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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD
ON MONDAY 6 APRIL 2009
Present
Councillors: Mrs W Temple (The Town Mayor): G Gregory: S P Temple: P Blackburn: R Bull: D Oxspring: A Memmott: G Baxter: Mrs C Smith: M Wing: Mrs K Marr: D Gage: Mrs B Skelton: J Sorrill: J Stocks: J McGrory
Public Forum on Planning Matters
No items were raised concerning planning matters.
Public Forum On General Matters
Ms Sally Andrews raised a matter of concern regarding the proposed waste incinerator facility in Chesterfield Borough and questioned why this Council had not considered the matter or expressed an opinion on it. She alleged that the any pollution caused would affect the residents of Dronfield. She stated that a public meeting had been called by the protest group in Dronfield Junior School which was attended by some residents and by County Councillor Mrs Hill.
It was explained that the proposal is a County Council planning matter as they are the Statutory Waste Disposal Authority and the proposal falls within the Borough of Chesterfield. This Council is not a statutory consultee for planning applications that are not within the town of Dronfield or within the administrative area of North East Derbyshire District Council. Members agreed that this matter would be further considered at item 6 on the agenda.
Mr John Jackson spoke about road safety issues in the town. He expressed concerns that the road humps on Stubley Lane had been replaced by raised platforms but were still causing problems for motorists and HGV’s. He also stated that accidents continue to occur at the mini roundabouts at Gosforth Drive/Gosforth Lane junction.
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.
182/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
Apologies
183/08-09 RESOLVED
That apologies for absence be received, noted and accepted from the following members, for the reasons stated in brackets.
Councillor M Emmens (Other Business) Councillor I Pryce (Illness)
Councillor F Higgins (Other Business)
Youth Matters
(a) Dronfield Youth Council
Councillor
He outlined several topics that had been discussed and these included:
Proposals for a Constitution: Would include all issues pertaining to youth age 11-17 years old: Proposed Youth Council to consist of 35 members; 1 per school year represented at DHF School for each of the 5 electoral wards. The Chair and Vice Chair to be elected by the Youth Council: The electorate should consist of all 11 – 17 year olds who reside within the 5 wards or who attend school at DHF School. This would capture all the “ Live- in/school out” and the “Live - out/ school in” youth of the town.
The Chair or Vice Chair of the Youth Council would have a standing order to speak at Town Council meetings and the Town Council would have the facility to ask the Youth Council to consider and make proposals on various issues. The Youth Council would have its own budget of £5,000 per annum and spending powers entrusted to the Youth Council but would need to be endorsed by the Town Council. The budget would not be ring-fenced but balances could be carried forward. The budget could be supplemented by sponsorship or entrepreneurial activities carried out by the Youth Council.
The Youth Council should meet monthly
with the
Elections: An electoral college would be required and an up to date electoral roll be compiled. Annual elections should take place every November. Canvassing/electioneering could take place in October. The polling stations would be located at the DHF School and at the Civic Hall.
A full but simple Constitution and Standing Orders would be created by the Town Council as advised by the Youth Council and examples from other best practice Youth Councils across the country.
The School Council would respond to questions and proposals by the 1st of May.
The Mayor reported that she had attended the County Swimming Championships and congratulated the Dronfield Dolphins on their achievements. She expressed her appreciation to all the local swimming clubs who put so much effort into ensuring that local youth can meet their aspirations.
184/08-09 RESOLVED That these reports 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. He reported that the Safer Neighbourhood Partnership had specified three priority areas in the town for closer patrols and monitoring. It was reported that the Police Consultative Committee meetings had now ceased and that their duties and responsibilities will be met by the Community Partnership Initiative.
Members expressed concern about the parking problems at Stubley Hollow and Bowshaw when football matches were being held at the Sheffield FC ground.
Members also expressed some surprise that the Safer Neighbourhood Team had called a public meeting at Gosforth Lodge given that the local police inspector had stopped local beat officers from attending Council meetings and had wondered what the attendance of local residents had been at the public forum.
185/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
Council Minutes
Members considered the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 2 March 2009 (Pages 90-101).
186/08-09 RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 2 March 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 08/01117/LB for listed building consent to convert a
door back into a window (Listed Building/Conservation Area) at 16 Eckington
Road, Coal Aston by Mr I Parry
187/08-09 RESOLVED
That due to proposed development affecting a listed building and is
within the Coal Aston 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: 09/00097/FL for the construction of an
extension to form a new kitchen with bedroom and bathrooms over and new single
story garage (Listed Building/Conservation Area) at
18 Church Street, Dronfield by Mr S West
188/08-09 RESOLVED
That due to proposed development affecting a listed building and is within the Dronfield 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.
189/08-09 RESOLVED
That the
Planning Decisions
Members considered a schedule of planning decisions submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council for information.
190/08-09 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
191/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
1.
Outside Services
Members were informed that the outside
services staff continue to perform their usual weekly duties of emptying and
servicing the litter and dog bins throughout the town and that during the past
weeks, staff have also been engaged in carrying out the rolling programme of
play area refurbishments, repairs and repainting. Staff attended at Stonelow
Road and painted all the equipment, pruned the trees, cleaned all the graffiti
off the surrounding walls and made repairs to the safer surfacing.
Refurbishments at Hilltop Road, Cliffe Park and Stonelow Road have all now been
completed. It was reported that within the next few weeks, Marsh Avenue,
Birches Fold,
The two new temporary staff agreed in the budget proposals have been engaged for outside services work and joined the team on 1st April 2009 and their employment will continue until 30th September 2009.
192/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
2. Risk Assessment/Health & Safety Assessments
Members were appraised that as part of revised audit compliance procedures and in order for the Council’s accounts to receive an unqualified opinion from the Audit Commission, it is incumbent upon the Council to be notified of and approve the measures taken to state that a risk assessment of all functions of the Council has been carried out and a report outlining possible risks has been considered.
Members considered various schedules setting out the risks that were assessed using bespoke software. Health and Safety checklists were also considered by members.
193/08-09 RESOLVED
(a) That this report be received and accepted.
(b) That the Council notes and approves the risk assessment and health and safety schedules and checklists dated 31 March 2009.
3. Anti – Social Behaviour: Princess Road/Green Lane
Members recalled that certain allegations were made at the last meeting of this Council concerning anti social behaviour taking place on Princess Road and Green Lane. Inspector Waterfall was made aware of the allegations and responded to the Council setting out the relevant facts. He states that between March 2007 and March 2009, there have been 17 calls regarding that particular area. During the past three months, 11 calls have been received. Of those 11 calls, 5 were concerning youths playing football and 3 concerning youths throwing snowballs. In November 2008, a street survey was carried out in Princess Street and surrounding areas by the Safer Neighbourhood Team where every household was given the opportunity to raise any community issues which resulted in just one complaint being received regarding parking issues. That one complaint was from a total of 67 households surveyed.
194/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
4.
Alcohol Exclusion Zones
This matter had been discussed previously and Inspector Waterfall had been contacted. He has now offered some dates when he will be available to meet members to discuss the matter in more detail. The relevant members have been notified of the times and dates and a meeting will be convened shortly.
195/08-09 RESOLVED
That the proposed meeting between Inspector Waterfall and the Council delegation consisting of Councillors S Temple, Councillor G Baxter and Councillor J McGrory meet on Thursday 23 April 2009 and report back to a future meeting of this Council.
5.
Dronfield Town Twinning Federation: Notes
Members considered the notes of the meeting of the Town Twinning Federation held on Wednesday 4 March 2009 which had been circulated for information.
196/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
6.
Planning Application Consultation. Radio Base Station adjacent to
Talbot Arms
Members considered
correspondence Messrs Lambert Smith Hampton to consult about a proposal for a
radio base station to be located outside The Talbot Arms. Members were reminded
that this proposal was subject to a planning application some months ago which
this Council resolved to strenuously object to and the application was refused
by the planning committee of NEDDC. It was noted by members that in the
immediate past, the Council has taken the view not to respond to such
consultations but wait until a formal planning application has been submitted
to NEDDC and then expressed a view when the matter is considered by full
Council. Members also expressed concerns that a planning application may be
submitted when this Council is in recess
during August.
197/08-09 RESOLVED
That this report be received and noted and that no response is made to the correspondent.
That if an application for the above proposed development is received during the recess, then Councillors S Temple, Mrs C Smith and J McGrory be delegated to consider the application and respond on behalf of this Council.
7.
Dronfield District Scouts: St Georges Parade
Members considered an invitation from the Dronfield District Scout Council for all members to join them for the annual St George’s Parade at St John the Baptist Church at 2.45pm on Sunday 26th April 2009.
198/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
8.
Publications Received
Members were informed of a list of publications that have been received which are available at the Town Council offices.
199/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
Reports from
Representatives on Outside Bodies
It was reported that a further meeting of the 50+ forum would be taking place on 29th April 2009 in Dronfield Civic Hall and that guest speakers from local transport undertakings would attend to answer any queries on transport problems in the town.
200/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
Notes of Town Council
Working Groups
(1) Properties Working Group held on 5th March 2009.
Prior to any discussion taking place, Councillor D Oxspring declared a prejudicial interest in the matter and left the meeting so did not therefore speak or vote on the matter.
1.
Horticultural Society Matters
Rents
Members were appraised that the rent for the allotments were collected by the Horticultural Society and they retained 20% of the total for administration and voids of letting. It was reported that allotment rents based on a cost of 4p per square yard had not been reviewed since 1994 (15 years). The Chairman of the Horticultural Society informed members that many of the plots were of varying sizes and current rents averaged less than £12.00 per year. He also reported that there are currently over 30 requests on file for allotments that cannot be met due to no further spaces being available. Four requests are received each week for allotments.
201/08-09 RESOLVED
That the scale of allotment rents should increase as below from January 2010 and that rents should be reviewed every three years.
|
Current |
Proposed |
Current |
Proposed |
|
£8.15 - £8.50 |
£12.00 |
£17 |
£20.00 |
|
£10 |
£13.00 |
£18.50 |
£22.00 |
|
£12.15 |
£15.00 |
£22.00 |
£25.00 |
|
£14 |
£17.00 |
£24.30 |
£30.00 |
|
£14.50 |
£17.50 |
£36.45 |
£45.00 |
|
£16.25 |
£20.00 |
|
|
Vandalism at Coal Aston Allotments
Members were informed that criminal damage to greenhouses that had taken place recently and requested the Council to consider erecting security fencing at the northern boundary to the site. Members were informed of likely costs if such fencing were to be installed by Outside Services staff and were reminded that the Council had a duty of care to its tenants.
201/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
That Dronfield Town Council supply and install welded mesh, six feet high security fencing along the 90 yards of the northern boundary at Coal Aston allotments subject to Dronfield Horticultural Society making a contribution towards the cost of the scheme.
Lea Brook Valley
Mr Norman Crowson and Bob Clough had attended this part of the meeting and they gave a brief report of the work being carried out which included culvert cleaning, litter picking, preparations for a wildflower garden and the planting of over 60 saplings on the banks of the Lea Brook. They informed members that a bid to WREN had been submitted submitted by Churches Together in Dronfield (on behalf of Lea Brook Valley Volunteers) for £15,000 to carry out the following works.
· Creation of a footpath around the wetland site to improve access for viewing the abundant wild life.
· Interpretation boards with high quality coloured photographs and descriptions of flora and fauna on the site, which would be ideal for local schools to take an active interest and play a major role in supporting the local environment.
· Installation of CCTV web cams and Internet access so that live pictures of birds feeding at dedicated feeding site in the valley could be beamed for viewing via the Internet.
Church Street Garden
Members were informed that recent meetings involving Groundwork Cresswell and North East Derbyshire District Council regarding the recently acquired land to the rear of Church Street. Initial plans are to turn this derelict piece of land into a wild life nature garden and grants of up to £25,000 may be available for such a project but much work will be needed before the bidding process can start.
Wetland Area
Members were made aware that Keyland Developments were favourable to the scheme for the top end of the valley and that Andy Lester of AROSHA had been instrumental in preparing the submission and Yorkshire Water raised no objections providing that the necessary memorandum of understanding between this Council and Keyland was approved. AROSHA had notified the volunteers that a young 23 year old conservation assistant with a degree in environmental studies could be made available for at least one full day each week for work in the Lea Brook to oversee environmental requirements and to assist with getting the schools involved.
202/08-09 RESOLVED
That Dronfield Town Council agrees to act as the third party funder for the WREN bid submitted by Churches Together in Dronfield at a likely grant award of £1,650 (11% of £15,000).
That Dronfield Town Council award a grant of £1,000 to AROSHA UK to fund the services of a dedicated environmental worker in the Lea Brook Valley for one year.
Play Areas
Members considered the recent complaints raised at the last Council meeting regarding Stonelow Road and were appraised that this site had been programmed for refurbishments and repainting. This work had been completed over the past three days and members were provided with photographs showing the improvements that had been achieved. A rolling programme of repairs had been drawn up for the remaining play - areas that would include refurbishments, repainting and graffiti removal where necessary.
Members were also informed that a major supplier was offering top quality swing sets at less than half the original cost and that new swing sets had been ordered for installation at Cliffe Park, Hilltop Road and Marsh Avenue. There is a current budgetary provision and Council approved had already been given for this expenditure.
203/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
Recycling & Energy Conservation Working Group
held on 24th March 2009
Andy Wells of NEDDC had been invited and gave a brief overview of what his current role is and what benefits EMAS (Eco Management Audit Scheme) can bring to organisations that operate community buildings. He circulated a report entitled “Banish the Inefficient Community Building” and hoped that Dronfield Town Council would subscribe to the venture which would entail all the Councils properties being audited for energy consumption with recommendations, at the completion of the audit, on how to conserve energy and make less impact on the environment. Members then considered several ideas and suggestions that the Council could consider and these included
Joint Services with other users. This could possibly entail a district-combined heat and power scheme (e.g. Civic Hall, Sports Centre, Library and Health Centre) utilising one large bio mass boiler that would burn wood and green waste.
Heat Exchange using air source heat pumps that draw in the outside air and convert it into energy to run heating and lighting (This scheme is similar to refrigeration processes but in reverse).
Solar Panels which are now much more efficient and on a large south facing pitched roof like the Civic Hall, could offer major benefits subject to capital works not being too expensive. A reasonable pay back period for solar panels should be in the region of 5-7 years.
It was agreed that Dronfield Town Council take part in the energy audit of all Town Council properties and the current energy costs over the past 12 months for both electricity and gas be made available on a month by month basis for the energy audit. It was agreed that several short-term measures be considered that would achieve some savings at the Civic Hall.
204/08-09 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
Schedule of Payments
Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of February 2009 in the amount of £46,680.24 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.
205/08-09 RESOLVED
That the schedule of payments in the amount of £46,680.24 for the month of February 2009 be received and noted for information.
Schedule of Receipts
Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of February 2009 in the amount of £11,301.68 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.
206/08-09
RESOLVED
That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £11,301.68 for the month of February 2009 be received and noted for information.
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