Issue 25 June 2008
Stanton on the Wolds Parish Council
Parish Council Members:
Margaret Healy, Chairman 914 8654 Jim Goodman , Vice-chairman 937 3076
Bryan Baines, 937 2197 Roy Butler 937 2508
Alex McKee, 937 5068 and Mike Sheriston 937 5652
Clerk:
Mike Elliott, 19/21 Mains Street, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5AA, phone 937 6506
or Email elliottnews@btconnect.com
Chairman's Report 2007 - 2008
Parish Council chairman Margaret Healy presented the council's Annual Report to the Annual parish meeting held in the Parish Church on the 14th May 2008 and here it is summarised:
All Parish and Town Councils throughout England are required by law to hold an annual parish meeting between March 1st and June 1st every year. The purpose of the meeting is for the Parish Council to explain what it has been doing over the last year and it also enables the electors to have a say on anything that they consider is important to the people of Stanton on the Wolds Parish. Anyone may attend but only registered electors may speak and vote. Any resolutions of this meeting are persuasive only and although this parish council will endeavour to take heed it has no legal obligation to do so.
The Parish Council is the first rung on the democratic ladder and makes representation on behalf of the parish to both Rushcliffe Borough Council and the County Council.
There is a statutory Code of Conduct for Councillors. In July 2007 the acceptance of the new code by this Parish Council was confirmed in The Nottingham Evening Post. This code ensures, for example, that councillors declare personal or prejudicial interest in a matter under consideration and that they register various items of information about themselves.
The consideration of planning applications is perhaps the most important aspect of the work of the Parish Council. Rushcliffe Borough Council produces a local plan, setting out planning policy and proposals for the area. The Parish Council is a statutory consultee for planning applications relating to Stanton on the Wolds. In the past year, 31 planning applications were considered. Of these 5 were rejected by RBC. The plans submitted ranged from a conservatory to the establishment of a new farmhouse. It is the policy of this council to visit near neighbours and as far as reasonable in the interests of the village as a whole to reflect and support their views in the comments made to Rushcliffe Borough Council.
After planning, maintaining a pleasant environment in which to live is of great importance to residents. Unfortunately vandalism and litter affect Stanton too. To this end, in the past year the Parish Council has:
Asked owners to trim hedges overhanging the pavement
Ensured a Tree Preservation Order has been honoured
Had Telephone boxes and road signs repaired
Called out Streetwise to deal with rubbish and install litter bins
Alerted the County Council to drainage problems
Allocated funds to sponsor an owl box and for some planting around the seat at the site of the village sign
Stanton on the Wolds does not have a pub or even a village centre but we do have lovely open spaces accessed by footpaths and bridleways. Each year a report on the condition of the footpaths and requests for repairs is sent to the County Council. Current issues are signposting and the condition of the footpath opposite Golf Course Road. The County Council has issued a Rights of Way Improvement Plan and we shall endeavour to use this initiative as a means for enhancing routes in the parish especially to bridleways which are not connected in any meaningful way.
The first edition of the Parish News hit the streets in Dec 2003. This has been a popular and well-received means of communication although rather one-way. All residents are encouraged to make contributions.
We are indebted to Alan & Val Hunt who created and maintain our web site.The site went live in May 2007. Alan & Val report that ” the total number of hits in the first year was 80,000 from the UK and 63 other countries. The complete set of censuses from 1841 to 1901 is now available on line as are the parish registers of All Saints from 1627 to 1904. These records of marriages, baptisms and interments are of interest to historians and genealogists.” They also say that their request for photographs and cine film of the village has had a disappointing response. That is - nil. They would very much like to include photos of past village life on the web site.
The clerk and councillors have been busy on your behalf in the community. The clerk attended the Soc of Local Councils Conference at Quorn as well as other events that keep him up to date with what is new and relevant.
The Chairman represented the Parish at the Mayor of Rushcliffe’s reception and also attended consultation events organised by Rushcliffe Borough Council on Homes for the Future, Corporate Strategy and Glass Recycling.
Councillors Butler and Baines participated in the Remembrance Sunday service at the village War Memorial.
The Parish Council has taken an interest in the future of Keyworth Leisure Centre, supporting its continuation and importance to the community.
Our concern for the future is that green open spaces will be valued, while acknowledging the need for new houses in the Borough. We wait for the outcome of the recommendation that the green belt around Rushcliffe should be abolished with some trepidation and hope that any plans will be by consultation.
Back in the Chair
Re-elected as chairman of the Parish Council for a second year in office is Councillor Mrs Margaret Healy with Councillor Jim Goodman again vice chairman.
Speed limits for A606 and Browns Lane are here:
Long-awaited and much needed speed restrictions for Melton Road and Browns Lane at Stanton on the Wolds come into force on June 2nd.
A long battle by the Parish Council to have the restrictions imposed comes to fruition following an official announcement by Notts County Council early in May.
"As part of the village speed limit review we will be introducinng a 40mph speed limit on the A606 Melton Road and a 30mph limit on Browns Lane." a statement from the County Council says. The Speed Limit Order comes into force on June 2nd and installation of speed limit signs and two traffic islands are included in the scheme.
Retirement brings vacancy
Councillor Dennis Hackett has resigned, leaving a vacancy on the Parish Council. The necessary legal notice has been posted and residents have until June 13th to seek an election by applying to Rushcliffe Borough Council. If no-one seeks an election the Parish Council can then co-opt a new member and anyone interested in taking the place should contact the clerk for details.
Parish Walk 2008
The Parish Council are planning to organise a walk to cover most of the paths in the parish. The walk will take around three hours.
Participants will be expected to bring refreshments and a picnic. Full details will be distributed ywo weeks before the event for you to express your interest, so watch out for the information dropping through your door.
Weather permitting of course ???
Keyworth Health Centre Patient Participation Group
Do you need encouragement to walk for the good of your health ? There is an opportunity to form a supportive group in Stanton. Please contact Margaret Healy on 914 8654 if you are interested.
Stanton Parish Walks: Walk 2
This takes in the western side of the Melton Road and the golf course:
Starting at the corner of Stanton Lane/Willowbrook/Nicker Hill go through the gate onto the bridle way and proceed keeping the golf course on your right. After three quarters of a kilometre cross the railway bridge and go down onto the Melton Road.
Turn right along Melton Road and turn right again onto the footpath adjacent to No 124 Melton Road.
Continue straight along past the long backgardens and through the scrub land which covers the Stanton railway tunnel, ignoring the track to the right which goes up onto the tunnel spoil heaps. The path will open onto farmland, follow the hedge adjacent to the golf course on your right, towards the stile in the hedge at the corner of the field. Cross the stile and continue alongside the golf course hedge,across the large pasture field which is ridged and furrowed, to the stile in the corner opposite. Cross this stile into a small hay field. The path then makes a short detour to the left to pass the 5th tee and round the back of the 4th green, joining the path from Browns Lane. (If you do not want to visit the church there is a gap in the hedge marked by a yellow way mark arrow that leads onto the golf course. Keep to the hedge side and be aware of flying golf balls.) The main track leads you towards the church and the last few metres are just inside the golf course before passing through the kissing gate at the rear of the church graveyard. The oldest headstone is that of Henry Gimson dated 1719 and it may be seen in the second row to the left of the church porch.
After exploring the churchyard the easiest way back onto the route is to go back to the kissing gate and turn left onto the golf course keeping close to the hedge to avoid those balls. After a few metres the path leaves the main golf course through a gap on the left and goes through an area kept for the groundsman. Pass the heaps of grass cuttings and in a few more metres the path rejoins the golf course. Follow the path along the left hedge side as it bears right at the back of the houses. In a few more metres turn left onto a short path that will lead out onto Stanton Lane where a right turn takes you back to the starting point.
For a shorter version of this walk one can take
a right turn about 300 metres from the starting point at Nicker Hill/Willowbrook.Stanton
Lane. This will take you across the golf course in a fairly straight line
directly to the church going pass the Golf Club House and the old farm buildings
of Pages Lodge.
Path and Verge Parking Concerns
Concerns have been expressed to the Parish Council on difficulties caused by inconsiderate parking on verge ways in the parish and particularly on Melton Road. It is an offence to park in this manner and a plea is made by the council for motorists to be aware of the difficulties that can be caused if they obstruct either the route of the pathway or the sight lines for motorists leaving their own properties.
YOUR LOCAL CHURCHES
Stanton on the Wolds Parish Church: Rev. Jim Wellington, tel 0115 937 2017.
Catholic Church, Willowbrook: Fr John Kyne, tel 01509 852147.
Methodists: Rev Peter Green, tel 0115 921 2146.
Baptists: Mrs Barbara Lister tel 0115 937 3565.
United Reformed: Rev Chris Ford, tel 0115 937 5086.
THOUGHT OF THE MONTH
Ifyou wish to know what a man is
place him in authority