Print this pagePRESENT
- Councillor Mrs M. Gilbert (Chair)
- Councillor Ms L. Hopkin
- Councillor J. Wheatley
- Councillor Mrs S. Wheatley
- Councillor J. Wilton
- Councillor K. Harrison
- Councillor Mrs E. Harrison
- Councillor K. Rigby
- Councillor Mr D. Pringle (Broxtowe Borough Council)
- Councillor J. McGrath (Notts County Council)
Clerk
Mrs S.M. Bircumshaw
123/21 Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D. Mason, Councillor D. Keating, Councillor Mrs S. Keating, Councillor L. Ball (Broxtowe Borough Council) and PCSO P. Keeley (Police).
124/21 Declaration of interest
Councillor Mrs Gilbert declared an interest in any discussion regarding the floral planter on Robinettes Lane and the artwork for the Autumn Newsletter.
125/21 Minutes of the last meeting
The Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 19 October 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
126/21 Public participation
There were no members of the public present.
127/21 Police report
There had been a Beat Surgery held here last week and 10 local residents had attended, the police were very pleased with the attendance.
At this Beat Surgery, the police agreed to put in a recommendation that the HGV weight restrictions signs were not suitable for purpose as they are not prominent/noticeable enough. Councillor Mrs Gilbert had filled in the relevant form and sent it to Notts County Council about this problem with these signs. A reply has been received from the county council saying they are in the correct place and comply with the manual. Councillor Mrs Gilbert has requested that they reconsider in view of the police concerns. Councillor McGrath will take this up with county council. Councillor Rigby suggested that we request a warning notice before the weight limit restriction signs – there is one at Awsworth end. Councillor McGrath has got a meeting with Dave Walker on Friday and will bring this matter up.
It was also mentioned at the Beat Surgery about the increased number of police vehicles travelling through the village with sirens blaring. The officer who is dealing with this has just returned from holiday. If no response is forthcoming Inspector Simon Riley will be contacted. The day after the meeting 4-5 police vehicles came through the village, all with sirens blaring. The concern about this is the fact that the police driving the vehicles are not able to see if there is a horse and rider around the bend and the noise could spook the horse causing a terrible accident.
If no response Inspector Simon Riley will be contacted
128/21 County Councillor’s Report
Councillor McGrath was welcomed to the meeting. Councillor McGrath reported that the main thing to be dealt with in the County is potholes. There is a 3 year surfacing plan with new ideas on re-surfacing but it’s down to money as to what can be achieved.
Every County Council is given 3 projects to put forward, the ones put forward for our area are – Traffic Calming measures in Stapleford and Awsworth, bus routes through Awsworth and potholes/re-surfacing.
He has spoken to Dave Walker (Highways) who is putting plans together for bus routes in rural areas. Councillor Rigby said that the biggest mistake ever made was when bus regulations were de-regulated. Local councils used to be able to negotiate with the bus companies. Hopefully new routes will be subsidised by the Government.
As utility companies do not use the standard tarmac when filling in potholes, this is going to be looked at. The county council is also looking at roads which need to be repaired and the urgency within 3 years.
129/21 Borough Councillor’s report
Councillor Pringle suggested that maybe the issue with the police vehicles travelling through the village with sirens going, is to get from Beeston to the bypass. If they go through Trowell they have to go into Derbyshire to access the bypass via Ilkeston. The back road from Trowell to Cossall is a short cut. The police are short of manpower and unfortunately either side of Trowell/Cossall/Awsworth are high crime areas. The problem is that the sirens might spook a horse that is not visible to the drive due to the sharp bens in Church Lane.
Councillor Pringle reported that there had been a complaint regarding the road from the Industrial Estate to the bypass having large amounts of mud on the surface. The firm in question is putting a wheel washer on site so the problem should be alleviated.
The planning application for 98 Church Lane has been passed. In future if applications in the green belt are refused, Councillors Pringle and Mrs Ball will ask for them to go to committee.
130/21 Items for Discussion
a) Church matters
A massive thank you was given to Councillor Wheatley for taking on and organising the bell tower project, also thanks to the craftsmen who worked on it. The tower is now in place and looks fantastic. Councillor Wheatley reported that the project has come in under budget at £3730, the budget was for £5150.
Councillor Wheatley proposed that a proper bell rope be purchased; he can organise to get one made. The proposal was seconded and all were in favour. Councillor Wheatley will purchase a bell rope.
Cllr Wheatley to purchase bell rope end piece.
Councillor Wheatley reported that he has spoken to the church PCC and they think it would be a great idea to have a Dedication Ceremony with refreshments in the Church Hall. This could maybe in February? We could also hold a local quiz? This will be put on Agenda for January. It was proposed that a budget of £200 be allocated for this. The proposal was seconded and all were in favour.
Councillor Wheatley reported that he has been given the flags to go on the flagpole but we don’t possess a Diocesan flag (St George/Southwell). The cost of a Diocesan flag is approximately £115. It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Wheatley purchase a Diocesan flag and all were in favour.
Cllr Wheatley to purchase a Diocesan flag
The rope on the flagpole has been replaced. Councillor Wheatley will check the tv in the church hall. If it doesn’t work he will look into getting it repaired as it would be nice to have a tv for New Year.
There has been a minor leak in the plumbing in church; this has been sorted.
b) Footpaths and pavements
Councillor Ms Hopkin told the meeting that she had reported broken pavement outside Chatterley House and it had been repaired the next day.
c) Roads/Traffic/Bikers
The meeting between the 3 parishes will be held on Thursday 25 November commencing at 10.30am. David Gell’s replacement will be there and, hopefully Helen Spencer from County Council.
Standing Orders were suspended at 8.13pm
Standing Orders were re-instated at 8.29pm
d) Village matters
Floral Displays – Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that Chris was not happy with the sample he had received of the plastic wood for the new planter, from the second company investigated; it was re-cycled polystyrene and not plastic wood. Councillor Mrs Gilbert has done some research online and found a company with its own tooling for extrusion in Leicester so will be able to pick the materials up instead of paying for delivery. The materials have been ordered and will be collected next week.
Notice Boards – Councillor Mrs Wheatley reported that when putting Remembrance Service poppies on the notice boards she had noticed that the boards do not say “Cossall Parish Council”, they are just plain. Councillor Mrs Wheatley will get a quote for lettering.
Cllr Mrs Wheatley will get a quote for lettering.
Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that Chris Gilbert has looked at the notice board on Robinettes Lane as it is rotten. He will put in a quote for January – the post has snapped off at the bottom so there will be more work involved.
Chris to supply quote
e) RCAN/Neighbourhood Plan
There is a meeting on Thursday 18 November at 7pm. The Neighbourhood Planning Group have been through the draft prepared by Helen Metcalf, who has made the amendments ready for Thursday. Thanks in particular to Councillors Harrison, Mrs Harrison and Mrs Wheatley and also Marilyn Reed.
Councillor Harrison reported that there is more funding available from RCAN for community projects from £5,000-£40,000. He will email them – applications close on 1st December at 8pm. It was suggested that Michael Payne at Broxtowe be contacted as he has a lot to do on the funding side of things and he will be able to give a run down on which projects this funding can be used for. Councillor Rigby suggested that we purchase an old phone box to put another Defibrillator/Bleed Kit in at the other end of the parish. We need to find out the cost of a phone box – it is £600 for a Bleed Kit and approximately £1400 for a Defibrillator plus electrics. It was suggested that a bid be submitted for just over £5,000 – £2500 for the equipment inside, £1800 for electrical supply etc plus light and small heater.
f) Autumn/Winter Newsletter
The Newsletter has now been printed. The Community Chest want to send round a leaflet for the Carol Concert so would be good to push both through together. Councillor Ms Hopkin will deliver to Newtons Lane/The Glebe, Councillors Mr & Mrs Wheatley will deliver to Church Lane and Councillor Wilton will deliver to Robinettes Lane.
g) Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Gas powered beacons cost around £500 each, would need to get gas bottles and regulators to make it work so will work out very expensive and there will also be Health and Safety issues. It was not felt appropriate to spend a lot of money on a beacon as we are only a small parish. Thursday 2nd June is the day beacons are going to be lit and the Big Lunch is on Sunday 5th June. It was suggested that we organise a Get-together in the church hall. Could be royal themed with a red Carpet? This would be great for community spirit and it was agreed in principle to hold something along the lines of the celebration we held for the WW1 100 years. It was proposed and seconded that a budget of £700 be allocated for the event. All were in favour.
Paula Straw at Broxtowe would like to know if we have any plans and will be advised of what we are intending to do. This will be further discussed in January.
Cllr Mrs Gilbert to inform Paula that Cossall will hold a lunch event
131/21 Correspondence
There was no correspondence.
132/21 Planning applications
There were no planning applications for discussion and Councillor Mrs Harrison said that it was pleasing to see that the Foundry House application had been turned down.
133/21 Finance & General Purposes Committee recommendations
Councillor Wheatley was elected Chair of the Finance Committee, at the meeting held on Tuesday 2nd November. There was a general discussion on the finances for next year resulting in a recommendation for a 0% increase in precept, thus it staying at £11646.00 for the third year running. This recommendation was proposed and seconded and there was a show of hands with 6 For and 2 Against, therefore the proposal was passed by majority vote. It was also suggested that a 5th member of the Finance & General Purposes Committee be appointed. This will be put on the Agenda for January.
134/21 Accounts for payment/finance
The following accounts were approved for payment:-
| Mrs S. Bircumshaw – Clerk’s Salary | £414.86 |
| Cossall PCC – Room Hire x 2 | £48.00 |
| Mr R Heard – Website Administration | £45.00 |
| Mrs M. Gilbert – Zoom Monthly Subs (Oct 2021) | £14.39 |
| Mrs M. Gilbert – Christmas Lights | £199.90 |
| Cossall Community Chest – Grant towards Open Gardens | £250.00 |
| Mr C. Gilbert – Cleaning of Church Hall | £20.00 |
| Planning for People – Consultancy Fees (Locality Grant) | £5,250.00 |
| British Legion Poppy Appeal – Donation | £220.00 |
| Eco Plastic Wood – Materials for new planter | £111.77 |
| Dale Atkin Joinery – Bell Tower | £1,934.10 |
| A Holland – Bell Tower | £1,417.37 |
| Mr J. Wheatley – Bell Tower | £89.00 |
| EON – Direct Debit – Church Floodlights | £28.00 |
| Total | £10,042.39 |
| Post-dated cheques for 21 December 2021 | |
| Mrs S. Bircumshaw – Clerk’s Salary | £414.86 |
| Mr R. Heard – Website Administration | £45.00 |
| Mrs M. Gilbert – Zoom Monthly Subs (Nov 2021) | £14.39 |
| Eon – Direct Debit – Church Floodlights | £28.00 |
| Total | £502.25 |
| Total Payments for November and December | £10,544.64 |
| Income since 19/10/21 | |
| Bank Interest £0.22 | 0.22 |
| Total | £0.22 |
| Balances @ Bank – October | |
| Deposit A/C | £29,245.96 |
| Current A/C | £757.23 |
| Total | £30,003.19 |
| Balances @ Bank – November | |
| Deposit A/C | £19,246.18 |
| Current A/C | £714.84 |
| Total | £19,961.02 |
| Balances @ Bank – December | |
| Deposit A/C | £19,246.40 |
| Current A/C | £212.59 |
| Total | £19,458.99 |
135/21 Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council, will be held on Tuesday 18th January 2022, commencing at 7.30pm in the Church Hall
The meeting closed at 9.15pm.