Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Amenities Committee meeting held in the
Balderton Village Centre Council Hall on Wednesday April 2nd 2008 at 7.00pm
PRESENT Councillors White (Chairman), Sheppard (Vice Chairman), Allsopp, Gibson,
Hind, Mrs Jarvis, Mortimore, Mrs Newstead, Miss Watson and Mrs Walker, with
County Councillor Walker, Head Groundsman Mr Brown, three parishioners, a
representative of the local press and the Clerk.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllrs Colman, Gosling and Mutter.
1454 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Mrs Jarvis declared a personal interest to minute references 1457 -
Planning Application for 22 Mount Road, 1460 - Sign for Broome Close and 1455.3
- Acacia Road access claim.
The meeting was closed to take public comments. A complaint was made about tree
roots from the churchyard lifting old stable floors to an adjacent property on
Pinfold Lane - the Council groundstaff will be asked to inspect the area and
report back.
Concerns were raised about the progress of a requested Gating Order for the
Public Footpath between Pinfold Lane and Church Lane. Residents reported that
they continue to suffer anti social behaviour and criminal damage from young
people hanging around in that vicinity. The meeting re-opened. County Councillor
Walker advised that the application for a Gating Order is going through due
process. In order to help the residents a letter could be sent supporting the
proposal which already has the support of the local police officer. The next
Safer Neighbourhood Police Meeting is scheduled for May 19th 2008 – Inspector
Holland intends to discuss the issue at that meeting.
The parishioners left the meeting at approximately 7.15pm.
1455 Clerk/Chairman’s Update
A printed update of ongoing matters was circulated and noted. The update is
published with the minutes. The following issues were discussed from the update:
1. Re Minute 1436.1 Headstone safety Members were informed that there is still
some uncertainty regarding insurance liaibility for headstone safety in the
Churchyard – enquiries are ongoing. It was considered necessary to defer any
testing in the Churchyard until the legal situation is clarified and the
preferred method of handling any stones deemed to be unsafe – a time of some
three months should be allowed for this. Testing in the Council’s Cemetery can
commence in the meantime.
2. Re Play Area Equipment A letter of concern has been received regarding the
proposal to install a piece of play equipment on the childrens play area.
Concerns include the impact of high level play equipment which allows children
to see into adjacent property gardens. Residents who may be affected have been
invited to view and comment about the proposed schemes.
3. Re Minute 1446 Acacia Road access Members were concerned to hear about the
letter sent from the County Council to those who have objected to the
Modification Order.
1456 Cemetery Extension
A local contractor has dug the trial pits on behalf of the Council – photographs
were taken to show that the holes were clear of water at the required depth.
Some further initial costings for the Cemetery extension work have been obtained
– these are considerably lower than the prices submitted by the Quantity
Surveyor. A further assessment has been undertaken and it is estimated that the
existing Cemetery burial area may be full in two years. Members considered that
work should commence sooner rather than later to minimise escalating costs.
It was, AGREED that a sub committee be formed to take
the project forward and determine the next stage. Cllrs Allsopp, Mrs Newstead
and Miss Watson elected to serve on the sub committee.
1457 Planning Applications
The following applications were considered and approved subject to any comments
detailed below:
0295 Boundary wall and gates to front 88 Main Street
0319 Extension to front porch, bedroom over garage 27 Wordsworth Drive
0330 Erect carers annexe Corner Farm, Barnby Road
0340 Change use of building to a vet surgery Turks Head, London Road
0342 Divide house to form 2 smaller dwellings 20 Smith Street
The following application was considered and objected to with the following
comments:
0281 Construct one dwelling Adj. To 22 Mount Road
This development is considered to be over intensive for the site area.
1458 Planning Decisions
To following planning decisions have been made by the District Council and were
noted:
0064 Boundary wall to front of property 74 Main Street
0065 Extensions to side and first floor 1 Haddon Drive
0119 Reconfigure Balderton Hall car park to allow access Fernwood
1754 Substitute plots 4 & 5 for 3 dwellings Land at 159 Main Street
1837 Two storey extensions to rear of both properties 37 & 39 Hawton Lane
0198 Single storey front extension 32 Granby Drive
Application No. 0021 for a two storey detached dwelling at 203 London Road has
been
withdrawn by the applicant.
1459 Public Place Drinking Order
Initial consideration was given to the option of introducing a No Drinking in
Public Places Order for the village, including the Council owned areas i.e.
Playing field, Lakeside and Cemetery. It is believed that this helps the police
in relation to drinking associated incidents and anti social issues. Members
agreed in principle to look into the issue further. This item could also be
discussed at the Safer Neighbourhood Police meeting to obtain further details.
1460 No Ball Games Sign
Consideration was given to a second request for a No Ball Games sign for the
Broome Close green area. A further resident has confirmed that it is a concern
for nearby residents.
It was, AGREED that a No Ball Games sign be installed there.
1461 Newark Toilets
Discussion took place about the lack of public toilets in Newark town centre.
This is detrimental to visitors and local businesses alike. Members considered
that a letter should be sent to the District Council supporting any request for
more public toilets in the town.
1462 Car Park
Consideration was given to line painting spaces in the Village Centre car park,
and to install bollards near to the entrance. The contractor who built the
Centre has estimated that it would cost £750-850 to undertake the white lining,
plus £145 per bollard installed. Members considered on balance not to proceed
with the marking out spaces because it would not necessarily improve parking
habits and future maintenance would be costly.
It was, AGREED that two bollards be installed to the front of the doors to the
building.
1463 Quarterly Bonus
Approval was given to the groundstaff’s quarterly bonus payment.
1464 Information/Correspondence
The following items of information/correspondence have been received and were
noted:
a) A letter from a Cottage Close resident regarding problems with an adjacent
footpath link. This long standing issue is being looked into by District
Councillor Brooks and County Councillor Walker.
b) A request for volunteers to become Girl guiding leaders in Nottinghamshire.
c) Initial details from a lighting company to ascertain any interest for the
Council to provide Christmas lights in the village. The company would install,
maintain and handle all aspects of the scheme, including legal and insurance
aspects. Further details and costings will be obtained.
d) An invitation from Newark Hockey Club to their Presentation Evening in the
Village Centre on April 25th 2008. Cllrs Mrs Jarvis and Mortimore undertook to
attend the event.
1465 Future agenda Items
Cllr Sheppard expressed his appreciation to the Committee Chairman Cllr White,
stating it had been a pleasure to work alongside him as his Vice Chairman. Cllr
White is not seeking re-election at the forthcoming election, along with Cllrs
Colman, Gibson, Gosling and Mortimore. Fellow members expressed disappointment
that these members were not standing but wished them all well.
The meeting closed at approximately 8.15pm