HOVERINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Notes from the Meeting held on 26th June 2006 at 7.30 pm
The Chairman stopped the meeting at 7.35 pm, as members of the public were present and wished to speak. The Chairman invited Peter Watson, Chairman designate of the Village Hall Committee, to give a report of the progress he had made with his funding search for re-furbishing/rebuilding the Village Hall. The Village Hall is a designated Flood Rescue Centre and as such is completely inadequate. With this in mind, over the last 10-14 days Mr Watson had identified possible substantial funding from the Big Lottery fund, WREN,
Defra and others and he was going ahead with completing applications. RCC can organise funds for an architect and Mr Watson has arranged an on site meeting with Sam Smith from RCC in July. Mr Watson's aims were a) to discover possible sources of funds and b) to have a project plan for funders to consider. The idea for improving the toilets for the disabled has been put on hold at present as it was not considered a good use of funds, and the toilets can be adapted temporarily if needed. Mr Watson stressed the need for the Parish Council to complete and send off the preliminary application form for the Big Lottery as soon as possible, as this was the first hurdle to get over.
Mr Mersch and Mr Richardson were also present as they are interested in improving the village hall and offered to help in any way they can. The Chairman thanked them for attending and showing their interest.
The Chairman then re-opened the meeting at 7.55pm
Finance - The Clerk circulated a statement of accounts from the May 13th Ball. The total amount raised was £5468, the Chapel Field share of which was £3468. Councillors all agreed this was a magnificent effort. £2010 owing to the Parish Council for Tree Work re the tennis court and a deposit for catering for the Ball has now been repaid.
Anne Jepson is improving slowly and is now able to talk.
Planning - 06/00443/FUL - 1 Manor Farm Cottages - still outstanding
06/00767/FUL - Manor Farm Development - amendments to plot 1 - no objections from PC
Notts County Council Planning Application - Coneygre Farm - no objections. In fact Councillors were very impressed with the application as it was felt it would be good for the environment. There was concern at the increase in extra heavy goods traffic but this will diminish when Tarmac leaves the site.
NALC Planning Seminar May 25th - Mark Clifford thought this was very useful. There
were two parts to the presentation. First, East Midlands Planning Aid described what they
did and how they could help with difficult planning applications and secondly a presentation from RCC on everything relevant to preparing Parish Plans convinced Mark that a Parish Plan was essential and efforts should be made to get on with it. The next step is to invite RCC to a parish meeting so that a steering group can be formed.
Chapel Field - Steve Evans mentioned that Sports Day is planned for 17th September and a disco on 30th September. Hand/foot holds had been delivered for climbing wall and will be fixed as soon as possible.
Village Hall - see above. The Puddings and Entertainment evening on 17th June had been a great success.
Environment
HOVERINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on 11th October 2006 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall
Before the meeting started, Peter Watson, the Chairman of the Village Hall committee and Manager of the Village Hall Building Project, gave a progress report. Various options had been considered. A joint project with the Cricket Club, or building on the Chapel Field, but for many reasons neither of these ideas is feasible. The third option is to leave the Ada Minkley room and either to add to, or knock down the 1908 building and to design a new building using more of the site. The architect will produce some sketches of designs, hopefully by the next meeting on 15th November.
Whilst surveying the hall in order to help the decision, whether to demolish or add to the building, the structural engineer had discovered that the roof was unstable as the rafters are not strong enough, and any new roofing material might be too heavy for the support structure. The cost of the survey of the roof by the structural engineer is £900. Approval is needed for this to be paid out of Parish Council funds. Although in the opinion of professionals there is no asbestos in the roof, there has to be a separate survey to prove it. The cost of this would be met from the Building Fund
The Parish Council needs to approve the appointment of the architect and the structural engineer. This would be the commitment that the project should go ahead. Standard professional rates will apply. The architect had been recommended by Notts RCC and is experienced in designing public buildings. There also has to be approval to fund the drawings of the VH at a cost of £1500. There are none in existence and these are necessary for any public building whether or not any redevelopment takes place.
There is a need for a separate bank account for the Building Fund - there is approval for £18000 of the Village Hall funds raised by VH Management Committee to be transferred into this account so that it can be a dedicated fund. An application to the Bank of Ireland is presently being drawn up.
Southwell Diocese, on behalf of the Church who own the Hall, is drawing up a Deed of Dedication, which once signed will give authority for funding to be sought from the lottery for any re-development of the Hall. There is no requirement from funders for the building to be Freehold.
Mr Watson said that he would apply to the Sustainable Communities Fund for £8000 which will cover the cost of new kitchen appliances, folding beds etc, which are needed in order to comply with the needs of a Flood Evacuation Centre. Any kitchen appliances acquired can be incorporated into the re-development scheme at a later date.
The men’s toilet can be adapted for the time being to accommodate the physically challenged at very little cost.
Mr Watson has also applied to BT for a free Computer and Broadband connection for the VH. The line would then have to be maintained at £15 per month approx, after the first year, but would open the field for a further application for scanners and printers to form an IT centre in the Village Hall. This would be another use of the VH in support of the applications for funding.
Richard Torr offered to help with applications etc.
The boiler has been serviced and John Clarke has quoted for painting the kitchen and toilets at a cost of £500.
MAC thanked Mr Watson for all the work he had done so far and said that any expenses incurred by him should be submitted to the Clerk for PC approval and payment. The meeting was then opened at 8.20 pm
The meeting was then opened at 8.20 pm
Present: Mark Clifford (MAC) Chairman, Eric Allwood (EA), Graham Clements (GC), Richard Leman (RFL), Norman Potter (NP) Richard Torr (RT). Councillor Roger Jackson was also present.
1. Apologies: Steve Evans and Councillor Andy Stewart
2.Minutes - these were agreed and after small amendments, signed as a true record.
3.Finance - It was unanimously agreed that £2500 be set aside for drawings of the VH and a structural survey of the Village Hall roof.
Our internal auditor, Anne Jepson is improving but it will be a slow process.
4.Planning - re Marquis Inn - Complaints, including documentation, had been received from neighbours re noise from delivery vehicles and fan assisted flu. The owners of the Marquis are currently in discussion regarding this matter with the planning dept at N&SDC and MAC suggested no further action until the PC receives the planning application and a balanced discussion can take place.
5.Chapel Field - SE reported Sports Day a great success. More 8 year olds competed than ever before. The Tickets for the Murder Mystery were going well and the arrangement for a Firework Party on November 5th. The insurance is included in the PC policy as long as the rules are followed. Clerk to obtain a copy of the rules. Another Ball is planned for May 5th.
MAC reported that the specimen trees may have survived the drought but one or two beeches in the hedge will need replacing. No progress on the re-surfacing of the tennis court.
6.Village Hall - MAC re-iterated the Parish Council’s thanks to Peter Watson for the tremendous effort he had put in towards the VH rebuilding project. See notes above.
RT reported that the Safari Supper had been a great success, albeit that numbers were down.
7.Environment
7.1- Undefended Villages Partnership meeting 21st September. MAC reported that this was a very positive meeting as the Environment Agency appear to have done a volte face and are now willing to fund flood protection measures for individual householders. They appear also to be prepared to fund larger projects such as bunds and dredging as they have now accepted that the flood protection work in Nottingham will impact negatively on the villages downstream.
The meeting thanked Roger Fell for his dogged persistence in championing the cause of the undefended villages and he was presented with £100 as a small token of thanks. It is hoped that he will continue with his support and expertise. Thanks also went to Councillor Stewart for his work in supporting the undefended villages.
7.2Notice - board - John Cook had visited the proposed site and suggested a tree be felled to accommodate the notice board. MAC and NP will visit the site to discuss an alternative.
7.3Hoveringham Wildlife Conservation Group - NP reported that a working party of 9 to 10 people had turned out on a Saturday morning to a site on Thurgarton Lane and worked for 2 hours clearing brambles, cutting hedges, planting hedges and trees. This work was continued the following Saturday by a smaller party and further tree planting is necessary.
Diane Roberts is investigating possible funding under the Breathing Spaces initiative.
There will be a bird watch walk on Saturday 4th November with Bernie Ellis from Notts Wildlife.
The new lakes need to be named. Richard Torr suggested that there be a competition in Hoveringham News for the best name to be judged by the Wildlife Group. Councillor Jackson offered to donate a bottle of wine to each of the winners. This was agreed and the completion will appear in the next edition.
The next meeting will be on November 1st at the Ada Minkley room at 8pm.
7.4Closure of Fiskerton tip - Councillor Stewart reported no decision had been made, as there had been such a large response to the consultation. Other alternatives were now being considered. Councillor Stewart said that closure was not now a foregone conclusion.
7.5Litter pick 30th October - No hotspots to report but N&SDC will be notified if any appear.
7.6Millennium Clock - The chime control box had been badly damaged by lightening. It has been repaired and is on test at present. However, Smith’s of Derby have said that there is no guarantee that if re-installed it would last and advised installation of a box incorporating latest technology, which would not be so susceptible to lightening attacks. The cost would be £705 + VAT. It was agreed to go ahead with the new box. MAC to liase with Smiths of Derby. Clerk to contact insurers for claim form.
8.Cemetery and Churchyard - EA will clear fallen holly bush in cemetery. MAC said he would like to give up the mowing due to pressure of work. He will approach one or two people who might be interested in taking it on.
The lime trees in the Churchyard need attention - Clerk to report to N&SDC
9.Village Website - Peter Watson has developed a website for the village It will cost £12 per month for the WWW if there is no income but Mr Watson was confident it could be self-financing from adverts from businesses in the village and beyond. There might be maintenance costs in the future if Mr Watson could no longer do it. It was agreed that charges would be met from Section 137 funds.
10.Parish Plan - The village will be leafleted re the meeting on 31st October when Sam Smith from RCC will talk about what is involved in creating a Parish Plan. Clerk to action
11.PC Map of Footpaths - MAC will discuss with Nigel Glynn
12.Highways - Nothing to report.
13.Tarmac - NP reported that restoration was ongoing. A sand martin bank has not been agreed. Bleasby site was continuing apace. Cobbles on the works site were being crushed and sold. Nothing to report from the Liaison Meeting on 14th September - after-use was not discussed. It was agreed to hold 2 meetings next year - next one on April 26th 2007.
14.Dates and times of next meetings
Parish Council meetingWednesday November 15th 7.30 Village Hall
Parish Council meetingWednesday January 3rd 7.30 Village Hall
PARISH COUNCIL
Financial Report dated 7th October 2006
Balances b/f at 7th August 2006 £13418.52
Represented by: Current Account £10429.75
HALT A/C £ 2988.77 £13418.52
RECEIPTS Precept Sept - March 2007 £3350.00
Interest on c/a August 2006 £ 34.78
Interest on c/a Sept 2006 £ 31.35
Interest on HALT a/c Aug 2006 £ 7.61
Interest on HALT a/c Sept 2006 £ 7.14
N&SDC for churchyard June £ 39.08
N7SDC for churchyard July £ 37.01
£3506.97
PAYMENTS L J Clifford - mowing and petrol
Aug and September £ 77.59
Clerk’s salary and expenses
April to September 2006 £1399.12 £1476.71
Balances c/f at 7th October 2006 £15448.78
Represented by: Current Account £12445.26
HALT a/c £ 3003.52 £15448.78 ______________________________________________________________________________________________
CHAPEL FIELD
Balances b/f at 7th August 2006 £24445.51
Represented by:Current Account £ 1448.38
COIF Charities Deposit Fund £ 22997.13 £24445.51
RECEIPTS Interest from COIF a/c July - Sept £ 259.88
Donation from Ball 200.00 £459.88
PAYMENTS LJ Clifford - mowing and petrol
August and September £53.41 £ 53.41
Balances c/f at 7th October 2006 £24851.98
Represented by:Current Account £ 1594.97
COIF Charities Deposit Fund £ 23257.01 £24851.98