MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 23RD APRIL 2009 IN THE CAVENDISH ROOM AT THE CRESWELL SOCIAL CENTRE, COMMENCING AT 6.15pm.

 

Present:    Cllr. P. Colbert, Chairman,     Cllr.P. Richardson, Vice Chair.

                  Cllrs. J.Clifton, E.Glassey, R.Glassey, C.Gilfillan, C.Hearnshaw

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

               C/Cllr. K.Stevenson,   PCSO ASS. Wylde, Bolsover Police.

               Officers.  W.G.Elliott, Clerk,   P. Walters, Finance Officer.

             

             One member of the Public attended. No representations were put to the Council during the time allocated for Public participation. 

County Councillor Report     In spite of the credit squeeze the County’s plans for building new schools is to go ahead as planned.  With regard to the Go Rail facility, the Council are still to fund half rail fares in the county and on the Robin Hood Line. Cllr. Stevenson was thanked by the Chairman for his attendance and reports to this Council over the past year and on behalf of the members of the Parish Council wished Cllr. Stevenson success in the forthcoming elections. 

District Council report given by Cllr. McGregor:    The District Council are looking at Discretionary Rates Review and their decision will be made later in this year. The Council has now adopted the Markland and Hollinhill Grips Conservation Area. Appraisal and management plan - details are deposited with the Clerk and members wishing a copy should request same from the Clerk. Similarly with details of the Annual Audit and Inspection Letter; Councillor Call for Action literature; Comprehensive Area Assessment Framework; and the DRCC Sport and Play Funding publication. District Councillors Clifton and Turner had nothing further to add to this report. Cllr.Colbert asked what usage are we getting from the CCTV cameras. Cllr. McGregor replied that Freedom of Information and Data protection may be restricting past usage, but shortly all Local Organisations will be able to look at the screens and give their views, also the evidence provided on camera on Dog Fouling and Fly tipping may be helpful to bring prosecution. He asked the police officer how many times the police had sought information from the cameras and looked at the monitors. He felt the public deserve answers to such questions and he has spoken to John Ritchie at BDC and Sgt. Paul Smith on this matter. District are looking for a suitable site where the results of the cameras can be seen by the public. Meanwhile the Parish screens are to display crime figures and conviction results. 

Police report;   PCSO Wilde deposited with the Clerk details of the crime report for the month for publication on the council’s website. These show an increase in criminal damage but he hopes this will show an increase hereon due to a recent arrest. A PubWatch meeting has been held and was well attended.  With regard to the reported speeding on Skinner Street, PC James Shirley is to borrow a hand held speed camera and try to catch the offenders. Cllr. Sanders asked the Officer regarding a young drug user on Duke Street, and PCSO Wilde said he was dealing with this and hopes to have another warrant served on the lad. The Chairman thanked the Officer for his attendance and report. 

 Delegate Reports: Roads and Pavements- no report given. Playing Fields and Open Spaces-  Cllrs. R.Glassey, S.Smith and Dave Whitehead of the maintenance team had attended a seminar given by ROSPA on management and repair of Play equipment. All four play areas suffered with dog fouling, litter, equipment needing  repair and maintenance, entrance gates  faulty, no wheelchair access, poor notice boards and goal posts rocky and loose foundations. The Clerk was asked to have the maintenance team make the goal posts secure and remove dangerous net hooks. Allotments- no report. Pub Watch – There is a need to install equipment by which one member can quickly notify other members of intending problems, also an antennae for walkie talkie phones is needed.  Creswell Academy- Cllr. McGregor gave details of the Day of Dance event and notices requesting Sports enthusiasts to register their interest in Football, Rugby and Cricket. An approach has been made for the Creswell Under 14’s Football Club to be registered as part of Creswell‘s Football Club (part of the Academy for Sport for All). We to make  available use of a ground and to part fund the teams initial expenses. The lower pitch at Fox Green has undulations on the surface and the Clerk is contacting Boughton’s to seek their advice on how to correct this. The recent visit by a representative from WREN was very supportive of our bid for part funding of the pavilion. The assistance of the Probation team to clear the surrounding areas at the cricket ground is proving valuable. District Council’s solicitor is trying to speed up the issue of the lease for the cricket ground, and a separate bid is to be made to cover the cost of building a wall and providing seating and litter bins thereon. Tenders to local builders are being sent out to obtain quotations for the cost of building the wall. The Tenders are to be opened by the Council  following the Annual Meeting of Electors 18th May 2009.

Next Meeting-  The Chairman announced that he is calling the Annual Meeting of the Electors on Monday 18th May 2009 at 6.00pm. This will be followed by a meeting of the Audit Committee. The Management Committee at 5.00pm, followed by a meeting of the Christmas Lights and Switch-on Committee and choose a date for the annual Fireworks display on Wednesday 13th May 2009. The Cultural and Art section of the Creswell Academy will ask the management committee to consider formation of a Film Club to which Carol Hirst of BDC will provide details for consideration, also on formation of a Community Band. Cemetery- Cllr. Glassey reported that DCC had carried out its first cut of the grass but in his opinion had made the cut too high. The left hand pillar of the entrance has received damage and the gates do not open or close easily. The Clerk is to ask the Insurers to cover the cost of repair. 

80.     Approval of Minutes:

Cllr. Turner proposed, seconded by Cllr. Smith resolved the Minutes of the Council meeting held  26th March  be approved as a true record. Cllr. E.Glassey proposed seconded by Cllr. Sanders resolved the Minutes of the Management Committee held 8th April 2009 be approved as a true record. 

81.    Scouts situation at Fox Green:   The Clerk reminded members that the period of notice given to the Scouts to leave occupancy at Fox Green terminated 31st March 09 and no mention has been made to remove their building from that site. It is agreed to defer this matter to the next meeting of the Council when some news as to the Scouts taking up residency at the Welfare Building may be to hand, and in the meantime the Clerk to write to the Chairperson of the Fox Green Preservation Society to ascertain whether the Society still have funds to pay for the cost of demolition and removal of the Scout hut. 

82.    Financial matters:   Mr.Walters  provided members with an interim statement of Income and Expenditure for the month of March and the year to date ( which has still to be finalised for Audit purposes). The month’s results are better by £2600 and the year to date is better than thought. Income from Bar and events is down but that for catering and room hire compensates. Need to increase bar prices again due to the budget is approved. The letter from the Architect for the pavilion requested interim payment for service to date and payment of this is agreed. The list of accounts for payment is approved and cheques signed. The question of pruning the trees and hedges at Skinner Street Cemetery is to be left for the cost to be included in the precept for year 2009/2010. 

83.    Planning:   Cllrs. Clifton, McGregor and Turner declared interest and left the room.

 No objection was raised on Application 09/00142/FUL Mr. S.Evans, No objection to application 09/00051/FUL Mr. J.Woodcock, No objection to application 09/00109/FUL Miss. M.Price. Other planning decisions were read to members. The three Councillors then returned to the room and meeting.

 84.   Applications for assistance:

It is approved the Social Centre be Free of Charge for the function to raise funds for the Ryan Holmes Memorial Fund. It is decided not to donate to the Open Spaces Society.  

85.     Nomination of Councillors for Portfolio holders:

The following names are to be put forward :-   Cllrs. D.McGregor, P.Richardson, S.Smith and R.Turner.

 86.     Clerk’s matters:

Maintenance of Stone structure at Markland -  The Parish Council agree to provide this Inspection of Play equipment – agreed to seek BDC assistance to have this annual inspection carried out on our behalf. Involving young people in formal meetings – agreed to invite representatives from the Junior School and Heritage School to attend a Parish Council meeting and engage with them to be involved in the process of developing citizenship.Telecom mast in Creswell to improve reception- it is agreed the  Clerk reopens contact with Lambert Smith Hampton. Date for Firework Display -   This to be decided at meeting of the Management Committee 13th May.  

87.     Correspondence:    The Clerk circulated various literature to members and those requesting copies are asked to initial same.