Present:
Cllrs. P.A. Wise (Chairman),D. Carless, W. Evans, S.A.T. Gascoigne, V. Leivers-Millership and R. Milliken.
There were 2 members of the public in attendance and a member of the press.

Apologies for absence:
Cllrs. J. Booth and J.S. Flanders.

Declarations of interest:
Councillor Carless declared an interest in planning application 2005/0931.

Approval of the Minutes of the meeting held on 7th September 2005.
The Minutes were approved and were signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising from the Minutes:

The path between Webb Street and the Welfare – Notts CC had been contacted by the Clerk. The problem had been passed on to Gedling BC. Plants which had been planted under the BBC scheme have been strimmed. The Clerk would contact GBC.

The water pump in the Cemetery had been repaired but is still not working properly. It was agreed to seek quotations for a replacement pump.

A site meeting between Network Rail and Cllrs. Carless and Flanders to discuss the problems of litter etc would be arranged. There have been problems re. contact with the relevant departments at Network Rail.

The Chairman adjourned the meeting so that members of the public could discuss Parish matters with Councillors.

There is still a hole in the fence at Glenalmond Park. Notices have been installed saying that the area is observed by security cameras. John Wade would be contacted re repair to the fence.

The Police off-road bike team has had a positive effect on the number of bikers using the colliery tips. The Police have issued 13 Section 59 warrants (bike taken and only returned when £120 fine is paid) and 1 bike has been confiscated. There have been no 4x4’s for some time.

Pc Andy Vale hopes to attend the next Residents Association meeting on 19th October commencing at 7.30pm.

There are several lights out in the village. A youth was seen climbing the lamp posts and banging the top which put the light out. Pc Vale and Notts. CC would be contacted.

Accounts:

Receipts. £38.18

Payments. £913.83

The Accounts were approved and passed for payment.

Matters concerning Newstead Village.
The Clerk was asked to contact Gedling BC re a flying skip for the Village.

Residents have enquired about the possibility of viewing the Minutes and Burial Records held by the Parish Council. An open day could be arranged for viewing and this could also include information from the Healthy Living Centre and the Building Better Communities initiative. The Clerk informed the Council that the Records were fragile documents and would not stand excessive handling. The Records would be available for Councillors at the next meeting.

It was reported that Japanese knotweed was re-growing at the corner of the Cemetery car park. Martin Gundel would be consulted.

After a recent enquiry about the purchase of a burial plot on the south side of the Cemetery, the Council agreed to look at the forward planning of the area. Trees would have to be removed, paths designed and the area consecrated. It was agreed that this would take some time to achieve.

The Youth Club has closed owing to staff illness.

The plans for the skate park are in and available for comment. The young people of the village will be given the opportunity to comment on the plans. Gedling officers will meet the Chairman in the next 2 weeks.

The vegetation on the bend close to the Teenage activity area on Hucknall Road has been cut back but it is still a dangerous area for anyone using the gate and crossing the road. The gate has been blocked off but gaps have been made in the hedge to exit the park. The Chairman would contact Leisure Services at Gedling BC.

The trees on Hucknall Road are in need of trimming back. The Forestry Commission would be contacted.

Matters concerning Newstead Abbey Park.
It was reported that overgrowing vegetation at Vicarage Corner on Station Avenue was impeding the view of motorists using the drive. Gedling BC grounds maintenance dept would be contacted.

A large amount of traffic is using the Abbey Drive as a cut through to the Motorway especially about 7am and at 6pm. At these times there are no attendants on the gates so the traffic is unable to be controlled. Councillors wanted to know why there is no attendant at any time on the gate at the Newstead Village end of the drive. Many vehicles pass through the Village at unacceptable speeds. Contact would be made with Gillian Crawley.

Correspondence.
A letter from Anthony Clarke explained what he intended to do to remove grass trimmings from the gravestones in the Cemetery.

A request for funding from Newstead Welfare Band was refused.

It was agreed to ask for quotes for the refurbishment of the car park.

Planning Applications.

2005/0931 The Granary, Abbey Fields Farm. Construct ménage enclosed with field fencing. Councillor Leivers-Millership visited the site.

No objections.

The Council agreed to revise its procedures for deciding on planning issues. In the future if planning applications have been received, the Parish Council will meet at 7.00pm to consider the applications.

Green Belt Action Group 5
Cllr Milliken gave an up date.

Litter in the Village.
The Chairman will meet with the Headteacher of the School on Wednesday 12th October to set up a scheme to make people aware of the problem of litter. The Parish Council agreed to donate prizes to the value of £150. Councillor Mrs Leivers-Millership said that her locally based company would donate £100 to the scheme. The Hucknall Dispatch would cover the presentation of prizes.

Building Better Communities.
There had been a meeting of the groups within the cluster. The total amount of money is £80000 to be split between projects in Annesley, Linby and Newstead. 13.2 Newstead’s share is £50000 and the projects are as follows:- a new village sign; items of sculpture; mosaics on the Newstead-Linby Trail; the allotment proposals at Hopping Hill; the purchase of a tractor for Glenalmond Park; the renewal of the wall and railings at the Church; and soft landscaping on Station Road.

Newstead Abbey and Village Cricket Club.
The Council agreed to send a donation of £500 to the Cricket Club to go towards the Club’s building expenses.

Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
It was agreed to have a special meeting to discuss the proposals as set out in the Act. The Chairman and the Clerk would arrange a date and time.

Items that the Chairman considered urgent.
The Land Registry would report its findings re the ownership of the land at Hopping Hill within the next 2 weeks.

Vegetation will be cut down at the front of the Welfare and the area tidied up by contractors. This will be paid for using the £500 given by Councillor McCauley as part of a member’s donation.

Phil Burnham of the Friends of Annesley Lagoons gave a report on the NE tip. It was hoped to set up a charitable trust so that the lagoons and the wildlife could be protected from development. He asked for the continued support of the Parish Council which was readily given.

Closure and Date of next meeting.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 10.05pm. The date of the next Parish Council meeting would be on Wednesday 2nd November 2005 commencing at 7.30pm.