Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held in the
Council Hall on Wednesday April 12th 2006 at 7.00pm.
PRESENT Councillors Colman (Chairman), Allsopp, Mrs Brooks, Fletcher, Hind,
Jarvis, Mortimore, Mrs Newstead, Miss Oram, Sheppard, Mrs Walker, Miss
Watson and White with County Councillors Mrs Saddington and Walker, a member of
the local press, three members of the public and the Clerk.
2887 Apologies
Apologies were received from Councillors Ms Atkinson, Brooks, Gibson, Mrs Scott
and Scott.
2888 Declarations of Interest
No declarations of interest were made.
The meeting closed at approximately 7.01pm to take public comments.
One parishioner a) stated his approval about a new hedge that has been laid to
the east of Main Street – would the Council consider sending a letter of
appreciation to the owner? b)would the Council please send a written reply to a
letter he submitted dated March 1st 2006, c) stated his objection to the link
between Mead Way and Bakewell Close becoming a public footpath owing to the
excessive vandalism problems in that area. Cllr Mrs Newstead asked it be
recorded that the parishioner concerned was very selective in his choice of
supporting public footpath applications.
The Chairman thanked the parishioner for his comments which would receive
attention and the meeting re-opened.
County Councillor Mrs Saddington advised that she had attended a recent meeting
of the Fernwood Residents Association and had undertaken to look into two
concerns; a) that the bus shelter be cleaned more often and b) that the speed
limit be reduced along the stretch of road from Fernwood to Balderton where the
school children walk to school. The Chairman thanked her for the information.
2889 Minutes
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on March 1st 2006, having been
circulated previously were confirmed as a true record and signed.
2890 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) Planning
c) Amenities
1. Re Minute 1273 New Hall Cllr White reminded those present that existing users
and
anyone interested are still welcome to view the plans and make comments.
2. Re Minute 1274 Lakeside Disabled Access Further discussion was given to the
issue of providing access for all wheelchair users yet preventing access for
motorcycles. The complainant will be invited to attend a site meeting at the
Lake with Council members and groundstaff representatives to discuss options,
and the matter will then be referred back to the Amenities committee for a
recommendation.
3. Re Minute 1278d Playing Field Opening Times Members considered that the bell
should be rung ten minutes before, rather than five minutes before the gates are
closed.
d) Finance and General Purposes Committee
1. Re Minute 3317.1 Building Better Communities (BBC) A bid has been successful
which was submitted by Cllr Mrs Walker to the County’s BBC initiative for off
street parking bays along Wolfit Avenue.
2. Re Minute 3317.2 Traffic Calming County Councillor Walker advised that areas
in Balderton are still being considered for flashing speed signs.
2891 Committees
The minutes of the following committees were confirmed as a true record and duly
signed:
Planning
Amenities
Finance & General Purposes
County Councillor Mrs Saddington left the meeting at approximately 7.30pm.
2892 Financial Statement
The statements were approved. The details as published were correct, there being
a cheque requirement of £15,116.93 for March 2006.
2893 Reports from Representatives
1. County Councillor Walker advised a) that he had handed in a petition to the
County Council regarding speeding traffic along Hawton Lane and b) consideration
is still being given to contributory funding towards the new Playing Field Hall.
2.Cllr Mrs Newstead reported from Newark Citizen’s Advice Bureau – the manager
Mrs Christine Williams is retiring owing to ill health. The change of hours
introduced at the Bureau is proving successful and popular.
2894 Clerk’s Additional Information
The following items of correspondence/information have been received:
a) An open letter from Chief Superintendent Johnson regarding the possible
merger of police forces to form an East Midlands Police Service. Nottinghamshire
Police has voted against an amalgamation, and it is believed consultation with
local authorities will follow.
b) Notice that planning permission has been granted for temporary use for a
builders compound at the car park to the rear of 81 Stafford Avenue.
c) Notice of two planning applications which members reviewed and raised no
objections; 0560 Alterations and extensions to dwelling at 20 Wordsworth Drive,
and 0568 Side extension at 56 Jericho Road.
d) An invitation to the County Council’s ‘Building Better Communities’
promotional event at Thoresby Hall Gallery on Tuesday July 4th 2006 from 10am to
1.30pm. Cllr Mrs Walker undertook to attend.
e) An updated version of the ‘Parish Council Toolkit’ CD from the District
Council.
f) A questionnaire from the District Council to help ascertain the level of
demand for funding that is becoming available for Children’s Play Initiative.
g) Notice that Bullpit Road level crossing will be closed overnight on
Saturday/Sunday April 29th/30th for essential track maintenance work.
h) Notice from the groundstaff’s union of intention to ballot for industrial
action on Thursday April 27th 2006.
i) An e-mail from Claypole Parish Council seeking the Council’s views on the
area of grassed land at the end of Claypole Lane end where it meets with Great
North Road. The area has a lot of rubbish and one side of the verge is always
used as an unofficial lay-by. Members considered that the area would be better
served as a lay-by with hard standing.
2895 Councillors Questions
1. Cllr Fletcher asked the Council to write a letter to County Councillor Walker
seeking his support for road markings outside the Working Mens Club on Main
Street. Vehicles park across the entrance causing an obstruction.
2. Cllr Mrs Newstead asked District Councillors to look into the increased
charges at the Grove Leisure Centre which seem excessive.
Exempt Items 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 at approximately 7.45pm.
A staffing matter was discussed and agreed upon.
The meeting closed at approximately 8.30pm.