Minutes of Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday, 26 September 2022 at 7.30pm at Underwood Community Centre.
Present:
Cllr P Easom
Cllr S Fletcher
Cllr D Hodgman
Cllr R Hughes
Cllr B Jackson
Cllr S Jackson
Cllr A Justice
Cllr D Justice (Chair)
Cllr D Martin
Cllr J O’Byrne
Cllr P Pilgrim
Cllr D Wilson
Apologies:
Cllr D Deaves – personal
Cllr M Garner – personal
Cllr J Gregory – personal
Cllr A Hankin – illness
Cllr S Hey – illness
Cllr S Wilson – family commitments
Cllr M Wright – personal
Also present: –
Lisa Simpson (Clerk), Tracey Kirkland-Walker (Assistant Clerk) and 7 members of the public
- A minute’s silence will be held in honour of our late Queen Elizabeth II
A minute’s silence was held in honour of our late Queen Elizabeth II
- To accept apologies for absence
RESOLVED: Apologies were received as above and accepted by the Council
- To receive declarations of interest from Councillors
Cllr D Justice – item 26 non pecuniary
Cllr Martin – items 8 and 24 non pecuniary
- To determine which items of the agenda, if any, should be taken with the public excluded
RESOLVED: To move items 17 and 18 to ‘Confidential’
- Police report
There was no police representative present (due to shift pattern) and no report received.
- Members of the public are invited to address the Council on agenda items – 15 minutes is designated for public participation
3 members of the public spoke in relation to the recreation ground at Jubilee.
The first to speak, spoke about her dis-approval of the work that had been undertaken at Jubilee and the affects to local wildlife.
The second person spoke about how delighted they were with the work undertaken and what a brilliant job the Parish Council had done.
The third person spoke about the land being accessed by children’s quadbikes, since installation of the new gateway. The Parish Council agreed to bring the matter to the attention of the police and wardens.
- To approve the minutes of Selston Parish Council Extraordinary meeting held on 15 August 2022
RESOLVED: To accept the minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 15 August 2022 as a true record
- To consider correspondence received and required actions
Item 5 – Notts ALC – Opting Out of the External Audit Appointment Regime
RESOLVED: To continue as part of the SAAA sector-led auditor appointment regime.
Item 6 – Notts ALC 77th Annual General Meeting
It was noted that the Clerk, Chair and Cllr Hey are planning to attend
Item 11 – Notts PCC response to request for funding/support
It was agreed for the Clerk to follow this up with Inspector Sutcliffe, ADC and Lee Anderson MP.
Item 12 – Complaint re fair on Woodnook Recreation Ground
RESOLVED: To respond to the complainant advising that the Parish Council will address the issues that are within our remit, in relation to the gate, the noise and the time of leaving the site at the end of the event. The letter should also state that if there are any similar occurrences in the future, then they should contact the police at the time, as well as the Parish Council in order for the matter to be dealt with effectively. The Clerk to also email ADC Licensing in relation to the late-night drinking and for them to liaise with the publican if appropriate.
Item 21 – Report on Hire Charges for Community Buildings
It was noted that we are very competitive in relation to our hire fees and illustrates that we are using our precept to support the community buildings and groups.
Items 23 & 25 – Jubilee Recreation Ground
A lengthy discussion took place about the site in general and why the issue had first arisen. The site had become very overgrown over the years with brambles and it had also been highlighted of the fact that the community orchard didn’t have any fruit trees. The Forestry Commission had originally been involved with planting trees on there, but some of the trees were actually self-setters. The consultation that had been done via letters to residents had resulted in only 5 responses from 60 letters and it was on the back of that feedback, that the work so far, had been done. It was noted that there are over 20 acres of untouched land behind the site, which is great for wildlife. It was also recognised that the Parish Council has an obligatory duty to maintain the recreation ground in the same way as it does all of the other recreation sites and it is primarily a recreation ground, not a wildlife sanctuary.
Item 27 – RCAN – Views on Winter wellbeing/warm hubs
RESOLVED: For the Parish Council to encourage the churches who are already running warm hubs, to approach the Parish Council for our support by way of S.137 funding.
- To consider future works at Jubilee Recreation Ground and Community Orchard
Following the lengthy discussion about this item and having heard the comments from members of the public present, it was noted that the members of the public present didn’t want fruit trees planting and were happy with the work done so far.
RESOLVED: For the Parish Council to do no further work in relation to the remaining brambles, but to continue to manage and maintain the site and for no fruit trees to be planted.
- To consider whether the Parish Council wishes to sign up to the Civility & Respect Pledge
RESOLVED: To sign up to the Civility & Respect Pledge, as circulated on 5 August and 15 September respectively.
- To consider request for permission to place a memorial bench in the play park at Lea Lane
RESOLVED: For the Clerk to respond, explaining why a bench would not be suitable for this site, but to offer alternative options of either planting a tree, adopting a tree or purchasing a small piece of play equipment.
- To consider Winter Service order from NCC for 2022/23 – emailed to Cllrs 17/8/22
RESOLVED: For the Clerk to request the 5 x 20kg bags of salt which are available at no charge to the Parish Council.
- To consider arrangements for Remembrance Day on Sunday, 13 November 2022
It was noted that the wreaths have been ordered. Arrangements for volunteers, marshals and the transporting of the barriers and chairs was discussed and were accepted as in previous years. Cllr D Justice will place the Selston wreath and Cllr S Jackson will do the Jacksdale one.
- Consider any potential action of the Parish Council in relation to the recent accidents at Barrows Hill crossroads
Cllr Martin has been liaising with Via Highways about the possibility of having rumble strips on the junction approaches and signage improvements. A general discussion took place about this item. It was agreed that the Clerk write to NCC to back up the ideas already put forward.
- Finance – (previously circulated)
RESOLVED: To accept the accounts as circulated.
- To note the conclusion of External Audit for 2021/22 – Noted
- To review the utilities contribution for Old Council Offices
This item was moved to ‘Confidential’
- To consider rent review for office let at Old Council Offices
This item was moved to ‘Confidential’
- To note suggestions for Capital Expenditure for next year’s budget 2023/24
It was suggested that any recommendations or ideas are emailed in to the clerk.
- Consider update on tree planting at New Selston
RESOLVED: To go ahead with the planting as proposed in the updated plan (circulated), once we have written to residents to advise.
- Update from working party on the replacement options for Jacksdale skate park
It was noted that no meeting had yet been undertaken, but it was agreed that a meeting of the Jacksdale Councillors should be held within the next 2 weeks to agree a ‘proposal’ (from the feedback already received). It was further agreed that Councillor Pilgrim will take the lead and feedback to the Assistant Clerk for an article to be placed in the next edition of the Community News.
- To re-consider the content of the recently approved new allotment agreement in view of new information
RESOLVED: To delete the second paragraph of item 5 of the agreement and to amend the wording in the first sentence from ‘per tenant’ to ‘per household’.
- To agree the approach for taking action against breaches of allotment agreements
RESOLVED: That the Allotment representatives report back to the office any concerns from inspections, but for Assistant Clerk (in conjunction with the Clerk) to determine appropriate action on ad hoc issues (such as interim issues and terminations) and also to be able to act on issues raised directly with the office of a similar nature.
- To consider pending Planning Applications
RESOLVED: To submit an objection to ADC Planning in relation to planning application V/2022/0653 on 2 points. Firstly, in respect of the emergency access being from Lindley Street, due to that road already being heavily parked with cars and being too narrow to accommodate a fire engine. Secondly, to request that consideration be given to an island as the access to the top side of the Bull & Butcher, rather than a junction.
- To consider replacement Dignity at Work/Bully and Harassment policy
RESOLVED: To replace the Dignity at Work/Bully and Harassment policy with that circulated on 5/8/22, which is approved for use by both SLCC and NALC.
- Christmas Committees to confirm timings and dates of Christmas events
It was noted for details of the Christmas events to be notified to the Assistant Clerk by 14 October at the latest, for adding to the Parish Council’s article in the Community News.
- To consider changing the date of the next meeting from Monday, 31 October 2022 to Wednesday, 26 October 2022 at 7.00pm at Underwood Community Centre
RESOLVED: To re-schedule the October meeting to Wednesday, 26 October 22022 at 7.00pm.
Confidential items:
Minute No. 752 – To review the utilities contribution for Old Council Offices
RESOLVED: To increase the utilities contribution by £55 per month.
Minute No. 753 – To consider rent review for office let at Old Council Offices
RESOLVED: To not increase the monthly rent for the foreseeable future
Meeting closed at 9.20 pm