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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
HELD AT GOSFORTH LODGE, CLIFFE PARK, DRONFIELD
ON MONDAY 6 JULY 2009
Present
Councillors: F Higgins: (The Town Mayor): G Baxter: R Bull: M Emmens: G Gregory: A Memmott: Mrs C Smith: Mrs W Temple: S P Temple: M Wing: D Oxspring: Mrs B Skelton:
Presentation to the the Local Police Beat Team of Dronfield
Prior to the meeting, the Town Mayor, Councillor Frank Higgins presented a trophy to the local police beat team of Dronfield (Pc James Mirfin, PCSO Richard Lee and PCSO Glynn Lewis) who had been voted as the Beat Team of the Year in Derbyshire. The Mayor congratulated the team on winning this prestigious award and thanked them for all their hard work and community commitment which they had shown for the benefit of the local residents.
Public Forum on Planning Matters
Mrs Ingham wished to comment upon a planning application that members would consider later in the meeting. Prior to these concerns, she expressed her good wishes to the Town Mayor and hoped he had a happy and successful term of office.
She then expressed concerns over a planning application to retain illuminated signage and to affix additional signage at 10a High Street. She also informed members that the same premises were displaying a large temporary sign asking patrons to use “the other door” and hoped the Council would make representations to NEDDC to have this sign removed or amended to a smaller sign that is more in keeping with the conservation area. She stated that the proliferation of illuminated signs in the High Street was detrimental to the heritage value of the conservation area and hoped that the Council would consider her objections when the matter was discussed later.
Public Forum On General Matters
No items 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.
26/09-10 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
Apologies
27/09-10 RESOLVED
That apologies for absence be received, noted and accepted from the following members, for the reasons stated in brackets.
Councillor P Blackburn (Other Business) Councillor I Pryce (Illness) Councillor J Stocks (Other Business) Councillor Mrs K Marr (Other Business)
Youth Matters
Scouting Matters
Members considered the reports of the various scouting groups in the town and Councillor Simon Temple informed members that he had attended the Annual Meeting of the Scouts. He reported that the groups remain very active and that there had been a slight increase in local membership despite a fall in national membership. He reported that the Scouts expressed their appreciation of the assistance given by the Town Council.
28/09-10 RESOLVED
That this report be received and noted and that the Council express its appreciation to local scouts for their active commitment in local community affairs.
Dronfield Youth Council
Councillor Richard Bull presented the notes of the Youth Council Working Group that had met on Thursday 2 July 2009 at the Dronfield School and included the following items.
· A draft constitution had been supplied to the school council for consideration and school council members considered the draft point by point.
· It was agreed that the Youth Council electorate should comprise young people in the age groups of 11 years old to 18 years old which conforms to school years 7 to 13.
· It was also agreed that the elections for Youth Council membership would be three nominees for each school year of Year 7 to Year 13 which would result in a council membership of 21 persons and that elections should be held every two years.
· The electoral roll was considered and it was agreed that The Dronfield School would provide names and addresses of scholars attending at that school and other local schools and colleges not within Dronfield could be contacted for a list of their scholars who live in Dronfield but attend schools out of the town so that they will be eligible to vote in the elections.
· It was agreed that information and notification of the Youth Council elections and the procedures for nomination etc would be widely publicised by the Town Council by means of local press, local radio and public notice boards. The Town Council would prepare all the necessary nomination forms and ballot papers at the appropriate time.
· It was agreed that elections should take place in the first month after the school starts in September and week commencing 26th October was pencilled in for elections to take place. Subsequent information from Lisa informs that half term falls in that week so it has been agreed that elections will take place in week commencing 19th October 2009.
· It was also agreed that the polling stations would be at the Dronfield School and at Dronfield Civic Hall for those young residents who did not attend Dronfield HF School but who may wish to vote or to be nominated for membership of the Youth Council.
· It was agreed that after the elections, the meetings of the Youth Council would be held monthly during term times at Dronfield Civic Hall at such dates and times set by members at the first annual meeting of the Youth Council. A chairperson and deputy chairperson would also be elected at the annual meeting.
· It was agreed that the Town Clerk would initially be the clerk and financial officer to the Youth Council to offer assistance and guidance and to produce minutes of the Youth Council which would always be submitted to a meeting of the Town Council for consideration and information.
· It was also agreed that initially, a first past the post electoral system would be used for the first elections. The method of voting would be by paper ballot but Lisa Jones would discuss with the school’s IT manager the feasibility of on-line voting subject to the necessary security arrangements being put in place to ensure that each voter could exercise that function only once.
· It was agreed that as the school finishes in just two weeks time, that members of the Youth Council Working Group prepare the arrangements for the elections and see that all the necessary procedures are put in place prior to the school re-opening in the first week of September, when the school council can be brought up to date with those arrangements.
29/09-10 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
That due to the school holidays and there being no Town Council meeting in August, that delegated powers to organise the publication of information and the printing of nomination forms and ballot papers be given to members of the Youth Council Working Group.
Police Matters
Members formally wished the congratulate the local beat team on winning the Beat Team of the Year for the whole of Derbyshire and commented that the local team do a wonderful job for the town as a whole.
Members then considered a short report submitted by PCSO Glynn Lewis 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 and showed comparable figures for criminal activities over the past three years. In June 2009, there were 57 crimes reported compared to 86 crimes in June 2009, 84 crimes in June 2007 and 113 crimes for June 2006.
The crime statistics for June 2009 were very low again and this suggested that Dronfield was a safe place in which to live and work.
30/09-10 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
Council Minutes
Members considered the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 1 June (Pages 6 -14)
31/09-10 RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 1 June 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.
Reference 09/00339/FLH: Construction of a two
storey rear extension with raised patio at 32 Derwent Road, Dronfield by Mrs S
Talbot.
32/09-10 RESOLVED
That in view of the proposed development possibly overlooking neighbours and adjacent properties especially in relation to the proposed raised patio, this Council wishes to object to the proposal until the planning committee convene a site visit to inspect this proposal and check the levels of the proposed extension prior to reaching any decision on the matter.
Reference 09/00487/FL: Construction of a two
storey rear extension and loft conversion with rear facing roof lights (revised
scheme of 09/00027/FL) at 32 Smithy Croft by Miss R Taylor
33/09-10 RESOLVED
That in view of the proposed development possibly overlooking neighbours and adjacent properties, this Council wishes to object to the proposal until the planning committee convene a site visit to inspect this proposal prior to reaching any decision on the matter.
Reference 09/00540/AD: Advertisement Consent
for the retention of an illuminated fascia and hanging sign and the installation
of a replacement menu box and an additional hanging sign at 10a High Street for
Mr K Miah.
34/09-10 RESOLVED
That the application to retain the illuminated signage be strenuously objected to as they are obtrusive and not in keeping with the heritage value of the current streetscene in the conservation area. The proposals to install additional signage are also strenuously objected to as they would also be detrimental to the streetscene of the conservation area. Members also objected strongly to the temporary large sign advising customers “to use the other door” that is currently displayed in a prominent position and requested that the planning enforcement officer visit this site to investigate the matter.
Reference 08/01064/LB
& Reference 08/01065/LB: Conversion and renovation of medieval barn and
erection of a single story ancillary building for community use (Listed
Building/Conservation Area)(Amended Plans) and Application for a Listed
Building consent for alterations in connection with conversion and renovation
of medieval barn for community use (Listed Building/Conservation Area)(Amended
Plans) At The Old Barn High Street by Peel Centre Charitable Trust.
35/09-10 RESOLVED
1. That these applications be objected to until the Planning Committee of North East Derbyshire District Council has conducted a site visit to fully examine and investigate the proposals prior to making any decision. Members were seriously concerned that access to/from the High Street should not be allowed at the front of the building and also had reservations about the extent of the scope of the ancillary building that may have serious implication on the heritage value of the site in particular and the conservation area in general.
2. That as the High Street conservation area and its important heritage value is important to the town as a whole, that when a site visit is arranged, all members of Dronfield Town Council who sit on the planning committee of NEDDC be invited to join the site visit and not just the individual ward members of Dronfield South Ward.
Planning Decisions
Members considered a schedule of planning decisions submitted by North East Derbyshire District Council for information.
36/09-10 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
Town Clerks Report
1.
Outside Services
Members were informed that 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 and that the rolling programme of play area refurbishments, repairs and repainting has continued and many of the older items of equipment have now been repaired and refurbished by Record RSS who is now the Council’s safety checking contractor.
It was reported that all the summer planting beds had been completed in the first week of June and are now showing an abundance of strong healthy flowers and shrubs in the beds around the town and that during the recent hot weather, the hanging baskets and the flowerbeds have needed extra watering to ensure that the displays remain vibrant.
Members were informed that isolated incidents of vandalism and criminal damage have been occurring, mainly at Stonelow Road and Marsh Avenue with the newly installed benches and litter bins being vandalised but the benches will be repaired using steel sections rather than the recycled polypropylene profiles which will be painted in hardwearing dark brown metal paint.
37/09-10 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
2. Climate Change and Renewable Energy: Supplementary Planning Document (SPD): Scoping Document
Members were appraised that the above scoping document has been received from North East Derbyshire District Council, as they are about to commence preparation of a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on Climate Change and Renewable Energy.
The LDF team are in the first stages of this work and the attached scoping document is a first step in the preparation of the Climate Change SPD.
The scoping document included a questionnaire, which members were asked to consider and respond before the deadline of 17th July 2009.
37/09-10 RESOLVED
1. That this report be received and noted.
2. That North East Derbyshire District Council be asked to give greater attention to flooding incidents that continue to occur in the town of Dronfield.
3. That North East Derbyshire District Council give consideration to including a section on affordable housing and that this matter is considered as an area wide problem involving neighbouring local authorities including Sheffield City Council, Chesterfield Borough Council and Bolsover District Council.
3. Dronfield Town Football Club: Under 16 Girls
Members considered correspondence from Dronfield Town Football Club informing that a girl’s football team from Sindelfingen will be arriving in early August for three days to participate in local football matches. This is a reciprocal visit following last years visit to Sindelfingen by an under 15 girl’s football team and that they would wish to offer the visiting team, a warm welcome and are seeking financial assistance by way of a grant towards providing a welcome meal and possible vouchers for local attractions.
38/09-10 RESOLVED
That this report be received and noted and that the Council award a grant of £250.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Pounds) to Dronfield Town Football Club (Girls U16 Team) under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.
4.
Dronfield Town Twinning Federation
Members considered the of the meeting of the Town Twinning Federation held on Wednesday 3 June 2009 which had been submitted for information and consideration.
39/09-10 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
5.
Publications Received
Members were informed of a list of publications that have been received which are available at the Town Council offices.
40/09-10 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
Notes of Town Council
Working Groups
Members considered the notes of a meeting of the Properties Working Group held on Wednesday 1 July 2009 when the following matters were discussed.
The Rotary Club of Dronfield
Mr Dunkley commenced by saying that their organisation welcomed the initiative at Sindelfingen Park with the installation of the new adventure play equipment and that it met one of their stated wishes to see facilities for the older youths of the town as they had previously been very supportive of the Council in trying to provide a skate board park in the town and had stated that if the project had gone ahead, then they would have started fund raising activities to provide some additional funding. They now realise that it was becoming increasingly difficult to find an ideal site for a skate board park and were now prepared to make a donation towards improving the new facilities at Sindelfingen Park.
The Town Clerk informed the meeting that it was planned to install six benches and additional litter bins adjacent to the new adventure play ground and that the benches cost in the region of £200 each.
It was agreed that the Rotary Club of Dronfield representatives would report back to their organisation and recommend that they make a contribution of £800 towards the cost of the six seats and that appropriate plaques would be placed on all the benches acknowledging the donation by the Rotary Club of Dronfield.
40/09-10 RESOLVED
That this report be received and noted and that the Rotary Club of Dronfield be thanked for their positive and generous offer to fund part of the cost towards improving the new scheme.
Dronfield Town Football Club & Stonelow Road Recreation Ground
Darren Bradwell, Pat Williams and Craig Butler had joined the meeting by invitation and commenced by stating that they had a list of wants and desires for the working group to consider and complained that some of the projects such as the high ball catch netting and their understanding that a footway from the changing rooms to the pitch side would be extended and a handrail erected. The Town Clerk reported that the viability of erecting a 5 metre high catch ball plastic fence had been investigated and that angle iron supports and netting had been purchased for this project but upon starting the project had been informed by a reputable fencing contractor, that the integrity of the existing concrete posts which hold up the existing 2 metre high mesh fencing would be compromised if they were drilled and additional 5 metre high supports were bolted onto them. The Town Clerk also reported that he had assumed the extended footpath would be installed by the football club as part of their project to erect spectator barriers around the pitch and provide hard standing for spectators along one side of the pitch.
Dronfield Town FC then reported that their first team had applied to join the Central Midland League and the league rules had certain requirements that must be met in order for them to join which included the following.
· The pitch would need to be fully enclosed and fenced off when matches in that league are played. This would entail erecting a fence across the end of the pitch from the existing fence at Callywhite Lane side to an area adjacent to the changing rooms.
· The league also did not like the concept of players using the existing car park and then walking around the edge of the cricket pitches to access the changing rooms and DTFC stated that this could be accommodated by creating another entrance adjacent to the cricket pavilion by installing a gate in the existing fence and players could then access the playing area from Frithwood Close.
· The existing changing rooms that can accommodate four teams and were improved some three years ago with a lot of help from the local teams could only be used by the two teams playing in the Central Midland League on their match days. If this were to happen, then the small changing rooms at the opposite end of the ground would need to be refurbished and brought up to standard. Dronfield Town FC did offer the services of volunteers to help with this project if the Council were to go ahead with it.
· Vandalism to the dug outs and dog fouling problems on the playing areas were highlighted as a major concern despite notices instructing that all dogs must be kept on leads.
· Finally, it was emphasised that the 15 year licence to use which was agreed last year made it quite clear that the negative rent of £2,000 was a one off and only applied to the first year of the licence and was intended to be pump priming grant aid for the club to make some pitch improvements which were identified last year.
Members of the Working Group expressed some concerns over some of the proposals put forward by the football club and agreed to hold a site meeting at 6pm on Thursday 9th July 2009 to investigate and consider the matters further.
41/09-10 RESOLVED That this report be received and noted.
Schedule of Payments
Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of May 2009 in the amount of £59,798.87 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.
42/09-10 RESOLVED
That the schedule of payments in the amount of £59,798.87 for the month of May 2009 be received and noted for information.
Schedule of Receipts
Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of May 2009 in the amount of £15,628.10 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.
43/09-10
RESOLVED
That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £15,628.10 for the month of May 2009 be received and noted for information.
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