1 STAVELEY COMMUNITY FORUM Meeting held on Thursday, 25th November 2010 at the Stables, Staveley Hall Present Representing Chesterfield Borough Council Councillor Vicky Lang (Chair) Councillor Chris Ludlow Councillor Paul Mann Councillor Jim McManus Councillor Don Parsons Councillor Mick Bagshaw Donna Reddish Lead Officer Mary Stead Support Officer Representing Derbyshire County Council Councillor John Williams Councillor David Stone Brenda Towse Children s Services District Manager Andrea Bond Democratic Services Representing Derbyshire Constabulary Sergeant Jim McGrogan Representing Staveley Town Council Graeme Challands Town Clerk and Chief Finance Officer Co-opted Members Councillor Barry Dyke (Staveley Town Council) John Morehen Rita Packwood Mary White Approximately 15 members of the public 0046 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL INTEREST BY MEMBERS RELATING TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA No declarations were received.
2 0047 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE No apologies had been received. 0048 DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL CHILDREN S CENTRES Barbara Towse, District Manager, Services for Children aged 0-11, presented a report on Children s Centres run by Derbyshire County Council. They had developed from the Surestart initiative, and there were now 8 in the Chesterfield area, including one at the Parish Rooms at 47 High Street, Staveley. Because some families had experienced difficulties accessing these centres, additional ones were provided in 15 other venues, including several around Staveley, at Mastin Moor, Woodthorpe, Barrow Hill and Poolsbrook, in schools or church halls. Services were provided for children up to the age of 5, and in some cases, up to the age of 11. Support was also provided for families, advising parents on problems of domestic violence, isolation and children s behaviour. Families could be referred to health visitors and schools, or could become involved in outreach and group work. A leaflet was distributed giving contact details, and advice on how to access services including childcare, family support, health and Jobcentre Plus. The intention was to provide good quality services, available to all children and their families and also specialised services for families with disabled children, teenage parents and fathers who felt excluded from childcare. The service provided positive role models and volunteering opportunities that could become a route into employment, reducing isolation. Each Children s Centre had an advisory group responding to local needs. The centres also supported other related activities, including the Be There project, and Change My Story, led by the Read On Write Away (ROWA) group. Staff worked with voluntary organisations and partner agencies to promote engagement. The list of activities available in the Staveley area was extensive, as was the range of venues. There were also activities for grandparents, carers, child-minders and foster-carers. That Brenda Towse be thanked for her presentation. 0049 POLICE LIAISON AND COMMUNITY SAFETY ISSUES Sergeant McGrogan reported on recent incidents and local priorities. The Neighbourhood Community Safety Team had noted a gradual overall increase in crime, although anti-social behaviour had decreased, especially in the Hollingwood and Middlecroft areas.
3 Targeted operations were in progress to limit under-age drinking, the use of mini-mopeds, and anti-social behaviour by groups of youths. The Police were working closely with the Youth Service on the B-Safe campaign. A police operation to confiscate mini-mopeds appeared to have led to an increase in theft of motorcycles and moped, and an increase in other serious acquisitive crime had been noted. A seasonal increase in burglary was expected. Sgt. McGrogan stressed the importance of members of the public reporting any incidents to the Police. He also recommended the use of the Community Messaging Service (Ringmaster). The Police were implementing Operation Rocky, to warn householders who were leaving their curtains open when interior lights were on, and were also advising the public on the best procedure for reducing the success rate of distraction burglars. All callers should make an appointment, and this should be checked with their organisation before admitting them into the house. There had been cases of metal theft, including street furniture and garden furniture, and the Police would welcome any information, including registration numbers of suspected bogus collectors. They were working with other agencies, including the Department of Work and Pensions, Trading Standards and the Environment Agency to target scrap yards looking for stolen goods. The Police were also giving out purse chains, because of the high incidence of purse thefts from shoppers, particularly in supermarkets, and they were advising Morrisons management on ways to improve security. He advised all callers to use the non-emergency police phone-number 0345-123123 to report incidents, unless it was an emergency. A member of the public asked a question about a reported delivery scam, but no cases had been reported in the Staveley area. Another member of the public asked whether the Police would welcome support from local vigilante groups, but was told that the Police would deal very seriously with anyone setting up such a group. A question was asked about recent break-ins linked to the Keysafe system, and it was said that this problem had been resolved. Councillor Williams requested action on dangerous parking during Sunday morning football matches, outside the cemetery, near the bridge and on double yellow lines. Sgt. McGrogan explained that parking enforcement was now decriminalised, and was no longer a police responsibility, unless the vehicles caused a traffic hazard or obstructed the highway or footpaths. The Police would investigate the extent of the reported parking problem. People attending football matches were advised to use the three nearby car-parks.
4 Councillor Dyke asked for the car park on Inkersall Road to be made more visible by clearing shrubbery around it. Councillors Stone, McManus and Mann reported on parking problems they had observed, where pavements were blocked. A member of the public using a mobility scooter asked whom she should contact when her route along the pavement was blocked by a parked vehicle, because to her this could be an emergency, especially in cold weather. Sgt McGrogan stressed the importance of flexibility in parking control, and of education for the public, to avoid parking problems occurring before the need for enforcement was reached. Police Community Support Officers already undertook many of these tasks, including reminding car owners to lock their doors when leaving their car parked. 0050 HIGHWAYS UPDATE AND DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL ISSUES A written update was provided on the following matters: - a request for traffic control measures at the junction of Inkersall Green and Inkersall Roads - measures to reduce speeding on Elliott Drive - parking problems at Inkersall Road, Staveley near the Chantrey Recreation Ground and Cemetery - Police representation at Community Forum meetings - a request for a filter on traffic lights at a junction near Norbriggs School - a request for a bus shelter on Eckington Road at Hartington - a request for an improved bus service to the Hartington estate - a request for double white lines on Eckington Road bridge - other matters raised by a member of the public. That the reports be noted. 0051 OPEN SESSION Restoration of Chesterfield Canal The Chair referred to a petition being circulated in the community, requesting the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to reverse its decision on funding the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal. The petition stated that the HLF believed that there was no local support for the restoration of the canal.
5 Councillor Williams advised caution until the full details of the application to restore the Staveley-Killamarsh section of the Canal were known, in case it was an attempt to extract coal by open-cast methods. Staveley Town Council was aware of the petition and supported the Canal Society s action to persuade the HLF that there was local support for the canal restoration. They agreed to publicise the Forum s support for the restoration of the Canal. Wheeled Bins on Edensor Court/Wensley Way Councillor Dyke reported that there were no wheeled bins on Edensor Court of Wensley Way, and asked local Borough councillors to find out the reason for that. Request for a seat at Fan Road bus stop A seat near a bus stop on Fan Road, where there used to be a bus shelter, was requested. Councillor Stone had been informed that Derbyshire County Council had removed the former bus shelter because of its poor condition. Reports of overflowing sewage It was reported that there was sewage overflowing near Netherthorpe School, into the Doe Lea. This report should be passed on to the Environment Agency. Another report was received of raw sewage flowing from a temporarily repaired sewer on Troughbrook Road. There were concerns that new house-building would increase the pressure on the existing sewers in the area. The Forum requested further information about both problems and suggested that speakers be invited to attend the Forum from Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency. Reported cracks in Doe Lea bridge A crack was reported in the Doe Lea bridge, where the A619 crossed the river. (1) That Staveley Community Forum supported the funding application being made to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal between Staveley and Killamarsh. (2) That Borough councillors be asked to report on the reasons for the absence of wheeled bins on Wensley Way and Edensor Court. (3) That a seat near the bus stop on Fan Road be requested.
6 (4) That Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency be invited to send speakers to future meetings of the Staveley Community Forum. (5) That Derbyshire County Council be requested to inspect the reported crack on Doe Lea bridge. 0052 FORUM STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN REPORT BACK FROM SUB-GROUPS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS Sub-Groups Youth Forum It was reported that the Youth Forum would be meeting at Staveley Hall, to use the Council Chamber there. The head-teacher of Norbriggs Primary School would contact other head-teachers to make the necessary arrangements, and would liaise with Staveley Town Council to find a suitable date in the New Year. Planning Sub Group A question was asked about the provision of sleeping accommodation for homeless people in mobile units near Troughbrook House. Councillor Mann reported that a local church had been investigating the possibilities of providing extra sleeping accommodation near the existing hostel, but had decided against the idea. Community Groups Staveley Senior Forum Staveley Senior Forum had heard a speaker from Telecare about the service they provide for elderly and disabled people. Information on this service had been displayed at Staveley Centre. The Senior Forum requested that Derbyshire County Council took action to make the crossroads at Inkersall safer for elderly people, but it had been said that there were too few serious accidents at that location to make it a priority. Members of the Forum were asked to report all accidents, however minor, so that a true record of the safety of the junction would be available to the County Council. Staveley Forward Staveley Forward had not met since the last Forum meeting, but would be meeting on 26th November, 2010 at 10.00 at the Healthy Living Centre. That the reports be noted.
7 0053 COMMUNITY FORUM BUDGET Budget Statement The position on the Forum s budget was reported for information. Application for Funding Heart of Staveley Project Councillors Mann, Ludlow and Bagshaw all declared an interest, as members of Staveley Town Council, and did not vote on the application. Graeme Challands provided further details on the written application from Staveley Town Council for 750 as match funding needed to secure funds to prepare a Round 2 funding application for 750,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other sources. An exhibition on the Heart of Staveley Project had been on display in Staveley as part of public consultation on the plans. It was described as a community flagship project. The project would include a community room, and a café, as well as a green events arena, and the restoration of the walled garden at Staveley Hall. A community archaeology day had been held, unearthing Saxon remains and seventeenth century garden steps. It was believed that the walled garden was of national historical significance, having been mentioned by Culpeper in the 1680s. Discussion centred on the future location of Staveley Town Council, which could relocate to the Stables, but there were concerns that the room being used for the Forum meetings would become unavailable for community use. It was also hoped that the café would be available for young people, so that they had somewhere to meet in Staveley, in co-operation with the Youth Service staff. Staveley Town Council was contributing to the project from a precept, but by applying for grants it would be bringing additional funds into Staveley from external sources. Information was supplied on the covenant covering the use of Staveley Hall, which included restrictions on noise and opening hours which would prevent it being used as a pub or a club, but would allow its use as a wedding venue, for example. The Forum suggested that any future use should be sustainable. Memorial Bench An example of a stone memorial bench was circulated for comments. There were concerns that it should be compatible with other nearby seating, and an alternative proposal, to use a bench made from recycled plastic, was considered. The ease of cleaning graffiti off stone was also discussed.
8 Advice on location within the Garden of Remembrance had been given by Borough Council staff. A stone bench was chosen, to commemorate two very active co-opted members of the Forum, Peter Stearn and Shirley Flint. Bus shelter with seating It was suggested that enquiries should be made, to determine whether the Forum could fund a bus shelter with seating, if it could not be provided by other means. Councillor Stone would be asked whether he could contribute towards the cost from his Community Leadership funding. Inkersall Primary School eco bin A letter of thanks had been received from Inkersall Primary School Eco Club for a bin acquired with funding from the Forum. (1) That the Budget position be noted. (2) That 750 be committed to be used as match funding by Staveley Town Council for the Heart of Staveley Project. (3) That a stone memorial bench be acquired to commemorate Peter Stearn and Shirley Flint, to be located in the Garden of Remembrance. (4) That the Forum would fund a bus shelter with seating. 0054 PROGRESS REPORT ON THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION The Progress Report provided information on: - Staveley Junior Forum - reported air pollution from Brett Martin Building Products Ltd. Information was provided on: - Census job opportunities - Work for Yourself training opportunities - Healthy Places Award - Derbyshire Fire Service safety advice, and information on priorities - CHART LSP Annual Conference. That the reports be noted.
9 0055 COUNCIL TAX CONSULTATION NOMINATIONS Nominations were requested for Forum representatives to attend two consultation meetings on Council Tax, to be held on 1st December, 2010 and 13th January, 2011. No nominations to represent the Forum at these consultation meetings were received. 0056 CONSULTATION ON EXECUTIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE BOROUGH COUNCIL The Lead Officer presented a report outlining two alternative forms of executive arrangement, either a Leader and Cabinet Executive (Option 1) or an elected Mayor and Cabinet Executive (Option 2). Examples of elected mayors were considered. Concern was expressed about the need for local government to be openly democratic. The value of a civic mayor to the community, in a non-political role, was also affirmed. The Forum was concerned about the cost of new mayoral elections and about the remuneration likely to be paid to an elected mayor. That Option 1 be supported by the Forum. 0057 STREETSCENE IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOCUS GROUP The Forum had been invited to send a representative to attend a focus group for stakeholders, to discuss improvements in standards of local environmental quality, including street cleanliness and grass cutting. Further information was required, to enable any nominee to understand how much time would be involved, in the hope that a representative could be found to attend the workshop. POST MEETING NOTE: Eric Brooks agreed to represent the Forum at the Streetscene workshop 0058 CHESTERFIELD BOROUGH COUNCIL PETITIONS SCHEME Information was provided on the provision being made by the Borough Council for receiving and acting upon paper petitions and e-petitions. That the report be noted. 0059 TRANSPORT USERS ADVISORY GROUP Nominations were sought for a representative to attend the quarterly meetings
10 of the Transport Users Advisory Group on behalf of the Forum. AGREED That Sid Barnett would be the Staveley Forum representative on the Transport Users Advisory Group. 0060 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING Subject to the addition of Rita Packwood s name to the apologies the Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd September, 2010 were agreed to be a true record. 0061 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES Minute No. 0035 Matters arising on the Minutes of the meeting held on 15th July, 2010 Hollingwood Residents Association requested that the spending of Section 106 funds in Hollingwood be investigated, so that a report could be made to the Forum. Meetings had already been held with Members of Council and with the Police to discuss the development of parkland by the railway club. Heating Cards Councillor Dyke reported that Staveley Town Council had written to Chesterfield Borough Council suggesting that heating cards be sold in the Healthy Living Centre because it was open later at night than the Housing Office, and so would be more accessible to more people. That a progress report be made on these matters at the next Forum meeting. 0062 DATES AND VENUES OF THE NEXT MEETINGS The next meting would be held at 7.00 p.m. on Thursday, 27th January, 2011 at The Stables, Staveley Hall. The subsequent meeting would be at 7.00 p.m. on Thursday, 24th March, 2011 in the same venue.