HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the parish council held on Tuesday 15^th Jun 2010 at 7.30pm.

Councillors:       Karen White (Chairman)                        Jane Faulks                  Maggy Jordan

                        Jim Woolley                              Matthew Blades             Martin Smith

                        Jane Fraser

Also in attendance, The Clerk Jo Cartmell, Borough Councillor Tina Combellack, Notts. County Councillor John Cottee and 4 members of the public.

1. Apologies: Councillor Jane Faulks to leave at 2045, Councillor Cottee at round 2030 and Councillor Combellack also.

2. Declaration of Interest: None

3. Minutes from the previous meeting:

Amendments from Councillor Jordan: Item 9 regarding the point from Dorothy Chahal about house numbering, it was written ‘the Councillor decided’ but it should have been the ’Council decided.’

Also, the state of the path around the entrance to the cemetery was briefly discussed but not recorded. This needs to be considered when the path in the extension is discussed.

(Standing orders suspended 7.33pm)

4. Questions from the Public: None

(Closed Session Re-instated))

5. Chairman’s Matters: None

6. Clerks report: None

7. Correspondence:

i) Notts. C.C – Notification that the ‘Countylink’ magazine will no longer be produced due to financial pressures.

ii) Carola Jones – Mobile Phone Coverage – response was that mobile phone coverage was patchy. Request from Councillor Jordan that the potential siting of a mast at the Village Hall/Church be discussed but the Council concluded that there would be little support for such a proposal at this time.

iii) Hickling Pre-school: response from the Pre-school and the Chair of the School Governors regarding the letter highlighting the concerns over its proposed re-location were read to the council. Mrs. Jo Hoyland, Chairperson of the Hickling Pre-school Committee attended the meeting to briefly address the Council and answer questions. Mrs. Hoyland sited the main reason for wishing to re-locate the pre-school was due to the increasing difficulty the staff face with meeting the requirements of the children. They are required to set up and tidy away which is demanding on the staff and if they were in a purpose built unit the resources could be out all the time. Village Hall Committee had been addressed on the issue and they had concluded that they would have to find alternative financing to make up for the loss of income.

Mrs. Hoyland stated that the re-located Pre-school would run in exactly the same way as the existing pre-school except that it would operate longer hours. The Pre-school is already extending its hours to 15 hours of free entitlement as required. She added that the proposed move is all about what is best for the children and as Hickling doesn’t have a suitable plot of land that they could source that is suitable.

Councillor Fraser informed the Council that she had been approached by parents from the village that had concerns about the proposed move. She reported that they enjoyed the simplicity of the Hickling set up and the concentration on the play and socialising rather than the educational side of the process. In her opinion, the set up at Hickling was not unique and Ofsted were used to working with this and others like it.

Suzie Bulmer, a new member of the Pre-school Committee and a supply teacher at Kinoulton for Key Stage 1, stated that whether Hickling Pre-school remains at the Village Hall or not, it will have to run by the Foundation Stage Curriculum. When asked what the advantages would be at relocating the pre-school, she responded that there would be increased flexibility in hours, the resources that the Pre-school have can be used more and there would be advances in technology like interactive whiteboards. Councillor Fraser responded that interactive whiteboards were no longer being used in various stages of the education system and to the earlier point of the staff having to set up and tidy away, that they are paid for time before and after the Pre-school sessions to allow for this.

Councillor White enquired as to what funding was available for the proposed move to which Mrs. Bulmer replied that this ‘had not been tackled’ yet and that grants needed to be applied for. The Pre-school committee was currently in the process of consultations.

Councillor Faulks then asked if the Pre-school would be run on the same basis as a nursery, to which Mrs. Bulmer, after correction confirmed that the operating hours would be longer but not a full day like nurseries and the age group was limited unlike nurseries.

The Parish Council had received two letters of concern regarding the ability of the Mums and Toddler group to continue on a Monday afternoon at Hickling as it shared insurance and bank account facilities with the Pre-school. It was confirmed by the Pre-school representatives that the proposed relocation made no provision for the Mums and Toddler group as Kinoulton already has their own and that the Mum’s and Toddlers would have to look into the insurance implications.

The Council discussed the fact that the Pre-school is a part of the community and that it brought the two communities together with these separate facilities. It was also questioned as to how an expensive project such as this could be beneficial enough to the Pre-school to make the expenditure worthwhile.

Councillor Faulks in her capacity as Village Hall Representative also confirmed that a lot of money had already been spent by the Village Hall to accommodate the pre-school and that future plans were already trying to improve the facilities that the Pre-school had access to. She did point out that there were disadvantages to having the Pre-school in the Hall as they are demanding and in the past have caused problems for other users.

Councillor Woolley also expressed concern that other Parishes in similar situations had seen their Village Hall struggle to be viable when they had lost the various educational groups that used them. Colston Bassett was one of the examples of this.

Councillor White requested information from the Committee members regarding the consultation process going forward. It was stated that the Pre-school parents past and present and toddler group members from all three villages would be consulted, but there was no intention to ask the communities as a whole for their opinion. Councillor White asked the Pre-school representatives to place a notice in the village magazines outlining their proposals and giving people the opportunity to respond.

Councillor White requested the Clerk write a formal letter the Pre-school committee outlining what was discussed in the meeting and the objections that are still valid.

Proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed.

Action: Clerk to write to Pre-school Committee.

iv) Notts. C.C. – Seasonal Decorations – Placing hanging Baskets on Notts C.C. property without permission. No such plans.

v) Notts. C.C Severe Winter Weather – Parish Councils comments requested on what went well and what didn’t go so well in the harsh weather conditions of 2009/2010.

In response to this, the Council requested the Clerk write a letter in response stating that they very much appreciated the bags of grit but would like the review to include keeping the bus route along Bridegate Lane clear – especially the hill at the connection to the A606 as this was impassable over most of the winter. They would like the council to ensure at least one clear access road into and out of the village during severe winter weather. The fact that Leicestershire also grit to the junction of Main Street and Long Clawson Lane should be noted so that they are aware there is a possibility of co-operation between the two councils.

It was also noted at this relevant point that the ‘Liable to Icing’ signs had disappeared on the Hill at Bridegate Lane.

Action: Clerk to email Councillor Cottee regarding the ‘liable to icing sign’ for further investigation and send response to Notts. C.C. regarding the Severe Winter weather feedback.

vi) Notts. C.C. –Draft Library Service Contribution Policy Consultation – no comments to be made.

vii) Rushcliffe B. C. – Small Environmental Improvement Scheme 2010/2011, grant of £500 available for planting native species. No suitable scheme available.

viii) Cllr. Cottee. – Forwarded correspondence from Martin Carnaffin regarding the removal of bollards. Item covered in AVM and response circulated to Councillors. Details available from the Clerk.

ix) RCAN – Nottinghamshire Community Re-paint. Paint offered for use on local projects but the Council were not aware of local projects that required paint.

x) Harlaxton Wharf Community Group – Invite to wharf opening – anyone who wished to attend was to inform the clerk.

xi) Request from National Co-ordinator from Local Works to apply pressure to the Councils MP and the Minister Greg Clark to agree the Sustainable Communities Proposals. It was decided more research on the Sustainable Communities Act was needed.

(3 members of the public leave the meeting along with Councillors Cottee and Combellack)

8. Planning Matters

Oaktree Environmental Ltd – F/1908 -the erection of a new biomass plant at John Brookes (Sawmills) Ltd. Fosse Way. One objection received and correspondence from Widmerpool Council also received and read out to the Council. The main queries raised were regarding noise, pollution and increased traffic. It was decided by the Council to support the queries raised by Widmerpool Parish Council and express concerns regarding the necessary height of the stack to ensure pollution clears Hickling Pastures. Also that monitoring of the pollutants and noise levels must also be completed as set out. The Parish Council would also like to raise concern about the lack of consultation with the residents of Hickling Pastures as not many residents seem to have been informed of the proposals. Proposed by Councillor Jordan, seconded by Councillor Fraser and passed.

Action Clerk to forward the councils’ response

Mr. A. Whitney - 10/00924/|FUL - single story extension to side/rear. The Cottage, Long Lane, Hickling. Comments made were that the plot was small and the property was small and that it was being intensively developed to provide sufficient living space for the owner. It was pointed out by Councillor Faulks that Long Lane was a private road and that the issue of access may therefore not be relevant as if the access was on a public highway. The Clerk also noted that Councillor Combellack had informed her that she had received comments from the residents of the neighbouring properties. As Councillor Combellack had already left the meeting, she was unable to forward these comments. These points considered there was no objection.

Mr. Jason Nunn – 10/00979/FUL- Construction of a dwelling following the demolition of existing house. No objection.

Planning Decisions – Permission granted for the following applications:

Malt House Farm Partnership

10/00610/FUL Extension to cattle building at Malt House Farm, Hickling

Mr. & Mrs. J Walker

10/00567/FUL Single storey side extension at The Elms, Main St. Hickling, also

10/00568/LBC Single storey side and rear extensions and internal alterations.

Mrs. S Bailey, Hebe House Hickling

10/00527/FUL Conservatory and summer house

Mr. & Mrs. Neal - The Yews, Main St. Hickling

Removal of conditions of 13 and 14 on planning permission 08/01796/FUL relating to the submission of details for a shared drive and the reduction in the width of the existing access.

            10/00500/EXT – Extension to time limit of application 07/00710/CON

9. Parish Plan: Councillor Fraser informed the Council that the Heritage Fund had informed her of funding available for a local history group to claim for work to the Length mans Hut.

10. Cemetery:

Discussion needed regarding the best way forward for sectioning off the unconsecrated area – decision deferred until Councillors meet with Local Improvement Scheme representative.

Action: Clerk to follow up meeting arrangements with Alex Price.

State of disrepair of shed – response from Garry Watts is that the shed may be better relocated in the extension as the guttering supplies the only water for tending the flowers on graves in the cemetery, other than that it no longer houses equipment for use in the cemetery. After discussion the Council decided that the shed should be removed after a notice has been sited on it for two months advising people of their intention to take it down and that they would need to bring their own supply of water. As long as there was no significant objection regarding this decision, the shed would be taken away and if wanted would be given to The Plough for housing their pet corner products.

Action: Clerk to site notice on the shed.

11. Environmental Matters: Councillor Jordan raised the point regarding the state of the pavement alongside the pavement at the Basin. The grass had grown through the cracks in the pavement and was now reaching the base of the public seating. The Council requested the Clerk to contact highways regarding the state of the path and ask for the weeds to be dealt with. The last time the weeds were spayed, the dying plants were not removed and there was a significant amount of rotting plant material left. The Clerk was asked to highlight this point and ensure follow up action was taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

Action: Clerk to contact highways

Councillor Blades informed the Council of the concern felt by residents on the A606 regarding the resulting increase in speeding cars since the removal of the bollards. Councillor Blades had spoken to the Community Support Officer who had agreed to take an hour a week to observe the traffic and assess whether it was necessary to ask for a speed check team to be used. The village does have the option of setting up a community speed check team but needs 6 volunteers to be trained to run it. It was suggested that a flashing sign reminding drivers of the speed limit may also be a consideration for the future.

It was decided that the Council would consider further action once; the Community Support Officer had been allowed to complete her work.

Councillor Fraser referred to the continuing support needed by The Plough in terms of the day to day use of it and the need to explore the possibility of a buy out from the brewery. Maintenance was not being completed under the terms of the contract from the brewery and Bill and Penny desperately need any expert help with regards to business expertise.

It was suggested that a notice was sited in the Parish Magazine to appeal for help from the Parish with this project.

12. Grantham canal: None

13. A46: None

14. Finance

Accounts for 2009/2010 – the Annual return had been completed by the Internal Auditor and it was reported by the clerk that no issues with the accounting system or the actual figures were raised. It was proposed by Councillor Jordan that the account statements and the Annual governance statements should be passed; this was seconded by Councillor Fraser and passed.

Action: Clerk to forward the accounts to the External Auditor.

Salary of the Clerk - £493.00 – Cheque dated for the 30 Jun 10.

Payment of the Internal Auditor - £45.00

It was proposed that both payments should be made by Councillor Jordan, seconded by Councillor White and passed.

15. Dates of future meeting

Next meeting confirmed as 27^th July followed by 21^st Sept, 2^nd Nov and 14^th Dec.

16. Agenda Items for the next meeting

No further business – meeting closed 9.18pm       

For Annual Parish meeting minutes click here

HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

(Draft and Unapproved)

Minutes of the AGM of the parish council held on Tuesday 4^th May 2010 commencing at 8.35pm.

Councillors:       Karen White (Chairman)                        Jane Faulks                  Maggy Jordan

                        Jim Woolley                              Matthew Blades             Martin Smith

                        Jane Fraser

Also in attendance, The Clerk Jo Cartmell, Borough Councillor Tina Combellack, and 7 members of the public.

1.      Election of Officers:

Chair: Councillor White – proposed by Jane Fraser with no objections, seconded by Jane Faulks and passed.

Vice Chair: Councillor Jordan – proposed Councillor Woolley with no objections, seconded Councillor White and passed

Village Hall Representative: Councillor Faulks – Proposed by Councillor White with no objections, seconded by Councillor Jordan and passed.

2.      Apologies: Councillor Jane Faulks to leave at 2045 and Councillor Cottee.

3.      Declaration of Interest: Councillor Combellack informed the Council that should the planning application for Malt House Farm be discussed, then she would have to declare an interest.

4.      Minutes from the previous meeting: No amendments so they were proposed as a true record of the meeting by Councillor Jordan seconded by Councillor Woolley and passed.

5.      Matters arising not included elsewhere in the agenda: Councillor Jordan – Emergency Planning. With regards to the recent meeting regarding a community plan, it was proposed by Councillor Jordan that if an Emergency situation such as power cuts or flooding occurred, it would be dealt with on an adhoc basis and by the community pulling together. It was not thought necessary to pull a template together for this action. Seconded by Councillor Fraser and passed.

(Councillor Faulks was asked about the cemetery before her departure from the meeting - item covered under cemetery section)

Councillor Woolley informed the Council that a recent meeting of the Hickling Pre-school Committee had seen a proposal once again put forward to move the Pre-school from its current venue at Hickling Village Hall to a purpose built block at Kinoulton School. Councillor Woolley put forward his concerns that this would be damaging to the Village by taking away one of the few remaining facilities within the village. There would also be a substantial loss of revenue to the Village Hall. Councillor Jordan understood that the reasons for moving it were for the more suitable building and for closer links for the school. Councillor Fraser, also a teacher, noted that she disagreed that a movement to the school was beneficial and did not think an over-structured education system from the age of 2.5 years was a good thing for children. Councillor Woolley also raised the issue of any further building on the site at Kinoulton School would mean a decrease in the area for outside play an sports activities.

Other points raised were the fact not all children attending Hickling Pre-school went on to Kinoulton Primary School and also there were already facilities for this type of education at Brunts and Peapod Nurseries in Long Clawson and on Hickling Pastures. Councillor White expressed her opinion that there was a nice balance with the Pre-school at Hickling and the primary school at Kinoulton and that this would be lost if the Pre-school moved from Hickling. It was proposed by Councillor White that a letter should be sent to the Chairman of the Governors at Kinoulton School and the Chairman of the Pre-school Committee covering all of the concerns of the Parish Council. Seconded by Councillor Woolley and passed.

      Action: Clerk to write to Governors and Pre-school Committee

(Standing orders suspended 8.52pm)

6.      Questions from the Public:

Mr Haynes noted in response to Councillor Jordan’s Emergency Planning comments that there was a flooding marker at 4ft in Mr Chamber’s house and that severe flooding in the village couldn’t be discounted.

(Closed Session Re-in-instated at 8.54pm)

7.      Chairman’s Matters: None

8.      Clerks Report: None

9.      Correspondence:

Ruddington Army Cadets: Appeal again for funding – Councillor Woolley had said that the Country Fair Committee was looking to contribute to the funding in exchange for them participating at the Country Fair. Action: Clerk to write to the Ruddington Army Cadets and say that the Council understood funding may come from the Hickling Country Fair Committee.

NCC – County Council Civic Service Sunday 27^th June at 3pm at Southwell Minster – No-one available to attend

NCC – Two Large Notice boards - request had been received and acknowledged.

CPRE Best Kept Village Competition and Valerie Gillespie Award 2010 – Decision not to enter.

NCC Community Emergency Plan – covered by Councillor Jordan in section 5.

Victims Support 2nd Annual Dinner Invite – Cost £34.50 Friday 14^th May – No-one able to attend.

Highways South – Response to request for mirror at Mill Lane. The Highways Agency no longer site mirrors as the distorted view was thought to be dangerous. If private individuals wished to site a mirror on private land then they could do so with the relevant planning permission but it would not be allowed on a public highway.

Dorothy Chahal – Requested the Council consider all houses in the parish having a number. After some investigation by Councillor Jordan, the Councillor decided at this time it did not wish to pursue this matter due to complications with utilities and Land registry issues. A note would however be placed in the Hickling Standard to make people aware of the importance of their house being clearly signposted and also giving them the opportunity should they wish to support compulsory house numbers to come forward.

The sign post missing at the top of Green Lane, approaching from Melton was to be dealt with by the Borough Council.

NALC – Localism in Action Conference – Friday 2^nd July, and Thurs 9^th Sep, The Royal Hotel, York. – No-one able to attend

Juliet Edwards – Letter regarding Lorries on Long Clawson Lane. Covered in the Annual Village Meeting

RCAN Invite to Village Shop Meeting – Apr 28^th – no-one available to attend.

RCAN – Community Emergency Planning Forum 25^th May 2010 at the Civic Centre – No-one available to attend.

LIS – Action Officer Requests Meeting. Waiting on dates for potential meetings to forward to Councillors.

10.   Planning Matters

Planning Applications:

Oaktree Environmental Ltd – forwarded details of a planning application made at the end of March – no notification from the council had followed.

09/01947/FUL Mr. A. Bulmer: Alteration and extension of roof, construct side extension. The refusal of Rushcliffe Borough Council to allow an extension in the time within which to submit comments, was discussed and the issue of not being able to see the plans on-line. No objections had been submitted because of these issues and the opportunity to comment whether the objections had been in fact been addressed by the amended application had been missed. Councillor Combellack to follow up.

Councillor Combellack left the room while the next item was discussed

10/00610FUL – Malt House Farm Partnership – Malt House Farm, Main St. Hickling – Extension to Cattle Building – No objections received before the Council deadline but the Public deadline did not close until 24^th May and an objection had now been received by the Parish Council from a neighbour to the farm, Mr V. Haynes. His letter of objection was read out and in response to his letter, the Council members elected Councillor White to speak to the other neighbouring properties to see if there was any objection from them. Once the general opinion had been obtained the council resolved that the Clerk would respond on their behalf to Rushcliffe Borough Council without the need for another meeting. Proposed by Councillor Fraser, seconded by Councillor White and passed

Councillor Combellack re-joined the meeting.

10/00527/FUL Mrs S Bailey – Hebe House, Main St, Hickling. Conservatory and Summerhouse – no objections received

10/00567/Ful & 10/00568/LBC - Mr. & Mrs. J Walker. The Elms, Main ST. Hickling Single Storey side and Rear extensions and internal alterations of a listed building – No objections received.

10/00327/VAR&10/00499/EXT – Mr. & Mrs. Neal, The Yews, Main St. Hickling. Removal of conditions 13 & 14 on planning permission 08/01796/FUL relating to the submission of details for a shared drive and reduction in width of existing access – Objection submitted. Outcome awaited. For the application to extend the time limit for implementation of 07/00655/FUL

11.   Parish Plan: None

12.   Cemetery: Decision regarding the marking of the un-consecrated area would be addressed at the meeting with the Local Initiative Scheme Officer to see if funding is available. Rev. Stephanie Fahie had indicated to Councillor Jordan that she was not in favour of a small hedge and suggested a chain link fence may be better.

The state of disrepair of the shed was also discussed and it was decided that the Clerk would speak to Gary Watts to see if he had use for the shed and if so, would the shed be able to be used again or was it a case of it being scrapped or given away.

Action: Clerk to speak to Gary Watts

13.   Environmental Matters: None

14.   Grantham Canal: Councillor Fraser reported that the Plough Inn (situated on the Canal) now found itself in a situation where negotiations with the brewery had not been fruitful and commitments to reducing the rent, barrel charges and maintenance of the property had not been met. The village was now at a point where it needed to look at breaking the tie with the brewery and Scottish and Newcastle had indicated that they were considering selling off some of their properties. Bill and Penny were looking for help from within the Parish as to the best way forward with this and had requested volunteers to come forward.

The Canoe Trail Survey results had been published as agreed and a letter outlining the results sent to British Waterways and BOWS. British Waterways acknowledged the results with thanks and said the Parish Councils response would be considered in the decision making process, no response from BOWS as yet.

Heritage Lottery Fund - As money was so tight, the bid for funding for the Lengthmans Hut seemed likely to fail; however, Kevin Mann had suggested the Parish continue to push for it as he could give information on other funding routes available.

15.   A46: Still waiting for the results of the inquiry.

16.   Finance:

Financial report from Clerk

The council started the 2009/10 financial year with a figure in hand of £7,372.54, compared with £6,550.38 in the previous financial year.  The balance in hand at the end of the year was £8,138.67.

The main item of expenditure was the Cemetery, which included the maintenance of the existing section and the enclosure and consecration of the new area, totaling £2,613. Followed by, the salary of the Clerk(s), amounting to £1,972 and the £1000 grant for the Village Hall and £596 for the Insurance

The income for the Year, totaling £8461 comprised of £6,910 from the precept, £1050 in burial fee’s and £450 from RBC as part of a Local Improvement Scheme Grant. There was also a rebate from HMRC of £49.The precept for the present financial year remained the same at £6,910.

Precept for 2010/11 – BACS remittance Advice received for £6,900.00

Accounts for 2009/2010 for approval. Proposed by Councillor White, seconded by Jane Fraser and passed. Accounts could now be sent for the Internal Audit at a cost of £45.00

AON (formally Allianz Insurance Plc) Insurance policy now for renewal – Premium has increased from to £627.78 (Last year £596.09).

NALC – Invoice for £13.50 should the Council wish to continue to receive the Local Council Review.

Gary Watts – Invoice for Cemetery maintenance and cutting of additional section - £325.00

The three payments were proposed by Councillor White and seconded by Councillor Woolley and passed.

17.   Dates of future meeting

15^th June – Clerk to forward dates for future meetings for approval.

18.   Agenda Items for the next meeting

Section 5 – to be removed from the Agenda. Councillor White proposed that the item was too open and vague.

After discussion, seconded by Councillor Jordan and passed.

No further business – meeting closed 10pm

Belvoir Open Waterways Society (BOWS)Grantham Canal Canoe Trail Project(Woolsthorpe to Hickling) - Project Up-Date. click here

Hickling Parish Village Meeting

Minutes of a meeting held on Tuesday 20^th October 2009 at 7.30pm

Due notice having been given for a meeting of Hickling Parish Council to be held on 20^th October 2009 at 7.30pm to include discussion and presentations on the future of the Grantham Canal within the parish, it was decided to facilitate discussion by holding an open village meeting at the advertised time, thus not having to operate under the rules governing a meeting of the Parish Council.  The meeting was chaired by Councillor Karen White (Chairman of the Parish Council).  Over 30 members of the public were in attendance.

Karen White welcomed people to the meeting and explained why it was being held as a public meeting, rather than as part of the Parish Council Meeting.  She said that presentations would be made by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT) and the Belvoir Open Waterways Society (BOWS) and questions would be allowed after each presentation.

Jane Fraser explained that the background to the meeting started with the consultation questionnaire on the canal conducted in the spring of 2009.  She said that there were three plans for the future of the canal under consideration, a heritage application from the Grantham Canal Partnership, a canoe trail proposal from BOWS and an option for managing the canal for wildlife.

The Grantham Canal Partnership (GCP) have submitted an “expression of interest” Heritage Lottery grant application which in the Hickling area would include aesthetic tidying of the wharf area, information boards and possible renovation of the Lengthman’s hut.  They have also fairly recently contacted the Parish Council to see if Hckling would be interested in being the mooring location for a newly renovated 70 foot former work boat called the Corvus (two photographs of which were circulated round the meeting).  This would require proper consultation and would need to be seen in the context of other ideas being put forward.

In January Jane and Helen Hedger attended a meeting about BOWS’ proposed canoe trail between Woolsthorpe and Hickling and an article about this was included in the last village newsletter.  The project is well advanced and some canoes are stored in the wharf building but there has not yet been sufficient information to enable the Parish Council to consult fully with the village.  BOWS member Alan Wright and Paul Abel, a funding officer at Melton Borough Council, would be making a presentation about this.

Following overwhelming views expressed in the questionnaire consultation on the canal, the idea of managing the canal for wildlife emerged.  To help with understanding this option, Gaynor Jenkins from NWT would also make a presentation and answer questions.

Gaynor said that she had attended a meeting with Jane Fraser and another officer from NWT.  The Trust is interested in the canal because it is one of the major ecological resources in the south of the county, being significant for its botanical diversity and type of wildlife, and it is a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), which means that it receives a level of protection through the planning process.  It is particularly important for, for example, dragonflies, water voles, possibly an otter and breeding birds.  Its importance has increased as the management of the land around it has changed, resulting in the loss of such habitats as farm ponds, wetlands and reed beds.  It suffers from a lack of appropriate management.  Instead, there tends to be a lot of management in one go as machinery undertakes major clearance.  She considered that there needed to be more long-term but lower scale management.  The canal belongs to British Waterways (BW), and the possibility of gaining the status of a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) for the length within the parish had been considered.  This would require local community involvement and management but could lead to closer links with adjacent landowners.  It would also be possible to engage with other groups to consider extending the LNR.  There has as yet been no definite response from BW and Gaynor thought that their preferred option might be more active engagement with GCP.  She finished by saying that NWT was interested in helping with managing the canal for wildlife.  If it were managed sensitively most uses could be accommodated, including not low level recreational use. 

Questions and comments from the floor

It was suggested that the canal might be important for draining the Vale, so that some reed clearance would be necessary.  Gaynor said that ongoing management would be beneficial to wildlife because otherwise there would be solid reed beds and the canal would silt up but this needed to be done in short stretches at a time, because to do large stretches at once would be devastating to wildlife in that area.

It was commented that more wildlife is seen on used canals.  Gaynor said that there is a lot of wildlife on the canal.  Busy canals are wider, so they are less affected by disturbance.  If the Grantham Canal were opened for boats it would be necessary to create an alternative habitat on adjacent land.

It was said that the canal was built as a wide boat canal, and it is only now narrow because a drag line took out the clay and water was lost.

It was asked if it would help if water were returned to presently-dry stretches of the canal so that wildlife would have an alternative habitat.  Gaynor said that it always helps to connect habitats and, if there were no excess disturbance, it could create a refuge for some species but some, such as plants, are not very mobile.

Paul Abel then spoke to explain BOWS’ aims and to report their achievements over the past twelve months.  He said that there was no intention to change the canal in Hickling and their plans would be of benefit to walkers, cyclists and small craft and would open up funds for maintenance.  Their interest is the Hickling to Woolsthorpe stretch but their main focus is on Harby, Stathern, Plungar and Redmile.  BOWS are members of the British Canoe Union (BCU) and so members of BOWS are entitled to paddle on any BW canals without incurring a further fee.  Their members are asked to respect the needs of anglers and wildlife and he had received no reports of any problems.  They wish to restore the canal sufficiently to enable canoeing from Hickling to Woolsthorpe, which required work to ensure sufficient depth and width of open water.  For many years reeds have choked the canal, particularly at Harby, and the water at Redmile has become very shallow, which stops proper water flow.  Extensive removal of reeds near Harby is planned on the towpath side of the canal, along with increasing the depth and removing saplings which are growing into the clay bed.  They are also hoping to lay mesh on the towpath to stop it becoming muddy in the winter.  They have funding for reed clearance between Harby and Plungar and £42,000 to provide a playroom at the new tearoom at Dove.  He said that the condition of the canal at Harby may improve such that visitors choose to visit the canal from there rather than Hickling.  Their main focus is Harby eastwards and they have no plans for any new infra structure.  Further information can be found on their website bowsonline.org.uk.

Questions and comments from the floor

On confirmation from Paul that one did not need to be a member of BOWS to use the canal for paddling, it was questioned how the use by non-members was monitored.  Paul said that this was done by BW, although in reality they did not have sufficient resources for this.

Paul was asked what additional numbers they expected to be using the canal.  He said that since Dove opened there may be 25 cars there on a Sunday with visitors to the canal, though not necessarily canoeing.  There are only two canoes stored in Hickling.

It was commented that greater navigability may encourage more boat use but Paul said that BOWS’ concentration was on the Harby area.

In response to a question about what was required to make the Hickling stretch more navigable Paul said that it is navigable at present.  When it was commented that at Scarecrow Weekend two canoes had returned after about five minutes because of reeds Paul acknowledged that that was a problem but their priority is Harby.

When asked about Hickling’s involvement Paul said that eventually they would like that stretch to be clear.

It was asked whether it was planned to store more canoes at Hickling in the short to medium term.  Paul said they also hoped to store two Canadian canoes, which take two or three people, at Hickling.

Paul was asked what BOWS wanted the Parish Council to present to Hickling residents as a project for consultation.  He said that they wanted to make the Hickling to Harby stretch navigable in the new few years.  This would involve a channel of clear water about 2 metres wide.  They would also like help with the cost of a reed cutter to be used every year.  If the reeds are cut back every year they would die after three years and would not come back in that channel.  It was also necessary to remove some silt to make the canal deeper, including a 200 metre stretch between Hickling and Harby.

Paul was asked about the impact on wildlife and the issue of parking and trailers, with Hickling being at one end of the proposed trail.  Paul said that there are 7,000 canoeists in southern Nottinghamshire who could canoe the canal whenever they wished.  It was responded that this does not happen at present because paddling is difficult and the canal is not being publicised for this purpose.

Reference was made to conflict with anglers.  Paul said that canoeists and anglers would need to respect each other’s existence and codes of conduct.  The Harby to Stathern stretch was extensively canoed until 2001 when reed cutting was stopped, so that it had become completely clogged.  This would happen around Hickling if the canal was not used and reeds were allowed to encroach and this would affect angling.

It was said that BW had cut the reeds for many years but they had regrown.  Gaynor said that ongoing cutting in a small area reduces vigour but what remains will quickly encroach and annual cutting would be required.

In response to a question about why Hickling was more reed free than some areas Gaynor said that this was probably due to extensive dredging about ten years ago, which would have been devastating for wildlife and this area needs more vegetation in some areas.  For wildlife the water needs to be about two-thirds vegetation and one-third open water.  A small channel for canoes would not be hugely damaging but she wondered how it would be possible to de-silt just a small channel and feared that it could become much wider.  Such work over a 200 metre stretch would completely alter the eco-system.

It was commented that the canal becomes very muddy after heavy rain because of the Smite Feeder and this contributes to the silting of the canal.  It was suggested that a lagoon on the feeder, perhaps 20 to 30 yards from the canal, could be used to provide a reed bed filter which would also be a habitat in its own right.  It might also filter agricultural run-off.  Gaynor felt that this was a good idea.

It was stated that the canal was a Remainder Waterway, which meant that BW only had to make sure that no further leaks developed.

It was commented that any funding had to consider sustainablility.

In response to a question about whether canoeing would be sufficient to keep the waterway clear Paul said that silt removal would be required.

It was said an occasional canoeist would be no real problem but many would be a major issue for anglers.

Paul was asked about the relation between the money planning to be spent and the number of people who would benefit.  Paul said that a survey had shown that 80% of respondents in Harby used the canal once a week for walking.

It was commented that fully restored canals have both wildlife and anglers, so what was the problem?

It was commented that the canal was depressing where it was full of reeds but another member of the public said that they disagreed and they liked to walk and enjoy the wildlife.

It was said that two possible uses were being considered and they were possibly conflicting.  Paul said that BOWS wanted to maintain the offside of the canal in its present condition for as long as possible, they were only concerned with the towpath side, so that there was a view of the canal and reeds are controlled annually.

In response to a question about whether reed removal from the towpath side would be bad for wildlife, Gaynor said that would be the better location because it was more disturbed in any case, it was larger scale management that was a problem.

Gaynor said that large-scale management would be overseen by statutory bodies and alternative habitats would be required but a series of small-scale schemes would not be overseen and so could cumulatively have more impact because no mitigating measures would be required.  It was important that people were more engaged with GCP so that all projects could be assessed as a whole.

It was asked if an LNR would give the village rights over projects on the stretch of the canal.  Gaynor said this would allow for more active engagement with BW and, to some extent, local authorities.  There would be an agreed Management Plan so that all would know what would happen.  The amount of influence would depend on BW.  The Management Plan could include clearing a channel if that did not impinge on wildlife.

Gaynor was asked why a stretch of the canal near Harby had SSSI status and said that this was because it was botanically species-rich, rather than because of any particular species.

Gaynor said that LNR status could open up funding which is not available to statutory bodies and could be used to bring in a management budget.

Karen White thanked Gaynor, Paul and Alan for their informative contributions to the meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.45pm.

HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the parish council held on Tuesday 20^th October 2009 at 9.50pm

Draft and unapproved

Present:          

Councillors:    Karen White - Chairman           Jane Faulks                Jane Fraser           Jim Woolley

Also in attendance were five members of the public

1.         Apologies – County Councillor John Cottee.

2.         Declarations of Interest. 

None.

3.         Minutes from the Meeting of 8^th September 2009

            It was proposed Councillor Faulks, seconded Councillor Woolley and passed that these be approved as a correct record.

4.         Matters Arising not included elsewhere on the agenda

             The Clerk said that she had spoken to the police about the Community SpeedWatch scheme.  She said that there needed to be at least six volunteers and at present two had been identified.  The scheme needed the support of the Parish Council.  Street signs were needed at each end of the area being surveyed, which would involve four signs if all of the village were to be included, and these would cost about £25 each.  The volunteers would need to wear yellow jackets, which would cost about £25 each.  The police had a spare speed device which they could lend out, along with two yellow jackets, but the waiting time for these could be six weeks.  A device would cost around £700, although some parishes chose to share them, but the officer recommended using the police device in the first instance.  Third party liability insurance would be needed but this was usually covered by the Parish Council’s insurance policy.  There was discussion about whether it would be better to use this scheme or to ask the police to monitor traffic speed on occasions.  It was agreed to seek further volunteers by word of mouth, through the Hickling Standard and through Mark Spruce’s Neighbourhood Watch e-mail contact list.  If insufficient volunteers came forward by the end of the winter then the scheme was probably not viable in Hickling.

Action:            Clerk to seek volunteers through Hickling Standard and Neighbourhood Watch

5.         Grantham Canal

            The planned presentations and public discussion had taken place at the public meeting which had preceded the Council meeting.  The Clerk said that she would put the minutes of the public meeting in the Parish Council minute book.

6.         Questions from the public

            Standing Orders were suspended 9.00pm.

            The question of ice on the hill on Bridegate Lane was raised.  It was said that a “road liable to icing” sign was to be installed in the autumn.  The question was raised as to whether the salt bin on the hill contained a shovel.  The Clerk said that she would check this and it was commented that a shovel could be provided if there was not one.  It was said that the fact that the road was a bus route had been raised with the County Council in support of gritting but this had had no effect.  Councillor White said that the fact that control of the County Council had recently changed might mean a change in policy on this.  The Clerk to contact the Council via County Councillor John Cottee, to request gritting of the hill.

Action:            Clerk to check whether there is a shovel in the salt bin

Action:            Clerk to write to Councillor Cottee about gritting on the hill

            It was asked if the Parish Council could look into the cumulative effect of canal projects and parking in the village.  Councillor White said that a Local Nature Reserve had been considered because it could allow control over the use of the canal.  Councillor Fraser said that the Council was trying to get British Waterways to contact them before anything is agreed.  It was commented that when the proposed changes to the canal around the River Trent take place the village would have no say but it was felt that it would be many years before this happened.  Councillor Fraser talked about the setting up of the Grantham Canal Communities Liaison Group to increase the flow of information between affected communities and this had succeeded in getting the Grantham Canal Partnership, British Waterways and Belvoir Open Waterways Society to talk to the communities.

Standing Orders were re-instated at 9.10pm.

7.         Chairman’s Matters

            Councillor White said that she had received a letter from Tim McEwen, Secretary of the Village Hall Committee.   He thanked the Parish Council for its contribution of £1,000 towards the Village Hall’s heating costs for each of the past three years and asked if the Council would consider a similar contribution for the future.  Councillor Faulks said that three years ago the usage of the hall was very low but the heating needed to be kept on constantly.  Usage had now considerably increased.  It was agreed that Members supported the village hall but more information was required to see what level of financial support was appropriate and the Clerk should therefore write to the Treasurer saying that the Council is very supportive but to enable them to consider the request more fully they would like to see the last three years accounts.

Action:            Clerk to write accordingly to the Village Hall Treasurer

            Councillor White asked Councillor Fraser to present a report on the Plough Inn.  Councillor Fraser referred to recent action to support the tenants, including a petition, contacting the media, gathering information, contacting the local MP Ken Clarke and a campaign of letter writing and telephoning.  This had resulted in an offer of revised terms to the tenants from the brewery, although the final status of this was unknown since it was presently open to review after a short period of time.  A major problem was the amount of the business rates, which may be in line with Hickling property values but did not take account of the problems of running a commercial business in a difficult rural environment.  There was, however, a procedure for appealing on the grounds of hardship.  The tenants were considering the idea of a village shop and would welcome any help and advice.  The Parish Council particularly wished to record their appreciation to Philippa Jacks for collecting petition signatures and supporting the tenants with ideas and marketing; to Mark Samworth for invaluable business advice; to Kenneth Clarke MP for lobbying the Chairman of Scottish and Newcastle Pub Enterprises; and to all who joined in the campaign. 

            Councillor White said that she had been approached to ask if the Parish Council would consider financial support for the Hickling Standard newsletter.  The Clerk said that the printing costs per page had increased by over 50 per cent over the past ten years and the newsletter was now usually considerably larger than it had been in the past.  It was planned to increase advertising costs, which had not risen for almost ten years, but this would not make up the shortfall.  Costs could be cut by reducing the size of the newsletter by, for example, not including photographs and poster-type notices of events.  The Country Fair Committee had also been approached for a contribution.  The Clerk said that funds were available to the Parish Council because income from the cemetery for the year was already £800 higher than had been budgeted and a grant for £450 had been obtained towards the cost of enclosing the cemetery extension, which had not been included in the budget.  It was felt that the format and content of the newsletter was valued and, after discussion, it was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Fraser and agreed to grant £200 this year and to include the issue in the budget discussions for next year.

Action:            Clerk to make payment to Hickling Standard Committee

            Councillor White said that she had received the Parish Council’s Remembrance Day wreath.  There was discussion as to who should lay the wreath and it was agreed to follow the usual procedure of the Chairman laying it on behalf of the Council.

            Councillor White referred to the resignation of the Clerk and the need to advertise the post.  After discussion it was agreed to do this via the website and the notice boards.  The Clerk should also send the Job Description to the person who had recently written to the Council about possible vacancies.  The Clerk had a copy of the Job Description which she would forward to the Chairman for review.  The interview panel would be Councillors White and Fraser.

Action:            Clerk to forward Job Description to the Chairman

Action:            Chairman to prepare job advertisement and Clerk to put it on notice boards and website and send it to the person who had enquired about vacancies in the Council

8.         Clerk’s Report

            None.

9.         Election/co-option of new Member

                        Councillor White said that no one had stood for election for the two new vacancies and so there were now three vacancies to be filled by co-option.  Members of the public present were asked if any of them would be interested in being co-opted but none was.  Maggy Jordan was asked if she would be willing to consider the role when she had ceased her role as Clerk and she said she would consider the matter.  Councillor White said that the quorum for the Council was three Members and if the number of Members fell below this then the Parish Council would be unable to function and Rushcliffe Borough Council would have to take over.  It was agreed to put a notice inviting new Members in the Hickling Standard.

            Action:            Clerk to put a notice in the Hickling Standard       

10.       Correspondence

From Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire inviting attendance at their AGM at Newark on Monday 2^nd November 9.30am to 12 noon.

From CPRE reminding that the annual membership fee of £29 was due.  The Clerk reminded Members that they had decided at the last meeting to adjourn their decision so that they could consider the benefits of membership.  It was commented that British Waterways considers the CPRE to be an expert and likes to work with them.  It was proposed Councillor Fraser, seconded Councillor Faulks and passed that the Council renew its membership.

Action:            Clerk to renew membership

From BT asking if the Parish Council would like to adopt the ‘phone box for £1.  The box had only been used 30 times in the past 12 months.  It was commented that it was not known if the use had been by many people or only a few who depended on the box but it was also realised that the telephone was to be de-commissioned.  It was proposed Councillor Woolley, seconded Councillor White and passed that the Parish Council adopt the ‘phone box.  It was agreed that a notice about this be put in the Hickling Standard.

Action:            Clerk to write to BT notifying this decision

Action:            Clerk to arrange for relevant notice to be put in the Hickling Standard

From Jean Woolley approving planting of a willow tree, donated by Rushcliffe Borough Council as part of its support for the Twenty20 World Cup, in her field where the cricket ground is situated.  She had discussed it with John Walker, who had agreed to plant the tree in a suitable location.  The Clerk said that she had arranged for delivery of the tree.

From Rushcliffe Community and Voluntary Service inviting attendance at their AGM.  Members had been notified but no one had been able to attend.

From Rushcliffe Borough Council enclosing their first Town and Parish Council Newsletter, which had been forwarded to Members.

From Rushcliffe Community Partnership inviting attendance at their Community Conference.  Members had been notified but no one had been able to attend.

From the East Midlands Energy Saving Trust inviting attendance at their Green Communities launch event.  Members had been notified but no one had been able to attend.

From Rural Communities Action Nottinghamshire inviting attendance at a Parish Forum on housing.  Councillor White had been able to attend.

From Leicestershire County Council notifying adoption of their Mineral Development and Waste Development Strategies and Policies.

From Rushcliffe Borough Council inviting attendance at the Play Partnership Meeting.  Details had been passed on to the Play Areas group of the Parish Plan.

From Rushcliffe Borough Council granting a maximum of £450 under their Parish Planting and Landscape Scheme towards the cost of hedge planting at the Hickling Cemetery extension.  Under their “best value” policy it was necessary to get their approval on how the Parish Council intended to choose contractors.  The Clerk said that the letter had not referred to what considerations the Borough took into account for this but an earlier letter had said that they normally expected three competitive tenders.  The works must be completed and the money applied for by 31^st March 2010.  It was suggested that plants other than hawthorn be included to add greater interest and wildlife interest.  The suggested mix was 80% hawthorn, 5% blackthorn, 5% hazel, 5% wild privet and 5% common dogwood, all of these being plants commonly found around Hickling.

From StarEnergy about their Community Fund which gives grants to projects of benefit to communities around their operations.  They were inviting applications for grants, the closing date being 31^st December 2009.  The Clerk was instructed to send details of the Fund to Members so that they could consider the matter at their next meeting.

Action:            Clerk to forward relevant details to Members

11.       Planning Matters

Planning Applications

09/01678/COU – Mr J Chambers, Hickling Service Station, Melton Road, Hickling Pastures, change of use to unspecified light industrial.  This application had now been withdrawn.

John Brooke Sawmills, Fosse Way, Widmerpool , applications to extend waste recycling facilities.  The Clerk said that this included extension of the existing waste recycling site for a temporary period of two years to allow the storage of woodchip and variation of controls over stockpile heights.  Concern was expressed over whether more waste was being brought in, how this fitted in with the environmental claims of the proposals and also the visual impact of higher stockpiles.  The Clerk reminded Members that, on the occasion of the previous application, Members had felt that they were unable to approve or disapprove of the proposals because they did not have the requisite technical knowledge relating to the application.  They had however expressed their views on the tests that the County Council should make when considering the application.  It was proposed Councillor Fraser, seconded Councillor White and passed to respond in a similar manner, with the addition of concerns about the possible bringing in of more waste and the potential conflict of this with the claimed green aims of the development, and also concern about the visual appearance of the increased stockpiles.

Action:            Clerk to lodge comments as instructed

12.       Parish Plan

            None.

13.       Cemetery

            Councillor Faulks said that it was timely that the cemetery was shortly to be extended since there is little space left.

            |The Clerk said that she was awaiting approval from the Borough Council of the boundary treatment of the extension.  She had been informed that she should expect to hear by 8^th November.  She also said that she had been in contact with the Reverend Stephanie Fahie, who had been trying to arrange for the Bishop to consecrate the cemetery at a time when he had other engagements in the area.  She had been unable to do this for the new Bishop who was to be installed in the following spring but was trying to do so for the Surrogate Bishop.  She had been due to have a meeting on 18^th October and the Clerk was waiting to hear from her.  Councillor Faulks said that, were it not to be possible to get the extension consecrated before it needed to be used, individual plots could be consecrated at the time of interment.

Action:            Clerk to pursue approval of boundary treatment if reply not received by 8^th November

Action:            Clerk to pursue arranging consecration of the cemetery

14.       Environmental Matters

            None.

15.       A46

            None.  

16.       Finance

Payments

Gary Watts, £590 for ground maintenance at the cemetery 1^st April to 30^th September 2009.

M Jordan, £30 for 100 second class stamps and £85 for fee for approval of the boundary treatment of the cemetery extension, total £115.         

It was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Faulks and passed that these payments be approved.

Action:            Clerk to make these payments

17.       Dates of future meetings

            The Clerk noted that the next meeting was timetabled for 1^st December but this was the day when the new Clerk was due to start their duties.  The suggestion of re-scheduling the meeting to 15^th December caused a diary clash which would give a serious risk of inquoracy.  The Clerk offered to change her date of resignation to 31^st December and this was gratefully accepted, so the date of next meeting would remain 1^st December.  The delayed resignation date meant that the advertisement for the new Clerk could be put into the next issue of the Hickling Standard.  It was agreed that the Clerk would seek to arrange meetings for the first six months of 2010, taking account of school holidays, in consultation with Members.

Action:            Clerk to arrange for advertisement for new Clerk to be inserted in Hickling Standard

Action:            Clerk to arrange meetings for first six months of 2010 in consultation with Members

18.       Agenda Items for Next Meeting

            There were no such items other than those covered by the standard agenda.  The Clerk to be notified by Members if any such issues arose.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.05pm.

HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL

Draft and unapproved

Minutes of a meeting of the parish council held on Tuesday 8^th September 2009 at 7.30pm

Present:          

Councillors:    Karen White - Chairman           Jane Faulks                Jane Fraser           Jim Woolley

Also in attendance were County Councillor John Cottee and one member of the public (Tina Combellack).

1.         Apologies – Councillors Jan Neal and Rebecca Meredith.

2.         Declarations of Interest. 

None.

3.         Minutes from the Meeting of 30^th June 2009

            It was proposed Councillor Fraser, seconded Councillor Faulks and passed that these be approved as a correct record.

4.         Matters Arising not included elsewhere on the agenda

            Councillor Fraser reported back on the meeting with Bill, the tenant of the Plough, which she had had that afternoon following discussions on the canal at the last meeting.

            Bill did not expect to be able to continue until Christmas unless the brewery relaxed its terms.  They had already had to change the chef because it was unviable to retain a chef of such experience.

            The tenant faced problems including: ongoing responsibility for debts incurred by previous tenants for resurfacing the car park and renewing the kitchen; a current annual rent of £25,000 increasing to £30,000 next year; a £50 discount per 36 gallon barrel compared to up to £100 received by other pubs, etc. However, they had no option to negotiate. It was understood that a Free pub paid half as much for Scottish and Newcastle beer as the Plough. A turnover of £6,000 per week was necessary just to meet outgoings and, although this had been achieved for most of the summer, it was unlikely to continue into the winter. The tenant’s personal resources to support the business would run out in eight weeks if the brewery did not relax its terms however they appeared reluctant to negotiate with the tenant and there had been four different area managers for the brewery in less than a year.

            Bill was not prepared to compromise on quality and was still committed to the business.  He had new ideas including: selling wine by the bottle; selling essentials such as bread and milk; locating a village shop on their land to the rear of the pub – Bill had an excellent supplier for fresh local vegetables and bread and papers could also be included.

            Suggestions for help which could be offered included: a group of villagers to lobby the brewery as was suggested last year before Bill and Will took over; a petition to be sent to the brewery – if this were started by Scarecrow Weekend it would maximise response; posters and the newsletter could be used to maintain focus on the need to support the pub; generating publicity through the media on the way breweries treat tenants; a group of volunteers to be assembled to support the rapid setting up of a village shop.

            There was discussion about the financial interest that the British Waterways Board had in the Plough. It was thought that the Board owned the premises and the brewery managed the tenancy.  However, Bill only had dealings with the brewery.

            Councillor White asked Councillor Cottee if the County Council had any economic regeneration schemes to help small businesses which might be available to assist the Plough.  Councillor Cottee thought that this was unlikely because the money would effectively go straight to the brewery, but he would enquire.  He said that his experience was that petitions did not work and he considered that trying to interest the media would be a better route.  He also noted that British Waterways were interested in regenerating the canal and the Plough was important for this.  He wondered whether they might lease the premises direct to the village when the current lease (if that is the arrangement between them and the brewery) came up for renewal.  Councillor Woolley said that, when a previous tenant wished to buy the premises about three years ago, the cost quoted had been £1.2 million.

            There was discussion about the brewery’s plans for the site and whether they might hope that it would effectively become unviable for a succession of tenants, although it was felt that it would be very difficult to get planning permission for redevelopment on that site.

            Councillor Cottee commented that the local MP was the Shadow Business Secretary and so it could be profitable to write to him.

            Tina Combellack agreed to check if she still had an information pack on setting up a village shop and she said that a visit to the shop at Normanton on Soar would be very beneficial.

            Members were agreed that all support and help should be given to the current tenants and any future tenants to try and retain the pub as the only remaining community facility in the village.

            It was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Faulks and passed that Councillors White and Fraser and the Clerk would meet to coordinate correspondence in support of the Plough and Councillor Fraser and the Clerk would arrange printing of a petition prior to Scarecrow Weekend.

Action:            Councillors White and Fraser and the Clerk to plan and pursue necessary action

5.         Questions from the public

            Tina Combellack referred to the lengthman’s hut and commented that its condition was such that soon there would not be anything to retain for historical purposes.  She said that a grant had been given by Nottinghamshire Action for Tourism for signage, so monies were held even if only to mark the location of the only sleeper-built lengthman’s hut on the canal.

            Tina Combellack commented on the helpful leaflet extracting the relevant information for Hickling with regard to the new bus timetables, which had been delivered to all households.  It was incorrect, however, in that it stated that there was a bus stop at Harles Acres, whereas the official stop is on Main Street.  It was agreed that the Clerk should seek to place a notice in the Hickling Standard correcting this information.

Action:            Clerk to put relevant notice in Hickling Standard

6.         Chairman’s Matters

            Councillor White referred to the death of Borough Councillor Keyworth in July and said that she had written to his widow on behalf of Members.  Councillor Keyworth had been the local councillor for many years and had always been very helpful and committed.  It was proposed by her, seconded by Councillor Fraser and passed that Members’ thanks and condolences be noted in the minutes.  Councillor Cottee said that an election had been called that day, to be held on 22^nd October.

7.         Clerk’s Report

            None.

8.         Election/co-option of new Member

                        Councillor Woolley said that he had been told that Nigel Robinson, from Bridegate Lane, had indicated that he would be willing to serve on the council.  No other expressions of interest had been registered.  It was proposed Councillor Woolley, seconded Councillor White and passed, that the Clerk should write to Mr Robinson saying that he had, subject to his agreement, been co-opted as a Member and, if he were agreeable to this, he would then become a Member with immediate effect.

            Action:            Clerk to write to Nigel Robinson

9.         Correspondence

From Nottinghamshire County Council in response to the Clerk’s query sent to them, saying that they would be painting the railings by the Basin within the next week or so.

From PC Emma Thacker about a new consultation process aimed at setting neighbourhood priorities and inviting attendance at the first quarterly consultation meeting to be held at 3.00pm on Thursday 15^th October at British Gypsum.  It was requested that intention to attend be notified to her, so Members would need to notify the Clerk if they wished to attend.  Councillor Woolley said that Councillor Meredith had said that she would be willing to act as a police liaison person on behalf of the Council, although she was likely to be standing down as a Member in the near future.

Action:            Clerk to contact Councillor Meredith about this meeting  

From Rushcliffe Borough Council offering free advertising of Christmas-related events.  The Clerk had contacted Jane Fraser and Stephanie Fahie about the Nativity Pageant but they had decided that this was already sufficiently well attended.

From County Councillor Cottee about the new administration’s policy with regard to HGVs using lanes as through routes.  The report prepared for the County Council last year had not been found but another copy was being obtained.  Policies would be formulated after the summer and this area of the County had been put forward for trials on HGV restrictions, if any such trials were to be needed.  Councillor Cottee was hoping that a policy similar to that used in Leicestershire would be adopted.  Councillor Cottee added that a meeting had been held that day, and the intention was that draft plans would be put before the public by Christmas.

From Nottinghamshire Council County in response to a request for more permanent road surface improvement works on Bridegate Lane.   The response referred to the priority system which was used when deciding what repairs to carry out and stated that the Highway Inspector “has reported that there are no defects that currently meet the intervention criteria”.  However, “Highway Inspectors will continue to carry out routine inspections and any highway defects that pose a safety hazard will be repaired”.

From County Councillor Cottee forwarding internal county council correspondence saying that “Road liable to icing” signs had been approved for the hill on Bridegate Lane and expressing the intention, subject to resources, to erect them before the winter.

From Nottinghamshire County Council about the then proposed revised bus service, which had now been introduced.  The Clerk had placed copy of this letter on the notice board.

From Nottinghamshire County Council about the proposed new bus stop poles and timetable cases being installed following funding by the Department of Transport.  These had now been installed.

From the East Midlands Regional Assembly inviting attendance at EXPO 2009 on Thursday 8^th October at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester.  The theme was “Greening the Economy”.  Pre-registration was not required: any Member who wished to attend should contact the Clerk who had some invitations.

From Rushcliffe Community Partnership inviting nominations for individuals or groups who deserved particular thanks for work in the community in the year to 31^st August 2009.  A nomination could also be made for Young Person of the Year.  The closing date for nominations was 21^st September.  Councillor Fraser noted the work carried out over many years by the Country Fair Committee and the landmark achieved the previous year, when the total sum raised reached £100,000.  There was some discussion about whether to nominate individuals or the committee as a whole.  It was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed that the nomination should be for present and past members of the Committee and the amount raised should be stressed.  The Clerk would contact Councillors Woolley or Faulks if she needed any particular information to complete the nomination form.

Action:            Clerk to submit nomination

From CPRE inviting the Council to renew its membership for the forthcoming year at the cost of £29.  There was some discussion about the benefits of membership.  It was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed that the decision should be deferred to the next meeting to give Members an opportunity to consider the benefits of membership.

From Rushcliffe Borough Council about their waste strategy, enclosing a copy of the draft strategy and inviting e-mail responses by 11^th September.

From Rushcliffe Borough Council about new licensing regulations which mean that alcohol could now be sold at community halls without the need for a designated premises supervisor to be named on the licence.  The Clerk was instructed to pass this on to the Village Hall Committee.

Action:            Clerk to forward the information as instructed

From Rushcliffe Borough Council inviting comments on their draft statement on licensing principles with regard to gambling.  The deadline for making comments was 19^th October.

From Rushcliffe Borough Council about their "Big Picture Community Engagement Campaign" which focused on how to manage a significant increase in population and housing over the next two decades. In order to give everyone a chance to have their say they wanted to bring The Big Picture to all communities.  Details had been e-mailed to Members on 3^rd August but no interest had been expressed

            From the CPRE enclosing a poster inviting nominations for the Valerie Gillespie Award.  This had been placed on the notice board.

            From Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire about their Parish Council Forum on housing to be held on Tuesday 29^th September, 10.00am to 2.30pm, at the Civic Centre.  Members had been e-mailed about this on 18^th July.  A request for places had to be made by 11^th September.  Councillor White said that she would be able to attend.

Action:            Clerk to reserve a place for Councillor White

            From the Environment Agency in response to their receipt of the summary of the consultation on the Grantham Canal saying that they would only become involved with the canal if consulted as part of planning applications, when their primary concern would be the protection of the environment.

            From Mencap asking for a donation.  Members decided that this was not a Parish Council issue.

            From the East Midlands Regional Assembly inviting comments on their regional plan, which was available on their website under “/partial-review”.  Comments were required by 6^th October.

            From the external auditors giving an unqualified approval of last year’s Annual Return.  Two items had arisen with regard to the presentation of the report.  Firstly, fixed assets should not have been depreciated.  Secondly, funds held on behalf of the play areas group should not have been included on the return.

10.       Planning Matters

Planning Applications

09/01147/FUL – Dr M Blades, Temples Cottage, Melton Road, agricultural building.  Members e-mailed and no objections made.

Planning Decisions

Dr M Blades, as above – permission granted.

09/01059/FUL and 09/01061/LBC – Mr S Doolan, Bowling Green Cottage, The Green, two storey extension – permission granted.

09/00951/FUL – Mr and Mrs Dodd, Woodcote, The Green, two-storey extension – permission granted.

09/00725/FUL – Mr D Banner, 2 Marshs Paddock, single-storey rear extension – permission granted.

09/01087/LBC – Mr M Samworth, The Old Rectory, Main Street, timber steps to rear of stable block – permission granted.

09/00832/LBC and 09/00972/FUL – Mr A Reek and Ms L Willows, extension to existing wall and new wall and gate – permission refused.

09/00615/FUL – Mr D Chambers, Elm House, Main Street, dwelling and detached garage – permission refused.

Planning Appeals

Mr D Chambers, as above.  The Clerk read out the reasons given for refusing permission.  Members commented that they had not realised that these were valid grounds for refusal and they would have objected had they been aware of this.  Comment was also made about the impact on the view from the top of the Hickling Standard and the fact that the proposed new building was adjacent to a public footpath.  It was proposed Councillor Faulks, seconded Councillor White and passed that objections on these grounds should be sent to the Appeals Tribunal.

Action:            Clerk to lodge objection as instructed

11.       Parish Plan

            Councillor Faulks asked if the death of Mrs Walker had made any difference to the possible availability of land for a play area, but it was thought that it had not.

            The Clerk reported that, following the distribution of the leaflet updating parishioners on the Parish Plan, she had been approached by a person interested in becoming involved in SpeedWatch.  She further reported that, following the last meeting, Councillor Woolley had contacted her to tell her that harvesting was about to begin and she had contacted PC Thacker about SpeedWatch equipment.  She had been referred on to Bingham Police Station but the person responsible for training and risk assessment was away for a month so it had not been possible to train volunteers in time for this year’s harvest.  On the relevant officer’s return, however, volunteers could be trained for more general SpeedWatch work.  The Clerk said that she recalled that Councillor Neal had also expressed interest in being involved.

Action:            Clerk to pursue training of volunteers

12.       Cemetery

            The Clerk said that she was awaiting a reply from Rushcliffe Borough Council approving the proposed enclosure treatment of the cemetery extension, and from the Diocese about the availability of the Bishop to consecrate the land.  For the latter she had suggested sometime next spring or summer.

Action:            Clerk to pursue as necessary

13.       Environmental Matters

            None.

14.       Grantham Canal

            Councillor Fraser reported that Kevin Mann from the Grantham Canal Partnership had contacted the Parish Council to gauge opinion about an “expression of interest” proposal that he was putting out for a Heritage Lottery Grant, the works planned for the Hickling Basin being low-key and aesthetic in nature.  It was very early days but he had wanted the Council to be aware of the situation.

            Councillor Fraser said that her meeting with Bill from the Plough indicated that the BOWS plan to have canoes hired out from the pub seemed to have fizzled out.  Bill would have been willing to have been involved if it had just been a case of the pub being responsible for handing out tickets for people wanting canoes, but it seemed possible that the Wharf was now being considered for storing canoes.

            BOWS had now agreed to come to the next meeting of the Parish Council to explain their plans, electing that meeting because they would then “have more to report”.  It was commented that it was disappointing that they seem to have chosen the route of reporting, rather than consulting, on such a sensitive issue.

            Councillor Fraser had had a meeting, along with Helen Hedger, with Gaynor Jenkins, an officer from the Notts Wildlife Trust, and Valerie Holt, who was a Trustee of the Notts Wildlife Trust and Chair of the Grantham Canal Partnership Environmental sub-committee, detailed notes of which had been circulated to Members.  She had spoken to Kevin Mann before the meeting and he was very much in favour of Valerie’s involvement.  Valerie was opposed to narrowboats due to their adverse impact upon wildlife on the canal.  It had been proposed that the village considered setting up a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) covering the Hickling, and possibly Kinoulton, section of the canal.  This would involve significant commitment and responsibilities as it involved, amongst other things, British Waterways signing away their obligations.  Councillor Faulks expressed concern if this meant responsibility for structural maintenance.  Councillor Fraser said that she would speak to Gaynor about this.  However, grants could become available if LNR status were adopted.  Councillor Fraser suggested initiating a consultation process in the village; making approaches to possible volunteers to assess the viability of this; discussing the LNR proposal with Kinoulton to see if a joint approach might be viable; asking Gaynor to make informal approaches to British Waterways and Rushcliffe to gauge their opinions; and researching and assessing the details of an LNR scheme.  It could also be useful to speak to someone from the Keyworth LNR.  It was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Faulks and passed that Gaynor and Valerie be invited to the next meeting of the Parish Council to explain the implications of such a scheme, that the Clerk find out the contact details for a lead figure from the Keyworth scheme and that the discussions on the future of the canal to be held at the next meeting be advertised in the village.

Action:            Councillor Fraser to speak to Gaynor about responsibility for structural maintenance

Action:            Councillor Fraser to invite Gaynor and Valerie to the next meeting

Action:            Clerk to find contact details for the Keyworth LNR and pass them to Councillor Fraser

Action:            Clerk to advertise discussions on the canal to be held at the next meeting

            Tina Combellack said that she would pass on details of possibly useful contacts at British Waterways.

15.       A46

            Tina Combellack said that she had been sent a plan of the proposed route.  She would pass this to the Clerk who would enlarge and publish it.

Action:            Clerk to put plan of proposed route on notice board

            Councillor Cottee said that a Footpaths and Rights of Way Committee had been established at County Hall so that deliberations on these issues were public, and he was a member of this committee.  All Parish Councils adjacent to the A46 would be sent details of footpaths and bridleways crossing that road.

16.       Finance

British Legion had asked if the Parish Council wished to buy a wreath for Remembrance Day at a cost of £16.50. The service was being held at Hickling this year.  It was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed that the Council would buy a wreath.

Other payments

Village Hall, £1,000, being the last of three annual grants towards their running costs.

Clement Keys for audit of Annual Return, £138.

Mike Thompson for engraving of the trophies for the Corn Dolly runs, £12.65.        

It was proposed Councillor Faulks, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed that these payments be approved.

Action:            Clerk to make these payments

17.       Dates of future meetings

            Next two meetings 20^th October and 1^st December, both starting at 7.30pm, in the Village Hall.  Councillor Cottee said that extra commitments that he now had at the County Council meant that he would not always be able to attend Parish Council meetings but he would be willing to attend a meeting during the day if he could not attend a regular meeting.  Councillor White said that Members appreciated this, and also his past commitment.

18.       Agenda Items for Next Meeting

            There were no such items other than those covered by the standard agenda.  The Clerk to be notified by Members if any such issues arose.

There being no further business, the meeting closed.

Draft and unapproved

Minutes of a meeting of the parish council held on Tuesday 30^th June 2009 at 7.30pm

Present:          

Councillors:    Karen White - Chairman           Jane Faulks                Jane Fraser           Jim Woolley

Also in attendance were three members of the public.

1.         Apologies – Councillors Jan Neal and Rebecca Meredith.

2.         Declarations of Interest. 

None.

3.         Minutes from the Annual General and Parish Council Meetings of 19^th May 2009

            It was proposed Councillor Fraser, seconded Councillor Faulks and passed that these be approved as a correct record.

4.         Matters Arising not included elsewhere on the agenda

            Councillor White referred to previous discussions on the widening of the A46.  Tina Combellack had asked whether Members wished her to continue to represent the Council on a lobbying group of villages seeking to get an alternative treatment at the junction of the road from Kinoulton and the A46.  This group had been successful in getting the Inspector to recommend an alternative treatment.  Tina had been to the presentation on the works recently held at Cotgrave and had reported that the Highways Agency had agreed to the junction option KN03 but there had been two objections.  She had asked for a copy of the new option, which she will forward to the Council when she receives it.  It was agreed to ask Tina to continue to represent the Council and give updates.

Action:            Clerk to contact Tina Combellack in this regard

5.         Questions from the public

            Standing Orders were suspended at 7.37pm

            Tony Hands referred to the past problem with HGVs driving through the village.  Although this had improved there were still many large vehicles using the village as a through route.  He commented on the fact that the Conservative Councillors had recently gained control of the County Council following the elections and on the efforts of County Councillor John Cottee and others to bring this area of Nottinghamshire into line with the restrictions in place in the neighbouring county, Leicestershire, which precluded lorries from using village streets except for access.  There was comment about the meeting held in the latter part of 2008 with Councillor Cottee and an individual preparing a report on the situation for the County Council, but this report had not been seen by Members.  It was agreed to ask Councillor Cottee about the current situation with regard to restricting HGV access to villages and also if he could arrange for a copy of the report to be forwarded.

Action:            Clerk to contact Councillor Cottee in this regard

            Richard Page referred to the presentation on the A46 held at Cotgrave.  He mentioned that the objections to the alternative junction treatment were triggered by a new Compulsory Purchase Order which needed to be pursued to enable the alternative junction.  If the objections were not withdrawn there would have to be a Public Enquiry in November, although he had been given to understand that there was some thought that they would be withdrawn.

            Richard Page referred to the gradual deterioration of the road surface in Bridegate Lane, despite patching in areas.  He felt that the road needed proper attention.  Councillor Faulks said that there was a problem because of a line of springs alongside the road.  This was a substantial problem which she felt demanded more money than the County Council was prepared to spend.  It was agreed to write to the County Council to ask if they would undertake a proper structural repair.  Councillor White commented that a weight limit would help.

Action:            Clerk to write to the Highways Department in this regard

            Councillor White referred to agricultural contractors driving through the village at excessive speeds.  Last weekend one took a wing mirror off a car outside her house.  The Clerk referred to an offer made by another village last year to lend speed cameras to the village.  She said that last year she had written to Truman Contractors, the main contractors in the village, but had not received a reply.  It was felt that the work had almost finished now but the problem could re-emerge with the autumn harvest and so it was agreed that Councillor Woolley would contact the Clerk shortly before the start of harvesting, so that she could contact PC Emma Thacker to see if she could arrange for a speed camera to be used.  Councillor White asked for a copy of the letter to Truman Contractors, which she would follow up, and she would also tell them about the intention to use a speed camera.

Action:            Clerk to forward letter to Councillor White, who is to follow this up

Action:            Councillor Woolley to alert Clerk to start of harvest and Clerk to contact PC Thacker

Standing Orders were re-instated at 7.55pm

6.         Chairman’s Matters

            Councillor White referred to the recent death of Betty Bevington, who had been Parish Clerk for some years in the 1970s.  She proposed, Councillor Fraser seconded, and it was passed, that condolences and thanks for her years of service be sent to the family.

Action:            Clerk to write to the family in this regard

7.         Clerk’s Report

            None

8.         Election/co-option of new Member

                        The Clerk reported that no one had stood for election to fill the vacant post.  It was agreed to use the Hickling Standard to seek anyone interested in co-option, inviting them to contact a Member to discuss the matter.  Members would also raise the matter informally with any interested parishioners.

            Action:            Clerk to arrange for this to be included in the Hickling Standard

            Action:            Members to seek to identify interested parties

9.         Correspondence

From Rushcliffe Borough Council enclosing their Development Core Strategy, a 167-page document which can be viewed, along with summary leaflets, on the Rushcliffe website at /planning policy.  Consultation on this goes on until 31^st July and comments can be made via another website, http://rushcliffe-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal.  There are also public exhibitions, including at the Keyworth show on Saturday 11^th July.

From Rushcliffe Community Partnership enclosing a draft Consultation, Communication and Engagement Strategy for the South Notts area.  Comments had been invited and the Clerk said that she would deliver the paper to any Member who was interested.

From CPRE inviting attendance at a lecture by the Director General of the National Trust on “Beyond the Recession – Rediscovering what really matters” on Thursday 23^rd July 7.00pm in Nottingham.  Members to let the Clerk know if they would like a ticket.

From Nottinghamshire County Council about temporary closures of rights of way in connection with the works being carried out by the Electricity Alliance.  Hickling Footpath number 2 was affected.

From the Highways Agency about the works on the A46, advertising an information exhibition at Cotgrave on 26^th and 28^th June – members had been e-mailed about this.

From Balfour Beatty giving details of a free telephone helpline which could be used by the public – 0800 917 0279, and also of two contact persons within the Company.  The Clerk was asked to include this telephone number in the Hickling Standard.

Action:            Clerk to arrange for this to be included in the Hickling Standard

From Nottinghamshire Police asking if the Council would nominate one of its Members as a liaison officer to become the single point of contact with the police via their local Safer Neighbourhoods Officer.  The letter said that it was hoped that the Member concerned would sometimes be able to attend beat surgeries.  It was suggested that Councillor Meredith might be willing to do this, since she was interested in policing.  Otherwise, Mark Spruce, the local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, might be willing to take on this role.

Action:            Clerk to contact Councillor Meredith and, if relevant, Mark Spruce

            From the Sherwood Foresters Western Front Memorial Committee inviting the Chairman and guest to the unveiling of their memorial in Passchendaele on Saturday 24^th October.  The Clerk reminded Members that last year they had made a donation towards this memorial.

            From the Mayor of Rushcliffe asking for support for his Charity Appeal in aid of the Neonatal Unit at the University Hospitals Trust.  He was seeking support through village events, not asking for a donation from the Council.  It was agreed to pass this request on to the County Fair Committee for possible consideration for Scarecrow Weekend.

Action:            Clerk to contact the Country Fair Committee in this regard

            From RCAN forwarding information about a free energy audit for community buildings.  The Clerk had forwarded this to Village Hall Committee members who had made enquiries about it.

            From RCAN about the BBC’s Village SOS project, which the Clerk had forwarded to Members.  A grant of up to £10,000 and the support of a “Village Champion” could be won.  It would “challenge villages to come up with brilliant new ideas for new businesses to help revive their communities … from retailing to manufacturing, the arts to leisure”.  Filming for prime-time television would take place.  A short discussion identified no suitable business opportunities.

            From Belvoir Open Waterways Society about their organization and offering to make a presentation at a future Parish Council meeting.  Councillor Fraser said this had probably arisen because, at the last Liaison Group meeting, it had been said that BOWS had consulted all affected villages about their plans, but as it was a Leicestershire project Hickling had been inadvertently missed from the consultation. Since the Basin was an important element of their proposal it was felt that it was important for BOWS to explain their plans formally and so they should be invited to the next meeting.  Councillor White asked that parishioners be informed of this in the Hickling Standard to enable them to attend if they wished.

Action:            Clerk to contact BOWS to ask them to make a presentation at the next meeting

Action:            Clerk to arrange for an announcement about this to be included in the Hickling Standard

            From East Midlands Regional Agency about consultation on their Regional Plan, and a half day workshop on the outer Nottinghamshire area, 10.00am-1.00pm on Monday 20^th July in Newark.  Attendance needed to be booked by 1^st July.

            From Rushcliffe Borough Council with answers to questions raised at the Parish Forum on 11^th February.  This had been put in the post pack.

            From Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust about consultation on becoming a Foundation Trust Equivalent.  There was to be a public consultation meeting on 8^th July 6.00-8.00pm at the Albert Hall, Nottingham.  The consultation document had been put in the post pack.

            From Nottinghamshire County NHS inviting attendance at their Annual Public Meeting, 11.00am on Thursday 24th September 2009 in Mansfield.

            From Nottinghamshire County Council about the bus service.  The Clerk said that she had received one more complaint about the non-arrival of a bus since the last meeting, the complainant being one of the people reporting a similar problem a few weeks earlier.  She had forwarded details of this to Councillor Cottee, which had resulted in this letter, which the Clerk read out in full.  The letter stated that the current  contractor had received a number of penalties imposed by NCC because of problems with the service but the contract was to end in August, when it would be replaced with a new network of routes giving improved links from the villages to Nottingham, the QMC, Keyworth and Cotgrave.  The writer commented that feedback from villages was helpful in targeting areas of poor performance, and their inspectors would be monitoring the new services.  It was agreed that this letter should be included in the Hickling Standard.

Action:            Clerk to arrange for inclusion of the letter in the Hickling Standard

10.       Planning Matters

Planning Applications

09/00951/FUL – Mr and Mrs Dodd, two-storey extension, Woodcote, The Green.  No objection

09/00832/LBC and 09/00972/FUL – Mr Reek and Ms Willows, increase in height of wall to 2.1 metres and add gates to storage area, The Cottage, Main Street.  There was some discussion about the desirability and necessity of such a high wall at a property on the edge of the village since it would change the feel of the entrance to the village.  On balance, however there was no objection.

09/01087/LBC – Mr Samworth, timber steps to rear of stable block, The Old Rectory, Main Street.  No objection.

09/01061/LBC – Mr Doolan, two-storey extension (retrospective), Bowling Green Cottage, The Green.  The differences between the works approved and the works carried out involved moving of roof lights and different windows.  There was discussion about confusion about previous planning applications at this property, for example a “granny annexe” being used as an office, and concern at the continued development.  There had been some suggestion that there might have been a completely new project apart from the current plans.  It was also felt that one window should have obscure glazing, since the hedge which presently protected an adjacent property from being overlooked could be removed.  Concerns of neighbours had also been expressed.  To allow Members to check the situation about any further development beyond that covered by the current plans, the decision was delegated to the Clerk, to be made in consultation with Members.

Action:            Members to investigate concerns about further development and feed back to each other

Action:            Subject to the result of further investigation by Members, Clerk to lodge objection on the grounds of the history of development and lack of clarity at this property, on the grounds of the neighbours’ concerns, and on the grounds of non-obscure glazing on a window with potential to overlook neighbours.

Planning Decisions

09/00676/FUL – Mr Walker, erection of livestock buildings, Lincoln Lodge, Bridegate Lane, permission granted.

09/00560/FUL – Dr Haw, construction of outbuilding, Church Gates, Main Street, permission granted.

09/00331/FUL – Mr and Mrs Neal, provision of dropped kerb to serve existing access to stable/outbuilding, The Yews, Main Street, permission granted.

John Brooke (Sawmills) Limited, erection of new industrial building and installation of renewable energy biomass plant, The Sawmill, Fosse Way, Widmerpool, permission granted.

11.       Parish Plan

            Consultation at the Country Fair had not taken place, but it might be possible to arrange this for Scarecrow Weekend.

12.       Cemetery

            It was necessary to arrange for the Bishop to consecrate the cemetery extension, which would be enclosed in the autumn.

Action:            Clerk to write to the Diocese in this regard

13.       Environmental Matters

            Councillor Fraser said that Pauline Chell had commented on the considerable amount of weeds growing on the pavement by the Basin.  Councillor Faulks said she had seen a man spraying the pavement in the village last week.  It was also commented that British Waterways Board had painted the bollards but not the railings, which was apparently the responsibility of the Borough Council.  It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Rushcliffe Borough Council to find out who is responsible for the maintenance of the railings and also to ask if they had carried out the week control and, if so, if it was part of their grounds maintenance  schedule.

Action:            Clerk to write to Rushcliffe Borough Council in this regard

            The Clerk reminded Members that Rushcliffe Borough Council had offered the parish a willow tree and commemorative plaque as part of their celebrations on Trent Bridge hosting some of the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup.  As instructed, she had spoken to John Walker about planting this in his spinney.  He had agreed to plant it by the entrance to the spinney, so that it could be easily seen but he had also suggested the cricket ground.  The Clerk said that she had not contacted the cricket club and landowner, since she had not yet had Members’ views.  It was agreed to approach the club and landowner to see if this would be an appropriate option, otherwise the tree would be planted in John Walker’s spinney.

Action:            Clerk to contact cricket club and, if appropriate, landowner

14.       Grantham Canal

            Councillor Fraser said that she had spoken to Pete Playle about the possibility of managing the canal for wildlife, an alternative to the options of small boat use, large boat use or of leaving it to deteriorate.  He thought that this was viable and was very interested in it, though he did not feel that he had the time to lead or chair a group to investigate this.  Councillor Fraser had e-mailed the Wildlife Trust about this, but had not yet received a reply.  It was agreed that the Hickling Standard be used to ask villagers if anyone is interested in joining a small group to investigate this.

Action:            Clerk to arrange for a notice about this to be included in the Hickling Standard

15.       Finance

            The Clerk said that the 2008/9 accounts and Annual Return had been approved by the Internal Auditor and they now needed approval of the Council before submitting to the External Auditors.  It was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Faulks and passed that the accounts and Annual Return be approved.

            It was proposed Councillor Faulks, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed that the Council is satisfied with the system of internal control over all financial matters which is in operation.

Payments

Cheque 499 – M Jordan, NALC membership £13.50 and RCAN membership £70 both approved at the last meeting and printing Parish Plan leaflet £45, total £128.50.

Cheque 500 – DA Dixon for internal audit 2008/9 £45.

Cheque 501 - SLCC membership 2009, £61.

It was proposed Councillor Fraser, seconded Councillor White that these payments be approved.

Action:            Clerk to make these payments

Councillor Faulks is now an approved signatory.  As previously resolved, Councillor White is now to be registered as an approved signatory.

Action:            Clerk to prepare necessary paperwork and pass it to Councillor White

Action:            Councillor White to visit bank to register as an authorised signatory

Receipts

£6,910 precept, £240 being the purchase of three burial plots, £30 interment fee and £20 fee for the erection of a memorial.

16.       Dates of future meetings

Holidays meant it was not appropriate to hold a meeting six weeks hence.  The next meeting would therefore be 8^th September, with meetings six-weekly thereafter to the end of the year.

Action:            Clerk to change bookings of the Village Hall to the end of the year

17.       Agenda Items for Next Meeting

            There were no such items other than those covered by the standard agenda.  The Clerk to be notified by Members if any such issues arose.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.51pm.

HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL

Draft and Unapproved

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the parish council held on Tuesday 19^th May 2009 at 7.30pm

Present:           Councillors:    Karen White - Chairman         Jane Faulks                              Jane Fraser     

Also in attendance were two members of the public.

1.         Election of Officers

Chairman - it was proposed Councillor Faulks, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed that Councillor White be elected to continue as Chairman.

Vice-Chairman – it was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed, that if Councillor Neal is willing to continue as Vice-Chairman she be elected to that office.

Village Hall Representative – it was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed that Councillor Faulks be appointed to continue as Village Hall Representative.

2.         Apologies – Councillors Mike Thompson, Jim Woolley and Jan Neal, Borough Councillor Ken Keyworth and County Councillor John Cottee.

3.         Minutes from the Annual Parish Meeting of 21^st April 2009

            It was proposed Councillor Fraser, seconded Councillor Faulks and passed that these be approved as a correct record.

4.         Chairman’s Report on the Past Year

            Councillor White said that she had reported on the past year at the Annual Parish Meeting on 21^st April and she referred Members and parishioners to the minutes of that meeting for that report.

5.         Financial Report by the Clerk

            The Clerk reported (with all figures rounded to £s) that the council started the financial year 2008/9 with £6,550, compared with £7,750 the previous year.  The balance in hand at the end of the year was £7,372.

            The main items of expenditure were £1,504 for the salary of the Clerk, £575 for insurance, £334 for the Hickling Wharf – mainly in connection with the Parish Poll, £1,000 grant to the Village Hall, £565 for cemetery maintenance and £341 in connection with the application for planning permission for the cemetery extension.  The total expenditure was £7,100.

            The income for the year, totalling £5,884, comprised £5,740 from precept, £110 from burial fees and £34 from bank interest.

            The precept for the present financial year is £6,910.

            Councillor White asked that expenditure for the year to date be presented in spreadsheet format, showing expenditure against budget.  The Clerk confirmed that she would continue to do this.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7.38pm.

HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL

Draft and Unapproved

Minutes of a meeting of the parish council held on Tuesday 19^th May 2009 at 7.38pm

Present:           Councillors:    Karen White - Chairman         Jane Faulks                              Jane Fraser     

Also in attendance were two members of the public.

1.         Apologies – Councillors Mike Thompson, Jim Woolley and Jan Neal, Borough Councillor Ken Keyworth, County Councillor John Cottee and Helen Hedger.

2.         Declarations of Interest. 

None.

3.         Minutes from the Meeting of 21^st April 2009

            It was proposed Councillor Faulks, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed that these be approved as a correct record.

4.         Matters Arising not included elsewhere on the agenda

            None.

5.         Questions from the public

Standing Orders were suspended at 7.40pm  

There were no questions from the public

Standing Orders were re-instated at 7.41pm.

6.         Chairman’s Matters

            Councillor White had received a letter from a parishioner about the Dunn Line bus service in the village and she read it out in full.  The letter complained about the limited service in the village, the fact that buses sometimes did not arrive, that most buses took a long and circuitous route into Nottingham and that people with concessionary passes were charged half price on the bus scheduled just before 9.30am even though there was not another bus for over two hours.  The complainant had contacted the bus company and the County Council without success.  She suggested that a local service to Keyworth, which would link in with the frequent service from there to Nottingham, would be useful.  Councillor Fraser agreed with all that had been said and Councillor Faulks commented that the worst problem was when a timetabled bus did not arrive, particularly if attendance at an appointment depended upon it.  It was not known how often buses failed to arrive.  It was agreed that a notice should be put up at the bus shelter in the village and at the Hickling Basin asking people to notify the Clerk if a bus failed to arrive at all or did not arrive within ten minutes of its scheduled time.  It was felt, however, that it was unlikely to be possible to get a more frequent service because of the lack of users.  The Clerk was asked to forward the comments about a link to Keyworth to County Councillor Cottee.  Councillor White would write to the complainant to say that this was being done.

Action:            Clerk to put notices at the bus shelter and the Hickling Basin

Action:            Clerk to write to Councillor Cottee

Action:            Councillor White to write to complainant

7.         Clerk’s Report

None.

8.         Correspondence

            From Mike Thompson, the Clerk read the letter in full.  Mike Thompson advised with regret of his decision to stand down as a Parish Councillor with immediate effect as the result of other pressures on his time which meant that he was unable to give the level of time and effort which he felt appropriate to support the hard work put in by the other Members.  He put on record his thanks to the Clerk and Chairman for their work in support of “the interests of the parishioners of our wonderful village”.  The Clerk said that she would notify Rushcliffe Borough Councillor of the vacancy on her return from holiday, since it was her experience that it could sometimes take a few days for them to respond with a notice inviting candidates for the position and the tight timetable for putting forward nominations could mean that, if it arrived while she was away, there could be very limited notice for potential applicants.

            Members asked that Mike Thompson be thanked for the work that he had done for the Council over the past two years.

Action:            Clerk to notify Rushcliffe Borough Council of the vacancy          

Action:            Clerk to write a letter of thanks to Mike Thompson

            From Tina Combellack forwarding information of BT’s Community Connections scheme, which had been circulated to Members before the meeting.  The scheme invited community and charitable groups to apply for awards which include a laptop and a year’s broadband internet connection.  The Clerk said that Councillor Neal had responded that the village hall would be an appropriate base for this service.  The Clerk was instructed to write the Village Hall Committee about this.

Action:            Clerk to write to Village Hall Committee

            From Rushcliffe Borough Council enclosing ten Pro-40 tickets for Nottinghamshire Cricket Club.  The Clerk had forwarded these to Councillor Fraser for the use of the Youth Group.  Councillor Fraser said that these were being allocated by giving members of the Youth Group a raffle ticket each time they attended.

            From Nottinghamshire County Council giving notification of the County Council Civic Service at Southwell Minster on Sunday 12^th July at 3.30pm, followed by afternoon tea.  Names of attendees to be notified by 23^rd June.

Action:            Members to notify Clerk if they wish to attend

            From Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire inviting attendance at their AGM on 2^nd November and also enclosing a membership application form.  As advised at the previous meeting, there was now a charge for membership, and this would be £70 with the benefit of an introductory discount.  The Clerk said that she had ascertained that attendance at the Parish Forum and other meetings arranged by RCAN was dependent on membership, as was access to Carola Jones.  Membership also gave access to three hours funding advice.  Members commented on the quality of the Parish Forum meetings so far held.  It was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed that the Council be a member of RCAN.

Action:            Clerk to process RCAN membership application on behalf of the Parish Council

            From Rushcliffe Borough Council inviting applications for a grant under their Parish Planting and Landscaping Scheme.  The maximum grant was £500 towards the cost of the Parish Council arranging their own supply and planting of trees and shrubs.  Eligible works included site clearance and ground preparation; grass seeding or turfing; spreading bark mulch and installing temporary protective fencing.  The application had to be made by 31^st July.  It was agreed that a grant be sought towards the cost of enclosing the cemetery extension with a hawthorn hedge.

Action:            Clerk to make an application as agreed

9.         Planning Matters

            Planning Applications

09/00615/FUL – Mr D Chambers, dwelling and detached garage, Elm House, Main Street.  At the last meeting the decision had been delegated to the Clerk in consultation with Members.  The Clerk had only received one objection, so there had been no decision to object.

09/00676/FUL – Mr A Walker, erection of livestock building, Lincoln Lodge, Bridegate Lane.  Members had been notified and there had been no objections.

09/00725/FUL – Mr D Banner, single storey rear extension, 2 Marsh’s Paddock.  Members had been notified and there had been no objections.

Planning Decisions

09/00420/COU – Hickling Parish Council, use of land as cemetery, Clawson Lane.  Permission granted.  The Clerk said that the conditions of the permission were that work must start within three years and details of screen fencing must be approved in writing by the Borough Council before development commences. The Clerk said that she had been advised by Peter Playle that planting of the hawthorn hedge could not take place before November.

Action:            Clerk to take necessary action to get approval of the screen fencing

10.       Parish Plan

            The Clerk said that the leaflet updating parishioners on the progress under the Plan was with the printer.  As suggested at the last meeting, she had added more information about some of the activities put on at the Village Hall.  She reminded Members that she had e-mailed them about also adding reference to the Best Kept Village competition within the Plan and, having received approval to this suggestion, she had also included this.  She was thanked for the work that she had done in drafting the leaflet.  The Clerk acknowledged the contribution of Councillor Fraser.

11.       Cemetery

            Councillor Faulks said that, following concerns expressed in the past about the state of the entrance to the cemetery, she had visited the site and confirmed that the entrance pathway was of tarmac, although it was muddy at the front, which could be a problem in the winter.  The general view of members was that mud was a feature of life in a rural village and that installing a kerb along a country lane would not look appropriate in a rural environment.  It was also felt that there would be cost implications if the road was kerbed.

12.       Environmental Matters

            Councillor Faulks said that last Saturday she had attended a meeting of the Village Hall Committee.  Two parishioners who were architects had volunteered to offer suggestions for developments at the hall over a range of costs, and had produced drawings showing four options.  There was to be an open meeting to discuss the options with the villagers and also the cost implications.  The committee appreciated the disruption that building works could cause current users but felt that this was the time for structural development, which could include external aesthetic improvements.

            Councillor White said that Veronika Van der Wardt had spoken to her about Sport for England grants for sports fields and facilities.  Veronika had been an active member in the Parish Plan’s playfields group.  Their problem had been finding an appropriate site but she had wondered if it would be possible to make a bid without a definite site in the hope that achievement of a grant might help to free up some land.  There was discussion about the possibility of making a combined bid with Kinoulton or Upper Broughton.  The distance between the villages would be a problem for a play area but might be acceptable for a sports field.  Councillor White said that the Playfields Volunteer Group wanted some Parish Council involvement.  Application for the funds had to be made in June.  Councillor White had the bid criteria and would look through it and e-mail details to Members.  Councillor Faulks said that most people were positive about having a play area, although the location could divide opinion, so consultation would be necessary.

Action:            Councillor White to e-mail details of bid criteria to Members

13.       Grantham Canal

            Councillor White said that she and Councillor Fraser had met to discuss the wording of a summary of the results of the consultation questionnaire.  Councillor Fraser had written this up and circulated it to Members.  It had been suggested that the reference to the “integrity” of the canal and village might be interpreted by some as meaning a return of the canal to a working waterway. However, the word had meant to convey the present nature of the village being a tranquil rural setting and farming village. It was therefore agreed to add the word “present” before “integrity”.  It was agreed to publicise the summary to parishioners by including it on the village website and also including it as an insert to be circulated with the June/July issue of the Hickling Standard.  A copy of the statement would be laminated by Councillor Faulks for the notice board at the basin.  A notice should also be put up at the basin to say that the full results of the consultation were available on the website.

Action:            Councillor Fraser to e-mail the summary to Clerk for printing and inclusion in the Hickling Standard

Action:            Clerk to forward the statement to Councillor Faulks for laminating

Action:            Clerk to put notice at Basin informing people how to access the results on the website

            Councillor White said that the Parish Plan stall at the Country Fair could also include copies of the summary and questionnaires for any who have not yet completed one.  Councillor Fraser suggested also having a comments sheet for further feedback.

            It was agreed that the summary should be sent to other bodies, including the Grantham Canal Partnership, EMDA as a major funder, Melton Mowbray and Rushcliffe Borough Councils and Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire County Councils, BOWs and British Waterways Board.  Councillor Fraser would also speak to Helen Hedger about any other groups who should be notified and arrange circulation among the members of the Grantham Canal Community Liaison Group.  It was proposed Councillor Fraser, seconded Councillor White and passed that the Clerk should write to all of the identified relevant bodies, enclosing the summary of the consultation and drawing attention to the full results and the questionnaire on the website.

Action:            Councillor Fraser to inform Clerk of any other bodies to be informed of the statement

Action:            Clerk to write to all identified bodies

            The Clerk said that Helen Hedger had asked for someone to take the minutes at the meeting of the Grantham Canal Community Liaison Group taking place the next evening and Councillor Fraser agreed to do this.

            Councillor Fraser referred to the disagreement between two groups, one wanting the canal to be used for narrowboats, the other wanting use to be restricted to canoes and similar small boats, and the suggestion made by one of the groups that the Community Liaison Group should decide which of these views it supported.  She said that there was a third option, preserving the canal as a wildlife sanctuary.  There was discussion about whether navigation might be necessary to secure funding to keep water in the canal, or whether wildlife preservation might be sufficient cause to secure funds for this purpose.  Members were unclear about the impact that canoes would have on wildlife but they felt that motorised craft would have a negative impact.  It was agreed that Councillor Fraser should speak to Peter Playle to ask his advice on the possibility of concentrating on the preservation/enhancement of wildlife in the canal.

Action:            Councillor Fraser to speak to Peter Playle

14.       Finance

            The Clerk said that the accounts for 2008/9 were with the auditor.  It had been hoped that they would have been audited by this time but he had unexpectedly had to go into hospital.  The accounts needed to be approved by the Parish Council by 30^th June.  This was the date of the next meeting, so it was crucial that it was quorate.

            Following the resignation of Mike Thompson, the Clerk was the only cheque signatory, and two were required.  It was agreed that Councillor Faulks would be added to the list of signatories, and then Councillor White.

Action:            Clerk to obtain the necessary documentation for Councillors Faulks and White

Action:            Councillors Faulks and White to visit the bank in Keyworth to register as signatories

Payments:

Nottinghamshire Association of Local Councils - £13.50 for the annual subscription for the Local Council Review.  It was proposed Councillor Faulks, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed that this payment be approved.

Action:            Clerk to make this payment

15.       Date of the Next Meeting

            7.30pm on Tuesday 30^th June in the Village Hall. 

16.       Agenda Items for the Next Meeting

            There were no such items other than those covered by the standard agenda.  The Clerk to be notified by Members if any such issues arose.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.40pm.

HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the 2009 Annual parish meeting follow at the end of the council meeting minutes or click here

Minutes of a meeting of the parish council held on Tuesday 21^st April 2009 at 7.43pm

Draft and unapproved

Present:           Councillors:    Karen White - Chairman         Jane Faulks                              Jane Fraser                                                      Michael Thompson                  Janice Neal

Also in attendance were three members of the public and, from 8.05pm, County Councillor John Cottee.

1.         Apologies – Councillors Jim Woolley and Rebecca Meredith and County Councillor John Cottee apologised that he would be late.

2.         Declarations of Interest. 

Councillor Faulks said that she might have to declare a prejudicial interest with regard to the planning application for Church Gates, since she was a neighbour.

3.         Minutes from the Meeting of 10^th March 2009

            It was proposed Councillor Neal, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed that these be approved as a correct record.

4.         Matters Arising not included elsewhere on the agenda

            Councillor White said that she had not been able to find out more details about the reported proposal to site a wind farm near the Parish in the direction of Nether Broughton because her contact at Melton Borough Council had been away, but she was awaiting further information.  Councillor Neal said that there was still nothing on the Melton Borough Council website.

            Councillor Neal said that she had contacted Rushcliffe Borough Council about the ownership of the verge outside the cemetery and was awaiting a reply.

            Councillor White said that she was awaiting a reply from Tina Combellack about the A46 Dualling Committee.  She reminded Members that Tina Combellack had asked if the Council wished her to continue to represent the Parish on this, and that Councillor White had been deputed to find out more about the work of the Committee.

            Members discussed the state of the access to the cemetery.  It was noted that this was of tarmac, but overrun on the verge had brought some soil on to it, though it appeared to be perfectly useable.

            Councillor Faulks said that she had contacted the contractors who provided the school bus services, with a view to seeing if they would allow the service to be used to hand out leaflets for parents of children using the service about the winter conditions on Bridegate Lane.  She had been told that this was, in principle, acceptable but they wished to see the letter before granting approval.  She would pass the contact details to the Clerk, who would follow this matter up later in the year when winter was approaching.

Action:            Councillor Faulks to pass contact details to the Clerk

Action:            Clerk to make diary note to follow this up later in the year

5.         Questions from the public

Standing Orders were suspended at 7.52pm  

Richard Page had raised at the Annual Parish Meeting the question of a metal oil storage tank which had been placed on a footpath leading up to the Hickling Standard.  It was agreed to monitor the position and, if necessary, address it at the next meeting.

Standing Orders were re-instated at 7.53pm.

6.         Chairman’s Matters

            None

7.         Clerk’s Report

The Clerk reported that another car had recently been keyed at the northern end of Main Street.  It had been partly parked on the pavement, as had the other keyed car.

The Clerk had received a telephone call two days earlier from a resident about a Dunn Line bus failing to arrive the previous Friday.  The resident was currently pursuing her complaint through  Nottinghamshire County Council, who were financial supporters of the company, but  the outcome was not known.  Councillor Faulks said that a driver had recently charged some young teenagers on a bus leaving Hickling at 9.50am £2.80 each for a 90p journey.  She could not recall the date but would obtain details and pass them to the Clerk so that the relevant driver could be identified.  It was agreed that the Clerk would draw the matter to the attention of Councillor Cottee.

Action:            Councillor Fraser to inform Clerk of the date of the incident

Action:            Clerk to draw Councillor Cottee’s attention to these matters

8.         Correspondence

            From Nottinghamshire County Council giving notification that the planning application by John Brooke (Sawmills) limited would be heard on 31^st March and asking if anyone from the Council wished to attend and speak.  The Clerk had informed Members of this on 19^th March.

            From the Equality and Human rights Commission about the forthcoming Equality Bill, drawing attention to the Council’s duty to be aware of issues of race, disability and gender equality and to take “proportionate action to deliver better equality outcomes”.

            From Remedi, a restorative justice and mediation organisation asking if there were any non profit-making projects in the community where young people could complete their reparation hours, the supervision being provided by Remedi.  Councillor Fraser suggested weeding and re-painting the basin area, although this would have to be done in conjunction with other relevant councils.

Action:            Clerk to investigate this further

            From Rushcliffe Borough Council, as sponsors of the World Twenty 20 cricket tournament this summer.  They offered two hours quick cricket coaching for young people of all ages, after which a quick cricket set would be left with the group.  The group or council would be required to promote and manage the session and make sure that the young people attended.  The Clerk was instructed to contact Peter Playle to see if the Hickling Cricket Club wished to participate in this.  The Council also offered up to ten tickets for domestic Pro40 matches at Trent Bridge in July to September, to be used for local promotions, rewards or competitions.  It was agreed to seek such tickets for use by the Youth Group.  The Council was also offering free of charge a 6 foot willow tree and plaque, the Parish Council being responsible for collecting and planting it.  The Clerk was instructed to speak to John Walker to see if he knew of a suitable spot for planting the tree, possibly in his spinney.

Action:            Clerk to speak to Peter Playle and John Walker and to contact Rushcliffe in accordance with responses received

            From the CPRE giving notice form their AGM at 8.00pm on 11^th May, in Southwell.  Members to notify the Clerk if they wished to attend.

Action:            Members to notify Clerk if they wish to attend

            From Vale First Responders thanking the Council for their donation.

            From the CPRE inviting entry to the Best Kept Village Competition, entry to be made by 29^th May.  The Clerk was instructed to copy the relevant information to all Members so that a decision could be made at the next meeting.

Action:            Clerk to copy information to all Members

            From Rushcliffe Borough Council saying that their Residential Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document has been adopted and that it could be downloaded from their website.

            From Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire inviting attendance at a Parish Forum on community safety, taking place at West Bridgford 12.00-4.00pm on Thursday 11^th June.  Places needed to be booked by 15^th May.  Members to notify the Clerk if they wished to attend.

Action:            Members to notify Clerk if they wish to attend

            From Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire saying that, for the first time, charges were now being made for membership.  If the Parish Council joined before September the cost was £70, a fifty per cent discount on the full price.  The Parish Forums which Members had attended in the past were run by RCAN.  It was commented that Carola Jones from RCAN had attended meetings in Hickling and had been very helpful with the Parish Plan.  The Clerk would ascertain whether access to Carola and the opportunity to attend meetings depended upon membership, and what the difference in the charge for attending meetings would be for members and non-members.

Action:            Clerk to ascertain the benefits of membership of RCAN

            From the East Midlands Ambulance Service supporting First Responders and referring to the Belvoir HeartBeat scheme saying that it was “an interesting proposal but it was a scheme which we are not affiliated with.  We have expressed directly to the charity our concerns that their proposal may duplicate our existing provision (and therefore waste resource) which is already doing a lot to save lives locally”.  The Clerk reminded Members that they had given financial support to Vale First Responders but had declined support to Belvoir HeartBeat.

Councillor Cottee joined the meeting.

9.         Planning Matters

            Planning Applications

09/00331/FUL, Mr and Mrs Neal, provision of a dropped kerb to serve existing access to stables/outbuilding, The Yews, Main Street, previously circulated to Members.  Councillors White and Neal had registered a prejudicial interest.  No objection.

09/00858/LBC and 09/00569/FUL, Mr K Haw, conversion of outbuildings with single story link extension to house, new outbuilding and alterations to boundary wall, Church Gates, Main Street, previously circulated to Members.  No objection.

09/00420/COU, Hickling Parish Council, use of land as cemetery, Hickling Cemetery, Clawson Lane, previously circulated to Members.  No objection.

09/00615/FUL, Mr D Chambers, erection of dwelling and detached garage, Elm House, Main Street.  Circulated to Members the day before the meeting. 

It was commented that an application to build a summer house had been rejected last year and an application for a large dwelling was rejected a few years ago.  Councillor White said that Councillor Meredith had contacted her with her comments upon the application since she was unable to attend the meeting. She had expressed concern at infill applications in the village and considered that the applicant’s statement that the large garden needed a lot of maintenance was not a material planning consideration.  It was commented that the garden had largely been a paddock and orchard before it was converted to a garden.  It was proposed Councillor Fraser, seconded Councillor Neal that the decision be delegated to the Clerk, the decision to be made in consultation with Members, to enable Members to have more time to consider the plans and consult neighbours.  The Clerk would e-mail Members to draw their attention to this.

Action:            Clerk to e-mail Members

Action:            Members to convey their decisions to the Clerk, who is then to action the majority view

Appeals

08/02196/FUL, Mrs Bale, Little Acre, Melton Road, following refusal for first floor extension over garage/workshop for use as games room.  The Parish Council did not object when application was first made.  Appeal previously circulated to Members.  No objection.

Other planning matters

            Councillor Cottee said that the planning application for John Brooke (Sawmills) Limited was to be heard on Tuesday 28^th April.  This was the hearing originally scheduled for 31^st March.

10.       Parish Plan

            Councillor Fraser said there had been consultation with the members of the Parish Plan Steering Group and other volunteers, which had been followed by an update of progress on the Action Points which had been identified under the Plan.  A decision had been made to communicate this progress to the Parish, to include all the work done so far and to ascertain any further proposals that people wanted to take the Parish Plan forward. The Clerk had put together a sixteen page leaflet to be distributed with the next issue of the Hickling Standard, if approved.

            Councillor Fraser commented that she was staggered at what had been achieved, indicating the vibrancy of the village.  The leaflet also recognised the efforts of those who had done so much in progressing  the plan and the actions contained within it.  It was agreed page 5 should be amended to extend the list of activities carried out at the Village Hall, such as the film club, table tennis club, Village Ventures evenings, the very popular themed evenings including Grease, Moulin Rouge and a Medieval Banquet, and the Christmas celebrations.  It was also important to decide what future action was desired, so that future action plans could be put together.

            Councillor White suggested that the leaflet be followed up at the Country Fair with a further consultation of villagers, this to be manned by Members.  Reference to this consultation should be added to the back page of the leaflet.

            It was decided that the leaflet should be printed in black and white, because colour printing added very significantly to the cost.

            It was proposed Councillor Fraser, seconded Councillor Thompson and passed that Members should contact the Clerk within a week with any amendments, and the leaflet should then be distributed with the next Hickling Standard.

Action:            Members to contact Clerk by Tuesday 28^th April with any suggested amendments

Action:            Clerk to add details about the Village Hall and County Fair consultation, incorporate other amendments and arrange for printing and distribution of the leaflet

11.       Cemetery

            None.

12.       Environmental Matters

            None.

13.       Grantham Canal

            Councillor Fraser said that she and Helen Hedger had compiled the results of the consultation questionnaire.  Approximately 250 questionnaires had been distributed and 63 responses had so far been received.

            The analysis of responses had been split into geographical areas reflecting varying proximity to the Canal.  Similar views had been expressed by the different areas, although there had been a greater rate of response from the Canal end of the village.  Many replies showed that a lot of thought had been given to the responses and a variety of views had been expressed.  There was no particular mandate for specific actions because of the varying concerns raised, but the vast majority wanted a healthy, clean place which was pleasant for visitors but without a big increase in activity.  A lot of support for the pub had been expressed.  Traffic was a serious concern, with a strong belief that this issue should be addressed before anything else was considered.  Most people did not want yellow lines or speed humps, and doubts were raised as to whether a car park would be used in preference to street parking.  There was no great will to develop the canal.  Many people said they were undecided about canoes, Councillor Fraser commented perhaps because of concern about the proposed canoe trail, one end of which would be at Hickling.  Angling received a very positive response.

            Councillor White asked Helen Hedger what views were held by other communities along the Canal.  Helen said that Hickling was unique because the Canal came through the village and Hickling also had the Basin. In other villages their communities were more relaxed about development since fewer or no properties were in close proximity to the canal.  No other community had yet carried out consultation.

            It was agreed that the analysis of the questionnaire responses would be put on the website, with posters to advertise this fact and to direct people to the Clerk if they did not have access to the website.  This information would also be made available on the Parish Plan display at the Country Fair.

            Helen said that she believed that the results of the consultation would probably slow matters down.  Although British Waterways Board could do what they wished, EMDA tended to check that the villages were happy with proposals.  She felt, however, that at some point there would be change and thought that there might be another project planned apart from the canoe trail.  Councillor White suggested communicating the results of the survey to Paul Abel from Melton Borough Council and to the Grantham Canal Society.

            Councillor Fraser said that it was now apparent that there had been well-developed plans last year, although people locally had not been aware of them.  They depended, however, on a lot of infrastructure at Hickling.  She said that details of the canoe trail plans were not yet known locally, although Paul Abel had expressed a wish to make a presentation locally.

            Helen said that the next meeting of the Grantham Canal Liaison Group was at 7.30pm on Wednesday 20^th May at the Plough.  Councillor White said that Members should try to attend this to give Helen more support.

            It as agreed that all Members should consider the findings and feed back any comments to Councillor Fraser by the end of the following week, after which they would be put on the website.  They should also be circulated to the Liaison Group before their next meeting.

            Councillor Fraser said that the only say that parishioners really had was on whether a lot of infrastructure was wanted in the village.

            Councillor Cottee asked if anyone had a contact at British Waterways, but there was no real contact.  He said that he would speak to British Waterways as a local county councillor in order to ascertain what was happening.

            The Hickling Standard was to be asked to make reference to the results of the consultation being on the website, and also say that information about the canal and the Parish Plan would be available at the Country Fair.

Action:            Clerk to invite Paul Abel to speak at the next Parish Council meeting

Action:            Members to contact Councillor Fraser with comments on the consultation analysis by 31^st April

Action:            Results of consultation to be put on website, with posters being put up referring to this and directing people without website access to the Clerk

Action:            Results of consultation to be circulated to Paul Abel, the Grantham Canal Society and other members of the Liaison group

Action:            Clerk to prepare notice for the Hickling Standard

14.       Finance

Payments:

G Watts - £280 ground maintenance at cemetery 1^st October 2008 to 31^st March 2009.

Allianz - £596.09 for annual insurance.

            It was proposed Councillor Faulks, seconded Councillor Thompson and passed that these payments be approved.

Action:            Clerk to make these payments

15.       Dates of the Next Meeting

            Tuesday 19^th May, 7.30pm in the Village Hall, to include the Annual Parish Council meeting.  The Clerk also to find out other dates when the Village Hall was available until the end of the year and e-mail Members with these.

Action:            Clerk to book future meetings to the end of the year

16.       Agenda Items for the Next Meeting

            There were no such items other than those covered by the standard agenda.  The Clerk to be notified by Members if any such issues arose.

17.       Finance – Clerk’s terms and conditions of employment

            It was agreed to exclude the public from the meeting during the consideration of this item by reason of its confidential and personal nature relating to the Clerk’s salary and contract of employment.

Members considered a detailed report prepared by councillors White and Thompson concerning the rate of pay currently paid to the Clerk. Following consideration of the National Association of Local Council’s (NALC) salary scales and hourly rates it was agreed to increase the Clerk’s annual salary for the financial year 2009/10 from £1,500 to £1,972.

During discussions with the Clerk it had also become apparent that she had not been issued with a contract of employment when she had been appointed. NALC’s model employment contract for clerks was considered in detail by Members and following some amendments it was approved for issuing to the Clerk.

Action:            Chairman to amend employment contract to take into account the approved changes and issue to the Clerk

Action:            Increase Clerk’s salary to £1,972 per year as from 1^st April 2009  

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.30pm.

HICKLING PARISH

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Hickling Parish held on Tuesday 21^st April 2009 at 7.30pm

Draft and unapproved

Present:

            Councillors:    Karen White - Chairman         Jane Faulks                  Jane Fraser                 

                                    Michael Thompson                  Janice Neal

Also in attendance were two members of the public.

Chairman’s Report

Councillor White explained that the Annual Parish Meeting was a meeting of all of the electors of the Parish, and all electors were entitled to participate.

She said that she had only been Chairman since 2^nd September 2008, but she had referred back to earlier minutes.  Her report was, however, not just about the Parish Council but about the village.

Councillor White gave thanks to the Clerk, Maggy Jordan, and to Rushcliffe Borough Councillor Ken Keyworth and Nottinghamshire County Councillor John Cottee for their continuing support.

This had been a year of settling and reflection after a flurry of activity and excitement, but a lot had been achieved by various volunteers and groups in the parish, and not just by the Council, and it was necessary to reflect upon and be proud of this.

Following its extremely successful launch in June 2007, the Parish Plan generated numerous volunteer groups that have worked for the good of the community.  The successful outcomes included the village website, the First Responders, the film society, the table tennis club, the youth group and Neighbourhood Watch.  The Parish Council was in the process of taking stock of the actions achieved, with the aim of re-launching and reviewing the Parish Plan in the summer.  It was important that villagers’ views were obtained on what was wanted in the parish.  The issues of the use of the old warehouse on the wharf, whilst leading to controversy, generated a new sense of communication, interest and involvement in the parish and it was necessary to continue that enthusiasm for expressing views.

Thanks were also given to Helen Hedger and Councillor Jane Fraser for their work on the Grantham Canal Liaison Group, which was formed in March 2009.  The group was made up of representatives of parishes along or near the canal, Melton Borough Council and the Grantham Canal Partnership.  Its purpose was to give parishes a vehicle to express their views about what they would or would not like to see by way of future development and increased use of the canal, insofar as that would impact upon them.

There had been issues on Bridegate Lane, with road accidents over the winter due to icing.  Approaches to Highways had secured a gritting bin but the Parish Council continued to press for signage on the lane.

Finally, Councillor Jane Faulks had worked hard to make improvements to the records for the cemetery.  An extension was planned and a planning application had been submitted for this.

Other Business

Electors were invited to comment upon any other items they wished to raise.  The only issue raised was relevant to the meeting of the Parish Council, which followed the Annual Parish Meeting and was therefore recorded in those minutes.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7.43pm.

HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL

DRAFT AND UNAPPROVED

Minutes of a meeting of the parish council held on Tuesday 10^th March 2009 at 7.30pm

            Councillors:    Karen White - Chairman         Rebecca Meredith                   Jane Fraser             

                                    Michael Thompson                  Jim Woolley                            Janice Neal

Also in attendance were four members of the public.

1.         Apologies – Councillor Jane Faulks [apologies e-mailed to Clerk on 9^th March but e-mail did not arrive until 15^th and so apologies were not reported to the meeting], County Councillor John Cottee and Richard Page.

2.         Declarations of Interest. 

None. 

3.         Minutes from the Meeting of 27^th January 2009

            Paragraph 6 actions points should read that Councillor Faulks, and not Councillor Fraser, would ascertain who provided school bus services,.

            Paragraph 6 should say that getting a “road liable to icing” sign depended upon accident statistics, not gritting.

            Subject to the above amendments it was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Neal and passed that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

4.         Matters Arising not included elsewhere on the agenda

            Councillor Meredith reported that she had attended the first Town and Parish Council conference and had found it very helpful.  She had picked up several leaflets, including two parish plans.  Speakers had included Sue Clayton from Flintham talking on village shops and she had been very good.  Councillor Meredith had gathered several e-mail addresses, which she passed to the clerk for future reference.

            Councillor Meredith reported that she had cancelled the Environment Bus.  She had been given contact details for those running various elements of the bus display and had e-mail addresses to contact them about the Annual Village Meeting. 

            Councillor White reported that she and Councillor Neal had attended the recent Planning Seminar at Rushcliffe Borough Council.  It was delivered by Planning Aid, who give free planning advice to voluntary bodies and communities.  The seminar was designed to help Parish Councils to make more effective planning representations and objections and to recognise whether objections were valid in planning terms. However, Councillor White expressed the view that it could still be appropriate to make objections to support the views of the community even in circumstances where they would not be given great weight in strict planning terms.

            The clerk reported that the leaflet on accidents and road conditions on Bridegate Lane is with the Chairman for approval.  Councillor Faulks has provided details of the providers of the school bus services.  She has also arranged with the schools for the leaflets to be reviewed by them and, if approved, they can then be handed out on the school buses.  The clerk said that the leaflet could be delivered in the next issue of the Hickling Standard, which would be distributed within the next two weeks.  The Chairman said that she would consider the leaflet and the clerk would then circulate it to other Members for final comment.  It was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Fraser, and passed that the approved leaflet be distributed.

Action:            Councillor White to review leaflet

Action:            Clerk to circulate leaflet to Members for final approval

Action:            Members to review leaflet and feed back to Clerk

Action:            Clerk to arrange for distribution of approved leaflet

            The clerk reported that the proposed leaflet on “not parking on the pavement” had been circulated and amended in line with the suggestion from Councillor Fraser.  If approved, it could be placed in the village hall and also given to any interested villagers.  Councillors Meredith and Woolley commented on the problems caused by parking wholly on the road on Bridegate and Clawson Lanes because they were quite narrow.  It was felt that it should be monitored to ensure that the leaflet was only used with discretion.  It was suggested that the clerk’s address contact details be removed from the leaflet, instead saying that any queries should be referred to the clerk.  It was proposed Councillor White, seconded Councillor Neal and passed that the revised leaflet be distributed.

Action:            Clerk to amend and distribute leaflet

5.         Questions from the public

Standing Orders were suspended at 7.46pm  

Roger Stanley said that the gritter had been in the village by the basin at about 9.15pm the previous Wednesday.  It had been travelling at some speed and most of the grit fell wide of the road, hitting the Plough windows and disturbing the swans.

            Hilda Fortey said that last Friday the hunt vehicles had been parked nose to tail all down both sides of Bridegate Lane and this meant that horses could emerge from between vehicles without any visual warning for drivers.

Standing Orders were re-instated at 7.50pm.

6.         Chairman’s Matters

            The Chairman said that she and Councillor Thompson had not yet been able to meet the clerk about her remuneration, owing to the Chairman’s unavailability.  This would, however, be done by the next meeting.

Action:            Councillors White and Thompson to meet the Clerk

7.         Clerk’s Report

The Clerk reported that a car had been keyed recently, causing about £1,300 worth of damage.  There had been a similar incident about a year ago, in the same area near the northern end of Main Street.  It had been reported to the police, but the victim had asked the clerk to raise the issue in order to alert people.

The Clerk reminded Members that the Annual Village Meeting needed to be held by 31^st May.  She suggested that she circulate Members with suitable dates when the village hall was available, avoiding school holidays, and then book an agreed date and that she also contact organisations to participate, including the various Parish Plan groups and the police and she could also advertise in the Hickling Standard for people interested in having a stall or display.  It was suggested that villagers could also be invited to bring items such as home-made jewellery or pottery and home-produced honey for sale, to add another element of interest.  The AGM could be included in this event, so that there would also be a short minuted element, at which the Chairman would give her annual report.  This was agreed.     

Action:            Clerk to arrange Annual Meeting as agreed

8.         Correspondence

From Rushcliffe Borough Council in response to the Clerk’s query about building works on the A606 in Hickling Pastures saying it was being investigated.  The Clerk had followed up with a telephone call and found out that the Council was awaiting a retrospective planning application.

            From the County Council responding to the Clerk’s communication about the accident on Bridegate Lane on 20^th January, about the gritting of the road after that accident, and about the speed limit on the hill.  The accident had been reported to the Accident Investigation Unit and recommendation on a liable to icing sign would follow that.  Gritting could be carried out on inter village roads if there were severe prolonged periods of snow and ice once main routes had been cleared, if resources permitted.  The position of speed limits depended on a number of factors and was decided in consultation with the police who would object to the lowering of a limit if it was set in isolation or if they considered that they would not be able to enforce it and surrounding factors meant that the vast majority of traffic would not respect it.  Speed limits had to be introduced by legal orders – Traffic Regulation Orders – which took approximately 18 months to make.  The letter finished by commenting that; “The current position of the speed limit is thought to be in the most appropriate and visible place for drivers approaching it and as such I am afraid I am unable to recommend amending the legal speed limit order at this time”.

            From Highways in response to the Clerk’s letter about the bollards on the A606, noting that some had again been replaced by cones and conveying the Parish Council’s concern that they may not be sufficiently visible.  The reply indicated that a permanent solution to the problem was being sought, though the writer had not indicated what that was.  This was followed by an e-mail forwarded by Councillor Cottee, stating that a street lighting scheme along the Melton Road through Hickling was currently being costed, which would include replacement of the existing reflective bollards with lit ones and lighting of the existing speed limit signing, although no timescale is known and costing might be prohibitive.

            From Broughton and Dalby Council, which had been circulated to Members, expressing concern about the suggestion that two or three wind turbines may be sited on land adjacent to Hickling Parish, asking if Hickling Parish Council had further information beyond that which had been in the papers.  The Clerk had contacted Melton Borough Council but her call has not been returned.  She also e-mailed Broughton and Dalby to ask what was in the papers but has not received a reply.  Councillor Neal said that she had been unable to find anything on the internet.  Councillor White said that she had spoken to someone who found out from an officer of Melton Planning Department that the applicants were awaiting an appeal decision in a neighbouring district before they proceeded with this application. Councillor White said she would try to find out more information from this source.

Action:            Councillor White to seek further information on the wind farm

            From Rushcliffe Borough Council about their Greening Campaign, aimed at helping households reduce their CO2 emissions.  Attendance had been invited to briefing and question and answer sessions to be held at the Civic Centre at 7pm on Monday 23^rd and Tuesday 24^th March.  Members were asked to notify the Clerk if they wished to attend, so that she could book places.  Councillor Meredith said that the Greening Campaign had been discussed as part of the CO2 meeting which she attended recently.  There was a talk about a particular community which came together to deal with green issues, including recycling, turning off lights and other practical actions, with a challenge card being issued to encourage people to take part.  There was a good website about this.  Councillor Meredith gave the Clerk the handout from the conference for filing.

Action:            Members to notify Clerk if they wish to attend

            From the Electricity Alliance about the National Grid Overhead Line Refurbishment work.  The information was the same as that sent to individual private householders.  Councillor Fraser said that her household had not received a copy.  The Clerk would therefore seek to have the relevant information published in the Hickling Standard.

Action:            Clerk to put details of National Grid work in Hickling Standard

            From Rushcliffe Borough Council giving details of Council Tax for next year, showing the figures for each parish by Council Tax Band.  This had been copied to Members in view of their interest expressed at the previous meeting about how the tax in Hickling compared to other parishes.  The average for Band D totals £1,585.47.  The Band D figure for Hickling is £1,552.61 and the range was £1,663.21 for Cropwell Bishop down to £1,524.97 for several parishes.

            From Rushcliffe Borough Council giving an update on the structure of the Environment and Waste Management Service, which combined the previous Environmental Health Department and Depot Services.  There were three areas – Waste and Fleet which operated the Recycling 2 Go service; Protection and Safety which covered food safety, health and safety, contaminated land, air pollution control, housing grants and private sector housing enforcement; and Neighbourhood which included Streetwise, licensing service, noise control, reactive anti social behavior, environmental crimes, pest control, dog wardens, statutory nuisance, draining and general public health. 

            Two letters from the Highways Agency, the first confirming that work had been approved on the A46 and the second saying that preliminary work would take place to clear vegetation, to address environmental issues, to install temporary fencing and to carry out archaeological investigations.  A website address was given for more information and it was possible to register for e-mail alerts via this website.

            From Rushcliffe Borough Council about the Play Builder 2^nd Year Funding Allocation, showing who had received the grants and giving details of the applications to indicate why they had been successful. The Clerk would file this in her Grants file so that it could be referred to if it was decided to make an application under this scheme in future.

            From Belvoir First Aid asking if they could make a presentation about the work they carried out.  The letter referred to the fact that they were funded by public donation and support from Parish Councils.  The scheme aimed to provide defibrillators in public locations.  Members commented that they had decided against a public defibrillator, preferring to support First Responders who provided people better placed to use the defibrillator by reason of their training and regular use of their machine.  The Clerk was instructed to respond that the Council’s funds were limited and a decision had already been made to support First Responders, so on this occasion the Parish Council were unable to support Belvoir First Aid.

Action:            Clerk to write to Belvoir First Aid

            From Victim Support asking if the Parish Council would be willing to make them a grant.  Members considered that the Parish Council should give priority to supporting local charities and noted that funds were limited, so felt unable to acquiesce to this request.

Action:            Clerk to write to Victim Support

9.         Planning Matters

            Planning Applications

            None

Planning Decisions

08/02196/FUL – Mrs Bale, first floor extension over garage/workshop for use as games room, Little Acre, Melton Road.  Refused as “an inappropriate form of development in the countryside”.  The open countryside was defined as all land outside the green belt but excluding the rural villages.

Councillor Woolley asked if anything was known about the outcome of the Application made by John Brooke Sawmills.  No one was aware of any decision.

Action:            Clerk to contact Councillor Cottee and/or the Council to ascertain the position

10.       Parish Plan

            Councillor White said that the only response about suggested priorities for current action had come from Councillor Fraser.  The leaflet to update parishioners and canvass their opinions on outstanding issues needed to be progressed if it was to be ready to be launched at the Annual Village Meeting and then delivered with the June Hickling Standard.  Councillor Fraser had said that she would be happy to help to write the leaflet and it was agreed that the Clerk should do this in consultation with her, and then circulate the draft to other Members, for final approval at the next meeting.  The Clerk was instructed to contact Bob Naismith to see if he would be willing to allow the use of some of the village drawings which he had produced for the village Domesday Book.

Action:            Clerk to prepare draft in consultation with Councillor Fraser, then circulate to Members

Action:            Clerk to contact Bob Naismith about the use of his drawings

11.       Cemetery

            Councillor Woolley again raised the issue of the state of the verge outside the cemetery, which meant that in wet conditions people had to get out of their car onto mud.  It was unclear whether the verge was part of the Highway or owned by the Parish Council so Councillor Neal said that she would contact the County Council to ascertain the position.  There was discussion about how a gravel pathway could probably be constructed quite inexpensively, especially if volunteer help was used.  Councillor White suggested that all Members should visit the site before the next meeting, to assess for themselves the extent of the problem and it would be considered again at the next meeting.

Action:            Councillor Neal to find out who owns verge outside cemetery

Action:            All Members to visit the site before the next meeting to assess the situation

12.       Environmental Matters

            Councillor Woolley referred to the continuing problem of dog fouling, especially between Bridegate Lane and the Canal.  There was some discussion about the issue however, the issue was difficult to resolve since formal action could only be taken against individuals allowing their dogs to foul if the necessary evidence was obtained with witnesses being willing to give statements.

13.       Grantham Canal

            Helen Hedger said that the inaugural meeting of the Grantham Canal Liaison Group on 18^th March had been attended by 19 representatives of parishes along or near the canal and also a representative from Melton Borough Council and from the Grantham Canal Partnership.  The Group had decided to meet quarterly and to have e-mail contact between meetings.  The next meeting would be at the Plough on 20^th May, 7.30pm and there would be an agenda.  All present related their own area’s needs and worries.  Radcliffe on Trent were concerned about the development proposals in their area and were holding a meeting to discuss this with the community, which Helen would attend.  Plungar and Barkestone were concerned to have a clearing of the stagnant water and about the poor underfoot conditions. Weed cutting along the stretch of canal up to Hickling was planned and this would allow the passing of canoes and small boats.  Cropwell Bishop wanted their stretch of the canal to be filled with water.  Paul Abel from Melton Borough Council suggested funding, which would also allow for the mending of the canal lining at Kinoulton.  The Trent Link was a big issue.  All present at the meeting had been asked to ascertain exactly what their parishes wanted, since matters were moving very quickly.

            Councillors thanked Helen for the huge amount of time that she had put into this.  It was clear that the Grantham Canal Partnership had plans for the whole route.

            Helen said that funding seemed to be readily available for certain types of community based projects and Paul Abel was very keen to try and attract this for canal based activities. He had already obtained a fund of money, some which was used to pay for the reed cutting.  Harby had been proposed to have some sort of hub but progress on this had now been slowed down because the village had concerns that this would include a floating pontoon.  Hickling needed to consider whether they wanted a specially constructed access with proper equipment for boats and canoes and also car parking.  An obvious drop off point for canoes in the Hickling to Woolsthorpe section would be the Hickling Basin.  Helen commented that progress at one stretch of the canal could open up more funding for other stretches.  Councillor Fraser said that consultation in the village was needed. Helen confirmed that the Group was very mindful that projects could only proceed if they attracted the support of the village concerned.

            Councillor White said that consultation could be undertaken as part of the Annual Village Meeting and also into the Parish Plan leaflet and it was necessary to establish what people were prepared to support.  Helen said that it was possible to state what the village does not want.  She said that she would draft some issues for inclusion in the Parish Plan leaflet and for consideration at the Meeting.

14.       A46

            The Clerk said that Tina Combellack had contacted her to ask if the Parish Councill wished her to continue representing the parish on the A46 Dualling Committee.  It was commented that it would be useful to be kept updated about what was going on.  Councillor White said that she would telephone Tina to establish further details.

Action:            Councillor White to speak to Tina Combellack

15.       Finance

Payments:

NALC - annual subscription £93.75.

M Jordan – Clerk’s salary for the year £1,446.70, postage £7.38, Land Registry fee for statement of ownership of cemetery extension £6, planning application fee for cemetery extension £335, total £1.795.08.

Vale First Responders - £500 grant as approved at last meeting, to be dated 1^st April so as to come out of next year’s budget.

            It was proposed Councillor Thompson, seconded Councillor White and passed that the payments be approved.

16.       Dates of the Next Meeting

            Tuesday 21^st April, 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

17.       Agenda Items for the Next Meeting

            There were no such items other than those covered by the standard agenda.  The Clerk to be notified by Members if any such issues arose.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.56pm.

Below is a draft of the questionnaire If you would like to download a printable version please click here

Download a printable copy here and then return it completed to the parish clerk

Minutes of a meeting of the parish council held on Tuesday 27^th January 2009 at 7.30pm

Draft and Unapproved

            Councillors:      Karen White - Chairman           Rebecca Meredith                    Jane Fraser                  

                                    Michael Thompson                   Jane Faulks                              Janice Neal

                                    Jim Woolley

Also in attendance were four members of the public and Rod Whitehead, the Chairman of Vale First Responders.

1.         Apologies – Councillors Faulks had sent apologies that she would be a few minutes late.

2.         Declarations of Interest. 

None. 

3.         Minutes from the Meeting of 17^th December 2008

            It was proposed Councillor Fraser, seconded Councillor Meredith and passed that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

4.         Matters Arising not included elsewhere on the agenda

            None.

5.         Presentation by Vale First Responders

            Councillor White welcomed Rod Whitehead, Chairman of Vale First Responders, to the meeting.  He explained that there were about 70 First Responders groups in the area covered by the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS).  They were particularly important in rural areas where it could take longer for ambulances to reach an incident.  All Responders attended a four-day training course put on by EMAS, which included skills such as how to use oxygen and defibrillators, airway management and emergency life support.  They were called to incidents at the same time that ambulances were dispatched.  The type of incidents that they had attended included cardiac arrests, strokes, breathing difficulties, panic attacks and other such emergencies.  Vale First Responders had been set up in April 2005 and sixteen Responders worked on a rota to cover the whole of the Vale.  They aimed to have a rota covering 8am to 10pm every day of the year, and they were currently achieving about 95 per cent of this target.  Four more Responders were currently being trained and therefore they needed more emergency kits to increase their coverage.  They needed a total of eight kits to support thirty Responders.  Each kit had to be funded by Vale First Responders apart from the oxygen, which was provided by EMAS.  The kits cost approximately £3,000, in addition to which there were costs of renewing items, and costs of pagers for all Responders.  VFR undertook their own fundraising but had also sought support from those Parish Councils in the Vale that benefitted most from their services.  They also ran Heart Start training courses for the British Heart Foundation.

            Councillor Fraser asked if they were contacted through the 999 system.  Rod Whitehead confirmed that this was the case.  They are not asked to attend road traffic accidents and under 12s because of specific skills required for these and EMAS tried not to send them to incidents of drunkenness or suicide.  In approximately 75 to 80 per cent of cases they arrived before the paramedics.  Based upon their own records,  VFR had answered approximately fifteen calls to the combined region of Kinoulton and Hickling last year.

            Councillor Neal asked if their aim was to have a defibrillator in each village.  Rod Whitehead said that there would not be sufficient benefit for the cost of around £1,900 each, since they were only used in one in six incidents.  Instead, those they had were spread around the Vale.

            Councillor Fraser asked if they were asking for a regular funding commitment.  She was told that there was no great ongoing need for revenue funding. Instead they were seeking support for capital funding.  All responders were volunteers and did not receive any expenses at all.

            Councillor White thanked Rod Whitehead for attending the meeting and explained that the matter would be addressed when the budget was considered later in the meeting and he would be informed of the outcome. It was agreed to consider the request later in the meeting during the consideration of the budget.

Action:            Clerk to notify Vale First Responders of Members’ decision

6.         Questions from the Public

Standing Orders were suspended at 7.54pm.

            Richard Page referred to the problem of ice on the road at the top of Bridegate Lane and commented that a salt box has been provided but no one to spread the salt.  There had been another accident following the provision of the salt box resulting in injury, with an ambulance being called. Councillor Fraser suggested that parents could contact the local schools to ascertain if the school bus drivers had experienced problems, since the Clerk had received no response to her queries about this.  The Clerk was instructed to write to County Councillor John Cottee about the issue and the County Council refusal to include the Lane on the gritting schedule.  Helen Hedger said that the grit box was in the wrong place, it really needed to be at the foot of the hill where most of the accidents occurred. Roger Stanley said that Bridegate Lane had been gritted at about 11.00am on the day of the latest accident, which had occurred earlier that morning.  Councillor Faulks suggested that this issue should be put on the agenda for a meeting in the early autumn so that the issue of warning people of the dangers and considering further action could be dealt with before next winter.  Councillor White suggested a leaflet drop now encouraging people to write to the County Council individually and to ensure incidents were notified to the NCC since they appeared to determine the need for gritting based upon accident statistics.  It was unfortunately too late for an item to be included in the Hickling Standard, since the next issue was not due until April.  The leaflet could also be given out on the school buses and Councillor Fraser said she would find out who the bus contractors were.  Councillors would share distribution of the leaflet between themselves.

Action:            Clerk to notify Councillor Cottee of the latest accident

Action:            Clerk to ask the County Council why the road was gritted on the day of the latest accident, despite the fact that it was not included on the gritting schedule

Action:            Clerk to diary this issue for the next early autumn meeting

Action:            Clerk to prepare leaflet for distribution by Members to all villagers

Action:            Councillor Fraser to ascertain who provides the school bus services

Standing Orders were re-instated at 8.11pm.

7.         Chairman’s Matters

            None

8.         Clerk’s Report

None.  

7.         Correspondence

            From Nottinghamshire County Council Highways in response to requests for gritting on the hill on Bridegate Lane, for an extension of the 40mph zone to beyond the end of the hill and for a “liable to icing” sign.  Gritting was rejected on budgetary grounds.  The change of speed limit was not addressed in the letter to the Clerk but a letter to a parishioner addressing his own requests for this was copied to the Clerk and said “The speed limit at this point, the national speed limit, has obviously not changed”.  Ice warning signs are considered if there have been two or three accidents caused by ice which result in injury in a three-year period.  In the three years to August 2008 there had only been one such accident on Bridegate Lane, data since this time was being examined.  The Clerk said she had contacted PC Emma Thacker who had said that the accidents in December did not result in injury.  Councillor Fraser questioned whether an ambulance had to be called for it to be considered an accident resulting in injury.

Action:            Clerk to ask for clarification on the matter of the speed limit

            From Rushcliffe Borough Council replying to the Clerk’s question about the construction works on the A606 at Hickling Pastures.  This was being investigated and the letter said that if a reply was not received within a month the Clerk should telephone the relevant officer.

Action:            Clerk to follow this up if no reply is received by 14^th February

            From the Nottinghamshire Partnership inviting entry to the Calor Village of the Year competition, the winning village to go through to the national final.  The competition was judged on community, business, sustainability, communications and safer & stronger.  Entries were to be made by 30^th April.  The questionnaire had been e-mailed to Members the day before the meeting.  Councillor Faulks commented that the village was very strong in some of the competition categories but not in others.  Councillor Fraser said that the prize for winning the county heat was only £250, with £1,500 for winning the national prize and she wondered if this was the best way to use the Council’s time.  Councillor Neal said that she had been to a previous final and competitors there felt that it had been successful in bringing villagers together.  On balance, Members felt that it was not appropriate to enter the competition.

10.       Planning Matters

            Planning Applications

            08/02196/FUL – Mrs Bale, first floor extension over garage/workshop for use as games room, Little Acre, Melton Road.  Members had previously been sent details so that they could view the plans on the website.  Neither they nor the Clerk had received any objections and Members felt that there were no nearby properties that would be adversely affected.  It was proposed Councillor Faulks, seconded Councillor Fraser and passed that the Council did not object to the application.

11.       Parish Plan

            Following the meeting between Councillors, members of the former Steering Group and Carola Jones it had been decided to update the Action Plan.  With input from members of the various volunteer groups, the Clerk had produced an updated plan to indicate the progress achieved so far.  This had been circulated to Members and Councillor White commented on how impressive the present position was.  Action was now necessary to ascertain: outstanding matters; problems requiring support; and new issues appropriate for adding to the Action Plan.  She suggested that it would be very time-consuming to go through the whole plan in the forum of a Parish Council meeting and felt that it would be preferable for Members to consider the plan and inform the Clerk of areas which they felt should be considered at the next meeting.

Action:            Members to notify Clerk of issues which they wished to pursue at this time

Action:            Clerk to collate responses and inform Members prior to the next meeting of the issues highlighted

            There was discussion of preparing a leaflet giving a précis of progress to date, for distribution throughout the village. 

Action:            Clerk to prepare leaflet for consideration at the next meeting

12.       Cemetery

            Councillor Faulks said that she had prepared a plan of the plots at the cemetery and she would put it up at the cemetery before the next meeting.

Action:            Councillor Faulks to put up plan of the cemetery

13.       Environmental Matters

            The Clerk said that a villager had complained about vehicles parking on the pavements, meaning that people with prams, wheelchairs and mobility buggies sometimes had to go into the road in order to pass.  An item on this had been included in the latest edition of the Hickling Standard.  The villager said that they believed that, in the past, the Parish Council had produced a leaflet which could be put under the windscreen wipers of cars parked on the pavement.  Councillor Faulks confirmed that this had been the case.  Since much of the problem was apparently round the Village Hall, a stock of leaflets could be left there and individual residents could also ask for them.

Action:            Clerk to prepare leaflet for approval at the next meeting

            Councillor Faulks asked why the bench part way up Bridegate Lane had been “fenced” off with ribbon.  No one knew why this was but it was stated that this was no longer the case.

            Councillor Meredith said that she had been offered the use of the Environment Bus on 28^th February.  There was no other date available and the bus was being decommissioned.  The event would also include information on composting, a solar water-heating project, games and a treasure hunt.  It was commented that this was one of the days when the pantomime was being performed.  There was discussion on this clash of events, the need for some indoor accommodation which could not be the Village Hall on that day and it not being a good time of year for outdoor games.  On balance, although it was felt that the event was very good, it was decided not to pursue it.  Councillor Meredith was asked to find out what was happening to the different elements of the event, since they might be worth pursuing later.

Action:            Councillor Meredith to find out who would be responsible for the elements of the event

            Councillor Woolley said that he had received complaints that some of the traffic islands on the A606 now had cones on them, rather than the proper traffic direction signs and he felt that they might be a danger.

Councillor Woolley said that he had received complaints about the state of the verge outside the cemetery.  He had viewed it and seen that it had deteriorated where vehicles had driven over it.  It was felt that this could only be rectified if the Council wished to incur the expense of kerbing it.  The County Council would only provide a kerb where there was a footpath.

14.       Grantham Canal

            The Clerk reported that a meeting of the proposed Liaison Group has been arranged for 7.30pm on 18^th February at the Plough.  She had already received some replies from people wishing to attend and would send a reminder nearer to the date.  She asked that Councillors confirm with her if they will be attending, so that it can be judged what area of the Plough needed to be used.

Action:            Members who have not done so to let the Clerk know if they will be attending

Action:            Clerk to chase responses from other invitees nearer to the date of the meeting

            Helen Hedger and Councillor Fraser had been to a meeting on the canal at Harby.  They had met a variety of people who were interested in the canal, although there were only a few villagers present and no Parish Council involvement.  The meeting had decided that it wanted to open up and dredge the canal in that area so it could be used for canoes and small vessels.  Councillor Fraser said that the main emphasis for the canal seemed to be on the Trent link.  The plan for the middle section was for small local projects. 

15.       Finance

            There were no payments to be made.

            The Clerk presented the proposed budget for 2009/10, which she had circulated to Members the previous day.  She said that, in drawing it up, she had been conscious of the difficult economic situation and also the fact that considerable extra expenditure needed to be incurred in the coming year because of the cost of enclosing the cemetery extension.  In addition, in future years there would be significant extra expenditure on maintaining the cemetery – cemetery maintenance already accounted for approximately fourteen per cent of the Council’s expenditure in the current year.  She had therefore considered every item carefully, rather than just applying a percentage increase to most items.  She had also reduced the amount of the closing bank balances to slightly less than the Council’s annual budget, which was the recommended figure.  It was considered that he closing balance could be raised over the next two or three years, effectively spreading the cost of enclosing the cemetery over a period of time.  It would mean, however, that costs would have to be very closely monitored.

            For the benefit of members of the public and for the minutes, the Clerk referred to a few items which she had drawn to Members’ attention when she circulated the budget.

            In budgeting for cemetery maintenance costs she had assumed that it would not be enclosed until the latter part of the year, thereby reducing the increase in maintenance costs.

            She had spoken to Peter Playle to seek advice on costs of enclosing the cemetery.  The budgeted figure was for a wooden post and three-rail fence on the north and west boundaries, the other boundaries already being hedged.  The hedging was hawthorn, six plants per meter with spiral protection from rabbits and hares for each plant.  It could be possible to get a grant towards the hedging costs if Rushcliffe Borough Council repeated its grant for planting schemes, but she had not included this in the budget.

            The grant for the Village Hall was the final one of three annual grants towards heating costs which had been agreed two years ago.

            A grant of £500 for Vale First Responders had been pencilled in, dependent on Members’ response to the presentation at the meeting. 

            A new budget head for general grants, rather than purely for Parish Plan, had been included.  It had been included at the same level of grants given in the present year.

            The suggested budget resulted in an increase in the precept of just under three per cent.

            Councillor Fraser commented that First Responders was similar to the Air Ambulance, being of significant benefit to the community but receiving no state funding.  It had already been used by Hickling parishioners and she felt that it should be supported and villagers should also be encouraged to support funding for it.  The Clerk confirmed that the figure in the proposed budget was that requested by Vale First Responders.

            There was comment concerning the remuneration of the Clerk and the need to ensure that this was fair and accurately reflected the hours worked.  The Clerk confirmed that she had no contract of employment.  The budget figure included for the present year was based on four hours a week and she had included this figure for the next year.  Councillors White and Thompson agreed to liaise with the Clerk and come back to the next meeting so that the Clerk could be given a contract covering her hours and rate of pay.

Action:            Councillors White and Thompson to meet with the Clerk and prepare a contract of employment including hours and rate of pay for consideration at the next meeting

            Councillor Faulks noted that the budget for the Parish Plan had dropped.  The Clerk said that the budgeted figure was in excess of that which had actually been spent in the present year.  There was discussion about the expectation that there would be a lot of extra work on the Plan in the coming year and Councillor Neal commented that just funding this from reserves would be to put off the problem.

            It was recognised that, whilst the Council must be prudent in its spending and mindful of not increasing the precept unduly, it needed appropriate funding if it was to provide good services.  It was stated that, if the exceptional one-off costs of enclosing the cemetery were taken out, the increase in the precept in the proposed budget was very low.  It was therefore proposed to increase the proposed budget figure by a further £1,000.  This would be divided between £500 for additional administration costs, an increase of £300 in the budget for the Parish Plan and £200 for a new budget head for Community Projects under the general heading of Recreational Facililties.  It was felt that this would still result in a low per capita precept compared with many other similar parish councils.

            It was proposed Councillor Faulks, seconded Councillor White and passed that the budget as amended be approved, resulting in a precept of £6,910.

Action:            Clerk to submit details of the precept

16.       Dates of the Next Meeting

            Tuesday 10^th March, 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

17.       Agenda Items for the Next Meeting

            There were no such items other than those covered by the standard agenda.  The Clerk to be notified by Members if any such issues arose.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.21pm.

HICKLING PARISH COUNCIL

Draft and unapproved

Minutes of a meeting of the parish council held on Wednesday 17^th December 2008 at 7.30pm

            Councillors:      Karen White - Chairman           Rebecca Meredith                    Jane Fraser                  

                                    Michael Thompson

Also in attendance were four members of the public.

1.         Apologies – Councillors Faulks and Woolley and County Councillor John Cottee.  Councillor Thompson apologised that he would have to leave the meeting at 8.45pm.

2.         Declarations of Interest. 

None. 

3.         Minutes from the Meeting of 21^st October 2008

            In paragraph 16 O₂ should read CO₂.  Subject to this amendment it was proposed Councillor Fraser, seconded Councillor Thompson and passed that the minutes be accepted as a correct record.

4.         Matters Arising not included elsewhere on the agenda

            None.

5.         Chairman’s Matters

            None

6.         Clerk’s Report

            The Clerk reported that the Parish Council had to adopt a publication scheme under the Freedom of Information Act by 31^st December.  Councillor White had obtained a model publication scheme and it was suggested that the Clerk complete this in consultation with Councillor White.  Councillor White explained that this was an administrative process so that people knew how to access information held by the Parish Council.  The Clerk sought Members adoption of the model publication scheme and delegation to her to complete it after consultation with Councillor White.  It was proposed Councillor Thompson, seconded Councillor Meredith and passed that the model Freedom of Information publication Scheme be adopted and the Clerk be authorised to complete it.

Action:            Clerk to complete the Publication Scheme by 31^st December

7.         Correspondence

            From Nottinghamshire County Council about the signpost at the foot of Bridegate Lane saying that budget constraints meant that they only had one type of lettering for fingerpost signs.  The issue of amending the mileage had been put on a work list but was unlikely to be corrected in the near future because of budgetary constraints.

            From Rushcliffe Borough Council giving notice of a Standards Committee meeting on 10^th December.

            From Councillor Cottee forwarding a series of e-mails within the County Council noting that the bollards on the A46 had a faulty spring and stating that work was underway to replace them (which work had now been completed).

            From the East Midlands Regional Assembly announcing a review of the Regional Plan and inviting comments by 12^th December – Members were notified of this on 12^th November.

            From Communities and Local Government announcing a consultation on Code of Conduct for local authority members and employees – Members were notified of this on 12^th November.

            From Rushcliffe Borough Council announcing a consultation on the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment – Members were notified of t