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DRAFT: MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD
ON MONDAY 1 DECEMBER 2008
Present
Councillors: Mrs W Temple (The Town Mayor): I Pryce: G Gregory: Mrs C Smith: M Wing: S Temple: J Sorrill: P Blackburn: F Higgins: M Emmens: J McGrory: R Bull: A Memmott: D Oxspring: Mrs K Marr: A Memmott.
Public Forum on Planning Matters
Mr Hall of Machins Court, High Street wished to comment about the proposals for The Barn renovations and extensions. He was concerned that the trees forming the hedge between the bungalows at Machins Court and the development site would be felled and that a loss of privacy and security would result. He had been assured that fencing would be erected to stop people accessing the rear of the sheltered residential site but would wish to ask this Council to insist that such a condition was placed on any consent that may be given. He reported that a hawthorn hedge had already been removed and was causing a problem. He informed members that a letter from the residents had been sent to the planning authority and asked members to support the resident’s concerns.
Public Forum On General Matters
No items of concern were raised by members of the public.
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.
104/08-09 RESOLVED: That this report be received and noted.
Apologies
105/08-09 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 B Skelton (Other Business)
Councillor G Baxter (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 5th 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. It was reported that no progress had been made on arranging a meeting between the Youth Council Working Group and the Youth Council of The Dronfield School to make progress.
106/08-09 RESOLVED
That this report be received and noted and that further consideration is given by the Youth Council Working Group on how best to take this initiative forward.
Police Matters
There was no police presence at the meeting but members considered a report of the Dronfield Safer Neighbourhood Team setting out their three main priorities for the town which included the (1) The Greendale shops and Cliffe Park which were suffering from youth nuisance: (2) Road safety around local schools in the town: (3) Automobile crime and efforts to reduce thefts from motor vehicles.
The report also detailed the crime statistics for the past month which once again showed a downward trend and that Dronfield remains one of the safest areas in the division.
Members also considered a response letter from Inspector Waterfall following the Council’s concerns at the last meeting regarding his decision to stop police officers attending these Council meetings. It was felt that such an order was showing disrespect to members of the third largest urban area within Derbyshire. Members felt that the community was being deprived of an opportunity to have a direct input into local concerns. Members felt that a PCSO or PC should attend and that the 15 minutes spent at the meeting could be well justified in helping to retain the good working relationship between the local police service and the local community. It was noted that Inspector Waterfall had said that this was a trial scheme and members wished for this trial to run for a period not exceeding two months before it is appraised again.
107/08-09
RESOLVED
That this report be received and noted.
That a further letter expressing the Council’s concerns be sent to Inspector Adam Waterfall and that he be invited to a future meeting of this Council in January or February 2009
Council Minutes
Members considered the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 3 November 2008. (Pages 49-60)
108/08-09 RESOLVED
That with a minor amendment to Resolution 086/08-09 by the deletion of the words “Community Partnership” and substituting them with “Parish/District Liaison Committee” then the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 3 November 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.
Reference
08/01064/FL & Reference 08/01065/LB
Listed Building consent and conversion and renovation of a mediaeval barn and erection of a single storey ancillary building for community use. (Listed Building/Conservation Area) at The Old Barn, High Street, Dronfield by The Peel Centre Charitable Trust.
109/08-09 RESOLVED
1. That this application be supported in principle but members would wish for the planning committee to ensure that changes to the boundary are subject to conditions that will ensure privacy and security for vulnerable neighbouring properties. Members also wished the committee to consider means of access for emergency vehicles and access for the general public onto the very narrow highway at the front of the building. Members were also keen to ensure that the mature trees on the site would not suffer as a result of development.
2. That in view of the building’s importance as part of Dronfield’s heritage and history, North East Derbyshire’s planning committee be requested to convene a site visit to this location prior to reaching any decision on the matter.
Reference
08/01080/FL
Re-build existing garage as habitable accommodation and construction of a single storey link plus block paving of front garden to create 3No off road parking spaces at 4 Roston Close by Mr Haywood.
110/08-09 RESOLVED
That in view of the scope and size of this development and the likely change to the local street scene, North East Derbyshire’s planning committee be requested to convene a site visit to this location prior to reaching any decision on the matter.
Reference 08/01070/FL & Reference
08/01071/LB
Listed Building Consent and conversion of attached garage and scullery into ground floor bedroom and bathroom, new stone wall alongside north east elevation and detached single storey double garage (Listed Building/Conservation Area) at Quoit Green House, Hallowes Lane by Mr A Bayliss.
111/08-09
RESOLVED
1. That serious concern be expressed about these proposals to a house that forms part of the history and heritage of the town and that the planning enforcement officer be requested to investigate and ensure that substantial work which has already been completed to the front wall of the property and to the access ways to the property comply with regulations and legislation..
2.
That in view of the scope
and size of this development and the major changes to a listed building within
the conservation area, North East Derbyshire’s planning committee be requested
to convene a site visit to this location to inspect both the internal and
external proposals to ensure that major work has not been started prior to
reaching any decision on the matter.
Reference 08/01129/FL
Conversion of an agricultural barn to form 5 bed residential dwelling with partial demolition and new build on existing footprint (revised scheme to 07/01467/FL)(Affecting the Setting of a listed building) at Nether Birchett farm, Sheffield Road by Mr Matt Gerrard
112/08-09
RESOLVED
1. That serious concern about this major proposal that will affect the setting of a listed building that is within or very close to the narrow green belt at this location be expressed.
2. That concerns also be expressed about road safety issues with access/egress to a busy highway close to a major junction.
3. That in view of the scope and size of this development and the major changes that will affect a listed building, North East Derbyshire’s planning committee convene a site visit to this location to inspect both the proposals prior to reaching any decision on the matter.
Planning Decisions
Members considered a schedule of planning decisions submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council for information.
113/08-09 RESOLVED
That this report be received and noted.
(1) Outside Services
Members were informed that staff have been busily engaged in testing, repairing/refurbishing all the Christmas illuminations prior to installing them at all the usual locations of Pentland Road shops, Greendale Shops, Dronfield Bottom, Civic Hall and Library Gardens for the big “switch on” on Friday 5th December at 7pm in the Library Gardens and that the two Christmas trees for the Library gardens and Church Street would be installed on Monday 1 December and the lights attached in readiness for Friday. It was reported that the strong green plastic coated “weld-mesh” fencing and installation kits have now been ordered and outside services staff will commence installation at the designated play areas in order to combat the worst of the vandalism that regularly occurs at some sites. Forty metres of chain link fencing at Marsh Avenue on the boundary with Holmley Lane will also be replaced due to criminal damage and vandalism. Repainting and refurbishment of play equipment will be ongoing over the winter months. Both Lapsett and Sutcliffes have been consulted and spare parts ordered so that repairs can be undertaken in a speedier manner and the equipment is not out of use for long periods. General weeding and tidying of the winter flowerbeds has continued and the area to the rear of Holborn Avenue has now been strimmed and cleaned up. Members were informed that the Coal Aston Bowling Club has written in to compliment the Council on the upkeep of the Bowling Green and state what a really good job of work is being done by Mark Pearson (the appointed contractor). These comments were originally made to the Council’s representative on the Management Committee who kindly suggested that they write in to express their appreciation.
114/08-09 RESOLVED:
That these reports be received and noted.
Communities in Control
Codes of Conduct for Local Authority Members and Employees - Consultation
Members considered the above consultation document issued by The Department for Communities and Local Government, which seeks to amend existing legislation for members and asks questions about including local government employees in the code of conduct
Annex ‘A’ listed a series of consultation questions from 1 to 22 regarding proposals. Questions 13 to 22 are specifically concerned with the issue of a “mandatory” model code of conduct for employees, similar to the model code of conduct for members
.
115/08-09 RESOLVED:
That this report be received and noted.
That members broadly support the initiatives outlined in the report and that if any individual member wished to comment, they must do so before the deadline of 24 December 2008.
Banking Arrangements
Members were informed that following the Council’s decision at the last meeting, discussions have taken place with representatives of the Cooperative Bank Plc and all the necessary arrangements have now been completed with mandates and paperwork signed. It is proposed that all the accounts administered by this Council will be transferred on 1st January 2009.
116/08-09 RESOLVED:
That this report be received and noted.
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, which included the following:
117/08-09 RESOLVED:
That this report be received and noted.
Reports
From Dronfield Town Council Representatives on Outside Bodies
Following the resignation of Councillor
118/08-09 RESOLVED:
That this report be received and noted
Notes of Working Groups
of the Town Council
Members considered the Notes of a Joint Meeting of the Properties Working Group
and the Skatepark Steering Group held on Friday 7th November 2008 in the Upstairs Meeting Room of Dronfield Civic Hall.
Skateboard Park – Analysis of Questionnaires
Members were informed that 47 responses had been received out of a total of almost 10,000 distributed via the Dronfield Eye to every household in the town and that 27 respondents were in favour with 20 opposed to the proposals. Several letters of objection had also been received and were considered in full.
Members once again revisited the list of possible sites within the ownership of the Council and concluded that the only feasible location would be on the plot of land between the Nature Park and the BMX track at Chesterfield Road. This possible alternative site would be subject to a full feasibility study and full consultation exercise. It was pointed out that the plot in question was part of the Nature Reserve scheme but was left “wild and untouched” due to the proliferation of wildlife and unusual fauna within the site. The subject of low-level lighting was discussed and the possibility of solar lighting and soundproofing with acoustic barriers were suggested the proposals were to go ahead.
119/08-09 RESOLVED
1. That the proposal to install a skateboard park and wheeled activity scheme within Cliffe Park is not proceeded with.
2. That the preferred alternative site adjacent to the BMX Track at Chesterfield Road is subject to a site feasibility survey and that preliminary costing of a re-designed scheme are drawn up.
3. That the views of a senior police officer are sought as part of the preliminary consultation exercise due to the relative isolation of the site.
4. That solar panels for low level lighting and acoustic soundproofing barriers be included in the initial specification if the scheme is to be progressed.
5. That should the initial feasibility study including costs and general consultation exercise result in the proposed site not to be viable, then no further alternative is sought and the skateboard park initiative is postponed sine die.
Play Areas in Dronfield
Members
considered a report of the
Vandalism and criminal damage continues to be a problem at certain sites with equipment and safety surfacing being the main targets. It was reported that a supply of top quality welded mesh fencing (similar to the fencing erected at existing play areas) could be acquired and fitted by Dronfield Town Council staff within the existing budget for fencing at some of the sites.
120/08-09 RESOLVED
1. That welded mesh fencing and a lockable gate is installed at the following playgrounds subject to such costs being within the approved budget for fencing.
· Hilltop Recreation Ground
· Marsh Avenue Playground
· Stonelow Road (Improvements to existing)
· Dronfield Woodhouse Playground
2. That estimates are sought for improvements to the safer surfacing at sites prone to vandalism.
Schedule of Payments
Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of October 2008 in the amount of £60,302.39 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.
121/08-09 RESOLVED
That the schedule of payments in the amount of £60,302.39 for the month of October 2008 be received noted and approved.
Schedule of Receipts
Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of October 2008 in the amount of £29,778.53 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.
122/08-09
RESOLVED
That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £29,778.53 for the month of October 2008 be received noted and approved.
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