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

Planning Applications

Application 0637 for 14 houses on existing brown field site. Applicant Mr Gary Cullen has written to ask to do a presentation of the plans to the Town Council.

Cllr Liam Mycroft described it as a contentious issue relating to previous applications. The Town Council are not a planning authority, so there is a question as to whether a presentation is appropriate. But given the contentious nature it would be useful to have a discussion with people involved, so the objectors should also have a chance to speak to give both sides of the matter. Cllr Chris Barnes agreed that both sides should put their case to try to bring things out into the open. Cllr Marion Williams asked if they could write to get the planning authorities to defer their consideration of the application until we have had the discussion.

Chair Ian Huddlestone resolved to write to Mr Cullen, the residents and the planing authorities to arrange the meeting. Mr Cullen said the plans had been received by HPBC on 29th July. He had requested this meeting with the Town Council by letter handed in on 30th July. He suggested that a spokesman be appointed for the St. George's Rd residents. Cllr Sir Martin Doughty wondered if there was time to deal with the matter that evening [Mr Cullen and many St George's Rd residents being present].

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Discussion of Legal Advice

Chair Ian Huddlestone described the need for a clear separation between the business of the Trustees and the Town Council. Anything to do with the Town Hall and its land has to be discussed in future by a meeting of the Trustees in a separate committee - and possibly under a separate budget - so that it is a separate issue.

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Highway Proposals for Hall St by DCC

Letters had been received on 20th Aug from Jacqueline Critchlow and Penny Simons of Aldersgate making representations about the proposed parking arrangements, so they were invited to spaek. Jacqueline Critchlow said she had visited most of the properties on Hall St and Aldersgate asking for opinions. The proposals suggest no waiting between 8-6 on Mon-Sat - why after 4 on weekdays and why on Saturday, when the court will not be open at these times? Who will monitor the arrangements? Parking will be pushed further up the road, so where will users of the library park? Fountain Bathrooms are concerned about difficulties with delivering. The speed humps were generally welcomed, with the exception of one objection. Jackie suggested there be residents parking from Fountain Bathrooms to the Old Police Station, otherwise people from the court will park there. This could be extended further up. Yellow-lining stops at the first speed hump, which may encourage double parking, and so prevent access by fire engines. So yellow lines should be extended up to the junction with Aldersgate. The lane to South View should also be double yellow-lined to maintain access. Hall St could be made one way. There is a problem in winter getting up Hall St, the traffic to the Heather Falls development has all used St Mary's Rd and then Aldersgate. The average width on Aldersgate is 5.5m and needs some parking restrictions, possibly allowing parking only on one side. Why are no restriction proposed for Spring Bank, as at the inquiry this was put forward as the main parking area for court users. The access to the front of the Town Hall has not been adjusted on the plans.

Cllr Chris Barnes said he could see it would all be a big problem, like Wirksmoor Rd there will be problems for residents. People will park wherever they can. Cllr Sheila Rae declared an interest as a local resident, she supported residents parking and most of what had been said.

Cllr Sir martin Doughty said no one objects to residents parking on Wirksmoor Rd, but there are costs, the restrictions require monitoring. The times of 8-6 proposed are just standard as all others are 8-6 - they ought to be tailored to the court hours. Having double yellow lines on one side of roads to maintain fire access would imply the same for all streets in the town. People are generally sensible about not blocking the road, in particular as they know a fire appliance will shunt their vehicle out of the way. Sir Martin declared he did not like one-way streets, as people have to drive further, and more importantly, on hilly roads it encourages speeding. They could tell DCC of the suggestion but it worries him.

Chair Ian Huddlestone felt residents parking was worth suggesting, it guarantees a parking place on the street. Cllr Liam Mycroft was concerned about difficulties of policing. The matter needs raising with police, as although they generally defer parking matters to the traffic wardens, they will not want to be dealing with problems when they arise. Chair IH said they were broadly in support of the proposals from Jackie and Penny. Cllr Martin Huddleston said the matter of adjusting the access to the front of the Town Hall needed raising with DCC.

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Audit 2001-2002

The internal audit is only required for 2002-2003. An internal auditor will be appointed, but there is no decision yet as to who this will be.

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At this point the public were asked to leave while the Council discussed financially sensitive matters concerning the audit. This was followed by a meeting of the councillors as Trustees of the Town Hall and its grounds - at which it was agreed to sell the land at the rear and allow access across the land at the front for the courthouse PFI development.