Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Amenities Committee meeting held
in the Council Hall on Wednesday September 6th 2006 at 7.00pm
PRESENT Councillors White (Chairman), Sheppard (Vice Chairman), Allsopp, Colman,
Mrs Newstead, Scott and Miss Watson with Deputy Head Groundsman Mr Brown and the
Clerk.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllrs Ms Atkinson, Mrs Brooks, Gibson, Hind,
Mortimore and Mrs Scott.
1305 Declarations of Interest
Cllrs Allsopp and Mrs Newstead both declared a personal interest to minute
reference 1314 - Allotment issues.
1306 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 1256 Headstone safety Members expressed concern about this ongoing
situation and asked that a letter be sent to the Southwell Diocese, with a copy
to Rev. Tucker, asking for a directive. Safety testing work can progress on the
Council’s own Cemetery without delay during the winter months.
2. Re Minute 1297 Lakeside Access Mr Brown advised that two smaller gates will
have to be installed on the Orchid Close and Heron Way entrances to replace the
staggered entrances in order that wheelchair users can gain access (the existing
field gates are too heavy). The contractor will be asked to arrange this. A
notice will be displayed on the Lakeside notice board that the RADAR keys will
be installed shortly.
1307 Planning Applications:
The following applications were considered and approved subject to the following
comments:
1247 Alteration to bay windows Units 4 & 14 Warwick Court
NCC Construction of bulk material conveyor system Bantycock Gypsum Mine
1308 Planning Decisions:
The following applications have received conditional approval and were noted:
0959 New dwelling with conservatory 40 Dale Way
0978 Bay window and conservatory 43 Masefield Crescent
1038 Conservatory 38 DaleWay
The following application has been refused and was noted:
0588 Change of use of land Cressey Holme Farm
1309 New Hall
The Chairman advised that construction work is progressing well on the new
building. A computer generated ‘artist’s impression’ has been created of the
Hall which could be used in a promotional leaflet explaining about the new
facility. Mr Hedworth from The Chesters Public House has agreed to manage and be
the licensee for the bar in the Hall. Mrs Jarvis has advised that the family
would prefer the money donated in Cllr Jarvis’ memory to be contributed to the
fabric of the building rather than a dedicated memorial item. They would however
as a family like to provide a clock for the Hall in his memory and would like
the Council to chose something suitable. Members accepted this offer with
gratitude.
In order to help the footballers in the interim before the new building is
complete a second portable building would be useful to use as extra changing
rooms. This would cost £50 a week.
It was, AGREED that a second unit be arranged as
soon as possible.
A New Hall sub committee meeting was arranged for Tuesday September 12th 2006 at
6.00pm in order that several issues be discussed including furniture options,
preferred choice of flooring, promotional work, broadband internet access,
opening arrangements, staffing, funding and the bar. Any financial implications
from decisions made can then be referred for approval to the Finance meeting.
1310 Lakeside Disabled Access/Fencing Open Lakeside Areas
Members considered complaints regarding the fencing at the two open areas of
Lakeside at Catkin Way and Rowan Way. The Chairman had met the contractor on
site to discuss what could be done to ‘soften’ the appearance of the fencing and
improve stability and quality of the structure.
It was, RECOMMENDED that the contractor be asked
to lower the fence and re-install the
ground posts lower into the ground.
1311 Litter Bins in Village
Consideration was given to removing the council’s two large litter bins which
are situated
in the village, these are in addition to the District Council litter bins. The
parish council bins have been repeatedly misused by household waste (often
rotting food) being deposited there rather than general litter, placing the
groundstaff in a vulnerable and unpleasant
situation when emptying them.
It was, RECOMMENDED that the two remaining waste
bins on the Turks Head car park and
opposite the A1 Fish Bar be removed.
1312 User Agreements
Consideration was given to introducing a simple user agreement form for sports
users to promote good practice regarding appropriate insurance Advice will be
sought from the council’s insurance company and the District Council Sports
Development Office to produce a simple form.
1313 Football Coaching Sessions
The committee discussed the appropriate charge for football coaching sessions
which are taking place on the playing field on Saturday mornings, for which the
children involved are being charged. The sessions run for two hours. It was,
RECOMMENDED that subject to the organiser completing a user hirer agreement form
a charge of £15.00 be made.
1314 Allotments
Consideration was given to raising the allotment rent owing to the increased
usage of water on the site, and of introducing a policy regarding the current
waiting list for plots .
It was, RECOMMENDED a) that the rent be increased from £10 to £15 a year, effective from September 2007.
b) that Balderton residents be given priority in
relation to the waiting
list.
1315 Quarterly Bonus
Approval was given to the payment of the groundstaff’s quarterly bonus. Staff
were again congratulated on the quality of their work during this difficult
transitional time at the field.
Cllr Scott left the meeting at approximately 8.30pm.
1316 Lakeside Anti Social Behaviour
Members were informed of recent bouts of anti social behaviour by young people
at the Lake – particularly targeting elderly fishermen. The police have been
advised of these incidents and have undertaken to pay attention where possible
and to enforce the Lakeside byelaws particularly relating to no swimming or
paddling in the Lake.
1317 Cemetery
Discussion took place regarding the preferred route for the roadway in the
Cemetery extension. Enquiries will be made regarding access over the public
footpath which runs at the back of the Cemetery, and local undertakers will be
invited to make any suggestions regarding an effective extension.
1318 Information/Correspondence
The following items of information/correspondence have been received and were
noted:
a) Notice of approved works to trees subject to preservation orders at The Old
Hall Main Street, 7 The Woodwards, and at Phase 4b Fernwood. .
b) Notice that the application for a waste transfer building and recycling
facility at Quarry Farm, Hawton is being decided by the County Council on
September 8th 2006 at 10.30am. The officer’s recommendation is that the
application should be refused and an order made to clear the site. Some concern
was expressed at the possible future use of the land if the owner cannot use it
as a scrap yard.
c) A copy of a letter sent by the Parish Footpaths Officer Mr Rix to the Rights
of Way Department regarding FP no.10 which is blocked by a large mound of earth
believed to have been deposited by David Wilson Homes. Letters have also been
sent to the authority regarding a request for a copy of the tenancy agreement
prior to 1979 for the allotment land, and evidence that the Council did not
intend the route through the middle gate to the playing field to become a
dedicated right of way.
d) Notice that an appeal has been lodged against a planning refusal for 13
dwellings at the
rear of 159 Main Street.
e) A copy of the 2006 children’s play area inspection report - minor adjustments
need to be
actioned.
f) A copy of an open letter from Nottinghamshire Police advising of the open day
at the
new Newark Police Station on Saturday September 30th 2006 between 11am and
4.00pm
1319 Future agenda Items
No items were put forward.
The meeting closed at approximately 9.00pm