EAKRING PARISH COUNCIL

                             Minutes of a Parish Council Meeting held on

            Wednesday 13th November 2013 at 7.30 p.m. in the Cator Hall

Present:Mrs M Curry, Mr L Haslam, Mrs S Wilson, Mr R Brown, Mrs J Chow, Cllr R Jackson (NCC), Cllr B Laughton (NSDC), 2 Parishoners.

Apologies: Mr P Lambert.

Minutes:The Minutes of the meeting held on 9th October were circulated prior to the meeting. It was proposed by Mr L Haslam, seconded by Mrs S Wilson and agreed unanimously that these be signed as a true record.

Matters Arising:

1.Bilsthorpe Incinerator:Mrs Curry explained that she had attended the last Bilsthorpe Parish Council meeting and could report that a Committee had been formed to oppose the Incinerator the next meeting of which would be 14th November where it was expected representatives of Kersall and Kirklington PC’s would be present. Posters have been made and would be sent to Eakring for display. A Planning Consultant has been contacted (the PC were told of his fees) and is available to work for the Committee. Mrs Curry posed the question would the Parish Council be willing to contribute to his fees? Various questions arose but it was agreed to place the issue on next month’s agenda when more information will be available.

2.Arrangements for Planting Trees:Mr Haslam said he would take responsibility for the tree planting and other people could join him as and when available.Some would be placed on the Recreation Ground.

            3.Neighbourhood Watch Update: Mrs Chow explained events over the previous month.      Mr Haslam  revealed that he had attended a SNG meeting last week and had registered 

for Neighbourhood Alert.- He said that if 1-2 people on each road signed up they could pass

on information quickly like Neighbourhood Watch. He scheme was compared as a ‘doing a

Neighbourhood Watch but more’.

4.Ideas for Village Sign: The Parish Council looked at four entries for the design a Village

sign competition and decided to award joint winners prizes to Graham and Diane Bates and

Julie and John Liposits. They will each receive a £10 gardening gift voucher.

Public Questions and Comments:

1.Mr Goodall informed the Parish Council that he was seeking permission to coppice and cut a hedge on the side of a field he now owned on Mill Lane in order to eventually restore the hedge. The hedge runs at the side of Footpath No.3.

2.Mr Woodvine expressed his concern at the loss of small birds in Eakring this year and suggested that the noise from the wind turbines, which he noted to be very noticeable at certain times on Bilsthorpe Road, could be a major factor. The Parish Council agreed and suggested contacting Notts Wildlife Trust or even the independent Company who carried out Peel’s initial wildlife survey for a comment. Members of the Parish Council were keen that all incidents of turbine interference( noise or flicker ) should be logged with NSDC.

County/District Councillors

1.Cllr Jackson said that the LIS scheme was likely to be drastically cut after this year.

2. Cllr Jackson explained that a review of bus routes was imminent and he would have more information after next week.

3. Mrs Curry explained the problems with By-Way 25 Modification Order since the arrival of a letter from the Planning Inspectorate dated 1st. November. She said the short time frame in which to respond was a particular handicap. She showed the Meeting the letter she had sent to the Planning Inspectorate and outlined other steps taken by villagers. Cllr Jackson asked for copies of documents to be sent to him so he could offer assistance.

4.The Clerk told the Parish Council that the 2 x 1tonne salt bags had arrived on 13th.November but again like the last occasion only appear to have 750 Kg in each. NCC have been contacted. The 5 x free small bags of salt have also been delivered. Mr Haslam agreed to collect and distribute. The Parish Council explained to Cllr Jackson that there were no grit bins in the village anymore and he agreed to see if one could be provided for the site of most pressing need- Stonish Hill.

Correspondence:

1.NSDC:re:Citizen of the Year Awards Dinner 23rd. January 2013.

2.Newark and Sherwood CAB: Thank you letter for grant of £50.

3.NCC: Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan- Preferred Approach consultation-Extension of time for comments.

4.Notts Police:Rural Crime Reduction Summit 25th. Nov.

5.Communication from Mr Peter Walker, Internal Auditor-informing PC on unavailability to carry out audit for 2013/2014: The PC discussed the matter and instructed the Clerk to approach another named individual to ascertain his availability.

Items Circulated:

1.Local Government Boundary Commission: Electorial Review of Newark and Sherwood Draft Recommendations.

2.Mark Spencer MP: Flood Meeting with your MP 16.12.13.

3.NSDC: Register of Electors-Annual Registration-poster

4.Healthwatch Notts:Local Voices_Improving Health and Social Care poster

5.Clerks and Councils Direct-November

6.Streetscope Ltd-brochure.

7. Notts Police: Crime Reduction Summit poster-25.11.13.

8.Police Commissioner: The Beat

Planning:

Application received for return 7.11 13.

                                  Application Number 13/00893/FULM

                                  Installation of 3.22MW Solar Park and associated infrastructure and

                                  Erection of 1 No. 500kW wind turbine measuring 60m to the hub and

                                  87m to the blade tip.

                                  Field Ref.2958 off Mickledale Lane Bilsthorpe  Notts

                                  For Nil Against 5 absent 2 (RH,PL)

 Application discussed at meeting:

                                  Application Number 13/01363/FUL

                                  Erection of 1 No. 500kW wind turbine measuring 60m to the hub and

                                   87m to the blade tip

                                   Land at Brecks Farm Maplebeck Notts

                                   For Nil Against 5 Absent 2 (RH,PL)

Reasons for opposition to proposal

1.      Cumulative effect of number of wind turbines in the area.

2.      Issue that although accompanying map shows Eakring to be one of the nearest settlements the developers have considered the potential effects on villages futher away but not on Eakring which is nearer.

3.      Enough is Enough.

 

A late agenda item: A further planning application was considered-

                                 Application Number 13/01371/FUL

                                 Erection of wind turbine with a tip height up to 77m agl, to include

                                 Transformer station at base and all ancillary works

                                 Fresh Growers Ltd Inkersall Grange Farm Inkersall Grange Road

                                 Bilsthorpe

                                 For Nil Against 5 Absent 2 (RH, PL)

Reasons for opposition to proposal.

1.      Cumulative effect of number of wind turbines in the area.

2.      2. Enough is Enough.

Cator Hall:

Mr Brown reported that the CHMC is now getting quotes for repairs to the Hall roof. The next fund raising event is a Christmas Fair on the 23rd. November.

Mrs Curry said she continued to hold discussions aimed at securing a grant for the Cator Hall but it was unclear at this stage if it would be a one off event or annually.

Recreation Ground:

The Clerk told the Parish Council that the dyke had a build up of branches etc near the bridge. Councillors queried if this actually was a Parish Council responsibility or if the dyke came under the jurisdiction of the landowner of the field on the eastern side. It was decided to ascertain ownership of these.

Accounts:

                        Churchyard Maintenance Grant                                                       £ 180.00

It was proposed by Mrs S Wilson,seconded by Mr L Haslam and agreed unanimously that these accounts be paid.

Other Agenda Items:

1.NSDC Election Boundary Changes: Mrs Curry explained that under new proposal Eakring would be grouped with Bilsthorpe and Rainworth for representation by District Councillors. Cllr Laughton explained some of the disadvantages of the new proposals and how a number of other local villages were also concerned. It was decided to write a letter of objection.

2. Community Fund Arrangements: Mrs Curry explained the sum of money that had been applied for and its purpose and the limitations this implied. After discussion about possible ways to proceed ways   it was decided to defer the issue to next month’s Parish Council meeting.

3. By-way No. 25 Modification Order: dealt with earlier in the meeting.

4. Christmas Tree Lights:A preference was expressed to again hold the annual lighting up ceremony with Friday 13th. 1st choice and 6th. 2nd choice dates-6p.m.

 

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.55 p.m.

 

David Ottewell

Clerk.

13.11.2013.