Warsop Parish Council Meeting Minutes - 20 January 2003

Warsop Parish Council
Town Hall
Church Street
Warsop
Notts
NG20 0AL
01623 846011
E.mail tbarlow@warsop.gov.uk

MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 20th January 2003 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Market Warsop at 18.30 hours.

Present: Cllrs. A. Wetton - Chairman, J. Allin, B. Smith, E. Wright, D. Priest, D. Avison, R. Morton, C. Moon, S. Shields, C. Avison and V. Jennings.

Apologies for Absence: Cllr. H. Scott.

Also Present: Reporter from the CHAD
Peter Thom, Highways Manager, Nottinghamshire County Council
Several members of the Public

6811. DECLARATIONS BY MEMBERS OF PECUNIARY (P) AND NON-PECUNIARY (NP) INTEREST
The Chairman drew the attention of Members to the requirement for them to declare any Pecuniary or Non-Pecuniary Interests related to Agenda items.

CCTV/Warsop Landmark (NP) - Cllr. J. Allin
Warsop Footpaths & Countryside Group/Warsop Landmark/WEA Warsop Branch (NP)/Meden Valley Partnership (P) Cllr. C. Avison
Christmas Lights/Welbeck Colts/Warsop Carnival (NP) Cllr. A. Wetton
Warsop Landmark (NP) - Cllr. C. Moon
Meden Vale 2000 (NP) - Cllrs. S. Shields and R. Morton
Warsop Carnival Committee (NP) - Cllr. D. Avison
Meden Money Tree Credit Union (P) Cllrs. C. Avison and C. Moon
Warsop and Villages Enterprise Society WAVES (NP) - Cllrs. A. Wetton, J. Allin, C. Moon and B. Smith

6812. MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 25th November were accepted as a true record.

6813. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The meeting was adjourned to allow members of the public to speak. As several members of the public wished to speak the Chairman allowed extra time, the points raised where:

1. Sherwood Street road humps - several residents on Sherwood Street complained about the excessive noise they have had to endure since the road humps were put in, mainly from commercial vehicles going over the humps without reducing their speed.

2. One member of the public asked if the Parish Council had purchased the land known as Scrooges, if so, where had the Council got the money from, how did they intend to pay it back and what did they intend to do with the land.

3. One member of the public asked if the drug problem in Warsop is receiving the same attention as the drug problem in Mansfield.

4. One member of the public asked why the need for a new Health Centre in Warsop and why should it be across the road from the Town Hall.

Peter Thom, answered questions from the public and stated that since the road humps had been put in there had been no accidents. Whilst he sympathised with the residents he could not suggest an alternative, although he concluded that the situation did need addressing.

With the unusual amount of members of the public present, particularly about the road humps, The Chairman allowed participation with Councillors to take place.

The main points that came out of the discussions were that these particular type of road humps are inappropriate on Sherwood Street. The amount of commercial traffic that uses this road each day at all hours and the amount of noise they create is unacceptable, residents cannot sleep, have their windows open and carry on their everyday lives in their own homes. Concerns were raised that motorists are still speeding. Motorbikes, buses and commercial vehicles do not need to slow down at all. Motorists create problems for other road users when they park on them or close to them. Some motorists have been seen mounting the kerb to avoid them. The chicanes are a hazard because people are not willing to stop and race through them, again problems are created with people parking on or near them. Concerns were also raised about the vibrations affecting foundations of properties on Sherwood Street.

The Chairman commented that whilst the Parish Council were fully in favour of the traffic calming scheme, there were always concerns about Sherwood Street.

Several suggestions were made to Peter Thom, including a mobile Police unit to catch speed offenders, a flashing SLOW DOWN sign before the bridge, alternative humps, central reservations and speed cameras. Peter Thom replied that speed cameras were not an option as these are only put in when there is a high record of accidents.

Cllr C Avison concluded that the road humps were put in to reduce accidents and to take them out could result in an accident, no one disputed that, but the noise is a major issue and needs to be looked at. If there is an alternative, we need to look at it but assurance would be needed that it is equally effective.

Finally, the Chairman suggested to Peter Thom that Nottinghamshire County Council look at finding a solution to the noise problem and together with Cllr J. Allin thanked Peter Thom for attending the meeting.

The Chairman tried to close public participation but one member of the public insisted on raising another point, a relative who lives on Alexandra Street has a mortgage of £25,000 and has been offered £15,500 for her property from Mansfield District Council, she has 2 young children and has been offered a Council house for which she will pay rent and will still be left to pay the mortgage on a property she will no longer own. Councillor Eric Wright will look into this matter and report back to the lady.

THE MEETING WAS RECONVENED

6814. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Comments made regarding planning applications as follows:
b. Colliery Site, Shirebrook. Cllr C. Avison suggested inviting EMDA to a future Council meeting to give a talk about this project.
d. Moorfield Farm residential development - more information required.
e. Residential development rear of 19-23 Church Street - more information required.

6815. MATTERS ARISING OUT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Road Humps on Sherwood Street - covered under minute 6813 Public Participation.
Drugs problem in Warsop
Cllr C. Avison suggested contacting the Drugs & Alcohol Team to find out what provision is in place and what is being done.
The Chairman reported that the Nottinghamshire County Council's practitioners from Warsop and Meden Vale regarding sharps suggested that they could be handed in at the surgeries. Needle exchange to be moved forward, John Mann MP is supporting this but funding is required.
Cllr C. Avison suggested that SRB5 could provide funding for this and writing to Mansfield Strategic Partnership to ask what steps are being taken and is Warsop getting as much help as larger areas.
Cllr C. Moon reported that the YMCA are opening a hostel to take in young men, some of these will be rehabilitated drug users.
The Chairman agreed we should write and ask for support.

6816. MATTERS ARISING OUT OF MINUTES - None

6817. WARSOP AND DISTRICT NEWS
The Clerk reported that she had received several kind comments from members of the public, that the December and January Editions were much better. Distribution of the paper has now become better after reducing the rounds down, employing more deliverers and listening to complaints where papers were not being delivered. No complaints had been reported about the January edition. Cllr Dennis Priest reported that as far as he was aware papers are not being delivered on Perlethorpe Avenue, Meden Vale. The Clerk commented that she had a problem with the deliverer at Meden Vale and would have another word with him.

The Clerk also reported that the paper is going out further afield and now only approx 200 papers per month are being wasted, compare to 1,000 per month that were being wasted previously. The Clerk is also approaching other advertisers to increase the revenue even more. The paper is still far from "standing on its own two feet" but at least the shortfall has been decreased dramatically. The Clerk is also looking into the possibility of producing the paper "in house" but this will depend upon the requirements of the printer, whether more software would be required. More information, details and costings are to be presented at the next full council meeting in order that the Parish Council may make a decision as to the way forward.

Cllr Carol Moon suggested that the Clerk look for funding to help. The Clerk said that she had already pursued this avenue but had not found anyone who would provide funding for a newspaper, although in November, she did fill in a survey for Notts News to find out if there is a need for funding of community newspapers. Notts News have suggested that if they have a printing facility available for all community newspapers this could be done at a greatly reduced cost. As soon as anything more is decided with this project the Clerk will report back to the Parish Council.

6818. TOP CAT SITE
Chairman reported in answer to the member of the public's question that the Parish Council had purchased the land known as Scrooges with a loan from the Public Loan Works Board and intended to resell the land to pay back the loan but did not intend to make a profit. There are plans to have a new health centre but nothing is finalised as this hinges on other issues. If the plan does come to fruition that change would be beneficial to Warsop People, approximately 50 jobs would be created, a wider range of health facilities would be available and Sure Start would be able to come in. The Chairman also reported that lots of things are starting to happen in Warsop and we will start to see major improvements. Monies are being made available for improvement and will not cost the rate payer any more.

6819. HIGHWAY MATTERS
It was agreed that the issue of noise from the road humps must be addressed. The Clerk is to formally write to Peter Thom, Nottinghamshire County Council to look into alternative traffic calming measures, without jeopardising the reduction in accidents.

6820. WARSOP PARISH REGENERATION AGENCY
Minutes were circulated to all members and no comments were made.

6821. AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2002
a. Approval of Internal Audit. Unanimously agreed. The Clerk is to forward the Annual Return onto the external auditors, Hacker Young.
b. Approval of Draft Estimate in order to set the PRECEPT. 9 members in favour, Cllr C. Avison abstained for personal reasons and Cllr Eric Wright was against. The Clerk is to set the precept with Mansfield District Council.

6822. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Bargain Booze, confirmation that a licence has been applied for, planning approved for rear store and they will be opening in February.
b. E-mail from Harry Dempster - it was unanimously decided that the Clerk answer it
Cllr C. Moon asked that 2 items in Countylink be brought into Correspondence, Grant applications for War Memorials & Community Safety and suggested that the Clerk obtain more information.

6823. BANK BALANCES AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Lloyds TSB Current Account - 31 Dec 02 £16,353.26
Co-op Bank Current Account - 31 Dec 02 £3,591.46
Co-op Bank Deposit Account - 31 Dec 02 £20,930.37

It was agreed that the following accounts would be paid:
0001. Mousetrap Jan edition of W&DN…………………………£1,900.00
0002. NottsC.C Photocopying ……….……………………….. £122.85
0003. Hartwood Communications Domain Hosting & E-mail … £88.13
0004. Delivery of W&DN Feb edition …………………………. £165.00

6824. NALC and Associated Bodies
The Chairman reported that the membership fees had again increased to join NALC and was now £1,700.00. It was agreed this is an excessive amount and should be discussed at another meeting to decide whether to continue with membership.

6825. NOTTS COUNTY COUNCIL
a. Hetts Lane Infants School - Cllr. B. Smith reported that Eric Wright, due to illness no longer wished to pursue the vacancy of School Governor.
b. Netherfield Infants School - Cllr R. Morton offered to change his Govenor status to represent the Parish Council
As no nominations were put forward from Members of the Parish Council, it was suggested that the Clerk advertise these two positions in the Warsop News and ask the schools if they have any nominations.

6826. MANSFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Warsop Cenotaph - After a meeting earlier this week with Martyn Thurman, Andy Wetton, John Allin, Eric Wright, Gordon Bell, Dave Hooley and Tania Barlow it was decided that a presentation be put together regarding the renewal of the Carrs Car Park with a pathway leading to the Cenotaph and the area around the Cenotaph to be hard standing, also the wall around the Cenotaph is in a bad state and needs repointing and new railings to be put on the top. A request for funding will be presented to the Area Assembly initially. A request has been made from the British Legion to the Parish Council for two sets of railings around the plinths so that wreaths made be tied to them to prevent them ending up in the road when it is windy, The Chairman has requested a quotation for this and will present it at the next Finance & General Purposes meeting. It was agreed unanimously that this project must be moved forward as soon as possible to avoided problems at the next Rememberance service.
Cllr Carol Moon suggested that the Clerk see if we may be eligible for a War Memorial Grant as featured in the latest edition of Countylink.

6827. ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
Cllr C. Avison suggested that the 3 Parishes Walk be taken up by the Clerk and be advertised in the February Edition of the Warsop & District News. He suggested the date for the walk be set for the 3rd Sunday in May 2003.

Cllr J. Allin thanked the reporter from the CHAD for coming

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.50pm

6828. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING - Monday 17th February 2003

Signed …………………………………… Dated ……………………
Chairman Warsop Parish Council

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