MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DRONFIELD CIVIC HALL,

CIVIC CENTRE, DRONFIELD ON MONDAY 2nd NOVEMBER 2009

 

Present

 

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

 

Public Forum on Planning Matters

 

No matters were raised by members of the public.

 

Public Forum on General Matters

 

Three local residents, Angelique Foster, Jill Hudson and Chris Illingworth spoke against the proposals for the gasification/incineration plant in Chesterfield. They stated that they had only known about the plans for the past four weeks and that many residents of Dronfield were unaware of the perceived risks attached to the plant. They have collected more than 800 signatures in the past few weeks against the plans and intend to hold a public rally on Saturday 7^th November.  They intend to object to the large number of heavy goods vehicles that may use local roads in accessing the proposed plant. The group allege that toxic fumes could be generated and could drop on the Town. The number of vehicles will impact on both rural roads and adjacent roads in Sheffield and Dronfield which could increase the level of accidents. The group also stated that the proposed plant could have an adverse impact on local businesses who are already trading in the area and who may be forced to move away which will have an impact on local employment.

 

The Leader thanked the group for their views and advised them that this Council had considered the matter in May 2009 and had resolved to write to the County Council in June 2009 setting out this Council’s views on the proposals. A copy of the letter and the resolution of June 2009 were made available for information.

 

Mrs Ingham reminded members that she had complained, in January, about glasses being smashed on the streets over the festive period and that she was aware that the Council had tried on several occasions to organise a meeting between the leadership of the Council and the area inspector of police to meet and discuss what actions could be undertaken to alleviate the problems. It was explained that the proposed meetings had not taken place and that the police were under a misapprehension about the reasons for the projected meetings. The police had supposed that this Council had requested that an alcohol exclusion zone be implemented in the town but this was not the case. The correspondence and failure to attend meetings has been reported to Council over the period.

 

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.

 

Councillor S Temple and Councillor Mrs W Temple declared a personal interest concerning item 9 of the planning application schedule and stated that they would not discuss or vote on this matter.

 

94/09-10          RESOLVED    

 

That this report be received and noted and that the declaration of a personal interest by Councillors S Temple and Mrs W Temple be received and acknowledged.

 

Apologies

 

95/09-10          RESOLVED

 

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

 

Mrs C Smith     (other business)

 

Youth Matters

 

Dronfield Youth Council

 

A verbal report was presented by the Chair of the Youth Council Working Group informing members that at the close of the deadline for the receipt of nominations to the Youth Council elections due to be held on 22nd October 2009; only two nominations had been received and that due to some misunderstanding at the school; it appears that some scholars were not aware of the election process. A new election date has now been agreed as 10 December 2009 with a closing date for nominations of 20^th November 2009. There have been democracy weeks in the school and fresh publicity and posters have been prepared and delivered to the school for distribution and posting. If by 20th November 2009, there are insufficient candidates applying to be elected, then the elections will have to be cancelled once again and further meeting will need to be convened between the Working Group and the school.   

 

Members expressed their disappointment and agreed that further discussions with the school take place to ascertain what measures can be taken to increase awareness and participation in the local democratic process.

 

96/09-10          RESOLVED   That this report be received and noted.

 

Police Matters

 

Members received a schedule of crime figures for the month of October which had reverted back to showing the nature of crimes in police jargon which was incomprehensible to members. Members expressed the view that they would like to see more meaningful information and less jargon concerning the crime figures and wished to see annual figures showing TRENDS with worthwhile comparative information.

 

Members then considered the ongoing complaints concerning anti-social behaviour in the town centre streets resulting in broken glass becoming a nuisance. Several measures were discussed which included the Council writing to all licensed  premises asking them to serve all their drinks in plastic containers so that if their customers took them outside, it would not result in broken glass being strewn along the roads and pavements. Members considered writing to the Licensing Authority to ascertain what powers were in place to help such situations and whether licensing conditions were appropriate.

 

97/09-10          RESOLVED    

 

a.                   That this report be received and noted.

b.                  That the leaders of each political party meet as a matter of urgency to discuss this matter and possibly meet with representatives of the local licensed trade to explore achievable measures.

c.                   That the leaders of each political party meet with the local inspector of police to discuss this particular matter and how best to stop anti social behaviour brought about by alcohol abuse and to determine what powers are available to alleviate the situation.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 5 October (Pages 44-52)

 

98/09-10          RESOLVED 

 

That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 5 October 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 08/01187/FL: Construction of a lean- to structure against existing stable block for lambing poultry and storage at land off Barnes Avenue, Dronfield Woodhouse by Ms Loxley.

 

99/09-10          RESOLVED

 

That the application be objected to until a site visit by members of the planning committee of North East Derbyshire District Council has been convened prior to a decision being made. Members expressed serious concerns regarding possible over development at this location which is situated within the very narrow green belt.

 

Reference 09/00727/FL: Change of use of A1 retail shop to A3 hot food Turkish traditional food place with deliveries. (Conservation Area) (Amended Title/Amended Plans) at 101 Chesterfield Road, Dronfield by Mr Middlemass.

 

100/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That this application be urgently brought to the attention of the planning enforcement officer as a sign on the premises informs residents that a tattoo parlour will be opening shortly. Information suggests that the shop is now open for business as a tattoo parlour and a large fascia sign with the word “tattoo” has been erected outside the shop.

 

Members are also concerned that if, as reported, a tattoo parlour has opened at this site, then a visit by the environmental health officers should take place to ensure that all health and safety aspects of such trade are followed precisely.

 

Reference 09/00735/FL: Conversion of existing bungalow into a two storey house and formation of a new drive and access. (Amended Plan) at 28 Cemetery Road, Dronfield by Mr Kenyon.

 

101/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That this application be objected to until a site visit by members of the planning committee of North East Derbyshire District Council has been convened prior to a decision being made. Members expressed serious concerns about the scope of this application in relation to adjacent properties and whether such a development would be in keeping with the current street scene which comprises mainly bungalows or one storey buildings.

 

Reference 09/00781/FL: Listed Building application for retention of new staircase and other associated works. (Listed Building/Conservation Area) at Quoit Green House, 26 Hallowes Lane, Dronfield by Mr Bayliss.

 

102/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That this application be objected to until a site visit by members of the planning committee of North East Derbyshire District Council has been convened prior to a decision being made. Members expressed serious concerns about this application wanting retrospective permission for work already done to a listed building within the conservation area which has significant local heritage value attached to it. Members are also concerned that the “other associated works” are not specified and requested that the planning enforcement officer also visit this site as a matter of priority to ascertain whether the planning consents and conditions have been fully complied with.

 

Reference 09/00906/FL: Demolition of existing dwelling and garage and construction of a new 5 bedroom replacement dwelling at 49 Hilltop Road, Dronfield by Mr & Mrs Oates.

 

103/09-10        RESOLVED

 

This application be objected to until a site visit by members of the planning committee of North East Derbyshire District Council has been convened prior to a decision being made. Members expressed serious concerns about the scope of this application and thought the development was inappropriate in relation to adjacent properties and whether such a development would be in keeping with the current street scene.

 

Reference 09/00911/FL: New external area (revised scheme to NED/07/01024/FL) at Little Italy, 61A Sheffield Road, Dronfield by Mr Sotirios.

 

104/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That further information be sought from North East Derbyshire District Council and brought to the next meeting for consideration.

 

Planning Decisions

 

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

 

 105/09-10       RESOLVED      That this report be received and noted.

 

Town Clerks Report

 

1.         Outside Services

 

Members were informed that Outside Services staff have been kept busy doing their usual tasks throughout the town which included.

 

·        Bus shelter cleaning and disinfecting on a fortnightly basis.

·        Litter and dog bins being emptied and serviced on a weekly basis.

·        Play area safety/graffiti inspections on a weekly basis.

·        Final grass cuttings of the season.

·        Hedgerows and hedges trimmed back on Council owned land.

·        Nettles and brambles strimmed and cleared on public footpaths.

 

It was reported that over the half term week, some acts of vandalism and criminal damage had been reported in Cliffe Park with the guttering and down- pipes at Gosforth Lodge being completely ripped off the front of the building. This damage needed to be rectified as a matter of urgency which takes staff off their programmed duties. 

 

106/09-10     RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

2.         Dronfield Town Twinning Federation

 

The minutes of the last meeting of the Town Twinning Federation held on 7 October 2009 were circulated to every member for information.

 

107/09-10     RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

3.         Dronfield Town Twinning Federation: Application for Grant Aid

 

Members were informed that a team of footballers had recently visited the town as guests of Dronfield Town Football Club and the Town Twinning Federation. The Twinning Federation had met most of the cost of collecting and returning the footballers to/from Manchester Airport and also taking them on a bus trip to Whitby.  Members considered a letter setting out the details and requesting the Council to consider awarding a grant to cover some of the additional expenditure suffered as a result of this visit.

 

108/09-10     RESOLVED    

 

That this report be received and noted and that a grant of £250.00 be awarded to Dronfield Town Twinning Federation under the provisions of Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

 

 

4.         Membership of The Budget Working Group

 

Members were informed that Councillor Doug Oxspring has tendered his resignation as a member of the Council’s Budget Working Group. The Budget Working Group comprises four elected members with two members from the majority party and one member from each of the opposition parties making up the total membership.

 

109/09-10     RESOLVED

  

That this report be received and noted and that Councillor Izzy Pryce be appointed as a member of the Budget Working Group to replace Councillor Doug Oxspring.

 

5.         Proposed Rally in Cliffe Park

 

Members considered correspondence from a group of local residents, seeking permission to hold a rally in Cliffe Park on Saturday 7 November 2009 to voice their objection to the Gasification/Incineration plant proposed to be installed in Chesterfield and to ensure that local Dronfield residents are made aware of their objections to the scheme.

 

110/09-10     RESOLVED

 

That this report be received and noted and that the local group of residents be granted permission to use Cliffe Park as a starting point for a rally to be held at 11am on Saturday 7 November 2009 to protest about the gasification/incineration plant that is proposed to be built in Chesterfield.

 

Notes of Town Council Working Groups

 

Properties Working Group

 

Members considered the notes of the Properties Working Group held on Monday 26 October 2009. The following matters were discussed.

 

Surfacing at Sindelfingen Park Play Area

 

Members met on site to examine the surrounding areas to the recently installed play equipment. It was quite apparent that there is a high level of water retention around the whole site and that some form of hard standing is needed. Members considered the area in question and agreed that it was not desirable to hard surface all the area surrounding the new equipment but to consider a network of interconnecting pathways from the existing main path to the nearest piece of equipment and then between the different pieces of equipment and benches such that users will not get too muddy when moving from one ride to the next during inclement weather.

 

111/09-10     RESOLVED

 

a.                   That this report is received and noted and that the Working Group is thanked for their hard work and commitment in trying to reach a solution to the problem of water retention at the site.

b.                  That the matter be deferred until a professional land drainage company’s expertise and advice has been sought to offer solutions that will result in a sustainable urban drainage scheme.

c.                   That this matter be referred back to the Properties Working Group when the professional land drainage expert has prepared a report for consideration.

d.                  That Councillor Sorrill is invited to attend the meeting of the Properties Working Group when this matter is further discussed.

 

Tennis Club Proposals

 

Members considered correspondence from a young resident that had been referred to this working group by the Council at its last meeting. Jack Ranson, a 14 year old local resident had written in to enquire if it would be possible to create a formal tennis club within the town which could use the excellent facilities provided by the Town Council, particularly in Cliffe Park. Win Tennis have recently taken over the tennis development facilities at Graves Park in Sheffield which undertakes coaching and teaching which helps to improve ball skills, coordination and ultimately their enjoyment of the game. Members also considered correspondence from Paul Sheard of Derbyshire Lawn Tennis Association who had been contacted by North East Derbyshire District Council. His response was very positive and offered assistance in setting up formal tennis clubs and how they could go about it. He also advocated that Win Tennis may be able to assist by forming an out-reach programme to their existing scheme in Graves Park.

 

112/09-10     RESOLVED

 

That Paul Sheard of Derbyshire LTA and Mike Walker of WinTennis at Graves Park together with Jack Ranson be invited to a future meeting of this working group to discuss the matter further and to offer their professional expertise and experience.

 

Marsh Avenue Play Area

 

Members considered the contents of an email that had been forwarded by colleagues at North East Derbyshire District Council.  South Yorkshire Housing Association asked if the Council has any plans to update/improve the play area at Marsh Avenue and if not, would the Council consider doing so if a financial contribution was made by South Yorkshire Housing Association. They go on to ask if such equipment was supplied with their funding, would the Council be willing to maintain such equipment in the future.

 

113/09-10     RESOLVED

 

That South Yorkshire Housing Association be informed that this Council has no immediate plans to improve the play area at Marsh Avenue and that if South Yorkshire Housing Association wish to make a financial contribution towards improving the area, then this Council, as land owner, would wish to be consulted regarding what type of equipment would be installed. Following a public consultation involving potential users of the site to agree the type of equipment then this Council would agree to maintain any such equipment provided by their exterior funding.

 

Grant Awards Panel

 

Members considered the notes of the Grant Awards Panel held on Tuesday 27 October 2009 which had considered a schedule of eight applications from various local and national organisations and the first matter that was considered was whether applicants met the Councils agreed criteria for grant aid under Section 137. It was agreed that one of the applications did not meet the Councils criteria and therefore no grant was awarded.  Members then considered the remaining seven applications.

 

114/09-10     RESOLVED

 

1.         That Relate (Chesterfield & North Derbyshire) be awarded a grant of £300.00 under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

2.         That The Dronfield Practice Based Commissioning Group be awarded a grant of £150.00 under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

3.         That The Prison Me No Way Group be awarded a grant of £150.00 under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 subject to such grant being utilised to organise an event at The Dronfield School.

4.         That the Dronfield and District Visually Impaired Group be awarded a grant of £200.00 under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

5.         That the Dronfield Women’s Club be awarded a grant of £100.00 under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

6.         That the Gosforth Pre School Group be awarded a grant of £200.00 under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

7.         That the Gadabouts Club of Dronfield be granted free use of Gosforth Lodge for four hours per week to hold their meetings, commencing 1 November 2009, for a period of 12 months and that they be advised to apply again in twelve months time.

8.         That no grant be awarded to Vitalise Appeals Office because it was considered that this application did not meet the criteria of Awarding Grants under S137 of the LGA 1972.

Recycling & Energy Conservation Working Group

 

Members considered the notes of the Recycling & Energy Conservation Group held on Tuesday 27 October 2009

 

Further Recycling Initiatives

 

Members considered whether there were any additional sites within the town that would benefit from having a recycling facility. It was discussed that when the Gorsey Brigg car parking site is finalised, then North East Derbyshire District be requested to place recycling amenities on that site.

The tidiness of some sites was discussed with the Sports Centre site being highlighted as one of the sites that suffer a problem because residents keep on placing plastic bags by the side of the bins when there is sufficient room in the bins if people would use both sides.

 

115/09-10     RESOLVED

That the Town Clerk arranges to meet the appropriate officer at North East Derbyshire District Council to visit all the sites to see what improvements could be made by simple remedies.

 

Energy Conservation Initiatives

 

Members were informed that an application had been made for grant aid to fund an energy audit as notified at the last meeting but no news was yet forthcoming on whether the Council has been awarded the grant. It was agreed that the Town Clerk would pursue this matter with the Community Sustainable Energy Programme to expedite matters and would contact Derbyshire Association Local Councils to ascertain whether any other local Councils in Derbyshire had been successful in their grant applications. The group was informed that Sheffield Hallam University were carrying out studies regarding renewable energy sources and various forms of combined heat and power schemes and it was agreed that this Council be kept in the loop by NEDDC when those studies are completed.  Members once again discussed the possibility of solar powered systems for use at the Civic Hall.

116/09-10     RESOLVED

 

That the Town Clerk would investigate this matter further and obtain further information regarding costs, the payback period and whether a battery storage facility is available on a scale large enough to provide electricity for lighting and other power sources.

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of September 2009 in the amount of £94,582.71 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.

 

117/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments in the amount of £94,582.71 for the month of September 2009 be received and noted for information.

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of September 2009 in the amount of £399,350.49 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.

 

118/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £399,350.49 for the month of September 2009 be received and noted for information.