Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held in the
Balderton Village Centre on Wednesday April 11th 2007 at 6.30pm.
PRESENT Councillors Colman (Chairman), Mrs Brooks (Vice Chairman), Allsopp,
Brooks, Fletcher, Gibson, Hind, Mortimore, Mrs Newstead, Miss Oram, Mrs Scott,
Scott, Sheppard, Mrs Walker, Miss Watson and White with County Councillor
Walker, District Council Officer Mr Greener, one member of the public, a
representative of the local press and the Clerk.
2976 Apologies
Apologies were accepted from Councillors Ms Atkinson and Mrs Jarvis, and County
Councillor Mrs Saddington.
2977 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Mrs Newstead declared a personal interest to minute reference 2980c.1–
grant payment.
2978 Litter
District Council Officer Mr Greener the Cleansing & Recycling Manager gave a
presentation regarding his authority’s responsibilities regarding refuse
collection, street cleansing and fly tipping removal. He outlined the proposal
for a new Code of Practice regarding litter management which states response
times for litter clearance in open spaces.
The District Council is urging parish councils to
adopt the Code to aim for a uniform approach to litter management in the whole
of their area. The Parish Council’s two main areas of land (i.e. Lakeside and
the Playing Field) fall in the ‘Medium Intensity of Use’ category which
necessitates that any reported litter be removed by 6pm the following evening.
Mr Greener was thanked for his information and he left the meeting at
approximately 7.10pm.
2979 Minutes
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday February 28th 2007,
having been circulated previously were confirmed as a true record and signed.
2980 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
1. Re Minute 2975.1 London Road, Newark traffic lights Cllr Ms Newstead asked
the Clerk to again report that one of the traffic lights was facing the wrong
way.
b) Amenities
1. Re Minute 1363 Dog Orders Regular sports users of the Field will be asked for
their comments regarding the proposed order to keep dogs on leads.
2. Re Minute 1364.2 A1/ Highways Agency County Councillor Walker advised that
‘before and after’ noise level readings are required to enable the County
Council’s noise team to look into the issue. Support was expressed for the Main
Street property residents most affected by the severe tree/shrub removal
undertaken during the recent A1 carriageway repairs. The Clerk undertook to
request the necessary noise level readings from the Highways Agency.
3. Re Minute 1370 Litter Code of Practice Further consideration was given to
adopting the Code of Practice following the presentation earlier in the meeting.
The Council groundstaff were praised for their constant litter clearing work on
the playing field.
It was, AGREED that the Code be adopted.
c) Finance & General Purposes
1. Re Minute 3359 Financial Assistance
It was, AGREED that in pursuance of the powers
conferred by Sections 137 and 139 of the Local Government Act 1972 the Council
approve the payment of £200 to Gregory Duckworth towards the cost of his
attendance at a NAGTY summer school at a London college this being expenditure
incurred in the interest of the parish or its inhabitants and will benefit
them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure.
2981 Committees
The Finance and General Purposes Committee minutes were altered to show Cllr Mrs
Walker present, and Cllr Miss Watson as absent. A minor adjustment was also made
to the Declarations of Interest at the same meeting –it should read ‘minute
reference 3418c.1 instead of 3418d. The minutes of the following committees were
then confirmed as a true record and signed:
Planning
Amenities
Finance and General Purposes
2982 Financial Statements
The details as published were correct, there being a cheque requirement for
March of £61,311.47
2983 Reports from Representatives
County Councillor Walker advised that:
a) the ‘Building Better Communities’ funded project to provide off street
parking in Wolfit Avenue, has been upgraded from a £20,000 project to a £40,000
project.
b) the appeal against the refusal for Cotham landfill site to take lorries on
bank holidays should be fought – the impact upon Staple Lane residents will be
significant if this is allowed.
c) the Cotham landfill site is past its permitted operational life and an
alternative site should be sought.
2984 Clerk’s Additional Information
The following items of correspondence/information have been received:
a) A request from a parishioner to retain a gated route from the new Health
Centre into the Cemetery. Members considered that this is not necessary and will
create more problems than it would ease. Walkers can use the existing route
through the Cemetery from Mount Road through to Belvoir Road/Lowfield Lane.
b) Notice that an appeal has been lodged against the issuing of Enforcement
Notices by the District Council for the unauthorised operation of an HGV and
storage business at Cressey Holme Farm. Any comments relating to the case should
be submitted by May 10th 2007.
c) Notice that the local WRVS is seeking volunteers for delivering library books
to housebound readers.
d) A warning notice from the police that bogus water board officials are
operating in the area.
2985 Councillors Questions
1. Cllr Mrs Newstead asked what could be done about the very poor state of the
pavement and road on Lowfield Lane and the ‘service road’ between Belvoir Road
and Mount Road which runs parallel with London Road. County Councillor Walker
undertook to raise the issue with the County Highways department. .
2. Cllr Mrs Walker asked that the issue of sponsoring other NAGTY students be
include on
a future Finance agenda.
3. Cllr Sheppard asked his fellow members to join him in thanking those
councillors who had served on the Council and who were not on this occasion
standing for re-election. Appreciation was expressed to those concerned.
The meeting closed at approximately 7.40pm.