MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD

ON MONDAY 5 JANUARY 2009

 

 

Present

 

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

 

Public Forum on Planning Matters

 

No items were raised concerning planning matters.

 

Public Forum On General Matters

 

Mr Hall of Machins Court raised the problem of broken glass and cigarette ends littering the High Street over the festive season. He alleged that late night drinking at the local public houses was causing anti social problems. Mrs Ingam also made the same complaints about broken glass and said that she had also raised the matter with NEDDC under their street scene strategy but had nor received any feedback. The police spokesman at the meeting suggested that this matter be referred to the next meeting of the Community Partnership as that is the ideal forum because all local organisations (Police, local councils, volunteer group etc) were all involved and these types of anti social incidents are the responsibility of all interested parties. He also alluded to the police initiative in Killamarsh where alcohol free zones had been enforced but did state that the problem in Killamarsh was somewhat different to the problems being experienced in Dronfield. Mrs Green reported that she had phoned the police about the large amounts of glass in the streets over Christmas and that they had been swept, presumably by the County or District Council staff.

 

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.

 

123/08-09        RESOLVED:             That this report be received and noted.

 

Apologies

 

124/08-09        RESOLVED

 

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

 

Councillor Mrs K Marr             (Illness)

Councillor J Stocks                               (Other Business)

Councillor Mrs C Smith                        (Other Business)

Youth Matters

 

Ms Pam Robinson, the County Youth Leader for this area had been invited to attend and it was agreed that if she arrived later in the meeting, then Standing Orders would be suspended in order for her to address the Council.

 

Girl-Guiding: Members considered the annual report of the Dronfield District Commissioner of the Dronfield Guides which detailed the initiatives undertaken over the last year.

 

125/08-09        RESOLVED  

 

That these reports be received and noted and that the Town Clerk contact Ms Robinson and invite her to the next meeting of the Council.

 

Police Matters

 

Members considered the crime statistics for the past month and it was noted that thefts from vehicles was causing concern but an initiative had been started and hopefully will rectify the situation. There are three main priorities to the local police plan and these include: The Civic Centre: Road and School Safety Measures and Auto Crime in the Dronfield/Coal Aston areas.

It was reported that a speed camera operation had been carried out during December 2008 on the road between Dronfield and Unstone and 60 drivers had been prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit in a period of three hours. Members pointed out however that speed was also a problem in the 20mph zone within the town and these roads had a lot of pedestrian traffic. The police responded that this would be investigated for future action.

 

Inspector Adam Waterfall had been invited to address the meeting and explain what police initiatives were in place to address some of the problems in the town. In answer to a question, he informed members that the Killamarsh Alcohol Free Zone had come about because of the high incidence of crime in the area over a long period and that the situation was much worse than in Dronfield. In June 2008, the problem had deteriorated to such a degree that parts of Killamarsh were “no go” areas with rampant crime figures. The alcohol exclusion zone had seen a major improvement but there are a number of protocols to go through before such action can be taken. Section 30 area status, whereby police in such a designated area have increased powers to deal with problems could be one option but there could be a stigma attached to Section 30 areas which could be counter productive for local residents. He emphasised that local concerns about alcohol abuse do matter and that this problem is for the community at large to consider. The police do have powers to ask for special conditions to be imposed on licensees and licensed premises and he thought that this matter would be an ideal item for the Community Partnership to consider at its meetings as this forum is made up of all local partners, councils and organisations who have detailed knowledge of the areas in question. 

On the question of police attendance at Council meetings, Inspector Waterfall stated that the recent changes were on a trial period and he had to achieve the maximum output for his officer’s time and he reiterated that police officers were more useful in patrolling the streets than attending meetings. He stated however that officers would be available to attend to answer specific concerns and he was always willing to attend periodically to discuss matters of concern. Members still considered that the police were missing an opportunity to listen to resident’s feedback. Crime statistics are now available on the police website but caution should be exercised when reviewing the percentage figures. Members thanked Inspector Waterfall for his attendance and the manner in which he had addressed the problems raised.   

126/08-09        RESOLVED  

 

That these reports be received and noted.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 1^st December 2008. (Pages 61-71)

 

127/08-09        RESOLVED 

 

That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 1 December 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.

 

128/08-09        RESOLVED 

 

That the schedule of planning application submitted by NEDDC be received and noted.

 

Planning Decisions

 

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

 

 129/08-09       RESOLVED

 

  That this report be received and noted.

 

Town Clerks Report

 

Outside Services

 

Members were informed that all the usual duties have continued to be undertaken despite staffing shortages in all departments due to the viral infection that has affected so many people recently. The Christmas Lights and trees had all been installed in time for the “Big Switch On” on the 5^th December which had been very well attended and enjoyed by so many local residents and children. It was reported that some vandalism had occurred on the tree and lights at Church Street but the lights were quickly replaced and the tree repaired so as not to spoil the enjoyment for the majority of residents.

Members heard that two bus shelters had been badly damaged over the past month as a result of road traffic accidents. The shelters will be repaired and the costs claimed from the vehicle driver’s insurance companies

.

130/08-09        RESOLVED:

That this report be received and noted.

 

Communities Partnership Meetings:

 

Members considered the notes of the latest Community Partnership meeting held on 18^th September 2008 in the Civic Hall which were attached for information. The notes also included a report of the Safer Neighbourhoods Panel highlighting the initiatives being undertaken in the town.

 

131/08-09        RESOLVED:  

 

 That this report be received and noted.

 

Coal Aston Bowling Club

 

Prior to any discussion on this item, Councillor Emmens declared a personal interest and did not speak or vote on this matter,

Members considered correspondence from the Coal Aston Bowling Club requesting permission to install a further awning along the front of the pavilion. Members were reminded that a 50% grant had been awarded previously for the first awning that was installed. A quotation for the total cost had been included which amounts to £1,695 plus VAT.

 

132/08-09        RESOLVED:  

 

That this report be received and noted and that an award of £200 (Two Hundred Pounds) is granted to the Coal Aston Bowling Club towards the cost of a new awning on the club pavilion.

 

Town Twinning Activities

 

Members considered the minutes of the last meeting of the Town Twinning Federation held on 3 December 2008 and were informed that these minutes are received regularly but are not normally presented to Council as the Council’s representatives on Outside Bodies would normally report such matters under the relevant agenda item. Members had resolved at the Annual Meeting in May, that the Council’s representatives would meet with the Town Twinning Federation on a bi-annual basis or when invited to attend by the Federation.

 

133/08-09        RESOLVED: 

 

That this report be received and noted and that a meeting between the Council’s representatives and the Town Twinning Federation is convened at the beginning of their next meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest.

 

Sindelfingen Park: Play Area Improvements

 

Members were informed that North East Derbyshire District Council has provided details of the new play equipment that will be placed in Sindelfingen Park as a result of their successful “Big Lottery” bid. A large design brief was available for member’s information. A meeting had been held on Tuesday 23 December 2008 in Sindelfingen Park involving NEDDC officers with the Town Clerk, the Town Mayor and the Deputy Leader to consider the actual site locations of the various pieces of equipment.

 

134/08-09        RESOLVED: 

 

That this report be received and noted.

 

Police: Youth Initiative

 

Members were informed that a request for funding for local youth initiatives had been submitted by PCSO Glynn Lewis to cater for young people in the town to participate in activities that will get them off the streets. The proposed activity involves the new venture on Callywhite Lane that involves “paint shooting” and adventure games where youngsters have to work as a group to co-ordinate their efforts to win the challenges. A different group will be invited each week over a 6 to 8 week period so that approximately 100 youngsters would be involved and shown how working together to achieve their aims can be beneficial.

 

135/08-09        RESOLVED: 

 

That this report be received and noted and that a grant of £300 (Three Hundred Pounds) be awarded under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 towards the cost of this youth initiative.

 

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.

 

136/08-09        RESOLVED: 

 

That this report be received and noted.

 

2009/2010 Budget Proposals and Estimates

 

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk detailing the current year’s budget figures, the year to date actual income and expenditure figures and the anticipated out-turn at the year end. The anticipated net expenditure would be £748,814 against a budget figure of £746,923 which would lead to a small decrease in the reserves from a budget figure of £213,915 to £212,101 at 31 March 2009. This figure will therefore be the starting balance in reserves for the next financial year.

 

Members were appraised that the budget proposals were based on total employment costs increasing by 3%. Provision being made for 2 additional temporary outside services staff to work from April to September to undertake the extra work involved in grounds maintenance. Election Costs of £2,000 being placed into ear-marked reserves and the total capital budget put into ear-marked reserves at the start of the year and any surplus accruing at year end is then kept in ear-marked reserves to build up a sinking fund for capital projects. A small allowance had been made for transitional costs involved should the Town Clerk decide to retire. The figures include increasing income on all activities by an average 5%

 

Members were advised that in order to produce a balanced budget, the total net expenditure would require a precept of £768,000 which would result in reserves increasing marginally to £213,279 at the end of the financial year ending 31 March 2010. A precept of £768,000 represents an increase of 2.81% which is below the current rate of inflation and would result in the average Band D property paying £102.57 per year based on last year’s Council Tax Base figure supplied by North East Derbyshire District Council.

 

Members were made aware that no provision has been made for expenditure on the skateboard park in either this year or next year’s proposals  but £25,000 has been allocated in this year’s projected out-turn figures for this Council’s matched funding for the play-area improvements at Sindelfingen Park.

 

137/08-09        RESOLVED:

 

That this report be received and noted.

 

That Dronfield Town Council set a precept of £768,000 in order to produce a balanced budget for the financial year of 2009/2010 and that North East Derbyshire District Council be notified accordingly.

 

Notes of Working Groups of the Town Council    

 

Members considered the Notes of The Standing Orders Working Group held on Thursday 18^th December 2008 in the Upstairs Meeting Room of Dronfield Civic Hall. Members were also furnished with a draft copy of the amended Standing Orders and Financial Regulations of the Council which had been considered and amended following the comments of the Working Group. During the discussions, it had been agreed to substitute the title of Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator of Policy and Finance to read The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council. Members wished to change the draft copy of the Standing Orders regarding the election of Deputy Town Mayor at the annual meeting of the Council to read as follows: “Nominations for the position of The Deputy Town Mayor will be decided by the “York Formula” whereby the office of Deputy Mayor (succeeding to Town Mayor) will rotate amongst the political parties in proportion to the number of Councillors elected to each party”.

 

138/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That this report be received and noted and that with the approved amendments, the draft copy of the Council’s Standing Orders and Financial Regulations as amended, will be printed and circulated to every member of the Council.

 

 

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of November 2008 in the amount of £57,087.78 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.

 

139/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments in the amount of £57,087.78 for the month of November 2008 be received noted and approved.

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of November 2008 in the amount of £16,644.04 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.

 

140/08-09        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £16,664.04 for the month of November 2008 be received noted and approved.