MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD

ON TUESDAY 6^th MAY 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: S Temple: J Sorrill: P Blackburn:  Mrs K Marr.

 

Public Forum on Planning Matters

 

No items of interest or concern were raised.

 

Public Forum On General Matters

 

Mrs Sue Ingham of High Street expressed concern regarding the recycling facilities in the Civic Centre.  She had seen cardboard boxes, plastic bags etc adjacent to the recycling bins which had been left by people using the amenity.  She also had concerns about the possible noise of glass recycling bins.

 

Mrs Ingham was informed that her comments would be considered later in the agenda when the notes of the Recycling Group were considered.

 

Mr David Pass the Youth Leader of Gosforth Youth Centre explained that some difficulties had arisen at the “Game Zone” initiative being held on Friday evenings in the Peel Centre.  The initiative was introduced by local police officers in conjunction with the youth service to combat anti social behaviour and encourage youngsters to have a more positive attitude.

 

Mr Pass outlined several instances where his staff had suffered verbal abuse from a section of young people who had acquired alcoholic drinks and were under the influence of drink.  The police service had not always attended these sessions despite having organised them in the first place.  The initiative has now been transferred from the Peel Centre to the Youth Centre at Gosforth.

 

On a more positive note it was explained that the Gosforth Pre School were working towards the Eco Silver Awards and were making excellent progress.

 

The Youth Centre premises have been subject to a buildings audit and the central heating has been upgraded and other environmental improvements have been implemented as part of the Eco scheme.

 

Mr Pass enquired if small grants were available for minor works to make the premises more teenager friendly.  He was advised that a Section 137 application pack would be sent for his attention.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

221/07-08     RESOLVED        That this report be received and noted.

 

Apologies

 

222/07-08    RESOLVED

 

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

 

                                    Councillor M Emmens (Other Business)

Councillor J Stocks                   (Other Business)

Councillor D Gage                    (Other Business)

                       

Youth Matters

 

Many youth initiatives had already been raised in the public forum but members were delighted to hear of the ECO school initiative and that grants had been applied for from North East Derbyshire District Council to create a “quite garden” and that young people were becoming more and more involved in Fairtrade and Recycling initiatives. 

 

223/07-08    RESOLVED         That this report be received and noted.

 

Police Matters

 

PC Ben Siddall attended in place of PC Murfin and circulated last month’s crime statistics (attached for information).  Members once again raised the problem of horses/horse riders using the grass verges and open spaces / recreation grounds in the town.  PC Siddall said he would investigate what measurers could be taken.

 

224/07-08    RESOLVED   That this report be received and noted.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 7 April 2008 (pages 123-131).

 

225/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That the Minutes of Dronfield Town Council held on 7 April 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

 

Prior to any discussions, Councillors Simon and Wendy Temple declared a prejucial interest in application No 5 on the list and left the meeting so did not discuss or vote in the matter.

 

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

 

·                 Application 08/00295/FL for the construction of a pair of semi detached dwellings on land to the rear of 95 Snape Hill Lane by Mr A Dunning.

 

226/07-08    RESOLVED

 

1.         That this application be opposed on the following grounds.

 

(a)        Such development would lead to hazardous traffic movement and exacerbate existing parking problems at this dangerous road junction.

 

(b)        The development is backland development and is not compliant with the existing street scene.

 

2.         That North East Derbyshire District Council planning committee be requested to convene a site visit prior to any decision being taken.

 

·                 Application 08/00470/FL for change of use from shop (A1) to hot food takeaway (A5) at 4 High Street by John R Boyd.

 

227/07-08    RESOLVED

 

1.         That this application be opposed due to the lack of parking facilities in the High Street and that indiscriminate parking on the existing double yellow lines would create a serious hazard on this blind bend in the road.

 

2.         That North East Derbyshire District Council planning committee be requested to convene a site visit prior to any decisions being made.

 

·                 Application CM4/0308/252 for the proposed removal of existing foundry tip and continued disposal of non-hazardous foundry waste on Callywhite Lane by William Lee Limited.

 

228/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That Derbyshire County Council be informed that this Council has no objections to the proposal but indeed welcome the initiative that will create employment and add to the well being of the town.

 

 

 

Planning Decisions

 

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

 

229/07-08     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 that two new members of staff have been employed and that the revised regime of grounds maintenance and grass mowing was working well with the new equipment.  The football pitches at Coal Aston, Hilltop and Stonelow Road will all be improved during the summer in readiness for the new season in September.  The roadside benches will in future be made using steel box section instead of the cast iron ends previously used due to our normal foundry being unable to continue supplying these ends.

 

(b)        Land at Shireoaks Road/Callywhite Lane

 

Members considered a consultation letter from Bloor Homes prior to submitting a planning application for a mixed residential and industrial scheme situated between their recent residential development and Callywhite Lane, utilising a derelict industrial site.

 

230/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That Bloor Homes be informed that this Council is aware that a large scale regeneration feasibility initiative is about to take place on the Callywhite Industrial Estate and this Council will consider any proposals and recommendation from that initiative prior to further development.

 

(c)        Well Being Team – 50+ Forum

 

Members considered correspondence from the above forum asking if the Town Council would wish to nominate a representative to sit on the steering group that would be instrumental in setting up a Dronfield Forum.

 

231/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That Councillor Mike Wing be appointed as this Council’s representative on the Dronfield 50+ Forum Steering Group.

 

(d)        Cliffe Park Bowling Pavilion Awning

 

Members considered a request from the Cliffe Park Bowling Club requesting permission to erect an awning on the Council’s Bowling Pavilion.

 

232/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That Cliffe Park Bowling Club be notified that the Council grants permission for them to erect an awning on Cliffe Park Bowling Pavilion at their own cost.

 

(e)        Financial Statement Year End 31 March 2008

 

Members considered the detailed financial statement for the year ending 31 March 2008.  The statement showed that due to good financial management and prudent fiduciary controls, the Council’s general Fund Balance had increased and now stood at £213,914.

 

233/07-08    RESOLVED

 

·                    That the attached Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2008 is received   accepted and approved as a true record of the Council’s financial affairs.

 

·                    That the statement of Internal Controls for procedures put in place on 31 March 2008   for the forthcoming financial year are received, accepted and adopted.

 

·                    That due to balances on the General Fund being almost £60,000 above the Audit          Commission’s recommendations, a meeting of the Budget Working Group be convened to discuss amendments to this year’s budgets to expend some of the excess        on desirable projects.

 

(f)        Lea Brook Valley Volunteers

 

Members considered a request from the Lea Brook Valley Volunteers for a Town Council member to be nominated as a representative on their management committee.

 

234/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That Councillor Graham Gregory be appointed as this Council’s representative on the Lea Brook Valley Volunteers management committee.

 

(g)        Publications Received

 

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

 

235/07-08    RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

Reports From Dronfield Town Council Representatives on Outside Bodies

 

Councillor Jeff Sorrill raised a point regarding the Dronfield Woodhouse Sports & Social Club seeking long-term permission for the club to hold an annual bonfire.  He was informed that permission had been granted and the club notified but the Town Clerk stated he would send a further copy of the permission.

 

 

 

 

Notes of Working Groups of the Town Council

 

1.         Properties Working Group held on 14 April 2008

 

Members considered the notes of the above meeting which had taken place at the request of the Lea Brook Valley Volunteers who explained what works and projects they had undertaken, which included:

 

·                 Rebuilding of walls and weirs

·                 Cleaning culverts and litter from the river

·                 Started repairs on fencing and repainted bridges and fencing

·                 Over-painted the pillars at the flyover to obliterate graffiti etc.

 

Lea Brook Valley Volunteers were informed that the land to the rear of 18 Church Street had now been conveyed to the Council’s ownership and a boundary fence and public footpath would be installed in the near future.

 

Lea Brook Valley Volunteers had joined the Derbyshire Bio Diversity Group and intended to convene a meeting with Yorkshire Water involving AROCHA to create a wild life wetland at the top of the valley subject to Key land Properties agreement.

 

Interpretation boards showing wildlife and flora will shortly be installed by Dronfield Town Council staff for notices and information bulletins.

 

236/07-08    RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

2.         Notes of the Recycling Working Group held on 21^st April 2008

 

Members considered the notes of the above Working Group, which had considered progress on installing several more recycling facilities at various sites in the town.  Members were informed that all local public houses had been contacted asking them to consider recycling their bottles and that Dronfield Town Council had ordered specific recycling bins for its parks and recreation grounds.

 

A composting day had been agreed to be held on 10^th July 2008.

 

Education opportunities were considered whereby a travelling theatre group would visit local primary schools to give an inter-active performance extolling the virtues of recycling.

 

237/07-08    RESOLVED

 

1.         That a recycling facility be created on the rear car park at Coal Aston Recreation Ground on existing hard standing.

 

2.         That a recycling facility be created on the front car park at Dronfield Woodhouse Recreation Ground on existing but improved hard standing and that the Town Clerk acquire quotations for the necessary surface improvements.

 

3.         That a recycling facility be created on land adjacent to Sindelfingen Park (Gorsey Brigg) and that if the current unofficial car park within the ownership of Taylor Wimpey cannot be utilised, then quotations are sought for hard surfacing of the adjacent green area that is owned by Dronfield Town Council.

 

4.         That a recycling facility is created within Hilltop Recreation Ground and that quotations are sought for hard surfacing at this location.

 

5.         That Sainsburys be contacted and requested to provide an area in their car park for a recycling facility.  (Subsequently, Sainsburys have informed Councillor McGrory that they would welcome such an initiative and North East Derbyshire District Council have been informed accordingly).

 

6.         That the Council utilise part of the windfall receipt from letting the Council Chamber for the provision of providing performances by the Speak Easy Theatre Group to one year of local primary schools at a cost off £1,600 per annum.

 

7.         That the Council utilise part of the windfall receipt from letting the Council Chamber for the provision of providing 1,000 “bags for life” with the Council’s logo and the legend “Think of the future – Recycle Now” at a cost of £1,000 and the “bags for life” be distributed throughout the town requesting recipients to make a small donation.

 

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of March 2008 in the amount of £55,057.60 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.

 

238/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments in the amount of £55,057.60 be received noted and approved.

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered a schedule of receipts for March 2008 in the amount of £18,259.39 and paid into the council’s No 2 account.

 

239/07-08    RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £18,259.39, paid into the Council’s No 2 account, be received noted and approved.