MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE EASTWOOD TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 8 OCTOBER 2007 IN THE TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBER EASTWOOD NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Present:

Cllr D Bagshaw,

Cllr Hazel Charlesworth,(substitute Councillor),

Cllr R Dodge,

Cllr Mrs T Fiddyment, (substitute Councillor)

Cllr Mrs J Forrest,

Cllr B Griffin,

Cllr J Kenny,

Cllr K Longdon,

Cllr C Robb

Cllr Mrs J Yeomans.

Cllr C Robb, Council Leader in the Chair.

P45/08               APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were accepted from Cllr Mrs G Robb and Cllr Ms R Robb.

P46/08   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

With the exception of Cllr C Robb, all remaining Councillors declared personal interests in agenda item 3 – applications for grants.   These were in respect of the Councillors’ various involvements with (specified) organisations who had applied for grants.

P47/08               APPLICATIONS FOR TOWN COUNCIL GRANTS 2007

              The Town Clerk reported that the following organisations had applied for grants towards the cost of their various activities:-

              Age Concern, Eastwood                                    Arts Group in Eastwood
              Broxtowe Women’s Project                              Citizens Advice Bureau
              D H Lawrence Society                                      Dovecote Rd Allotment Society
              Eastwood Arts Club                                          Eastwood Baptist Church
              Eastwood Collieries Male Voice Choir              Eastwood Craft Group
              Eastwood Cricket Club                                     Eastwood Ladies Probus
              Eastwood/Greasley Cancer Research                Eastwood Partially Sighted Society
              Eastwood Photographic Society                        Eastwood Probus Club           
              Eastwood Tennis Club                                      Eastwood Volunteer Bureau  
              Greasley Singers                                               Moorgreen Colts Football Club
              Movement to Music (Wellington Court)            Nottingham RCC – Cast

The Town Clerk advised the meeting that these grants may be made under the provisions of section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.   In considering the level of any grant received the Council needed to assess the extent of benefit derived by the community from the activities of the organisations concerned.   The amount of grant needs to be commensurate with that assessment.   The Town Clerk reminded the meeting that the budget provision for grants during the current financial year was £2,800 and described the policies applied by the Town Council during preceding years.

              After a full and detailed discussion it was AGREED: -

• That the existing policy of supporting community organisations in this way be continued.

• That grants of £200 be awarded to Age Concern, Citizens Advice Bureau and Eastwood Volunteer Bureau and that grants of £100 be awarded to the remaining 19 groups listed above.

• That the existing policy of presenting grant cheques to group representatives during the next Town Council meeting be continued.

P48/08   TOWN MAYOR’S AWARDS 2008

              The Town Clerk reported that the former Town Council’s policy was to present awards each year at the Annual Town Meeting to individual members of the community who had given help, assistance and benefit to others in the community or who had achieved a personal success in a worthwhile venture.   The awards comprised a frame certificate recording the commendations of the Council for the efforts of the individual concerned.    Recommendations for the awards with supporting information may be made by Councillors, members of community organisations, or anyone who had knowledge of a case meriting consideration.   A public notice is inserted in the local press extending an open invitation to anyone who wishes to put forward a recommendation.   The Policy and Finance Committee then examines the cases put forward before making a recommendation to the Council.   The Town Clerk asked the meeting to consider the continuation of this policy.

              During the ensuing discussion the meeting considered both the strong benefits of continuing this policy and the detailed problems which might arise in the future.   It was finally RESOLVED by a vote of 8 for and 1 against that the existing policy be continued but that an annual limit of up to four awards (maximum) be applied in future years.

P49/08   EASTWOOD TOWN CENTRE

              The Town Clerk reported that in accordance with the wishes of the Council he had written to the Borough Council’s Director of Planning and Community Development requesting the setting up of a joint working group to investigate the capital regeneration of Eastwood Town Centre, particularly the section of Nottingham Road which approaches Mansfield Road.   In reply the Borough Council have confirmed that it was currently committed to preparing planning development schemes for Beeston town and Stapleford Town and work on reviewing Eastwood Town Centre could not therefore commence until some date during 2008/9.   Past investigations had revealed that problems for redevelopment affecting Devonshire Avenue and Church Street arose because this area lies within the conservation area.  

              During the ensuing discussion strong disappointment was expressed that other areas in the borough were receiving – seemingly – much greater consideration than Eastwood.   However, the meeting was equally concerned that conservation area considerations were starting to create areas of neglect and decay.  As a consequence the conservation element was becoming detrimental to the future interests of the town.  

              It was therefore AGREED that the Borough Council be asked to give an assurance (with dates) that a full planning redevelopment review will be carried out for Eastwood Town particularly the area of Devonshire Avenue, Church Street and Nottingham Road (between Albert Street and Mansfield Road).   It was further AGREED to ask that the conservation area be reviewed at an early stage in view of the increasingly dilapidated state of the buildings in this area.  

P50/08   EASTWOOD HEALTH CENTRE

              The Town Clerk reported that in accordance with the Council’s directions he had written a strong protest to the Nottinghamshire NHS Primary Care Trust against the decision not to proceed with the establishment of a new comprehensive health centre for Eastwood.   He had requested the PCT to reconsider its decision and also to hold a public meeting in order that a proper consultation exercise could be carried out.   A copy of the letter had been sent to Geoff Hoon MP who had immediately replied giving his support to the Town Council’s request.   As at the time of this meeting no response had been received from the Primary Care Trust.   When a reply is received this will be circulated for further consideration.   In the meantime representations will continue to be made.

              During the ensuing discussion doubts were expressed that the PCT had also ignored the views of patients who had expressed views against the merger of two surgeries on Church Street to the PCT.   The meeting NOTED these reports.

P51/08   SURVEY OF FLOODING RISKS – EASTWOOD AREA

              The Town Clerk reported that the Environment Agency had commissioned a specialist company (Black and Veatch Ltd, Chester) to evaluate the present day risk of flooding in various local areas.   The company were therefore consulting local councils to identify locations and suspected problems involving water courses, sewers, surface water drains and ground water sources.

              After a full discussion it was AGREED that the Town Clerk prepare and issue a local press statement seeking contributions from Eastwood residents upon past incidents of flooding in Eastwood.   The Town Clerk would then provide a composite response to the specialist company.

P52/08   NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL – CONSULTATIONS REGARDING CARE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE

            The Town Clerk referred to the decision of the Town Council at their meeting on 17 September 2007 (minute 43/08) to record a strong objection to a reported proposal to close Beauvale Court Care Home, Eastwood,  and also to register a protest against the lack of prior consultation with local councils.   Owing to current work pressures, the Town Clerk had not been able to implement this decision immediately but in the meantime, a circular letter to parish/town councils from the Leader of the County Council had been received in connection with this matter.   This circular represented a formal consultation upon a series of recommendations for the future care of older people in the county.   These recommendations were now being circulated under a formal consultation period from October 2007 to 11 January 2008.   One of the recommendations listed was a possible closure of Beauvale Court, Eastwood.   A full copy of the consultation had been circulated to all committee members.

            The committee reviewed the circumstances surrounding the Town Council’s discussions and after a full discussion it was RESOLVED that the Town Council records its strong objection to the proposal to close Beauvale Court.   If however, the recommendation to close is accepted, this Town Council would insist that a satisfactory comprehensive alternative facility be provided – in Eastwood – before the current facility is closed.   The Town Clerk would also carry out a full investigation of the circumstances of the original reports on this matter given to the Town Council.

P53/08   DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL – WASTE SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

            The Town Clerk reported that the Derbyshire County Council had sent details of their current waste sites development plan for consultation purposes.   The plan included a list of the Council’s “preferred Development Locations” and the nearest location/site to Eastwood was Codnor Park Industrial Estate North.   The meeting concluded that this site was sufficiently far enough away to cause little or no detrimental effect to Eastwood or the Erewash Valley adjoining.

            It was therefore AGREED to thank the Derbyshire County Council for this consultation and confirm the Town Council had no objection to the proposals.

P54/08     REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 2007

                 The Town Clerk reported that arrangements will shortly be made for the Remembrance Sunday programme for 2007.   He gave details of the proposals and asked the meeting to confirm its agreement to a repeat of the same arrangements as for 2006.

                 After discussion, and subject to ‘wreath layers’ taking directions from the parade Marshall relating to the order in which wreaths are laid at the memorials, the Town Clerk make the same arrangements as for 2006.

P55//08    CHRISTMAS CIVIC SERVICE 2007

                 The Town Clerk reported that arrangements are now being prepared for the Council’s Civic Christmas Service and gave outline details to the Committee.   Cllr Hazel Charlesworth confirmed that the Town Mayor’s chosen charity was Becky’s Challenge (QMC- flat tilting bed) and Age Concern Eastwood.   The meeting NOTED these proposals.

P56/08     CHILDREN’S COUNCIL

                 Cllr Hazel Charlesworth reported upon the growing interest amongst children, young people and parents in forming a children’s council.   She had been in discussions with the local county council play leader Jackie Woodenson who was able to give advice, encouragement and support if this venture was set up.   The children would meet regularly in groups and discuss various matters relating to community development and improvement.   The groups would be supervised at all times and the meetings needed to be preferably daytime meetings in a separate location to the school.   The purpose of the groups would be to offer comments and observations upon community matters particularly relating to Town Council business.

                 The various details of the idea was discussed by the meeting and it was finally AGREED: -

• To support the principle of setting up a trial period of six months for an ‘Eastwood Young Persons Council’.

• That Cllr Hazel Charlesworth, Cllr Richard Dodge and Cllr Keith Longdon be appointed as observers.

• That the group must have full involvement by parents and teachers and properly supervised by an approved person.

• That the Council Chamber be made available at agreed times and dates for daytime meetings without charge for a trial period of six months.

• Minutes of the meetings to be provided to the Town Council for consideration.

P57/08     PURCHASE OF HAND HELD RADAR GUN (TRAFFIC SPEED CONTROL)

                 The Town Clerk reported that during discussions with Police Community Support Officers the suggestion had been made for the purchase of a hand held radar gun in order to accurately identify the presence of traffic problems associated with vehicular speed.    This equipment was fairly economical (£129 +VAT) and could be used additionally as a real deterrent against speeding motorists.   It had limited use in applying the law to offenders but where motorists could be identified warning letters could be issued.    If the use of this equipment identified and confirmed the presence of a problem site, this information would justify the setting up of an official ‘speed trap’ for motorists.   The Town Clerk suggested that consideration be given to the Council purchasing this equipment and then making it available to PCSO’s.

                 After a full discussion it was AGREED to approve the purchase of this equipment which would remain in the ownership of the Town Council, but used by PCSO’s to combat this problem.   Councillors should be trained in the use of this equipment in order that the fullest use can be made of this new facility.

P58/08     EASTWOOD PHOENIX BAND

                 The Town Clerk reported that he had been approached by former members of the Eastwood Arcadians Band who wanted to form a new Eastwood Band.   This new group already had music equipment (drums, bugles, trumpets etc) and tutors were available but the group needed somewhere to hold weekly practice sessions.  

The Town Clerk suggested to the committee that the pavilion would be suitable for this activity and was available during winter evenings.   After discussion it was AGREED that the group be offered one 2 hour sessions each week for a trail period of six months in the Coronation Park Pavilion at no charge.   A further report would be given to the committee upon the success of this trial period.

*****

There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting. 

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