ORSTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 4th SEPTEMBER 2008

Adopted

PRESENT                  Cllr E Harrison (Chair )

Cllrs T Benton, S Davidson W Gunn, P Henson, S Oates,                   D Wheeler

IN ATTENDANCE   K Daw (Clerk )

                                    Cllr Suthers, Cllr Cranswick

1. Minutes of Meeting Held on 3rd July & informal meeting held on 21st July – accepted as a correct record and signed by the  Chairman

2. Matters Arising.

 

2.1 Finger posts – awaiting reply re siting, from Highways Dept.

                              Agreed to add “ Millenium Green” on post near Church.

Noted potential donation from Limehaus, need to put “Deli” on   post.               

2.2  2008/9 Planting & Landscape schemes – Cllrs Harrison & Henson have replied,   basically for trees, at a cost of £273.60 plus VAT.

 

2.3  Rolling Programme of small environmental schemes. No forward proposals made. Cllr Gunn is awaiting quotes from 2 potential contractors re possible footpath from Millennium Green.

 

2.4  Newark & Sherwood D C consultation – Cllr Gunn to review & advise response at next meeting.

 

2.5  New Bus Timetable – concern expressed at lack of consultation, short notice, & reduction in service to/from Newark, although services to/from Bingham have improved.  Cllr Davidson has drafted letter to try to improve process for next year.

 

2.6  Rushcliffe Parish Forum Planning event, 17th Sept – Cllrs Harrison & Benton have now received confirmation of invitation.

 

2.7  Best Kept Village competition – It was agreed to hold an event to celebrate winning our population section, for the second year running, on Sunday 12th October at 2.30 pm. Clerk to  invite the competition organisers, & all judges. Cllr Harrison to book Village Hall & organise modest refreshments.

 

3.8  Eco town update – Cllr Suthers reported that the recent open meetings have not been well publicised or attended. A petition is being drawn up & a further Govt announcement is awaited. It is likely that in the end, the proposed local scheme will not be regarded as viable.

 

3.9  Allotments in Orston – The Church has agreed in principle to rent out the Spa Land for allotments, subject to Bernard Johnson no longer needing to use it. Also, it may in theory be required for burial facilities at some point in the future. Potential interest in allotments would be sought via the Newsletter.

 

3.10  Highways issues – in spite of receipt of a letter from the Highways Dept identifying plans for the various works required, none of this work appears to have been undertaken. Clerk to chase.

 

3.11  CiLCA training – This is proving useful, although highlighting issues which appear to need attention – Clerk to compile list for future discussion. It was agreed to purchase the current version of “Local Council Administration”.

 

3. Correspondence Received.

 

3.1 Letter from Shelton Parish Meeting re Speedwatch – inviting Orston to share in the proposed purchase of a gun to monitor vehicle speed. This would require a

     Co-ordinator, & training of 6 volunteers. This was agreed in principle, together with seeking information from Aslockton about potential borrowing of their gun.

 

3.2  Notts Registration Service – Clerk to respond to consultation document re future management arrangements. Noted that there would in any case still be a service in Bingham.

 

3.3  Generic Management Plan for Conservation Ares in Rushcliffe – Cllr Davidson advised that this seemed a useful initiative. Noted that it would involve each area having the opportunity to identify special features. Cllr Davidson to draft reply.

 

Cllr Cranswick joined the meeting at this point.

 

3.4  Play for a Day event – Cllr Benton to attend if possible.

 

3.5  Rushcliffe Play Partnership - Cllr Benton to look into.

 

3.6   Annual Accounts Survey – Clerk to respond.

 

3.7  Building Better Communities – Year 5 – Cllr Davidson to  look into potential grant applications, possibly including the proposed footpath.

 

3.8  Licensing Act Application – Clerk to pass to Village Hall Committee.

 

3.9  Rushcliffe B C Strategic Housing team – Ward profiles – this relates mainly to the potential supply of affordable housing – Cllr Davidson to reply.

 

3.10 Rushcliffe B C – now classified as an “excellent council” – noted.

 

3.11 Request for donation from Vitalise ( Skylarks ) - £50 donation agreed.

 

3.12 Request for donation from Mencap – not supported.

 

3.13  Proposed reroute of Bridlway No 3 ( near Oscar Bridge ) – noted.

 

3.14 Request to hold MacMillan Coffee Morning – it was thought that the Limehaus was planning to do some fundraising for this.

 

3. 15 Request to contribute to War Memorial in Belgium for Sherwood Foresters - £50 donation agreed.

 

3.16  Proposed changes to East Midlands regional Plan, which suggests the need for more houses – Cllr Davidson to look into & advise on possible response. Noted that CPRE are mounting a campaign to oppose this.

 

3.17 Advert for disabled access survey – not to be pursued.

 

3.18 Action on CO2 event – no one available to attend.

 

3.19  NALC AGM 19th Nov. – Cllrs Harrison & Benton to attend. Cllr Benton to reply.

 

4.  PUBLIC MEETING.

 

No members of the public were present, but Cllr Suthers reported the proposed reduction in rail services to/from Aslockton & Bottesford, & the action in hand to oppose this. Cllr Suthers then left the meeting at this point.

 

Cllr Cranswick added further comments re the proposed Eco town, again expressing

            doubt that this would proceed.

 

5. Planning Matters.

 

5.1 The Council noted the granting of approval to the following applications :-

 

·        Crown reduction of birch trees, Robin Cottage, High St

·        Felling of conifer tree, the Homestead, High St

·        Rear extension, car port, porch, dormer to rear, Waverley, Mill Lane

·        Timber outbuilding, 10 Hilltop

·        Demolition & 2 storey extension, Taylors Cottage, Loughbon

·        Single storey rear extension, Lyndhurst, Loughbon

·        2 storey & single storey extensions, Manor Farm Cottage, Hill Road

·        2 bulk material storage bays, NAIDB Depot, Station Road

·        Conversion & extension of barns to form 5 dwellings, Manor Farm, Lordship

Concern was expressed at the potential road safety issues resulting from the last item.

5.2 The Council noted the refusal of the application for a 2 storey rear extension at Sunrise Cottage, Lombard St.

5.3   The Council had no objection to the following applications :-

·        Demolition & 2 storey extension, Taylors Cottage, Loughbon

·        Store/tractor shed, Longhedge Lane

6. Finance.

 

6.1 Receipt of £720.20 from Notts  C C  - noted.

 

6.2  Payments agreed :-

 

·        Mowing costs – Roland Shepperson’s expenses for July ( £182.03 ) & August

 ( £158.11 )

·        £ 30 for use of the Village Hall for the Orston Book Launch.

·        Vouchers for the winner & runner up in the Orston Best Front Garden competition £15

·        Clerk salary (£220 ) & expenses ( £59.60 ) for May to July 2008.

 

6.3  Noted the need to seek payment from the School for their share of the invoice for annual inspection of  the play equipment.

7. Councillors’  Reports.

Cllr Henson

·        Reiterated congratulations to all villagers for their part in Orston’s achievement in the Best Kept Village competition.

·        Expressed continued concern at the ongoing use of Bottesford Lane  by heavy vehicles, & volunteered to chase Bingham Police to undertake a survey, as there had been no reply to the letter sent by the Clerk.

·        Drew attention to Midland Skip Hire’s proposal to increase the number of vehicles – Clerk to write to express no objection as long as all regulations were adhered to.

·        Thanked Cllr Gunn for installing the flower trough at the corner of Mill Lane & Spa Lane.

 Cllr Benton

·        Reported that Notts CC are still awaiting the return of tenders for resurfacing the Bridleway at the end of Lombard St.

·        Reported the replacement of the slide in the playground, also that the School is planning to buy additional equipment, so the remaining funds could perhaps be used for purchase of “play” equipment for older people. Also reported that some recent graffiti has been removed.

·        Reported a request for a dog bin at the end of High St. Clerk to write to Rushcliffe to request this, in addition to the 2 previously mentioned. Cllr Davidson undertook to advise on the precise siting of the 3 bins.

·        The proposal to request Melvyn Plowright to cut footpath edges & verges was agreed.

·        Drew attention to the next Litter Pick on 6th Sept – publicity has been distributed.

Cllr Gunn

Undertook to order a litter bin for the crossroads area at Hilltop.

Cllr Oates

Reported the overspill of pebbles onto Lombard St by Yew Tree Farm – a strip is  going to be put in to try to contain them in future.

Cllr Wheeler

Reported recent examples of fly tipping; the process for removal via Rushcliffe will be put into the next Newsletter.

Cllr Davidson

 Seeking items for the next Newsletter.

Cllr Harrison

·        Noted that we will in the end probably need to arrange for the removal of dead trees at the top of the hill, in the absence of any action from Notts C C

·       Following discussion & a vote, the winner of the Orston Best Front Garden for 2008 was agreed as No. 29 Chapel St ( for the second year running ) , the runner up being Hooles’ house on High St. Congratulations to both.

·       Cllr Harrison & Cllr Oates undertook to prepare the Parish Council’s display for the forthcoming Flower & Bells event in the Church.

 

8.  Items for information.

Items listed per the Agenda were noted.

9.  Date of next meeting.

       7.45 pm Thursday 2nd October in the Village Hall.

 

Kath Daw      Parish Clerk       16.9.2008