MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD

ON MONDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2008

 

 

Present

 

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

 

Public Forum on Planning Matters

 

No items of interest or concern were raised.

 

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.

 

044/08-09        RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.

 

Apologies

 

045/08-09        RESOLVED

 

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

 

Councillor J Stocks                   (Illness)

Councillor M Emmens  (Other Business)

Councillor J McGrory               (Illness)

 

Youth Matters

 

No items were raised but comments were made by an individual member complaining that numerous alleged phone calls to the Council’s offices had not been acknowledged or acted upon regarding the Youth Council Working Group and he questioned the efficiency of the staff.

 

 

046/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That this matter be received and noted and that the adverse comments be investigated and replied to.

 

Police Matters

 

The local beat officer had tendered his apologies but had provided the crime statistics for the month of August 2008.

 

Members again questioned whether the crime statistics could be shown more clearly and the Section number of the crime be spelt out in layman’s language.

 

Members also requested that crime figures be provided over a rolling six monthly period so that trends can be more easily identified. Councillor Bull volunteered to prepare a spreadsheet of the last 6 months figures showing these trends.

 

Members were informed that a serious spate of graffiti had taken place at various locations over the past 6/7 weeks and it was suggested that North East Derbyshire District Councils Anti Social Behaviour Unit be asked to provide their mobile CCTV equipment in an attempt to identify the culprits. The pillars at the Dronfield bye pass had also suffered attacks of graffiti and it was noted that the Lea Brook Valley Volunteers would paint over the graffiti with paint supplied by this Council.

 

Parking problems caused by spectators at football matches at the Sheffield FC ground at Stubley Hollow and Bowshaw were highlighted. It was agreed that whilst the Council would wish for the club to remain successful, a dialogue should be opened with Sheffield FC to investigate how the problem can be resolved. Members did not wish to see the adjacent grass verges being turned into mud-baths with the onset of inclement weather in the winter.

 

047/08-09        RESOLVED   That this report be received and noted.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 7 July 2008. (Pages 15-23)

 

048/08-09        RESOLVED 

 

That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 7 July 2008 be 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

 

Applications

 

Prior to any discussion-taking place on this item, Councillor I Pryce informed members that he was now a member of the Planning Committee at NEDDC and would not therefore take any part in the discussions or voting on any of the applications being considered.

 

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

 

 

Application: Reference 08/00429/FL

Demolition of an existing flat roof carport and garage and the construction of 2No. 5 bed roomed dwellings. (Revised scheme to 07/00931/FL)(Conservation Area)(Affecting the Setting of a Listed Building)(Amended Plan)(Amended title) at Quoit Green House, 26 Hallowes Lane, Dronfield by Mr Andrew Bayliss

 

049/08-09        RESOLVED 

 

That this application be strenuously objected to because:

 

1.         The size and scope of the proposals would have a severe detrimental effect to the conservation area.

 

2.         That the proposal to demolish the existing structures and the existing buildings would dramatically affect the setting of this listed building.

 

3.         That concerns be expressed about access/egress to the site as it was considered that such a development at this location would exacerbate traffic safety problems at what is already a dangerous road junction.

 

4.         That NEDDC planning committee be requested to convene a site visit prior to reaching any decision on this application.

 

Application Reference 08/00688/FL

Retention of use of former buildings as kennels and as a farm shop at Border View Farm, Rod Moor Road, Dronfield by Mr Alex Merryman

 

050/08-09        RESOLVED 

 

1.         That Members of this Council express their concerns regarding this application and considered that by asking for “retention”, it would imply that the applicant has already carried out the work for which he is now seeking permission.

 

2.         That serious concerns be expressed about the possible road traffic hazards at this location.

 

3.         That North East Derbyshire District Councils Planning Committee be requested to convene a site visit prior to reaching any decision on this application.

 

Planning Decisions

 

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

 

 051/08-09       RESOLVED  That this report be received and noted.

 

Town Clerks Report

 

(a)                Outside Services

 

Members were informed that staff have been busily engaged in the usual duties over the past few weeks.  All bus shelters had been cleaned, disinfected and all the recurring graffiti being removed.  There has been a serious outbreak of graffiti spraying at Stonelow Road, Cliffe Park and adjacent buildings and structures.

 

All the hanging baskets and floral displays have been watered and fed at appropriate intervals. Most of summer planted flowerbeds have thrived and are showing a good abundance of colourful blooms.  Unfortunately all the beds that were planted with the four varieties of “impatiens” (busy lizzies) were afflicted with DOWNY MILDEW, which is a fungal infection that attacks these plants and is rife this year. All the affected beds have been dug up and treated with selective fungicide. All the football pitches have had remedial ground works completed and had the goalposts re-installed. All pitches will be marked out as and when required.  This year, two teams will play on the Cemetery Road pitch, which will be marked out, and have three quarter sized goalposts installed.  Hilltop Recreation Ground’s pitch has been levelled and re-seeded where necessary and new junior sized goal posts will be fitted at that location also.

 

052/08-09        RESOLVED:

 

That this report be received and noted and that North East Derbyshire District Council be contacted and asked for their comments regarding the diseased plants that were bought through them from Mansfield District Council.

 

(b)                Cemetery Road – Recreation Ground

 

Members were appraised of a site visit at the above location when the roller hockey pitch and fence were examined.  The gate into the compound was found to have been vandalised and remedial work was done immediately to make it safe. It is apparent that the roller hockey pitch is not being used for its intended purpose and it may be more appropriate for it to be converted into a tennis court.  The very expensive boundary fence could be utilised within Cliffe Park to replace the dilapidated fence surrounding the sand pit and then 3 metre high wire mesh fencing could be installed around the hockey pitch which would be lined out for a tennis court. 

 

053/08-09        RESOLVED:

    

1.         That the surrounding fence at Cemetery Road roller hockey pitch is removed and re-installed at Cliffe Park.

 

2.         That quotations are sought for the installation of 3-metre high wire mesh fencing around the hockey pitch.

3.         That the pitch is re-lined for tennis playing and that a set of tennis nets is ordered and installed.

(c)                 Cliffe Park – Improvements

 

Members were made aware that urgent remedial/repair works were necessary to the car parks, driveway and dangerous ramps at Cliffe Park together with the dangerous potholes and the dangerous car park facilities at Dronfield Woodhouse three quotations for tarmacing and re-lining were sought and a contract awarded to Gary Fletcher (Surfacing Ltd) whose bid was 15% lower than the next lowest price bid. Members were also informed that complaints had been made regarding indiscriminate use of the two car parks at Cliffe Park whereby people were parking at 8.00am (prior to the attendant starting work at 9.30am) and utilising parking spaces that are for park users.    Evidence was gathered about “boy racers” using the car parks, drives and grassed areas for unsocial activities during the hours of darkness. Park security has been improved by installing a barrier across the entrance, which is now locked when the park was not attended.  Bollards, which were in stock, were also installed in the pathway leading to Green Lane and Stonelow Road to prevent vehicular access.

 

054/08-09        RESOLVED:

 

That this report be received and noted and that the Town Clerk’s actions be approved.

 

(d)                Recycling Initiatives

 

Members were appraised that site meetings have been convened and North East Derbyshire District Council will install recycling facilities within Sainsbury’s car park plus comprehensive recycling facilities in the car park to the rear of Coal Aston Village Hall.  Unfortunately, due to land ownership problems, facilities cannot be provided on the “car park” at Gorsey Brigg.  North East Derbyshire District Council cannot provide the facility without the landowner’s consent. Even if the adjacent land (owned by Dronfield Town Council) was hard surfaced to install recycling skips, access from the ‘car park’ would be required by the lorries servicing the skips. Members also considered that many of the initiatives suggested by the working group have now reach fruition.

 

055/08-09        RESOLVED:

 

1.         That this report be received and noted.

 

2.         That the Recycling Working Group be disbanded now that the projects have been finalised.

 

3.         That an Energy Conservation Working Group comprised of the same elected members currently sitting on the Recycling Working Group be formed to consider and review energy conservation policies of the Council.

 

(e)                Skateboard Park

 

Members were informed that a cost figure giving some idea of the cost of installing the surface has now been acquired and felt it appropriate to formalise the plans and make the necessary financial and policy decisions. Further public consultations would be undertaken to ensure that residents have the necessary input into the process and offer their opinions Members were advised that the Town Council have the necessary funds to complete the project by utilising the balances which have accrued and would still leave balances above the District Auditors recommendations.

 

Members were informed that a detailed risk assessment would be carried out and all relevant public safety issues would need to be addressed and dealt with.  Cliffe Park is staffed six days a week until 10.30pm, and whilst the attendant is available to offer help and assistance in the case of accident, it does not place an obligation on the Council to provide “supervisory” services to users of the park.

 

 

 

 

055/08-09        RESOLVED:

 

1.         That this report be received and noted.

 

2.                  That a public consultation exercise regarding the provision of a skateboard/wheeled activity project within Cliffe Park is devised and published in the next issue of Dronfield Eye.

 

3.                  That the financial cost of up to £50,000 be met in this year’s budget and that amount be vired from general fund reserves.

 

4.                  That a professional risk assessment consultant (e.g. ROSPA) be commissioned to carry out a comprehensive survey and advise the Council on matters requiring attention.

5.                  That a competitive tendering procedure be drawn up inviting at least three competent qualified installers to bid for the installation to the agreed specification that will meet the necessary BS standards after the above consultation exercise has been carried out.

 

(e)                BMX Track

 

Members were made aware that the safety signs and notices have now been erected at the Chesterfield Road site but the level and degree of progress is causing some concerns. Sections for younger users have not been completed by the volunteers.  It was considered necessary to meet with the young volunteers, devise a scheme and offer more mechanical assistance in creating the jumps and ensuring the area is cleared of obstacles.    

 

056/08-09        RESOLVED

 

1.                  That this report be received and noted.

 

2.                  That a meeting with the BMX Track Volunteers be convened to include the local resident with experience, to determine what assistance they require to complete the project in a safe and secure manner.

 

(g)                Gennells and Jitties (Urban Walkways) in the Town

 

Members were appraised that many of the gennells between houses and streets and built

by the developers in the late 60’s, early 70’s are now reaching the stage where urgent

repairs are necessary.  Recently, however, Derbyshire County Council officers have contacted the Town Clerk to state that most of these urban walkways (gennells) are not on their register and they do not have funds in their budgets for their repair, as they are not part of the adopted highway network. Members considered a letter sent to the Director of Environmental Services of Derbyshire County Council requesting an urgent meeting to include both County Councillors, The Town Clerk and Deputy Leader of Dronfield Town Council, to clarify this situation and devise a policy and action plan to deal with this growing problem.

 

 057/08-09       RESOLVED   That this report be received and noted.

 

 

(h)                Standing Orders/Financial Regulations Review

 

Members were informed that it is now 4 years since the Council’s Standing Orders and Financial Regulations were updated. Some minor amendments have been made over the past years following advice and guidance from both DALC and the District Audit Service.

 

058/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That the Town Clerk as the Responsible Financial Officer draft an amended version of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations for consideration by members of the Standing Orders Working Group prior to submission to full Council for approval and ratification in December 2008.

 

(i)                  William Lee – Donation of £2,000

 

Members had deferred this item from the previous meeting since when Mr Cooper, the Managing Director of William Lee Ltd has been contacted and informed of that decision and asked his thoughts and aspirations on how the donation would best benefit the town and its residents. He responded that he consulted with several regular users of Cliffe Park but they have not yet apprised him of their wishes. One suggestion was that the donation be used for replacing and renewing the picnic patio benches within Cliffe Park.

 

059/08-09        RESOLVED:

 

That Wm Lee Limited be informed of the Councils suggestions and that a decision is reached at the October meeting.

 

(j)         Publications Received

 

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

 

060/08-09        RESOLVED   That this report be received and noted.

 

Reports From Dronfield Town Council Representatives on Outside Bodies

 

The Council’s representative on Dronfield Woodhouse Sports and Social Club expressed the Club’s appreciation of the repairs done to the car park and enquired when the derelict toilet block would be demolished by NEDDC

 

061/08-09        RESOLVED:

 

That this report be received and noted.

 

Notes of Working Groups of the Town Council

 

The Skateboard Steering Group held on 14 July 2008.

 

Members considered the notes of the above Working Group.

 

 

062/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That the notes of the Skateboard Steering Group be received and noted.

 

The Awards Panel held on 23 July 2008.

 

Members considered the notes of the above Panel and considered the recommended awards to local community groups.

 

063/08-09        RESOLVED

 

1.  That Appleknowle Junior Dragons Cricket Club be awarded a grant of £100.00 under Section S137 of the LGA 1972.

2.  That the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre be awarded a grant of £100.00 under Section S137 of the LGA 1972.

3.  That the Derbyshire Coalition for Inclusive Living be awarded a grant of £100.00 under Section S137 of the LGA 1972.

4. That the Dronfield and District Visually Impaired Group be awarded a grant of £100.00 under Section S137 of the LGA 1972.

5. That the Dronfield Horticultural Society be awarded a grant of £200.00 under Section S137 of the LGA 1972.

6.  That the Dronfield Town Twinning Federation be awarded a grant of £100.00 under Section S137 of the LGA 1972.

7. That Holmesdale Infant School be awarded a grant of £150.00 under Section S137 of the LGA 1972.

8.  That North Derbyshire Forum for Mental Health Carers be awarded a grant of £150.00 under Section S137 of the LGA 1972.

9.  That Victims Support (Chesterfield Branch) be awarded a grant of £150.00 under Section S137 of the LGA 1972.

10. That no grant be awarded to County Air Ambulance Service or Vitalise because it      was considered that these two applications did not meet the criteria of Awarding grants under S137 of the LGA 1972.

 

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered two schedules of payments for the months of June and July 2008. The June 2008 schedule was for payments in the amount of £156,523.58 paid from the Council’s No 1 account and the schedule of payments for July 2008 was in the amount of £48,131.66 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.

 

064/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments in the amount of £156,523.58 for the month of June 2008 and the schedule of payments in the amount of £48,131.66 for the month of July 2008 be received noted and approved.

 

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered two schedules of receipts for the months of June and July 2008. The June 2008 schedule was for receipts in the amount of £18,031.05 paid into the Council’s No 2 account and the schedule of receipts for July 2008 was in the amount of £18,728.51 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.

 

065/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £18,031.05 for the month of June 2008 and the schedule of receipts in the amount of £18,728.51 for the month of July 2008 and paid into the Council’s No 2 account, be received noted and approved.