Category Archives: Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Meetings from July 2012 onwards

Minutes of Meetings, Parish Council

Minutes of a Meeting of Gotham Parish Council (04/07/17)

Present: A. Clayworth, (Vice-Chairman), J.M.F. Royce, P. Bower, S. Kent, J. Youatt ,  G. May, M. Wilkins, J.P. Anderson, H. Taylor.

In Attendance:  Borough Councillor S. Matthews.

17/145: Election of Chairman:

Nomination: A. Clayworth: (Until May, 2018)

PROPOSED: J.M.F. Royce, SECONDED: G. May. Vote: All in favour.

A. Clayworth accepted the role of Chairman and thanked the Council.

The Chairman asked that the Standing Order rule of Councillors speaking for only three minutes on a subject, should be adhered to and interruptions announced by a raise of the hand and calling “point of order”.

17/146:  Election of Vice-Chairman: (Until May, 2018)

Nomination: J.P. Anderson.

PROPOSED: A. Clayworth. SECONDED: J.M.F. Royce. Vote: All in favour.

J.P. Anderson accepted the role of Vice-Chairman and thanked the Council.

17/147: Casual Vacancy:

A casual vacancy had arisen following the resignation of Councillor G. Hutter. A notice advertising the Casual Vacancy had been posted on the public noticeboard dated 3rd July, 2017.

17/148:  Apologies:   D. Bexon,  B.J. Walker., C. Dabell, County Councillor, A. Brown.

17/149: Acceptance of Apologies:

PROPOSED: J.P.Anderson  SECONDED: G. May. Vote: All in favour.

17/150: Report by County Councillor, A. Brown: (Apologies received)

17/151: Report by Borough Councillor, S. Matthews:

S. Matthews wished the new Chairman, A. Clayworth, well in his new role as Chairman of GPC.

He reported the following matters:

Changes regarding Rushcliffe Borough Council Planning Meetings whereby the Public are allowed to attend and voice an opinion.

RBC Planning Councillor, A. Pegrum, suggests cluster meetings of Parish Councils to share planning updates and issues. Available dates to be forwarded to S. Matthews and A. Pegrum. It was agreed, the Weldon Room would be a suitable venue for the meetings.
RBC are in the process of checking cladding on public buildings following the recent fire in London of a cladded high rise building. The newly cladded houses in Clifton are not in danger.

He will seek information on the sale of the RBL  site from A. Pegram.

S. Matthews left the meeting at 7.55 p.m.

17/152: Declaration of Interest:

Memorial Hall Trustees in any business pertaining to the Memorial Hall.

17/153: Minutes of the previous meeting:

Resolved: That the previously circulated Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 6th June, 2017 be accepted and signed as a true record of the business transacted with the following alterations:

Pg. 2: 2nd para: PROPOSAL: change wording to include ‘after a disagreement between two Councillors, G. Hutter left the 8.40 p.m.

PROPOSED: A. Clayworth SECONDED: J.P. Anderson Vote: seven in favour, one against.

Pg. 3. 17/130:  Finance: (end para). Alter ‘new software’ to ‘Monitor’.

Pg. 3. 17/132: (3rd para) Playground: add basketball and ‘football goal net’ to be replaced.

Pg. 4. 17/135: Village Seat: alter needs ‘relocation’ to cleaning and repainting’

Acceptance of amended Minutes: PROPOSED J.P. Anderson SECONDED: G. May. Vote: All in favour.

17/154: Progress from the Minutes: Nil to report.

17/155: Finance: Monthly Payments and Receipts:

1) Monthly Payments and Receipts

PROPOSAL: Acceptance of Payment and Receipts.

PROPOSED: J.M.F. Royce  SECONDED:  J.P. Anderson.

Vote: All in favour

2) Funds to be vired for Playground maintenance.

PROPOSAL: Authorisation for funds of up to £3,000 to be spent on Playground maintenance.

PROPOSED: M. Wilkins  SECONDED: G. May

Vote: All in favour.

17/156: Memorial Hall Report:

Playground and Maintenance:

Removal of concrete:

J.M.F. Royce had received three quotations for the removal of the former witches hat concrete circle.

PROPOSAL: Acceptance of the Horizon quotation of £1,550 (maximum price) to remove playground concrete as soon as possible. The depth of the middle concrete to determine the exact price. Extraction of basketball post included. J.M.F. Royce and the Clerk to draw up a letter of contract to send to Horizon.

PROPOSED: G. May  SECONDED: M. Wilkins. Vote: All in favour.

Swing seats:

J.M.F. Royce had received three quotations for the replacement of swing seats and chains.

PROPOSAL: Acceptance of the Town and Country quotation of £310 to fix two new galvanized chains with two black swing seats.

PROPOSED: J.P. Anderson  SECONDED: J. Youatt. Vote: All in favour.

Playground Maintenance Handover (formal agreement):

PROPOSAL: Playground Maintenance to be formally taken over from the Memorial Hall Trust to Gotham Parish Council.

PROPOSED: G. May  SECONDED: J. Youatt. Vote: All in favour.

Appointment of Playground Maintenance Project Manager: (to carry out work before the end of the summer and overseen by A. Clayworth).

Nomination: J.M.F. Royce’

PROPOSED: G. May  SECONDED: J. Youatt Vote: All in favour.

A small Committee has formed to undertake playground maintenance planning and execution.

Committee Members: J.M.F. Royce, P.R. Dines, M.F. Raven, C. Dines. Other members accepted.

Once new Playground equipment has been installed, a sinking fund to be accrued for ongoing maintenance.

New Memorial Hall/Recreation Ground Trustee to represent GPC:

Nomination: G. May.

PROPOSED: J. Youatt, SECONDED: S. Kent. Vote: All in favour.

17/157: Chairman of Planning and Development Committee:

J.P. Anderson confirmed that GPC Planning Committee had voted not to invoke an Asset of Community Value on the RBL site.

RBC Local Plan Part 2. Nil to report.

Neighbourhood Plan:

J.P.Anderson progressing the Neighbourhood Plan with the Open Space document drawn up with the help of parishioners walking the parish paths and drawing up a list of appreciated views along the routes.

17/158: Planning Decisions Received: Nil.

17/159: Planning Applications Received:

Ref: 17/01332/FUL – 12 Tomlinson Avenue – Rear/side extension to existing bungalow with pitched roof. Rear extension replaces existing.

PROPOSAL: NO OBJECTION

PROPOSED: J.P. Anderson SECONDED: J. Youatt Vote: All in favour.

17/160: Report by Chairman of the Environment Committee:

No meeting held in June, 2017.

Representatives to serve on the Gotham Countryside Trust:

Nomination: G. May.

PROPOSED: J.P.Anderson SECONDED: J.M.F. Royce. Vote: All in favour.

Nomination: S. Kent

PROPOSED: J.P. Anderson SECONDED: M. Wilkins. Vote: All in favour.

Speed Camera/Village Traffic Questionnaire:

During the recent traffic survey, it was apparent many vehicles were speeding through the village. There had been numerous complaints about speeding. GPC own and previously used  speed data recording equipment, currently stored at the home of Councillor B.J. Walker. J.P. Anderson offered to collect this equipment and check it for use.

Other traffic problems occur on Nottingham Road when parked cars obscure the view from Meadow End and Wallace Street making pulling out hazardous.

The Sun sandwich boards displayed in The Square, obscure the view of traffic travelling along Leake Road making pulling out of The Square hazardous.

PROPOSAL: To set up the mobile interactive speed sign along Leake Road, adjacent to Hill Road. (To be advertised on the village Facebook page).

PROPOSED:  J.P. Anderson  SECONDED: G. May  Vote: All in favour.

PROPOSAL: Meeting to continue to conclude the business on the Agenda.

PROPOSED: A. Clayworth  SECONDED: M. Wilkins. Vote: All in favour.

17/161: Clerk’s Appraisal:

A. Clayworth carried out the Clerk’s appraisal.

Result:  Documents to be saved as PDF files with serial number added at the end for identification.

17/162: Tape Recording Meetings:

PROPOSAL: For GPC to have the ability to record meetings for minute accuracy with the appropriate protocol in place. Draft protocol to be sent out to Council for approval before the next meeting, re use of tape recording.

PROPOSED: G. May  SECONDED: J.P. Anderson. J.M.F. Royce requested a recorded vote:

In favour: J.P. Anderson, G. May, S. Kent, H. Taylor, M. Wilkins, J. Youatt, P. Bower, A. Clayworth.

Against: J.M.F. Royce.

Conduct at Meetings:

Councillor conduct should be as per Standing Orders.

Sharing of Important Information before Meetings.

Important Emails should forwarded to all Councillors prior to the meeting. (Clerk to use email read/receipt).

17/163: Renewal of Appointment of Clerks Assistant, M.F. Raven:

PROPOSAL: M.F. Raven to continue to assist the Clerk for a further six months.

PROPOSED: J.M.R. Royce  SECONDED: H. Taylor. Vote: seven in favour, two abstentions.

17/164: Policing Matters/Vandalism:

Notts Police had advised that applications are to be made to the County Council for road closure permission prior to the Remembrance Day Parade. (this year the parade takes place in East Leake).

17/165: Gotham News and Media:

M. Wilkins thanked for his work on drawing up the July edition of Gotham News.

M. Wilkins warned his new job might call him away for long periods making the next production of Gotham News difficult to fit round his work schedule. G. May offered to chase contributors to the magazine. A. Clayworth offered to produce a Chairman’s Report for the next issue and is able to put the next issue together, if necessary.

17/166: Chairman’s Report:

A. Clayworth said he is on a steep learning curve having taken over Chairmanship of GPC so suddenly. He will turn to Vice-Chairman, J.P. Anderson for advice when needed. He hopes GPC will go forward in unity.

17/167: Clerk’s Report:

The Clerk had received notice from CPRE that GPC’s application for the Best Kept Village Competition – The Well House, had failed to reach the second round of the competition.

17/168: Cancellation of the August Meeting:

J.M.F. Royce suggested, GPC might need to meet on the last Tuesday of July if important issues occur.

PROPOSAL: To authorise J.M.F. Royce and the Clerk to pay bills during August. A meeting in late July to be held only if circumstances dictate.

PROPOSED: J.M.F. Royce SECONDED: J.P. Anderson. Vote: All in favour.

17/169: Matters to Report:

Kids Fun Run: J. Youatt reported, a playground fund raiser to take place on the 10th September, 2017.

Verge Mowing: H. Taylor reported poor verge mowing. He was advised that NCC carry out two verge mowing sessions during the summer.

Bollard: J.M.F. Royce reported, the bollard in The Square knocked over in a car accident, had not yet been replaced.

Council Training: G. May called for Councillors to attend training sessions when possible.

17/170: Items for Next Agenda:  Committee Structures, Policies.

17/171: Date of Next Meeting: The Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 5th September, 2017 at 7.30 p.m.

Meeting closed at 10.20 p.m

Minutes of Meetings, Parish Council

Minutes of a Meeting of the Environment Committee (16/05/17)

Members present: Councillors, C.Dabell G. May, J.M.F. Royce, P. Bower, S. Kent, J. Youatt.

1.     Election of Chairman:

Nomination: C. Dabell.

PROPOSED: J.M.F. Royce SECONDED: S. Kent.

C. Dabell thanked the Committee but refused the office of Chairman in favour of a younger face on the Council.

2nd Nomination: G. May.

PROPOSED: C. Dabell  SECONDED: P. Bower Vote: four in favour, one against, one abstention.

2.     Election of Vice-Chairman:

Nomination: P. Bower.

PROPOSED: G. May  SECONDED: S. Kent. Vote: four in favour, one against, one abstention.

3.     Apologies: D. Bexon, G. Hutter.

Acceptance of Apologies: PROPOSED: J.M.F. Royce  SECONDED: G. May. All in favour.

4.     Declaration of Interest: Nil.

5.     Minutes of previous meeting:

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Environment Committee, held on the 20th April, 2017 as previously circulated, be confirmed and signed as a true record of the business transacted, with the following amendment. Pg 2 item 11.   Autumn Bulb Planting: remove words ‘ten sacks’. It was agreed, this would be too many. Amount to be decided.

PROPOSED: P. Bower      SECONDED: G. May.  Vote: All in favour.

6.       Progress Arising from the Minutes:

Item 7. Dog Mess – Progress on signage: M. Wilkins had designed a batman style warning to dog users to clear up dog mess. Clerk to price lamination and production of twelve signs for display around the village.

5.     Flooding – Up to date progress:

The Clerk reported, RBC had confirmed acceptance of the grant for flood prevention equipment and £1,050 would be paid to GPC in due course.

J.M.F. Royce reported, the County Council had used a pressure hose to clear the culvert under Leake Road. The drain measures four feet in diameter. The dyke, adjacent to the New Rectory, is a foot higher than the bottom of the culvert so more digging out work needs to be undertaken to level it down to allow water to flow freely. Diesel from the bus depot has been allow to seep into the drain. NCT need to install a sludge trap.

The manhole, outside the bus depot, has been cleared.

Moor Lane drains – storm water has been diverted into sewer, a practice which needs reversing.

NCC not yet cleared the ditch next to Lowe’s field, adjacent to the Brickyard.

Monks Lane flooded recently due to an obstruction in the pipe. This requires a camera inserting to detect the blockage.

8.     Well House Refurbishment (Conclusion)

The Heritage Lottery Grant final payment had not yet been received.

The Clerk had entered the Well House into the CPRE Best Kept Village Competition 2017.

9.    Railway Walk – Long term planning – revised date of site meeting:

The site meeting to take place on Thursday, 1st June, 2017 at 7.30 p.m. meet outside the former Royal British Legion. (Clerk unable to attend).

10.   Village Seat repairs – progress

J.M.F. Royce reported, D. Urry progressing the Gypsum Way seat repair – cost £120 to repair the seat using treated soft wood. J.M.F. Royce to strim the long grass in front of the Gypsum Way seat.

D. Urry had quoted £265 to clear the visibility in front of the Cheese Hill seat and repair it. (J.M.F. Royce to clarify the amount of clearance of shrubbery to be undertaken).

PROPOSAL: Acceptance of the two quotations for village seat repairs, as above (with shrubbery clearance acceptable).

PROPOSED: G. May SECONDED: P. Bower. Vote: All in favour.

D. Healey in the process of repainting the village seats starting with the Village Sculpture seat. The next to be refurbished will be the two seats outside the old Post Office. (Agenda item at full Council).

The Clerk had asked NCC to price the removal of the dilapidated seat, opposite to the bus depot. J.M.F. Royce suggested the installation of a proper bus shelter in its place.

C. Dabell progressing numbered tags for village seat identification.

11.  Litter:

MacDonald’s restaurant at Clifton is causing extra littering along Nottingham Road.

12.  Progress  on Noticeboard Improvements:

M.Raven had drawn up a lengthy report re the need, plus some prices, for two metal frames on the existing wooden structure. The cheaper version was unsightly and the more attractive version too expensive.

C. Dabell to ask D. Urry for a written quotation. Depending on the cost, two other written quotations to be sought.

13.   Village Verges:

Some of the verges look very messy, especially the one on Nottingham Road against the former British Legion building. G. May to ask S. Watson who is responsible for mowing this verge.

The Village Sculpture verge not to be mown until June to allow bulbs to die back.

14. Matters to Report:

Play Equipment: J.M.F. Royce reported that he and M. Raven had removed a piece of play equipment due to its poor condition. Streetwise had noticed the broken equipment and would be advised of its removal. They could offer a quotation for its repair, if required.

CPRE Best Kept Village Competition 2017: The Clerk had entered the newly refurbished Well House into this competition.

13.   Date and Time of Next Meeting:

The next meeting will be held in the Weldon Room of the Memorial Hall on Tuesday, 20th June, 2017 at 8.30 p.m.

Meeting closed: 10.00 p.m.

Minutes of Meetings, Parish Council

Minutes of a Meeting of Gotham Parish Council (06/06/17)

Present: G. Hutter, (Chairman), A. Clayworth, (Vice-Chairman), J.M.F. Royce, P. Bower, S. Kent, J. Youatt ,  G. May, M. Wilkins, J.P. Anderson, D. Bexon,  B.J. Walker.

In Attendance:  County Councillor A. Brown,

17/123: Apologies: H. Taylor, C. Dabell,  County Councillor R. Adair, Borough Councillor S. Matthews.

17/124: Acceptance of Apologies:

PROPOSED: J.P.Anderson  SECONDED: B.J. Walker. Vote: All in favour.

17/125: Report by County Councillor, A. Brown:

County Councillor A. Brown reported the following items:

Councillor Brown has been re-elected to serve Notts County Council for a further four years with the second highest count in the County. Also serving on the Planning, Notts Fire Authority and Joint Strategic Transport Committees.

County Councillor Reg Adair appointed to Deputy Leader of Notts County Council.

A new flashing bus stop sign to be installed outside the Gotham Bus Garage instead of outside 5 Leake Road.

As arranged, the dilapidated public seat, opposite to Gotham Bus Garage, has been removed by NCC

Suggest a wooden bus shelter is installed to match to one outside the Bus Garage.

The NCC Traffic Survey, carried over a week in March 2016, had been handed to J.P. Anderson. Results show an 11% reduction in traffic since the opening of the A453.

The Local Mineral Plan will be reviewed. Nottingham currently have a 10 year supply of minerals.

Councillors A. Brown and R. Adair plan to work together joining forces to cover larger items.

The Council Community Fund remains in place and might be increased.

One million pounds has been pledged for Council road works to reduce pot holes, etc.

The 1960’s Class Building at the County Hall has been demolished. Discussions re the use of the site include a walkway for the public to access the River Trent embankment.

A complaint had been received re the Leake Road pavement which makes pushchair and  wheelchair pushing difficult.

A request in March,  for the clearance of two street gulleys in The Square had not yet been addressed.

The Chairman thanked County Councillor A. Brown for his attendance. He left the meeting at 8.00 p.m.

17/126: Report by Borough Councillor, S. Matthews: Nil.  (Apologies received).

17/127: Declaration of Interest:

Memorial Hall Trustees in any business pertaining to the Memorial Hall.

17/128: Minutes of the previous meeting:

Resolved: That the previously circulated Minutes of the Parish Council Annual meeting held on the 2nd May, 2017 be accepted and signed as a true record of the business transacted with the following alterations:

Pg. 3. 17/111:  Flooding Improvements: 4th sentence: remove ‘seeped into’ replace with ‘contaminated’.

Pg. 3. 17/112: Playgroup Improvements: 3rd sentence: remove ‘chain links from Wicksteeds’.

Pg. 5. 17/120: Matters to Report: reword 6th paragraph: J.M.F. Royce to renovate Cheese Hill seat.

Acceptance of amended Minutes: PROPOSED J.P. Anderson SECONDED: G. Hutter. Vote: All in favour.

17/129: Progress from the Minutes: Nil to report.

17/130: Finance: Monthly Payments and Receipts:

1. Monthly Payments and Receipts

PROPOSAL: Acceptance of Payment and Receipts.

PROPOSED: J.M.F. Royce  SECONDED:  B.J. Walker.

Vote: All in favour.

2. Approval of Audit 2016/17:

The Chairman read out the accounting statements and signed the Audit paper, endorsed by the R.F.O.

PROPOSAL: Acceptance of the Audit for year ending 31st March, 2017:

PROPOSED: J.P.Anderson SECONDED: B.J. Walker Vote: All in favour.

The Clerk reported, G. Stafford no longer willing to undertake the internal audit. A letter of thanks to be sent to him together with a gift, purchased by B.J. Walker.

3. Handelsbanken Change of Signatory:

PROPOSAL: J.P. Anderson to replace ex Councillor M.J. Sheppard as a third bank signatory at Handelsbanken.

PROPOSED: B.J.Walker SECONDED:  J.M.F. Royce

Vote: All in favour.

Application form completed for Clerk to submit.

4. Application for Grant in support of Gotham Fest:

The Clerk had received details of the skip hire and First Aid assistance, approximate cost – £500.

PROPOSAL: Invoices to cover the skip hire and first aid to be sent to GPC directly. Clerk to inform M. Lowe. PROPOSED: J.M.F.Royce SECONDED: G. May. Vote: All in favour.

New Monitor for Gotham News Layout £299. Cheque made out to M. Wilkins to cover these costs.

Scouts application for Great North Run – Agreed sum of £130 to be paid in October, 2017 following a successful Run in September.

17/131: Memorial Hall Report:

G. Hutter reported, a vinyl floor had been laid on top of the wooden one in the Memorial Hall main hall.

The Trustees to continue to pay for Playground insurance.

Playground and Maintenance:

J.M.F. Royce had drawn up a specification for removal of the former Witch’s Hat concrete circle which had been highlighted for removal by ROSPA. Suggestion to leave returfing of the area until September was considered unwise by Council. Three contractors had been contacted to carry out the specified work after Council’s approval. S. Kent suggested a methodology statement should be included within the specification.

Following a disagreement between two Councillors, G. Hutter left the meeting at 8.40 p.m.

PROPOSAL: J.M.F. Royce to alter the specification to include an earlier work commencement date, during June, and include a methodology statement. He would submit the tender to the three chosen contractors without further delay.

PROPOSED: A. Clayworth  SECONDED: G. May. Vote: nine in favour, one against.

The basketball white backboard to be retained – football goal net to be replaced.

Vice Chairman, A. Clayworth took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

Representative to serve on the Sports Arena Committee:

S. Kent volunteered to serve as a representative on the Sports Arena Committee.

PROPOSAL: S. Kent.

PROPOSED:  J. P. Anderson SECONDED: J. Youatt. Vote: All in favour.

Clerk to inform the Sports Arena Secretary, P. Dines.

17/132: Chairman of Planning and Development Committee:

J.P.Anderson reported, he had received notification from RBC that the former Royal British Legion site was being put on the market again. As GPC hold an Asset of Community Value, it could put a six month  moratorium on the site to allow a decision on its future to be considered.

J.P. Anderson had attempted, unsuccessfully to speak to the Agents handling the sale.

The site is in a state of dereliction.  An appeal to RBL to keep the site in a kempt state could be made.

NCC had recently mown the verges in front of the site.

PROPOSAL: To hold a Public Meeting to allow parishioners a say in the future of the former RBL site.

Agreed date: 27th June, 2017 at 7.30 p.m.  A house to house leaflet drop to be carried out advertising the date. (700  A5 leaflets to be printed by Temple Printers).

PROPOSED: J.P. Anderson  SECONDED: G. May. Vote: Nine in favour, one abstention.

RBC Local Plan Part 2.

The recent traffic survey carried out by GPC and other volunteers had been sent to D. Prior for analysis.

The main flow of traffic was from Nottingham through to East Leake.

The traffic survey should have commenced at 7 a.m. to catch early commuters.

RBC Preferred Option due in September, 2017.

Neighbourhood Plan:

A report had been received from Gotham School re current school numbers.

17/133: Planning Decisions Received: Nil.

17/134: Planning Applications Received:

Ref: 17/01238/FUL – 120 Leake Road – single storey rear extension. – to be discussed at the next Planning Meeting on the 20th June, 2017.

17/135: Report by Chairman of the Environment Committee:

Representative to serve on the Gotham Countryside Trust:

Nomination: G. May.

PROPOSED: A. Clayworth  SECONDED: J.P. Anderson. Vote: All in favour.

Village Seats: The remaining seat, opposite to Gotham Bus Garage, is unused and needs cleaning and repainting.

D. Healey currently carrying out rolling programme of village seat repairs and maintenance.

Well House: The last part of the Heritage Lottery Grant had been received. (£2610). GPC’s contribution to the Well House refurbishment totalled £5,800.

Railway Walk: Five Councillors attended the Railway Walk site meeting. Timetable of work to be drawn up.

Cemetery Sub Committee Meeting: Meeting held on the 16th May, 2017. J.P. Anderson to draw up a specification of the front row of graves to be straightened and tidied. Apron grass cutting to be monitored. Top end of Cemetery looking smarter due to work, undertaken on Orchard Street and pruning of the Leylandii. Some tidying to the top left hand side of the Cemetery to be specified.

Large yew tree showing some dead branches which need removal.

17/136: Flooding Progress Report: (This item to be removed from the main agenda).

There had been no more work carried out since last reported. The grant for sandbags not yet received. Sandbags have a life of between five and ten years and cost £5 each. Two hundred to be ordered for storage and distribution to householders. It is important to make individual householders aware of their own responsibility to store sandbags at their own property for easy and quick access.

PROPOSAL: Meeting to continue to conclude the business on the Agenda.

PROPOSED: A. Clayworth  SECONDED: M. Wilkins. Vote: All in favour.

17/137: Clerk’s Appraisal:

A. Clayworth to carry out appraisal on Monday, 12th June, 2017.

17/138: Policing Matters/Vandalism:

April crime figures received. Attempted vehicle break in.

B.J. Walker to attend a Police Priority Setting meeting in Tollerton on the 14th June, 2017.

17/139: Gotham News and Media:

M. Wilkins progressing the July edition of G.News. Copy date, 29th June, 2017. D. Bexon to proof read.

17/140: Chairman’s Report: Nil.

17/141: Clerk’s Report: Nil.

17/142: Matters to Report:

Interactive Bus Timetable: PROPOSAL: Interactive bus time table sign to be sited outside the Gotham Bus Garage.

PROPOSED: J.P. Anderson SECONDED: G. May Vote: All in favour.

Ridgeway Seat: J.M.F. Royce had strimmed around the Ridgeway public seat.

Next Meeting: B.J. Walker tendered her apologies for the next meeting.

17/143: Items for Next Agenda:  Cancellation of August meeting for Holiday. Policy: Tape recording meetings.

17/144: Date of Next Meeting: The Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 4th July, 2017 at 7.30 p.m.

Meeting closed at 10.15 p.m

Minutes of Meetings, Parish Council

Minutes of the Gotham Parish Council Annual Meeting (02/05/17)

Present: Councillors, G. Hutter, B.J. Walker, M. Wilkins, J.M.F. Royce,  J.P. Anderson,  H. Taylor,

A. Clayworth, J. Youatt, P.Bower, G. May.

17/96: Appointment of Chairman for the ensuing year: (2017-2018).

It was moved by J.M.F. Royce, seconded by J.P. Anderson and duly carried by unanimous vote, that G. Hutter be appointed Chairman for the ensuing year. G. Hutter thanked the Council, agreed to serve as Chairman and signed the Acceptance of Office form, endorsed by the Clerk.

17/97: Appointment of Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year: It was moved by G. Hutter, seconded by J.P. Anderson that A. Clayworth be appointed Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year. A. Clayworth thanked the Council and agreed to serve as Vice-Chairman.

17/98: Apologies: Councillors, S. Kent, D.Bexon, C. Dabell, County Councillor, A. Brown, Borough Councillor, S. Matthews.

17/99: Acceptance of Apologies:

PROPOSED: J.M.F. Royce  SECONDED: B.J. Walker. Vote: All in favour.

17/100: Report by County Councillor A. Brown (Apologies received).

17/101: Report by Borough Councillor S. Matthews (Apologies received).

17/102: Declaration of Interest: Nil.

17/103: Appointment of Committee Members/4 Trustees for the Memorial Hall/Recreation Ground Trust:

Nominees to act as Trustees of the Memorial Hall/Recreation Ground 2017/18

D.Bexon, G.Hutter, A.Clayworth, S. Kent.

Finance Committee Members:

J.M.F.Royce, Gill Hutter, B.J.Walker, J.P.Anderson, G. May.

Planning & Development Committee Members:

J.P.Anderson,  B.J.Walker,  A.Clayworth, G.Hutter, H.Taylor, M. Wilkins, J.M.F. Royce.

Environment Committee Members:

C.Dabell, G.Hutter, J.M.F.Royce, D.Bexon, P. Bower, S. Kent, G. May, J. Youatt.

Cemetery Sub-Committee:

J.P.Anderson, D.Bexon, C.Dabell, G. Hutter, J.M.F.Royce, P. Bower, J. Youatt

PCC Representatives: D. Power, A. Farnsworth.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman are ex officio members of all Committees and sub-Committees   of GPC.

17/104: Appointment of Members for Working Parties/Groups:

Sports Arena Management Committee:

J.P.Anderson. (one other representative required, June agenda).

Gotham News Editorial.

G. Hutter, D.Bexon, M. Wilkins,  B.J.Walker.

Parish Representatives: L. Third, L. Wilkins, H. Trobridge.

Gotham Website.

(Webmaster – S. Butler)

Gotham Countryside Trust:

G.Hutter and one other. To be decided.

Snow Warden:

J.M.F. Royce

17/105: Appointment of Delegates/Representatives:

N.A.L.C:                                           B.J.Walker/Clerk

Parish Paths Partnership:               C.Dabell, to assist ex Councillor, K.G. Thorpe.

Police Liaison:                                   D.Bexon, B.J.Walker.

Police Priority Setting Meetings:  B.J.Walker, D. Bexon

C.P.R.E:                                               B.J.Walker, Clerk

Flood Representatives:                  G. Hutter, J.M.F. Royce.

Playground Representatives:        G. Hutter, J. Youatt, J.M.F. Royce.

Sports Arena Representatives:     J.P. Anderson (one more required).

Gotham Country Trust:                  one representative required.

PROPOSAL: To accept the list of Councillors to serve as representatives on the aforementioned Committees.

PROPOSED: G. Hutter  SECONDED: J.M. F. Royce. Vote: All in favour.

17/106: Minutes of the previous meeting:

Resolved: That the previously circulated Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 4th April, 2017, be accepted and signed as a true record of the business transacted.

PROPOSED: B.J. Walker SECONDED: J.M.F. Royce. Vote: All in favour.

Progress from the Minutes:

17/80: Application for £500 Gotham Fest Grant (M. Lowe). No expense figures received, to date.

17/85: Cemetery Sub-Committee: Meeting to be re-arranged for a date in May.

17/107: Finance Acceptance of Receipts and Payments for May, 2017. :

PROPOSED: J.P. Anderson  SECONDED: G. May. Vote: All in favour.

Software for M. Wilkins for Gotham News production:

PROPOSAL: To authorise M. Wilkins to purchase an appropriate software package to produce Gotham News.

PROPOSED: G. May  SECONDED: G. Hutter. Vote: All in favour.

PROPOSAL: Payment of £299 plus VAT for a computer monitor suitable for the production of Gotham News.

PROPOSED: J.P. Anderson  SECONDED: G. May Vote: All in favour.

Scouts’ funding application:

A sponsorship application had been received for a Gotham Scout leader to undertake the thirteen mile Great North Run in support of Gotham Scouts.

PROPOSAL:  To Sponsor the Gotham Scout leader up to £10 per mile. (£130).

PROPOSED: J.M.F. Royce  SECONDED: G. May Vote: All in favour.

17/108: Report by Chairman of Planning and Development Committee:

J.P. Anderson reported, the April planning meeting had been cancelled. An emergency meeting to discuss the Neighbourhood Plan to be held on the 5th May, 2017 at 2.30 p.m. Ken Mafham to attend.

17/109: Planning Applications Received:     Nil.

17/110: Planning Decisions Received:

17/2: (ref: 17/00340/FUL) 14 Nottm Rd. – Single storey rear extension. GRANTED

17/3: (ref: 17/00475/FUL)  21 Wallace St. – Single storey side and rear extension GRANTED

17/4: (ref: 17/00426/FUL)  14 Meadow End – Single storey rear extension and raised patio (retrospective)                                                                                                                                                      GRANTED

17/111: Report by the Chairman of the  Environmental Committee: (C.Dabell)

Railway Walk: A site meeting to take place on Sunday, 14th May, at 10 a.m. to discuss a three year work schedule to assist with budgetary requirements.

Swing Sign: The mobile swing sign had been removed and a discussion with the business concerned had included advice re available advertising opportunities. There had been a suggestion of holding village gala but, as this had been discontinued due to lack of helpers, G. May had suggested the Gotham Fest had been a successful village event in 2016.

Diamond Cable Box: The Clerk had reported the damaged diamond cable box and wobbly manhole cover, outside the old Post Office.

Daffodil bulbs: The Clerk will order daffodil bulbs during August 2017 to fill in the bare spaces around the village verges.

The Square paving: Some of the paving slabs in The Square require attention. Clerk to report to NCC to seek a quotation for relaying.

Litter and leaves: Litter and leaves collected under the seats outside the old Post Office. Clerk to report to D. Healey for removal.

The Square, new trees: J.M.F. Royce agreed to water the two new trees in The Square.

Strawberry Wood: Undergoing overdue coppicing and clearance under the guidance of the Forestry Commission and RSPB. Hopefully, the wood will be restored to its former glory.

Flooding Improvements: Still awaiting the outcome of the application for an RBC grant for sandbags, etc.

British Gypsum have supplied a list of emergency telephone contacts. The Council have partially cleared the culvert under Leake Road revealing a toxic mix of old diesel, branches and leaves. More work to be undertaken. The foul water has contaminated the newly formed ditch alongside the New Rectory. G. Hutter to keep pressing for work on the Moor Lane storm drain with the assistance of County Councillor A. Brown, if necessary. K. Emery to visit the next flood meeting in Gotham.

17/112: Memorial Hall Report from GPC representatives:

G.Hutter reported the next meeting of the Trustees will take place on Tuesday, 9th May, 2016.

Playgroup Improvements: The Playgroup committee is awaiting a quotation from Produlic for new equipment and playground plan. Next meeting to be held on the 8th May, 2017.

J.M.F. Royce and G. Hutter undertook a playground inspection. Regular maintenance checks can be undertaken by commercial companies, if necessary.

A decision on the removal of the concrete and replacement flooring to be made on the 8th May.

The newly laid concreted seat base has been vandalised over the weekend.

A play equipment grant from Veolia is not available due to criteria boundary changes.

17/113: Standing Orders Review:

J.P. Anderson and J.M.F. Royce had carried out further work on the Standing Orders previously circulated to Council. Suggested changes to the Standing Orders had been issued to Councillors prior to this meeting.

PROPOSAL: En block acceptance of the updated changes to Standing Orders to be incorporated by the Clerk.

PROPOSED: J.P. Anderson SECONDED: G. May  Vote: All in favour.

17/114: Clerk’s Appraisal:

Date of Appraisal – 12th June, 2017 at 10.00 a.m. at the home of the Clerk. A. Clayworth to undertake appraisal.

17/115: Policing Matters/Vandalism:

March crime figures show two non-dwelling burglaries.

NALC have warned parishioners to report sightings, to the Police, of hare coursing, and illegal poaching.

17/116: Gotham News and Media:

M. Wilkins called for copy for the July edition of Gotham News. Clerk to remind clubs and social groups to send in stories.

Advertisement invoices to be issued during May.

G. Hutter to ask M. Lowe for news of the next Gotham Fest.

17/117: Report on Annual Parish Meeting – 25th April, 2017

The Annual Parish Meeting was attended by forty five parishioners.

The meeting included a report by Chairman, Councillor G. Hutter with the refurbishment of the Well House and successful Heritage Day the two key events during 2016.

Councillors Andrew Brown and Stuart Matthews and a police officer were in attendance to answer questions.

Several village organisations read their reports and others displayed photographs and reports on the available panels.

The evening ended with refreshments provided by the Parish Council.

17/118: Chairman’s Report:

G. Hutter suggested sending the draft minutes of all committee meetings to all Councillors. The minutes to be forwarded for storage on a cloud with link access.

The Well House has not yet received an electrical certificate which G. Hutter has progressed at a cost of £50. The report shows a problem with the fuses which will be rectified.

No response from M. Goodwill-Hodgson re the absence of an electrical certificate.

17/119: Clerk’s report:

The Clerk will be on holiday from the 27the May to the 2nd June, 2017.

The Clerk had almost completed the audit papers for the year ending 31st March, 2017.

17/120: Matters to Report:

J.P.Anderson suggested Councillors inspect the newly cut back orchard next to the Cemetery. The view has opened up significantly.

The next Cemetery Sub-Committee meeting to be held in the Cemetery at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 16th May, 2017.

B.J.Walker submitted her apologies for absence at the Planning Meeting on the 16th May, 2017 at 7.30. p.m.

M.Wilkins reported, reported road pot holes are being filled in very efficiently and quickly by the Council.

P.Bower reported vandalism with broken glass at the back of the former RBL building. No news of a buyer, to date.

J.M.F. Royce to renovate Cheese Hill seat.

D. Healey to undertake seat painting beginning with the village sculpture seat.

H. Taylor suggested all meetings commence at 7 p.m. It was agreed, many Councillors would find a 7 p.m. start too early after returning from work. 7.30 p.m. start to remain unless visitors or presentations on the agenda when the start time is 7 p.m.

17/121: Items for Next Agenda:. Audit 2016/17, Flood report.

17/122: Date of Next Meeting: The next Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 6th June 2017 at 7.30 p.m.

The Meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.

Minutes of Meetings, Parish Council

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting (26/04/16)

Present:           Thirty parishioners, including Gotham Parish Council members: M.J. Sheppard (Chairman), J.M.F. Royce, J.P. Anderson, H.Taylor, G.Hutter,  M.Wilkins, B.J.Walker.

 

  1. Welcome: The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

  1. One Minute’s Silence:

The Chairman requested that the meeting stand for one minute’s silence in memory of those who had fallen in the Two World Wars and for whom this Recreation Ground and Memorial Hall had been donated, in their memory after the 1914-18 war.

 

  1. Apologies: Councillors C. Dabell, G. Holbrook, A. Clayworth, D. Bexon.

 

  1. Acceptance of Minutes of Parish held on the 28th April, 2015.

The Minutes of the Gotham Annual Parish Meeting held 28th April, 2015, were authorised for approval.

PROPOSED: J.M.F.Royce SECONDED: B.J. Walker  Vote: All in favour.

 

  1. GPC Chairman’s Report (M.J. Sheppard).

At the last Annual Parish Meeting in April 2015, Alan Towle addressed the meeting suggesting that the Royal British Legion would make an excellent enlarged shop and include the Post Office. The meeting voted with a show of hands their approval. A group of parishioners under John Anderson volunteered to join the Steering Group’ who would come up with proposals and prepare a bid. A great deal of hard work was done by John and the team, a company was formed and registered, bank account opened, share offer documents were distributed, and much work done to raise essential funds. The project was abandoned on 4th March, all funds have since been returned.

The Biblical story of David and Goliath sadly wasn’t to be repeated in the High Court in London last April. After all the hard work put in by John Anderson, our planning consultant Ken Mafham and Julian Coles Barton parish council (were DAVID), preparing the case to challenge Nottingham City Council, Broxtowe and Gedling Councils (were GOLIATH) in the Judicial Review of the Aligned Core Strategy. It was reported by those attended the hearing, that our barrister Richard Tearney, a leading barrister in this field, made a very strong case. The defence barrister for the opposition on the other hand was weak and ineffective. However the Judge ruled in their favour; no doubt his career progression to the upper echelons of the judiciary might have closed if he had ruled in another direction!

So the large swathe of prime agricultural land from Lark Hill, with it’s magnificent view of the landscape unfolding to the South will become a miasma of houses, large warehouses, buildings of various shapes and sizes, concrete and tarmac etc.. adjoining the Clifton estate and stretching down to the Fairham Brook and creeping nearer to Gotham …. Not a pleasant prospect, we will await the plan.

The Parish Council have decided to retain the services of Ken Mafham to challenge aspects of the plan which we consider unacceptable, and any other developments which might threaten our village. John will report on all this later

The A453 since it opened has relieved us of the rat-running in the morning and evening rush hours. However, with the frenetic house building that’s happening in East Leake currently; there is approval for over 800 more houses, that’s about the size of Gotham!  We must keep a watchful eye on the additional traffic that will come through our village from the speed and safety aspect.

A danger spot in the village now is the Kegworth Road junction with Nottingham Road, traffic doesn’t legally have to stop at this junction, it is supposed to ‘Slow’ – but that doesn’t always happen. With cars parked on both sides of Nottingham Road, and more customers visiting Spar, and pedestrians crossing the road. We will have to keep that under review too.

There is no doubt, that the tram is a boon for anyone going into Nottingham, more people from East Leake and Gotham are using it now, with the facility of parking cars at Lark Hill.

Before Christmas, we had a ceremony to switch on the Christmas tree lights, featuring Batman and Batgirl. We were fortunate to recruit Owen Trickett (Batman) and Paige Lowe (Batgirl) this was the evening after the they had appeared in the enjoyable Robin Hood pantomime. Councillor Harry Taylor drove them round the village in his open vintage D B Lagonda to attract attention. It was very well received by everyone; this is a definite pre-Christmas feature which will be repeated this year.

Because of the appalling weather on the day of the Carol sing-song, I rang the Rev Richard Coleman at lunch time, and he invited us to stage the ‘sing-song’ in the Church. During the afternoon, seats were cleared to the side, and he he spent hours before the event inputting the words of the carols into the church computer, which were then projected onto the screen. The Phil Reckless group were set up in the choir. It all worked out very well. Santa gave the children chocolates as they left. Businesses and individuals in the community had kindly given financial support for what is now a regular pre-Christmas event. It was a very successful evening again; and that this year the event will be held in St. Lawrence Church, unless the weather is mild and no wind, and we might hold it outside as before.

GOTHAM NEWS:- As copies of the East Leake Parish magazine have appeared in the Spar shop, I delivered 30 copies of Gotham News in November to the East Leake Library, which they were happy to receive; and they’ve had 30 copies of the latest edition too; we send 2 copies each to Barton, Thrumpton and Kingston. The Editorial Team decided to increase the advertising rates with effect from January 2016.

Please let me have any news of your groups, and other items of interest; reading about it in the GN may help to generate further interest. It also helps to inform the community of activities in the village which they may not know about but would be interested in.

Gotham Remembers its fallen in the Great War, is a popular feature in each edition; it is well written and interesting, a good deal of hard work goes into this by the team, Peter Inskeep, Pat Dines and Fraser Royce.

I like to feature achievements and news of sportsmen in our community, it hopefully helps to increase interest and membership of the clubs and encourage the younger competitive members of the village.

It would be good to cover all activities in turn eventually. I hope you enjoy this three times a year read; I try to keep a balance between copy and advertising. It is important to let me have your copy and pictures by the copy date, the copy date for the next edition is Friday 17th June. I have posted the advertising rates on the panels at the back of the Hall if you or your group wish to advertise.

In conclusion, I would like to say a personal thank you to all those of you who help with the various activities we have in the village without your help we would not be able to enjoy many of these things.

Finally, I have been asked to mention

West Bridgford Singers Concert in St Lawrence Church

Friday 10th June. Tickets £8 to include Pimms and Nibbles.

Some of the songs will in celebration of Queen’s birthday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Finance Officer’s Report: (J. Raven).

 

Gotham Parish Council Financial Report:  Year Ending 31st March 2016

 

Full income and expenditure accounts for the year ending 31st March, 2016 will be available for inspection from the 14th July, 2016.

Memorial Hall Car Park: The Parish Council, in conjunction with the Trustees of the Memorial Hall, shared costs to re-surface most of the car park and renew drains. The final payment of £825 was made in June 2015:  .

Cemetery Development: Ongoing improvements to the Cemetery have included regular mowing by Horizon Contractors and gardening at a cost of £2,469.

Green Belt Campaign: Our ongoing fight to save Clifton Pastures has continued in conjunction with Barton, Clifton and Thrumpton with costs shared. Gotham’s share last year: £11,457.75. This figure included the costs incurred by taking the Notts City Council Aligned Core Strategy to Judicial Review.

Well House Refurbishment: During the year, the Council has undertaken structural advice on the state of the Well House at a cost of £715. Ongoing improvements are underway with the bulk of the cost, hopefully,covered by the Heritage Lottery Grant.

Railway Walk Maintenance: Continuing improvements to the Railway Walk following last year’s vandalism, a replacement post and wire fence, to match the opposite one alongside the Brickyard Track, was installed at a cost of £360.

Village Defibrillator: After much discussion on the siting of a second village defibrillator, the Bus Company kindly removed the inside defibrillator to the outside wall and shared the costs of a cabinet. The Parish Council cost was £327.

Royal British Legion Site: At this meeting last year it was voted to try and secure the Royal British Legion Site with an Asset of Community Value order. This being successful, costs were incurred by the specially formed management committee to attempt to secure the site – £2,499. These costs have been fully covered by Charitable Grants.

Gotham Remembers: Articles appearing in Gotham News to remember Gotham’s war dead. £539.

Gotham News Costs: Production of Gotham News this year: £1,234.

Play Equipment – £862

 

Good causes supported in 2015/16:

Carol Singing for Christmas: £50

Church Clock: annual service: £190

Royal British Legion civic wreath:  £250.00.

DARE T Shirts. (Drugs Awareness Course at Gotham School). – £95

Gotham Rangers – £130

Barn Owl Project – £100

Grant towards publication of Gotham News: £650.

Bus Company charity mountaineering climb – £100

Cricket Club mowing and annual grant – £1,375.

Bowls Club annual grant – £900

 

Subscriptions paid in 2015/16:

Notts Footpath Association – £5

Notts Wildlife Trust – £33.

Information Commissioner’s Office: £35

C.P.R.E. Subscription – £36

Society of Local Council Clerks-  membership: £103

National Association of Local Councils: £263

 

  1. Report from County Councillor A. Brown:

In 2017 the Soar Valley Division will become Ruddington and Leake Division and comprise of two Councils with two Councillors. There is a reduction of Councillors from the current sixty seven to sixty six. This equal number might mean that nothing gets decided!

I am now a member of the Economic Development Committee (bringing new businesses to the area) and the Crime and Police Committee. An Election will take place for the postion of Police Commissioner and the two candidates are Tony Harper and Paddy Tipping.

My Councillor Fund is shared between eleven villages. This year, Gotham received a donation towards its defibrillator and the Well House refurbishment.

The rewidening of the A453 has been a great success. The Lorry Watch is supposed to deter lorries from travelling through villages. If you spot a lorry travelling through Gotham, go to the County Council website to report which road it is travelling along and details of the lorry involved. If later proven that this lorry is not supposed to be in the village, Trading Standards can impose a £1,000 fine on the driver.

A petition, with 64 signatures, drawn up by riding stables and householders along The Ridgeway re speeding traffic, was handed to me to present to the County Council at a meeting on the 25th February, 2016. A traffic survey was carried out on the straight road length within the 40mph. limit northwest of the Bunny Lane junction. The peak hours 85th percentile speeds travelling southeast were 43.9 mph. – 44.4 mph. with flows varying from 264 – 342 vehicles per hour. This meets the traffic flow but not the speed criteria for a permanent interactive speed sign. Northwestbound, the speeds in the peak hours were 48.2 mph. – 48.5 m.p.h. with flows of 257 – 387,  this meets both criteria. The site will, therefore, be considered for a future interactive speed sign programme. Cost £15,000. The carriageway surface is aesthetically poor with numerous areas of repairs and some fretting of the surgace course. The carriageway is included in the 2016/17 surface dressing programme. There is no definite start date but work should be completed during July – September, 2016.

The Kegworth Road junction with Nottingham Road has funding in place for improvements.

Fly tipping on Soldiers Lane reported. Soldiers Lane is an official bridleway.

The Recycling registration rule may cause increased levels of fly tipping.   

 

  1. Report from Borough Councillor Stuart Matthews. Apologies received.

 

  1. Report from Parish Councillor John Anderson, Chairman Planning Committee:

Councillor John Anderson thanked Andrew and Stuart Matthews for regularly attending Gotham Parish Council meetings. They had both worked very hard on Gotham’s behalf.

Clifton Pastures: Not a lot has happened recently. The Oxalis plan was two years ago and no further application has been forthcoming. David Mitchell of RBC has stated further work on Section 106 and traffic issues are still under discussion. Further archeological work undertaken and we await a report. The viability report is also awaited and then a consultation will take place with Parish Councils.

Ken Mafham is of the opinion that this is a landowner driven iniative and there is no demand for housing – as not easy to find a developer willing to take it on. Nottingham City hasn’t expanded as previously expected. RBC has been caught out as it has yet to produce a five year building plan. RBC turned down a small development of houses in Aslockton but the developer won the appeal as RBC couldn’t prove a five year housing plan meaning they are in the developer’s hands. We will find out when a new housing planning application comes out and we will take note of the traffic issues.

Notts Core Strategy and RBC Core Strategy ignored Leicestershire and the planning hub at Junction 24 of the M1 so huge developments there which will be felt by RBC. Gotham will also be affected by traffic from the eight hundred new houses under construction at East Leake.

Gotham Parish Council will retain Ken Mafham’s help. He will assist the Council in obtaining the very best outcome of any future building. The Council will also continue to work alongside Barton and Thrumpton on these matters.

Colin Raynor continues to challenge Nottingham City housing numbers. The student demand for houses has dropped considerably. Chilwell barracks has closed allowing eight hundred houses to become available.

 

The Barton Sand and Gravel site objection was supported by Gotham Parish Council. In December, the Mineral Local Plan did not include Barton. This was possible because of the lack of house building on Clifton pastures when a sand and gravel supply would have been useful. Some people are still pushing for the sand and gravel site.

The archeological report has not shown any dinosaurs but a medieval settlement was uncovered.

Local Plan Part Two: Gotham status in a green belt envelope and supported by Gotham Parish Council. Responses available on the internet.

Gotham Housing Survey: The Housing Survey shows support for between ten and eleven affordable houses and some three to four bedroom houses. The Parish Council support this so we need to identify a suitable piece of land. Waterloo Housing is in talks but finding it difficult to find a suitable site. We are in meetings with St. Gobain who might or might not allow us to have the land behind the former Royal British Legion site at £10,000 per plot. They have indicated that they are interested in their land South of the village to develop it into working sites.

Neighbourhood Plan: (Parish Plan undertaken in 2006). A Neighbourhood Plan is the latest version as part of a legal structure for planning. It has to work within the Local Plan with limitations but can identify village needs and architecture, etc. Is it time for Gotham to do one?

There is financial support available but we need people to come forward and volunteer to help. If you are interested please contact me.

Royal British Legion Site: Eighteen bids to purchase the site were received. Unfortunately, Gotham Parish Council wasn’t one of them. We will find out the successful bidder but it may take a while for the Royal British Legion to decide. Three Parish Councillors met with their Agent and made him aware of Gotham’s desires for the site. He was of the opinion that RBL would sell for the highest price. I am disappointed that the Community Hub failed but thank you for supporting it to the tune of £200,000. An outstanding result.

 

Half Hour Break for Refreshments and to have a chance to read the information boards at the back of the hall. Articles supplied by many village organisations.

 

P.C.S.O Cathy Lucock addressed the meeting with a report of recent activities regarding Notts Police. P.C. Kelly Warwick is no longer responsible for our area. It is now the job of P.C.S.O’s to report crime. The area includes East Leake, Ruddington and the Soar Valley villages. It has not been the best year in Gotham regarding crime with an increase in thefts of and from motor vehicles. It is always unwise to leave valuables on show in the car. Sheds, especially on allotments, have been targeted for theft and garden machinery stolen from houses along The Ridgeway. It has become a ‘right of passage’ for boys in the 14/15 age range to have been seen capable of thieving these kind of items. This has resulted in an increase in police patrols.

If you need to report an incident, please ring 101 and press the 2nd option. The control room will send the nearest police car to the scene of the crime. Contact details also available via the website. Gotham has been listed at the Police Priority Setting meetings as a priority for garden shed crime. It is advisable to sign your email address up to the Neighbourhood Alert System which spreads the word of ongoing crime to Rushcliffe South, Keyworth, Radcliffe and Bingham.

 

P.C.S.O. C. Lucock left the meeting at 8.35 p.m.

 

  1. Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebrations:

Peter Phillips is in charge of arranging a street party along The Mall with invitations to all the Queen’s charities on the 9th June, 2016.

 

Gotham will hold a celebration which could include a picnic in the park, fancy dress, maypole dancing, rounders match, special tree planting in The Square. A suggestion box will be placed inside the Spar shop and I urge you to contribute an idea or two.

 

  1. Defibrillators: Wallet sized information cards passed around the audience with advice on how to access the defibrillators.
  2. Hutter has kindly take on the duty of regular checks on the defibrillators to ensure they are in good working order. If an incident occurs and you suspect a heart attack victim:
  3. Ring 999 who give a code number for opening the defibrillator cabinet.
  4. Access the defibrillator. The Ambulance Service instructs you what to do next with a recorded message.

If not required, replace the defibrillator inside the box and Gill Hutter will check it is in the correct order.

 

  1. Any Other Business:

Well House: G. Hutter announced the successful outcome of the application from the Heritage Lottery for Well House refurbishment funding. Some changes to the building will see its original features of 1862. This will include the stanchions supported on plinths. The provision of seating inside will be smaller and, with the removal of the dais, allow access for wheelchairs and push chairs. The banding of roof tiles is to be re-introduced.

Thanks to all those people who signed the petition and wrote letters of support for the Heritage Lottery funding and to the Countryside Trust for funding the replacement finial. Other financial support was received from County Councillor Andrew Brown, Borough Councillor Stuart Matthews, Eon,, British Gypsum, Dr. Gerrard’s Trust, Sally Hudson and Gotham Parish Council. Individual donations provided one third of the funding with the Heritage Lottery, two thirds. Information boards will be installed into the roof of the Well House to include the history of the village, Church, Nature Reserve, Tales of Gotham, Gypsum mines, Batman connection. Thanks to the Gotham History Society for a wealth of information.

 

The opening of the newly refurbished Well House will take place at a Heritage Day. We need a team of volunteers to help with the organise the proceedings. We are joining with the Bus Company who celebrate ninety years of business and St. Gobain. Once again, the History Society will assist with historical scenes and a photographic exhibition.

 

The Chairman thanked Gill Hutter for her hard work on the Well House project and she received a round of applause.

 

M.J.  Sheppard reported, he had written to Earl Howe, whose forebears built the original Well House and laid a drain from the Weldon Spring to provide Gotham with, easier to access, water. The Earl had responded to my letter containing the official letter of GPC ownership of the Well House. He has also been invited to unveil the newly refurbished Well House in September. The refurbishment work should take place during the summer. The Heritage Day will be professionally advertised with interest already received from BBC TV.

 

Tithe Barn: Kevin Thorpe had received notice, from Notts City Transport, of an opportunity to view inside the Tithe Barn. Please contact Kevin, if interested.

 

Four years ago, Greg Farnsworth created a Heritage Trail to include Cheese Hill and the Tythe Barn. The trail takes two hours’ to walk and involves six Heritage Boards along the route.

 

Village Entrance Signs: E. Perrell inquired about the recent talks on replacing the village entrance signs. There is still a budget of £1,500 in the GPC capital account for signage but, as the stolen Nottingham Road sign was recovered by Police, the project was put on hold. The County Council signs are now secured to avert the problem of theft.

 

There being no more business, the Chairman thanked the attendees and speakers and the meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.

Minutes of Meetings, Parish Council

Minutes of a Meeting of Gotham Parish Council (04/04/17)

Present: G. Hutter, (Chairman), B.J. Walker, (Vice-Chairman), J.M.F. Royce, P. Bower, H. Taylor,  G. May, C. Dabell, J.P. Anderson, D. Bexon, A. Clayworth. In Attendance: Borough Councillor S. Matthews.

The Chairman welcomed new Councillors, Jane Youatt and Steve Kent, to the meeting.

17/74: Apologies: M. Wilkins, County Councillor A. Brown

17/75: Acceptance of Apologies:

PROPOSED:  B.J. Walker SECONDED: J.M.F. Royce. Vote: All in favour.

17/76: Report by County Councillor, A. Brown: Nil. Apologies received.

17/77: Report by Borough Councillor, S. Matthews:

Borough Councillor Matthews reported the following items:

The Rushcliffe Arena is now open. The building cost 14.8 million pounds to construct. There are 4,500 signed up members.

The Civic Centre has sold to a developer for 6.9 million pounds.

RBC has raised the Council Tax by 4.5% to cover the extra expense of social care.

Consultation emails re the RBC Local Plan should be sent via the Clerk to the Parish Council. Many members of the public have expressed their concern over the Local Plan which is in its very early stages.

Borough Councillor Matthews pointed out that, at this stage, the Local Plan is at a purely outline stage and may well be altered.

Borough Councillor Matthews has supported Gotham Cricket’s Club appeal for funding by granting it £450 towards a new roller.

RBC have recently appointed three ‘tsars’ to attempt to improve local shopping areas.

Leader of RBC, Councillor Neil Clark, is leaving his post to stand for election for Notts. County Council, Bingham Ward.

The Chairman thanked S. Matthews for attending. He left the meeting at 7.44 p.m.

17/78: Declaration of Interest:

Memorial Hall Trustees in any business pertaining to the Memorial Hall.

17/79: Minutes of the previous meeting:

Resolved: That the previously circulated Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 7th March, 2017 be accepted and signed as a true record of the business transacted.

Acceptance of amended Minutes: PROPOSED J.P. Anderson SECONDED: G. Hutter. Vote: All in favour.

Progress: 17/58: J.P.Anderson corrected the item re Barton in Fabis having received a planning application from ‘Greenfield’ for the extraction of sand and gravel. Greenfield had presented an Exhibition which might be a precursor for a future Planning Application. Barton in Fabis has produced a very informative information leaflet which was laid on the table for Councillors to read.

17/80: Finance: Monthly Payments and Receipts:

Monthly Payments and Receipts

PROPOSAL: Acceptance of Payment and Receipts.

PROPOSED: J.M.F. Royce  SECONDED:  J.P. Anderson Vote: All in favour.

Application for £500 Gotham Fest Grant (M. Lowe).

The Clerk had not yet received projected figures to run Gotham Fest.

Appointment of Internal Auditor:

PROPOSAL: Appointment of G. Stafford as Internal Auditor  with the internal audit procedure to be audited by M. Barnet.

PROPOSED: J.P. Anderson SECONDED: G. May. Vote: All in favour.

New Software for Gotham News Layout: (deferred until the May meeting when M. Wilkins present)

Application from Gotham Cricket Club for £450 towards junior coaching:

J.P. Anderson produced a Cricket Club 2015/16 balance sheet showing a return to financial health after a difficult financial period. The Club had worked extremely hard over the last two years to support the coaching of up to fifty boys. It has secured grants from Notts County Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council and also local sponsorship. G. May spoke in favour of the Cricket Club earning money by fund raising functions.

PROPOSAL: To support the Gotham Cricket Club junior coaching to the sum of £450.

PROPOSED: J.P. Anderson SECONDED: H. Taylor. Vote: ten in favour, two against. Motion carried.

Funding for Neighbourhood Plan:

£1,000 already budgeted in the Capital Fund. Further funds to be sought via a Government Grant. (Planning Agenda item).

P.R. Dines arrived at the Meeting at 8.10 p.m.

17/81: Memorial Hall Report:

Playground Maintenance:

PROPOSAL: Suspension of Standing Orders:

PROPOSED: G. Hutter  SECONDED: J.M.F. Royce. Vote: All in favour.

P.R. Dines suggested that GPC contribute up to £6,000 towards the playground improvements.

Recreation Ground Capital of £3,000 held by GPC.

Suggestion that in the current year, 2017/18 both GPC and Trustees pledge £1,000 each annually for five years to support a gradual improvement in the playground equipment.

An application to WREN requires three funders to support  grant funding.

The Trustees currently have three other  important projects in the pipeline, driveway gates, improved seating and paving, new floor in the main hall.

P.R. Dines left the meeting at 8.20 p.m.

PROPOSAL: Re-instatement of Standing Orders:

PROPOSED: J.P. Anderson  SECONDED: J.M.F. Royce. Vote: All in favour.

ROSPA Playground Report shows some repairs required.

Costs to remove the concrete adjacent to the netball post and replacing with topsoil and turf. £840 from Trueline.

A discussion took place re the best replacement for the concrete. It was, agreed, the concrete would need removal at the earliest convenience.

Further discussion re replacement flooring between the netball posts to be decided by the Playground Group. Suggestion to acquire quotations to remove and replace the concrete with astro-turf, or similar surface, with advice from the Produlic representative. (Agenda item next month).

ROSPA suggested warning signs to be posted, re climbing on the equipment.

An estimate had been received from C. Dines for maintenance work re Sandpit: To dig over existing sand, spread/level bagged sand – £30.

Artificial Safety Surfaces:  apply moss kill to affected carpets, clean all carpet areas, spread/level and brush into cleaned carpets fine kiln sand. £180.

Parish Council to acquire sand from J.A. Stephens.

PROPOSAL: Acceptance of C. Dines maintenance quotation of £210 for above safety area cleaning.

PROPOSED: G. Hutter SECONDED: J. Youatt. Vote: All in favour.

17/82: Chairman of Planning and Development Committee:

J.P.Anderson reported, K. Mafham had submitted a response to the RBC Local Plan part 2 on GPC’s behalf. He had also commented on the Green Belt Review with special mention of the historic significance of some of the sites suggested. The CIL had been mentioned .RBC Local Plan part 2 responses available to view on the website.

The Neighbourhood Plan awaiting comments and instruction from P. Marshall of RBC.

K. Mafham to attend the next GPC Planning Meeting.

17/83: Planning Decisions Received:

17/1: (ref: 17/00196/FUL) 329 Leake Rd – 1st floor side extension, single storey rear extension. Loft conversion.  GRANTED

17/84: Planning Applications Received: Nil.

17/85: Report by Chairman of the Environment Committee:

Railway Walk: C. Dabell reported positive feedback re the Railway Walk improvements.

Stoney Lane Barn: A parishioner seeks GPC approval of his intention to restore the now dilapidated 1840 barn on Stoney Lane.

Cemetery Arch: C. Dabell spoke in favour of rebuilding the stone arch over the Cemetery gateway. GPC discussed this item but felt the Playground improvements should take priority at the present time.

J.P. Anderson called for a Cemetery Sub-Committee Meeting to be held during April to discuss ongoing maintenance.

17/86: Flooding Progress Report:  A well attended meeting took place in the Memorial Hall on the 27th March, 2017. County Councillor A. Brown present. G. Taylor of NCC reluctant to take action on village culverts and removal of blockages. A. Howick had spoken to G. Taylor and an inspection had taken place of Moor Lane, Nottingham Road culvert and street gulleys. Kegworth Road had been cleared. If no further action, by NCC, taken place in two months’ refer to County Councillor A. Brown.

17/87: Standing Orders Review:

Reminder to Council to report amendments to Standing Orders to J.P.Anderson prior to the May meeting when a review will take place.

17/88: Clerk’s Appraisal:

A. Clayworth to obtain a Proforma and date to be arranged.

17/89: Policing Matters/Vandalism:

March crime figures not yet received. A report of drug dealing on Soldiers Lane had been received. The Police had been alerted.

The Memorial Hall shed had suffered an attempted break-in.

The Memorial Hall defibrillator signage had been stolen on Saturday, 1st April, 2017. G. Hutter had priced a replacement.

Reports of worsening speeding through the village. Police to be informed.

A bad vehicle accident had occurred on The Ridgeway.

17/90: Gotham News and Media: Nil to report.

PROPOSAL: Meeting to continue to conclude the business on the Agenda.

PROPOSED: G. Hutter  SECONDED: J.P. Anderson. Vote: All in favour.

17/91: Chairman’s Report:

The Chairman had received a donation from Mrs. C. Smith in favour of the new  Playground Equipment.

Clerk to send a letter of thanks.

Notes handed out from Public Relations assistant, Louise Third.

17/92: Clerk’s Report:

The Clerk had drawn up an agenda for the Annual Parish Meeting to be held on the 25th April, 2017 in the Memorial Hall,  Moonrakers’ Room, at 7.30 p.m. She had contacted village groups to advise them of the opportunity to advertise their recent events, etc.

Advertising panels ordered from Off the Wall and to be delivered on the day.

17/93: Matters to Report:

G. May reported, the steps at the top of the cornfield had been re-aligned to coincide with the opening of the gates.

P. Bower reported a trip hazard had resulted from Virgin Media replacement of a manhole cover outside the old Post Office.

P. Bower reported the dilapidated seat outside the New Rectory needs removal. Clerk to ask advice of NCC Highways re its permission requirements.

G. May unable to attend the Council Training Course on the 27th April, 2017. Clerk to advise NALC.

D. Bexon had been unable to contact the parent interested in undertaking the improvements to the village noticeboard.

17/94: Items for Next Agenda:

Software for M. Wilkins, Clerks Appraisal,  Standing Orders Review, Playground Improvements.

17/95: Date of Next Meeting: The Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 2nd May 2017 at 7.00 p.m.

Meeting closed at 9.45 p.m