Town Councillors present: R.G. Atkins, S.J. Barrow, D Cooper, Sir G.M. Doughty, L.E. Dowson, I Fletcher , M Huddleston, I.S.E. Huddlestone, M Williams (Chair)

Sergeant Tracy Lewis answered questions on behalf of the local police. She was asked first about problems of vandalism at the Heritage Centre. She replied that she was new to the problems of the area, but was aware of some problems there and that local beat officers had an action plan, part of which involved maintaining patrols down there. Cllr Marion Williams described trouble with bottles being thrown from the Heritage Centre viewpoint down on to the bridge.

Cllr Ian Huddlestone highlighted additional related disturbances, primarily around the Pride of the Peaks pub, involving people throwing glasses and passers-by being intimidated by drinkers on the streets. Sgt Lewis said she had visited on Friday and Saturday nights, and there was a cause for concern at the side seating area and the front of the pub. In defence of the licensee, they had found the outside drinkers to be abiding by the Safe Pubs and Clubs Scheme, using plastic glasses, and no glass was found. The seating area is to be redeveloped. Town Clerk Susan Stevens said this area does appear on their deeds. Sgt Lewis suggested the Town Council may take this over, if not the licensee may redevelop it to deter use for outside drinking in the evening. There are no local byelaws to prevent drinking on the streets. The police encourage people to go inside. Stax have co-operated when asked to move people inside. Cllr Sir Martin Doughty understood there were at one time laws to deal with this. The area is only accessible from the street and so useless as a drinking area. It could be a good place to drink if properly controlled. Sgt Lewis agreed, but felt it brings certain problems with it. Staff in the pub cannot see what is going on there. They can only push good will so far. Under the Safe Pubs and Clubs Scheme they have a duty to maintain public safely, but they are not legally obliged to keep people inside. A license can be revoked if there are a number of recorded incidents. Cllr Ray Atkins considered this problem to be specific to the Peaks pub, as the Royal Oak, Torrs and Crescent do not have the problem. Sgt Lewis noted that the Torrs have a beer garden. Sir Martin felt they should not be wanting to deprive young people of what they want to do provided it is legal and decent. The trouble is not as much as in the past. The Pride of Peaks have put some investment in place, but round and about it is a mess. If it is redeveloped it should be done properly. Cllr Martin Huddleston said that the Civic Society originally took over this area and the Town Council have since been maintaining it. Cllr Williams thought it to be well used during the day. Cllr Lance Dowson noted that there is access to the area from the back car park. Sgt Lewis added that in all fairness the pub only reopened 3 weeks ago. It is important to get to grips with problems now, and hopefully they are open to discussions. Lance felt they are willing to work with anyone to make a good pub for the area and they should be met with.

Regarding CCTV at Torr Top car park to prevent break-ins, Sgt Lewis said this has a funding implication, if funds are available they would love to have one there. It would also be valuable for shoplifting incidents at the Late Shop. Cllr Dowson thought this needed taking up with the Borough. They had been trying for some time to get mobile cameras going, and this would be a good site. Ray Atkins felt it could be discussed again when considering the Town Partnership. He then asked whether any of the new officers for Derbyshire are likely to be posted in New Mills. Sgt Lewis replied that there are some difficulties with sickness and leave - two beat officers in New Mills are likely to be off sick shortly due to operations. Retailers have commented on the lack of beat officers. Other areas also need more beat officers. New Mills will be adequately provided. They usually work 8am to 6pm or 4pm to 12pm. Sometimes they work round the clock, depending on problems.

Sir Martin asked if there are any trends or issues Sgt Lewis wished to raise with the Council, such as turnout times or burglary rates. She answered that up to 3 weeks ago too many houses had been broken into in the New Mills area. This had been dealt with by operation 'Gower'. There is now a trend to vehicle break-ins at Hope Valley area. Burglaries are quite low at present. Sir Martin had heard of cars being stolen to order, but Sgt Lewis said she was not aware of that.

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Matters arising from the minutes

Bridge Street traffic - DCC are looking into this. Cllr Dowson brought up the matter of Hague Bar Rd traffic, where although the item on changing the speed limit from 40 to 30 had been included, the survey for traffic calming had been missed from the minutes. Martin Huddleston thought they should ask DCC for a progress report and also about Hague Bar. Martin Doughty asked what traffic calming are members wanting on Hague Bar. Lance Dowson said the matter arose during canvassing along that road. Martin Huddleston felt that the bends on the road would be a problem for traffic calming. Lance felt this did not prevent them asking DCC to look into it. Cllr Susan Barrow thought they could also ask about traffic on Marsh Lane and Hayfield Road at Birch Vale.

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Planning Applications

There were no objections to application HPK/2003/0572, 0573, 0595, 0609

0581 for 12 houses at Creswell St - Cllr Atkins said this had been rejected in the past on access grounds, and wondered if there have been alterations in traffic laws. Cllr Dowson said residents were very concerned some years ago. It had been rejected previously. It seems totally unsuitable - being the final chunk of green, impact on residents, highway problems. He felt it to be totally inappropriate. Cllr David Cooper considered a possible linkup with Heather Falls whereupon there would be great problems with traffic coming from the estate onto Creswell St. Lance proposed rejection on the grounds of highways, public safety and impact on local residents. Sir Martin felt that something crisper than that was required, as 'inappropriate development' could be used for anything.

0589 for 3 houses on Highfield Terrace - Cllr Ian Fletcher declared an interest. Ray Atkins considered it a distinct improvement on the present situation.

0591 for 14 houses off Jubilee St - Cllr Lance Dowson said the original application had a question over it concerning the suitability of access and was only passed subject to highways approval, which he understood had not been given. There was also a question about the sale of land required to widen the road at the entrance to Jubilee Gardens. Sir Martin Doughty considered this irrelevant as they were being asked only about the substitution of houses in an already approved development. [in fact the application does include associated works involving the means of access]. No objection was recorded.

599 Barn conversion at Noonsun - Lance Dowson regarded this as a ridiculous conversion. Around 2 years ago they had been told there was no intention of conversion when rumours of a B&B on the site were around at the time. It is not a redundant barn, rather a small stone building. It is in Green Belt. Ian Huddlestone seconded the objection.

0603 Log cabin at Little Mill - Lance Dowson said that again this is in Green Belt. 12-18 months ago an application for 2 log cabins had been turned down by HPBC. The Town Council had also recommended against. Sir Martin agreed.

0604 Extra parking at The Sycamore - Cllr Atkins regarded this as unnecessary parking on Green Belt. He had never had any problems parking. David Cooper agreed. Sir Martin also thought it seemed excessive, but felt they should support the provision of disabled parking with no extra parking places.

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Insurance Policy - Susan Stevens said that due to public liability there would be an increase in the policy cost. Sett Valley Insurance have declared that they cannot do a better deal. Nevett and Taylor have not got back to her. The TC have been advised to increase public liability. Sir Martin described this as an issue faced by all Local Authorities at all levels. The public are getting more litigious. There has been no reduction in the quality of work in the parks. The trouble is insurance companies will settle rather than fight cases, so premiums go up. Lance mentioned the case of the Council being sued by someone due to their child slipping on grass owned by the Council.

Audit 2002-3 - Cllr Ray Atkins described the balances as dangerously low and asked if this was temporary. Susan said it was. Cllr Doughty was glad that steps were being taken to put pressure on resolving the audit. Susan said that the case has been handed over to Central England Audit. Sir Martin said that just leads to more costs and inefficiency. Susan said they can't yet be specific about the problems with the accounts. Susan Barrow asked if they could have a private audit. Sir Martin said they could but not for this ongoing case. Ray Atkins asked if the Council know what the residents complaints are. Susan answered no. Martin Huddleston said it was difficult to draw a line under this and take lessons from it with the lapse of time and the intake of new councillors.

Budget Report - Martin Huddleston told Susan he must say how impressed he is with the report, which is a great deal better than in the past. Cllr Atkins asked if projected reserves are now within acceptable levels. Susan said they are. Sir Martin echoed the comments of Cllr Huddleston, and asked if they had got anywhere with the Heritage Centre. Susan said the rent is covered this year but not next. HPBC had been asked if they would cover it. Sir Martin felt the local Borough Councillors could help with that. The issue is that HPBC contributions always covered the rental, but their contribution went down and the rent went up. The Heritage Centre performs useful functions on behalf of the Borough Council. Lance Dowson indicated that cash was available for tourist centres, this should be followed up as there is money in that account.

Town Centre Partnership - Ian Huddlestone had spoken with Adrian Fisher. The Partnership would reconvene in the autumn with Gordon Roscoe and others. Money is there. The question is where to go with it after the Health Check. Sir Martin said the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) officer says £17000 is allocated. The Health Check must be completed by March 2004. A shopping list will be produced of things needing financial support. The Subregional SSP for Derby & Derbyshire need to bid into the SSP. It is very competitive - HPBC also bidded unsuccessfully for Buxton, and this is to be resubmitted. Chapel and Whaley are having money spent and Glossop is in the process - we need to make sure we are not at the end of the queue. Sir Martin expressed the hope that anyone with influence facilitates the Health Check. English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund should be kept in touch regarding the regeneration of Torr vale Mill.

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Arden Quarry - Susan Barrow reported that the waste must be reshaped in order to cap it, this will take 3 weeks and could be smelly. Assurances have been given that they will be as careful as possible. This is due to not planing for gas recovery. The site is now running quite acceptably. Lance Dowson asked if wagons are allowed through the town centre. Susan said no lorries are. Sir Martin said they are only allowed for access, such as to Disley paper mill. They break the law if they travel in and out of the weight-restricted zone. Cllr Atkins enquired if there are any streams in the land area. Susan Barrow said the plant cleans the leachate to a very high standard, using bugs to oxygenate and remove ammonia, such that it is suitable for water treatment works.

Community Orchard - several letters of objection had been received. Ian Fletcher declared an interest. Sir Martin said that in this case he should leave the room, as the Standards Board require that this be insisted on. Lance Dowson said they are still in a fact-finding period with the orchard. Martin Huddleston thought there must be room for residents to be in the partnership, both from High Lea end and Hague Bar Rd end. Cllr Marion Williams asked if they could see letters in favour as they had seen letters against. It was resolved to write to the people who objected and explain the situation and then discuss at the next Leisure and Parks meeting. Sir Martin indicated that there may be other possible public uses for the land. Cllr Atkins wondered if there would be extra work for the Parks staff or could it be absorbed into the present schedule. Stephen Lewis answered that it could be absorbed.

Footbridge over Canal - Ian Huddlestone and Martin Doughty gave full support to Derek to enter into negotiations. The footbridge would form a very good link to the A6 at Redmoor Mill. If landowners are acceptable, funding could be sought. They could not support the Town Council building it themselves.

Rooks at High Lea Park - Stephen Lewis said he lives only 25 yards away and finds no problem, but can understand people who do. The lack of small birds is not a related problem. The bird droppings on the path just require HPBC to clean up. Some 12 trees are to be removed - see what effect that has. Sir Martin indicated that this problem crops up from time to time. Health and Safety issues need to be dealt with by HPBC. Lance Dowson said that when raised a few years ago the police shooting club shot at the nests. Sir Martin disagreed, this had not been done in New Mills.

Horses on Mousley Bottom - Susan Stevens said they had been put on to keep the grass down. They had received calls of complaint. Cllr Ray Atkins had received a call that day, horses were intimidating people. Lance Dowson said that is why they were removed. Martin Huddleston said they were not looking to relet due to problems of this nature. He felt it had been let contrary to the decisions of the Council. Chair Marion Williams said they would need to check the minutes.

Magistrates Court - Cllr Atkins requested a general update on the situation of the Courthouse. Susan said there is no new information. They had resolved to accept sale of the land, but Babcock and Brown have not signed anything. A list of questions to the developers have all been resolved. Martin Huddleston asked what the latest position is, why have we not heard anything, are there problems, will it go ahead one way or another?

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At this point the Council meeting adjourned and a meeting of the Trustees began.

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