MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD

ON MONDAY 1 JUNE 2009

 

Present

 

Councillors: F Higgins: (The Town Mayor): G Baxter: P Blackburn: R Bull: M Emmens: G Gregory: J McGrory: A Memmott: Mrs C Smith: Mrs W Temple: S P Temple: M Wing:

 

Public Forum on Planning Matters

 

No items were raised concerning planning matters.

 

Public Forum On General Matters

 

A local resident questioned what progress had been made regarding the alcohol exclusion zone as she reported that on Easter Monday she had been subjected to an obscene verbal tirade by a group of young people in the Blue Stoops car park as she was having a drink whilst waiting for her order of curry to be prepared at a local take away. The verbal assault was particularly nasty as it referred to her disability in an obscene manner. She was obviously upset and some time later telephoned the police service to report the matter. The police response was polite and caring but the resident did not think the complaint was being treated as a serious matter. The resident did not complain to the manager or the staff at the Blue Stoops who may not have been made aware of the altercation.

 

Councillor Temple responded that the Town Clerk would be asked to report this matter to the police and ask for their comments. The meeting with the police service to discuss the subject of alcohol exclusion zones has still not taken place and this matter would also be brought to the attention of Inspector Waterfall and that a meeting be convened as a matter of urgency.

 

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.

 

08/09-10          RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

Apologies

 

09/09-10          RESOLVED

 

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

 

Councillor D Oxspring (Other Business) Councillor I Pryce (Illness) Councillor Mrs B Skelton (Other Business) Councillor J Sorrill  (Other Business) Councillor J Stocks (Other Business) Councillor Mrs K Marr (Other Business)

 

 

                       

Youth Matters

 

Dronfield Youth Council

 

The Town Clerk reported that he had been in contact with the Dronfield School and that the next meeting of the School Council was to be held on 2 July and he had sent the school some drafts of what other Youth Councils had adopted as their constitutions, the electoral roll implications and how the elections are held to ensure as wide a representation as possible. It is hoped that these matters can be finalised in good time so that elections and the setting up of a Dronfield Youth Council can be achieved at the start of the next academic year

 

10/09-10          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.

 

The report also showed the latest crime figures for the town but did not show comparable figures for the same period last year.

 

The report also contained a response to the complaints made at the last meeting of this Council by residents on or adjacent to Alexandra Road and stated that the police had visited the complainant and had put in certain measures that should alleviate the situation. (The full report is appended to these minutes for information).

 

Members once again asked that the police attend these monthly Council meetings to hear at first hand some of the concerns and comments from members and residents. It was stated by members that there is a police attendance of two officers at every meeting of Wingerworth Parish Council and it was felt that Dronfield, as the third largest urban area in Derbyshire, should warrant a police attendance at its meetings. It was emphasised that the police would only be required to spend 20 to 30 minutes at the most at the meeting as they usually depart after the police business in the agenda.

 

11/09-10          RESOLVED    

 

(1)               That these reports be received and noted.

 

(2)               That the Town Clerk be requested to write once again the Inspector Waterfall to inform him of the latest complaint from a local resident. That an informal meeting to discuss the ramifications of Alcohol Exclusion Zones be convened to include the leaders of the three political parties as a matter of urgency and that a police presence at the meetings of Dronfield Town Council be allowed so that members and residents views, concerns and comments can be raised at first hand with the local beat constables and PCSO’s.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 5 May 2009  (Pages 116 -125) and the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on Monday 11 May 2009 (Pages 1 – 5).

 

12/09-10          RESOLVED 

 

That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 5 May 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.

 

That the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 11 May 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 09/00416/DISCON Application to discharge conditions 3: (finish of windows and doors) 4: (details of security mesh) 5: (signage) 6: (alarm box) of planning permission 08/00780/FL do alterations and change of use from residential to the manufacture and sale of jewellery at 26 High Street by S Bisby

 

13/09-10          RESOLVED 

 

That due to the proposed development being within the town centre 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.

 

 14/09-10         RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

Town Clerks Report

 

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 as well as cleaning and repairing the bus shelters on a regular basis. All the older Abacus 1 bus shelters will be repainted over the summer period in a different shade of green metal paint that should last longer than the normal gloss paint hitherto used. The rolling programme of play area refurbishments, repairs and repainting has continued. The new play equipment has now been finalised at Sindelfingen Park and is being very well used by local children. The existing old equipment at Sindelfingen Park will remain in place until the second phase of new equipment for younger children is installed and then the old equipment will be dismantled, renovated and utilised elsewhere at other playgrounds. All the planting beds have now been cleared of winter flowers and prepared in readiness for the summer plantings to take place in the next few days. The grass on all the open spaces and parks continues to be mowed each fortnight and some strimming of footpaths has already taken place but will continue on a regular basis.

 

15/09-10     RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

2.         Anti Social Behaviour & Alcohol Exclusion Zones

 

Members were reminded that several residents attended last month’s meeting and expressed their concerns about the level of anti social behaviour that was taking place adjacent to their homes. The comments and concerns of both the residents and this Council were reported to Inspector Waterfall and his response was considered.  Inspector Waterfall had been requested to furnish further dates when he would be available to meet the delegated members of this Council to discuss in general terms the logistics and parameters of what would be required should the Council decide to explore the ramifications of requiring an alcohol exclusion zone in the town. The results of such a meeting would then be reported back to Council for their consideration. The police seem to be under the misapprehension that the Council has already decided to apply for an alcohol exclusion zone and are talking about a multi agency meeting to progress the matter. The police have been informed that this is not the case and that the initial meeting with members is purely for them to be informed and then report back.

 

16/09-10     RESOLVED    

 

3.         St John’s day Parade, London 20^th June 2009

 

Members considered correspondence from the local St John Ambulance Band informing that they will be leading the St John’s Day parade in London which is one of the highlights of the year. It is great honour for the local band to be selected to lead the parade and they have therefore requested the Council to give consideration to making an award to cover the cost of providing special polo shirts for the event. Members were informed that the total cost of the shirts plus printing is in the region of £424.60

 

17/09-10     RESOLVED 

 

That the St John Ambulance Band of Dronfield be awarded a grant of £250 as 50% of the total cost of providing polo shirts for the forthcoming St John’s Day parade in London.   

 

4.         Police Youth Diversionary Projects

 

Members considered a request from PCSO Richard Lee informing of a proposed project for the first week of the school holidays 27-28 July 2009 whereby he hopes to encourage six local junior teams and six local senior teams to compete on the MUGA in Cliffe Park. Members were made aware that the normal hire charges for the MUGA during the daytime are £10 per hour and that last year, the pitch was offered free of charge for a similar event organised by the local police service.

 

18/09-10     RESOLVED 

 

That this report be received and noted and that PCSO Lee be informed that free use of the MUGA in Cliffe Park will be offered for the tournament to take place on 27/28 July 2009 between 9am and 4pm and that a grant of £300 be awarded for the provision of refreshments, cups and medals for the competitors.

 

5.         Dronfield Town Twinning Federation:

 

Members considered the notes of the meeting of the Town Twinning Federation held on Wednesday 6 May 2009, which had been submitted for information and consideration.

 

19/09-10     RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

6.         The Dronfield Charity Music Festival

 

Members considered correspondence the organiser of the Dronfield Charity Music Festival to be held on Sunday 9 August 2009 informing that for the past 3 years, the event has been held on the grassed area to the rear of the Dronfield Woodhouse Sports & Social Club premises but complaints have been received from one local resident each year about the level of noise. Permission is sought to use an area of the Dronfield Woodhouse Recreation Ground to stage this year’s event. A request was also made for the Council to consider offering financial assistance towards staging the event due to a fall off in sponsorship funds due to the economic climate.

 

20/09-10     RESOLVED 

 

That this report be received and noted and that the organiser of the Dronfield Charity Music Festival be informed that the Council give its consent for the event to be held within the confines of Dronfield Woodhouse Recreation Ground on 9^th August 2009 and that a grant of £500 be made to the organisation to offset some of the costs of staging the event.

 

7.         North East Derbyshire Development Framework

 

Members considered a report entitled The North East Derbyshire Development Framework and discussed the four spatial options contained in the report. The deadline for responses is 26 June 2009.

 

21/09-10     RESOLVED

 

That this report be received and noted and the North East Derbyshire District Council be informed that this Council resolved that Spatial Option 3 (Direct development to the four main towns, the six larger villagers and smaller centres with sufficient services to support additional growth) is the preferred option of this authority.

 

8.         Gasification/Incineration Plant: Chesterfield

 

Members were reminded that at the last meeting of Council, it had been resolved that a small working group comprising the leaders of all political parties be convened to discuss this matter and report back to Council having looked at all aspects of the application. A meeting had been convened for Thursday 28^th May and a verbal report on the outcome of that meeting was submitted to Council. A draft response to Derbyshire County Council was considered and approved with one amendment.

 

 

 

 

 

22/09-10     RESOLVED

 

That this report be received and noted and that the Town Clerk submit the attached letter to Derbyshire County Council setting out this Council’s views on the subject and send a copy of the agreed letter with a press release to all the local media for information. 

 

9.         Publications Received

 

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

 

23/09-10          RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of April 2009 in the amount of £110,844.60 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.

 

 

24/09-10          RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments in the amount of £110,844.60 for the month of April 2009 be received and noted for information.

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of April 2009 in the amount of £411,050.77 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.

 

25/09-10          RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £411,050.77 for the month of April 2009 be received and noted for information.