Town Councillors present: C. Barnes, R. Bickerton, W.I. Brindley, G.M. Doughty, L.E. Dowson, I.S.E. Huddlestone (Chair), L.B. Mycroft, D. Rae.

Chairman Ian Huddlestone began by stating that this is the first meeting to have public questions to the council. Speakers would have 3 minutes each for a period of up to 15 mins. The questions being directed to the council and not specific individuals.

The matter to be spoken on related to traffic problems on Marsh Lane, about which the council had received various letters and a petition. David Goulding spoke on behalf of the 'Marsh Lane Traffic Calming Petitioners'. He said that there had been a constant increase in traffic over the years. 40 mph is no longer a safe speed. The 75 petitioners feel the same. There is particular danger to children - on a personal note his eldest child had had a near miss. 30 mph can kill, but is much better than 40. Drivers speed-up on seeing a 40 mph sign. Marsh Lane is heavily populated and has many adjoining public footpaths. It is not a quiet road. Water runs off fields and causes ice. Speed restrictions and bumps are needed. It is our duty to inform the powers-that-be of this problem.

Cllr Lance Dowson said he had got involved in the matter after a phone call from David Goulding. On one occasion he had gone to the assistance of an old lady lying in Marsh Lane. He had spoken with Police Inspector Pat Walker, who had offered to put more police cars in this area. He would check with DCC regarding mobile speed cameras. He drew attention to a letter from HPBC about a roadside safety-poster campaign. The Director of Environmental Services at Matlock may do a complete survey of the lane. The speed limit of 40 mph could be removed and made 30 mph all through the housing area. The pavement changes sides several times on the lane. The town council need to write to the Director regarding the speed humps, restrictions and other traffic matters.

Cllr Donald Rae commented on the mentioning of Hague Bar by the petitioners. In the past there was an attempt to move the 40 mph limit, but this was not applicable as there are houses on only one side of the road. This rule now seems to have been changed. There is nothing to stop the whole of Marsh Lane being 30 mph, though 20 mph would be better.

Marsh Lane resident George Carson described his observation of a side-on collision and another head-on - in this case the wagon involved had stopped, but the car was speeding such that it could not stop - it must have been doing 70. So for a change from 40 to 30 mph, that still implies people doing 60. Some sort of physical restriction is needed. Where speed cameras are used, people adhere to the restrictions for only a few weeks. Locals need protecting from this anti-social behaviour. The thoughtless need physically restraining - he joked that shooting would be best! - but bumps would have to do.

Resident Beth Burgess said drivers are oblivious to the dangers at the junction of the Trading Estate on Marsh Lane - a mirror is needed to improve visibility.
Cllr Roy Bickerton replied that DCC were not in favour of roadside mirrors. Many years ago there was an attempt to reduce speed restrictions, but this was thwarted by some crazy rule on the frequency of lampposts. The council should write to DCC with full backing for the petitioners.

A police representative said that DCC will not do anything without counting traffic, which made it a slow process. There is only one camera for the area, so there was little chance of it being on Marsh Lane, but a good case had been made for it there. Pam Cohen said it was not just Marsh Lane residents who are concerned. She and others had experience of bullying drivers who push the pace along this lane. She asked, however, if residents were prepared if the consequences of a traffic analysis were that roadside parking was stopped.

Cllr Lance Dowson added another concern by HPBC tenants groups regarding vehicles over-shooting the edge of the lane and descending on to houses below. Cllr Chris Barnes described the effectiveness of a speed meter between Rowarth and Broadbottom. Regarding queries about cost, Cllr Sir Martin Doughty said the Bridge St traffic humps cost around £30,000. He supported the need for traffic calming humps on Marsh Lane.

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Matter Arising

Police Consultation - Quarterly attendance.
The representing police officer, Sgt Lee Benstead, dealt with a number of questions raised at previous meetings. He said there is a perceived drugs problem in New Mills, which they are tackling with some success - two addresses had been visited in the town and money and drugs recovered. Cllr Roy Bickerton asked if there had been any success with court convictions. The reply was that some were in prison as a result of initiatives, and hopefully there would be more such to come; it all takes time, but they are addressing the problem seriously. Cllr Liam Mycroft asked if 'perceived' meant by the public or police. The police officer replied that as with burglary and criminal damage there is a perceived problem with drugs, but it should not overshadow everything else. Sir Martin agreed that it should not be sensationalised. He added that some are victims of dealers and enquired if there is good liaison with Health. Sgt Benstead said there is good liaison with a scheme at Glossop, which takes a lot of time and effort to set up.

On the matter of CCTV there were two issues, one of additional CCTV coverage in Albion and Church Roads, which is a DCC issue. The other is to do with the use of the CCTV we have - here there is an initiative which he cannot yet talk about, but which should solve drugs problems on the promenade area. Chair Ian Huddlestone asked if there was a problem with picture quality. The reply was that it is a problem at night, but usually the quality is good enough to prosecute with. Roy Bickerton asked it there had been any reduction in crime due to CCTV. The police officer replied that there were fewer gangs on Market St, and they did not appear to be displaced elsewhere. There were now no problems at pub turning-out times. Lance Dowson enquired about two mobile cameras. The answer was that they are not ready yet. Cllr Chris Barnes wanted to know if the police are happy with the cameras, and where they would like to see further cameras. Sgt Benstead declared that they are happy, and any extra cameras should go on Albion/Church Rd.

Regarding burglaries at Hall St and High Lea Rd, between Jan 1st and July 31st 2002 there were 3 burglaries and 2 other thefts at Hall St, and one shed break-in on High Lea Rd. Ian Huddlestone asked if that was a normal level. The police officer said it was fairly normal. One case had been detected, which is about par for the course. There has recently been a spate of burglaries away from New Mills.

Bobbies on the beat - there is currently just one, covering the town centre, though the intention is to have 4. An additional 4-5 officers are promised. One comes on-line in September/October, and will cover the estates. This is dependent on there being no losses - they are currently very short-staffed. Lance Dowson asked if there has been any movement of officers. He is disappointed with the coverage, as 2 officers were promised, and this lasted for less than a week - has there been a change of priorities? The reply was that no officers have been moved, though one has left for Durham. Roy Bickerton remembered it being said that there were 2 officers on long-term sick and two on short-term sick. When will new officers come? The reply was that there are currently none on long-term sick. They are stretched by coverage of Hope Valley. They badly need the extra officers promised, but are uncertain when they will come. Lance asked if Specials could now cover their own locality. The answer was that they can, but there is only one in New Mills and one at Furness Vale. More interest is trying to be raised in Specials.

Chris Barnes asked what the situation is now with New Mills Police Station. The police representative answered that it is still open as always, but officers have moved to Chapel. Chris said New Mills is bigger than Chapel and it is a long way for them to come. Sgt Benstead said that they endeavoured to have crossover times with someone in New Mills. Sir Martin had been concerned about this system from the start, which was to do with the hand-over problem. Could we be assured that policing here has not diminished, as we are a larger town with more problems. The reply was that the policing level is that same as before, there are just less cars at the Police Station. Martin added that the detection rate is the best in the county. The police representative said it is 48%.

Regarding the absence of cones to restrict parking at the One World Festival - this was a communication problem. Roy Bickerton moved that they write to the One World Festival and ask them to liase with the police.

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Car Parking - Chair Ian Huddlestone described a meeting on the 15th July with Gordon Roscoe and Caitlin Bisknell. The consultation process ended on 3rd August. The Council wanted the situation to stay as it is and they would manage the car parks. The meeting had also dealt with town regeneration - Chapel have such a scheme with a Town Manager and a Town Centre Health Check to help regeneration. Gordon Roscoe would push this forward for New Mills and arrange a meeting with the necessary agencies in September.

Liam Mycroft welcomed the initiative, asking if it related to the whole of the town or just the town centre? (- the whole town). It links in with the idea for a Town Local Plan. HPBC can tend to take over, which we don't want. People should decide what they want in wide consultation and Councillors carry it forward. Sir Martin said HPBC do need to be engaged. He welcomed the involvement of Caitlin Bisknell, the Member for Regeneration. Torr Vale Mill is still a big problem. Regarding the car park, the Council should formally write to HPBC stating their wish to keep charges as they are. The town centre has done well under HERS (Heritage and Environment Regeneration Scheme). The shopping centre is fragile and this is made worse by the opening of Tesco and Sainsburys nearby. Torr Vale Mill requires the involvement of both HPBC and DCC. Martin asked if the parking petition in the shops has gone off. Ian said it was due to go this week.

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Regarding the Millennium Walkway, 3 signs are to be placed requesting people keep off the rock face. A bicycle still needs recovering from there.

There are no quotes yet from Hope Valley Rail and are also waiting for information about the station audit. Martin Doughty said there are problems with there being no platform direction signs; there is a sign for a ticket machine but no machine; and bike racks have been removed due to faulty installation. Roy Bickerton described the absence of toilets at this and Newtown stations as outrageous.

Buxton Opera House have expressed difficulties with accommodating their equipment for proposed performances in the Town Hall. Sir Martin said this scheme operated under grant-aid from HPBC and it was not acceptable that after Glossop they were going to Chapel, which is smaller and nearer to Buxton than is New Mills. Cllr Donald Rae proposed sending a letter to express disappointment to the Opera House and to HPBC.

Requests for grants made previously by the Cricket Club and Kinder Children's Choir have now been supported by balance sheets. Roy Bickerton said the stance has been that they fund town organisations, which is not so for Kinder Children's Choir, though he was in favour of supporting them. Lance Dowson pointed out that many children from New Mills are involved in the choir. Donald Rae said the balance for KCC is substantial, but in view of their involvement with Alsfeld they should be supported. £70 was suggested. The availability of this grant-aid should be publicised, also giving the criteria.

New Mills Festival also had presented an application for financial assistance. Martin Doughty described their ideas as brilliant and they should be given £100. Lance said that the Festival gets better every year.

A survey is still due on the Town Hall windows. Chair Ian Huddlestone described the finding of white asbestos in the ceiling of the stair well to the clock tower. Today an air analysis had been undertaken, and it was clear. But the asbestos panel must be removed. By 2004 an asbestos survey must be done on the entire building. The mop/bucket and hoover are contaminated and need replacing. Work on the flagpole would wait for 2 weeks while the asbestos is removed.

Cllr Roy Bickerton then raised a number of points:
1) He felt it was time for a dedicated meeting with the solicitors regarding the courthouse. Martin Doughty was unsure that a whole meeting was needed for one issue. Roy said it could be tagged on to the next meeting on 27th August (Parks & Leisure). Martin thought they may wish to do something before this. Chair IH said he would read a statement about the courthouse later.
2) Ambulance cover needed following up.
3) He had received no notification of the consultation meeting about the sports development at Ollersett Av. This was remiss of the Council. Martin Doughty questioned whether it was remiss, as Roy is not in that ward and it was minuted in the Parks & Leisure meeting. Lance Dowson said it was a meeting held by the Parks and Leisure sub-committee. Roy said every member should have been notified. Lance reposted that it was only a matter for that sub-committee. Donald Rae said there was no attempt to keep anyone out of it; he was puzzled why Roy did not know of it. Liam Mycroft said it was not deliberate. Roy said that the impression was that it was deliberate. Donald Rae said no one else had that impression.
4) Roy thought the questions to the police could have been by letter, so saving valuable police time. In this case he would have added a question about the problem of parking on pavements and oil left behind. Sir Martin said police will not come to every meeting. The debate about drugs could not be by letter, but had been very constructive. Chris Barnes agreed that it was a very useful meeting; he was pleased the police are back. Lance Dowson said that any questions could have been raised with the police officer in this meeting.
5) Has there been any response about the footpath at Combs Close? Susan said there had not, just a remark that the path was dangerous. Roy said he had had a complaint from a resident about the removal of the steps, which had been there fro 30 years.

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Planning
Regarding planning application 0591 for a temporary access at Brookdale on Church Ln, Cllr Lance Dowson said this had all been gone through with the previous application; it is part of a whole saga. It seemed that the applicant was now treating the whole field as a garden area. He could not agree to the proposal, as the land is the subject of a restraining injunction. Boy Bickerton wondered if the temporary access was at the request of HPBC concerning clearing-up.

St George's Rd resident Pam Cohen said a roadway had already been created and this is a new access. Hardcore had been placed behind three cottages. She described the debris to be removed as 90% tree trunks, which could be shredded on site. She felt that other debris was from construction work and had not needed to be tipped there, and that local residents did not have confidence that the site would be reinstated. Lance described the injunction as a rare occurrence, and that reinstatement may be required.

Cllr Martin Doughty expressed puzzlement at the description of the area as 'gardens', since the previous application was refused on the grounds of it being a 'green-field' site, so it could not be a garden. It is a strange application, and hopefully HPBC will be wise to what is going on if it is a matter of regularising. Lance indicated that the boundaries of the garden seem to be movable. Donald Rae suggested that if this was an enforcement it would say so. It should be rejected. Roy Bickerton proposed a resolution of two parts - that if this is to regularise existing access it be OKed, but otherwise new access should be rejected. Lance disagreed, if there is an injunction then no work should be done, so there should be no access. No seconder was found for Roy's motion; rather strong refusal was supported. Pam Cohen said that was what residents hoped for - nothing should be done to regularise an illegal roadway. Lance said they should also question the claims as a garden. Pam said it is not clear who owns the land.

Regarding application 0605 for access at The Friends Meeting House on Lowleighton Rd, Martin Doughty considered Highways should have a careful look.

Pam Cohen remarked that there was not time for residents to make representations to local councillors between receiving notification of applications and Town Council meetings. Sir Martin gave a gentle admonition about repeated intervention in council discussions, and replied that the notification referred to representations to borough rather than town councillors.

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Peter Simmonds of New Mills Interest Group then made a submission. He presented a document and plan. One point was that the rear court car park should be closed after working hours.
Lance Dowson questioned where they stood with regard to planning - is this a variation on the application. Roy Bickerton suggested the meeting be suspended so Peter Simmonds could address them Others didn't see the need for this. However, Cllr Barnes seconded it, and both voted for, with none against.

Peter Simmonds said that at the courthouse Public Inquiry he asked the inspector if it was possible to amend the fencing. HPBC had agreed that changes could be made. Also this matter is relevant to land to be sold by the Town Council and is of benefit to residents and developer alike, so worth considering. Liam Mycroft wanted to know if the suggestion reduced parking, to which the reply was, no. Martin Doughty thought that anything sympathetic to the neighbourhood and not prejudicial to the development should be considered. Lance Dowson said they had agreed to discuss matters with residents as the development proceeds. Peter Simmonds thought it was a matter that needed dealing with now. Roy Bickerton said that as the original covenant had restricted the height of the fence there is a moral obligation to keep to this.

Liam Mycroft said that the developers had agreed to the use of the car park by others out of working hours. Chair Ian Huddlestone described this as one of a set of conditions from the Inquiry. Sir Martin said the Inspector had been told that the car park needed to be available, and this must be accepted, it is a benefit. But Peter Simmonds questioned what would happen if the car park were left open at night. Martin said it will be covered by CCTV and the magistrates will want to make sure it is secure. Roy suggested adding a rider that it be made secure overnight. But Lance Dowson proposed accepting and supporting only points 1 and 2, while being aware of 3, in the NMIG document. Sir Martin felt that though the ideas were good, they needed to consider both sides; there may be architectural problems. Roy indicated that the points were only recommendations. Lance proposed they support the points if they proved possible with no architectural problems. Peter Simmonds remained concerned about a 'blind-spot' in the car park where troublemakers could congregate.

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Cllr Lance Dowson said he had returned the reply to the roadside safety poster campaign, as it had to be in by July 26th, and he had asked for signs on Marsh Lane. Martin Doughty said he had also suggested the A6.

Sir Martin then raised the matter of the footpath from Station Road to the Millennium Walkway. This is a steep path in a bad state, but much more used than it was. Tree felling had damaged the handrail, but DCC are to fix this. The stone wall needs repair, though no one claims ownership. It would be nice to get this repaired with 25% grant aid, so he proposed the council do that, and also ask DCC if the surface can be repaired with a Parish Transport grant, which is 75% up to £10,000. He proposed they accept responsibility for the wall in conjunction with HERS.

Roy Bickerton asked if the stones are still there. Alf Steele said they are. Sir Martin said that using the Town Council workforce the 25% grant could cover the whole cost.

An anonymous letter had been received on the matter of railways. Lance said the policy was not to accept unsigned letters, and it should be forwarded to RailTrack.

Volunteers are required to look after 7 display cases around the town, and Lance said he had accepted responsibility for the one at Brookbottom.

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Accounts - Donald Rae said he knew they would have to use reserves when they set the budget for this year - but it was not clear what will be spent. Roy Bickerton interpreted this as saying that they needed to look at the huge over-runs. Chair Ian Huddlestone indicated that some was due to increased staff costs. There was a need to appoint an internal auditor, and he proposed this be Judith Johnson. Donald Rae said the fee for this should be discussed in Part2 of the meeting. Lance Dowson described this as an internal 3-month audit prior to the annual external audit, as required by new local government regulations. He felt it should be simple with the new computer system. Chris Barnes said he was happy to see Judith do this. [But see below]

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Cllr Martin Doughty presented a report on the claims for rights of way and possible Town or Village Green Status at Millfields and Ladyshawe Bottom. During the four months consultation the council had received strong support from members of the public. Specifically 14 claims for link C-D from Dyehouse Ln to Bridge St via Ladyshawe Bottom; 17 claims for link B-A from the Sett Valley Trail to the junction of St George's Rd and Hyde Bank Rd, mainly supporting Bridleway status; 12 claims for the link F-E from Ladyshawe Bottom to Bridge St via Ladyshawe House. Sir Martin proposed to submit the applications with explicit support for these three footpaths. He also recommended support for and seeking of Town or Village Green Status for the land at Ladyshawe Bottom and Millfields, on the basis of substantial evidence of a variety of uses by members of the public, which have been uninterrupted for over 25 years.

A letter had requested that notice be given of Town Council meetings in a more accessible location. Donald Rae and Lance Dowson suggested it could be displayed on the Town Hall car park notice board rather than on the board inside the entrance, and on the other display boards around the town. Roy Bickerton suggested sending details to the Courier Calendar. Chris Barnes added that there was a need to alert people to the opportunity to speak at the meetings.

Proposed parking waiting restrictions around Hall St and Spring Bank were described by Sir Martin as premature. Roy regarded them as a loss of amenity, as feared, and thought the Council should take a view now. Lance recalled the concerns about traffic volumes and speeds at the courthouse Inquiry, and that regardless of the courthouse these were proposals to resolve these problems. Liam Mycroft said there had been insufficient time to look at them properly. Roy felt that New Mills Interest Group have positive things to say on this and should be given the opportunity to speak. Donald Rae said they could give written comments. Penny Simons of NMIG asked if they should make written or verbal comments. Chair IH said they should be written.

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Ian then dealt with the responses from legal counsel and NALC regarding the referendum proposed at the Annual Town Meeting, on the subject of the courthouse use of land at the front of the Town Hall. He first read the solicitor's comments on the legal counsel response. Lance Dowson summarised this as stating that they must clearly distinguish their roles as councillors and as trustees. Martin Doughty said undertakings had been given to discuss these matters. There needed to be a meeting with the public present and the solicitor, to discuss the reports from legal counsel and the valuers. Then there needed to be a meeting with the public excluded, and a further meeting as trustees.

Donald Rae thought they needed to look carefully at the management of the trustees of the Town Hall as a broader discussion. Sir Martin said they had merged the two in the past. Money involved had always been subsidy rather than that of the trustees.

Chair Ian Huddlestone then gave the report from NALC (National Association of Local Councils) on the proposed referendum. Their opinion was that the cost to be borne by the Town Hall should not be underestimated. The address given by the signatories is not an issue. The poll would not be binding on the Town Council, so the subject matter is not relevant. There are often cheaper methods of making opinions known. Ian said that all it would show is that a group of people around the Town Hall are against the courthouse.

Cllr Liam Mycroft said he was well aware of the feelings of people, the poll would just state that a percentage are against. The turnout would be low. Martin Doughty said the poll is not about whether there should be a courthouse, but about access - it would be a complete dereliction of duty to spend money on this. Liam Mycroft reiterated that it was a waste of money, which he could not support, it wouldn't tell people anything they didn't already know. Lance Dowson said the wording of the poll was to prevent access across the front of the Town Hall for the purpose of building the courthouse, so they would have to go through the back, which would be worse.

Chris Barnes felt it a matter of democracy. DALC (Derbyshire Association of Local Councils) had told him all councils act on the outcome of such polls. Chair IH said that DALC now refer to NALC, so we have to accept this. Chris indicated that the matter of turnout would be irrelevant; you could not downgrade democracy in that way.

Donald Rae agreed with others that it was a waste of money. As trustees they are not bound by a poll, now they are not bound as councillors either. They know already what local opinion is. Chair Ian Huddlestone said the Council could refuse to hold the poll, whereupon 6 electors could call for another Town Meeting and propose another poll.

Cllr Roy Bickerton felt there were a number of issues. There is a moral issue for the trustees of a referendum against the courthouse. Turnout is not an issue in election results. There is a need to approach the authors of the referendum and the signatories and at the end of the day go along with what they say.

Cllr Martin Doughty could not call it democracy when 10 people can force spending £6400. This could not happen in Buxton or Glossop where there are no town councils. It is a stupid thing which government should be asked to repeal. Cllr Barnes and Bickerton should come straight out and say if they want this money spent in this way.

Cllr Lance Dowson expressed concern about the drift in wordage. The poll is to do with access to the building for construction - this has drifted to the question of there being a courthouse building as such. Cllr Barnes said he knew Martin won't like this, but they were forced to spend £30,000 on speed humps at Bridge St. Sir Martin said this was done to prevent accidents involving children. Roy Bickerton said they were duty-bound to hold a referendum. He questioned whether they could assume the outcome. There could be no pedestrian access from the back. For the long-term the developers wanted access from the front.

Donald Rae wondered, if a request for a poll has been made and is valid, can it be withdrawn. Martin Doughty replied that it is up to the councillors, and proposed the poll should not go ahead. Donald Rae seconded, and the matter was passed. Cllr Barnes wanted to raise a further point, but the Chair drew a line under the matter.

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After some prior bustle in the audience and passing of a note, Martin Doughty raised a point regarding the appointment of Judith Johnson as internal auditor, which would not be possible if she has been involved in the accounts. She would be brilliant for the job, but could not do it if also doing accounting. Roy said he had been told that Judith has not been involved in the accounts. The matter would need looking in to.

Chair Ian Huddlestone stated that the Council had terminated the contract of the current Town Clerk. Susan Stevens being appointed as temporary Town Clerk.

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At this point the public were asked to leave while the Council discussed financially sensitive matters.