DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DRONFIELD TOWN COUNCIL

HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DRONFIELD CIVIC HALL,

CIVIC CENTRE, DRONFIELD ON MONDAY 1 MARCH 2010

 

Present

 

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

 

Councillor Izzy Pryce:

 

Prior to the meeting, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Simon Temple, paid tribute to Councillor Izzy Pryce who passed away on 18^th February 2010.

 

Izzy had given sterling work to the town and had served on the Town Council for over 20 years, having been elected in 1987 and served continuously until his death two weeks ago. He had also served as the County Councillor for Dronfield South from 1989 until 2009 when his illness precluded him from standing for re-election.

 

His expertise, knowledge and ability had served the town in good stead over the past 20 years and he was particularly interested in the youth groups of the town. He was instrumental in helping to establish the Gosforth Playing Fields Association (now named Sport Dronfield) after the Gosforth School site was closed and the playing fields were leased to the GPF Association on a long term lease from Derbyshire County Council. A glowing tribute had been made to Izzy at a recent Lib Dem conference where he was highly regarded.

 

Councillor Baxter also paid tribute to Izzy and stated that a similar tribute had been accorded to Izzy at the North East Derbyshire District Council meeting held earlier that afternoon.

 

The Council’s condolences were extended to Izzy’s wife Christina, his two sons Simon and Duncan, his step daughter, Samantha and to his three young grandchildren who he had known so briefly but had idolised.

 

Public Forum on Planning Matters

 

No items were raised.

 

Public Forum on General Matters

 

No items were raised.

 

The Town Mayor asked all members of the Council and the general public to stand and respect Izzy’s memory by holding a one minute’s silence as a fitting tribute to a former colleague.

 

The Town Mayor then welcomed Councillor Richard Bembridge to his first meeting of the Council following his election for the South Ward on 4^th February 2010

 

 

 

 

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.

 

185/09-10        RESOLVED    

 

That this report be received and noted.

 

Apologies

 

186/09-10        RESOLVED

 

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

 

Councillor Mrs B Skelton                     (Illness)

           

Youth Matters

 

The Town Mayor stated that he was meeting officers of Sheffield City Council shortly and may be bringing some suggestions for consideration to a future meeting.

 

187/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That this report be received and noted.

 

Police Matters

 

No member of the police service was in attendance but members raised several points of concern. It was reported that several incidents of shop windows being broken in the town centre had taken place over the past few weekends but no culprits had been caught by the police. It was suggested that this matter be raised at the next community partnership and that this area be upgraded to one of the priority areas identified by the Safer Neighbourhoods Team. It was emphasised that residents should report all incidents of vandalism and criminal damage and ask for a crime number in order for these types of crime to be recorded and it may well then transpire that greater priority is given if the crime numbers are seen to be increasing. Members then expressed concern about the incidents whereby young horse riders were encroaching on pavements and grass verges adjacent to the pavement and causing fright to pedestrians. Members were aware that this is a criminal offence and that the police should take a more pro active approach in stopping these incidents.

 

188/09-10        RESOLVED

 

·       That this report be received and noted.

 

·       That the Town Clerk and local police service draft a joint letter to be sent to all local riding schools and stables pointing out that a crime is being committed by riders using the pavements and local parks for the purpose of horse riding.

 

Council Minutes

 

Members considered the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on Monday 1 February 2010 (Pages 91-103).

 

189/09-10        RESOLVED 

 

That with an amendment on Page 91 replacing Jodie Foster with Jodie Thorpe and an amendment to Minute 165/09-10 adding that Councillor Graham Gregory had also declared a personal interest regarding Appendix 5 ( Notes of the Awards Panel), then the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Dronfield Town Council held on 1 February 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 10/00121/FLH: Construction of a two storey side and single storey rear extensions with alterations to roof to provide first floor living accommodation. at 51 Hallowes Lane, Dronfield for Mr & Mrs Younger.

 

190/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That this application be objected to due to the size of this proposal that seeks to increase the footprint by more than 50%, members considered that this could be construed as overdevelopment that could seriously affect the street-scene and cause nuisance to neighbouring properties and that this Council also request 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.

 

Reference 10/00047/FLH: Construction of a four bed roomed detached house at land to the rear of 10 -20 Dale Road and to the rear of 83 – 85 Hallowes Lane by Silkstone Developments Ltd.

 

191/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That this application be objected to due to it being back-land development which utilises land currently used as garden amenity and could cause problems to neighbouring properties and that 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.

 

Reference 10/00098/FL: Construction of a 1 no. 5 bedroom house with integral garage and construction of 2 no. 4 bedroom detached houses with attached garages accessed off extended private driveway on land to the rear at 213 Holmely Lane by Thorpe Builders.

 

192/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That as members were aware that this application had recently been considered by NEDDC planning committee, concerns/ conditions had been expressed regarding the height of the houses on the development. It was also resolved that this application be objected to until a site visit has been convened to ensure that the height issues have been resolved to the full satisfaction of planning officers.

Reference 09/00993/FL: Construction of a five detached two storey houses on land to the rear of 14-22 Green Lane and  4 -16 Park Avenue, Dronfield  by Mr A Ponsford.

 

193/09-10        RESOLVED

 

·                That this application be once again formally objected to on the following grounds:

·                The proposal is back-land development that would lead to a major loss of privacy and amenity for many affected neighbouring properties and that the access/egress from Park Avenue (a private road) would lead to traffic and pedestrian hazards at the narrow junction with Green Lane which is directly opposite the entrance to Henry Fanshaw School.

·                That there is an abundance of wildlife in this area that uses the trees that are proposed to be felled.

·                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.

 

Reference 10/00159/FL: Conversion of existing dwelling house into two detached 4 bedroom houses with associated access and car parking at The Orchard House, Green Lane by Mr P Turner.

 

194/09-10        RESOLVED

 

·                That this application be objected to on the following grounds:

·                That the proposal could be construed as being overdevelopment that may utilise current garden amenity and serious concerns were expressed about the access/egress to the proposed houses.

·                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.

 

 195/09-10       RESOLVED      That this report be received and noted.

 

Town Clerks Report

 

Outside Services

 

Members were informed that Outside Services staff have continued to ensure that all the grit bins have been refilled during the recent bout of wintry conditions. Remedial work to areas of Cliffe Park and decorating of Gosforth Lodge had almost been completed. The paving surrounding the recycling bins in the Civic Centre will be completed over the next two weeks depending on weather conditions. Following the recent spate of vandalism to the glass bus shelters in the town, investigations were undertaken to seek a suitable alternative to the full length glass panels at most of the bus shelters. The experimental solution at North Wingfield where the glass panels were replaced with “see through” steel mesh panels was examined but there appears to be a problem with the galvanising and the steel mesh quickly rusts and has to be continually re-sprayed. Some Chesterfield Borough shelters have been modified by the installation of rigid   polycarbonate panels (painted in the same colour as the steel supports) to the lower half of the shelter which is affixed in a high visibility steel support around the middle of the shelter which effectively reduces the size of the glass panels by 50% and offers much more stability to the structure. Four of the shelters damaged in the recent spate of vandalism will now be repaired and modified to this standard and monitored for damage costs. The overall cost of this modification is about the same cost as replacing the full length safety glass panels.

 

196/09-10     RESOLVED

 

·      That this report be received and noted.

 

·      That a letter, signed by all three political leaders be sent to the Strategic Director of Environmental Services at Derbyshire County Council informing him of the perilous state of the roads in the centre of Dronfield due to deep potholes appearing and requesting that repairs to the top wearing course be carried out as a matter of urgency. The letter to be copied to both County Councillors for the town.

 

Artificial Skating Rink

 

Members considered this matter at the last meeting and it was suggested that such a facility may be feasible for one day during the Dronfield Feast at the end of June. It was resolved that further details be sought for the cost of providing an artificial ice skating rink for one day and a quotation was sought for Saturday 26 June 2010. The exact location will need to be decided as the rink must be on a level hard standing surface with an electrical supply provided. A quotation was sought from “Get Ya Skates On” who have offered a price of £1,360 The hire package includes a 12m X 12m rink with barriers, 108 ice skates in all sizes, on site skate maintenance, distribution point, rubber matting and seating, a disabled skate chair if requested, FOUR trained ice rink staff, 1 first aid in the workplace trained staff, at least 1 rink marshal, £10 million of public liability insurance cover, full risk assessment and method statement, small PA system, snow machine and a maximum of 8 operational hours per day of the hire.

 

197/09-10     RESOLVED

 

·       That this report be received and noted.

 

·       That quotations for a larger rink be sought and that the Leader of the Council and the Town Clerk liaise to create an action plan that could encompass the holding of a Victorian Market and an artificial ice rink amenity to be held as part of the switch on of the Christmas illuminations. The action plan should also consider the question of sponsorship and how best to achieve it and then the plan be brought to a future meeting of the Council

 

Dronfield Tree Warden

 

Members considered correspondence from Jim Barden informing of his resignation as tree warden for Dronfield. Jim has held the post since 1997 and was responsible for planting many new trees between 1997 and 2002 after being trained in tree management by NEDDC. Many of the trees planted by Jim over the years are now adding to the environmental benefits as they slowly grow to maturity.

 

 

 

198/09-10     RESOLVED

 

·       That this report be received and noted and that a letter detailing this Council’s appreciation be sent to Mr Jim Barden and that his services to the town are duly recorded in the Council Minutes.

 

Leader of the Council: Visit to Palestine

 

The Leader of the Council explained that some months ago, a visit of educationalist from Palestine visited Dronfield as part of a British Council initiative. During the visit to Dronfield, several local schools were visited and the delegation was given a small civic reception in the Council Chamber where they met members and officers of this Council. Following that visit, Councillor Simon Temple had contacted Derby Global Education expressing a wish to join with local schools on a reciprocal visit to Palestine (at his own expense) and this has now been arranged through the British Council. Councillor Temple  addressed the meeting seeking the Council’s approval to represent the town and to seek their blessing in helping to make the world a smaller safer place in which to live.

 

199/09-10     RESOLVED

 

·       That this report be received and noted.

 

·       That the Council welcomed and approved of this initiative by the Leader of the Council and that he should liaise with the Town Clerk to suggest a small civic gift to be presented on his visit

 

Sindelfingen Strassenfest: Civic Party Invitation

 

Members were advised that this year’s Strassenfest in Sindelfingen will take place from 18^th to 20^th June 2010 and the Oberburgermeister has extended his usual kind invitation for the Town Mayor and a civic party of up to 6 people to attend. During this year’s festivities, a girl’s football tournament, involving all the twin towns, will be held and Dronfield Town FC Girls had been invited but unfortunately cannot attend due to so many of the young players being involved in examinations at this time of year. A team of men players may be attending over the weekend but details are not yet finalised. Two years ago, members had resolved that priority should be given to those members who had not previously attended. All members who have never previously attended the Strassenfest weekend have now been given the opportunity to attend. 

 

200/09-10     RESOLVED

 

That the Civic party nominated to attend this year’s Strassenfest in Sindelfingen be comprised of the following members and officers:

 

Councillor P Blackburn and Mrs Blackburn (The Town Mayor and Mayoress elect)

Councillor F Higgins, R Bembridge, G Baxter, Mrs C Smith, J McGrory and the Town Clerk

 

Stonelow Road Play Area: Improvements

 

Members were reminded that following a site visit by the Properties Working Group and after liaising with officers of NEDDC, a successful bid for funding was made to completely refurbish the play area at Stonelow Road. Consultations with user groups were held and a scheme decided upon.  Correspondence has now been received from NEDDC that the improvement works will commence on 1 March and be completed by 21 March (weather permitting). Exercise facilities for older people have not been included in the initial scheme as the funding does not allow for it but will be fitted after the scheme is finished and funded by this Council as part of its matched funding allocation. The total scheme will cost in the region of £60,000 and this Council’s contribution will be £10,000. Sketch plans were attached for information.

 

201/09-10     RESOLVED     That this report be received and noted and that after completion of the scheme, the gates to the play area are repaired such that they can be locked at night to alleviate acts of vandalism.

 

Festival of Leisure: 18^th September 2010

 

Members were informed that correspondence has been received from the Rotary Club of Dronfield informing of the Festival of Leisure to be held on 18 September 2010 at the Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School and asking if the Council would wish to be represented at the event.

 

202/09-10     RESOLVED

 

That this report be received and noted and that the organisers be informed that this Council will participate and stage a small exhibition outlining what this Council does for the community at large. The content of the exhibition to be determined by the leaders of the three political groups.

   

Publications Received

 

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

 

203/09-10     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 Recycling/Energy Conservation Working Group : held on Monday 22 February 2010 in the Upstairs Meeting Room of Dronfield Civic Hall

 

 

Further Recycling Initiatives

 

Members had been advised that the planning application for the Gorsey Brigg development had been refused by the planning committee of North East Derbyshire District Council and it was unlikely that a recycling facility could be installed at that site in the near future. It was agreed that NEDDC be requested to install recycling facilities at the car park site at Dronfield Woodhouse Sports & Social Club on the site of the disused public toilets, which should now be urgently considered for demolition by NEDDC.

 

Members were informed that the proposed paving to the rear of the recycling bins in the Civic Centre would be finalised in the next two weeks, weather permitting. 

 

204/09-10     RESOLVED:  That this report be received and noted.

 

Energy Conservation Initiatives

 

Following the last meeting, Marches Energy Agency was contacted to offer advice and guidance regarding the options available for sustainable energy audit surveys. Members had been appraised of this organisation at a presentation to Council by Andy Wells of NEDDC some months. Both the Civic Hall and Cliffe Park/Gosforth Lodge, as the Council’s two heaviest users of energy were to be included in the survey. It was agreed that the study as quoted at a cost of £1,671 be carried out in April 2010 but that MEA be asked to include a survey of Coal Aston changing rooms to determine if energy cost savings could be achieved at that location which is a heavy user of butane gas for heating and hot water. When the survey is completed, MEA will assist in applying for the relevant grants which are available.

 

205/09-10     RESOLVED:  That this report be received and noted.

Schedule of Payments

 

Members considered a schedule of payments for the month of January 2010 in the amount of £79,404.73 paid from the Council’s No 1 account.

 

206/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of payments in the amount of £79,404.73 for the month of January 2010 be received and noted for information.

 

Schedule of Receipts

 

Members considered a schedule of receipts for the month of January 2010 in the amount of £26,667.49 paid into the Council’s No 2 account.

 

207/09-10        RESOLVED

 

That the schedule of receipts in the amount of £26,667.49 for the month of January 2010 be received and noted for information.

 

At the end of the meeting, the Leader of the Council extended his thanks to Town Council staff and in particular  Pam, Carole, Andy and  Ronnie for the help and assistance afforded in helping to ensure that the service in the Civic Hall remembering Izzy Pryce had been exactly what Christina had wanted.