Balderton Parish Council
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held in the
Council Hall on Wednesday April 26th 2006 at 7.00pm.
PRESENT Cllr Colman chairing the meeting, with seventeen residents, three non
residents, a representative of the local press and the Clerk to the Council
APOLOGIES were accepted from Parish Councillors Brooks, Gibson, Mortimore, Mrs
Scott, Scott and White, County Councillor Mrs Saddington, Clerk to the Balderton
Parochial Charity Mr Holland, and Secretary to the Fernwood and District
Residents Association Mrs Allen.
06/01 Minutes
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on April 18th 2005 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. Mr Hall asked what was the status of non residents at the meeting? He was
advised that non residents may attend but may not vote in any matters.
06/02 Parish Council Accounts
Copies of the Parish Council’s estimates for 2006/2007, with copies of the
unaudited accounts for 2005/06 were circulated and noted.
06/03 Parochial Charity Account
A copy of the charity’s accounts were circulated and noted.
06/04 Reports from Committee Chairmen
In the Amenities chairman’s absence, the Clerk gave a resume of the activities
during the past year. The progress of the new playing field hall was outlined
advising that demolition work was scheduled to commence this week, and that the
new building should be completed in November. Work has finally commenced on the
long awaited new health centre on Lowfield Lane by the Newark & Sherwood Primary
Care Trust.
06/05 Fernwood & District Residents Association
Mr Mutter, Chairman of the Association spoke of his appreciation to the Council
for the assistance and support given to the organisation, particularly by
Councillors Ms Atkinson and Mrs Walker. He stated that certain press reports may
have given the impression that the Association was at odds with the parish
council and this was not the case. He hoped that the two parties would continue
to work together for the good of the whole community, particularly on issues
that would affect both sides of the village – for example the business park
opposite Fernwood. The Clerk reported from County Councillor Mrs Saddington who
had advised that the County Council was awaiting the outcome of a Department of
Transport Review before committing to a request for a 30mph speed limit along
Great North Road which the children walk along from Fernwood to village schools.
The County had stated however that is was unlikely that such a restriction would
be introduced there owing to the lack of property frontages along that road. Mrs
Saddington had also advised that the bus shelter at Fernwood would be included
on the County’s cleaning programme in future.
06/06 Questions Raised
The following questions/points were raised, some of which had been submitted
previously;
1. Mr V. Hall had previously submitted the following questions in writing;
a) ‘When and where will the Parish Publication Scheme that the Council have
agreed to have be displayed?’ The Clerk advised that the Scheme itself is not
for publishing, but the Council has a duty to publish any information declared
available in the Scheme.
b) ‘Does the Council have a Management Plan for the new Council Hall and when
can we see it?’ There is presently no Management Plan but the issue could be
given future consideration by the Council.
c) ‘If Fernwood becomes a village how much will our income fall and what effect
will this have?’ The Council fixes its own precept, but members are aware of the
potential loss of rates from those properties in the Fernwood area if it becomes
a parish in its own right.
d) ‘What is the current situation in respect of the Acacia Road to FP1 jitty?’ A
new Deed is being drafted by solicitors for approval by the Council and the land
owner.
e) ‘In view of the proposed security issues at the new Council Hall apparently
being resolved will the middle gate be re-opened thus making pedestrian access
to the field easier?’ The middle gate closure is scheduled for consideration at
the next Amenities Committee meeting on May 10th 2006.
f) ‘Why are items I ask about while the meeting is closed not spoken about or
not referred to a committee – unlike other members of the public?’ If matters
raised at meetings by members of the public are deemed in need of further
consideration or further discussion then these are referred to the appropriate
committee.
2. Mrs A. Jarvis asked what can the Council do to assist in securing the
secondary dispensary in the village to be located at the new health centre on
Lowfield Lane? The Chairman advised that he is still fighting for both pharmacy
amenities and had raised this issue with those present at the recent turf
cutting ceremony on the new health centre site which was organised by the Newark
& Sherwood Primary Care Trust.
3. Mr F. Clipsham asked if the Council would consider providing shower
facilities on the playing field for the cricketers during the new hall building
work? This was referred to the Amenities Committee for consideration.
4. Mr B. Fenton expressed his concern about the number of exempt staffing
matters on Council agendas. It was explained that the Council has a duty of care
to staff and that members consider it is not in the public interest for personal
staffing matters to be discussed in public.
5. Mrs Houghton thanked Cllrs Mrs Brooks and Allsopp who had tried to help her
with the problems experienced in her residential area. She reported that Newark
& Sherwood Homes have undertook to fence off the access from Mead Way to
Bakewell Close which she hopes will ease some of the anti-social issues.
The meeting closed at approximately 7.40pm.