Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Annual Parish
Meeting held in the Village Centre on Wednesday April 23rd 2008 at 7.00pm.
PRESENT Cllr Mortimore chairing the meeting, with nineteen residents, three non
parish members of the public, a representative of the local press and the Clerk
to the Council
APOLOGIES were accepted from Parish Councillors Colman and Gosling, Clerk to the
Balderton Parochial Charity Mr P. Holland and Mrs M. Holland.
08/01 Minutes
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on April 18th 2007 were taken as
read and
approved, having been previously approved and signed at a subsequent meeting of
the
Parish Council. The following item was discussed from the minutes:
1. Re Minute 5a & 5b Village Centre Mr V. Hall asked what progress had been made
from his questions last year. He was advised that a Village Centre Management
sub-committee has been formed, and the suggestion of employing a marketing
student to promote usage of the Centre had been discussed but was not considered
necessary.
08/02 Parish Council Accounts
Copies of the Parish Council’s estimates for 2008/2009, with copies of the
unaudited accounts for 2007/08 were circulated and noted.
Mr B. Fenton asked why so much is spent on turf maintenance, why were the white
lines marked out every week when materials were available that meant less
frequent marking, do staff have to work on the cricket square every Sunday
during the cricket summer, can the apparent cost of maintaining cricket
facilities be justified for a village cricket club, why are the cleaning costs
so much higher, why is the electricity cost so much higher than before and why
do our groundstaff have to clean up after the footballers and spectators after
weekend play? The Chairman and Cllr White replied appropriately to these
questions, undertaking that enquiries would be made where necessary.
Mr Roberts suggested that the Council review the agreement with the Grove
Angling Club - several parishioners present considered the income generated from
the Lake is too low, and concerns were raised about restricting use to local
residents through lack of day ticket sales.
08/03 Parochial Charity Account
A copy of the charity’s accounts were circulated and noted.
08/04 Reports from Committee Chairmen
Cllr White, Chairman of the Amenities Committee gave a resume of the activities
during the past year. The new Balderton Village Centre which was completed in
December 2006 has been well received and the Hall is regularly used for parties
and a bi-monthly antique fair. He advised that the ongoing challenge to Customs
and Excise regarding claiming back the VAT element of the project is progressing
well and the accountant is cautiously optimistic. At present the Council has
decided to retain just two groundsmen and employ the further services of an
external local contractor to help as needed, though the budget does allow the
employment of a third member of the team if deemed necessary. Some earlier
criticisms made by a parishioner about Council services and costs are a matter
of standards and this Council has always prided itself on providing the highest
standard available from the resources available. The field has recently
undergone ‘earthquake’ treatment which should hopefully ease flooding. Some
allotment issues have occurred this year which have hopefully been addressed and
clarified.
In terms of projects for this year; the Mount Road Cemetery extension is again
under discussion and a sub committee is being formed to take the project
forward. A new piece of play equipment is planned for the play area – the exact
type is yet to be determined but pupils at John Hunt Schools are being consulted
for their ideas and preferences.
With relation to the Acacia Road issue – Cllr White again expressed how appalled
he is that the County Council continues to pursue this access as a public
footpath because of one individual. Cllr White, who is not seeking re-election
this year, extended his appreciation to all Council staff concerned who have
once again worked very hard. He felt that the Council has done well during
difficult times and he hopes will continue to do well in the future.
Cllr Mortimore outlined the Council’s major purchases from 1932 when the playing
field was purchased, to the Centre’s completion in 2006. He stressed that the
Council’s facilities are not owned by any individual, but by the Council as a
whole and therefore the public. Good maintenance of Council facilities is
essential and routine costs must be found to keep services to a good standard.
He re-iterated that Balderton pays for its own services and playing field –
Newark’s are owned and maintained by the District Council. He praised the
Council staff who all work beyond their job descriptions and are very committed
to serving this Council and the community. He outlined the Council’s audit
requirements for this year – the Council has been selected as one of the 5% of
Councils to undergo a more stringent, involved audit. Councillors should pay
attention to the important issue of audit. Cllr Mortimore, who is also not
seeking re-election this year, thanked the Council for their support and wished
everyone well.
08/05 Questions Raised
The following questions/points were raised, some of which had been submitted
previously:
1. Mr V. Hall asked;
a) Could the Council look to provide public toilets? The Council has provided
public toilets in the past, but they were regularly vandalised and too costly to
run. Local shops could be encouraged to make their toilets available for public
use, though there may be health and safety implications.
b) What is the present situation regarding the sale of Heron Way land? A
response is presently awaited from the legal department at the District Council
regarding a covenant on the land that was discovered by the Council’s solicitor.
c) Would the Council re-consider allowing an access gate through to the Cemetery
from the Health Centre? Cllr Mortimore advised that he understands the Health
Centre management do not wish to pursue this option.
d) What is the situation regarding the Gating Order for the public footpath from
Church Lane to Pinfold Lane? This is an ongoing issue that is being discussed at
the Safer Neighbourhood Police meeting on May 19th 2008 at 6.30pm in the Village
Centre.
2. Ms Bright asked what could be done about graffiti on the chevron signs off
the A1 slip road.
This issue is a Highways responsibility – County Councillor Walker undertook to
report it onto
the authority. Ms Bright also asked when the Council meets – a schedule of
meetings is
published and a copy could be provided. The schedule is also included on the
Council’s web-site.
A copy could also be placed on the library notice board
3. Mr J. Norman asked is further signs could be installed on the playing field
advising where to
report dog fouling offences? Instances have increased since the Grove field has
been fenced off
to walkers.
4. Ms R Clayton asked if the Playing Field could be eligible for the awards that
are given to some of
the Newark parks? This can be looked into by the Council.
5. Mrs C Cox asked if there is a directional sign showing Mount Road Cemetery?
There is not
presently a sign – the matter could be looked into though the County Council
does restrict the
number of signs that can be installed on the highway.
6. County Councillor Walker advised that pavement repairs will be carried out to
Belvoir Road,
Grove Street, Lowfield Lane and Queen Street following a successful bid to the
authority’s
‘Building Better Communities’ initiative.
The meeting closed at approximately 8.10pm.