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

Police Inspector Pat Walker described changes to the local policing arrangements, with particular reference to New Mills. Modern policing is intelligence led. The splitting of police sites between New Mills and Chapel gives rise to difficulties due to the supervisor having to change sites. Future policing will be undertaken in terms of problems.

Most officers will be based at Chapel to cover Buxton and Hope Valley. This will involve moving two patrol cars from New Mills to be based in Chapel. New Mills is the busiest area in terms of crime. Officers will come out in response to identified problems. Two Police Constables will be on foot patrol in New Mills. Drugs will be addressed by these Pc's, employing tactics to identify cannibis use. They will operate from a base at New Mills police station, which will remain open for enquiries.

Arrests have been made following burgularies in New Mills and Hayfield by two seperate teams of criminals.

Cllr Chris Barnes asked what cover the two Pc's would provide. Inspector Walker said they would do seperate 12-hour shifts at times dependent on the day of the week. There would be no illness cover. The new officers come out of existing police resources. Only as a last resort would they be taken out of New Mills for use elsewhere . Additional Pc's would only become available in 1-2 years time.

Cllr Roy Bickerton asked where we are with regard to police strength in this patch. The Inspector said he had 28 officers, but this force was reduced to 23-24 by abstractions and sick leave.

Cllr LiamMycroft wondered what degree of improvement there would be in policing and highlighted problems with youngsters in High Lee Park during summer months. Inspector Walker said there would be 100% improvement in terms of foot patrols. One key aspect for the policing is emergency response times.

Cllr Donald Rae asked how long it would take to evaluate the effects of the changes. Inspector Walker said matters would be reviewed after 6 months, but there would be constant monitoring along the way. If the changes proved problematical there may not be a return to the original procedures, rather some half-way solution. He will address any target-response problems. Inspector Walker expressed the need for facilities for young people. Cllr Liam Mycroft enquired about liason between the police and the Youth Club. Inspector Walker said that Karen Ward is the police officer responsible for this.

Cllr Marion Williams asked where the foot patrols would have their beat. Inspector Walker indicated that there had been a lengthy debate about this with officers and sergeants. The main beat would be in the town centre for response, but in terms of problems, they will be tageted to patrol those areas as a very flexible policing resource. Cllr Williams described an incident last summer where a Pc on foot at Ollersett estate was followed round by a large group of kids who were completely unused to such a police presence. She asked if the officers would be in pairs. Inspector Walker said they would generally be seperate, but would be paired-up in risky situations.

Chair Cllr Lance Dowson described it as a step in the right direction to have police out and about and seen to be out and about.

Cllr Roy Bickerton said that in the past, three policing issues had been raised which seem to have been lost sight of. Chair Lance Dowson said these could be checked in the minutes.

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Cllr Roy Bickerton spoke about the arrangements to celebrate the 40th anniversary of twinning with Alsfeld, which had been considered for 8-12th May. Alsfeld have a 10th anniversary of twinning with another town, which they have already arranged to celebrate during that period. Whatever the date of the visit, it was suggested that £2000 be allotted for 4 couples to stay here for 4 days - these would be councillors and Eudorf Band members. Enquiries would be made as to whether Alsfeld are available to re-sign the twining agreement in October.

Chair Lance Dowson said the £2000 would be made an item for budget discussion. Cllr Bickerton said that a program of activities has been prepared and could be discussed. Cllr Donald Rae asked if we should focus on October as a date to invite them over. Cllr Bickerton replied that nothing was yet fixed.

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On the matter of the proposed Magistrates Court development adjacent to the Town Hall there was still no reply from developers Babcock & Brown regarding the land on Aldersgate. Cllr Roy Bickerton said it was not good news that there had been no contact in over a year. He also wanted to know why the discussion of the hosting of the Public Inquiry (for the appeal against rejection of planning permission on the court development) had been put in Part 2 of the Town Council meeting, which excludes the public. Chair Lance Dowson said that as a financial matter it was normal practice for it to be in Part 2, but he would accept a proposal to discuss it in Part 1. Cllr Bickerton replied that hire charges are public knowledge and proposed it be in Part 1, which was agreed.

Chair Lance Dowson suggested several ways of considering the charging. Cllr Marion Williams said three regular users of the main hall had to cancel for that week. Cllr Dowson replied that none have a problem with this, though one had asked for a free session the following week as they would lose money. Cllr Williams thought they would lose-out by charging only for 9am-6pm because the use of the room in the evening would be lost, so charge for 9am-10pm. Cllr Donald Rae said charges should be for whatever use is made plus a charge for the evening if the room is kept unused. Chair Lance Dowson said the Inquiry administrators had asked if there would be a discount for a block booking and as the use was beneficial to residents of New Mills. Cllr Donald Rae thought they were being offered a reasonable price. Cllr Dowson indicated that the Inquiry would require the main hall, the stage changing room and an additional room.

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Chair Lance Dowson described specific complaints received about dog fouling and suggestions that residents be appointed as dog wardens. Albion Rd had been described as the second-worst one in the borough for fouling. Cllr Martin Huddleston said that although there are powers to do something, in reality there were difficulties. The matter needed to be publicised again and people encouraged to make statements. Cllr Donald Rae said it was a matter for HPBC; Chair Lance Dowson would contact them regarding dog wardens. Martin Huddleston asked if there were consequences if the Town Council wrote to the alleged culprits. Chair Lance Dowson said that a standard letter could be drawn up. Cllr Marion Williams was concerned that some allegations might be malicious.

Other Matters Arising
Cllr Ian Huddlestone raised the matter of break-ins at the pharmacy on Hyde Bank Rd and the need for CCTV in this area.
Cllr Liam Mycroft was concerned about the need to respond to letters in the papers criticising the business rate - this is not the responsibility of the council as it is set by valuers.
Clerk Barry Price noted that the Festival Committee would consider at their next meeting the matter of a financial loss at the George Melly concert during the Festival.

Planning Applications
There was no objection to most of the applications, including the significant developments of 11 flats at the old ambulance station off Park Rd or the extension of outline permission for the development of 31 houses behind the old vicarage on Marsh Lane.

However, four representatives were present to oppose application HPK/2002/0022 for an access road off Church Lane to allow construction of 9-10 houses at land sloping toward St George's Rd. They had presented a petition detailing three points of opposition regarding traffic dangers and loss of amenity. Chair Lance Dowson thought there would be problems with the waterbasin from the stream and that it was a particularly difficult site. Cllr Donald Rae considered that one of the pleasures of New Mills is its open ground. Cllr Martin Huddleston wondered what would prevent further development up towards Lowleighton Rd. Chair Lance Dowson said that a lesser application had already been refused and that traffic calming had had to be introduced on Church Ln. Cllr Liam Mycroft asked how the land was currently designated. Cllr Roy Bickerton said it was in a built-up area, but that this was over-development. It was back-land development as there was no frontage on to existing roads.
Pam Cohen, one of the opposition representatives, said she had only received notification on Saturday (12th Jan) which gave too short a time-scale to contact local councillors prior to consideration at this meeting. Cllr Martin Huddleston felt that this point should be raised with HPBC planning department. Cllr Liam Mycroft considered this a valid point, but there would be a lengthier opportunity to make objections. The objectors needed to increase their petition and lobby planners and contact the schools. Cllr Roy Bickerton did not think that a petition would carry much weight, rather individual letters were better. He reiterated the problems with traffic and Cllr Chris Barnes described the difficulties with Crabtrees haulage. Cllr Sheila Rae asked how the land is zoned. Pam Cohen said it was 'White Land' and also indicated a local history interest in the area regarding St George's works and the brook, which suggested the need for protection. Cllr Sir Martin Doughty thought there would be a need to culvert the steam and that this would add to the objections.

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Chair Lance Dowson noted that a booklet was available describing how to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. There was a need for a working party. Cllr Donald Rae said that many other events had to be planned and organised for the summer and it may be better to bring events together. Cllr Dowson suggested that the flags and bunting be put out at that time.

Letters had been received from villages requesting twinning arrangements. Cllr Liam Mycroft felt that more could be made of twinning. Cllr Sheila Rae suggested it be put to the schools to look for initiatives. Cllr Roy Bickerton thought a reply should be given saying we are already twinned with Alsfeld but asking for further details.

Cllr Ian Huddlestone was nominated following a request for a council representative on the CAB Management Committee.

A letter from New Mills Dog Rescue Service has requested that land be made available to develop the service. Cllr Marion Williams said the only land near the applicant was on Ollersett fields and was too remote for the person to properly care for the kennelled dogs. Other councillors remarked that there are plans for this land anyway, that as council land a charge would have to be levied, and that there would be problems with dogs barking - though Cllr Sheila Rae felt the Town Council should not be negative toward the request. Chair Lance Dowson would check the property register, however, it appeared that no land was available.

In reply to a request that civilian war deaths be commemorated, Cllr Sir Martin Doughty described the serious nature of the bombing incident in WW2 at Lowleighton. Chair Lance Dowson stated that these deaths were already commemorated on the war memorial and in the book of remembrance and so the town was ahead on this matter. Sir Martin suggested a plaque be erected near the Lowleighton incident; Cllr Dowson would investigate the cost.
Martin Huddleston would also look into the erection of a permanent memorial to mark the bravery in war of men from the Torr Top area.

A letter from Newtown School Governors Premises Sub-Committee requested the Town Council to grant them ownership of two small pieces of land to the left of the path from Albion Rd up to Buxton Rd, to be incorporated in their scheme for a wildlife garden enclosed within the school boundary. Cllr Sir Martin Doughty felt that the legal costs of a sale would outweigh the value of the land, so it should be let for a peppercorn rent and kept in council ownership. Chair Lance Dowson suggested a 99 year lease. Sir Martin said that it was not appropriate to discuss the finances of the arrangement in this part of the meeting, so it was moved to part 2.

A request had been received for a grit bin on Whittle Rd. Cllr Liam Mycroft described the difficulties on this road for traffic. Chair Lance Dowson said that he had been informed that if the Town Council provided a bin then DCC would fill it, but this needed checking. Cllr Sir Martin Doughty noted that grit bins rapidly get emptied by people gritting their private drives, so they should press for grit wagons to cover Whittle Rd. The County would not provide new bins. Neither had the County filled the grit bins in the past, said Cllr Roy Bickerton. Cllr Chris Barnes thought that we should buy some grit bins if the County would fill them. However, Cllr Donald Rae considered that would lead to requests for grit bins all over the town. Cllr Sheila Rae felt they should write to explain what a dangerous area this is. Sir Martin described the arrangements - the County grit main roads (including the A6 once it is detrunked) and HPBC do side roads. The council are concerned about the gritting-concerns of people during the recent snow. Parks staff could do some gritting while they cannot work on snow-bound parks - this would require identifying the areas to deal with. Cllr Barnes felt bins should be provided for steep roads if DCC agreed to fill them. Cllr Marion Williams described the trouble older people have in getting out in icy conditions. Chair Lance Dowson concluded the Whittle Rd should go on the list of dangerous routes.

Concern was expressed about the number of claims being made for personal injury following TV adverts which encourage people to make such claims.

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Cllr Sir Martin Doughty was asked to detail progress on Torr Vale Mill. He said it was important to understand the position - the mill is still in the ownership of Torr Vale Mill Ltd. We are a long way from an agreement as to what parts of the site should be included in a Trust. The owner wants to exclude all adjoining land and now the burnt-out shell of the fire-damaged wing. This is unacceptable to the Trust as much public money will be spent on the site and this must be safeguarded.
£180,000 from the East Midlands Development Association had had to be sent back. A further £140,000 from the Conservation Area Partnership was still available for a period. The planning authority and English Heritage need to do what they can to protect the building. The Conservation Area Partnership have given money for security. Cllr Roy Bickerton remarked that the shell of the burnt building had withstood bad weather and it was the right decision by the planning committee to try to protect it as far as possible. Chair Lance Dowson said that a 14 year old youth had been found guilty of the arson and had received two community orders of 3 months each.

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At this point the public were asked to leave and the Council discussed financially sensitive matters for a further hour or more.