Council minutes remain in draft form until agreed and signed at the next council meeting.
Present:
Councillors D Stothard (Chairman), K Chewings, M Chewings, D Eldridge, S Ellis, B Handbury, L Healy, C Jeffreys,
N Monday, M Myles (from 7.40pm), C Patterson, I Shaw and A Simpson.
Apologies Received:
Councillor H Brumpton
Attendance:
The Town Clerk, Administration Manager (Cotgrave Town Council), PC Paul Henson and PCSO P Evans (Cotgrave Police) and M Myles (until 7.40pm) .
The meeting was held virtually, via Zoom, and commenced at 7.04pm.
The Chairman said that Councillor D Wilkie had contacted him, to inform him of his intension to resign from Council. Councillor K Chewings will ask that Councillor Wilkie put this in writing to the Clerk who will then advice the Borough Council of the resignation.
Council will arrange for an acknowledgement of his service to Council over many years.
Apologies
1445 The apologies given were approved.
Declarations of Interest
1446 No declarations of interest were received.
Public Open Session
1447
No member of the public wished to speak.
1448
To suspend standing orders to allow PC P Henson and PCSO P Evans to give an update to Council on policing in Cotgrave.
1449
PC Henson gave information on the crime reports since the last Council Meeting, which are reproduced under “Correspondence” in the minutes.
1450
Councillors Eldridge and Stothard asked questions regarding issues of electric scooters in and around Cotgrave, the police said that this was a national issue, but would engage with the young people and educate them on the rules regarding these vehicles.
Electric scooters are not road legal currently and the only ones which are, are the yellow ones in Nottingham city and any user should have a provisional licence to hire them
1451
Councillor Handbury asked what the Police working policy was at weekends as he has witnessed small motorbikes being ridden on the Old Fosse Way with no helmets and one rider was riding with a small child over the petrol tank.
1452
The Police have a 5-week shift pattern which covers the weekends, but can be flexible when information is received regarding issues and this can lead to enforcement. The police are also aware of cars racing again on and around the A46 and the two roundabouts near Stragglethorpe. Noisy cars have also been noted again around Cotgrave and the drivers will be spoken to. The police can use the drone to help with identifying cars and motorbikes and PC Henson is one of the force’s drone pilots.
1453
Additional response police officers from West Bridgford are now located and working from the police office at Cotgrave.
1454
PC Henson asked the Clerk to share his contact details with the council, but any information sent this way will only go to his email and not on to the national database and if it is an emergency all should dial 999 or 101. PC Henson will only pick up emails when he is on duty.
1455
Crime trends will be monitored, and the theft of catalytic convertors is on the increase again, also the theft of vans. The police are advising van owners to use the full steering wheel cover security locks, as these are harder to remove
Co-Option of vacancy on Council
1456
A resident had applied for the vacant seat for the Ash Lea Ward via co-option onto Cotgrave Town Council.
1457
The candidate, Mary Myles gave a brief report about herself to Council,
1458
Resolved: “To co-opt Mary Myles onto Cotgrave Town Council.”
1459
The Chairman congratulated Councillor Myles and invited her to join the meeting.
Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 10th February 2021
1460
Resolved:
“That the minutes of the previous meetings held on10th February 2021 be received and confirmed as a true record.”
Progress
1461
M1380 Litter Bin on Owthorpe Road
Councillor Shaw said that two bags of rubbish had been left at the site on Owthorpe Road and questioned whether one litter collection a day from the site was sufficient.
1462
The Clerk will speak with the Rushcliffe Borough Council again regarding this issue.
1463
M1381 Letter to Barratts
Councillor K Chewings asked if a reply had been received from Barratts? The Clerk had not received any reply or acknowledgement to the letter.
1464
Councillor K Chewings proposed that due to the lack of response that a public statement should be issued, which should include Cotgrave Town Council website, local news stations (BBC, ITV, Notts TV) and the Nottingham Post.
1465
Councillor K Chewings stated that the building of the proposed new homes should not be allowed until Barratts had completed their commitments to Local Plan One and this included the installation of the pedestrian/cycle bridge over the Grantham Canal.
1466
Councillor M Chewings asked if the Rushcliffe Borough Councillors could speak with the Borough Council telling them how the residents of Cotgrave are being treated by Barratts?
1467
Councillor Butler said that he obviously cannot speak on behalf of Barratts, but totally agrees with the comments made by Council and is more than happy to speak with Rushcliffe Borough Council and ask if they can help with this issue and request a response to the letter.
1468
Councillor D Eldridge seconded Councillor K Chewings proposal. All Council were in favour of this proposal.
1469
Resolved :
To write a public statement on the issue of the planning breach by Barratts on Hollygate Lane and issue these to the local press and onto Cotgrave Town Council’s website.”
1470
M1402 Purchase of Defibrillator
Council had been copied into additional information on defibrillators. At its meeting held on 10th February Council had agreed to purchase a defibrillator (NF1201) at a cost of £994.00 + VAT.
1471
Before the order is placed, the Clerk had spoken with the suppliers and they have stated that the SP1 may be the better option to purchase which would suit Council’s needs better.
1472
The SP1 model has a switch on the front which clearly states which setting is to be used for an adult or child and the pads provided can be used on adults or children. This unit also has a carry bag which stores all the equipment needed for use and the unit is better for all the location chosen to house it, whereas the NF1201 model is more suitable for an indoor adult workspace. The SP1also has a longer warranty of 10 years and the battery life is 4 years.
1473
The price for the SP1 is £1,215 (Opposed to £1125 for the NF1201). The Cotgrave Town Council logo on the unit cabinet can be added for an additional £30. This would clearly identify that the defibrillator is provided and maintained by Cotgrave Town Council.
1474
Council were all in agreement and
1475
Resolved “To purchase the SP1 Defibrillators for installation into the telephone box on the corner of West Furlong/Ringleas.”
1476
The Clerk has obtained a quotation for the installation of the unit at £450, but she will obtain further quotations before placing the order.
1477
Councillor K Chewings had been looking into the possibility of having further defibrillators in areas in Cotgrave not already covered, this could include installations onto the Daleside estate and Hollygate Park. He had found information on units that can be attached onto lamp columns. He will investigate this information further and bring this to the next Council meeting.
1478
The Clerk will ask Nottinghamshire County Council if this could be allowed and how to proceed.
1479
M1409 Land rear of 12 Burhill
Councillor K Chewings asked if any reply had been received from the resident regarding the purchase of the piece of land from Council at the rear of their property. No reply had been received.
1480
M1412 New Council Office
Due to the third National Lockdown, staff have still not moved into the new office, this will hopefully be able to take place in May or June once staff have returned to the office.
1481
The Clerk is still in discussion with Rushcliffe Borough Council regarding the lease of the garage and stores at the Leisure Centre.
1482
M1442 Flooding on Hollygate Lane
A resident had informed that a comment in the previous minutes was not factually correct and they supplied a leaflet from Canals & River Trust discussing flood water and surface water from the roads and that it can be drained into canals and that ditches had not disappeared but due to change in ground levels, the gravity has changed, and a simple solution could be a creation of a small wetland area in some places.
Planning Minutes
1483
Resolved: “To confirm the planning minutes recorded the decisions taken by the Council and those of the Planning Authority.”
Financial Matters
1484
Payments
Resolved:
‘’That the payments made since the previous meeting totalling £12,404.37 as recorded on page 5, be approved and the invoices awaiting payment be paid’’.
| COTGRAVE TOWN COUNCIL 10th March 2021 | ||||
| Talktalk | 21826491 | Broadband and Telephone | 1 | 32.00 |
| Sublime Shine | 570 | Cotgrave Futures Window Cleaning | 1 | 49.99 |
| UK Fuels | 1062316 | Fuel | 1 | 184.13 |
| M Dutton & Son | 13964 | Chainsaw and bar for old chainsaw | 1 | 393.00 |
| J A Kents | 62044 | Grounds Maintenance February 21 | 1 | 880.00 |
| Cotgrave Futures | 358 | MUGA electricity | 1 | 186.08 |
| Mrs J Stephenson | Ink Cartridges | 1 | 48.20 | |
| Cotgrave Comm Kitchen | Grant | 1 | 1146.48 | |
| Notts County Council | 92545317 | January 2021 Salaries | 1 | 9322.70 |
| Talktalk | 21936918 | Broadband and Telephone | 1 | 38.40 |
| Acora | 128548102 | Data Back Up | 1 | 13.20 |
| Opus Energy | 70044285 | Sports Pavilion Electricity | 1 | 44.29 |
| HSBC | Bank Charges | 1 | 6.50 | |
| Meerkat Comms | Broadband for CCTV | 1 | 59.40 | |
| TOTAL | 12404.37 |
1485
Income
Resolved:
“That the income totalling £1992.18 since the last meeting, as reproduce below.
| 1.3.21 | Cotgrave FC | Rent | 150.00 |
| Various Dates | Allotment Rent 2021 | Allotment Rental | 1342.18 |
| 7.2.21 | Cotgrave Open Gardens | Grant Refund | 500.00 |
| TOTAL | 1992.18 |
Financial Statements
1486
Members considered the Statements for January 2021 as reproduced at the back of the Minute Book.
At the end of January 20212 Council had £24,290.85 in the Co-op account, £109,662.79 in the HSBC account and £201,085.94 in the NatWest account.
Grants
1487
A grant request has been received from Vale First Responders asking for £500 for support for medical equipment, and for renewing time-expired items such as pads and batteries for defibrillators.
1488
Councillor K Chewings said that he believed that Vale First Responders covers in the Vale of Belvoir and Bingham and did not cover Cotgrave, which was covered by Trent First Responders, which Councillor D Eldridge also believed to be correct.
1489
The Clerk thought that both groups may have recently amalgamated. She would find out further information and present again on the agenda of the next Council meeting.
1490
Council decided to defer any decision on this grant application until further information have been sourced.
1491
A second grant request has been received form the Cotgrave Young People’s Centre, who wished to apply for £750 towards packs for the children aged between 8-15 (potential over 150 young people) for over the Easter holiday.
1992
Councillor D Stothard queried the amount of £450 which did not state what it was for (£300 – other tbc and £150 delivery tbc).
1493
Councillor K Chewings proposed that giving the close timeline of Easter in relation to Council’s next meeting that the Clerk confirm with the Young People’s Centre the exact costs and what it was form, and that this grant request be ratified via email to councillors.
1494
This was seconded by Councillor S Ellis.
1495
Councillors R Butler and L Healy had also provided funding for these activated within their Borough Council funding.
Working Groups
Future housing development in Cotgrave
1496
Councillor Shaw said that in the absence of a reply letter from Barratts, there was not much to report on this subject.
1497
Councillor K Chewings had been in contact with the secondary schools at Radcliffe-on-Trent and Bingham and these were now full to their capacity. Regarding the doctor’s surgery, they currently have 2 doctors alternating their work each day and he had heard that it was currently taking one to two weeks to get a non urgent appointment.
1498
Councillor K Chewings had also been speaking with parents regarding their choice of schools and some have been refused their first choice. One Cotgrave family had been allocated a place at East Leake.
1499
Councillor Butler said that figures regarding education places were available for viewing withing the planning application documents, available online. This included figures for funding for education.
1500
Councillor K Chewings proposed that a further working group meeting to be arranged. This was seconded by Councillor S Ellis.
1501
The Clerk will arrange a date for the meeting and forward details to all councillors.
Grass Cutting Maintenance Contract
1502
The Clerk asked Council if the currently contract could be extended by one year?
1503
Councillor S Ellis proposed that the contract be extended by one year, this was seconded by Councillor D Stothard.
1504
Resolved :
To extend the current grass cutting contract by 1 year.’
Broadmeer Play Area
1505
Council had been copied into a quotation for repairs to the wet pour at the Broadmeer Play Areas, which had been highlighted on the last inspection report.
1506
Councillor M Chewings proposed that both areas of the park be repaired, all council agreed.
1507
Resolved : “To carry out repair to the wet pour at Broadmeer play Area at the cost of £927.50.”
Rushcliffe Children’s Centre – Easter Egg Appeal
1508
Council has received a request from the Rushcliffe Children’s Centre asking if Council would be able to support the group by providing some Easter Eggs that will be distributed to some of the most vulnerable children and families in Rushcliffe and this would include families within Cotgrave.
1509
The Children’s Centre were already in receipt of 50 eggs and was asking Council if they could provide another 30 eggs.
1510 Resolved : “To purchase 30 £1 Easter Eggs for the Children’s Centre.”
Tree Works
1511
Following on from the tree survey carried out on The Green, this had raised issues with several trees.
1512
A quotation has been received to fell one Chestnut and reduce two London Plane at the cost of £395.
1513
Four trees in the buffer zone at Ringleas Play Area also needed to be reduced at the cost of £395 and reduce a further cherry tree at the cost of £125.
1514
A resident had asked if one of the Cherry trees could be removed, but as the tree was in good health and there was no real reason to remove it, it would be reduced in size.
1515
Resolved : ”To carry out the tree works on The Green and Ring Leas Play Area at the cost of £1,270.00.”
Covid-19 Policy
1516
The Clerk is still checking in on staff to make sure that they have all the required PPE.
1517
The MUGA will re-open on 29th March in guidance with the government legislation as will the outdoor gym equipment.
1518
The next major change will be on the 12th April when staff should have access to the council office.
Correspondence
1519 Crime Figures
| Date | Location | Crime |
| 23.1.21 | Broadmeer | Criminal damage – shed door/s damaged |
| 25.1.21 | Marlwood | Car window smashed |
| 8.2.21 | Bingham Road | Theft other – number plates stolen from car |
| 8.2.21 | Corn Close | Theft other – cat converter stolen |
| 9.2.21 | Woodview | Theft other – parcel stolen from doorstep |
| 11.2.21 | Bluebell Avenue | Theft and damage – doorstep planter/s stolen and used to smash window/s of adjacent property. |
1520
WPS Hallam – Council Insurance
Correspondence has received information that the insurance company has re-tendered the CouncilGuard. Military Mutual is now the new scheme insurer.
Clerks’ Reports
1521
The Clerk has received information of an on-line employment relation training course at the cost of £60. This is only for one member of staff, but once the course has been attended, she can then the information with Council.
Councillor D Stothard proposed that the Clerk attend the training course, this was seconded by Councillor ?
1522
The minimum wage was due to increase as from 1st April 2021. This will only affect the park keepers.
1523
The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Wednesday 5th May via Zoom. Posters will be displayed on Council’s website and notice boards, and any member of the public who wishes to attend/or ask Council any questions can request the link for the meeting from the Clerk.
1524
No further legislation has been received from NALC regarding the continuation of remote meetings. It may be that the Annual General Meeting may revert to physical meetings.
Councillors Reports
1525
Councillor R Butler Informed Council that there had been some fly tipping on the old A46 and reminded everyone that if the see any fly tipping, please report this to Rushcliffe Borough Council as there are ongoing investigations. You can report fly tipping of the Borough Council website.
1526
Councillor M Chewings asked if Council would be able to reimburse the Clerk for some of her phone calls, as she is currently using her personal mobile telephone for Council business. The Administration Manager has the Council emergency mobile telephone.
1527
Council staff have been claiming the £6/week working from home allowance to cover costs.
1528
The mobile telephone contract is due for renewal at the beginning of May, this will be added to the agenda of the April meeting for further discussion.
1229
Councillor Handbury spoke about why do recycling centres require a booking system. Councillor Butler said that at the beginning of the first lockdown last year the site were overloaded, hence why the booking system was set up and he thought that this was only a temporary measure.
1530
Councillor Monday had a complaint regarding the new bench on Woodview, near to the Leisure Centre. A resident had asked if the base could be extended for better access from the pavement?
1531
Councillor Monday also commend on the condition of Hollygate Lane and that it needed major repair works.
1532
Councillor Butler agreed with this, and said that each year he could nominate highways that were in need to repairs etc.
1533
Councillor Patterson reported that a resident had said that the tree stumps left on the Green following felling were dangerous.
1534
These stumps were programmed in to be removed when the tree surgeon was carrying out the tree works on the Green,
1535
Councillor Shaw said that he had heard that the Cotgrave Community Kitchen had been given notice to vacate the Welfare from 17th April, due to the Welfare getting ready to re-open after the end of lockdown.
1536
The group were considering several options to relocate the community kitchen and mini market, including discussion with the Trustees of Cotgrave Futures.
To suspend standing orders to allow the meeting to continue for a further 10 minutes.
1537
Councillor Stothard had noticed that the sign was now on the old Hotpots Café for the new Pizza shop but queried the breach of planning policy regarding the air conditioning unit on the side of the building. There is not any further information on this issue.
1538
Councillor Stothard mentioned that he had had complaints regarding the road leading to the new retail park at Edwalton and that queuing cars were backing up on to the major roads and some cars are queuing for up to 20 minutes for the fast-food takeaways.
1539
Councillor Myles thanked everyone for co-opting her onto Council and hoped that she could be of some benefit to Council and looked forward to working with Council.
The meeting ended at 9.03pm
Chairman…………………………………… Signed as a True Record (Date)………………………………