MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE CAVENDISH ROOM  AT THE SOCIAL CENTRE ON THURSDAY 22nd JANUARY 2009, COMMENCING AT 6.30pm.

 

Present:    Cllr. P.Colbert (Chair)

                     Cllrs. J.Clifton, E.Glassey, R.Glassey, C.Hearnshaw, D.McGregor,

                             N.Sanders, S.Smith, R. Turner.

                     C/Cllr. K. Stevenson,  PC. James Shirley , Bolsover Police.

                     Officers – W.Elliott, Clerk,   P.Walters, RFO.

 

There were No Members of the Public or Press present.

 

Apologies:   Cllrs,  C.Gilfillan and P. Richardson.

 

County Councillor’s Report-    Cllr. Stevenson advised that most Councils were wrestling with setting the Precepts for 2009/10, including Derbyshire CC. He hopes that the switch of policing Parking Offences to the County and District will take place on the 19th February 2009 as intimated by the Government. The County will deal with on street parking and the District Council with off street parking offences. The maximum penalty will be £70 and £50 for lesser offences, halved if paid in 14 days. If the fine is not paid in 28 days it will be increased to £105 and £75 respectively. Work on overcoming flooding at Wood Lane has been carried out and he feels the Engineers have made a good job. The next flood area in the dip from Elmton will be attended to later this year. Cllr. Colbert asked whether the Central Government were applying restraints on Councils with regard to Precept setting and Cllr. Stevenson said that both the County and District were instructed to be less than 5%. In reply to a further question, surplus monies raised in parking fines will be put to road repairs. Advertising as to the Parking Control switch will commence mid February to 19th February. There being no further questions to the Councillor, the Chairman thanked Cllr.Stevenson for his attendance and report. 

Police Report:   PC.Shirley was welcomed to his first meeting with the Council. Details of the Crime report were given which showed an increase of crimes of burglary of dwellings  compared to November records. Overall the number of crimes remained similar November to December. The number of nuisance calls, mainly by children were reduced. So far records of January crimes showed a reduction on December. Replying to questions, PC.Shirley commented that his shifts alternated with those of PCSO Wilde; the cycle purchased by this Council has been located at Clowne and he would bring it back into use at Creswell; the surgeries held at the Centre have been poorly attended; deterrents to burglary such as marker pens and smart water are available; with regard to Pub watch Creswell was meeting on  its own, without Whitwell or Clowne, and is looking to involve shops and establish  radio links. Pc Shirley was thanked for his attendance and report and assured of this council’s support.

Delegates reports:    Cllr. R.Glassey reported that his list of road and pavement defects has been given to County and a copy to the Clerk. Concerning East Midlands in Bloom there is a meeting on 25th February to launch the competition . The meeting agreed that the Parish would enter again. Cllrs. Turner and Smith agreed to attend the meeting. The meeting with officials from British Legion did not take place but they have agreed to arrange another date when their other officials would join with them in meeting a delegation of the Council to organise the 2009 parade for remembrance.

Police – Parish Liason Meeting at Ripley-  Cllrs. Turner and E.Glassey attended the meeting and found it very informative. In the County Creswell’s crime rate was below average and the village was still a good place to live. Crime over the past five years had been seen to reduce. If more funding could be granted to the County for policing, another 250 officers could be employed but the decision making on awarding grants did not favour Derbyshire and it was the third lowest funded county.  Cllr. McGregor agreed that the formula for applying funding was not fair.

Sport for All Project:    Cllr.McGregor reported that letters have been sent to selected personnel to meet and appoint a Steering Committee to get the project off the ground. The meeting is to be held on 4th February and he would report the outcome. The PCT have agreed to award the project £10,000 each year for three years and applications for other funding are being made.

Fox Green-  Cllr.R.Glassey reported that the drainage channel has been covered with top soil and would be seeded as soon as spring arrives. The Clerk reported that he had arranged for the moles to be exterminated at a cost of £500. Councillors were concerned at this cost and Cllr. Smith said that there was a type of bulb which could be planted to deter moles and Cllr. Colbert said he had been advised that a cheaper method of placing tablets down the mole hills would achieve the same result of deterrence. The Clerk commented that the moles will infest the Fox Green again and would the two Councillors please let him have the full details as to the suggested alternatives for the future. 

53.       Financial Report:    Mr. Walters provided each member with explanations on the variances from budget and previous year’s figures, also indicated his projections as to where he anticipated the year end’s totals would reached. Further comments would follow under the discussions as to what provisions should be made when deciding the precept. The list of Accounts for approval for payment was circulated and the payments approved and cheques signed. 

54.      Approval of Minutes :

The Minutes of the November meeting of the Council were approved as a true and accurate record and signed. Proposed Cllr.Turner seconded by Cllr. Smith

The Minutes of the Management Committee meeting 10th December were also approved as a true record and signed.   Proposed by Cllr. E.Glassey seconded by Cllr.Turner. Councillor Clifton left the meeting at this point.

55.       Planning.

Cllrs. McGregor and Turner declared interest and left the room for this item. The results of applications were read to members, then Cllrs. McGregor and Turner returned to the meeting. 

56.      Applications for assistance:

Bolsover District Council- Request for donation to Sports development Outreach programme. – Cllr.McGregor proposed seconded by Cllr. R.Glassey that a donation of £490 (as last year) be made, resolved this be approved.

Derbyshire Constabulary – Request for free use of a room for a surgery- Cllr Smith proposed seconded by Cllr.E.Glassey, resolved this be approved. 

57.      Clerk’s Matters.

Ballot Paper for nomination of two members LSP Executive Support Group were completed with names Cllrs. E.Glassey and S. Smith proposed. Ballot paper for nomination to LSP Board completed with name of Cllr. McGregor proposed. Ballot paper for nomination of a member of Standards committee completed with name of Cllr. S,Smith nominated. The quotation for pruning the cupress trees at cemetery £2200 notified. This work to be considered towards the end of this financial year. The letter from William Parente Welbeck Abbey was read to members, as was the reply from the Chief Constable of Derbyshire.. and the letter of thanks from the History Society. The Clerk notified members that the application for funding to Awards for All had not been successful. 

58.      Misc. Correspondence.    This was tabled for members interest and those wishing copies to indicate by initialling.