Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting for the Parish of
Ruddington held at St. Peter’s Rooms on
Tuesday 24th April 2012 At 7.30 p.m.
Chairman
Councillor Mrs B M Venes, Chairman of the Parish Council, took the chair.
Attendance
22 members of the public were present.
Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr A Chopra, Cllr Mrs M Robinson, Cllr Mrs R Wilson, Kim Aspinall (James Peacock Bread Charity), David Hollingworth and Julie Lazonby (Ruddington Churches Holiday Club).
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 5th April 2011, having been circulated to every elector present, were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Matters Arising from the Minutes
There were no matters raised arising from the minutes.
Charity Accounts
James Peacock Educational Foundation
Mr Andrew Green presented the report in respect of the James Peacock Educational Foundation.
During the year income amounted to £5,391.11, an increase over the previous year of approx. £50. The objects of the Charity are to assist by way of gift or grant the education of young people up to the age of 25 years who live, or whose parents live, in the Ruddington area. Total expenditure was £7,124.70 including grants to individuals amounting to £800.00. All school children on transfer to secondary school are presented with a bible, thesaurus and calculator. Total expenditure in this regard was £1,319.60. St Peter’s School received £2,000.00 in respect of books and £2,000.00 for lighting in the hall. £400.00 was given for assistance with school trips. The Hermitage Pre-School Playgroup was given £560.10 for equipment.
The excess of payments over receipts for the year was £1,733.59. Total funds (at cost) as shown by the Balance Sheet now amount to £63,528.86.
There were no questions raised by the electors present.
The James Peacock Bread Charity
In the absence of Mrs. Kim Aspinall, Chair of the Trustees, the Clerk read her report on behalf of the James Peacock Bread Charity:-
“1. Trustees
We regret that Yvonne Clay has resigned as a trustee on health grounds. Her positive and sensible contribution to running the allotments will be greatly missed. We wish her well for the future.
We would like to welcome Jaqui Granger to the committee of trustees to replace Yvonne. She has been a keen tenant for several years and has recently been producing the allotments newsletter.
The current trustees are- Kim Aspinall, chair, plots 43.44; Peter Johnson- Marshall, secretary, plots 41,42; Rob Macshane, plot 9; Jaqui Granger, plots 60B,61A; Barbara Venes, Parish Council
2. Lettings
We have lost 6 tenants during the year, but the plots released have been let. Plot 19 is still vacant due to its poor location and the trustees will convert it to a communal orchard. The rent of a plot is increased to £10 (£7 half plot) to pay for third party insurance premiums.
3. Security and Access
Nottinghamshire County Council have generously provided the Charity with substantial improvements - extended perimeter fencing, two new gates on Musters Road, slab paths on the north side, a footbridge, new steps to the stream, well repairs and a raised bed on plot 4A. The trustees are very grateful for this work which will greatly improve both access for the disabled and the general amenity for all the allotment users.
4. Donations
This charity was initiated by James Peacock in his will of 1641 to help the needy and the children of this parish. We are very lucky to be receiving the benefits of his generosity many years later and we have a duty to continue with charitable activities. Accordingly the trustees will donate £100 to each of two village children’s groups. Individual tenants have also donated vegetables to the widows of former allotment holders. This is in line with the aims of the Charity.
5. Maintenance
Maintenance should be easier following the construction of the new paths. Our thanks to those tenants who have contributed to the upkeep of paths and hedges and to those who have helped at the three working parties held in 2011. The stream area is now greatly improved. The hedges to the north, east and south have been tractor mown to the outside, but tenants are still responsible for maintaining their own sections.
6. Accounts for 2011/2012
The accounts will be prepared after the annual collection of rents and will be presented to the Parish Council and the Charity Commission.”
Cllr P F McGowan reminded the meeting that, at last year’s meeting, David Hollingworth suggested that the trustees may wish to pursue the position with regard to obtaining copies, or new, deeds as there is an ongoing dispute regarding the exact position of boundaries between the allotments and some properties on Musters Road. Mrs Johnson-Marshall reported on behalf of the trustees that the land was now registered. Cllr Mrs B E Breakwell reported that, as a resident whose property was affected, she could confirm that the trustees had been in liaison with those affected regarding this matter.
Annual Report on the work of the Parish Council
Amenities Committee – presented by Councillor Allen Wood.
Councillor Wood gave a résumé of the work undertaken by the Amenities Committee over the past year. A copy of the full report is appended to these minutes.
Don Sayers asked where the £27k for the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) came from. He was advised that it was from the Local Improvement Scheme. He then asked why he had not had a response after he had submitted comments during the consultation period. Cllr Mrs B E Breakwell advised that the project is still on-going, is still looking for further funding, that nothing had been decided yet and apologised for the lack of response. Fran Dent asked about the possible impact on the bowling green.
Don Sayers raised the issue of trees on The Green and offered the opinion that they were too big and didn’t allow any useful activity to take place on The Green. Andy Green said they shouldn’t have been planted. Borough Councillor N Boughton-Smith disagreed.
Don Sayers asked what satisfaction the Parish Council derived from destroying the Badminton Club – as it had already destroyed the Tennis Club which now plays in Gotham. Councillor Allen Wood explained that all Parish Council sports facilities are subsidised and that the Parish Council was seeking to set fair charges for all users. Groups using the facilities need to work with the Parish Council.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Wood for his presentation
Environment & Community Committee – presented by Councillor Nick Tegerdine
Councillor Tegerdine gave a brief résumé of the work undertaken by the Environment & Community Committee over the past year. A copy of the full report is appended to these minutes. He thanked the staff and members of the Committee for their work over the last year in moving forward the, slowly, growing role of the Committee.
There were no questions raised.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Tegerdine for his presentation.
Finance & Policy Committee – presented by Councillor Nick Tegerdine
Councillor Tegerdine gave a brief résumé of the work undertaken by the Finance & Policy Committee over the past year. A copy of the full report is appended to these minutes.
Don Sayers raised the problem of parking in the Village. It was acknowledged that this is an issue for Nottinghamshire County Council. Councillor Tegerdine explained that this issue has been looked at by the Environment and Community Committee and would be again. Representations have been made to the County Council, and doubtless will again.
A wide ranging discussion followed regarding options for parking restrictions, the siting of a Park and Ride, and the possible impact of Line 3 of the Tram.
Gavin Walker asked if it was possible to know in advance which councillors would be in attendance at Parish Surgeries and, in particular, when County Councillor Reg Adair would be attending. The Clerk responded that there is a an agreed rota for Parish and Borough councillors, with County Councillor Adair due to attend each surgery but the Parish Council Office is not always advised in advance about changes in attendance.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Tegerdine for his presentation.
Reports from Local Clubs/Organisations
The Chairman advised that it had previously been agreed by the Parish Council that any Club/Organisation which received priority use of a Parish Council asset, or had received funding from the Parish Council during the year, be requested to attend the Annual Parish Meeting to present a report on their activities.
Ruddington Bowls Club - presented by Fran Dent
Fran Dent reported that the Bowls Club was founded in 1924 with 26 members, at its height in the 1990’s there were over 100 members. Today there are 60. The season runs from May to September and the Club play 70 league and 30 cup and friendly matches.
The bowling green is maintained by the Parish Council and the Club receive many compliments about it. The Club themselves keep up and maintain the pavilion.
There is an Open Day on May 6th to attract anyone interested in joining the Club.
The Chairman thanked Fran for her presentation.
Ruddington Local History & Amenity Society – presented by Gavin Walker
Gavin reported that there are two arms to the History Society – one being the operation of the Village Museum and the other the Meetings of the Society. The Society hold meetings monthly between October and March which are very well attended, with speakers being invited to each meeting. The History Club has 100 members. A small group runs the Museum which opens from Easter until October. During other times members of the Society work on records and clean artefacts where necessary. The Museum has some 12,000 artefacts and these are currently being catalogued. There is a new website.
There are enough volunteers to run the Museum but some younger volunteers would be welcome.
The Museum benefits from support from the Parish Council but, as has happened in many other places, funding from the Borough Council has been removed. There was, in consequence, a deficit of approx. £1,000 last year and the Museum is proactively fundraising and looking to cut costs.
Don Sayers asked about visits to the Museum by schools. Gavin explained that these still happen, but less than they once did – reducing as the costs of travel have increased. Visits from local schools are remaining unchanged.
The Chairman thanked Gavin for his presentation.
Ruddington Fun – presented by Fiona Oliver
Fiona reported that Ruddington Fun started in February 2011 to “provide either directly or through partnership with other organisations school holiday activities/events for children, young people and families within Ruddington”.
There is a committee of 8 and all events are free to users. The main activities were held during the summer holidays with 9 activities planned (although one, the Bike Ride, was cancelled due to bad weather). Attendance at the events ranged from 40 to 81.
The events were supported by the Parish Council by the provision of 6 venues free of charge. This meant that grant money could go directly on activities and on building up some resources – which they are happy to loan out.
Councillor K Piggott said, to general agreement, that this is a tremendous new initiative and benefits Ruddington greatly.
The Chairman thanked Fiona for her presentation.
Ruddington Colts – presented by Andy Scott
Andy introduce himself as Secretary to the Ruddington Colts. He reported that Ruddington Village F.C. has junior boys teams, youth, adult, male and female teams. The Club recently celebrated 25 years in its current format.
Andy reported “All involved with our are club volunteers, there are no paid staff at all. Tonight I want to explain how we work with the Parish and how the Parish help us deliver our aims.
There has been some conflict in the 18 years or so I have been with the Club and the Parish. This has largely been about access to facilities and a lack of understanding of each other’s situation.
That changed for the better big time as we joined forces to raise funds for much needed facilities to replace our derelict portacabin! This was a joint project which led to the state of the art Jubilee Clubhouse, costing over £500,000, being established for the young of Ruddington (not just our club). It was officially opened October 2008.
The Jubilee Clubhouse Project (JCP) Charity was formed to help attract tax breaks on donations. It is now sustained together with the Parish Council to encourage the use of the facilities by organisations seeking to provide the young of Ruddington with positive activities.
The JCP Charity is administered by Parish and Club volunteers to meet to consider bids and see how we can attract more youth focused activity at the Clubhouse.
Today the Club meets with the Parish at least 2 times a year at the Clubhouse to consider issues and how we can improve the facilities – e.g. we opened a £2,000 trophy cabinet for us to be able to show our trophies off in.
Each week the Parish Council Maintenance Staff prepare and maintain the pitches; provide the goals and nets to meet the various league standards we are in. Currently we have 15 squads of players from under 7 to adults to cater for. All need to be supported by having the right playing surfaces and equipment.
Annually the Parish help by:
a. Free marking out of six a side pitches to allow us to fund raise for the club;
b. Free use of pitches and facilities to stage an annual Boxing Day charity football match. This has allowed us to donate hundreds of pounds to charities such as: Help for Heroes, Meningitis Research, The British Heart Foundation, and Kidney Research,