Edwinstowe
Parish Council
Working to
make a difference
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held
on Tuesday 13th July 2010, at 7.00pm in the Council Chamber, Village
Hall, Edwinstowe.
Present: Cllrs J Sansom, Hopkinson, Ward, Starbrook,
Tattersall, Benison, Brooks, A Sansom
The Chair welcomed members, press and public to the meeting
10/066 DISCLOSURES OF INTERESTS BY MEMBERS (AND EMPLOYEES)
IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None
Apologies were received from Cllrs Benson – ill
health, Woodhead – work commitments and Cllr Benham – prior
commitments. The apologies were approved unanimously
10/067 CHAIRPERSON’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
10/068 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD ON
22nd June 2010
The minutes were approved unanimously and signed by the Chair as accurate.
10/069 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION/QUESTION TIME ----- (20
MINUTES) - commenced 1903hrs
Residents from the Friars Park area of the village spoke about various
concerns regarding the area of grass to the side of the development.
Older children are congregating on the play area causing a nuisance
and the equipment has become damaged and unsafe. Dog walkers are not
clearing up after their dogs.
The Chair responded that until the area is ‘handed
over’ to the Parish Council it is still the responsibility of
Barratt Homes. Therefore all concerns should be made to Barratts in
writing. The Parish Council will not be taking over responsibility for
the area until satisfied all problems have been sorted.
It was agreed to invite resident representatives to
a meeting with the Play Area Working Group to share their concerns.
Clerk to arrange meeting
Residents from Paddock Close reported concerns over
antisocial behaviour in the car park near the Forest Cemetery. Large
groups are congregating drinking alcohol, racing cars and using foul
and abusive language. The problems have been ongoing for several years.
The Youth Hostel and Fun Park will potentially lose income due to this
problem. It was agreed to hold a multi-agency meeting to discuss how
to move forward. Clerk to arrange meeting
10/070 MEMBERS QUESTION TIME ----- (20 MINUTES) – commenced 1925hrs
Cllr Tattersall requested replacement litter bins for the High Street/East
Lane/Abbey Road/ Dukeries/Forest Lodge. Agreed Clerk to get prices
Cllr A Sansom responded to concerns raised by the residents
from Paddock Close. There needs to be a concerted partnership solution
to this problem
Cllr Brooks requested a letter be sent to the owners
of the Jug & Glass as there is an unsafe wall at the rear which
could cause injury. Clerk to write letter
Cllr Brooks reported a brown sign at Robin Hood crossroads
advertising Greens Camping Shop. Clerk to enquire with Highways Department
Cllr Benison asked why the office hours have changed.
10/071 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
None
10/072 ANY BUSINESS REMAINING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
i CCTV
Cllr A Sansom and the Clerk had recently met with Ron Rhodes from Quadrant
Security (the firm that installed the CCTV) to discuss options to extend
the system. To move the camera from outside the library to the High
Street will cost £3,844, to put an additional camera at the bottom
of the High Street will cost approximately £5,000. We are not
able to mount the cameras on lamp posts. The system will still be monitored
through N&SDC.
Phase 2 – extension to Forest Corner will be delayed
until funding is available. A suggestion was made to link a camera to
the CCTV system at the Youth Hostel. Clerk to contact Youth Hostel and
explore alternative funding options
ii Parking Pass Scheme Cemetery Car Park – Keith
Benison
During the periods when there is a charge to park in the Forest Car
Park, there is no charge if visiting the cemetery. However some people
are saying they are visiting the cemetery but are not, therefore not
paying the parking fee. A suggestion has been made to issue ‘permits’
to anyone visiting the cemetery. It was generally felt that this system
was completely unworkable – who would check the passes, who would
issue the passes etc. As the car park belongs to NCC it was suggested
to hold a meeting to discuss various options. Could C/Cllr Ward raise
the issue at County Hall? Clerk to arrange a meeting
iii Henton Road Fence Quote
A quote has been received to install lockable galvanised gates to the
dog walking park on Henton Road – Total cost £1,153. Approved
unanimously
iv Henton Road Poplar Tree
Mike Catchpole the Tree Officer at N&SDC has inspected the large
poplar tree in the corner of the Henton Road dog walking park and his
findings are that it needs to be removed. The estimated cost of removal
of the tree and destruction of its core is approximately £1,000.
Clerk to get alternative quote and to write to residents to inform of
removal.
v Christmas 2010
Councillors interested in Christmas Working Group are Cllrs Brooks,
Starbrook, Hopkinson, Tattersall, J Sansom.
vi Traffic Wardens
In 2009/10 Traffic Wardens spent a total of 29 hours in Edwinstowe and
issued 15 tickets which did not meet the targets set for Edwinstowe
– 54 hours per years and 57 penalty tickets issued. However, as
the Parish Council have requested more visits these will be increased
and closely monitored to ensure targets are being met. Need to ensure
parking fines are being enforced. Clerk to contact N&SDC for regular
updates
vii Visitors Centre – “Legal Proceedings”
The Clerk had contacted Nic Broomhead to ascertain the nature of the
‘legal proceedings’ mentioned by Cllr Ward at the last meeting.
Nic Broomhead was not aware of any legal proceedings but was aware of
an insurance claim. Cllr Brooks asked whether this was what C/Cllr Ward
had referred to and whether the New Visitors Centre was still going
ahead. C/Cllr Ward to investigate and report back to next meeting
10/073 CHAIRPERSONS CORRESPONDENCE
i. Problems on Barratts Play Park
An email has been received from a resident of Trinity Road concerning
older children congregating on the play park causing a nuisance. The
play area has not been handed over to the Parish Council yet and to
date, Barratts have postponed two meetings. It was suggested that the
Play Area Working Group meet with concerned residents to ensure all
problems are reported to Barratts before hand over. Clerk to arrange
meeting and letter drop residents on Friar’s Park
ii. Military Funeral
Notification has been received that Ollerton Road and Church Street
will be closed between 11.00am – 12.00pm on Wednesday 14th July
2010
iii. Casual Vacancies
Due to the confusion concerning the recent by-election, the Chair read
an excerpt from the Clerk magazine;
‘….. Elections are expensive, so people don’t always
want one, but if 10 electors give notice to the proper officer at the
principal council within 14 days of the declaration of the vacancy,
there will usually be an election held within 60 further days. However,
there is no need to hold a by-election, if an ordinary election is due
within the next six months.’
iv. The High Street will be closed all day on Sunday 25th July due to
works by Severn Trent Water.
10/074 RECEIVE PETITIONS
None
10/075 TO RECEIVE REPORTS MINUTES & RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM WORKING GROUPS
Sherwood Fields Working Group
Robin Hood Colts play on Sherwood Fields – owned by Edwinstowe
Parish Council. The Management Agreement is currently up for renewal
and therefore there was a meeting last night (Monday) to agree terms.
The Business Plan states that the Parish Council will cover the grounds
maintenance costs, utilities and underwrite all operating costs (from
section 106 monies) for at least 3 years. The Parish Council cannot
afford to do this indefinitely. Two proposals were made to the Club:
-
1. Robin Hood Colts responsible for all costs – not agreed
2. To stage the payments over three years as follows: -
Year One 1/3 proposed costs £1,580 plus 100% pitch hire revenue
(pitch hire amount received 2008/9 – £1,347)
Year Two 2/3 proposed costs £3,160 plus 50% pitch hire revenue
Year Three Total proposed costs £4,740 and no pitch hire revenue
Proposal to be reviewed in 6 months.
It was agreed that the Club would take the proposal to their management
meeting for approval.
Concerns were raised that the increased costs could
mean parents would have to pay more in subscriptions.
The Working Group was congratulated for their efforts
in this matter.
Police
Due to commitments, the police were unable to attend. The Chair and
Clerk had recently met with Insp Gan and Paul Peacock (Community Involvement
Officer) to discuss a new initiative ‘LMAPS’ – Local
Multi-Agency Problem Solving Group which was devised to identify local
problems that could be looked at using a multi-agency approach.
Another area of discussion was the need to improve communications
between the police and Edwinstowe residents. Various methods were discussed,
some existing and other potential new ways.
• Residents can sign up to receive text alerts
from the police. Forms available from police and Parish Council
• When going on holiday – inform police so they can check
on your home
• If interested in becoming a Community Volunteer – contact
the Volunteer Co-ordinator at Worksop Police Station 0300 300 9999
Details of contact numbers etc will be displayed in
noticeboards and on the website. Clerk to create posters
10/076 ANY APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES
The Clerk has sent letters to the various organisations for more information
including meeting frequency however; no responses have been received
to date.
i. Health & Safety
Cllr Tattersall – approved
ii. Events Working Group
Cllr Tattersall – approved
iii. Personnel & Staffing
Cllr Brooks – approved
iv. Ollerton CAB
Cllr Hopkinson – approved
v. Village Hall Management Committee
Cllr Tattersall – approved
vi. Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire – more information
required
vii. Campaign to Protect Rural England – more information required
viii. Sherwood Forest Regional Park
Cllr Brooks – approved
ix. Emergency Planning
Cllr Benison – approved
10/077 RESOLUTIONS OR RECOMMENDATION
i. Approval of Internal Audit
Details of the internal audit had been circulated to all councillors
for approval – no issues had been raised by the internal auditor.
The internal audit procedure was discussed. Cllr Tattersall proposed
approving the internal audit, seconded Cllr A Sansom – approved
unanimously.
10/078 FINANCES
1. To review the cash book balance
The cash book balance had been circulated to all councillors.
2. Matters arising from the balance
Cllr Brooks questioned the bank balance amount as it seemed quite low.
The Clerk reassured that the second half precept would be received in
September and various transfers needed to take place once the reserve
account monies had been received from Lombard.
3. Financial correspondence
None
4. Financial matters
i. Letter from Cllr Starbrook re Bedding Plants
A letter had been received from Cllr Starbrook concerning comments made
at the previous meeting. The plants are supplied at cost price therefore
no financial gain is made by Cllr Starbrook.
The Chair commented that David Stocken researches prices
each year and Cllr Starbrook is the cheapest and is also a local business.
With regard to not declaring an interest it was not intentional and
was a genuine mistake. The matter is now closed.
5. Grants
None
6. Cheques for approval
Cheques were approved and signed as accurate.
Retrospective
Payee Description Amount (incl VAT)
Right Click New Modem £55.00
Cash Petty Cash £89.56
UK Fuels June Account £86.53
Sage UK Ltd Payroll Support £117.50
Viking Direct Stationery £31.99
Oak Industrial Supplies Equipment £184.18
Corona Energy Pavillion Gas £80.76
B&Q Equipment £50.94
British Gas Pavillion Electric £222.83
N&SDC Events Licence £21.00
Invoices Awaiting Payment
Payee Description Amount (incl VAT)
SAS Trade & DIY Equipment £40.62
Swift Fire & Security Alarm Reset £29.37
Corona Energy Pavillion Gas £212.11
Town & Country Village Grass Cutting £1,834.18
Town & Country Extra Cutting – Sherwood Fields £193.88
Ashfield Electrical Pavillion Extractor Fans £246.75
Intervend UK Ltd 1 Month’s Rental £7.05
Sherwood Community Bus June Account £100.00
10/079 TO RECEIVE REPORTS CONCERNING THE PARISH FROM
COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS – MUST BE SENT OUT WITH AGENDA
TO ALLOW COUNCILLORS TO TAKE PART IN ANY DISCUSSION
Letters were sent to both district councillors after the last meeting.
No response has been received in the office. Before the letters were
sent and before the minutes were circulated, D/Cllr Bird also speaking
on behalf of D/Cllr Moore, phoned the Chair stating that due to her
dispute with the Clerk, she would not reply to the letter nor attend
meetings. The Chair stressed the importance of informing Parish Councillors
and thereby the villagers what is happening at district level in relation
to Edwinstowe and that if the District Councillor did not wish to attend
a meeting, she could provide a report. Again this was refused as D/Cllr
Bird did not have a computer and would not hand write a report.
Cllr Tattersall stated that the district councillors
have been elected by the parish and therefore should inform residents
on relevant issues on a regular basis. The excuse about the Clerk was
unacceptable.
Cllr Brooks was concerned that no information is being
fed back to the village especially as Edwinstowe pays some of the highest
rates in the country. It was suggested that a letter be sent to the
Chief Executive of N&SDC for advice etc Clerk to write letter
C/Cllr Ward was asked whether Nottinghamshire County
Council had plans to sell off care homes as reported recently in the
local press. He replied that the media do not tell the truth and should
not be believed; there is to be a general consultation and review which
will begin in September. C/Cllr Ward will be visiting Bishop’s
Court in October.
C/Cllr Ward was asked whether Edwinstowe Library is
at risk of closure. He responded that current information is that libraries
will not close but there is a possibility of using them as contact points
in the future.
10/080 CORRESPONDENCE
See attached sheet
10/081 REPORTS from councillors TO BE SENT OUT WITH
AGENDA
None
10/082 PLANNING MATTERS
See attached sheet
10/083 DATE OF NEXT MEETING – 14th September 2010
In view of the confidential nature of the business to
be transacted, it is advisable, in the public interest, that the public
and press be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw
09/080 13th July 2010 Correspondence for Information (COPIES ARE AVAILABLE
TO VIEW IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS)
NAME DESCRIPTION COMMENTS
CPRE Best Kept Village Results We have not progressed to the next round
however, we have been awarded a certificate of merit for the crossroads
High Street/Church Street/Mansfield Road. The Chair read the judges’
comments to the meeting
N&SDC Strategic Land Availability Assessment Publication Noted
Notts Fire & Rescue Response Magazine Noted
NCC Bus Stop Improvement Scheme Noted
NCC Delivery of Local Services Noted
N&SDC Land Between 119 & 121 Henton Road Request for Allotments
A request was made to establish whether the land is owned by NCC or
N&SDC Clerk to investigate
NCC Feedback to Bob Hart re severe weather 2009/10 Noted
NCC - Newark & Ollerton Libraries Customer Service Surgeries Noted
Correspondence for Discussion/Action (COPIES ARE AVAILABLE TO VIEW IN
COUNCIL CHAMBERS)
NAME DESCRIPTION COMMENTS
Mr Davis Warsop Paddock Close – ASB It was agreed o hold a multi-agency
meeting to discuss the ongoing problems in the car park. Clerk to arrange
meeting and send letters to all parties
Ms Elizabeth Smith Paddock Close – ASB See above
The Big House, Edwinstowe Public Meeting 15th July 2010 19.30 Ollerton
Town Hall Councillors are invited to attend the meeting on Thursday.
Karen Wakefield Request for a memorial bench in the Forest Cemetery
The request for a memorial bench in the cemetery was approved. Alice
and Sarah to meet on site to discuss position
