Present
- Councillor Mrs M. Gilbert (Chair)
- Councillor Ms L. Hopkin
- Councillor K. Rigby
- Councillor K. Harrison
- Councillor Mrs E. Harrison
- Councillor D. Keating
- Councillor Mrs S. Keating
- Councillor D. Pringle (Broxtowe Borough Council)
Clerk
Mrs S.M. Bircumshaw
14/24 Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs S. Wheatley, Councillor S. Pepper, Councillor D. Mason, Councillor Mrs L. Ball (Broxtowe Borough Council) and PCSO P. Keeley (Police).
15/24 Declaration of Interest
There were no Declarations of Interest made.
16/24 Minutes of the last meeting
The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
17/24 Public participation
There were no members of the public present.
18/24 Police report
There was no Police Report.
19/24 County Councillor’s report
There was no County Councillor’s Report.
20/24 Borough Councillor’s report
Councillor Pringle reported that he had been on a ride out with the police, from Kimberley to the two car parks on Cossall Road. PCSOs drive around and show police presence around car parks and in shopping centres. He said that it was interesting to spend 2 hours driving around Broxtowe. Cossall is quiet with no major issues but the police do go to the car parks – where there have been 3 loads of rubbish dumped recently. The question was raised as to why Broxtowe don’t lock the car park gates at night, as surely this would be more cost effective than frequently removing rubbish.
Councillor Pringle reported that he has got a copy of the drainage map for the Avant Homes building site. The condition of the canal water, with regards to silt run off from the building site is being monitored by The Environment Agency.
Councillor Mrs Gilbert had contacted Councillor Pringle on Saturday as it had been reported last Wednesday that the contractor wants a change of Condition No. 3. At the moment, Condition 3 stipulates that no houses can be occupied prior to the exit onto the bypass being constructed. They are now seeking to amend this so that 50 houses can be occupied prior to the new exit being in use. Councillor Pringle has asked for this to go to Committee and for changes to Condition No. 3 to be declined.
It was reported that there is work being carried out on the old Lee, Sisson and Derbyshire site, but that this has not been approved by planning and so the work here has been stopped by Broxtowe Borough Council.
Kimberley Leisure Centre will close permanently on 1st April 2024.
Councillor Ms Hopkin reported that there is a very large structure at the back of Bridge Farm, which looks like a large hopper and there is also another building in front of this – has a planning application been approved?
The question was raised as to whether it is legal to make a pedestrian gate into a field from a roadside tree bank as one has appeared off Shilo Way. Going along the fence line adjacent to the bypass a single wooden gate has appeared. If the person owns the hedge it is not a problem. There is no way it could ever become a vehicle access as it is not large enough. Councillor Pringle will check.
Cllr Pringle will check this
Councillor Pringle has reported the puddle on Dead Lane, inspector went out but nothing to report as it had been cleared.
7.55pm Standing Orders commenced
21/24 Items for discussion
a. Church Matters
Councillor Mrs Wheatley reported that the Waterloo Citation has been slightly water damaged – do we want to have it restored and moved? The question was raised as to whether this could come under War Graves and it we could get some funding to do it? Councillor Mrs Wheatley will bring it to the next meeting and this will be put on the Agenda.
Cllr Mrs Wheatley to bring to next meeting
With regard to the electricity supply – the Clerk contacted EON Next to find out cost/timescale of the meter being removed from the church. The cost for removal is £148.32 and an appointment for removal will need to be made by telephone. Once the meter has been removed, John Wheatley will be asked to organise the hook-up to the church meter through his old company. Councillor Mrs Gilbert will speak to Karen to ascertain how much the church will be expecting us to pay per month towards the electricity. It was felt that 50% is too much, so it was proposed and seconded that we offer to pay one third. Show of hands and all were in favour. If Karen is in agreement with the proposal, the Clerk will sort out a termination/removal date with EON Next and then John Wheatley will be asked to sort out the re-connection to the church supply.
Cllr Mrs Gilbert to speak to Karen re monthly payment
b. Footpaths and Pavements
It was reported that the foliage over the bench on Coronation Road will be sorted out.
There has been a response regarding the graffiti on this bench and a possible new dog bin at the end of Robinettes Lane.
It was also reported that the branches have been removed from the Culvert.
c. Roads/Traffic/Bikers
All reported pot holes have been fixed according the notifications received and the fallen sign has been noted and is awaiting inspection.
It was reported that the verges on Church Lane are in a bad state following the recent road works and that they need re-instating. The verges outside No. 70 Awsworth Lane are also in a bad state.
Cllr Pringle will enquire about remedial action
The bench outside Keith and Eileen’s house needs moving – maybe we could do this ourselves?
Nothing has been done yet regarding the water problem on Church Lane, which has been reported numbers of times by different people.
Councillor Keating reported that he has actually managed to speak to someone who was really helpful.
The Structural Drainage Manager said that they are aware of this problem and that it’s not down to Seven Trent, but nothing has been heard back yet. This problem has been going on for 3 years! Councillor Keating was thanked for his perseverance in staying on the phone.
Concern was raised that we never have a County Councillor in attendance at the Parish Council meetings.
Once we have obtained some costs, a letter will be sent to Councillor Doddy requesting consideration for a donation towards a water fountain and village sign. The water fountain is a health matter as people knock on doors in the summer asking for water.
Cllr Doddy will be asked for a donation towards water fountain and village sign
d. Almshouses
We are celebrating the good news regarding the approval of Listed Building Consent for the plans to renovate the Almshouses.
Gurjit Mahal, the owner, sends his thanks to the Parish Council and everyone who has supported him – the only reason he has stuck it out is because of our support.
e. Neighbourhood Plan Update
There was a very good turnout for the Neighbourhood Plan referendum, with a majority of 93.5%. The Plan goes to Cabinet on 12th March – there is nothing contentious so it should go through then.
This would not have happened without Marilyn Reed, there are also a lot of other people to thank but Marilyn has made this happen for us. It was proposed and seconded, show of hands and all were in favour that a memorial gift be purchased for Marilyn. An engraved vase can be purchased for £19.97, with a bouquet of flowers to go in it and a small ‘do’ for everyone involved in the formulation of the Neighbourhood Plan could be organised. It was proposed that a fund of £100-150 be allocated for a Presentation Ceremony and ‘do’ to be arranged after 12th March. The proposal was Seconded, show of hands and all were in favour. It was also proposed that once everything is sorted we will get 10 spiral bound copies of The Plan. The proposal was seconded, show of hands and all were in favour.
f. RCAN
Councillor Harrison reported the First Aid Courses are now available. East Leake are holding a Fire Safety Course at £60/person. DEFRA have a small fund available for Community Halls.
g. TPO’s (Tree Preservation Orders)
Councillor Pringle will endeavour to obtain an up to date map showing the relevant trees, which we have been requesting for several months now. He informed us that the vegetation policy at Broxtowe is being rewritten.
Cllr Pringle to ask for the map
h. New Defibrillator
Councillor Mrs Gilbert confirmed that Lewis Winter is quite happy for the new defibrillator/Bleed Control equipment to be sited at Trinity Farm. Chris Gilbert has quoted £330.00 to construct a board onto which he will fit the box It was proposed and seconded, show of hands and all in favour for Chris to carry out the necessary work.
i. First Aid Course
Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that she has obtained costings for a First Aid Course to be held in the Church Hall, the date of which, when organised, will be publicised in the newsletter. St John Ambulance have quoted £500.00, there has been no reply from The Red Cross and Paul Moore from Notts Save a Life has quoted approximately £200.00 – £150 of which will be donated to his charity.
March is very busy but there are a lot of dates for April, Friday evenings are preferable so Councillor Mrs Gilbert will check dates for Fridays in April and book the course with Paul Moore.
Cllr Mrs Gilbert to check dates for Fridays in April and book
j. Notice Boards
Chris Gilbert has been asked to give a quote for the repair of the notice board outside the Gardeners – £180.00. With regard to a new notice board for The Glebe, both Councillor Mrs Gilbert and Councillor Mrs Wheatley have been to have a look where this could be sited. It was decided that if its possible that the best place for a notice board to be sited is up near the jitty/twitchell. Highways need to be contacted re the proposed siting and also for permission to erect the notice board. If we obtain permission, Chris has quoted £330.00 for full installation and Councillor Mrs Wheatley will obtain a price for the topper. It was proposed and seconded, show of hands and all were in favour of accepting the quote from Chris.
Cllr Mrs Wheatley to obtain price for the notice board topper
k. CPRE Membership
The cost of membership is £60/year via Direct Debit or cheque. As we may, at some point, need to fight the proposal for a massive solar farm, it was felt that joining the CPRE would be of an advantage to the Parish Council. Councillor Ms Hopkin will be the main contact and the Clerk will sort out the membership paperwork to be signed at the next meeting.
Clerk to sort out necessary paperwork
l. Floral Displays
Thanks were recorded for Eileen and Keith Harrison for the lovely Autumn/Winter display.
Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that she can purchase a ‘floral 80’ for around £100.00, to be displayed on the church gates to commemorate 80 years since D-Day. It was proposed and seconded, show of hands and all were in favour of £200.00 being spent on the display if necessary. Councillor Mrs Gilbert will ask Karen for permission to attach display to church gates. Councillor Mrs Harrison will look at other available options – display needs to be about 18 inches. Councillor Mrs Gilbert will forward a picture of the display she has found to Councillor Mrs Harrison.
Cllr Mrs Gilbert to obtain permission
Cllr Mrs Harrison to look at other options
m. Spring Newsletter
It had been agreed that the wildflower seeds would be given out to parishioners again. There are now approximately 310 properties in the parish. Councillor Mrs Gilbert reported that she has done some research and can obtain 1.5kg of seeds for £105.00 from Greenland Seeds Ltd and envelopes to put the seeds in – 200 for £9.19 (will need 400). It was proposed and seconded, show of hands and all in favour that Councillor Mrs Gilbert purchase 2kg of seeds, 400 envelopes and some sticky dots to attach the packets to the letters.
Cllr Mrs Gilbert to purchase seeds, envelopes and sticky dots
22/24 Correspondence
There was no correspondence.
23/24 Planning applications
It was reported that there might be a worrying application coming up – the allotments on Coronation Road. We have been told that the owner wants to make a Change of Use.
Susan Herron at Broxtowe has advised that the new system, from which we now obtain the Weekly Planning List, cannot be changed because most other councils are using this system. Broxtowe is one of the last councils to start to use the new system.
The Gardeners is up for sale. An appeal was turned down for plans to build houses on the site because a group of local people want to keep it as a pub. The person who owns the pub has put it on the market for £350,000 – the group want to purchase it for £200,000. It is up to them to negotiate with the owner. Plans could be reconsidered if the owner can prove that no one has come forward with an offer to buy it. At the moment it can still be sold as a pub, it is up to the Group to come up with the money to purchase it.
The next meeting with Avant is scheduled for next week.
24/24 Finance
The next defibrillator service is fixed for 26th February – this will be carried out, as usual, by Seal Calibration.
The date for the next Finance and General Purposes meeting will be discussed at the next meeting.
25/24 Accounts for payment
The following accounts were approved for payment
Mrs S. Bircumshaw – Clerk’s Salary/Phone Rental (Feb) | £486.12 | £452.52/£33.60 |
Cossall PCC – Room Hire (20/2/24) | £35.00 | |
Mr R Heard – Website Administration | £45.00 | |
Mr C. Gilbert – Notice Board Repair/Print of N/P Leaflet | £202.50 | |
NALC – Annual Subscription | £186.76 | |
Mr C. Gilbert – Cleaning Church Hall | £20.00 | |
Bank Charges and Fees (including 1 cheque) | £8.00 | |
EON – Direct Debit – Church Floodlights | £104.91 | |
TOTAL | £1,088.29 | |
Income since 16/01/24 | ||
Bank Interest | £17.76 | |
TOTAL | £17.76 | |
Balances @ Bank – January 2024 | ||
Deposit A/C | £9,648.18 | |
Current A/C | £321.89 | |
TOTAL | £9,970.07 | |
Balances @ Bank – February 2024 | ||
Deposit A/C | £8,648.18 | |
Current A/C | £233.60 | |
TOTAL | £8,881.78 |
26/24 Date and time of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council, will be held on Tuesday 19th March 2024, commencing at 7.30pm in the Church Hall.
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on the same evening, commencing at 7pm.
The meeting closed at 9.15pm.