Present:
Cllrs. P.A. Wise (Chairman), J. Booth, W. Evans, J.S. Flanders, and V. Leivers-Millership.
One member of the public and a member of the press were also in attendance.

Apologies for absence:
Cllrs. S.A.T. Gascoigne and R. Milliken.

Declarations of interest:
Cllr. Mrs P.A. Wise declared an interest in Agenda item 13 – Refurbishment of the Cemetery car park.

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

Matters arising from the Minutes.
The Chairman informed the Council that the Youth Club was still open and was being attended by young people between the ages of 13 and 21 although the opening times were short and the attendance limited.

There was no further information about commencement of work on the skate park scheduled for February 2006.

The Allotment project will be re-sited to the former allotments off Station Road. The Hopping Hill site may be made into a nature reserve and Community Garden. As a small area of water may be placed on the site and have public access, it was essential to review the security of the area.

A date for the viewing of Minutes and Burial Records requested by residents would be set for the Spring. Enquiries had been made regarding the use of the Church Hall on a Saturday morning for this exhibition. The cost would be £10 for the first hour and £5 for each subsequent hour.

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

The pavement along Hucknall Road has narrowed further and is seriously hindering the use of push chairs and wheel chairs. The Clerk would contact Ashfield DC to request remedial action.

There have been many complaints regarding the lack of gritting and also the lack of grit bins in the village. The Clerk would contact Notts. CC.

A garden wall at the junction of Webb Street and Abbey Street was demolished by a car during the recent snowy weather. This has happened before and it was suggested that a barrier should be erected to prevent a re-occurrence.

Comments were made regarding the problem of litter in various parts of the village. It was suggested that local businesses should be encouraged to help in keeping the village clean. This would be an agenda item for the February meeting.

Accounts:

Receipts. £1597.64

Payments. £1172.56

The Accounts were approved and passed for payment.

Matters concerning Newstead Village.
The water pump is not working properly. Mr M. Kimpson will be asked to repair it if possible or replace it.

Complaints have been made regarding the industrial type fencing installed by Network Rail.

Matters concerning Newstead Abbey Park.
A letter of resignation from Cllr Robert Smith was read out. The Council accepted this and declared a vacancy on the Council. The Clerk was asked to write to Cllr Smith thanking him for his contributions during his time on the Council.

The Council had received no further information regarding the proposed gates on the Abbey Drive.

Correspondence.
Letter from Notts.CC re ownership of Hopping Hill field. The Chairman would contact the Land Registry.

Minutes from Newstead Liaison Group – the Clerk would send a copy to each Councillor.

Letter from Gedling BC re Parish finance.

Information from A611 Safety and Traffic Action Group (STAG)

Planning Applications.
No planning applications had been received.

Reports from External meetings.
It was reported that the allotments would now be sited off Station Road near to the railway. Central Trains – services to Newstead.
The Council expressed its dissatisfaction with the letters of attempted justification for a reduction in the service to Newstead.

The “Adopt a Station” scheme was greeted with unfavourable comments. It was thought that the service is so poor that the residents would have a negative opinion to this sort of scheme.

Quotations for the refurbishment of the Cemetery car park.
The quotations ranged from £12500 to £21000 exclusive of VAT. It was agreed by the Council that a tarmac surface would be too expensive.

The Chairman put before the Council an alternative scheme. It was agreed to seek quotes for the completion of this scheme using concrete for the surface instead of tarmac.

The Future of Hopping Hill.
It was necessary to renovate the car park.

It was suggested that a Community Garden could be designed and built which could include a lake. The area would have to have an increase in security.

The area is a SINC and advice from conservation experts would have to be sought.

Mike Klymko could play a part in design and construction.

Items that the Chairman considered urgent.
The Chairman said that it was important to get replacement gritting bins in the village. The Clerk would contact Notts. CC.

Closure and date of next meeting.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.40 pm. The date of the next Parish Council meeting would be on Wednesday 1st February 2006 commencing at 7.30pm. The Clerk will inform Councillors if there are any planning applications to discuss, in which case the meeting will commence at 7.00pm.