MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DRONFIELD CIVIC HALL,

CIVIC CENTRE, DRONFIELD ON MONDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2010

 

Present

 

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

 

Public Forum on Planning Matters

 

No items were raised.

 

Public Forum on General Matters

 

Councillor Doug Oxspring announced that the town of Dronfield had achieved FairTrade status and could now be proud to be identified as a FairTrade Town. He gave a brief outline of how the steering group had been formed and how local residents and businesses had been encouraged to embrace the concept of Fairtrade by using and selling Fairtrade goods. Due to all the hard work done by the steering group in promoting Fairtrade, it had been announced that Dronfield had achieved Fairtrade Town status and was now entitled to use the Fairtrade logo on the Council’s notepaper and website.

 

Jodie Thorp then read out a letter from the Fairtrade Foundation advising of the town’s success in achieving Fairtrade status and thanked members of the Council for the help and support offered to the steering group during the application stages. Fairtrade fortnight will be taking place shortly with events and displays being held in the town to promote the principle of Fairtrade and encouraging the local populace to embrace Fairtrade products. It was emphasised that the more people who ask for Fairtrade products, the more likely it will become for shops will stock them.

 

Two young residents of the town, George Brown and Ashley Scaife addressed the meeting and requested the Council to once again consider the building of a skateboard park in the town. They said that they had to use footpaths and walkways which were dangerous to use and could be dangerous to other pedestrians using the footpaths. If a skateboard park was built in Sindelfingen Park, then older skateboarders could help and train the younger users. It was reported that several sites had been investigated by members but no suitable site had been found that would meet everybody’s needs. There may be the possibility of a further site becoming available but this would need to be considered by the Properties Working Group and if suitable, public consultation would then take place once again before funding sources could be approached.

 

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 Gregory both declared a personal interest concerning an item in Appendix 5 (Notes of the Awards Panel) regarding a recommended award to Dronfield & District Scouts Council and Dronfield Round Walks Society and stated that they would not discuss or vote on this matter.

 

164/09-10        RESOLVED    

 

That this report be received and noted and that the declarations of personal interest by Councillor S Temple and Councillor Gregory be received and noted.

 

Apologies

 

165/09-10        RESOLVED

 

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

 

Councillor I Pryce                     (Illness)

           

Youth Matters

 

The matter of the provision of a skateboard park, which had been raised by the two young residents in the public forum, was considered and it was reported that a further possible site may become available. 

 

166/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That the request by George Brown and Ashley Scaife be received and noted and that the Council’s appreciation of their public spirited comments be recorded.

 

Police Matters

 

Members considered the crime statistics that had been circulated at the meeting but as there was no police presence, no further information could be gleaned about the figures. The statistics seemed to have reverted to the older style whereby a description of the crimes was not easily understood and members complained that there was no consistency in the reporting of the crime figures. It was suggested that PCSO Lee could perhaps attend meetings to enlighten members about various police matters but this would require the consent of his superior officers.

 

167/09-10        RESOLVED

 

·       That this report be received and noted.

 

·       That the Town Clerk extracts the local crime figures from the police website and circulates them with the agenda for future meetings.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 4 January 2010 (Pages 79-90).

168/09-10        RESOLVED 

 

That with an amendment to Minute 159/09-10 adding that Councillor Mrs Smith also wished her vote against item (b) to be recorded, then the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 4 January 2010 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 09/01114/FLH: Construction of a detached  house on former garage site (Conservation Area/Affecting Setting of a Listed Building) at Land and Buildings between 1 and 5 Princess Road Dronfield by Mr R Ward.

 

169/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That the application be objected to until a site visit by members of NEDDC’s Planning Committee has inspected the site prior to making a decision. The Council also expressed serious concerns about the development being close to the nearby school entrance as parking is already a major problem on this road and access to this site would exacerbate the parking problems.  Members were also concerned that this piece of land is extremely narrow and that there is no provision for off street parking for the proposed dwelling.

 

Reference 09/01053/FLH: Erection of a conservatory to side and creation of a new vehicular access and driveway. At 43 Gosforth lane, Dronfield by Mt R Akitt.

 

170/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That the application be objected to until a site visit by members of NEDDC’s Planning Committee has inspected the site prior to making a decision. The Council expressed serious concerns about the creation of the new driveway which could lead to increased traffic danger at this junction.

 

Reference 09/00969/FL: Construction of a detached two story house with integral garage on vacant land adjacent to Aston End House. Reformation of existing entrance and gates (access to highway unaffected). Removal of several low grade trees. (Conservation Area)(Affecting Setting of a Listed Building)(Amended Plans) at Cross Lane, Coal Aston by Mr N Moxon.

 

171/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That the Council’s previous objections in December 2009 be re-affirmed and those objections included: The “reformed” access onto Green Lane has not been used for many years and would lead to traffic dangers on the brow of the highway which is already considered to be dangerous. The proposal is over development of the conservation area and is not in keeping with the existing street scene. The Council also requested that no decisions are taken regarding this application until a site visit by the planning committee has taken place and that the application is discussed by the full planning committee.

 

Planning Decisions

 

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

 

 172/09-10       RESOLVED      That this report be received and noted.

 

Town Clerks Report

 

1.         Outside Services

 

It was reported to members that the Outside Services staff had been kept busy doing their usual tasks throughout the town. Due to the inclement weather after Christmas, the lights and illuminations were not dismantled until well into January as health and safety demands meant that it was unsafe for workmen to use the cherry picker and assorted climbing aids due to the icy surfaces. All the grit bins had been filled for the next bout of wintry conditions and following members’ comments at the last meeting of Council, the website was updated daily informing residents about supplies of salt and how it was being apportioned on a strict rota so that no area got more than any other. Many requests for additional grit bins have been received during the past few weeks and all these requests have been added to the list which now numbers more than 20. A major bout of vandalism and criminal damage to bus shelters had taken place on Sunday night (24 January) when all the glass panels in 7 bus shelters were smashed. It was reported that a gang of youths were rampaging through the town because the damage was so wide spread from Cemetery Road to Oakhill Road and points in between. The police have been notified of these acts of mindless vandalism. The likely cost to the local Council tax payers will be in excess of £5,000.

 

173/09-10     RESOLVED

 

·      That this report be received and noted.

 

·      That the feasibility of using polycarbonate sheets rather than glass panels in bus shelters be investigated.

 

2.         Dronfield Town Twinning Federation

 

Correspondence was circulated to members advising that the Twinning Federation will be hosting a Quiz Night on Friday 12 March 2010 asking if the Town Council wished to enter a team or teams.

 

174/09-10     RESOLVED

 

·       That this report be received and noted.

 

·       That the Town Twinning Federation be advised that the Town Council will enter two teams in the Quiz Night comprising of Councillors Graham Baxter, John McGrory, Wendy Temple, Frank Higgins, Richard Bull, Doug Oxspring. Alan Memmott plus the Town Clerk.

 

3.                  Artificial Skating Rink

 

Members considered the feasibility of providing an artificial ice skating rink that could be used by the residents of the town at various times throughout the year. These artificial rinks are available for hire for differing lengths of time and come in a range of sizes with the most appropriate being 12 metres X 12 metres which would cater for up to 50 skaters being on the “ice” at any one time. The hiring company usually arranges for the installation of the rink complete with safety barriers etc and supplies a stock of different size skates for the users. Rinks can be installed indoors or outdoors but require a flat level hard standing area. Members suggested that it could possibly be considered for the Christmas Lights switch on ceremony and could perhaps involve a Victorian Market. The Feast of Flowers Festival was another suggestion that could be considered. 

 

174/09-10     RESOLVED

 

·       That this report be received and noted.

 

·       That the Town Clerk make further enquiries regarding availability and costs and present a report to the next meeting of this Council.

 

4.                  Completion of the Annual Audit

 

Members were informed that notification by the Audit Commission has been received advising that the completion of the annual audit for year ending 31 March 2009 has now been completed and that the certified Annual Return has been signed off. Section 3 of the Annual Return is the External Auditors Certificate and Opinion in which three points for consideration were mentioned but have been addressed as part of the normal procedures of this Council.

 

175/09-10     RESOLVED

 

·       That this report be received and noted.

 

·       That the Certified Annual Return incorporating the external auditor’s certificate and opinion be received and noted and that the conclusion of audit notice and the annual return be posted in a prominent position within the town for at least 14 days.

 

5.                  Publications Received

 

Members considered a schedule of publications that have been received and are available at the Town Council Offices for perusal.

 

176/09-10     RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted.

 

Working Groups of the Council

 

Members considered the notes of the following working groups of the Council:

 

Notes of the Properties Working Group, held on 20 January 2010 in the Upstairs meeting Room of Dronfield Civic Hall

 

Tennis Club Proposals

 

Members welcomed Jack Ranson and his father to the meeting. It was Jack who had originally written in requesting the Council to consider setting up a formal tennis club in the town. Jack, who is a Year 10 scholar at The Fanshawe School, explained that there used to be a tennis club in Dronfield based at The Avenue and he knew a lot of young people in the town who would be interested in playing more tennis and helping to form a club. Following a short survey at his school, he considered that 30/40 of his school peers go to tennis courses at Graves Park and 169 pupils in Years 7 to 11 have signed his petition to have better tennis facilities in the town.

 

Paul Sheard and Steve Amos (both fully qualified tennis coaches with Derbyshire LTA) then addressed the meeting and stated that they wished to offer formal tennis training to groups of young people throughout the playing season. It was envisaged that this would take place in Cliffe Park every Saturday morning from 9.30am to 1.00 pm and the lessons would be geared to age/ability groups, using specific equipment for each ability group. The cost would be in the region of £4 per session but there would be some flexibility in the pricing structure. It was considered that these tennis lessons could be an ideal opportunity to establish a tennis club in the town and it would be necessary to form a steering group to bring together all interested parties. It was suggested that Paul Sheard, Ray Ranson (former YLTA Development Officer) Paul and Jack Ranson together with other local enthusiasts could call a public meeting and then define what would be required to set up a club with rules and regulations etc.

 

177/09-10     RESOLVED

 

·       That Standing Orders be suspended and that Jack Ranson be invited to address members of Council, explaining why he had initially written in to the Council requesting the setting up of a formal tennis club in the town.   

 

·       That the Council should record its appreciation to Jack Ranson thanking him for the initiative shown in bringing this matter to the attention of members.

 

·       That Paul Sheard and Steve Amos of Derbyshire LTA be granted permission to use the three tennis courts in Cliffe Park on Saturday mornings throughout the summer playing period to offer tennis lessons to local residents.

 

·       That Dronfield Town Council facilitate a public meeting to establish a steering group that would investigate the feasibility of forming a formal tennis club in the town.

 

Sindelfingen Park:  Play Area

 

Members considered this matter again following the comments made at a recent Council meeting. It has become apparent that the Council wished to retain as much of the grassed area as possible but also wished to offer the children a drier cleaner surface on which to access the equipment. Consultations have taken place with professional firms with expertise in land drainage and the option of laying perforated land drains in ditches leading to a large soak away area would not be ideal due to the location and siting of the new play equipment. A further option to help alleviate the water retention at this location would be to verti-drain the whole area surrounding the play equipment. This method involves drilling a series of 50mm holes in the existing grassed area and then filling the holes with fine grit sand to allow the soil to drain and to de-compact the underlying soil base. The estimated cost of verti-draining the surrounding area to the play equipment would be in the region of £2,000. Members also considered that two short footpaths be constructed from the main path to the first of the play equipment by to be carried out by in house staff.

178/09-10     RESOLVED

 

·       That this report be received and noted.

 

·       That Lightwood Landscapes be contracted to carry out the verti-draining of the grassed area adjacent to the new play equipment in Sindelfingen Park at the contractual long term agreed rate.

 

·       That Dronfield Council staff install two short footpaths between the existing footpath and the play equipment utilising wooden kerb edging and suitable hard surfacing.

 

Skateboard Park Proposals

 

Members were reminded that alternative sites had been considered since the decision not to proceed with the proposals in Cliffe Park had been made. Councillor Mrs Wendy Temple confirmed that the police service had expressed serious concerns about the proposal to use part of the Nature Reserve on Chesterfield Road for this purpose as it was adjacent to the rail line and was in an isolated part of the town with youngsters having to cross a main road to access the site. Members were informed however that a local resident may be able to offer a further alternative location.  It was agreed that when the resident notifies the Town Clerk of the offer, a site visit should be arranged with members of this working group and the skateboard park steering group to assess the potential.

 

179/09-10     RESOLVED

 

That this report be received and noted.

 

Notes of a Meeting of the Awards Panel held on 25 January 2010, in the Upstairs Meeting Room of Dronfield Civic Hall

 

Members considered a schedule of four applications from various local organisations and the first matter to be considered was whether applicants met the Councils agreed criteria for grant aid under Section 137. It was agreed that all the applications met the Councils criteria and were then considered.

 

180/09-10     RESOLVED

 

·       That Dronfield District Scout Council be awarded a grant of £300 under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 towards the cost of tree management.

·       That Coal Aston Cricket Club be awarded a grant of £250 under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 towards the cost of improvements to equipment at the ground.

·       That Dronfield 2000 Rotary Walks Society be awarded a grant of £350.00 under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 towards the cost of installing metro signs along the network.

·       That Dronfield Pastimes Disabled Group be granted free use of Gosforth Lodge for four hours per week to hold their meetings, commencing 1 April 2010, for a period of 12 months and that they be advised to apply again in twelve months time.          

 

 

 

Notes of the Recycling/Energy Conservation Working Group : held on Monday 25 January 2010; in the Upstairs Meeting Room of Dronfield Civic Hall

 

Additional  Recycling Initiatives

 

Members agreed that when the Gorsey Brigg car parking site is approved and finalised, then NEDDC be requested to place recycling amenities on that site which should include as a priority, a large plastic recycling facility. The tidiness of the Sports Centre site was discussed as being one of the sites that suffers 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. Members were informed that a site meeting had taken place with the appropriate officer at NEDDC and it had been agreed that Dronfield Town Council would provide improved access to the rear of the large plastic recycling bin at the Sports Centre by installing paving slabs along the back length of the bins so that residents do not need to walk on muddy, sloping ground to use the facility.

 

181/09-10     RESOLVED

 

That this report be received and noted.

Energy Conservation Initiatives

 

Members were informed that investigations and research was ongoing to determine the most appropriate form of technology for energy generation and/or conservation and that of all the technologies that are available for grant aid, it was agreed that the Council should consider Solar Photovoltaic Panels and Heat Pumps as the preferred methods. Members were also appraised of the grants that are available and the methods of applying for such grants.

 

182/09-10     RESOLVED

 

·       That this report be received and noted.

 

·       That quotations be sought for a comprehensive energy audit of the Civic Hall and Gosforth Lodge/Cliffe Park by installers on the Government’s approved list of installers and if appropriate, the installation of Solar Photovoltaic Panels and Heat Pumps to produce sufficient electricity to operate the equipment and provide heating for the Civic Hall and offices and the Community Hall and buildings in Cliffe Park.

 

·       That the audit should offer a comparison between installing more panels/heating pumps than is necessary for the premises in question in order to sell back surplus energy or to install just the correct amount of technology to produce what is needed. Scales of economy may well apply given the total area of the south facing roof at both the Civic Hall and Gosforth Lodge. 

 

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of December 2009 in the amount of £83,761.94 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.

 

183/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments in the amount of £83,761.94 for the month of December 2009 be received and noted for information.

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of December 2009 in the amount of £14,003.03 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.

 

184/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £14,003.03 for the month of December 2009 be received and noted for information.