Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held in the Council Hall on Wednesday March 9th 2005 at 7.00pm.
PRESENT: Councillors Hind (Chairman), Colman (Vice Chairman), Ms Atkinson, Mrs Brooks, Gibson, Jarvis, Mrs Newstead, Miss Oram, Mrs Scott, Scott, Sheppard, Spencer, Mrs Walker and White.
2799 Apologies
Were accepted from Cllrs Brooks, Mrs Fletcher, Fletcher and Mrs Hind.
2800 Declarations of Interest
No declarations were made.
The meeting was closed for public questions to be taken. The first subject concerned County Council planning applications for a household waste recycling centre and floodlit site at Quarry Farm, Bowbridge Lane.
Those present question the accuracy of the County's supporting papers for the application which stated the nearest property was 300 yards from the site, when it is actually 30 yards. The centre is already operational and lit by floodlights.
The access road which is believed to be privately owned is not up to highway standards. The number of lorries is causing considerable impact on the residents who often cannot get out of their access road for several minutes owing to the stream of refuse lorries.
County Cllr Walker advised that Mr Mike Hankin from the County's Planning Department has accepted that the supporting statement is inaccurate and a revised application will be submitted which the Council can then re-consider.
Cllr Ms Atkinson suggested that the letter of concern should be sent from the Parish Council in the meantime, retracting the support which was originally given.
The Clerk advised that although the site has a Balderton address, Quarry Farm is not within the parish boundary and the public should therefore attend any further meeting regarding the applications in their own parish of Hawton.
Seven members of the public were thanked for their attendance and they left the meeting.
The second subject concerned a parishioner's comments regarding ongoing footpath issues in the village including a suggestion that the Council re-consider the Acacia Road access issue which had been discussed at the Amenities committee meeting.
The meeting re-opened
2801 Minutes
A correction was agreed to minute no.2792; the minute should read 'Cllr Hind
proposed that Council standing order... ...'. This alteration was made to the
minute book.
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on January 26th 2005, having been circulated previously were then confirmed as a true record and signed.
2802 Clerk/Chairman's Update
An update of ongoing matters from the minutes of the previous Council meeting
and subsequent committee meetings was circulated and noted. Updates circulated
prior to each committee meeting had been included with the minutes.
The following issues were discussed:-
a) Council
b) Amenities
1. Re Minute Lakeside project
The three quotations for the work had been received, were circulated and
considered by members. Cllr White advised that the specification for the project
had not included any bank stabilisation work which needs doing in the same area
as the park.
He estimated that a further £4000 may be needed for this type of work. Members agreed that the stabilisation work should be carried out in conjunction with the project.
It was, AGREED that the quotation of £15753.35 + v.a.t. from J. L. Roberts & Sons Builders be selected as the preferred quotation. The Clerk will liase with the architect to ensure the Lake bank stabilisation work is carried out at the same time.
2. Re Minute 1171 Acacia Road access
Members endorsed the committee's decision, agreeing that the minutes clearly
reflect the Council's policy on the access, and that no further consideration or
comment about this issue is necessary at this time.
3.Re Minute 1173 Balderton Festival
Further consideration was given to the Festival being held on the Playing Field.
The groundstaff have indicated that they have no objection to this, subject to
weather conditions - i.e. if it is a wet day then no vehicles to go onto the
Field.
It was, AGREED that the Festival be held on the Field with the wet weather condition. Council staff and the Clerk will work with the organisers about the event, scheduled for August 7th 2005.
c) Finance & General Purposes
1. Re Minute 3220 Glovers Lane
County Cllr Walker advised that the County Council are in discussion with Tesco
to see what can be done to ease the parking and congestion problems,
particularly during delivery times.
2. Re Minute 3223 Grove School
Some reservations were expressed regarding Council funds being used to sponsor
the Grove School's application for Science Collage Status, given the uncertain
future of the school's location and extensive amounts of rates going to local
schools.
Members agreed that Mrs Head's attendance at a committee meeting would be very useful, and all the members are encouraged to attend the meeting where they have the opportunity to ask individual questions.
3. Re Minute 3225 Fernwood Bus Services
A correction was agreed to this minute which should read: 'that a meeting be
arranged with planning officer of Lincolnshire Road Car... ... ...'
4. Re Minute 3226 Village Highways issues
The meeting scheduled for March 10th 2005 had been postponed, but County
Councillor Walker had received written notification that Main Street will now be
re-surfaced in the new financial year as originally agreed between London Road
and the Church.
Work will be extensive as the problematic drainage system must be addressed at the same time.
2803 Financial Statement
The details as published were correct, there being a cheque requirement of
£2564.25 for March 2005.
2804 Reports from Representatives
1. Cllrs Jarvis had attended a meeting of the Newark Area Local Forum on Monday
March 7th 2005 at Newark Town Hall. He advised that funding was available for
regeneration work in the Newark area, and a mobile information bus would be
introduced which can be used by a range of age groups.
2805 Clerk's Additional Information
The following items of correspondence/information have been received:
a) An invitation to participate in an annual playground inspection arranged by
the District Council at a cost of £39.00. Members agreed that this offer should
be accepted.
b) Notice that planning permission has been granted for a two storey extension and alterations at 33 Acacia Road, an extension at 29 Worthington and conservatory at 5 Glovers Lane.
c) Two planning applications received which members had viewed and approved - 0355 two storey extension at 16 Clipsham Close, and 0476 conservatory at 6 Baines Avenue.
An application for a dwelling at the rear of 93a Main Street was considered and refused because it was deemed to be backland development with insufficient access.
d) A request from a tenant for permission to install a 20 foot long poly-tunnel on the allotments. Members gave approval to the request.
e) A request from Cllr Mrs Hind for a leave of absence of a six months on the grounds of ill health. Members approved this.
f) A letter from a wheelchair user who had visited the Lake and was disappointed that he could not go all the way around the Lake owing too barriers and gates. This was referred to the Amenities committee for consideration.
2806 Councillors Questions
1. Cllr Sheppard asked members to join him in sending very best wishes to Cllr
Mrs Hind while she undergoes hospital treatment. Cllr Hind thanked councillors
for their well wishes and undertook to pass on their comments.
Exempt item - Staffing matter
It was, AGREED in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 Section 1, that as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the information in the business to be transacted, the public and press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting.
The press and public duly left the meeting.
A Council staffing mater was discussed.
The meeting closed at approximately 8.50pm.