MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD

ON MONDAY 3^rd MARCH 2008

 

Present

 

Councillors:  I Pryce: F Higgins: Mrs W Temple: D Oxspring: A Memmott: G Gregory: J McGrory: Mrs B Skelton:   Mrs C Smith: G Baxter: M Wing: R Bull: M Emmens: S Temple: J Stocks:

 

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.  He also announced that a performance by Sheffield Chorale would be held on 19^th April for the same cause.  He also reminded those present that Councillor Simon Temple would be running in the 10k Fun Run and his sponsorship funding would be donated to the Mayors chosen charities.

 

Public Forum on Planning Matters Only

 

07/00169/FL Construction of 2 No dormer bungalows at 117 Snape Hill Lane.  Mrs Morrison and Mr C Gill both spoke and asked members to object to the above application.  They stated that the driveway led onto a dangerous junction and could cause traffic hazards.  They also stated that Snape Hill Lane has increased traffic flows due to road humps on adjacent roads.  This road junction has increased traffic since more than 900 extra pupils now attend Dronfield School.  They also noted that there may be protected species on the development site and that bats are nesting or roosting in adjacent trees.  Large mature trees with extensive root systems may also suffer during development.  The footprint of the houses is 50% larger than the surrounding properties and one of the proposed houses will dominate adjacent houses causing an intrusion into privacy and loss of light and amenity.  They stated that 25 letters of objection had already been sent to North East Derbyshire District Council.

 

They were informed that members would consider their comments later in the agenda.

 

 Public Forum on General Matters

 

John Fletcher spoke about the state of anti social behaviour in Church Street and Lea Road particularly by late night drinking and alcohol abusers.  Damage had been caused to local shops and he asked what the police are doing about imposing restrictions on local licences.  He was informed that conditions could be requested by local residents and that this was being followed up by a local elected member.

 

 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.

 

177/07/08        RESOLVED               That this report be received and noted.

 

Councillor Simon Temple declared a personal interest in a planning application at the Dronfield Storage Centre on Wreakes Lane.

 

Apologies

 

178/07/08        RESOLVED 

 

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

 

                                    Councillor K Marr                    (Other Business)

Councillor J Sorrill                    (Other Business)

                                    Councillor P Blackburn (Other Business)

                                    Councillor D Gage                    (Illness)

 

Youth Matters

 

No specific issues were raised but members noted that this matter would be considered further as item 9 of the agenda.

 

179/07-08          RESOLVED               That this report be received and noted.

 

Police Matters

 

PC Murfin presented the usual monthly crime statistics and also reported on progress of other ongoing problems.  He reported that after one incident in Lea Road, the culprit had been detained and charged and it may result in an ASBO being issued.  Members referred to the resident’s comments about late night drinking and noise and wondered what percentage of crime was related to alcohol abuse.  It was pointed out that such nuisance is now happening much later at 1.00am or 2.00am rather than 11pm as previously.

 

PC Murfin stated that the comments would be reported and action taken.

 

180/07-08          RESOLVED               That this report be received and noted.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the minutes of the meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 4^th February 2008 (pages 96 – 107).

 

181/07-08          RESOLVED   

 

That the Minutes of the meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 4^th February 2008 be received, noted 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.

 

182/07-08          RESOLVED   

 

1.         That application 07/01169/FL - Construction of 2 No dormer bungalows at 117 Snape Hill Lane be strenuously objected to on the following grounds.

 

(a)        This is back land development that will affect 14 neighbouring or adjacent properties.

 

(b)        Access to and from the development is at a dangerous road junction and would exacerbate traffic hazards.

 

(c)        The development site has several large mature trees that are protected by law and excavations could cause the root system to suffer.

 

(d)        Protected species of animal is located at this site and there is evidence that bats are roosting in the mature trees.

 

(e)        The scale of development will cause intrusion into neighbouring privacy and right to light.

 

2.         That application 08/00090/FL by Mr & Mrs M Woods, 115 Green Lane, Construction of two dormer bungalows with access off Derwent Close (amended scheme) be objected to for the following reasons.

 

(a)        This proposal is back land development and could cause over development when the existing street scene is considered.  The access into Derwent Way could lead to hazardous traffic movements at this location.

 

3.         That applications 08/00141/FL, 97 Chesterfield Road, Retention of single storey extension (Conservation Area) be objected to if the retention of the extension is not consistent with conservation area rules and parameters.

 

4.         That applications 08/00109/AD, Dronfield Health Centre, High Street, Display of two externally illuminated signs and one unilluminated sign (Conservation Are/Affecting Setting of a Listed Building and 08/00128/AD, Dronfield Health Centre, High Street, Display of an internally illuminated fascia sign and an internally illuminated projecting sign (Conservation Are/Affecting Setting of a Listed Building) be objected to as it is thought inappropriate for a proliferation of illuminated signs be allowed in the town centre conservation area.

 

5.         That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene a site visit to the location of application 08/00126/FL, Land to Rear of 209 To 213 Holmley Lane, Construction of two 4 bed roomed detached houses with attached garages and one 5 bed roomed detached house with integral garage (amended scheme) prior to the planning committee reaching any decision.

 

6.         That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene a site visit to the location of application 08/00121/FL, Building Adjacent Poppins Callywhite Lane, Demolition of existing two storey building and construction of 2 no one bed roomed dwellings (Conservation Area) prior to any decision being reach.

 

Councillor M Emmens declared a prejucial interest in the above application so did not

therefore speak or vote upon it having left the meeting during discussion.

 

7.         That North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene a site visit to the location of application 08/00189/OL, 66 Hilltop Road, Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of 4 detached houses and associated access and parking area (outline application – access not reserved for subsequent approval) prior to reaching any decision on this proposal.

 

Planning Decisions

 

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

 

183/07-08    RESOLVED        That this report be received and noted.

 

Town Clerk’s Report

 

Members considered the Town Clerk’s report, which commenced with updates of

previous concerns and these included:

 

(i)                  Public Conveniences in Dronfield

(ii)                Community Partnership

(iii)               Gorsey Brigg Car Park

(iv)              Sindelfingen Strassinfest

 

(a)        Outside Services

 

Members were appraised of on-going projects which included the completion of the Civic Hall decoration programme; the replacement of all electrical fluorescent fittings in the Civic Hall; repairs to fittings and worktops in the kitchen of the Civic Hall, hot water boiler installation at Stonelow changing rooms and repairs and servicing of all central heating boilers at all locations.

 

179/07-08          RESOLVED               That this report be received and noted.

 

 

 

 

 

(b)        Bus Shelters in Dronfield

 

Members considered a briefing note of how bus shelters were acquired, fitted and maintained.  The report detailed how many shelters there are in the town and what type of shelters the Council currently own.

 

180/07-08          RESOLVED

 

1.         That this report be received and noted.

 

2.         That the future provision of bus shelters be referred to the Properties Working Group for consideration.

 

(c)        Land Ownership

 

Members were advised that arrangements have now been made for all the land and

property within ownership of Dronfield Town Council to be registered with the Land

Registry.  All title deeds will be inspected and examined by the Land Registry and if

any problems or inconsistencies arise; these can be rectified at this initial registration

procedure.

 

181/07-08          RESOLVED               That this report be received and noted.

 

(d)        Fairtrade Event – 8^th March 2008

 

Members considered the arrangements for the Fairtrade event to be held on 8^th March 2008, which will be a major initiative in helping Dronfield to be recognised as a Fairtrade town.  Members considered a schedule of possible costs for staging the event together with a request for financial assistance.

 

182/07-08          RESOLVED              

 

1.         That this report be received and noted.

 

2.         That the Fairtrade Community Group be awarded a grant of £176.50 under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 to defray their costs for an initiative that will benefit the whole town.

 

(e)        North East Derbyshire Twinning Federation

 

Members considered correspondence from the above federation regarding possible

twinning links with Elancourt in France.

 

183/07-08          RESOLVED              

 

That this report be received and noted but that no further action be taken.

 

 

 

 

(f)        Publications Received

 

Members considered a schedule of publications and newsletters, which had been

received and are available for information at the Town Council offices.

 

184/07-08          RESOLVED               That this report be received and noted

 

(g)        Notes of Working Groups of the Town Council

 

No reports received.

 

(h)        Notes of Town Council Working Group

 

Members considered the notes of the Youth Council Working Group held on 20^th January 2008.

 

185/07-08          RESOLVED

 

1.                  That this report be received and noted.

 

2.                  That this Working Group contact the Dronfield School head teacher and the School Council to appraise them of this initiative and to elicit their support and assistance in this matter.

 

3.                  That the School Council of Dronfield School, in collaboration with the Working Group, draft a constitution setting out a loose framework of parameters that would be required.

 

4.                  That if a Youth Council is created to operate from September to September of each year, then Dronfield Town Council should grant the Youth Council the sum of £5,000 in it first year to be reviewed annually at budget making time.  This initial grant of £5,000 will be made subject to ratification of the Youth Council’s constitution and standing order by this Council.

 

Members also considered draft notes of the Recycling Working Group and the Road Safety Working Group, which had been held in the week prior to this meeting and would be placed on the agenda of the next Council meeting.

 

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of January 2008 in the amount of £67,562.55 drawn on the Council’s No 1 account.

 

179/07-08           RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments for the month of January 2008 in the amount of £67,562.55 be received accepted and approved.

 

 

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered a schedule of receipts for January 2008 in the amount of £31,803.83 paid into the Council’s No 2 Account.

 

180/07-08          RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts for January 2008 in the amount of £31,803.83 be received accepted and approved.

 

Exclusion of Public and Press

 

181/07-08          RESOLVED

 

That the public and press be now excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following items of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Freedom of Information Act (2004).

 

Quotation for Grounds Maintenance

 

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk following this Council’s resolutions concerning grounds maintenance becoming the responsibility of Dronfield Town Council.

 

Quotations had been sought from professional ground care companies who had the necessary expertise and equipment to carry out the detailed specifications of works required at ten locations.  Such specifications included maintenance of football pitches; cricket pitches, bowling greens and general grass cutting of large open spaces, recreation grounds and parks.

 

182/07-08          RESOLVED

 

1.      Hilltop Recreation Ground and Common

 

Comprises open green spaces, play-area and a junior kick-about football area and is 3.3 acres in area

 

Specification: Gang-mowed every two weeks during growing season of mid March to mid October, which equates to 20 mows per year.

 

179/07-08          RESOLVED

 

That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to gang mow the open spaces at Hilltop Road for the sum of £40.00 per cut which equates to £800.00 per season and that this company be requested to improve and re-model the kick-about football area to agreed specification at a cost not exceeding £600.00.

 

 

            

 

1.      Moonpenny Way Play-area and School Fields

 

Comprises green area and open spaces with banking and a child’s play-area and is 4.8 acres overall.

 

Specification: Gang-mowed every two weeks during growing season of mid March to mid October, which equates to 20 mows per year.

 

179/07-08          RESOLVED

 

That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to gang mow and triple mow the open spaces at Moonpenny Way and the School fields for the sum of £60.00 per cut which equates to £1,200.00 per season.

 

1.      Cemetery Road Recreation Ground:

 

Comprises of a junior football pitch, open spaces, roller hockey court and a kiddie’s play-area with surrounding security fencing and is 3.8 acres in total.

 

Specification: Open spaces and football pitch to be gang-mowed every two weeks during growing season of mid March to mid October which equates to 20 mows per year plus the football pitch to be marked out at the beginning of the season and re-marked for each match.

 

179/07-08          RESOLVED

 

That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to gang mow and triple mow the open spaces and football pitch at Cemetery Road for the sum of £40.00 per cut which equates to £800.00 per season and that they be awarded the contract for the initial marking out and weekly re-marking of the football pitch at Cemetery Road for a sum of £465.00 per season.

 

1.      Cliffe Park:

 

Comprise MUGA, Tennis Courts, Bowling Green, Play-area, mini golf, open spaces and Gosdforth Lodge and is 5.9 acres in area.

 

Specification: Open spaces to be gang-mowed and triple mowed round obstacles every two weeks during growing season of mid March to mid October, which equates to 20 mows per year plus the preparation and upkeep to the agreed improved standards for the bowling green.

 

Lightwood Landscapes submitted a bid of £50.00 per visit, which included the triple mowing around trees and shrub beds. They also submitted a quote for the total upkeep of the Bowling Green to the attached specification of £2,550 per annum.

 

 

 

 

179/07-08     RESOLVED

 

That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to gang mow and triple mow the open spaces at Cliffe Park for the sum of £50.00 per cut which equates to £1,000.00 per season and that they be awarded the contract to maintain and upkeep the bowling green at Cliffe Park to the specification attached for the sum of £2,550 per season.

 

1.      Stonelow Road  Recreation Ground

 

Comprises 3 football pitches (not included in maintenance specification due to DTFC undertaking to maintain these pitches), 2 cricket pitches, one of which will be maintained by CACC and large areas of open and green spaces. (11.2 acres in total)

 

Specification: Open spaces to be gang-mowed and triple mowed round obstacles every two weeks during growing season of mid March to mid October which equates to 20 mows per year plus the preparation and upkeep to the agreed improved standards of the bottom cricket pitch

 

179/07-08     RESOLVED

 

That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to gang mow and triple mow the open spaces and bottom Cricket Pitch at Stonelow Road for the sum of £50.00 per cut and an alternate weekly cut of the outfield area at a cost of £30.00 per cut which equates to £1,300.00 per season and that they be awarded the contract to maintain and upkeep the bottom cricket pitch at Stonelow Road to the agreed specification attached for the sum of £1,250 per season.

 

1.      Marsh Avenue Recreation Ground:

 

Comprises open spaces and a children’s play-area and is 3.6 acres in total area.

 

Specification: Open spaces to be gang-mowed and triple mowed round obstacles every two weeks during growing season of mid March to mid October, which equates to 20 mows per year.

 

179/07-08      RESOLVED

 

That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to gang mow and triple mow the open spaces at Marsh Avenue Recreation Ground for the sum of £50.00 per cut which equates to £1,000.00 per year

 

1.      Jubilee Park:

 

Comprise 4.5 acres of open spaces and green land

Specification: Open spaces to be gang-mowed and triple mowed round obstacles every two weeks during growing season of mid March to mid October, which equates to 20 mows per year.

 

 

 

179/07-08      RESOLVED

 

That Whittakers Groundcare be offered a contract to gang mow the open spaces at Jubilee Park for the sum of £50.00 per cut which equates to £1,000.00 per year and that arrangements be made for DTC staff to mow the areas around trees and other obstacles.

 

1.      Coal Aston Recreation Ground:

 

Comprising 2 football pitches, 1 Bowling Green, tennis courts, play-area, changing rooms and open spaces of 12.1 acres in total.

 

Specification: Open spaces and football pitches to be gang-mowed and triple mowed round obstacles every two weeks during growing season of mid March to mid October which equates to 20 mows per year plus the football pitches and bowling green to be maintained to the agreed higher standard.

 

179/07-08    RESOLVED

 

1.      That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to gang mow and triple mow the open spaces and football pitches at Coal Aston Recreation Ground for the sum of £150.00 per cut which equates to £3,000.00 per year.

2.      That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to prepare, initially mark out and re-mark the two football pitches at a cost of £465.00 per pitch per year.

3.      That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to prepare and maintain the bowling green at Coal Aston to the agreed attached specification at a cost of £2,550.00 per year.

 

9.   Sindelfingen Park:

 

Comprises 12.5 acres of open spaces and grassed areas with a small copse, scouts hut and a trim trail.

 

Specification: Open spaces and grassed areas to be gang-mowed and triple mowed around obstacles every two weeks during growing season of mid March to mid October which equates to 20 mows per year.

 

179/07-08     RESOLVED

 

That Whittakers Groundcare is offered a contract to gang mow the open spaces at Sindelfingen Park for the sum of £90.00 per cut which equates to £1,800.00 per year and that DTC staff will undertake the additional work required.

 

10.    Dronfield Woodhouse Recreation Ground:

 

Comprises 2 football pitches, 1 cricket pitch, open grassed areas, play-area, bowling green, tennis courts and DW Sports and Social Club measuring almost 9 acres in total.

 

Specification: Open spaces and grassed areas, football pitches, cricket outfield to be gang-mowed and triple mowed around obstacles every two weeks during growing season of mid March to mid October which equates to 20 mows per year with an additional alternate weekly mow of the cricket outfield together with the cricket squares and bowling green to be prepared and maintained to the agreed higher standard than present.

 

204/07-08          RESOLVED

 

1.   That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to gang mow and triple mow the open spaces, football pitches and cricket pitch at Dronfield Woodhouse Recreation Ground for the sum of £75.00 per cut with an addition alternate week cut to the cricket outfield at a cost of £30.00 per cut which equates to £1,800.00 per year.

 

2.   That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to prepare, initially mark out and re-mark the two football pitches at a cost of £465.00 per pitch per year.

 

3    That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to prepare and maintain the bowling green at Coal Aston to the agreed attached specification at a cost of £2,550.00 per year.

 

11.    That Lightwood Landscapes be offered a contract to prepare and maintain the cricket squares and playing surfaces at Dronfield Woodhouse to the agreed attached specification at a cost of £2,550.00 per year.