LANEHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 6^th August in the village hall.

PRESENT: Chairman Cllr. Mrs. R. Whate, Councillors Mrs. B. Barber, Mrs. A Clark, F. Clark, J.Cobb and L. Sinclair.  2 members of the public.

1.      APOLOGIES

Cllr. P. Beresford and County Cllr. J. Hempsall.

2.      DECLARATION OF PERSONAL AND PREJUCIAL INTERESTS

None

3.      MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 8^th JULY, 2002

Minutes of the last meeting had been circulated prior to the meeting, after resolving a query the minutes were proposed as correct by Cllr. Sinclair and seconded by Cllr. Mrs. A. Clark.  They were unanimously approved.

4.      MATTERS ARISING

a)      Lane Repairs -  Broadings Lane now complete.  Shortleys not finished, as there was not enough planings.  Estimated that another 10-12 tons required at £6.00 per ton.  Cllr. F. Clark proposed and Cllr. Sinclair seconded that sufficient planings be purchased to complete the job.  This was unanimously agreed.  Cllr. Cobb to advise contractor.

b)      War Memorial -  work not yet done.  Cllr. F. Clark to follow up with Sharp and Hoggard.  The form from Friends of War Memorials had been completed and returned.

c)      Boat Club Lease –  the follow up to information supplied by NRCC was not successful.  Cllr. F. Clark proposed a further meeting with Boat Club.  However, it was agreed that the Chairman should first contact the Council Solicitor to ascertain costs etc. to formulate a lease.

d)      Poultry Units -  the Chairman and Cllr. Sinclair had attended a meeting with Mr. Deakin, Senior Planner, BDC.  He stated that the correct procedures were in place, and he had no evidence contrary to this, but could not confirm the exact destination of the dead birds or litter.  Mr. J. Hayward would be asked to confirm that the dead birds were being disposed of in the correct manner.

e)      Drayton Road -  Pick Everard have confirmed they have forwarded our letter re compensation to Severn Trent with recommendation for payment.

f)       Verge Cutting – Contractor still not paid.  NCC has requested the Parish Council invoice them and then pay the contractor.  When followed up told “it is in the pipeline”.

g)      Touring Caravans, Trentfield Farm – This matter was also discussed with Mr. Deakin who confirmed that BDC have not issued planning permission as this is subject to a 106 agreement being signed for the installation of lay-bys.  Regarding the caravan rallies, he suggested the Parish Council contact the Caravan Club regarding rules and regulations.

h)      New Bus Shelter – Mr. Rich and Mrs. Harrison have both heard rumours that a bus shelter was to be placed outside their respective houses.  The Chairman explained that this is still at the investigation stage and no firm decisions have yet been made.  Any resident who may be affected will certainly be consulted before a final decision is made.

i)        Village Hall – Also discussed with Mr. Deakin who stated he had not been informed of the letters sent.  He did state that as the proposed site was outside the village envelope it did not necessarily mean planning permission would not be granted.  Community projects are not always subject to this ruling.  Mr. Deakin requested copies of the correspondence to date.  The Parish Council will have to consider a village survey to see what the public’s views are on the provision of a new hall and what facilities etc. are required.

j)        Field, Drayton Road – the letter received from the owners is not correct by stating that this matter does not concern the council, under the Countryside Act the council could take action.  However, no further action will be taken at this time, but the situation will be monitored.

k)     NRCC Quiz – Entry form completed - a team to be assembled for 25^th September.

l)        Crime Prevention Officer – it was agreed to contact Janet Newton to discuss setting up a meeting.  It was agreed to ask her advice about format of meeting.

m)    Post, Wharf Road – plans are now in hand to remove this post.

n)      Areas of Responsibility – after discussion the following list was drawn up.

Cllr. Mr. F. Clark                    Snow Warden, Tree Warden, Flooding, Churchyard

Cllr. Mr. L. Sinclair                 Parish Land, Litter Bins, War Memorial

Cllr. Mr. J. Cobb                     Lay-bys, Seats, Notice Board

Cllr. Mrs. R. Whate                Footpaths, Bus Shelter, Lanes

Cllr. Mrs. A. Clark                  Roads and pavements, Playing Field,

Cllr. P. Beresford                    Village Hall

Cllr. Mrs. B. Barber                Church Laneham

Cllrs. F. Clark,Sinclair,Cobb Poor Close

It is hoped that parishioners will contact the relevant person if they have a problem to report regarding a specific area.

o)      Hill Garden – Letter received from Mr. C. Rawson stating that the situation is still not resolved within the family.

The meeting was closed for council business.

5.      PUBLIC DISCUSSION

The meeting was reopened after a few minutes.

6.      PLANNING APPLICATION

Plans and accompanying documents had been inspected.  The council noted it was a smaller development to the first application.    All councillors voted for approving the application.

7.      ACCOUNTS

Invoice received from Audit Commission for 2000/01 accounts.  £348.98 (000441) Payment was proposed by Cllr. Sinclair and seconded by Cllr. Mrs. Barber and unanimously approved for payment.

The 2001/02 accounts are now complete.  The Internal Audit has been done by Jane Holden, who had certified the accounts as correct.  A letter of thanks to be sent to Mrs. Holden, it was also proposed by Cllr. Mrs. R. Whate and seconded by Cllr.Mrs. B. Barber and unanimously agreed that a token of appreciation be given to Mrs. Holden.

The Clerk was also thanked for the work done on the accounts.

After completion of the Audit Submission form it was proposed by Cllr. F. Clark and seconded by Cllr. Mrs. R. Whate and unanimously agreed that the submission is signed and submitted to the auditors.  The appropriate notices in respect of the accounts have been posted. 

8.      CORRESPONDENCE

a)      Best Kept Village Competition – It was disappointing to note that Laneham has not progressed to the next round.

b)      Mr. Willoughby – letter received about a conversation overheard in the local pub which was read to the council.  The Chairman explained she had already spoken to Mr. Willoughby.  The public is invited to all Parish Council meetings where first hand knowledge of proceedings can be heard.

c)      Snow Warden – Cllr. F. Clark agreed to continue to act as Snow Warden.

d)      Three letters from Mr. A.M. Hardman – the letters were discussed, the first one has already been dealt with, and the third also refers to the same subject – the minutes of the “in camera meeting”.  The second one refers to the poison pen letters, and as the council has no control over these letters and is not involved in any way, it is felt a reply is not necessary.

e)      Request for Copy of Accounts – received from Mr. J. Hardman.  A proforma invoice to be sent for £1.50 to cover costs of photocopying and stamps.  When the money is received the accounts will be forwarded.

f)       N.A.L.C. – information received re AGM 2002.

- more information received re Racial Equality

- info. received re. Beacon Councils

- LCR re membership fees.  It was agreed to write to Cllr. Kerr suggesting any increases should be staggered to help out smaller councils and prevent larger increases in the precept.

g)      Moving On – conference at Nottingham on 1.10.02

h)      Bassetlaw Mind – a request for monetary contribution received.  It was agreed to review this at the end of the financial year.

i)        BDC – informed that an Enforcement Notice would be issued for the removal of the caravan at the rear of Butchers Arms.

j)        Footpath Sweeper’s Invoice – It was proposed by Cllr. Mrs. R. Whate and seconded by Cllr. F. Clark that the bill for £25.00 (000442) be paid.  This was unanimously agreed.

9.      A.O.B

a)      Cllr. Barber referred to Poison Pen letters and once again pointed out that the Parish Council does not have any control over these.

b)      Tin Skip – Cllr. F. Clark asked if any further news on the matter.  There is not.

c)       Footpath – Cllr. F. Clark reported a hole in the footpath between Melson House and Top Town Bridge.  NCC to be advised.

d)      Post Office -  any news?  The Chairman stated that she had recently spoken to the person interested who had heard that all new Post Offices must provide parking for customers and staff.

e)      Village Spring Clean – Certificate received from BDC for completing the spring clean.

f)        Grass Verge, Drayton Road – as this was not let this year, Cllr. Cobb pointed out it was quite long and wondered if it was too late for it to be made into hay.  The council agreed to offer it to Mr. Strickland.  Cllr. Cobb to contact Mr. Strickland.

g)      Dyke Flooding – after the recent heavy rain it was noted that the water was not getting through the under road drain to Moor Lane dyke.  Mr. Lightfoot to be informed.

h)      Footpath Sign -  Cllr. Cobb also pointed out this sign has not been repaired, NCC have confirmed it is in hand.

i)        Parish Land/Trent Bank –  Cllr. Cobb reported that the grass needs cutting, the Environment Agency is to be asked to do this.

j)        Lay-bys – more dumping has taken place in Stokeham Road lay-by.  After discussion it was decided to report this to the Environment Dept at BDC and also to contact NCC to try and arrange a site meeting to discuss ways of solving this ongoing problem.

k)      Seat – more vandalism has occurred to the seat at Top Town Bridge.  Cllr. Cobb agreed to repair if possible.

l)        Standing Orders – The Chairman suggested that the following statement be added to the Standing Orders – “Any correspondence sent to the Parish Council requesting action by the Council must be signed by the sender”.  This was proposed by Cllr. F. Clark and seconded by Cllr. Mrs. A. Clark, and unanimously agreed.

m)    Poor Close – the hedge is very high and in need of cutting.  Cllr. F. Clark stated that he would be arranging a meeting of the Poor Close Trustees and this is one matter that will be discussed then.

The Chairman stated “That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted it is advisable in the public interest that the public be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw”.  Cllr. Sinclair proposed and Cllr. F. Clark seconded that the members of the public should be asked to leave.  This was unanimously agreed and the Chairman asked the two members of the public to leave and confirmed that this would be the last item on the agenda. 

n)      Discussion then took place regarding a letter received by the council.  After this discussion a letter was then drafted to the solicitors.

The next meeting will be held on 9^th September, 2002.  The meeting closed at approximately 9.10 p.m.