Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Amenities Committee meeting held
in the Balderton Village Centre Council Hall on Wednesday May 2nd 2007 at 7.00pm
PRESENT Councillors Sheppard (Vice Chairman), Colman, Gibson, Hind, Mrs Jarvis,
Mortimore, Mrs Newstead and Miss Watson with Councillors Fletcher and Mrs
Walker, County Councillor Walker, the Deputy Head Groundsman Mr Brown, Mr Halam,
District Council Animal Welfare Officer/Dog Warden, a representative of the
local press, sixteen parishioners and the Clerk.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllrs Ms Atkinson, Mrs Scott, Scott and White
1375 Declarations of Interest
No declarations of interest were made.
1376 Dog Orders
The meeting was closed to hear Mr Hallam, Pest Control Officer and Dog Warden of
Newark & Sherwood District Council regarding a proposal to introduce an order
for dogs to
be kept on leads when on the playing field and other Council land.
He outlined the benefits which are considered to be greater control of the animal, minimising attacks on other dogs and people, and increased awareness to the owner of when the dog fouls thereby minimising the amount of dog waste being left un-cleared. The public present felt that keeping dogs on leads would only discriminate against responsible dog owners and well behaved pets. Those responsible for leaving dog waste would not improve their habits by such an order.
A lengthy discussion took place and Mr Hallam answered questions posed by those present at the meeting. Members of regular sports teams using the field had submitted three letters giving their views regarding the unacceptable issue of dog waste being left on sports pitches.
Cllr Hind suggested that a community approach was
necessary and perhaps the dog owners should form a ‘Dog Watch’ to monitor the
field and help educate other dog owners into responsible dog ownership. They
undertook to do this and the issue will be discussed again at the next meeting
of the Amenities Committee on June 20th 2007.
Mr Hallam was thanked for his information and attendance – he and fifteen
parishioners left at approximately 7.50pm. The meeting re-opened.
1377 Cemetery Gates
Consideration was given to a request that the Mount Road Cemetery gates be
locked overnight to try and ease vandalism/anti social problems there. Though
sympathetic to the
distress caused by such behaviour, members considered that locking the gates
will not make the site secure – access could be gained by climbing the walls or
pushing through hedging etc. The new health centre has CCTV cameras to the rear
of the property which overlooks the Cemetery – this may help deter unwanted
visitors and poor behaviour.
1378 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 1364.2 A1 Carriageway The details received from the Highways Agency
regarding noise levels in the vicinity of the affected Main Street property are
quite basic, but the Clerk undertook to provide County Councillor Walker with a
copy in order to try and obtain comparable readings from the County’s noise
team.
2. Re Minute 1364 Village Centre County Councillor Walker presented a cheque to
the committee to the value of £500 for the recently installed protective floor
covering in the changing rooms. Appreciation was extended to him.
Further consideration was given to installing security fencing from the front of
the building to the side of the bowls pavilion. This area is subject to
unpleasant misuse and allows unwanted access to the bowling green making the
area vulnerable to vandalism. The cost of installing palisade fencing to match
that already there is 1824.00 by Nottingham City Council who installed the other
perimeter fencing.
It was, AGREED that the fence be installed as
soon as possible to prevent further misuse and protect both the bowling green
and the buildings.
3. Re Minute 1373b Mole Treatment The two quotations requested are both for
three consecutive treatments for the affected areas of the field - 300 by the
District Council and 354 by a local firm. All treatments will necessitate
closure of the field for at least 24 hours a time. The lower price of the
District Council was selected as the preferred option.
1379 Planning Applications
The following applications were considered and approved subject to any comments
detailed below:
0406 Remove sign & replace with panel signs Wolsley UK Hawton Lane
0537 Erect new garage and lean-to 7 Goldsmith Road
1380 Planning Decisions
The following applications have received conditional approval and were noted:
0166 Erect two storey extension 19 Waltham Close
0242 Extension for five bedrooms, raise roof pitch Byron, London Road
0310 Two storey side extension 7 Alder Close
0313 Single storey rear extension 54 Manners Road
0320 Conservatory Balderfield Farm, Claypole Lane
1381 Playing Field Benches
Consideration was given to purchasing bench seating for sports
spectators/visitors to the field to replace four old benches removed as building
work commenced. It was considered that the benches should be made of a vandal
proof material similar to those installed at the Lake and Garden of Remembrance.
An offer has been made by the family of the late Cllr Jarvis to provide a bench
– this was accepted with gratitude. County Councillor Walker invited the Clerk
to write to him for financial assistance towards a further bench. Approval was
given to the purchase of two further benches.
1382 Cemetery Extension
Members were informed that the County Council has advised that there is no
objection to a service road from the Cemetery extension field going over the
existing public footpath. A site meeting will be arranged once new committee
members are known after the election and Annual General Meeting.
1383 Centre Equipment
Initial consideration was given to purchasing a public address system and audio
visual equipment (i.e. tv/video/dvd player) for use by Centre hirers. Cllr
Brooks had supplied a PA system to try – this was tested out and found to be
adequate for the size of the Centre. The system is available to purchase for 30,
though a microphone will also be needed. Members considered that the offer of
the PA system at 30 should be accepted and a radio cordless microphone should
also be purchased - prices will be obtained. The need for a tv/dvd/video will be
considered in the future if a need is evidenced.
1384 No Ball Games Signs
Consideration was given to request for ‘No Ball Games’ signs on parish land at
Broome Close and County land opposite Marston Close. There has never been a sign
on Broome Close and members questioned the need or effectiveness – the situation
will be monitored. Enquiries will be made with the County Council to ascertain
if permission could be obtained to install a sign on their land – the last time
similar enquiries were made the authority advised it was against their policy to
allow such signs.
1385 Centre Management and Marketing
Members considered that the option of employing marketing staff and the
formalisation of a Centre Management Plan should be referred to the Council
Review and Village Centre Committee Committees for consideration after the
Annual General Meeting when new committee membership is known.
1386 Information/Correspondence
The following items of information/correspondence have been received and were
noted:
a) A request from registered disabled man that permission be granted for
fishermen such as himself to access by vehicle the appointed fishing pegs at the
Lake during matches only (held on Sundays and Mondays). Members considered that
this should be permissible but closely monitored by the Angling Club to prevent
any abuse.
b) An invitation from the District Council to partake in their annual play area
inspections at a cost of 26.25 per site by ‘Independent Playground Inspections’.
Members agreed that this offer should be accepted.
c) Notice that an appeal has been lodged against the planning refusal for Change
of use to a house of multi occupancy from a Guest House.
d) Options for pictures/photographs to be exhibited on the Centre walls to help
decorate and give character to the rooms. Members considered that parishioners
could be asked if they have any suitable photographs of the village that could
be used.
e) Notice that a complaint has been made to W.R.E.N. about the validity of the
grant given to the Council for the Village Centre, and also a complaint about
the Council’s right to spend money from the Village Hall Fund towards the new
building.
f) Details from Nottinghamshire Police about ‘Test Purchasers’ undertaken to
identify shops selling alcohol to underage drinkers. Of 52 tests carried out 11
sales were made to young people.
g) Notice that Newark Athletic Club is holding a road race in Balderton on June
7th 2007 at 7.15pm from Flowserve. The race is anticipated to last approximately
40 minutes.
h) Notice that a litter pick has been arranged for the Sustrans track on
Saturday May 19th 2007 commencing at the London Road bridge for one hour.
Helpers are invited.
j) A letter from Cllr Ms Atkinson who is not standing for re- election this
time, thanking her fellow members and council staff for their support and
friendship over the past term \of office.
k) An invitation from The Newark Advertiser to run a notice in next week’s paper
where a Balderton Features Page is planned. A basic notice costs approximately
50. Members agreed that this should be undertaken
1387 Future agenda Items
Cllr Mrs Jarvis had been asked by a parishioner to request that the Council
arrange compulsory purchases for all the Grove Street property front gardens to
provide off road parking spaces to ease traffic congestion in the area. Members
considered that this was not a viable option for a parish council.
The meeting closed at approximately 8.35pm