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- Councillor Mrs M. Gilbert (Chair)
- Councillor Ms L. Hopkin
- Councillor Mrs S. Wheatley
- Councillor K. Harrison
- Councillor Mrs E. Harrison
- Councillor D. Keating
- Councillor Mrs S. Keating
- Councillor K. Rigby
- Councillor Mrs L. Ball (Broxtowe Borough Council)
- PCSO P. Keeley (Police)
- PC H. Brown (Police)
Clerk
Mrs S.M. Bircumshaw
There were no members of the public present.
40/24 Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D. Mason, Councillor J. Wilton, Councillor S. Pepper, Councillor D. Pringle (Broxtowe Borough Council) and Councillor J. McGrath (Nottinghamshire County Council).
41/24 Declaration of Interest
There were no Declarations of Interest made.
42/24 Minutes of the last meeting
The Minutes of the meeting held on 19th March 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
43/24 Public participation
There were no members of the public present.
44/24 Police report
PCSO Keeley and PC Brown attended the meeting. PCSO Keeley told the meeting that they are unable to email crime figures due to new system they are using. Broxtowe North is split into three areas – Eastwood North, Eastwood Town Centre and Eastwood South.
Figures for Cossall for the last 90 days – up to today’s date are as follows:-
There have been 6 crimes reported – 3 Violence Against a Person, 2 Theft and 1 Sexual Offence. One of the reports of violence was an incident of road rage on Newtons Lane. One of the thefts reported was from a motor vehicle – a van parked outside a house on The Glebe and the other was a fraud/scam type of theft.
Comparison of other areas in the same period are – Awsworth had 23 crimes reported, with the top crime being 10 reports of Violence Against a Person and there were 21 crimes reported in Brinsley. Overall there are no real concerns with Cossall.
Speed Watch – PCSO Keeley gave a short presentation on the new Speed Watch Scheme. Over 10 years ago a Speed Watch scheme was run in Awsworth. Loan kits were used, Public Liability insurance had to be in place for volunteers and signs had to be put in place, there was a charge from Nottinghamshire County Council to put the signs up.
The new scheme was re-launched in 2022, following consultation with other police forces and there was quite a big difference in the schemes being operated. The new scheme has produced new protocols and guidelines, with the police providing Public Liability insurance and new signs which are much better.
In September 2022 Awsworth were first to respond to the new scheme, the 10 volunteers were councillors. They used the loan kit for about 6 months and then purchased their own kit.
Once volunteers have been trained they can send information regarding vehicles to the Police, who will send out letters to the offenders – the readings taken by the volunteers are not considered as enforcement. A minimum of 3 volunteers (over 18 years old) are required to commit a least one hour per week. The kits cost between £600-£700, depending on the supplier.
The question was raised regarding the policy on bikers – has this changed since the new Chief Constable was appointed? Bikers are still pursued, generally with vehicles but the police cannot chase these bikers if the bikers are not wearing a helmet. The bikers seem to be mostly staying over the county line in Derbyshire now.
45/24 County Councillor’s report
There was no County Councillor’s Report but Councillor Mrs Gilbert confirmed that we have received a grant from Councillor Doddy of £500, which will just cover the costs of the drinking water fountain.
Hopefully we will be in receipt of a grant of £250 from Councillor McGrath in the near future, which will be put towards a new village sign. Cropwell Butler has had financial support from the County Council for a new village sign and Councillor McGrath is looking into this to find out if Cossall could obtain any funding towards a sign and will let us know if he finds anything out
Cllr McGrath will ask at NCC regarding financial support for a new village sign
46/24 Borough Councillor’s report
Councillor Mrs Ball reported that there are concerns regarding Avant Homes and their plans. They wanted to build 50 properties and have them occupied before the new exit road onto the bypass is built, but have now, with negotiations with the Borough Council, dropped that figure to 20. No plans have been approved yet for the entrance/exit onto the bypass and Avant are blaming the County Council for the delay but this is not necessarily the case.
Councillor Mrs Ball reported that the illegal off road bikers are still in the Awsworth area and have been seen cleaning their bikes in the petrol station.
8.05pm Standing Orders commenced
47/24 Items for discussion
a) Church matters
The EON meter should be removed from the church on Thursday.
b) Footpaths and pavements
Councillor Mrs Gilbert has reported the squashed water pipe where a tree has fallen on it, near to Millennium Park.
The painting of the phone box was briefly discussed and will be put on the next Agenda. We will obtain a couple of quotations for discussion.
Obtain quotes
Councillor Ms Hopkin reported that the pavement next to Millennium Park is covered in mud by a tractor being driven across and the verge is a real mess. It is a very large vehicle turning into a very small space. We really need photos in order to report the problem to County Council. It was also reported that the verges, where the gas works were carried out, have not been reinstated.
Councillor Wilton had reported that the hedges are overhanging on Robinettes Lane – Councillor Mrs Gilbert has been to have a look and confirmed that the hedges are not overhanging until well above a person’s height. She has taken some photos but it is the weeds which are bad over the pavement and these have been photographed and reported.
Photos to be taken and these problems reported.
c) Roads/Traffic/Bikers
The water problem on Church Lane is much better; it is not running across the road as much. Viaem were working on Coronation Road so maybe that could be something to do with it. Councillor Keating reported that he had contacted County Council again and the response was that ‘it does not meet their criteria for intervention’ – something has definitely happened though. The situation will be monitored.
d) Neighbourhood Plan update
The celebration for the making of The Plan was a big success. Marilyn Reed was very touched with the engraved vase that was presented to her as a sign of appreciation for all she did as chair of the Steering Group and has sent a thank you letter. The Neighbourhood Plan can now be taken off the Agenda.
e) RCAN
Councillor Harrison reported that there is a face-to-face social media workshop. Also reminder for the Best Kept Village Competition, maybe we could aim to enter this next year. There is also a County Council Community Fund, where they will contribute to improvement of facilities – ie car park. Unfortunately we are unable to afford to match their contribution (up to £20,000).
f) TPO’s (Tree Preservation Orders)
Councillor Mrs Gilbert has sent all the maps to everyone. Councillor Mrs Wheatley reported that the maps are the same as the original ones from 1995 – they have just been tidied up and are still well out of date, even though new dates have been put on the maps. They only show the Conservation areas and we need them to show information on trees outside of the Conservation area. Councillor Mrs Harrison reported that there is part of a tree down near Harry’s tree at the bottom of Church Lane. Harry’s tree does not look very healthy at the moment. Councillor Mrs Wheatley will have a look and report back.
Questions to be asked again of Borough Council regarding out of date maps.
Cllr Mrs Wheatley will have a look at the trees in question
g) Notice boards and new defibrillator
Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that the notice board to mount the defibrillator on is now ready and Councillor Keating will help Chris Gilbert to site it. The refurbished board to go outside The Gardeners is also ready. Councillors Mrs Gilbert and Ms Hopkin have spoken to the resident on The Glebe where the new notice board will be sited as a matter of courtesy. Councillor Mrs Wheatley has ordered the topper for the new notice board on The Glebe.
h) First aid course
Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that she will now be available on the evening. Posters have been put up on the notice boards and on the website. Councillor Ms Hopkin will take some to the Bennerley Volunteer Group, Marilyn Reed has taken some to the school and some will be given to Awsworth Parish Council at the Avant meeting next week.
i) CPRE membership
We are now confirmed members and the membership fee of £60.00 will be paid by direct debit on 21 April.
j) Floral displays
Councillor Mrs Harrison reported that she has ordered and paid for the floral ‘80’ to commemorate 80 years since D-Day. She will pick them up the day before so they will be put in position on 5th June. The use of a ladder will be needed. The planters are looking very nice, the tulips are lovely. David at Trowell Garden Centre will be approached for the next lot of flowers for the summer floral display. Need ideas for different flowers which can be discussed at the next meeting.
k) Water fountain
Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that the drinking water fountain has arrived. It is very nice and came from Athens via Milan. The tap has been purchased. Chris Gilbert and John Wheatley will be fitting it and Councillor Mrs Wheatley has ordered a brass sign “Drinking Water”.
l) Certificate of Exemption for yearend accounts
As the income received and the expenditure made during the last financial year have not exceeded £25,000.00, the Parish Council is exempt from audit. The Certificate of Exemption was signed and dated by the Clerk and the Chair and, following insertion of the Minute reference, will be sent to the auditors.
48/24 Correspondence
A letter has been received from Cossall Community Chest requesting consideration For a donation towards the Cossall Open Gardens event to be held on 9th June. It was proposed and seconded that a donation of £275.00 be made. There was a show of hands and all were in favour.
49/24 Planning applications
Newtons Lane is still dirty at times and large lorries are parked often partly over the pavement. It has been reported that lorry drivers were very impolite to a resident with her children. Large amounts of muck are still being removed from the site No photos have been received yet, after promises of photos, from Avant Homes, of the state of Newtons Lane at the end of each working week.
There have been no further developments on the hedge saga – this has been passed to hedgerows as it can’t be classed as a tree.
Ski slope development has halted, reportedly due to financial matters. Proper plans have yet to be submitted, as they have only been granted outline planning permission.
50/24 Finance
Councillor Rigby gave a Financial Report.
We started off in the last financial year with £15,196.61 and finished at the end of March this year with £7,710.80. This is ok as we have achieved a lot – we cannot carry on in this vein though. The Christmas Tree was very expensive to set up but now we will only have to purchase a tree every year. We have also sorted out the water fountain and only had to spend £200 out of our £2,000 Community Support Fund. NALC recommends keeping 50% of the Precept back each year but there is no legal obligation to do this.
The Precept for this financial year has not yet gone into the bank, should be deposited on either 19th or 26th April. We have committed £735/year (over 3 years) for a village sign.
We have now got down to a level which is acceptable and defendable but need to be careful with spend this year. We have shown the parish a very good reason to be here. We need to tread carefully this year and assess what we have next year. The village sign could be looked at next year – this is just an aspiration and we can move on this when prudent to do so.
Councillor Rigby apologised for cancelling the Finance meeting tonight – he realised that the time would be too tight. We need more than half an hour for these meetings. The Clerk will sort out a few dates to reschedule the meeting.
51/24 Accounts for payment
The following accounts were approved for payment
| Mrs S. Bircumshaw – Clerk’s Salary (Pay rise) / Stationery / drinks for N/P Celebration | £523.72 | (£479.67/£7.25/£36.80) |
| Cossall PCC – Room Hire (16/4/24) | £35.00 | |
| Mr R Heard – Website Administration | £45.00 | |
| Mrs M. Gilbert – Tap for Water Fountain/Food and flowers (Marilyn) for N/P Celebration | £96.89 | (£58.19/£38.70) |
| Mr C. Gilbert – Printing of 12 x N/P Book | £84.00 | |
| Mrs E. Harrison – Flowers (80) for D-Day Anniversary | £70.00 | |
| Clear Councils – Annual Insurance | £424.56 | |
| Mr C. Gilbert – Cleaning Church Hall | £20.00 | |
| Mrs S. Wheatley – Engraving of 2 Brass Plaques | £78.00 | (£30.00/£48.00) |
| Bank Charges and Fees (including 1 cheque) | £8.00 | |
| EON – Direct Debit – Church Floodlights | £104.91 | |
| TOTAL | £1,490.08 | |
| Income since 20/03/24 | ||
| Bank Interest | £12.62 | |
| NCC Grant | £500.00 | |
| TOTAL | £512.62 | |
| Balances @ Bank – March 2024 | ||
| Deposit A/C | £7,061.80 | |
| Current A/C | £136.38 | |
| TOTAL | £7,198.18 | |
| Balances @ Bank – April 2024 | ||
| Deposit A/C | £6,074.42 | |
| Current A/C | £146.30 | |
| TOTAL | £6,220.72 |
52/24 Date and time of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be the Annual General Meeting and will be held on Tuesday 21st May 2024, commencing at 7.30pm in the Church Hall.