Minutes of Council Meeting 21st October 2024

Present :
Councillors I Shaw (Chairman), R Butler, K Chewings, S Gardner, L Healy, S Mitchell, N Monday, A Simpson, D Stothard and M Woodward.

Apologies Received : Councillor C Jeffreys.

Absent : Councillors S Ellis and M Myles.

In Attendance : Julie Stephenson (Town Clerk), Jane Pick (Admin Manager) -Cotgrave Town Council and one member of the public.

The meeting was held in the Meeting Room at Cotgrave Futures and commenced at 7pm.

Apologies

1011 The apologies received were approved.

Declarations of Interest
1012
Councillor D Stothard declared and interest in agenda item 12 and Councillor I Shaw declared an interest in agenda item 9c) and did not take part in the discussions.

Public Open Session
1013
A resident wished to speak to Council regarding council supporting the Climate and Nature Bill. More information on the bill can be obtained from https://www.zerohour.uk which describes the bill as well as listing MPs, Peers, Mayor, and other councils who have already declared their support.

1014
The Climate and Nature Bill is a plan for the new UK law to address the full extent of the climate and nature crisis in line with the most up-to-date science. The bill is the only proposed legislation before UK Parliament that ensures a comprehensive and joined-up approach to the climate emergency and nature crisis.

1015
The resident noted the council’s good position on solar farms which are being built around Cotgrave and there help with the environment.

1016
Council asked for this item to be added to the agenda for the next meeting to discuss further and make a decision whether to support the bill.

1017
The Chairman thanked the resident for attending the meeting and providing the information.

Accuracy of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 9th September 2024

1018
Resolved : “That the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 9th September 2024 be received and confirmed as a true record.”

Progress Minutes of Council Meeting held on 9th September 2024

1019
M0935 Public Open Session – member of the public

Councillor Healy asked if the member of the public who said they would attend the meeting had been in contact with Council as they were not present.

The resident has given Councillor K Chewings a letter that she wished to be read out at the meeting. This would be read under Councillors Reports.

1020 M0938 Policing in Cotgrave

Councillor Shaw asked what resources the Police had provided for the Community Garden.

The Town Clerk said that she had attended a meeting with the Police, Cotgrave Welfare, the Community Garden, and the youth workers. The Police had produced a 23-point action plan for the garden. The plan was developed to provide additional security but needed funds to allow for it to be installed. The police wished to know if any of the attendees would be willing to pay towards some or all the action points.

1021
Cotgrave Town Council and Cotgrave Futures have offered to provide funding of a third each towards CCTV and some additional security measures but have requested that the Community Gardens also pay a third of the costs.
1022 M0939 Damaged on The Green Play Park

Councillor D Stothard asked if the young people had been identified and had the whole of the club attended the educational session provided by the Police?

1023
The Town Clerk has registered council’s disappointment that the children responsible for the damaged had not been identified by the Club and no direct intervention has been made directly with the individuals, but the police had met with some club members to carry out an educational session with them.

1024
Councillor K Chewings asked if Council can formally request that the Police Sergeant attend a council meeting or arrange to meet with council at a suitable time to discuss this issue further.

1025
M0943 Car Parked outside the Catholic Church

Councillor Shaw reported the car and it was moved the following day.

1026 M0951 Cotgrave FC

A new agreement is now in place with the football club for the hire of both Arthur Ridley Sportsground and Madisson Field football pitches.

A meeting has also been held with officers from Rushcliffe Borough Council to discuss sports facilities in Cotgrave, a further meeting will be held in January 2025.

1027 M0956 Recycling Bins on the Shopping Centre

Councillor Chewings is to ask if a meeting can be arranged to meet with Rushcliffe Borough on the Shopping Centre to discuss the bins again? This may change soon if glass collection is moved to all residents having a glass bin.

1028
M0954 Proposed junction changes at The Cross/Plumtree Road

No further information was currently available.

1029
M0959 Planting up of Shopping Centre planters

An update from the Community Garden has been received providing a breakdown of the costs for the plants. There is still some budget remaining for each bed to complete the planting.

1030
Council have suggested contacting schools to see if they would like to look after a flower bed.

1031
M0988 CCTV Dr McDonald’s bench

The CCTV camera has now been installed.

1032
M0989 Cavendish Consulting

Bente Klein will be attending the Council meeting in November.

1033
M0992 Transport Manager (Notts CC)

Councillor Butler informed Council that Trent Barton will now re-introduce the evening bus services for Cotgrave to Nottingham from Monday 4th November. The buses will run as follows:-

1034
Monday to Thursday – Nottingham to Cotgrave at 9.20, 10.20 and 11.20 and from Cotgrave to Nottingham 9.51, 10.51 and 11.51.

1035 Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Bank Holidays will have no changes to the current timetable.

1036 M1006 Maddison Dog Walking Field

The Town Clerk has written to the dog walking business, but no reply has been received. Signage has been put up informing that the field is not for commercial use. No further reports of the business using the field has been reported.

Planning Minutes
1037
Resolved : “To confirm the planning minutes recorded and the decisions taken by the Council and those of the Planning Authority.”

Financial Matters
1038
Resolved: ‘’That the payments made since the previous meeting totalling £49,497.79 as recorded below, be approved and the invoices awaiting payment be paid’’.

EDF Energy Unit 28 Electricity 1 20.24
British Gas Suite F Electricity 1 99.30
Rushcliffe BC 711120902 Repair gate the Green Park 1 291.05
Kompan 255654 Supernova – Broadmeer Park 1 4652.32
Cotgrave Futures 898 MUGA Electricity 1 18.70
Notts CC 9305691 August Salaries 1 20,658.93
Notts County Council 67364 August Maintenance 1 1080.00
Rushcliffe BC 71121599 Kneel Rail replacement 1 263.90
St John Ambulance SP24005749 First Aid Summer Event 9 274.56
Three Mobile Phones 1 14.62
Rushcliffe BC 71121688 Empty Septic tank Sportsground 1 159.44
Roffesoft 8294 2 x office 365 licences x 1 year 1 322.56
TMS Hardware Hardware 1 17.40
Cotgrave Futures 907 Shredding Costs 1 98.23
Polygraphics 7251-1 No Commercial Use sign Maddison Park 1 180.00
Proludic 9717 Repair Seesaw – Grassmere 1 450.00
Baker Ross 15212087 Crafts Cotgrave Library 1 150.56
Kent Services 67450 Grounds Maintenance Sept 1 1080.00
Roffesoft 8303 Restore Laptop 1 72.00
HSBC Bank Charges 1 13.46
British Gas 813051811 Suite F Electricity 1 74.45
Rushcliffe BC 71123038 Suite F Service Charge 1 180.00
Rushcliffe BC 71122729 Suite F Rent 13 435.00
Rushcliffe BC 71122943 Unit 28 Rent 1 650.00
Water Plus 6838853 Unit 28 1 45.51
Landscape Supplies 137747 Gloves – Eyewash 1 123.24
Meerkat Comms 3390 Broadband and Landline 1 64.45
UK Fuels 10024487 Fuel 1 88.10
Wrights Roofing 68 Futures Roof Repair 1 345.00
EDF 182 Unit 28 Rent 1 27.59
Opus Energy 75668451 Arthur Ridley Sports Pavilion 1 79.97
Rushcliffe BC 71126100 Repairs Wheelspin Ringleas 1 1275.08
Rushcliffe BC 71126414 Play Park Inspections 1 540.00
Cotgrave Futures 919 MUGA Electricity 1 25.34
Proludic 9833 Rubber Support Broadmeer Park 1 197.23
Notts CC 9306019 September Salaries 1 11187.18
Three Mobile Phones 1 16.78
Notts Fire & Safety 43844 Fire Extinguishers Checks 1 45.12
A R Signs 202409309 Charity Cheque 1 36.00
Young Peoples Centre Grant 1 750.00
Globesec 14675 Cameras Dr Macdonald’s bench 1 1154.40
J Stephenson T Roll, Teabags, and fly spray 1 13.23
Rushcliffe BC 71136920 Suite F Rent 13 435.00
Rushcliffe BC 71136930 Unit 28 Rent 1 702.00
Rushcliffe BC 71136250 Suite F Service Charge 1 180.00
Rushcliffe BC 71136180 Quarterly Rent Grassmere Park 1 68.75
Rushcliffe BC 71135950 Quarterly Rent Ringleas Park 1 66.25
Rushcliffe BC 71135941 Quarterly Rent the Green 1 68.75
Rushcliffe BC 71125954 Unit 28 Rent 1 39.32
EDF Unit 28 Rent 1 25.36
British Gas 603711367 Suite F 1 74.17
Notts Fire Safety Ltd 42865 Unit 28 Fire Extinguishers Checks 1 52.70
Halls Locksmiths 140271 Parks Abloy Keys 1 89.75
A R Signs 202410092 Burhill Car Park Signage 1 424.80

1039 Income

Resolved : “That the income totalling £142,096.24 since the last meeting, as reproduced below.

2.9.24 Cotgrave FC Rent 160.00
2.9.24 Allotment Tenant Plot 14 Burhill Rent, Bond, Key 80.70
3.9.24 All Saints Church Grass Mowing (x 5 years) 9766.80
5.9.24 Allotment Tenant Plot 34a Burhill 80.70
23.9.24 Rushcliffe Borough Cl Precept 123,596.00
17.9.24 Cotgrave FC Rent Madisson (September) 66.67
2.10.24 Cotgrave FC Rent Arthur Ridley 160.00
1.10.24 Cotgrave FC Rent Madisson 66.66
2.10.24 Co-op Transfer from Bank 4986.85
6.10.24 Smash City Christmas Market Stall 30.00
9.10.24 Riverside Drinks Christmas Market Stall 30.00
12.10.24 S Merrin Christmas Market Stall 10.00
15.10.24 Rushcliffe Borough Cl Grounds Maintenance 3046.86
15.10.24 CCK Christmas Market Stall 15.00

Financial Statements

1040
Members considered and approved the Statements for August and September 2024 as reproduced at the back of the Minute Book.

At the end of August 2024 Council had £4,986.85 in the Co-op account, £205,971.72 in the NatWest account and £51,712.53 in the HSBC account.

At the end of September 2024 Council had £4,986.85 in the Co-op account, £206,225.38 in the NatWest account and £153,909.36 in the HSBC account.

1055
Councillors K Chewings, D Stothard, M Woodward and S Mitchell agreed to help with the event. Councillor R Butler will confirm if he can attend later in the week. The Town Clerk and the Administration Manager and a resident have also confirmed their attendance.

Litter Bin Provision
1056 Council have been paying Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) for the bin collection service. Following an overhaul of their costs and the service they provide RBC have forwarded new costs for this service.
The following cost have been offered by RBC –
a) emptying of the nominated street bins and disposal at £2,380.04 per annum; or
b) Cotgrave Town Council to empty the nominated bins and bring the rubbish to a
central point for a once-a-day collection by RBC at £2080.00 per annum; or
c) for Cotgrave Town Council to start a contract with Nottingham City Council to have a
1100 ltr bin located outside Unit 28 and emptied once a fortnight at £26.40 per
fortnight or £716.40 per annum.
1057 Councillor N Monday proposed to set up a contract with Nottinghamshire County Council,
this was seconded Councillor M Woodward.
1058 Resolved : “To set up a contract with Nottinghamshire County Council to
provide a 1100 litre bin to be emptied once per fortnight at £26.40

per fortnight (£716.40 per annum).

Tree Works
1059 Council considered a quotation for tree works at various locations, following a discussion Council asked the Clerk if she can obtain further quotations.

1060 Streetwise are not available for quotations currently due to amount of work required by Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Play Equipment – Monkey Challenge

1061 Council were copied into a document for a Monkey Challenge, which is a wooden boarded fence climbing wall. The Council asked the Clerk to find out more information about the product to bring to the next council meeting.

Correspondence (for information only)
1062 Crime Statistics
The following crime statistics for Cotgrave has been forwarded from Cotgrave Police:-
1.6.24 Cotgrave Community Gardens Damage caused
9.6.24 Cotgrave Community Gardens Damage caused
2.7.24 Saxon Way Door handle of front door tried overnight
4.7.24 Westway Theft from garden
5.7.24 Briargate Damaged caused to fencing
6.7.24 Farmyard Touring caravan stolen overnight
10.7.24 Cotgrave Community Gardens Damage caused
15.7.24 Ringleas Transit van stolen from roadside overnight
22.7.24 Cotgrave Community Gardens Damage caused
24.7.24 Cotgrave Community Gardens Damage caused
27.7.24 Behind Chip Shop Oil barrels tipped over
7.8.24 Cotgrave Transit van stolen from driveway, vehicles recovered in Clifton and x 2 arrested at scene.
12.8.24 Cotgrave Welfare Attempted burglary , doors, and windows damaged – OIC awaiting CCTV
15.8.24 Daleside Car damaged overnight
22.8.24 Colston Gate Garden gate damaged overnight
1063 Rushcliffe Borough Council
Notification has been received from the Borough Council on the rent increase from 8th September 2024 in line with RPI.

Unit 28 rent will be £7,020.00 pa an increase of £520 and Suite F will be £4,698.00 and increase of £348pa.

Update from Ward Members
1064 Councillor R Butler said that the Local Development Framework was moving forward but it would be sometime before any information is available.
1065 Councillor Butler was also please that there have been no further flooding issues in and around Cotgrave following the rain at the weekend and that Nottingham County Council has been clearing the drains, but this can still be a major issue and requires monitoring.
1066 Councillor K Chewings informed that it has become a requirement for Local Planning Authorities to prepare design codes in which they set out design requirements for developments in their area. Work has started on the preparation of a Design Code for Rushcliffe. This should be available for public to view and comment on the consultation early next year. It will help to design the needs the houses to meet the needs of the population.
1067 Councillor K Chewings informed that Cotgrave has been nominated in several categories in the Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards, several of the nominations from Cotgrave have been shortlisted, these include The Manvers Arms – Food Establishment of the Year, Rachel Ollerenshaw – Environmental Project or Group of the Year, Joyful Jukebox – Health and Wellbeing and Ian Goulding – Pride of Rushcliffe.

1068 Cotgrave Town Council wish good luck to all of the Cotgrave shortlisted categories.

Clerks Reports
1069 Confirmation has been received from Rushcliffe Borough Council that they provide 9 grass cuts per year. This year they have completed 6 cuts from April to August.
1070 Following the broken glass on the MUGA, the surface has now been clean and the facility has been re-opened.
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1071 The Government has published on the Employment Rights Bill. There is currently no implementation date on any of the proposals yet and councils should abide by existing legislation until such changes are implemented.
1072 New interest rates have been forwarded from NatWest Bank. The current rate up to 26th January is 3.69%. The new rate from 27th January 2025 will be 3.44%.
1073 The Clerk and the Administration Manager attended an appointment with a solicitor to discuss a Deed of Easement for land at Burhill and access from properties from 98 and 98a (yet to be built) Ringleas.

1074 A letter will be sent to both the residents of 98 Ringleas and the builder/owner of plot 98a with regarding to the need for an Easement.

Councillors’ Reports
1075 Councillor Butler said that he had met with residents from Colston Gate regarding their concerns about the building works and changes to road on Hollygate Lane/Colston Gate and in particular road closures/traffic management. The contractors had not obtained full permission to carry out the works at that time, but this has now been resolved and a better understanding is now in place with both parties. Notts CC Highways (Via) are monitoring the situation.
1076 Councillor M Woodward was concerned that the new access road to the new houses on Hollygate Lane was very close to the bend and also said that there was a lot of mud on the road.
1077 Councillor Woodward also said that the grass cutting contractor had been blowing the cuttings into the gutters and drains, which had just been cleared. The Clerk will speak to the contractor.
1078 Councillor K Chewings had received a letter from a resident of Cotgrave that they wished to be read out at the meeting.

1079 Councillor Chewings wished it to be noted that he did not agree with the content of the letter.

Standing Orders suspended at 8.57 to allow the meeting to continue for a further 15 minutes.
The press and public will be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item/s of business of the grounds that it involves and likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Section 1(2) of the Public Bodes (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.
Barratt Homes/Rushcliffe Borough Council
1080 Following a meeting with Barratt Homes and Rushcliffe Borough Council it has been agreed to legally remove the need for a bridge over the canal at Hollygate Lane from the planning conditions.

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Staffing Matters
1081 Council has now employed a new grounds maintenance operative, they have a commencement date of Monday 28th October.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm.

Chair:…………………………………… Signed as a True Record (Date)………………………………