June

2008 and an invitation for up to six civic guests had been received, members were advised that it had become customary for each visiting member to fund their own transport arrangements to and from Sindelfingen.

 

167/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That the Civic party should consist of the Town Mayor and Consort plus four other members who had not visited previously.

 

That this years Civic Party will therefore comprise: The Town Mayor and Consort, and Councillors Daniel Gage, John McGrory and Frank Higgins.

 

(g)        Community Partnerships

 

Members considered the draft guidelines for setting up these North East Derbyshire District Council initiated community partnerships which detailed some of the arrangements and timescales.

 

168/07-08        RESOLVED

 

1.         That the draft guidelines (as considered) be received and noted.

 

2.         That Dronfield Town Council agrees to be a fully participating partner in the Dronfield Community Partnership.

 

3.         That the Lead Officer of North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene the inaugural Partnership Executive Group meeting to formulate a draft community plan for the wider community group to consider.

 

 

(h)        Drone Valley Nature Reserve

 

Members were appraised of progress of the above project previously known as the ‘Waterways Project’.  Information and directional notice boards had been agreed which would now be ordered and initiated within the next few weeks.

 

169/07-08        RESOLVED        That this report be received and noted.

 

(i)         Car Park at Gorsey Brigg

 

Members were informed that the 7^th Dronfield Scouts had been in contact with the landowners’ solicitors regarding the sale of this well used but badly maintained car park and members considered the feasibility of asking the landowner if they would gift this land to the Council to retain its community use.

 

170/07-08        RESOLVED        That this report be received and noted.

 

1.         That the landowners solicitor of the plot of car parking land at Gorsey Brigg be contacted to ascertain whether they would gift this plot of land to Dronfield Town Council to retain its community use.

 

2.         That the owners be requested to consider repairing and re-surfacing the car park prior to gifting it to the Council.

 

(j)         Publications Received

 

Members considered a schedule of publications and newsletters, which had been received and are available for information the Town Council offices.

 

171/07-08        RESOLVED        That this report be received and noted

 

Notes of Working Groups of the Town Council

 

(a)        Joint Properties and Budget Working Group held on Tuesday 8^th January 2008

 

Members considered the notes of the above joint working groups following a decision

of North East Derbyshire District Council to increase the contribution rates forgrounds maintenance from 40% to 100% over the next three years, which wouldresult in an increase from £55,000 for this current year to £83,800 in the next financial year.  Council had already resolved to offer Coal Aston Cricket Club and Dronfield Town Football Club a rolling 15-year licence to use the football and cricket pitches at Stonelow Road.

 

Following detailed discussion and being given certain reassurance by the Town Clerk

it was

 

 

 

 

172/07-08        RESOLVED              

 

1.         That Dronfield Town Council assumes responsibility for the lettings and booking arrangements for all the football and cricket pitches on land within its ownership commencing 1^st April 2008.

 

2.         That Dronfield Town Council assumes responsibility for the maintenance and planting of all spring/summer floral beds, shrub beds and rose beds at the sites identified on North East Derbyshire District Council’s schedule of works for the financial year commencing 1^st April 2008.

 

3.         That Dronfield Town Council staff, with one additional grounds person and selected outside contractors, carry out all the grounds maintenance currently being undertaken by North East Derbyshire District Council and that North East Derbyshire District Council be notified that the current arrangement will terminate on 31^st March 2008.

 

 (b)       Joint Properties and Budget Working Group held on Monday 14th January 2008

 

Members had invited representatives of Coal Aston Cricket Club to attend and discuss the arrangements and draft agreement for their exclusive use of the cricket facilities at Stonelow Road for a rolling period of 15 years.

 

The Cricket Club had previously intimated that they would prefer to maintain the grounds to the agreed specification.

 

Several options were then considered by both parties, which would result in a best value for money approach.

 

173/07-08        RESOLVED

 

1.         That Coal Aston Cricket Club be offered a rolling 15 year licence to use the top cricket pitch, pavilion/club room and cricket changing rooms situated at Stonelow Road Recreation Ground on the conditions as the attached schedule.

 

2.         That the fee for the licence to use the cricket facilities at Stonelow Road with Coal Aston Cricket Club undertaking all grounds maintenance to the required specification be set at a negative cost of £2,000 pa subject to negotiation after one year.

 

            (Negative cost means that Dronfield Town Council will pay Coal Aston Cricket Club this sum subject to negotiation after one year)

 

3.         That Coal Aston Cricket Club allow the Town Council to be represented on their management committee.

 

 

 

(c)        Joint Properties and Budget Working Group held on Thursday 17th January 2008

 

Members met representatives of Dronfield Town Football Club to discuss further Details concerning their request for a 15 year rolling licence to use and they intimated

that would prefer to maintain the playing pitches as part of the agreement.

 

A draft license to use schedule was considered by all parties and it was agreed this would form the major basis for the agreement.

 

Several options were then considered regarding grounds maintenance and how best value for money could be achieved.

 

174/07-08        RESOLVED

 

1.         That Dronfield Town Football Club be offered a rolling 15-year license to use the 3 football pitches and 4 changing rooms situated at Stonelow Road Recreation Ground on the terms and conditions incorporated in the attached draft schedule of agreement.

 

2.         That Dronfield Town Council will pay Dronfield Town Football Club the sum

of £2,000 per annum (reviewed after one year) subject to Dronfield Town Football Club carrying out all the normal grounds maintenance to the Specifications set out in Appendix 1 of the draft agreement.

 

3.         That Dronfield Town Council will liase with Dronfield Town Football Club and their grounds maintenance contractor to mutually agree when and if other major improvements to the pitches will be necessary and that Dronfield Town Council will undertake to finance such improvements work on an agreed rolling programme of improvements.

 

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of December 2007 in the amount of £48,362.22 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account.

 

175/07-08                    RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments for the month of December 2007 in the amount of £48,362.22 be received accepted and approved.

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered a schedule of receipts for December 2007 in the amount of £18,857.94 paid into the Council’s No 2 Account.

 

176/07-08                    RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts for December 2007 in the amount of £18,857.94 be received accepted and approved.