MINUTES OF THE RANSKILL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT ST BARNABAS CHURCH, RANSKILL ON TUESDAY 17th JUNE 2014 AT 7.30 PM PRESENT: Chair: Cllr S Floyd Councillors: P Blatchford, J Boynton, P Brown, A Cooke, D Kercel, C West County Councillor: E Yates Clerk: D McAra

OPEN FORUM FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. Rachel Dinnell and Liz Harris were present to raise their concerns that there was not enough information available to the public about the ‘fracking’ and coal bed methane extraction activities taking place in the North area. They stated that many residents are not aware of the potential dangers that may be associated with these activities and called for a public meeting in Ranskill. Ms Dinnell stated that there had been breaches of planning permission by Dart Energy at the recent Daneshill exploration site and that procedures had not be adhered to. To that end she wishes to raise public awareness by holding meetings at VH on 20th June and Clayworth on 23rd June. Scrooby with Ranskill PCC has denied her a meeting in St Barnabas Church.

01/0614 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. District Cllr M Gray, Cllr J Foster.

02/0614 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS INTERESTS. Nil.

03/0614 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 21st MAY 2014. Were accepted and signed as a true record.

04/0614 COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT AND CRIME FIGURES. a. Police Written Report on Crime Figures to 31st May 2014. Incidents of interest in Ranskill during May were One Burglary Other, One Theft from Motor Vehicle and Two reports of Criminal Damage to a Motor Vehicle. There were no reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Ranskill during May. There were fourteen reported crimes across the beat area which compares with thirteen crimes reported in April and eighteen crimes reported during the same period last year.

b. Sale of Shed Alarms. There is a demand for the sale of shed alarms to resume.

RESOLVED to:

1. Purchase a minimum number of shed alarms and approach The Top Shop to resume sales.

2. Advertise resumption of sales in The STAR. In August.

05/0614 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT Cllr Gray tendered his apologies but wished the Council to know that the Bassetlaw DC District Councillor Discretionary Grant is available for applications and he has so far received applications for Ranskill Festival 2014/15; the Millennium Green, ; and Sew What which benefits all the Ward schools. He requested to know of any other causes that may benefit.

RESOLVED to apply to Cllr Gray for a £100 grant for the restoration and/or refurbishment of village furniture.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT a. Roadside Drains. Cllr Yates has emailed a request to the Highways Dept to

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have the roadside drains on the south of the Great North Road unblocked as a priority to avoid flooding. b. Lengthsman Scheme. Chris Charnley is the officer with whom to discuss parish self-help parish Lengthsman work. Discuss further with Ian Parker at meeting on 3rd July. Item 06/0614b refers. c. HGV Traffic. There is a consultation on the level of HGV traffic in rural villages. Jenny Hawkes will email details. d. Energy Exploration. iGas has established a liaison group for parishes in the North Nottinghamshire area affected by potential exploration and exploitation activities. Ranskill does not fall within the prescribed area; however, as a NEBF member a request has been made to be included in the discussions. Item 10/0614 refers.

06/0614 HIGHWAYS & TRAFFIC. a. TRO and Parking Restrictions. The objection raised during the public consultation has been resolved by extending the proposal slightly on Great North Road; consequently, if the amendment is acceptable, URS will work with Notts CC to proceed to completion.

RESOLVED to support the amendment.

b. Planned Meeting with Notts CC Highways Officer – 3rd July 2014. Ian Parker, Notts CC Highways Officer, Bassetlaw North, has confirmed that he will attend a meeting to discuss various highways issues in Ranskill at 10am on Thursday 3rd July. The discussion will cover the crossroads parking restriction public consultation; proposed speeding measures on the Mattersey Road; proposed warning signage on the Mattersey Road and Blyth Road; drainage and re-surfacing of the Mattersey Road; upkeep of the Millennium Footpath; and a possible grant for Lengthsman-type activities.

07/0614 FINANCE. a. Bank Balances as at 31st May 2014. Current - £100. Reserve - £26183.10. £12000 is on reserve to cover the 2012, 2013 and 2014 instalments for purchase of garage site on Station Avenue from Bassetlaw DC.

b. Purchase of Garage Site, Station Avenue. A conveyancing solicitor is required to execute the purchase. Quotes were requested from Jackson Quinn, ; Malcolm C Foy, and Jones & Co, Bawtry. Advised that a cash purchase can dispense with searches to reduce cost and Jackson Quinn was the best quote.

RESOLVED to accept the quote from Jackson Quinn and proceed with the purchase through Mike Koniarski at Bassetlaw DC as soon as possible.

e. Invoices for May 2014 presented for payment: 1662 Mr John D McGill Litter Picking £ 39.00 1663 Playsafety Ltd Annual RoSPA Inspection £ 114.00 1664 R & T Festival Committee Festival 2014 £ 400.00 1665 Nottinghamshire CC School Crossing patrol £ 555.85 1666 Mrs S Floyd Plants for Planters £ 346.75 1667 North Notts Landscapes Grass Cutting £ 816.00 1668 HMRC PAYE £ 79.60 1669 D McAra Clerk’s Salary & Expenses £ 318.40

08/0614 PLANNING. Planning Application for May/June 2014:

14/00649/HSE – Application to retain Driveways – The Old Post Office, Mattersey Road, Ranskill.

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RESOLVED to support the application but request that the correct procedures be used for future applications.

09/0614 AMENITIES AND FACILITIES. a. Report from the Community Area Working Group (CAWG). The fourth meeting of the Community Areas Working Group (CAWG) was held on 11th June. The notes from the meeting were forwarded under a separate cover.

RESOLVED to:

1. Support a grant of £50 to 2nd Ranskill Scout Group to cover costs of litter picking.

2. Approach District Cllr Gray for a grant of up to £100 for refurbishment of village furniture.

3. Approve approach to Bassetlaw DC and the Rotary Club for assistance with provision of bulbs for planters.

4. Convene a working party on Wednesday 9th July instead of a CAWG meeting.

5. Place agenda item on the next CAWG to investigate the placement of wild flower beds in locations around the village.

b. Receive Annual RoSPA Report. The annual RoSPA inspection of Ranskill Village Park took place in late-May. A few minor defects were recorded but no major remedial work is required. Recommend ongoing repairs in accordance with defects identified in monthly inspections.

RESOLVED to carry out minor, non-urgent repairs on a need basis within resources available.

c. Playground Safety Report for June 2014. The playground safety report highlighted again the minor and known issues. Work still needs to be carried out on one of the springy vehicles.

d. Proposed Community Centre Planning Permission. There is a need to investigate the renewal of the planning permission that was obtained to build the community centre in the village park.

RESOLVED to approach Bassetlaw DC Planning Dept to confirm the requirements for renewal of existing planning permission.

10/0614 ENVIRONMENT. a. Unconventional Energy Exploration. Mrs Rachel Dinnell, a Ranskill Resident, has organised two public meetings to be held at Scrooby VH and Clayworth VH on 20th June and 23rd June respectively and requests a public meeting in Ranskill. Unfortunately the only suitable venue for such a meeting is St Barnabas Church and the PCC has already declined the request; in addition, iGas has indicated that they would be unlikely to attend such a meeting as Ranskill falls outside of their planned area and they are already working with the NEBF - Item 05/0614d refers. Consequently, there is a need to distribute information by other means.

RESOLVED to:

1. Create a new page on the village website and link to other relevant sources of information.

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2. Acknowledge the need for public debate in The STAR and continue to gather unbiased information.

b. Unconventional Gas Exploration Operations - Underground Access. The Government propose to reform the procedure for gaining underground access to oil or gas deposits and geothermal energy. A Government consultation on the changes is open; however, NALC would like to submit a response representative of the sector and are asking for views.

RESOLVED to contribute to the discussion – Item 10/0614a refers.

11/0614 CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was considered: a. Mr P Eames - Hazard to pedestrians on railway bridge on Mattersey Road. Concerned about a potential hazard to pedestrians using the railway bridge on the Mattersey Road.

RESOLVED to include in discussion with Ian Parker at the meeting on 3rd July. Item 06/0614b refers.

b. Mrs L Noar – Contributions to Village Planters 2015 Season. Suggests that residents be invited to contribute smaller amounts in 2015.

RESOLVED to ensure that residents are aware that this can be done and made easier to donate.

c. Bassetlaw CAB – Request for a donation 2014-2015. Outlined activities and requested support.

RESOLVED to support CAB activities but unable to provide financial assistance at this time due to pressure on grant budget.

d. Notts CC - Sponsorship of School Crossing Patrol – Annual Account. The annual account for the school crossing patrol was presented at £555.85.

RESOLVED to continue to support school crossing patrol activity.

e. 2nd Ranskill Scout Group – Request for a Grant. Request for a small grant to cover costs of the litter-picking in April.

RESOLVED to support this budgeted activity with a £50 grant.

12/0614 CORRESPONDENCE TO BE CIRCULATED. On file.

13/0614 INFORMATION TO BE FORWARDED TO NEXT THE MEETING. Proposed Community Centre – extension of existing planning permission and an outline of the way ahead.

14/0614 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Ranskill Parish Council Meeting. The next Parish Council Meeting will be held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 15th July 2014 at St Barnabas Church, Ranskill. Signed as a true record

Chairman

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