MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD

ON MONDAY 7^th APRIL 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:  J Sorrill: P Blackburn: D Gage: Mrs K Marr

 

Public Forum on Planning Matters

 

Mrs Kavanagh of 28 Northern Common, spoke about the planning proposal at No 30 Northern Common.  She informed members that she had previously objected to the proposals, but that following detailed discussions with the applicant, she and her neighbours had now withdrawn their objections as all their concerns had been met by the applicant and that they now fully supported the application.

 

Public Forum On General Matters

 

No items of interest or concern were 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

 

203/07-08        RESOLVED   That this report be received and noted.

 

Apologies

 

204/07-08     RESOLVED

 

That apologies for non-attendance be received and accepted from Councillor G Gregory due to him being on other business.

 

Youth Matters

 

No items raised.

 

Police Matters

 

The local PCSO attended and submitted the latest crime statistics for Dronfield, which again showed that the level of crime was falling with most serious crimes being detected.

 

A summary of the speed data technician following a survey of vehicle speeds on Eckington Road was also submitted.  The survey showed that the vast majority of traffic using Eckington Road were complying with the 40MPH speed limit.  The average speed recorded was 37.3 MPH.

 

The survey was conducted over a 6 day period during January 2008.

 

Inspector Fitzpatrick also submitted certain statistics that proved Dronfield is a low crime area and crime was down again this year.

 

Criminal damage was down by 9%.

House Burglaries were down by 28%.

Violent Crime is also very low with a 55% detection rate, which is one of the highest figures in North Derbyshire.

 

Residents of Dronfield have a 50% less chance of being a victim of crime that the rest of Derbyshire.  Dronfield is in the lowest 4 out of 20 policing areas for reported crime.

 

205/07-08        RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 3 March 2008 (pages 108-122).

 

206/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That the Minutes of Dronfield Town Council held on 3 March 2008 be received, noted and approved 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 consideration and comment.

 

207/07-08        RESOLVED

 

1.                  That the schedule be received and noted.

 

2.                  That application 07/01533/FL by Mr D Inman of 30 Northern Common for the construction of two dwellings, which had previously been objected to by this Council, not now be objected to following representations by neighbours who had resolved all their problems with the applicant.

 

 

Planning Decisions

 

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

 

208/07-08        RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

Town Clerks Report

 

Members considered the report of the Town Clerk on various projects and initiatives throughout the town.

 

a.                  Outside Services

 

·                    Members were appraised of a long-standing employee’s retirement.

 

·                    Advertisements placed for two outside services operatives.

 

·                    The two groundwork contractors have now taken over grass cutting and grounds maintenance.

 

·                    A Kubota ride-on mower and two 24inch commercial mowers have been acquired.

 

·                    Bus shelters being repaired and renovated together with a report of a shelter damaged beyond repair after a vehicle collided with it.

 

·                    Four members of staff being fully trained in the use of herbicides and pesticides.

 

209/07-08        RESOLVED    

 

1.                  That this report be received and noted.

 

2.                  That a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr Don Shepherd expressing the Council’s best wishes for a long and healthy retirement.

 

b.                  Statement of Responsibilities of Auditors and Audited Bodies

 

Members considered the above publication from the Audit Commission setting out the joint responsibilities of both the appointed auditors and the audited body.  Members were reminded that they had a duty to formally consider this report.

 

210/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That this report be received and noted and that it be recorded in the minutes that the Council fully understands and accepts the responsibility of an audited body.

 

 

 

 

c.                   Hire of Civic Hall (Council Chamber)

 

Councillor R Bull declared a prejucial interest in this matter and did not speak or vote upon it.

 

Members were informed that Derbyshire County NHS had written to seek permission to continue using the Council Chamber for a further 14 months until the new Allamby & Davidson Health Centre is completed.  The current charge is £110.00 per week for the use of the council chamber on a 24/7 basis and the Shaun Hadley room at agreed times.

 

211/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That Derbyshire County NHS be informed that the Council Chamber and other rooms will be made available at a discounted fee of £125.00 per week for the next 14 months.

 

d.                  Dronfield Players – Visit to Sindelfinden

 

Members considered an application for Grant Aid from Dronfield Players to assist in the cost of transporting scenery and props to Sindelfingen for the presentation of the play “Pull The Other One” which they will perform in Sindelfingen in May 2008.

 

212/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That a grant of £500 be awarded to the Dronfield Players to defray some of the costs for their performance in Sindelfingen.

 

e.                  Letter of Appreciation – Andy Broxton

 

Members considered a letter from the Town Twinning Federation extolling the virtues of the Civic Hall caretaker, Mr Andy Broxton, for the sensible and sensitive way in which he handled what could have been a very serious matter for a young girl outside the Civic Hall.  Due to his prompt action, a serious incident was averted.

 

213/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That a letter of commendation from this Council be sent to Mr Andy Broxton and that investigation are undertaken to ascertain if some external award may be appropriate.

 

f.                    Citizen’s Visit to Sindelfingen

 

Prior to this matter being addressed, Councillor M Emmens declared a prejucial interest and left the meeting so did not speak or vote upon it.

 

Correspondence from the Town Twinning Federation was considered.  They were asking for a grant to defray the one way cost of coach hire to Manchester Airport on the occasion of a citizen’s visit to Sindelfingen.

 

 

214/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That no award be made to the Town Twinning Federation for the purpose requested.

 

g.                  Farmers Market – Sindelfingen Park

 

Members considered a letter from Stephen Thompson requesting them to investigate the possibility of allowing Farmers Markets to be held in Sindelfingen Park.

 

215/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That permission not be granted to hold Farmers Market in Sindelfingen and that Mr Thompson be informed that it may be more feasible to incorporate an occasional Farmers Market into the general market held in Dronfield every Thursday.

 

h.                  Publications Received

 

Members considered a list of publications received which are available in the Town Council offices.

 

216/07-08        RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

Reports From Dronfield Town Council Representatives on Outside Bodies

 

No reports received.

 

Working Groups of the Town Council

 

1.                  Recycling Working Group held on 26 February 2008.

 

Members considered the notes of the Recycling Working Group held on 26 February 2008.

 

217/07-08        RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

2.                  Road Safety Working Group held on 27 February 2008

 

Members considered the notes of the Road Safety Working Group held on 27 February 2008.

 

218/07-08        RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of February 2008 in the amount of £72,582.73 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.

 

 

 

 

219/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments in the amount of £72,582.73 be received, noted and approved.

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered a schedule of receipts for February 2008 in the amount of £23,096.86 and paid into the council’s No 2 account.

 

220/07-08        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £23,096.86, paid into the Council’s No 2 account, be received, noted and approved.