MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE
PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 28 th MAY 2009,
IN THE CAVENDISH ROOM AT THE SOCIAL CENTRE
COMMENCING AT 6.30PM.
Prior to the Business of the Council 15 minutes was available for Public Participation. One member of the public was present and requested information as to use made by the Police of the CCTV cameras on Elmton Road to deal effectively with criminal acts and secure prosecution of offenders. He mentioned two incidents of damage to parked cars and one of nuisance late at night in the road. As the Police were not present at this meeting the Chairman sympathised and said that the Parish Council had themselves asked the Police authorities how often they looked at the monitors and whether the screens were providing the evidence they need to bring prosecution. The Council has not yet received a reply and when they do a copy will be sent to Mr. Archer at his address 246 Elmton Road. Mr. Archer added that the Police constable he had visit him over the damage to his car had said that she had looked at 11 hours of recorded film on the monitors and the film was very blurred and of no use whatsoever. Cllr. Smith said that when he had visited the monitoring station in Barlborough the pictures were very clear and gave good and distinct evidence, however the scenes may have been recorded in daylight and possibly the cameras are not so good at night. The Chairman undertook to raise the matter with the Police representatives if they do attend this meeting and if not we will write to Bolsover District Council again to try and get a satisfactory reply. Mr. Archer thanked members for listening to his representation. The allocated time for Public participation being expired the Council business was opened.
1. Election of Chairman: The retiring Chairman, Cllr. Colbert , still in the Chair, asked for nominations for the position of Chairperson. Cllr. Turner proposed, seconded by Cllr. Gilfillan , Cllr. Mrs.P.Richardson. It was unanimous that this Motion be Resolved. Cllr. Mrs. Richardson then took the Chair. Cllr. Colbert thanked all the members and the Officers for the support they have given him during the year he was in office. Cllrs. Richardson and Clifton both paid tribute to Cllr. Colbert for the very unbiased manner he had conducted the affairs of the Council and maintaining the Quality Status.
2. Apologies: Cllr.Mrs. E.Glassey (Work), Cllr. D.McGregor (ill) C/Cllr. K. Stevenson, (County duty) Bolsover Police ( on a case)
Present:
Cllr. Mrs. P.Richardson, Chair,
Cllrs. P.Colbert, J.Clifton, R.Glassey, C.Gilfillan,
S.Smith, N.Sanders, R.Turner.
Officers. W.Elliott, Clerk, P.Walters, RFO
3. Election of Vice Chair: Cllr. Gilfillan proposed, seconded by Cllr. Turner, that Cllr. S.Smith be elected Vice Chairman. Resolved this motion is approved.
4. Election of Members of Committees and Delegates: Cllr. Colbert proposed, seconded by Cllr. Sanders the following be elected, Resolved this motion is carried.
Social Centre Management Committee- Cllr. E/Glassey (Chair) Cllrs. C.Hearnshaw, R.Turner.
Steering Committee Sports and Arts- Cllrs. McGregor (Chair) R.Glassey
Christmas Lights and Events- Cllrs. R.Turner (Chair) E.Glassey,,P.Richardson
Fireworks and Switch-ON Cllrs. C.Gilfillan (Chair) E.Glassey, P.Richardson,R.Turner
Audit Committee- Cllr. P.Colbert (Chair) Cllrs. C.Gilfillan, P.Richardson. This committee to meet quarterly
Other committees meet as called by Chairperson.
Delegates- Play areas, Roads, Cemetery – Cllr. R,Glassey
Allotments- Cllr. S.Smith
Delegates LaFarge – Cllr. S.Smith
L.S.P.- Cllr. D.McGregor
Police Liaison – Cllr. R.Turner
T.H.I. - Cllr. D.McGregor
Fox Green Society- Cllr. R.Glassey
Key Holders - Cllrs.P.Colbert, C.Hearnshaw
Pub Watch – Cllr. N. Sanders
Website and PR- Cllr. D.McGregor
Clowne Transport – Cllr. Richardson
5. Delegate Reports: There are no reports from the County Councillor or the Police but details of the crime figures for the month have been lodged with the Clerk. With regard to the unknown situation as to what clear information is available on the CCTV monitors, the Clerk is asked to write to BDC Crime and Safety Dept., again and request a further viewing at Barlborough. Cllr. R.Glassey gave a brief review of the Roads and Pavements and the Play areas. The Clerk read the letter received from the Dog Warden’s Dept at BDC on Dog Fouling also the discussions held with our deputation of Cllrs. R.Glassey and D.McGregor. Cllr. Glassey also reported on the wall being built on the Cricket Ground and the excess of materials over ordered. Some of the surplus blocks and cement can be used to build an extended 10 metres of the wall- the estimated cost being £200. It is approved this work be put in hand and any surplus cement be returned to the suppliers for credit, the other surplus blocks having been returned on the lorry that brought them. Cllr. Clifton had declared Level 2 on this matter and refrained from taking any part in the report or discussion. Cllr. Colbert said that he was not happy with the system which has been employed on this project or the over ordering of materials. He felt we should have employed expert advice and that there is a lesson to be learnt. Cllr. R.Glassey expressed his thanks to Mr. D.Plant, of our maintenance team, for the Assistance he had given to the builders.The Clerk reported on the situation of the lower pitch at Fox Green which will cost £3,950 to level and reseed by Boughton who carried out similar work on the cricket ground. The Creswell Under 14’s Football Club will be part of the Creswell Academy for Sport and will play their matches on Fox Green or Markland when the Council officially receive the licence from Gladedale to use the sports fields in return for managing and maintaining same. The Clerk was asked to see if Gladedale would allow the grounds to be cut to see what state the playing surface will be in after a cut. Cllr. R.Glassey asked if money might be made available out of grants being sought to do the renovation work on the steps of the War Memorial . This to be agenda for the next meeting. Cllr. R.Glassey advised members that a small area of the car park at Wollen Meadows has been sown with wild flower seeds and he thanks the schools for providing three children from each of the Junior and Infant schools to help with the sowing. He also hopes that money might be found from future grants to erect bollards and create heather beds on the green at Model Village opposite the Black Diamond public house. With regard to this year’s East Midlands in Bloom competition he wants to try and encourage residents to enter into the “front gardens” competition and the In Bloom Committee to judge the best three and the Council donate prizes. A fresh look at reviving the best street competition will be made. Cllr Smith reported that this year he is introducing the “longest runner bean” competition into the schools as well as the pumpkin competition.- it is suggested that prizes be made available out of the Chairpersons’s allowance. Pub Watch- Cllr. Sanders said the last meeting was well attended. Allotments- Cllr. Smith had nothing to report but requested the Clerk to write to the Association secretary regarding the failure to notify Cllr. Smith when meetings are being held.
6. Approval of Minutes:
Parish Council 23.4.09 Cllr.Smith proposed seconded Cllr Turner. Management Com.13.May Cllr.Turner proposed sec.Cllr.Richardson. Fireworks Com. 13 May Cllr.Turner proposed, sec.Cllr. Richardson. Audit Committee 18 May Cllr Gilfillan proposed sec Cllr.Smith. Council Special Com.18 May Cllr Smith proposed sec Cllr.Clifton. All the motions were Resolved that the minutes be accepted as a true record.
7. Financial Matters. Mr. Walters provided members with a copy of the final Income and Expenditure Statement (subject to audit).and a copy of the budget for this financial year. The Council formally approved adoption of these accounts. In reply to a question on the income/loss of the Fruit machine Mr. Walters said that it was making just a little loss at present. The list of accounts for payment was approved and cheques signed. Mr. Walters was thanked for his work on behalf of the Council in providing these reports. He has now obtained details of how we could adopt the system of BACS and it is agreed that next meeting of the Audit committee should discuss this and make a recommendation to the Council. It is approved that we renew our membership of DRCC at a cost of £30 and a cheque was signed for this amount. Cllr. R. Glassey suggested that the Clerk looks at purchasing a battery charger rather than keep paying for the trailer batteries to be charged elsewhere.
8. Planning. Cllrs. Clifton and Turner declared interest and left the room for this matter. There were no objections to applications 09/00169/RETRO Mr.R.Davis, 09/00190/FUL Miss.Blackburn. Other notices of decisions were read. Cllrs.Clifton and Turner then returned to the room.
9. Applications for assistance: Elmton Rd Social Club FC- approval to use Fox Green granted. Creswell Junior School (Cllrs. Gilfillan and Turner declared interest) Use of the Social Centre for two disco parties granted free of charge. Applications from Vitalise and Victim Support were not approved.
10. Clerk’s Matters. Invitation for the Chairperson to attend the Official Launch of Creswell Crags Museum and Education Centre was read and in the absence of Cllr.Richardson it is proposed Cllrs. S. Smith (Vice) and Cllr. R. Glassey attend. The County Council are not likely to agree to repair the wall on A616 near the pond of Fox Green. The Clerk is asked to write to the Preservation Society and enquire if they have any money to pay for the repair. The quotation for Limestone House providing course Training in HSE, Risk Assessment and First Aid is too expensive. Cllr. Colbert said that any member of the Council could conduct a Risk Assessment, Guidance on HSE is available on the internet, and First Aid is available from the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade. We should not rush into this but rather apply commonsense as to what might be necessary to provide for our staff. The onus is on the Council to decide what is wise not from the bottom up.
11. Christmas Lights- whether to hire or purchase. Cllr. R.Glassey gave a report on a proposition received from a Professional supplier of Christmas lights and a suggested design of lights for Elmton Road. The Council are not against hiring lights over a three year period but it was felt that the selected committee should have consideration as to what equipment should be selected and it is left for them to look into the proposal and make their choice and recommend to the Council their decision, to be in budget. Cllr. Clifton again asked that the Council approve the provision of two ground located lighting points be supplied in Elmton.
12. Correspondence- Misc. items were tabled for members to peruse and request copies if desired.