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- Councillor Mrs M. Gilbert (Chair)
- Councillor Ms L. Hopkin
- Councillor Mrs S. Wheatley
- Councillor J. Wilton
- Councillor K. Harrison
- Councillor Mrs E. Harrison
- Councillor D. Keating
- Councillor Mrs S. Keating
- Councillor K. Rigby
- Councillor S. Pepper
- Councillor Mrs L. Ball (Broxtowe Borough Council)
Clerk
Mrs S.M. Bircumshaw
53/24 Election of Officers and Representatives
Chair – It was proposed by Councillor Ms Hopkin and seconded by Councillor Rigby that Councillor Mrs Gilbert be elected Chair. There was a show of hands and all were in favour.
Councillor Mrs Gilbert accepted the position of Chair.
Vice-Chair – It was proposed by Councillor Mrs Wheatley and seconded by Councillor Mrs Gilbert that Councillor Ms Hopkin be elected Vice-Chair. There was a show of hands and all were in favour.
Councillor Ms Hopkin accepted the position of Vice-Chair.
Responsible Financial Officer – The Clerk will carry on as RFO.
Finance and General Purposes Committee/Standing Orders Committee –
The representatives elected to Finance and General Purposes Committee/Standing Orders Committee are:-
Councillor Rigby, Councillor Harrison, Councillor Mrs Harrison, Councillor Keating, Councillor Ms Hopkin and Councillor Mrs Gilbert (ex-officio).
Planning Committee – All councillors will be members of this committee with Chair and Vice-Chair as ex-officio members.
54/24 Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D. Mason, Councillor D. Pringle (Broxtowe Borough Council) and Councillor J. McGrath (Nottinghamshire County Council).
55/24 Declaration of Interest
There were no Declarations of Interest made.
56/24 Minutes of the last meeting
The Minutes of the meeting held on 16th April 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
57/24 Public participation
There were no members of the public present.
58/24 Police report
There was no Police Report.
Councillor Mrs Gilbert confirmed that she had requested a police presence at the Open Gardens; however, we are informed that our Community Support Officers are not on shift on that date.
Our new contact for the police is PCSO 7424 Tony Davies.
59/24 County Councillor’s report
There was no County Councillor’s Report but Councillor Mrs Gilbert confirmed that Councillor McGrath will chase up the £250 he has agreed to donate towards a new village sign.
Cllr McGrath to chase up £250 donation for new village sign
We may also be able to have disabled access (raised kerbs) at two of the bus stops in the parish – the one at Blackboards on Awsworth Lane and the one at Millennium Park on Coronation Road.
60/24 Borough Councillor’s report
Councillor Mrs Ball reported that she attended the last Awsworth Parish Council meeting and also the full Cabinet meeting at Broxtowe Borough Council – Sue Patterson is the new Mayor of Broxtowe and Paul Bullock is the Deputy Mayor.
Councillor Mrs Ball told the meeting that she had been unable to attend the last Avant meeting but has been down Newtons Lane to see if Avant have done as promised, and kept up the cleaning regime on the roadway. Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that Jason (Avant) has sent her photos regarding the condition of Newtons Lane and it is looking better. Councillor Mrs Ball said that she is still very concerned about getting news of the entrance/exit on to the bypass.
Councillor Harrison asked if the Environment Agency report has been received yet, regarding the water in the canal. Councillor Mrs Ball will check up on this.
Cllr Mrs Ball to check re Environment Agency report
7.40pm Standing Orders commenced
61/24 Items for discussion
a) Church matters
Councillor Mrs Wheatley reported that the meter has finally been removed and confirmed that John Wheatley’s old firm will be carrying out the necessary work to connect to the church meter, for the church flood lighting. We will be paying one third of the church’s bill. Councillor Mrs Wheatley will advise John that we are happy for him to go ahead with the necessary work at his convenience.
b) Footpaths and pavements
Councillor Keating reported that the seat at the top of Millennium Park is very wobbly and split down the middle – not very safe at all. This needs some work/attention. It was proposed and seconded, show of hands and all were in favour that Chris Gilbert be asked to carry out the necessary repairs. Councillor Mrs Gilbert abstained from the vote. Councillor Ms Hopkin reported that the pavement on Pipswood side of Coronation Road (other side of the bridge) is very broken up and needs some attention. Councillor Mrs Gilbert will take some photos and send when reporting this
Cllr Mrs Gilbert to take photos to send when reporting this
Councillor Pepper raised the question as to why the silt stoppers are still in the canal – this is because they have to be installed in every possible outlet into the canal, to block silt runoff from the building site next to Newtons Lane. Councillor Ms Hopkin reported that in the canal between Newtons Lane and the bypass the lily pads have got white residue on them, which may possibly be as a result of silt in the water.
Councillor Keating asked if there is any news on the repairs to the handrail on Millennium Park – it has not yet been established as to who owns this. Greenspaces may be able to fit the repair in when they are working in the area. If we need to pursue ownership we may have to look at the land register – we will wait until the next meeting to see if any County Councillors attend and ask them to sort this out. This will be added to the next Agenda.
Councillor Ms Hopkin reported that there is a tree down over footpath 34 between Newtons Lane and the bypass. It is quite dangerous as have to stoop to get under it and it may fall down.
c) Roads/Traffic/Bikers
Councillor Ms Hopkin reported that there is a large pothole just as you turn into Newtons Lane. She has sent photos to Councillor Mrs Gilbert.
There is also a large pothole just past Sam Patchitt’s property on the left hand side going up Church Lane. Need to get a lamp post number if possible or what3words to report the exact location.
Councillor Pepper asked the meeting is anyone was aware of the road closure just before the Open Gardens event. Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that she has contacted Highways about this as it is scheduled to finish on 7 June – 2 days before the event. They have confirmed that it will all be cleared away on the 7th.
Councillor Mrs Harrison reported concerns of a pothole on the road off the island towards Tesco – this needs reporting because it is Cossall side of the railway line. Pot holes can be reported online.
Three pot holes to be reported
Councillor Rigby reported that the anti-skid surface at Dead Man’s Elbow needs replacing. Two weeks ago a car had gone straight into the hedge at this bend. When reporting this surface problem, this incident needs to be mentioned as anti-skid could have helped prevent it, as it would have given an extra 7% adhesion.
Problems with the lack of anti-skid surface to be reported
d) RCAN
Councillor Harrison reported that he had passed information to Marilyn Reed and Gillian Thornhill applicable to church halls and that the B&Q Foundation and the Morrisons Fund to relieve poverty and promote health and welbeing, have grants of up to £5,000 or £10,000, which is not enough to help with the car park repair.
There is an online course about Church Hall legal and safety responsibilities; this will be held on 25 June from 10-11am.
e) CPRE
Membership information was passed to Councillor Ms Hopkin.
f) TPO’s (Tree Preservation Orders)
Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that she had received a phone call from Philip Bennett from Open Spaces – the TPO requests have finally been passed on to him. He is aware that the maps are very out-of-date and they will be doing something about this issue throughout the borough. He is not sure at this point how this is going to happen but it this information will eventually go into the public domain when completed. Only the trees in the Conservation Area in Cossall are protected at the moment. We need to get a list of notable trees and their measurements and these will need to be put in as a Planning Application for TPO. Councillor Wilton confirmed that he has taken the measurements of four trees on Robinettes Lane. Councillors Mrs Wheatley and Ms Hopkin will take photos of notable trees to bring to next meeting. The trees are not in private gardens, they are all along the fields. Some of the original trees with TPOs are in private gardens so these are already protected. It was proposed and seconded that we agree in principle to get TPOs on the trees we feel need to be protected. There was a show of hands and all were in favour. We need to get photos but try to get things in scale re size. The trees have got to be a decent species/a good age/ valuable to the scenic view. This will be put on Agenda for next meeting.
Councillor Mrs Wheatley reported that Harry’s Tree is still alive, some branches are dead and it is getting tall and spindly. There is a tree overhanging it which needs some branches cutting back. Councillor Wilton will have a look.
Cllr Wilton to take a look
g) Notice Boards and new defibrillator
The new notice board on The Glebe is up and running with some notices on it. The defibrillator board is up and running and both the defibrillator and bleed control kit are registered.
h) First aid course
Councillor Rigby reported that this had gone very well and there will be photos in the next newsletter.
i) Phone box
Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that she had obtained a couple of quotes for the painting of the phone box. Dean Hancox has quoted £410 which includes everything and the other quote was for £500. It was proposed and seconded, show of hands and all were in favour that we accept the quote from Dean Hancox. Councillor Mrs Gilbert will liaise with Dean for the work to be carried out over the summer.
Cllr Mrs Gilbert to liaise with Dean Hancox
j) Floral displays
Councillor Mrs Gilbert commented on how lovely the planter outside the church hall looks with the white pansies. Councillor Mrs Harrison has sorted out the “80” flowers for the 80th anniversary of D-Day and John Wheatley will help to put these up on 5th June. Councillor Mrs Harrison reported that she had got all the plants for the planters from Trowell Garden Centre yesterday.
It was reported that a patch of the grass at the bottom of Church Lane has not been mowed and looks very messy. Councillor Keating will take care of this.
Cllr Keating to sort this
k) Drinking water fountain
This is now in place and working. John Wheatley spent a lot of time and effort in siting this. Councillor Mrs Gilbert told the meeting that she had asked John to put a bill in for his work but he probably won’t. It was proposed that we get him a gift in lieu of monetary remuneration for his efforts. The Clerk pointed out that Chris Gilbert had also put in a lot of time and effort on this project and maybe should also receive a similar value gift in lieu of remuneration. There was another proposal that both John and Chris receive a gift for their work. An amount of £25 was also proposed. These proposals were seconded, there was a show of hands and all were in favour. Councillor Mrs Gilbert will sort this out.
Cllr Mrs Gilbert to sort out gifts in lieu of renumeration for John and Chris
l) Cossall Community Chest
Donation for Children’s Party – Councillor Mrs Wheatley asked if the Parish Council would be willing to give a donation towards the costs of the party. This party has mainly been organised for the families on Newtons Lane and The Glebe who are being very disrupted by the building works and the traffic, roadwork and dirt associated with this. A donation was discussed and it was proposed and seconded that we make a donation of £180 towards the cost of the entertainment. There was a show of hands and all were in favour.
m) Approval of year end accounts
i) Annual Governance Statement 2023/24
The Annual Governance Statement 2023/24 was presented to the council. It was proposed and seconded, there was a show of hands and all were in favour. The Annual Governance Statement was duly signed and dated by the Chair and the RFO (Clerk).
ii) Accounting statements for 2023/24
The Accounting Statements 2023/24 were presented to the council. It was proposed and seconded, there was a show of hands and all were in favour. The Accounting Statements were duly signed and dated by the Chair and the RFO (Clerk).
62/24 Correspondence
There was no correspondence.
63/24 Planning applications
Councillor Ms Hopkin reported that she had been down Newtons Lane and that it was cordoned off on one side due to road works at the far end of the road and there was no provision for pedestrians to walk safely, they have to walk in the road.
Pedestrian safety problem to be reported
Councillor Keating raised the question as to what is happening with the Almshouses. Councillor Mrs Wheatley told the meeting that they have a date for Highways to come to look at the entrance/exit to the property – this will take place next Wednesday. There have been 3 separate designs for this but it is not actually clear which one was passed. There have been discussions with the owner of the Almshouses, Gurjit Mahal, regarding this. Things take time and access has got to be sorted before any work can be started.
64/24 Finance
Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that this year’s County Council Community Funds are for, amongst other things, village signs. We can apply for 50% funding and the Nottinghamshire County Council logo has to be on them. The £250 donation from Councillor McGrath will be put towards a new sign. Councillor Mrs Gilbert has obtained quotes and the most reasonable price includes pictorial illustration, lettering, ball finials and installation. We will need to supply the graphics and artwork. The cost for this is £2,850.00 – if we obtained the funding the cost to us would be half of this –so we would probably be looking at around £1,500.00. This will be added to the MTFS as we cannot afford it for this year but maybe able to apply for the funding next year.
The next Finance meeting will be held on Tuesday 4 June, commencing at 7pm. Councillor Keating gave his apologies for the meeting.
65/24 Accounts for payment
The following accounts were approved for payment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mrs S. Bircumshaw – Clerk’s Salary/Phone Rental | £513.27 | (£479.67/£33.60) |
| Cossall PCC – Room Hire (21/5/24) | £35.00 | |
| Mr R Heard – Website Administration | £45.00 | |
| Cossall Community Chest – Open Gardens Donation | £275.00 | |
| Mrs M. Gilbert – First Aid Course Fee/Biscuits | £152.65 | (£150.00/£2.65) |
| Mr C. Gilbert – Notice boards (The Glebe/The Gardeners) and Defibrillator board | £870.00 | (£330.00/£180.00/£360.00) |
| Mr C. Gilbert – Cleaning Church Hall | £20.00 | |
| Bank Charges and Fees | £8.00 | |
| EON – Direct Debit – Church Floodlights | £104.91 | |
| TOTAL | £2,023.83 | |
| Income since 16/04/24 | ||
| Bank Interest | £13.00 | |
| Precept | £13,700.00 | |
| TOTAL | £13,713.00 | |
| Balances @ Bank – April 2024 | ||
| Deposit A/C | £6,074.42 | |
| Current A/C | £146.30 | |
| TOTAL | £6,220.72 | |
| Balances @ Bank – May 2024 | ||
| Deposit A/C | £17,288.30 | |
| Current A/C | £562.47 | |
| TOTAL | £17,850.77 |
66/24 Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council, will be held on Tuesday 18th June 2024, commencing at 7.30pm in the Church Hall.