QUORNDON PARISH COUNCIL. 02/02 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4 th DECEMBER 2001

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1 QUORNDON PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the meeting of the Quorn Parish Council held on Tuesday 8 th January PRESENT Cllr J Hutchinson (Chairman) Cllr T Tyler (Vice-chairman) Cllr P Child Cllr I Bexon Cllr Mrs E Harrison Cllr K Croysdale Cllr Mrs J Backus Cllr D Cawdell Cllr Mrs M Gamble Cllr R Jessop County Councillor T Kershaw Borough Councillors R Shepherd & D Slater K Paterson Clerk to the Council 02/01 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. J Maltby 02/02 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4 th DECEMBER 2001 The Minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed as a correct record. 02/03 POLICING MATTERS There was no police presence or matters raised.. 02/04 MATTERS ARISING 1 Village Hall a) The Minutes of the subcommittee meeting held on 10 th December were ratified. The next meeting will be held on 14 th January at 7.30pm. The steering group for the improvements to the village hall will meet on 24 th January, a week prior to the public meeting on 31 st January. b) Beer Festival. It was agreed that the accounts from the 2001 beer festival are to be tabled and the profits paid into the Parish Council account. Responsibility for spending the money will be delegated to the village hall subcommittee. If money needs to be spent on urgent repairs, the Chairman and one other member 1

2 would be delegated to authorise it. Rent will be incurred for this year s event. c) Other matters. The village hall sign has been smashed due to the Christmas tree toppling on it during high winds. Cllr Cawdell noted his earlier concerns that the tree had not been fixed securely. He felt that if an insurance claim failed, that the contractor should be asked to contribute. A Neighbourhood Watch invoice addressed to the Parish Council for a private event sponsored by Cllr Cawdell would be returned. 2 White Horse car park The surveyors acting for the brewery have indicated that the brewery does not wish to pursue the use of the pub car park for other users during the daytime. No mention was made of the discussions to demolish the boundary wall and relocate the garage. A letter will be sent asking whether negotiations can continue on these matters. 3 Planning enforcement A letter has been received from the acting Chief Executive in response to the Council s threat to refer the issue of planning enforcement to the ombudsman. The letter notes that the only serious violation of planning control that can be identified in Quorn is that of the Joint Responsibility nursery where two original conditions for car park surfacing and landscaping remain outstanding. A further application for permanent retention of the uses of the site will come before the Plans Committee on 17 th January and if permission is granted, its terms would be likely to replace those conditions that are currently the subject of enforcement. If a permission is granted, suitable conditions would be reinstated in some form. The letter also notes that a Parish Council cannot refer to the ombudsman, although individual councillors can. It was noted that the applicant is cynically playing the system and that this issue has dragged on for two years. Cllr Bexon gave notice that he intends to complain as an individual to the ombusman. 4 Golden Jubilee The working party has now met to consider ways in which to commemorate the Queen s Golden Jubilee. Suggestions include: A parish walks booklet Commemorative mugs/spoon/crown to given to the children of the village Firework display Possible renaming of Cave s Field as The Jubilee Field 5 Open Space at the bottom of The Sandhills Following a request from the parish, the Borough Council has agreed, subject to funding being available, to install one or two dog bins in the area. 6 New Model Code of Conduct It was agreed to call a meeting to address the adoption of the new code of conduct. Mr Tim Harrison has kindly offered to 2

3 speak on the issues raised at the meeting which will be held on 4 th February at 7.00pm 7 Quality Parish Councils and National Training Strategy. Written information has previously been submitted to all members. It was generally felt that the council undertakes most of the suggestions methods of working already with the exception of the submission of an annual report. This was felt to be a worthwhile practice. The attainment of Quality Parish Councils status was supported in principle. 8 Civic Visit. The arrangements for the civic visit on 11 th January are now well in hand. The Mayor and Mayoress will visit Rawlins and meet the National Village of Year team in the morning and will unveil the Millennium Map and visit Holloway House in the afternoon. 9 Meeting with Countryside Agency. MP Andy Reed has arranged a meeting with the Countryside Agency on 8 th February. Cllrs Hutchinson and Jessop agreed to represent the Council. 10 Cave s Field Press Release A draft press release prepared by the Council has been amended for the Council s consideration by the Trustees. Cllr Bexon agreed to incorporate both statements into a joint document which will be referred back to the Trustees hoping that they will find it satisfactory. Cllr Bexon agreed to act as the Council s spokesman at the appropriate time. 11 Quorn House Park Development After discussion it was unanimously agreed to amend the consultation document to delete the reference to the Council s support for the project in principle. The reference to the Council s support being dependant on upgrading the remaining planning status of the park is irrelevant as the status cannot strengthened, and the general feeling was that village opinion should be canvassed before the Council decides whether or not to support the scheme. 12 Disused garage on Loughborough Road It was reported that the Housing Department at the Borough Council is making inquiries through Housing Associations as to the viability of developing the site. It was felt however that decontamination may prove too costly. 13 CCTV Referred to next agenda 02/05 COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS. 1 Barrow Road closure. The County Council has agreed to a trial closure of Barrow Road and asks for Parish Council comments. It was agreed to support the closure provided that it does not jeopardise any future plans to create a new entrance to the Rawlins campus off Barrow or Meynell Roads. The closure will be advertised 3

4 on the Parish noticeboard. The County will be questioned as to whether they will install a turning circle for the trial period and if this trial does not work, will they look at alternative proposals? 2 Meynell Road. Cllr Jessop noted that he had received complaints that the white lines in the middle of the road by the bend near Santa Maria lodge are worn away and the bend is hazardous to motorists without them. The Clerk will request that they are repainted, with a copy letter going to Cllr Kershaw. 3 Branchline The Branchline newletter was circulated for information. 4 Planting to central reservation, Loughborough Road. A scheme has been submitted for the Council s approval by the Planning & Transportation Department at County Hall. The County Council would be prepared to cover 75% of the cost but would be looking to the Parish to fund the remaining 25% at a cost of 812. Although it was agreed that this project is desirable, the funding must come from next year s budget. It was agreed to seek a cost reduction if possible and request deferred payment until the new financial year. Cllrs Hutchinson, Bexon and the Clerk would negotiate. 02/06 BOROUGH COUNCIL MATTERS 1 Appointment of head of paid service/monitoring officer A letter has been received from Geoff Henshall, acting Chief Executive informing the Parish Council that he is to remain in his position until the Borough appoints a new Chief Executive, probably mid His position as monitoring officer will be held by Christine Taylor and she will be responsible for steering Borough and Parish Councils through the adoption of the Members Code of Conduct. 2 Design Awards 2002 Invitations are requested for nominations by the end of June /06 CORRESPONDENCE 1 Quorn, Australia.An offering Christmas and New Year greetings has been sent from Austrailia. 2 Neighbourhood Watch Funding, A request had been made by the Chairman of Quorn Neighbourhood Watch for financial assistance to enable continued funding of the monthly newsletter and expansion of other activities. It was agreed that the Council supports in principle the making of a grant towards Neighbourhood Watch. It was noted however that no estimate of the organisation s needs had been supplied and therefore a projected budget for the coming year is required. The Clerk would bring to the group s attention that the Council would be unable to offer financial support for the newsletter should it continue to be used for lobbying purposes such as the oil exploration 4

5 application. 3 Quorn Wakes Mr Cox has written to ask permission to stage the Quorn Wakes from 5 th to 14 th September 2002 on the same terms and conditions as last year. This was agreed. 4 Calor Gas Website. A hard copy of the proposed Quorn section for the calor gas website, detailing the village s achievements in the National Village of the Year competition 2000 has been forwarded. 5 Thomas Rawlins Educational Foundation The Council has been asked to nominate a replacement for Cllr McCaig. Cllr Croysdale agreed to accept the position. 6 Flowers by Sarah The flower shop has written to complain about the standard of workmanship and the attitude of the workmen when the Christmas Tree was erected and pinned to their property. Cllr Cawdell offered to provide a register of quality assured contractors. 02/07 HALF YEAR ACCOUNTS AND SETTING OF THE PRECEPT FOR Copies of the half year accounts had been circulated and were approved. The report of the Finance Committee which met on January 3 rd was considered and it was proposed by Cllr Bexon, seconded by Cllr Cawdell and unanimously resolved to accept the recommendations. The precept for to be 93,000. The increase in last year to be accounted for by a loan repayment for Cave s Field, the Golden Jubilee celebrations and the introduction of a contingency fund. The Save Cave s Field Action Committee has recently forwarded a new cheque to cover the one which was twice rejected earlier on in the year. Revision of the Village Hall charging rates will be delegated to the next subcommittee meeting.. 02/08 PLANNING MATTERS Planning Training Feedback from the Borough Council and proposed actions following the recent training sessions with councillors and clerks has been forwarded 01/2542 Erection 2 detached houses and garages (revised scheme) at plots 27 & 28 The Pingle The Council objects to this application. It is acknowledged that the amount of housing proposed for the site has been reduced, but the 2 houses remain, in the Council s opinion, too large for the plots and are even more dominating over neighbouring properties. 5

6 01/0612 Erection of one and a half storey dwelling at land adj 4 Castledine Avenue and 01/3044 Erection of a 4 bedroom detached house at 18 Buddon Lane. Both these applications constitute new dwelling which the Council opposes in principle due to the inability of village services to cope with continual new house building. The following applications were also considered but no comment passed to the planning authority: 01/3032 Erection of detached garage to rear. 40 Barrow Road It was noted that Cllr Mrs Backus, a close neighbour to this property, was no longer at the meeting when this application was considered. 01/2840 First floor extension over garage to side of detached house at 49 Station Road. 01/3134 Erection of workshop to rear of bungalow. 28 Meynell Road 01/3164 Erection of agricultural building. Whatoff Lodge Farm. 01/2932 Display of 2 externally illuminated projecting and fascia signs. 10 Leicester Road 02/09 PAYMENTS The following payments were approved: Chas W Tyler Black s office furniture J Unwin (Christmas lights LCC street lighting Rawlins photocopying Walter Dilkes plumber Inland Revenue TOTAL = 4, /10 ANY OTHER BUSINESS A letter will be sent to Chris Minshall thanking him for raising money to replace the vandalised Christmas lighting on the High Street. Christmas lighting to the next agenda. A street light which is not working outside The Thatch will be reported to Unwins for repair, hopefully at the same time as the company repairs the light across the park. 6

7 Cllr Child noted the wish of a private party to use Cave s Field for fund-raising events for the Cricket Club during the Golden Jubilee. The applicant was advised to write to Parish Council with details. Cllr Cawdell noted that a theatre production will take place in the hall during March Community education will be placed on the next agenda. The meeting concluded at 22.47hrs. Chairman Date 7