MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD

ON MONDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2008

 

 

Present

 

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

 

Public Forum on Planning Matters

 

No matters were raised.

 

Public Forum On General Matters

 

Several residents attended and wished to speak about the Council’s proposals to install a skateboard park in Cliffe Park. Mrs Jill Andrews of 24 Green Lane asked if the proposal would require planning consent if proceeded with. The Town Clerk responded that it was more than likely that consent would be needed but it would be NEDDC who would consider the planning aspects if the scheme were to go ahead. He also affirmed that no progress had been undertaken regarding planning legislation until the analysis of the public consultation exercise had taken place and members considered the matter further.

 

Mr and Mrs Allcott of Green Lane both spoke opposing the proposals and stated that Cliffe Park is a family park and whilst they accepted that there must be facilities for the older children and youth, Cliffe Park was not the most suitable location. They queried if Sindelfingen Park had been considered as it was a much larger area and the loss of green space within that park would not be so dramatic. Mr Allcott also highlighted that local residents on Green Lane had been subjected to additional light and noise pollution from the Fanshawe School now that floodlit games were taking place until 10pm at night, markets and car boot sales are held on the school car park at weekends and that the new foundry could also contribute to the already high levels of noise and light pollution in the immediate area. He also said that the school had doubled in size and that green space had been lost by the extension of the school buildings.

 

Dr Romano referred to the Dronfield Eye article and questionnaire and stated that it seemed to him to have been presented as a fait accompli and that residents were being asked to rubber stamp something that had already been decided upon. Dr Romano was assured that every report and article put out by the Council had been clearly titled “skateboard park proposals” and that the Properties Working Group and Skateboard Park Steering Group would be meeting within the week to discuss a report on the analysis of the consultation questionnaire and a report of the Working Group’s recommendations would be presented to the next full Council meeting in December for debate and consideration.

 

In response to a question of why the skateboard park was seen as such a high priority for the Council, The Town Clerk responded that this had been one of the conclusions of “The Heart of Dronfield Study” which had been undertaken by Groundwork Cresswell in 2003 with a £16,000 grant from EMDA. The results of that in depth report had been the subject of public meetings and presentations at the time and had ultimately led to the Council receiving a £100,000 grant for the environmental improvements and the creation of the Nature Park at the Chesterfield Road site. He arranged for one of the residents to receive a copy of the report.

 

Mrs Green of Church Street referred to her previous request for the Council’s support in opposing a licensing matter in the town and informed members that any local resident which included all Town Councillors were eligible to make any comments (either for or against) licensing matters to be considered by NEDDC. It was however pointed out that the Town Council is not a statutory consultee on licensing matters and members and officers are not informed of pending changes or applications. Mrs Green was thanked for her helpful comments.

 

Mr John Jackson reported that a waste disposal unit had been built in Chesterfield to process waste and convert it by gas turbines to produce electricity. He was informed that North East Derbyshire District Council was the waste collection agency and that Derbyshire County Council was the Strategic Waste Authority who had the final say on where the collected waste was disposed of.

 

PCSO Richard Lee informed members that he had received a number of emails regarding the skateboard park and many had asked why the facility could not be built in Sindelfingen Park. Both he and PCSO Lewis had discussed the matter and agreed that unruly behaviour could increase if it was installed in Cliffe Park.

 

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.

 

083/08-09        RESOLVED:             That this report be received and noted.

 

Apologies

 

084/08-09        RESOLVED

 

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

 

Councillor D Gage                    (Other Business)

Councillor Mrs K Marr (Other Business)

Youth Matters

 

It was reported that Ms Pam Robinson, the County Youth Leader for this area would attend a meeting of this Council to be held on Monday 5^th January 2009 to explain what her team do for the youth of the town and what facilities the County Council offer in the way of youth services.

 

085/08-09        RESOLVED   That this matter be received and noted.

 

 

 

Police Matters

 

PCSO Richard Lee was in attendance and provided the crime statistics for the month of October 2008. He reported that the graffiti problems had now been resolved with three youths being apprehended and court action will shortly follow on one of the youths concerned. A major drug bust had recently taken place in the town with a cannabis growing operation discovered and closed down. It was alleged that these culprits were responsible for supplying a large amount of cannabis in the town.

 

In answer to a member’s question, PCSO Lee said he would only attend the odd meeting of the Council in future due to an order from Inspector Adam Waterfall that beat officers should not attend Council meetings as a matter of course. 

 

086/08-09        RESOLVED  

 

1.         That this report be received and noted.

 

2.         That a strong letter of indignation expressing the Council’s disappointment be sent to Inspector Adam Waterfall, asking him for an explanation why he had issued an order to beat officers not to attend Council meetings as he had implied at a recent meeting of the Parish/District Liaison Committee that changing shift patterns etc would not compromise officer attendance at local meetings.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 6 October 2008. (Pages 39-48)

 

087/08-09        RESOLVED 

 

That with a minor amendment to Resolution 076/08-09 by the deletion of the words “at any time during the event” following “played” in line 3 and substituting the words “after 10.30pm”, then the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 6 October 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

 

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

 

Ref: 08/00780/FL and 08/00781/LB

 

(1)        Alterations to existing building and change of use from residential to the manufacture and sale of jewellery and

 

(2)        Application for Listed Building Consent for exterior and interior alterations to existing building (Listed Building/Conservation Area) by Mr Bisby at 26 High Street, Dronfield.

 

088/08-09        RESOLVED 

 

That NEDDC be requested to convene a site visit prior to making any decision on this application as members expressed serious concerns about changing the aesthetic aspects of the building lines and would not wish to see the front or side of the listed building   visible from the High Street to be altered in a way that would prove detrimental to the street-scene in the conservation area.

 

Ref: 08/01002/LB

Listed Building Consent for partial demolition of rear wall to create access for vehicles. (Listed Building/Conservation Area) by Mr L Rothman at 23 High Street, Dronfield.

 

089/08-09        RESOLVED 

 

That NEDDC be requested to convene a site visit prior to making any decision on this application as members expressed serious concerns about changing the aesthetic aspects of the building lines and would not wish to see major changes to the aspects of the building that would lead to the loss of architectural and aesthetic amenity within the conservation area.

 

Ref: 08/00898/FL

Installation of four handrails to existing paved footpath. (Conservation Area/Amended Title/Amended Plan) by Dr Saunders and Dronfield Medical Centre, High Street, Dronfield.

 

090/08-09        RESOLVED 

 

That NEDDC be informed that this Council fully support this proposal, which will offer major benefits to the elderly and mobility impaired who now use the new health facilities within the town and have expressed concerns about the steep sloping gradient at the entrance to the centre

 

Planning Decisions

 

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

 

 091/08-09       RESOLVED  That this report be received and noted.

 

 

Town Clerks Report

 

(1)        Outside Services

 

Members were informed that outside services staff have been busily engaged over the past weeks in their usual duties of bus shelter cleaning, weekly litter and dog bin emptying and play area inspections.  Most grassed areas have now received their final cut of the growing season. All hedges and bordering trees in all locations will be trimmed and pruned over the next two weeks and all trees on Council owned land will be inspected and marked out for any treatment required.  The flowerbeds have now been planted up with winter blooms after being rotovated and weed treatment.  The window boxes on the Civic Hall have now been planted with winter plants.  The Civic Hall portico and block paving slabs have been pressure washed and cleaned. An order has been given to a local contractor to strip the top five or six rows of tiles from all areas, treat the wall with appropriate sealant and affix new white tiles in the toilet areas of the Civic Hall. The central heating boiler serving the offices and other rooms in the Civic Hall has been replaced following its annual service, which deemed it to be in a dangerous condition and had been damaged beyond economical repair.

 

It was reported that the play equipment at Hilltop has been painted and the safer surfacing repaired again.  Some of the wooden kick boards around the Muga pitch in Cliffe Park have been replaced around the goal areas and all the surrounding boards have been given a coat of green wood preservative.

 

 092/08-09      RESOLVED:   That this report be received and noted

 

(2)        Staff Pay Award

 

Members were informed that notification has been received from NALC/SLCC that an interim pay award of 2.45% has been agreed with the JNC subject to the claim being submitted to ACAS for arbitration. The award will be backdated to 1^st April 2008 and will be paid to all employees in their November pay on the 15^th November. 

 

093/08-09        RESOLVED:   That this report be received and noted

 

(3)        Skateboard Park Proposals

 

Members were reminded that the above proposal was highlighted in the October issue of the Dronfield Eye and a public consultation questionnaire was published within that magazine with a closing date of 18 October 2008. Members were also informed that all the correspondents have been informed that their letters and comments would be presented, in full, to the Skateboard Steering Group for consideration along with the analysed results of the questionnaires at its next meeting. All residents who have contacted the Town Council offices, have been informed that this is only a proposal at present and that no decisions can be taken until after the consultation analysis has been carried out and considered firstly by the Skateboard Steering Group and then debated by members at a full Council meeting.

 

094/08-09        RESOLVED:   

 

That this report be received and noted and that the Steering Group be requested to consider suitable alternative proposals.

 

(4)        BMX Track

 

Members were made aware that the local youths had made a lot of progress in building the BMX track with help and assistance from the Council. Concerns had been expressed however, that one series of jumps built parallel to the driveway was causing problems for people parking their cars. Members were also informed that a meeting had recently been convened when the BMX bikers were made aware of the conflict It had been suggested that the existing fence could be moved by about 6 feet and a small area of scrubland behind the fence be levelled and a raised launch pad created at the end of the runway thus allowing the bikers to have a runway to the jumps without impeding use of the car park. It was also suggested that additional supplies of subsoil (not top soil) be acquired for completing the series of jumps and berms around the circuit and that all cemetery subsoil waste would be utilised. Dronfield Town Council would acquire the necessary 400-500 tons of subsoil and move the existing fence.

 

 

 

095/08-09        RESOLVED:    That this report be received and noted

 

(5)        Electricity Supplies

 

Members were informed that two years ago, the electricity supply to all Town Council locations was transferred from NPower to Electricity for Business (E4B Ltd) as substantial savings were offered but last week E4B Ltd went into administration and as the Council pay by direct debit on a monthly basis, no loss to the Council occurred. Energywatch UK has been contacted and advised that the most competitive supplier was Scottish & Southern Electricity who are offering competitive rates on a 1-year contract payable by direct debit.  A new contract had now been agreed with Scottish & Southern Electricity at rates marginally higher than those charged by E4B.

 

096/08-09        RESOLVED:

  

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

 

(6)        OZ Box

 

Members considered correspondence from John Rawlinson of Derbyshire Police regarding the Oz Box scheme and that all the 600 Safer Neighbourhood Teams are now championing the Oz Box Scheme. It is hoped that training sessions can be introduced at Killamarsh, Dronfield and Sharley Park Leisure Centres and would cost up to £9,800 for the three sites. Matched funding of £6,800 has been committed by Derbyshire County Council and the Community Safety Partnership. Members considered a request for Dronfield Town Council to make a contribution of £1,000 towards the scheme.

 

097/08-09        RESOLVED:

 

That Dronfield Town Council make a contribution of £1,000 (One Thousand Pounds) towards this worthwhile scheme which could be instrumental in alleviating anti social behaviour in the town

 

(7)        Publications Received

 

Members were informed of a list of publications and newsletters that had been received and were available at the Council offices for information.

 

098/08-09        RESOLVED:    That this report be received and noted.

 

Reports From Dronfield Town Council Representatives on Outside Bodies

 

Councillor John McGrory reported that he would be resigning from the FairTrade Steering Group due to pressure of work and it was agreed that the opposition group would inform the Town Clerk of his replacement at a later date.

 

Councillor Mike Wing reported on the working day of the 50+ Forum that had been held the previous week in the Civic Hall. The event was well attended with over 130 residents attending. Small working groups had convened to discuss several issues and it had been agreed that a 50+ Forum should be set up for Dronfield and District. Another meeting would be convened in about a month’s time and a working committee would be formed to move matters along.

 

099/08-09        RESOLVED:   That these reports be received and noted

 

Notes of Working Groups of the Town Council    

 

Members considered the notes of the Road Safety Working Group held on Wednesday 22 October 2008 in which County Highway officers had proposed improvements to several roads in the town following a site visit with members of the Road safety Working Group earlier in the year. Members were informed that the following proposals would be put in the bidding process for next year’s highway budget.

Junction of Lea Road and Church Street. Install a raised zebra crossing prior to the junction for scholars to cross safely and to “ramp” the entire junction with prominent ‘slow’ signs on all three access points to the junction.

 

High Street – Civic Centre Junction.  Install a ramped zebra crossing just above this junction adjacent to No 26, which will be 7 metres wide.  This will enable pedestrians to cross High Street to access the Library, Civic Centre shops and the new Health Centre.  Speed tables will also be installed further down High Street opposite No 13 to slow down traffic travelling up High Street prior to the busy junction at the monument and the new zebra crossing.

 

Extend and Improved signing for the 20mph zone. Extend the 20mph town centre zone at the top of High Street to include the mini roundabout and traffic roundabout at Sainburys.  The 20mph zone will now start on Wreakes Lane, (adjacent to Sainburys Goods entrance, Stubley Lane at the junction of Victoria Street and Gosforth Lane at Peel Gardens. The 20mph zone will also be extended to include Green Lane from the bottom at Chesterfield Road up to the junction with Stonelow Road. School Lane will also now be included in the 20mph zone from Lea Road to Scarsdale Road/Gomersall Lane. Additional flat-top road humps will also be installed on Green Lane opposite the school entrance and at Lea Road between Quoit Green and Vale Close.

 

Members had raised concerns regarding the pedestrian conflicts at Callywhite Lane/Green Lane junction.  It was agreed that the roundabout system at this location had largely resolved the vehicular problems but had worsened the pedestrian access from Green Lane to the post office.  Pedestrians now had to cross Callywhite Lane and were unsure what left turning traffic was doing.

 

The Derbyshire County Council officers affirmed that they would look at this problem again.

 

The road humps on Stubley Lane were considered and the severity of the humps was again questioned, particularly as Gosforth School had now closed.  A raised zebra crossing was mooted as one solution to the problem if the humps were removed.

 

Members were also appraised of proposals to install a raised zebra crossing on School Lane, opposite the school entrance, which would have mandatory white zig zag lines, which are enforceable in law.

 

 

 

 

100/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That this report be received and noted and that Derbyshire County Council highway officers be requested to (a) consider installing a further zebra crossing at the bottom of Church Street and (b) that Sainsbury’s be requested to place 10mph signs in their car park and to paint a white line across the road delineating where the car park ends and the public road begins on the roundabout.

 

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of September 2008 in the amount of £107,964.08 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.

 

101/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments in the amount of £107,964.08 for the month of September 2008 be received noted and approved.

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of September 2008 in the amount of £390,249.69 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.

 

102/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £390,249.69 for the month of September 2008 be received noted and approved.

 

Exclusion of Public and Press

 

103/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That the public and press be now excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following item 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).

Banking Arrangements:

Members considered a private and confidential report of the Town Clerk which set out current arrangements for the Council’s banking procedures and how the current reserves were held and administered and what interest was being accrued in a safe and secure manner.

103/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That Dronfield Town Council transfer all its banking arrangements for all the accounts which it administers from The Royal Bank of Scotland to The Cooperative Bank plc as soon as is practicable and that the Town Clerk as the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer is duly empowered to make all the necessary arrangements to transfer all the Council’s bank accounts from The Royal Bank of Scotland to The Cooperative Bank plc.