Minutes of Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday, 28 November 2022 at 7.30pm at Old Council Offices, Selston.
Present:
Cllr D Deaves
Cllr P Easom
Cllr S Fletcher
Cllr B Hankin
Cllr D Hodgman
Cllr B Jackson
Cllr A Justice
Cllr D Justice (Chair)
Cllr J O’Byrne
Cllr P Pilgrim
Cllr M Wright
Apologies:
Cllr C Chapman – ADC Meeting
Cllr J Gregory – ill
Cllr A Hankin – prior engagement
Cllr S Hey – ill
Cllr S Jackson – ill
Cllr D Martin – personal
Cllr D Wilson – ill
Also present: –
Lisa Simpson (Clerk), Tracey Kirkland-Walker (Assistant Clerk) and 6 members of the public
- 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 Hodgman – item 16 (planning) pecuniary
Cllr J O’Byrne – items 10 and 17 non pecuniary (Trustee)
- To determine which items of the agenda, if any, should be taken with the public excluded – None
- Police report
There was no police representative at the meeting, but apologies had been received, together with an emailed report from PCSO Shaw. This had been circulated to Councillors ahead of the meeting. The Clerk confirmed that she had responded to PCSO Shaw, requesting that their attendance at Parish Council meetings is important and enables the public to raise concerns with them. The Chair had also reiterated the request to the local Beat Manager as well.
Following a discussion about police attendance at meetings, it was felt that the Parish Council have over the years, provided a lot of support to the police, including the provision of the police hub facility and the support in return, was not being reciprocated.
It was agreed for the Clerk to feedback the Parish Council’s concerns
- Members of the public are invited to address the Council on agenda items – 15 minutes is designated for public participation
A resident raised concerns about a parking issue at Jacksdale when it was the bonfire on 29th October.
- Resident invited to speak in relation to work undertaken at Jubilee Recreation Ground
The chair welcomed the resident back to the meeting and apologised for any upset caused by the works that the Parish Council had undertaken. The resident was then invited to speak further on the matter.
The resident was unable to understand why the work had been done in the first place, in an area that appeared to be of no real issue to anyone and yet it was felt to be hugely detrimental to the wildlife.
The Chair apologised that the Councillor who had led on this project wasn’t here to be able to respond to her, but reiterated that the Parish Council does have a duty to maintain the land it owns and this is something that in the past, has not happened with this site, so the work done was to make a mend for this. It was further acknowledged that the Parish Council’s decisions from the last meeting was to do no other ground work there, other than to add some bird boxes and flowers to the area, whilst continuing to maintain the area.
The resident acknowledged that the site needed to be maintained, but respectfully requested that more greenery be added to the area where the rabbit burrows were. The Clerk acknowledged that she was aware of where that area was.
It was agreed for the Parish Council to take on board her comments and try and manage a balance in the future of the site.
- To note the resignation of Cllr M Garner and consider recruitment of a replacement Councillor for the Jacksdale Ward – noted
RESOLVED: To initiate co-option in January, if no election is called.
- If an election is called in response to item 7 above and the election is contested, consider whether the Parish Council would wish to have poll cards issued by ADC
RESOLVED: In the case of a contested election, the Parish Council would wish to have polling cards issued.
- To approve the minutes of Selston Parish Council meeting held on 26 October 2022
RESOLVED: To accept the minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2022 as a true record
- Update from the AGM of Selston Parish Village Halls Charity held on 7 November 2022
The Chair welcomed Cllr M Wright as the new Chair of Trustees.
It was noted that the Wednesday Warmer (warm hub) had started at the Parish Hall on 23 November. A few people attended last week and more are expected to attend this week.
At the AGM, there were only 5 Trustees at the meeting, which is the minimum requirement, so more trustees are needed.
- To consider correspondence received and required actions – no action required
Item 2 of correspondence (resident thanking the Parish Council for the wildflower plantings this year). This was acknowledged by the Chair for the thanks submitted.
- Finance – (previously circulated) – Noted
RESOLVED: To accept the accounts as circulated.
- To note the minutes of Finance meeting on 21 November 2022 (previously circulated) – Noted
- To consider proposed Capital Expenditure projects as discussed by the Finance Committee 21 November 2022
RESOLVED: To consider replacing the Westwood Changing rooms as a Capital Expenditure project, but with prior liaison with the Football Club.
It was agreed for the Clerk to explore the current water and electric charges being incurred at Westwood and follow up the cleaning contract with ADC.
RESOLVED: To not pursue the circular path at Westwood recreation ground.
RESOLVED: To identify the 11 benches and add them to the asset register and maintain them moving forward.
RESOLVED: To keep Jacksdale skate park in the budget as a Capital Expenditure project.
It was acknowledged that Rhino ramps can be prone to vandalism.
Cllrs Pilgrim and B Hankin would like to integrate other items into the skate park and have agreed to put forward a proposal for consideration, in time for the January meeting.
RESOLVED: To consider Play Innovation games as a possible project for Capital expenditure, for Jacksdale.
Cllr D Justice & the Clerk attended the NALC AGM and were impressed with the Play Innovation games which would be suitable for the MUGA at Jacksdale. The company are happy to organise a demonstration at Jacksdale and involve the school and Councillors.
RESOLVED: To consider a calisthenics gym for Middlebrook Recreation Ground as a Capital Expenditure project.
- Feedback from tree planting at New Selston
The Clerk provided feedback on the tree planting event at New Selston. 150 trees were planted. It was a very well organised event by the team. There was no expense to the Parish Council and 3 local families got involved in the event. Thanks were expressed to the Clerk and to the Councillors who also attended.
- To consider pending Planning Applications
RESOLVED: For the Clerk to raise the following queries in relation to planning application V/2022/0800 – Land off Park Lane, Selston – Construction of 137 Dwellings, Highways, Drainage and Landscape Infrastructure:
- i) Question the increase in the number of houses now being proposed, from 109 in the previous Local Plan;
- ii) This quota of housing should be included within the Rurals allocation outlined in the ADC local plan (which has now been put on hold), when it finally gets re-done;
iii) The JUSt plan recommendations should be taken into account, as this was approved following referendum.
- Underwood Community Centre – update on refurbishment
The contractors are now finishing off outside. The roof and downpipes are now done and interior decoration has started. A site meeting has been arranged for Friday, 2 December for the trustees and Clerk to meet with the contractor and produce a final snagging list.
Concerns were raised about potential long-term moisture damage following the substantial rain that entered the building, prior to it having been made water tight and also, the damage to items stored within the building at the time. The additional costs incurred by the builders should not be passed onto the Charity or Council.
A suggestion was made for a damp test to be requested, at no expense to the Charity or Parish Council and should this be taken forward by the trustees, then the Parish Council are supportive of such action.
- To consider staff request to join Local Government Pension Scheme
RESOLVED: To approve the request put forward.
- Clerk’s update from RCAN meeting and consideration of event(s) for Village Halls Week in January 2023
The Clerk has met with a member of RCAN and they are happy to help promote and support the Parish Council with an ‘Open Day’ event during Village Halls Week, to promote the centres. It was proposed that the Parish Council invite user groups to promote their individual classes, provide taster sessions or demonstrations and also invite potential new customers who could benefit from the facilities too. ACRE have now also provided a useful tool to help with resources etc. It would also be the Parish Council’s intention to be able to offer free refreshments at the event.
It was agreed for the Assistant Clerk (in conjunction with the Clerk and Cllr Hodgman) to lead on this project, providing an event at the Parish Hall and it was further agreed to use monies from the events budget to assist with expenses.
- Date, time and venue of next meeting – Monday, 30 January 2023 at 7.30 pm at the Old Council Offices, Selston – Noted
Meeting closed at 8.55 pm