Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Council meeting
held in the Balderton Village Centre on Wednesday April 16th 2008 at 7.00pm.
PRESENT Councillors Mortimore (Chairman), Mrs Jarvis (Vice Chairman), Allsopp,
Fletcher, Gibson, Hind, Mrs Hurst, Hurst, Mrs Newstead, Sheppard,
Mrs Walker, Miss Watson and White. with County Councillor Walker, District
Councillors Mrs Brooks and Brooks, a representative of the local press, forty
nine parishioners, one non resident member of the public (here by invitation)
and the Clerk.
The meeting was closed to hear public comments about the vote for naming the
Council a town or a parish council, which was scheduled for discussion later in
the meeting, and about the Council’s decision not to hold a village referendum
about the choice of name. A parishioner also asked the Council for support in
relation to a planning issue at 9a Bullpit Road – this was already an agenda
item scheduled for discussion.
The meeting re-opened at 7.20pm.
3063 Apologies
Apologies were accepted from Councillors Colman, Gosling, Gould, Radley and
Mutter.
3064 Declarations of Interest
No declarations of interest were made.
3065 Minutes
The minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday March 5th 2008, having been
circulated previously were confirmed as a true record and signed.
3066 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 3061.1 Commemorative Tree Some concern was expressed regarding the
intended size of the plaque to be installed on the commemorative tree by the
Bowling Green. The Clerk was asked to liaise with the family to discuss this
issue.
b) Amenities
1. Re Minute 1455 Acacia Road Access The County Council’s response was noted to
this council’s objection to the Modification Order, asking that the objection be
withdrawn. Members re-iterated the Council’s reasons for the objection and asked
that local M.P. Patrick Mercer be invited to support the Council in relation to
this item.
2. Re Minute 1461 Newark Toilets Cllr Newstead advised that there is a disabled
toilet in the Town Hall that is available for RADA key holders.
c) Finance & General Purposes
1. Re Minute 3484 Village Referendum It was unanimously, AGREED that Standing
Order 26a be suspended to allow the recommendation to be carried that a village
paper referendum will not be held to determine public opinion regarding naming
the Council a town or a parish.
3067 Committees
The minutes of the following committees were then confirmed as a true record and
signed:
Planning
Amenities
Finance and General Purposes
3068 Town or Parish Council
After lengthy discussion regarding the preferred method of voting, a show of
hands was held to vote on the Council’s name of Parish or Town. The result was 2
votes for Town and 11 votes for Parish. Therefore the Council will be named
Balderton Parish Council.
Several parishioners left the meeting.
3069 Bullpit Road Planning Application
Concern was expressed at the apparent lack of clear planning consultation for a
garage at 9a
Bullpit Road which is to be used for living accommodation.
The Parish Council did not
receive a copy of the consultation and the neighbour was apparently misinformed
by the Planning Department. It was, AGREED that a letter be sent to the District
Council Planning Department
expressing this Council’s disquiet at not being consulted on this particular
application and apparent lack of system for checking that any applications have
been received by councils for comment. Cllr Allsopp undertook to try and arrange
a meeting for the complainant with the Head of Planning.
3070 Planning Applications
The following applications were considered and approved subject to any comments
detailed below:
0093 Change use to residential Former Isolation Hospital Barnby Road
0268 Erect prefab garage 10 Catkin Way
0447 Extension 23 Heron Way
The following application was considered and objected to with the comments
detailed below:
0281 Construct dwelling (amended) Adj. to 22 Mount Road
Members considered that this is still over intensive for the site area.
3071 Financial Statements
The details as published and circulated were correct, there being a cheque
requirement of £27,420.34 for March.
3072 Reports from Representatives
County Councillor Walker thanked those councillors who are not seeking
re-election and have served on the Council for many years, giving their time and
expertise. Cllr White informed that he had served for thirty six enjoyable years
and that the Council has changed quite dramatically over the years. Cllr
Mortimore informed that he had very much enjoyed his time on the Council and
particularly this last year as Chairman.
3073 Clerk’s Additional Information
The following items of correspondence/information have been received:
1. Notice that approval has been given for the Council to elect to waive VAT
exemption – this would result in charging VAT to all users of the Centre. Cllr
White advised that he, along with the Clerk and Deputy Clerk had met earlier
that day with the accountant who is advising and liaising with Customs and
Excise. The case of claiming the VAT back on the building cost is ongoing, but
the accountant has expressed cautious optimism about the issue.
2. Notice that the Council’s AGM will now be held on May 7th 2008. This change
in the schedule is necessary owing to the enforced village election on May 1st
2008.
3. Planning permission has been granted for 257 dwellings at Fernwood (no. 1825)
and for a new production plant at Cemex, Hawton Lane (no. 0147).
4. Members were reminded that the Annual Parish Meeting is on April 23rd 2008 at
7.00pm in the Village Centre.
5. A personal expression of appreciation from the Clerk to all members who are
not seeking re-election this time, thanking them all for their hard work and
support.
3074 Councillors Questions
1. Cllr Mrs Jarvis asked why Balderton has not received any of the £1.3m
government money given to the District Council in relation to the Newark Growth
Point Bid. County Councillor Walker advised that it will be possible for
Balderton members to submit a bid. Some concern was expressed about the fund of
government money given to the District Council for the Bid, and questions asked
why this has happened before a decision has been made. Does accepting government
money mean that this area is committed to accepting the implications of the
government’s Bid? District Councillors were asked to keep a close eye on the
situation and keep the Council informed.
2. Cllr Hurst asked if anything could be done about the size of the school
warning sign that has been installed on Bullpit Road as he considered it to be
inadequate.
3. Cllr White asked members to consider including on the Council’s letter
heading, the fact that it is one of the largest rural parish councils in
England.
4. Cllr Mrs Newstead asked that the County Council be requested to cut back the
grass edging along Hawton Lane because it encroaching over the pavement making
it narrow.
5. Cllr Allsopp asked that appreciation be recorded to the Clerk and Deputy
Clerk for all their hard work during the past year.
6. Cllr Mrs Walker requested that the District Council be asked to clear the
Brandon Close rose garden area.
The meeting closed at approximately 8.25pm.