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MINUTES OF THE TROWELL PARISH COUNCIL, MEETING HELD IN THE PARISH HALL ON TUESDAY 13TH MARCH 2012, AT 7.15PM. ____________________ Present: Cllrs. J. E. Bryant – Chairman, K.E. Rigby (Parish, Borough & County), Mrs. L. Harley, G. Lockwood, Mrs. P. Cardwell, Mrs. C. McGann, R. McGann, Mrs. H. Baxter, R. McWilliam, P. Singer & M. Suthers (NCC).
Clerk: Mrs. A.K. Mitchell. ____________________
275/11. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Cllr. Mrs. Harley proposed that apologies be accepted from Cllr. Kilby (other commitments), seconded by Cllr. Mrs. Cardwell. All in favour.
276/11 DECLARATION OF MEMBERS INTERESTS. Cllr. Mrs. Cardwell declared a personal interest in item 300/11 of the meeting & therefore signed the register accordingly.
277/11 PRESENTATION BY CLLR SUTHERS OF NCC – LOCALISM BILL. At his point Cllr. Mrs. Bryant introduced Cllr. Suthers, Deputy Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council to Members.
Cllr. Suthers advised that the Localism Bill became an Act in November 2011 & affects all local authorities & is being brought in by degrees. Next month, the right to challenge for services is being introduced. If a parish council thinks it can run a county council service locally more effectively & offering better value for money it can bid to take this service over. Help is available from NCC if savings are possible. So far there have been mixed results & responses from various authorities. There was a great deal of interest in Haworth & Burcotes who already run their own car parks & public conveniences & have a substantial Town Hall. This has a Sure Start centre & a Police contact centre too. This council has really grasped the initiative. Thirty-three parishes in Bassetlaw carry out their own grass cutting but none have taken this up yet in Ashfield, Broxtowe or Gedling. Other possible services which could be taken up by parishes include tree trimming, cleaning bus shelters, clearing ditches etc. Where parish council’s already employ grounds staff there is scope for them to expand the scale of service that they provide for their community.
In Worcestershire lengthmen have been re-introduced. Parish council’s can give greater attention to minor works to free NCC up to concentrate on bigger things. In 2012/2013 pilot schemes have been introduced with more being rolled out in 2013/2014.
Cllr. Singer asked about highway maintenance. Cllr. Suthers advised that this would all remain with NCC but added that grass cutting, hedge trimming, cleaning gullies, snow wardens; sign cleaning are all potential elements for parishes to consider challenging for.
Cllr. Singer asked if these works should/could be carried out by staff and/or volunteers. Cllr. Suthers advised that Farndon employ someone 25hrs a week to carry out grass cutting etc & it might also be possible to link up services with other parishes to save money & improve services.
He commented that Aslockton have a £1,500 budget to employ a handyman 3 hours a week & that Cropwell Bishop employs a Ranger.
Cllr. McGann asked that if someone is employed who would pay the insurance costs etc. Cllr. Suthers suggested forming something like a consortium with other parishes or sub-contracting the service to a self-employed person.
Cllr. Mrs. Bryant commented that employing someone is not just about paying them the salary; there would also be an increase in workload for the Clerk, personnel issues, management etc.
Cllr. Rigby stated that caution should be adopted, looking at jobs where we would be improving the village. Any additional works would mean a precept increase but sometimes funding is available from elsewhere. However, he cannot see how the parish council could provide grass cutting services without a subsequent increase in precept. He advised Members not to rush into anything, but there are lots of areas the parish council could look at e.g. cleaning of bus shelters, traffic bollards etc.
Cllr. Lockwood commented that because of Trowell’s size it may be too much of a burden to take these things on alone but Members could consider linking up with Cossall & Awsworth for instance. He feels that it may be too great a cost financially & administratively to try & adopt these services alone & he is very conscious of possibly introducing more double taxation on the residents of Trowell that there already is at present. He reminded Cllr. Suthers that BBC no longer provides its parishes with a grant each year towards its work. He thinks that the parish council needs to think about & explore this matter further before committing to anything.
Cllr. Mrs. Baxter commented that if the parish council is the employer it has more control over the service & can ensure a better job is done for the village. She suggested seeing how some of the pilot schemes fare in 2012/2013 before making a decision.
Cllr. Rigby pointed out in connection with comments made by Members about the parish council being able to fill in potholes that don’t meet NCC’s current criteria that this would not be possible as the parish council is not authorized to work in the public highway. This can only be done by the highway authority or its agents.
Cllr. Suthers advised that the next step in this process will be two seminars to be held next month in connection with NALC, one in the north of the county & one in the south to discuss the progress of this initiative. The seminar nearest Trowell will be held at Ruddington.
Cllr. Mrs. Bryant closed this item by suggesting that the parish council draw up a list of ideas & also monitor how the pilot schemes progress over the next 12 months & also canvass opinion/ interest from neighbouring councils. She then proceeded to thank Cllr. Suthers for his presentation & wished him a safe & pleasant journey home.
278/11. TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING & OPEN FORUM – 14TH FEBRUARY 2012. Cllr. Lockwood moved acceptance of the minutes of the Open Forum meeting held on 14th February 2012, as a true record. Seconded by Cllr. McGann. All in favour.
Cllr. Lockwood moved acceptance of the minutes of the Council meeting held on 14th February 2012, as a true record. Seconded by Cllr. McGann. All in favour.
279/11. LOCAL POLICE REPORT – P.C. FARRELL. Members were asked to note the content of the report which had been circulated to full council by email prior to the meeting.
Cllr. Mrs. Cardwell advised that a neighbor has called the police twice to report suspicious vehicles parked on Pit Lane. She added that these may not be reportable as crimes as they just moved them on. Cllr. Mrs. Harley advised that incidents such as that used to be reported under the neighbourhood watch scheme but not on the current Neighbourhood Alert programme. Cllr. Mrs. Baxter advised that local school children in the Bramcote area have been advised not to stay late & Bramcote Park & woods have been ruled out of bounds due to sexual assaults being reported in the area.
The Clerk was asked to clarify the position in respect of suspicious behavior with PC Farrell.
280/11. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES: 280.1/11 Damage to Verges & village parking issues. The Clerk advised Members of a complaint that had been received from Mr. Lee. She advised that she had been in contact with NCC on this point as they take over responsibility for this issue from April.
Cllr. Lockwood pointed out that the whole verge on Nottingham Road, along Pinfold Hill is being used by horse riders & they have severely damaged the verge. He added that 2 years ago he met an officer from NCC near the Church Hall & discussed various initiatives to improve the problems along there with parking etc & absolutely nothing has been done to date. He feels that 2 years is too long to have been waiting for action.
He added that the previous Sunday, Network Rail had completely blocked the verge again.
Cllr. McGann reported that the former Betta Fences site now has a mast installed with two large security lights mounted on it which blind drivers in the carriageway. He believes the site is now being operated by Judd Whyle Scaffolding & he asked if they have applied for the appropriate planning permissions for the lights.
Cllr. Rigby advised that Judd Whyle is on a site that has absolutely no planning restrictions so they wouldn’t need permission for the lights. He added that they have just moved from an illegal site to one with no planning controls, he also understands that a new haulier has moved on to the Leaderflush site but he will make enquiries to try & resolve the problem with the security lights.
Cllr. Rigby went on to say that Cllr. Lockwood is quite correct in what he said & that double yellow lines were supposed to have been installed on Nottingham Road & this has not happened. He will make enquiries at NCC into this issue. .
281/11. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE “OPEN FORUM”.
281.1/11. Stapleford Road Railway Bridge. It was noted that this matter had previously been discharged from the agenda. 281.2/11 Dog Fouling Issues. Cllr. Mrs. Cardwell reported problems in the Trowell Grove area. Cllr. McGann advised that problems are still continuing on Pit Lane & Cllr. Singer advised that fouling has also been taking place around St’ Helen’s Church.
Cllr. Mrs. Harley mentioned a flag marking initiative that had once been carried out in another area.
Cllr. Rigby advised that to prosecute the dog warden needs to witness an actual incident.
The Clerk will report these problems in the usual way.
282/11 TO DEAL WITH CORRESPONDENCE. Date. Sender. Nature of Correspondence. Notes/Action required. 04/02/2012 Broxtowe Women’s Project January Newsletter. 04/02/2012 Landscape & Amenity Product Update. 15/02/2012 Neighbourhood Alert Email Forwarded to all Members. 15/02/2012 Furniture @ Work Ltd Sales catalogue. 15/02/2012 Viking Sales catalogue. 15/02/2012 Neighbourhood Alert Email Forwarded to all Members. 20/02/2012 BBC Weekly list of planning applications received. None in Trowell. 20/02/2012 BBC Weekly list of planning applications determined. Includes 1 in Trowell – forwarded to all Members. 20/02/2012 Seton Sales letter & catalogue. 21/02/2012 Chairs GB .com Sales brochure. 21/02/2012 Viking Sales catalogue. 21/02/2012 NCC Appeal for royal event photos Forwarded to TFVC Members. 21/02/2012 Viking Sales catalogue. 22/02/2012 BBPB Minutes of February meeting. Copies to all Members. 22/02/2012 Cllr. Mrs. Cardwell. Resignation letter. Copies to all Members. 24/02/2012 BBC Weekly list of Mayor’s engagements. None in Trowell. 25/02/2012 BBC Take Part Art leaflets. Placed in main hall foyer. 26/02/2012 Broxtowe VAB VAB Bulletin Forwarded to all Members. 27/02/2012 Nisbets Sales catalogue. 27/02/2012 Viking Sales catalogue. 27/02/2012 NCC National Rural Touring Forum Showcase 2012 Forwarded to all Members. 27/02/2012 BBC Weekly list of determined planning applications. Includes 1 in Trowell – forwarded to all Members. 27/02/2012 BBC Weekly list of planning applications. None in Trowell. 27/02/2012 NHS Blood & Transplant Poster Placed in main noticeboard. 27/02/2012 Go Pak Sales leaflet. 12/03/2012 Nisbets Sales catalogue. 12/03/2012 Viking sales catalogue. 12/03/2012 ETI Sales catalogue. 12/03/2012 BBC Walk & Talk leaflets Placed in main foyer. 12/03/2012 BBC Charity Ball poster Placed in main notice board.
283/11 TO RECEIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS ETC AS APPROPRIATE. Planning & Environment Committee. The minutes of the Planning & Environment Committee & the proposals contained therein were presented & moved by Cllr. Mrs. Harley, seconded by Cllr. Lockwood. All in favour.
Finance & General Purposes Committee Cllr. Rigby proposed that approval of these minutes be deferred to the next full Council meeting to give the Clerk the opportunity to complete some of the financial reports following the office relocation. Seconded by Cllr. Lockwood. All in favour.
Trowell Festival Village Committee. The minutes of the Trowell Festival Village Committee & the proposals contained therein were presented & moved by Cllr. Mrs. Bryant, seconded by Cllr. Rigby. All in favour.
It was noted that a big cheque will be presented to the school shortly at a special assembly on the 29th March. Headteacher, Mrs. Chalkley is delighted with the donation & plans to use the money to upgrade the school’s play equipment.
Cllr. Mrs. Bryant advised that the jubilee mugs & crowns have been ordered. The number of children attending the tea party will have to be restricted to enable them to be seated comfortably in the parish hall.
There will be a 1950’s onwards disco in the parish hall on July 14th.
A suggestion regarding silver spoons for jubilee year babies was declined as it would be very difficult to administer.
County & Borough Councillor’s Report. Pit Lane – Cllr. Rigby advised that he has been in contact with James Houghton at BBC who has promised to double his efforts to get this lease to us along with a copy of the relevant page from the original document agreed with NCC. It appears that there is some confusion with planning regarding the security fence issue.
Cllr. Rigby also advised that he has a £300 cheque for the TFV Committee.
Foul Smell – little or no problems have been reported.
Christmas Lights – He has liaised with the Clerk & the lights are to be moved closer to the trees, once this is done the Council should settle the invoice. He also suggested purchasing some coloured filters for the current installations.
Opencasting – No planning application has been received to date but it is believed to be imminent.
Land at Field Farm – After receiving new information he would amend the previous land valuation to £15-£30 million as the land is worth in the region of £1-2million per acre.
Aligned Core Strategy – BBC are currently awaiting the final government document which is due by the end of March & then rearranged Council meetings will take place to discuss this issue. On reading last month’s minutes Cllr. Rigby felt it would be more correct to say that the figures previously chosen by BBC were withdrawn at a full council meeting & once they have had further advice from government at the end of March they will have to select figures from one of the six scenarios.
Field Farm Planning Application – nothing further to report, still being debated between BBC Planning & the applicant. .
School Governor’s Report. Cllr. Lockwood reported that the proceeds from The Christmas productions had been donated to the Help the Heroes charity.
Website. Cllr. Lockwood advised that there had been 881 page views in February.
Cllr Lockwood advised that the website hosting invoices will be due shortly.
He also reported that he had attended the last meeting of the standards board committee as parish representative last week. He advised that the new borough code has not yet been agreed but he reminded Members that the Standards Board for England has been abolished. He also reminded Members of the devastating affect the introduction of the original code had had on this Council.
284/11 PIT LANE IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE. It was noted that the Clerk had received an email on this matter from BBC.
285/11. PARISH HALL PLAY PARK UPDATE. It was agreed that this matter should be included in the Chair’s APM report.
286/11. SIGNAGE ISSUES. Cllr. Rigby advised that he will be cleaning the Ilkeston Road sign shortly.
It was noted that the Clerk is awaiting a response from BBC regarding the rules concerning “For Sale” signs.
Cllr. Mrs. Baxter suggested contacting the company directly.
The Clerk will follow this up.
287/11. GREEN PARISH COUNCIL SCHEME. The Clerk advised that is still receiving estimated bills – Cllr. Lockwood suggested a way of remedying this problem online.
288/11 FOUL SMELL FROM THE BOROUGH OF EREWASH. It was noted that this item had been dealt with elsewhere on the agenda.
289/11. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. It was noted that the Clerk has been in touch with NCC on this issue.
290/11. SEVERE WINTER WEATHER. It was noted that the grit bins have now all been re-stocked by Cllr. Rigby.
291/11. OPENCAST ISSUES – TROWELL/COSSALL. It was noted that this matter had been dealt with elsewhere on the agenda.
292/11. WORKING PARTY REPORT & RECOMMENDATIONS. The Clerk advised that the electrical sockets had now been fitted in the parish office & that she had started organizing in there that day. Members were asked to consider a quote from MJR decorating in respect of associated repainting costs.
Cllr. Lockwood proposed that the quote of £380 from MJR Decorating be accepted. Seconded by Cllr. McGann. All in favour.
It was suggested that the piano could be put on “Freecycle”.
293/11. THE LOCALISM BILL. It was noted that this matter had been dealt with elsewhere on the agenda.
294/11. CARETAKING/RELIEF CARETAKING UPDATE. It was noted that the Clerk make arrangements to produce revised contract documents as required. Cllr. Rigby advised that he wants the PHG Committee to discuss the relief caretaker’s job description further as regards regular weekends, call-out cover etc.
295/11 POLICING CHANGES. It was noted that there was nothing further to report at this stage.
296/11 ALIGNED CORE STRATEGY. It was noted that this matter has been dealt with elsewhere on the agenda. It was also noted that a copy of an email from BBC had been previously circulated to Members prior to the meeting.
297/11. EMERGENCY PLANNING. It was agreed to defer this item until the next full Council meeting.
298/11. ANNUAL RISK MANAGEMENT REVIEW. It was noted that work is progressing on this item & a draft will be circulated for consideration at the earliest opportunity.
299/11. OFFER OF LAND AT FIELD FARM. It was noted that a copy of a letter from the developer had been sent to Members prior to this meeting.
300/11. FIELD FARM PLANNING APPLICATION. It was noted that this matter had been dealt with elsewhere on the agenda.
301/11. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACT. It was noted that there was nothing further to report on this matter.
302/11 FINANCIAL POSITION TO DATE. Members were asked to note correspondence from RBS.
It was noted that due to the office move, the financial position has not changed since the last F & GP Committee meeting.
303/11. TO APPROVE ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT. Cllr. Lockwood moved the following accounts for payment. Seconded by Cllr. Rigby. All in favour.
It was noted that Members had been provided with an up to date payments list that evening.
SUPPLIER. AMOUNT £. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE. CHEQUE NO. DATE PAID/TO BE PAID. Inland Revenue 825.73 Quarterly NIC & PAYE payments BACS 14/02/2012 PRS Ltd 513.14 Music licence 101695 14/02/2012 BT 109.32 PH Payphone Direct Debit 24/02/2012 Talk Talk 66.22 Clerk’s Telephone Direct Debit 04/01/2012 Talk Talk 69.37 Clerk’s Telephone Direct Debit 01/02/2012 Co-Op Bank 2.00 Credit Card Admin Fee Transfer 09/01/2012 Co-Op Bank 2.00 Credit Card Admin Fee Transfer 01/02/2012 Chairs GB . Com 322.56 24 new chairs for parish hall. Visa 25/01/2012 Easy Space 106.21 Hosting fee – website Visa 14/02/2012 Mr. S. Ridley -118.31 Returned payment BACS 22/09/2011 Talk Talk 66.01 Clerk’s Telephone Direct Debit 06/09/2011 Mr. S. Ridley -164.60 Returned payment BACS 24/10/2011 Talk Talk 71.64 Clerk’s Telephone Direct Debit 03/03/2012 Mr. S. Ridley 118.31 Training payment. BACS 31/10/2011 Mr. S. Ridley 164.60 Relief Caretaking. BACS 31/10/2011 Royal Mail 170.00 PO Box fee 101696 22/02/2012 Royal Mail 81.72 Mail Redirection 101697 28/02/2012 MJR Decorating 260.00 Front Railings 101698 28/02/2012 Co-Operative Bank 2.00 Administrative charge Transfer 01/03/2012 Viking Direct 129.55 Stamps & storage files VISA 27/02/2012 2,797.47
304/11. CLERK’S REPORT. Members agreed not to take part in the Best Kept Village competition.
Members noted a letter from BBC concerning a civil enforcement off-street parking places supplementary order 2012.
Members were asked to note a letter of thanks from Victim Support.
Members were asked to consider a letter that had been received from Mr. D. Corns.
Cllr. Rigby advised Members of the previous multi-modal study which had been carried out & as a result he took up the campaign to get the Trowell railway station reinstated. In fact, he had called for the station & the tram to both be brought to Trowell. It is accepted that Trowell contains the busiest section of the motorway. However, both DCC & NCC have funded the proposed Ilkeston North station & this has effectively sounded the death knell for the Trowell proposal. Cllr. Rigby supports everything Mr Corns says however he is incorrect in respect of one issue. Eagle Mill is privately owned & compulsory purchase is not as easy as some people think. Also, the mill has outstanding planning permission for some new units on that site. BBC has however put some land aside for a car park should a station be opened but Cllr. Rigby does not now think that will ever happen. Cllr. Rigby added though that he never ceases to keep talking about the issue in the right places.
Cllr. Lockwood reminded Members of the deadline for the Trowell Times articles.
305/11. TO DECIDE ITEMS FOR PRESS RELEASE. The following items were suggested for the next press release: APM. New office arrangements.
306/11. Date of next meeting. Tuesday 10th April 2012.