BLACKWELL PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Blackwell Parish Council held at Newton Community Centre, Main Street, Newton on Monday 3rd February 2020 at 7pm. PRESENT Councillor D Bullock (Chairman), Councillor D Marshall-Curtis (Vice Chair) Councillors: T Gascoyne, P Knott, T Firman, J Thorley, B Stocks, I Newham, C Moesby and P Wilkinson. ALSO PRESENT Mrs H J Simpson (Parish Clerk) 4 members of the public. 191/2020 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr S Knox and Cllr H Pell. 192/2020 DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS/CODE OF CONDUCT The Chairman explained to Council Members the importance of the need to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest they had in subsequent Agenda items in accordance with the Parish Councils Code of Conduct. Any Interest that became apparent at a later stage in the proceedings could be declared at that time. Cllr Clive Moesby declared an Interest in Agenda Item 6 and 17 as he is a member of Bolsover District Council, Cllr Tony Gascoyne declared an Interest in Agenda Item 21 as he is an acquaintance of Mr Hursthouse. 193/2020 PUBLIC SPEAKING (20 MINUTES) The following topics were raised by members of the public: - Council were advised that the Floodlights on the MUGA at Westhouses are not working. A request was made for a general waste bin to be installed in the bottom corner of the Playing field by the gate. Council were further advised of serious parking issues along Alfreton Road, Westhouses, with incidents of resident’s cars being damaged, the Clerk was asked to report this to the Police Local Safer Neighbourhood Team. County Cllr C Moesby – advised that Mark Fletcher MP had been to Bolsover District Council offices, to support the fight against HS2, Clive has written to him to request a meeting. The matter of the closure of Homelea Care Home in Tibshelf was raised as several residents are former Parish residents. All those present were encouraged to sign the DCC petition in an attempt to force a debate a County Council. Cllr Moesby confirmed that he had made a small grant to Newton OAP Group. The regular presence of the Speed Camera Van on Alfreton Road was mentioned, and lastly it was confirmed that the resurfacing of New Lane, Hilcote had been placed into the schedule of works for the Highways Team. District Councillor – Nothing further reported. Crime figures for November 2019 were noted. No Police Officer was present. 2 194/2020 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 2nd DECEMBER 2019. The Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Blackwell Parish Council held on 6th January 2020 were moved by Cllr Marshall-Curtis, seconded by Cllr Stocks and signed by the Chairman Cllr Bullock as a true and correct record. 195/2020 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS Cllr Bullock advised members of progress made with this project since the last meeting. The adoption of the Box at Newton is progressing, this will enable us to replace with a K6 box without the need for Planning Permission. The box at Westhouses will need a Planning Application as it has already been removed. Prices for the restoration of power to these locations are also being sought. The preferred location in Blackwell opposite the One Stop Shop is no longer available for adoption from BT, therefore an alternative location is still being sought by the Clerk. 196/2020 REPORT FROM THE CLERK The Clerk advised that she had received information from Post Office Ltd, that despite their best efforts they have been unable to restore the Post office service in Hilcote following the closure of the branch on New Lane in February 2019. Council were also updated on progress in securing Extreme Wheels Roadshow for the children of the Parish during the Summer holidays 2020. This will run from the Recreation Ground at Blackwell and six events (one for each week of the Summer break) will be held. The events will be chosen following consultation with the children it is aimed at. It was agreed by all that the additional £800 is spent to provide these events. 197/2020 APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING SUPPORT UNDER S137 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 An Application from Newton OAP Club for £500 had been received to help with a 72% increase in Transport Costs which had been imposed on them. This was discussed, moved by Cllr Gascoyne, seconded by Cllr Stocks and approved by all. 198/2020 HS2 Council were updated on two outstanding property enquires from the last meeting, affecting Yew Tree Farm and the former Robin Hood Pub, both in Old Blackwell. Also it was confirmed that Victoria Young had left HS2 Ltd, and that Paul Mullins is now our Engagement Officer. The Clerk was asked to send a letter to our new MP Mr Mark Fletcher communicating the strength of feeling against HS2 within our Parish. Cllrs Moesby and Thorley agree to send the main points for inclusion in the letter. 199/2020 BLACKWELL, NEWTON AND HILCOTE COMMUNITY CENTRES. Council were updated on progress with the funding applications to Viridor to fund the replacement of the Fire Doors at Newton and Blackwell Community Centres, they have passed Stage One, the Clerk was now obtaining the information to progress through Stage 3 Two. One set of quotes for CCTV to Newton and Hilcote Community Centres and the two Pavilion Buildings had been received, and that further Quotes were being sought. The condition of the Fencing at Hilcote Community Centre was discussed, the Clerk agreed to obtain quotes for its repair. The Clerk advised that quotes for Window Cleaning at the three Community Centres had been obtained, it was moved by Cllr Newham, seconded by Cllr Stocks and agreed to accept the quote of £75 per clean from Mr Liam Clements. 200/2020 BLACKWELL MINERS WELFARE A brief discussion took place regarding the potential monies which may be made available to the Parish from the sale and development of this site, and how this could be used for the benefit of the Parish residents. 201/2020 BLACKWELL MINERS WELFARE RECREATION GROUND The next Committee meeting is scheduled for the 25th February 2020 at Blackwell Community Centre, 7.00pm start. 202/2020 CORNER CLUB, WESTHOUSES The clerk gave an update on efforts to establish ownership of the building and car park, and that all avenues available had now been exhausted. 203/2020 HIGHWAYS Cllr Moesby gave an update on the consultation events and surveys which had been taking place regarding the proposed changes to Cragg Lane corner. All the findings will be taken back to County Council to be debated. Cllr Moesby will then report again to Council with feedback on the chosen way forward. 204/2020 RECREATION AREAS/PLAY AREAS/FOOTPATHS The Clerk advised Council that she had spoken to Martin Hunter at Bolsover District Council regarding the damage the Tractor had caused to the Playing Field at Westhouses. Martin confirmed that the member of staff had been spoken to and that all the damage would be made good at their expense. The Solar Lights on the MUGA at Westhouses were discussed as they are out of order, the Clerk agreed to speak to Matt Connelly at Bolsover District Council to seek a recommended Contractor. Cllr Gascoyne discussed a problem that a local Farmer in Old Blackwell was having with footpaths numbered 17, 32 & 36. Cllrs Newham and Moesby offered support with the issue. 205/2020 ALLOTMENTS The Clerk reported that the Gate Post at Main Street, Newton had been repaired, and that the overgrown Allotment Plots at North Street, Newton had all been cleared. 206/2020 PARISH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS 4 The insurance of the War Memorial at Westhouses has been postponed until March Meeting. 207/2020 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT, FINANCIAL REPORT & STAFF HOLIDAYS The Clerk submitted a schedule of accounts for payment since the January meeting and early February totalling £14,576.50 it was moved by Cllr Marshall-Curtis, seconded by Cllr Moesby and Resolved that these be authorised for payment. The Clerk provided the Current Account Bank Balance of £76,352.49 as at 27.01.2020, a Bank Reconciliation as at 27.01.2020, with a Reserve Account dividend of £23.34 on 31st December 2019, and balance as at 31.12.2019 of £41,150.60 to members of the Council for their inspection. The Clerk further reported that the VAT reclaim for the period 1st October to 31st December 2019 for £2,786.70 had been received. 208/2020 BOLSOVER PARTNERSHIP/PARISH LIAISON Nothing to report. 209/2020 DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS The latest Newsletter had been emailed to all on 27th January 2020. 210/2020 PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER AND WEBSITE The Clerk advised that Kate was working on the next Newsletter and asked for any information for inclusion to be emailed direct to her. The Clerk advised that the Website is now to be brought inhouse, Kate will build the new Website and administer it ongoing, the hosting cost will not exceed £10 per month, this was moved by Cllr Newham, seconded by Cllr Gascoyne and approved by all. 211/2020 PLANNING REPORT All applications and decisions on this month’s report were noted; the Clerk was asked to make a comment on Application No 20/00029/FUL in the name of Mr Ian Hursthouse, expressing concern over access onto Littlemoor Lane, which would be directly opposite Sherwood Street, onto a road which already has issues caused by resident parking. 212/2020 DOE HILL COMMUNITY PARK Cllr Newham advised Council that the Sink Hole had been repaired by British Coal, that the next Friends of Doe Hill Meeting is on 12th February, and the next Panel Meeting will be on 29th April, both at Blackwell Community Centre.