MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD

ON MONDAY 2 MARCH 2009

Present

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

Prior to the meeting, Councillor S Temple informed members that Councillor Izzy Pryce had been diagnosed with a serious illness and was undergoing intensive treatment. He is responding well to the treatment but is obviously not well and does not wish to receive visitors at this time. It was unanimously agreed by members that the Council wishes Izzy all the best and hopes that he enjoys a speedy recovery.

On a happier note, the Town Mayor informed members that Councillor John Stocks had recently become a father to a baby daughter, Mathilda. The Council expressed its good wishes and congratulations to John and his partner.

Public Forum on Planning Matters

No items were raised concerning planning matters.

Public Forum On General Matters

Mr Paul Ferguson of Frithwood Drive addressed the Council and expressed concerns about the state of the playground at Stonelow Road. He circulated recent photographs showing graffiti and damage caused by vandalism. Mr Ferguson was informed that the Council had recently resolved to improve fencing at all play-areas and that lockable gates will be installed so that the sites can be locked at night and re-opened in the morning to cut down on the incidents of vandalism and criminal damage that occurs at these locations. The Council has a rolling programme of renovations and refurbishments to play-areas and Stonelow Road is the next on the list of ten sites to be refurbished, repaired and repainted. Members then explained that at the last Community Partnership meeting, it was suggested that some funding for play equipment may be available from the Big Lottery via the County Council and that members visited Stonelow Road after that meeting and requested officers of NEDDC to submit a bid (similar to the successful Sindelfingen Park scheme) for funding to renovate Stonelow Road.

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.

157/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.

Councillor Doug Oxspring declared a prejudicial interest in item 5 of the Town Clerk’s report and stated that he would leave the meeting prior to any discussion on the matter.

Apologies

158/08-09 RESOLVED

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

Councillor J Stocks (Other Business) Councillor I Pryce (Illness)

Councillor J Sorrill (Other Business) Councillor J McGrory (Other Business)

Youth Matters

Members expressed their delight at the recent “Dronfield’s Got Talent Concert” which had been held in the Civic Hall and wished to congratulate all the young people who had taken part in offering an evening of entertainment and good will. It was gratifying to note that so many young people gave up their time and put in so much effort for a worthy cause.

Councillor Bull had offered to chase up progress with the Dronfield School regarding the setting up of the Town Youth Council. He reported that the new contact at the school was Lisa Jones (Assistant Head of School) and informed members that the school’s youth council had now been restructured into “task forces” and one of these new task forces was The Community Action Group which may be the ideal group to meet with members and make progress on the initiative.

159/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.

Police Matters

Members considered a short report submitted by Sgt Klenczar outlining the current police priorities in the town and the latest crime statistics. Members noted that police had visited all the licensees in the High Street who were supportive of prosecutions for theft of glasses where customers were taking drinking glasses out of the public houses without permission. The ongoing patrols of the Civic Centre had resulted in less anti social behaviour taking place and the car crime initiative had seen these crimes reduced over the past few weeks.

Members were informed of serious allegations of anti social behaviour taking place in the Green Lane/Princess Road areas where it was alleged that some residents were suffering abuse and threatening behaviour such that they were locking their doors at 6.30 in the evening. The member was advised that these matters should be reported to the police as a matter of urgency and was also advised that he should, as a matter of courtesy, inform the ward members of the relevant area of such reports. It was suggested that the setting up of a neighbourhood watch scheme could also be instrumental in helping to cut out this type of behaviour.

160/08-09 RESOLVED

(a) That this report be received and noted.

Council Minutes

Members considered the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 9^th February 2009 (Pages 82-89)

161/08-09 RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 9^th February 2009 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.

Application 08/01129/FL for the conversion of an agricultural barn to form 5 bed residential dwelling with partial demolition and new build on existing footprint (revised scheme to NED07/01467/FL) (Affecting the Setting of a Listed Building) (Amended Plans) at Nether Birchitt Farm, Sheffield Road by Mr M Gerrard

162/08-09 RESOLVED

That due to the size of this extension which cannot be considered as incremental and the adverse effect that such a development would have on the existing street scene and road safety, the Planning Committee of North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene a site visit to inspect the proposals prior to reaching a decision.

Application: 09/00027/FL for the construction of a two-storey rear extension and a loft conversion with rear facing dormer and balcony at 35 Smithy Croft, Dronfield Woodhouse by Ms R Taylor

163/08-09 RESOLVED

That due to the size of this extension and the adverse effect that such a development would have on the existing street scene, the Planning Committee of North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene a site visit to inspect the proposals prior to reaching a decision.

Application: 09/00029/FL for the replacement of existing wooden conservatory with white UPVC of same pattern (Conservation Area) at 144 Carr Lane, Dronfield Woodhouse by Mrs R Murphy

164/08-09 RESOLVED

That due to the location of this proposal within the conservation area, the Planning Committee of North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene a site visit to inspect the proposals prior to reaching a decision.

Applications: 09/00088/FL -09/00089/FL & 09/00090/LB for the (1) construction of a new built 5 bedroom detached dwelling (Conservation Area/Affecting Setting of a Listed Building) (2) The conversion of the existing attached garage and scullery into a bedroom and bathroom; insertion of a new external door opening in the south elevation; new stone wall alongside north elevation: reinstatement of the front boundary wall; construction of a new stone built detached garage and opening of gable attic windows (Listed Building/Conservation Area) (3) Listed Building consent for conversion of existing attached garage and scullery into a bedroom and bathroom; the insertion of a new external door opening on south elevation; new stone wall alongside north elevation: reinstatement of front boundary wall and opening up of gable attic windows (Listed Building/Conservation Area)

at 26 Hallowes Lane, Dronfield by Mr A Bayliss

165/08-09 RESOLVED

That due to the scope and size of this development at this historic listed property within the conservation area, the Planning Committee of North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene a site visit to inspect the proposals prior to reaching a decision.

Application: 09/00096/LB for Listed Building consent for the demolition of existing outbuildings alteration and repair and construction of an extension (Listed Building/Conservation Area) at 18 Church Street, Dronfield by Mr S West.

166/08-09 RESOLVED

That due to the scope and size of this development at this historic listed property within the conservation area, the Planning Committee of North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene a site visit to inspect the proposals prior to reaching a decision.

Applications: 09/00147/LB - 09/00148/FL & 09/00149/LB for (1) Listed Building Consent for demolition of porch and construction of two porches (Listed Building. (2) Construction of two porches (Listed Building) and (3) Listed Building Consent for demolition of porch and construction of two porches (Listed Building) at Upper Birchitt, Rod Moor Road, Dronfield Woodhouse by Mr P Henstridge

167/08-09 RESOLVED

That due to the scope and size of this development at this listed property adjacent to the conservation area, the Planning Committee of North East Derbyshire District Council be requested to convene a site visit to inspect the proposals prior to reaching a decision.

Planning Decisions

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

168/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.

Planning Appeals

Members considered a schedule of planning appeals notified by North East Derbyshire District Council for information

169/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.

Town Clerks Report

1. Outside Services

Members were informed that staff have performed their usual duties of emptying and servicing the litter and dog bins throughout the town that are located on Dronfield Town Council owned property on a weekly basis. Five new grit/salt bins have been installed at locations in the town where requests have been received. Now that further supplies of salt/grit have been received, all the bins have been refilled in readiness for the next bout of inclement weather. Members were informed that the County’s customer services section are informing residents that the “County will provide the bins to Parish/Town Councils free of charge subject to the parish/town agreeing to take over ownership and refill them when necessary.” Residents receiving such information have been informed that despite several requests for the County to provide additional grit bins, not a single grit bin has been allocated to Dronfield Town Council in the past FIVE years and all the new bins installed in that time have been acquired by this Council at a cost exceeding £2,000.

Members were appraised that the play areas at Hilltop Road and Cliffe Park have now been refurbished and the agreed fencing at the designated play grounds will be installed over the next few weeks. All ten play areas continue to receive visual safety checks by our staff on a weekly basis but are now additionally inspected to ROSPA standards on a quarterly basis by Record RSS Limited, who will produce a detailed report after each visit highlighting any problems found. Their expertise and advice was sought regarding the fencing and barriers which are proposed for the play areas and concurred with the current arrangements but also offered advice and suggestions for the placing of seats and litter bins adjacent to play equipment.

170/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted and that Derbyshire County Council be requested to give much further consideration to this Council’s requests for its fair share of grit bin allocation.

2. Civil Parking Enforcement

Correspondence from Derbyshire County Council was considered informing that from 19^th February 2009, they will take over the civil parking enforcement powers from the police service.

171/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.

3. Tree Care on Council Owned Land

Members were made aware that there are some 1,500 trees growing and thriving on land within the ownership of this Council. These trees have a visual appeal and contribute to the environment by acting as green lungs to help improve air quality. In some circumstances however, trees can become dangerous or cause a nuisance and be the subject of complaints from some local residents. Members considered the comprehensive survey carried out by Lightwood Landscapes who produced a report and suggested works that may be required. Many of the trees inspected are subject to Tree Protection Orders and any work required, unless the tree is inherently dangerous or diseased, will require planning consent prior to any pruning or crowning. Most of the works required will be of a minor nature on those trees where some excess loading is taking place on overhanging branches that are below an angle of 90 degrees from the tree’s upright position. Some dead or dying branches will need to be pruned from several trees. Many of the trees have basal growth which will be removed by our own staff simply by using loppers at ground level. The professional advice is that too much pruning or crowning will lead to excessive spurts of growth and that pruning of mature trees should only take place every 10 years or so and be of a minor nature.

172/08-09 RESOLVED That these reports be received and noted.

4. Alcohol Exclusion Zones

Members were reminded that Inspector Waterfall had offered to meet members regarding “Alcohol Exclusion Zones”. The introduction of alcohol exclusion zones are brought about as a result of empowering a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) which was an integral part of the Criminal Justice and Police Act of 2001 whereby local authorities could designate areas where it became an offence to drink alcohol after being requested not to do so by a police officer. The police then have the necessary powers to require the surrender of alcohol and containers in these designated public places and those who fail to comply with such a request will be liable to arrest. Members were informed that it is not an offence to consume alcohol in a designated area but failure to comply with a police officer’s request to stop drinking and surrender alcohol without reasonable excuse is an offence and penalties could include (1) a fixed penalty notice for disorder of £50. (2) Arrest and prosecution for a level 2 fine (maximum £500). (3) Bail conditions that could stop an individual from drinking in public.

173/08-09 RESOLVED

That Inspector Waterfall be invited to meet a delegation consisting of Councillors S Temple or his nominee, Councillor G Baxter and Councillor M Emmens to discuss this matter and report back to a future meeting of this Council.

5. Vandalism at Allotment Site at Coal Aston

Councillor D Oxspring left the meeting at this point declaring a prejudicial interest and did not therefore take part in any discussion or vote on the matter.

Members considered correspondence from the Horticultural Society informing of a serious outbreak of vandalism and criminal damage that has occurred at the above site over the past two weeks when hundreds of pounds worth of damage has been caused by unknown vandals with the incidents being reported to the local police. The society went on to request the Council to consider erecting security fencing around the northern boundary of the site, similar to the fencing that will shortly be installed at the play areas in Dronfield.

174/08-09 RESOLVED

(1) That this report be received and noted.

(2) That the Properties Working Group of this Council meet with the Horticultural Society to discuss the matter and that they be empowered to offer a grant to the Horticultural Society up to a maximum of £2,500 for the acquisition and installation of security fencing to the northern boundary of the Coal Aston allotment site.

6. Lea Brook Valley-Community Open Spaces

Members were appraised of recent meetings with the Lea Brook Valley Volunteers regarding progress on the ongoing schemes in the valley. The Lea Brook Valley Volunteers under the umbrella of Churches Together in Dronfield have now applied for some additional funding from WREN for the creation of the footpath around the wetland area together with interpretation boards and a suggested webcam scheme which would beam live pictures of the bird boxes and bird feeding stations into local schools, library and Town Council Offices. A further meeting was held with NEDDC officers and Fiona Clark of Groundwork Cresswell to investigate funding sources for the community open space scheme to develop a woodland wild garden on the site recently donated to the Council at the rear of Church Street.

175/08-09 RESOLVED:

That this report be received and noted and that a meeting of the Properties Working Group be convened within the next week to consider these matters further and to report back to Council

7. Dronfield Town Twinning Federation

Members considered the notes of the last meeting of the Town Twinning Federation together with their notes of the joint meeting with representatives of this Council.

176/08-09 RESOLVED: That this report be received and noted

8. Charges for Coffee Mornings in the Civic Hall

Members were appraised that several comments have been made by local community groups regarding the scale of charges for the use of the Shaun Hadley Room and kitchen at the Civic Hall for those groups holding fund raising coffee mornings. Those comments culminated in correspondence from the Town Twinning Federation being considered that requested that their fees for use of the facilities by waived or reduced. Members considered the current cost of hiring the Shaun Hadley Room and kitchen for a four hour period (8.30am to 12.30pm) which was £20.00 for the room plus a block charge of £10.00 for use of the kitchen equating to £30.00 plus VAT = £34.50. Members were also informed that these charges will increase from 1 April 2009 to £20.80 for the room plus a block charge for the kitchen of £10.50 equating to £31.50 plus Vat = £36.23.

Members then considered a report that would offer the facilities for all local community groups for the purpose of holding fund-raising coffee mornings at a reduced all in rate of £25.00 inclusive of VAT . This special price would be for a maximum of four hours and include the use of the Shaun Hadley Room and the use of the kitchen.

177/08-09 RESOLVED:

1. That this report be received and noted.

2. That a special inclusive price of £25.00 be offered to bona fide local community groups for the purpose of holding fund-raising coffee mornings on Thursdays for a maximum period of four hours. The inclusive price will include use of the Shaun Hadley Room and kitchen and be inclusive of value added tax.

3. That the Dronfield Town Twinning be informed that their request was considered and that the above resolution would apply to them as well as all the local community groups who use the facility for fund raising for local good causes.

9. Publications Received

Members were informed of a list of publications that have been received which are available at the Town Council offices.

178/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received.

Notes of Town Council Working Groups:

Members considered the notes of the Town Twinning Working Group held on Wednesday 4^th February 2009.

179/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.

Schedule of Payments

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of January 2009 in the amount of £97,388.26 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.

180/08-09 RESOLVED

That the schedule of payments in the amount of £97,388.26 for the month of January 2009 be received noted and approved.

Schedule of Receipts

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of January 2009 in the amount of £35,389.55 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.

181/08-09 RESOLVED

That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £35,389.55 for the month of January 2009 be received noted and approved.