Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Amenities Committee meeting held in the Council Hall on Wednesday June 22nd 2005 at 7.00pm
PRESENT: Councillors Colman, Gibson, Jarvis, Mrs Newstead, Mrs Scott, Scott, Sheppard, Spencer and White with Mr Mortimore Pavilion sub committee member, Head Groundsman Mr Stevens, three members of Balderton Bowls Club, a member of the local press and the Clerk.
APOLOGIES: were received from Councillors Ms Atkinson, Mrs Hind and Hind, County Councillor Walker and Footpaths Officer Mr Rix.
1203 Committee
Chairman
The only nomination received was for Cllr White who was re-elected as
committee chairman.
1204 Committee Vice
Chairman
The only nomination received was for Cllr Jarvis who was re-elected as
committee vice chairman.
1205 Declarations of
Interest
Cllr White declared a personal interest to minute reference 1215 Twitch
Farm.
The meeting closed at approximately 7.05pm to hear members of Balderton Bowls Club who raised concerns about the impact of the proposed new Pavilion building in relation to their own bowls pavilion which will have to be moved to accommodate the new building.
Some doubt was expressed about the suitability of moving their existing pavilion which is a sectional concrete structure with a flat roof. It was agreed that a site meeting should take place on the Field before the next committee meeting to consider all options and determine the preferred relocation site.
The Club members were thanked for their attendance and they left the meeting at approximately 7.15pm.
1206 Clerk/Chairman’s
Update
A printed update of ongoing matters was circulated and noted. The update is
published with the minutes. The following issue was discussed from the update:
1. Re Minute Allotments The agents believe that the Southwell Diocese may have accepted the revised rent proposal of £300 for the allotment land but confirmation of this is awaited. Discussion took place about bonfires on the allotments.
It was,
RECOMMENDED that the Council adopt a policy of no bonfires on the allotments.
The groundstaff who periodically burn Council vegetation waste taken from the
village will no longer burn it on the allotments. More composting should be
encouraged.
1207 Planning
Application
The following Planning Application was
considered and approved with any comments detailed below:
1335 First floor extension 56 Wolfit Avenue
1208 Planning
Decisions
The following Planning Applications have been granted conditional approval
and were noted:
0558 Change use to commercial vehicle operating centre Chestnut House, Barnby Road 0636 Demolish pavilion, erect new facilities Playing Field Pavilion
0660 Change use from A1 to A3 (fast food take-away/café) 170 London Road
0754 Change use of garage to workshop 17 Jericho Road
0791 Extension and detached garage 39 Queen Street
0822 Single storey extension and conservatory 21 Granby Drive
0853 Conservatory 75 Manners Road
The following Planning Application has been refused and was noted:
0324 Site mobile home for holiday accommodation 14 Barnby Crossing
1209 New Pavilion
Changing Rooms
Consideration was given to a written request for the changing rooms at the
new Pavilion, when built, to be named after the late Mr John Henderson who had
much involvement at the Field in his role as manager of British Gypsum Football
Club.
Members, though sympathetic to the request were mindful that there may be other similar suggestions for naming after those associated with the building and considered that it was too early to commit to any such naming at this stage before the building has been commissioned. A letter of reply will be drafted advising that the matter will be given future consideration once the building has commenced.
1210 Litter Bins
Discussion took place on the misuse of Council litter bins, which have been
used for domestic waste from time to time. Letters have been sent from both
this Council and the District Council to one resident believed to be responsible
for some of the fly tipping. The local press was asked to highlight the
potential fine of up to £50,000 for fly tipping which should be publicised to
make offenders aware of the penalty.
1211 Strimmers
Consideration was given to replace petrol grass strimming machines which are
now beyond economical repair. One estimate to replace the two strimmers is
approximately £1200. Members approved the need to purchase but asked that an
alternative estimate be obtained.
1212 Quarterly Bonus
Approval was given to payment of the groundstaff’s quarterly bonus.
1213 Pavilion
Renovation
The Clerk advised that full planning permission has been granted from Newark
& Sherwood District Council for the project. The funding bid can now be
submitted subject to detailed breakdown of costings being submitted by the
architect and quantity surveyor in order that the level of match funding from
the Council is known. The Football Foundation require the Council to adopt a
Child Protection Policy, and a copy of a draft policy had been previously
circulated to all committee members. The Policy requires a designated Child
Protection Officer.
It was,
RECOMMENDED that the Policy be formally adopted and Mr Mortimore be the
designated Council Child Protection Officer. Discussion took place on the
requirement to re-site the bowls pavilion.
The Club had raised the option of an annexe to the main Pavilion but members considered that the bowls pavilion would be better as a stand alone structure.
One option could be to move the existing structure, put a pitched roof on it and have it painted to be more in keeping with the new Pavilion. A builder will be asked to attend the proposed site meeting in order that options/estimates of cost can be considered.
The possibility of selling a small area of land for development at Lakeside to help fund the Pavilion project was discussed. Notice that planning consultants have been approached for initial reaction to developing land off Heron Way car park.
They advise that two or three building plots in keeping with existing dwellings may be feasible, and that the existing car park would have to be moved forward slightly and possible screened with trees.
A block plan should be drafted by an architect to show approximate layout and this should be submitted to the District Council as an informal approach. The consultants fees would be £2000 + v.a.t.
It was,
RECOMMENDED that the expenditure be referred to the F&GP committee for financial
approval.
1214 Angling Club
Income/Lease
The Grove Angling Club’s lease and rental for the Lake were reviewed.
The rent has been fixed at £500 + v.a.t. for several years. Members were mindful of all the work the Club do at the Lake and that the fishing is well controlled there.
A Club representative will be invited to the next committee meeting with a copy of their accounts.
1215 Twitch Farm
Discussion took place regarding the possible development of ‘Twitch Farm’ on
Hollowdyke Lane into a ‘high tech.’ scrap yard, used for dismantling up to 1400
vehicles.
This would mean a high level of vehicular activity, damage to the local environment and a distraction to A1 southbound drivers.
The farm is registered for use as a scrap yard, so it is quite possible that planning permission would not be required for this business use. The owner has indicated that he would not be adverse to alternative use if he were able to get planning permission, such as a transport storage site.
The press were asked to highlight this potential use and harmful affects on the surrounding area. A letter will be sent to the District Council outlining objections and urging a re-appraisal of permissible use on the site.
1216 Information/Correspondence
The following items of information/correspondence have been received and
were noted:
a) Advice from the District Council regarding high hedges, and anti social behaviour implications.
b) Notice that planning permission has been granted for an 8 bay modular building at Chuter Ede school.
c) A copy of the report submitted by the Environment Committee for the household waste recycling centre at Quarry Farm, Bowbridge Lane, Newark.
d) An invitation to the County Council Civic Service on Sunday July 17th 2005 at 11am in Southwell Minster. Any councillor wishing to attend to notify the Clerk.
e) A planning application which had been reviewed previously owing to District time restrictions - 1206 erect bungalow and garage at land rear of 42a Queen Street. This has been objected to on the grounds of detrimental affect upon neighbouring properties.
f) Notice of approved works to fell an Elm Tree (subject to a T.P.O.) at 6 Collinson Lane.
g) The report of the annual play area inspection at the Playing Field. The report has been reviewed and some minor adjustments need to be made. It is believed that this can be carried out by a local contractor. The disability accessibility assessment gained a 0% rating, mainly on the grounds that the surfacing between each piece of equipment is grass which is not deemed suitable for a wheelchair user. The play area inspectors will be asked for cost effective solutions to this problem. Enquiries will also be made with the insurance company to ascertain the implications of replacing grass for a hard surface within the play area should anyone harm themselves on it.
1217 Future agenda
Items
No items were put forward.
The meeting closed at approximately 8.40pm