Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting
held in the Balderton Village Centre on Wednesday May 21st 2008 at 7.00pm.
PRESENT Councillors Mrs Jarvis, (Chairman), Sheppard (Vice Chairman), Allen,
Allsopp, Mrs Brooks, Fletcher, Hind, Mrs Hurst, Hurst, Mrs Newstead, Mrs Walker
and Walker with a representative of the local press and the Clerk.
APOLOGIES were received from Cllr Miss Watson.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Cllr Walker declared a personal interest to any issue
relating to the County Council, District Council and Nottinghamshire Police.
Cllr Mrs Brooks declared a personal interest to the application for financial
assistance from the Scouts.
Cheques presented were signed and wages payments approved.
3493 Clerk/Chairman’s Update
A printed update of ongoing matters was circulated and noted. The update is
published
with the minutes. The following items were discussed from the update:
1. Re Minute 3481.1 Project Money Cllr Mrs Hurst advised that a meeting with the
new Grove Student Council has been arranged for May 22nd 2008.
2. Re Minute 3481.2 Blocked Drain Members were disappointed to hear that a
further blockage has been identified further along the Masefield Crescent drain.
The ongoing work will be closely monitored. The lack of maintenance and
‘policing’ of all drains and water courses was discussed - the whole system
needs to run freely to avoid any further flooding problems.
3494 Planning Applications
The following planning applications were considered and supported subject to any
comments detailed below:
0516 Erect conservatory 4 Nursery Gardens
0644 Retain signs, add further signs Sainsburys, London Road
0444 Erect conservatory 9a Bullpit Road
Though not objecting to this application in principle, members were concerned
about overall development at the site which is causing lack of privacy to the
neighbouring property, and urged the Enforcement Officer to again inspect it.
The following planning application was considered and objected to with the
following
comments:
0657 Revised scheme – window & door alterations Toll Bar House London Road
The alterations will cause loss of privacy to a Sibcy Lane property. The
application would however be supported if a suitably high boundary fence or wall
is installed.
3495 Planning Decisions
The following planning applications have received conditional approval by the
District Council and were noted:
0342 Subdivision of house to form 2 smaller dwellings 20 Smith Street
0406 Change single brick garage to double brick garage 3 Sapling Close
0447 Erect two storey side extension 23 Heron Way
The following planning applications have been refused by the District Council
and were
noted:
0281 Construct one dwelling 22 Mount Road
0514 Erect 2storey dwelling 203 London Road
3496 Council Newsletter
Further consideration was given to the production of and distribution options of
a Council newsletter. It is some years since the last newsletter was compiled.
Content, production and delivery options were discussed. Cllr Hurst indicated
that he would prepare a newsletter which could be copied ‘in house’ by
administration staff. This could be included in the Newark Advertiser as an
‘editorial’ feature and copies provided in the village shops and amenities for
collection by those interested.
3497 Financial Assistance
Consideration was given to an application for financial assistance to the
Balderton Scout Group for help towards a new heating system in the village Scout
Hall.
It was, RECOMMENDED that a grant of £500 be made.
3498 Road Safety Working Party
Cllr Mrs Newstead elected to replace Cllr Mrs Jarvis on the Working Party.
3499 N.A.L.C.
Consideration was given to joining the Nottinghamshire Association of Local
Councils – it is some years since the Council was a member. The subscription is
essentially based upon electorate numbers and would cost approximately £1570 for
a year. Members considered that it could be beneficial to join and requested
that a representative attend a future meeting to give full details.
3500 Payphone Review
Members considered an invitation to comment on British Telecom’s proposal to
remove two payphone kiosks in Balderton – on Main Street and London Road. The
company claim that these are not readily or regularly used. Members considered
that an objection should be lodged against their removal because there is a need
for the telephones and they should remain in place.
3501 Christmas Lights
Discussion was given to the option of providing some Christmas lights for the
village but it was considered that the high cost could not be justified. The
Council’s competition should be re-introduced to award prizes to the best
domestic and business premises in the village for Christmas lights and
decorations..
3502 Correspondence/Information
The following correspondence and information was noted:
a) A request from the Health Centre that in the event of an emergency could the
Village Centre be used as a temporary short term base? (before portacabins could
be obtained for example). The Centre staff would fit in around any commitments
that are already in place. Members approved this request.
b) Approval was given to a request from the groundstaff for approval to purchase
materials to install a hard surface to the front of the area where the cricket
sight screens are stored. The turf is getting churned up by the screens when
they are removed for use. The Cricket Club would carry out the work, and the
approximate cost of materials is approximately £250 - £300.
c) A letter of appreciation from Blue Sapphires Cheerleaders for the grant given
by the Council. The Cheerleaders recently attended a competition in America
where they did very well.
d) Details of the structure of the District Council Standards Committee,
advising how Code of Conduct complaints will now be handled.
e) Notice of an application for a premises licence at Flowserve Sports & Social
Club.
f) A copy of the County Council’s Business Plan for 2008-11.
g) A copy of the Consultation paper for ‘The Best Place for Health’ from the
Notts County Teaching PCT.
3503 Future Agenda Items
Cllr Allsopp asked that the issue of a possible contingency plan relating to
Fernwood’s independent status be included on a future committee agenda.
Cllr Mrs Hurst asked that Councillors I.D. cards be discussed at the next
committee meeting.
Cllr Mrs Walker asked that the possibility of utilising the ‘Youth Bus’ in
Balderton be included on the next Amenities agenda.
The meeting closed at approximately 8.05pm.