Clowne Community Association

.Apologies

Margaret Gillway, Irvine Robinson, Andy Thomas, Abigail Thurnell, Mr Donovan Spencer

A Presentation was made by PCSO

2. PCSO Update
Clowne Crime figures  - February 2009

Burglary Dwelling                         5                     down 5
Criminal Damage                          6                     down1           
Theft from motor vehicle              2                     down 1
Robbery                                        1                     
Violence                                        20                    up 14
Total crimes                                 34                   

The violent crime high numbers are in part from some rough Friday nights and several arrests have been made. There has been more police presence brought in to respond to the increased problems
Booze busting bus has circulated on Friday to cover problems with youths.
Questioned whether the CCTV has picked it up- and the answer was Yes there have been a number of arrests.
At Wilkos people are parking on the grass area on Mill Green Way. PCSO have made the Civil enforcement officers aware of this location. It has been reported to Bolsover Council to look at action.
Enforcement officers are covering 16 hours per week for Clowne, Shirebrook etc.
A lot of tickets have been issued for Mill Street parking.       
Fencing on High St to old furniture shop has been broken. PCSO aware.
Someone was attacked from Friday night incident after they had made a commented about urinating in the bus stop.
The Police surgery is held in Tescos and people can have a private number to phone PCSO.
The wardens do not monitor the Council car park where a 2hr limit is often exceeded. Also Church St has a restriction from the old College days and so local residents have a problem with service/tradesmen parking. Noted by PCSO that the wardens will be flexible. They can mention this to them but it is a Bolsover Council matter.
On contacts in Tesco most are from the village- very few are from outside.
Police dogs and armed response Police have been present on Friday nights.
The skate board has a vandalism problem- there have been a number of incidents. A CCTV camera was put up but there are no lights yet and so the cameras are no help at night. The young people tend to leave a lot of glass bottles and broken glass on Saturday morning.
PCSO are aware of drinking problem and can only talk to the young people. They need people to notify the PCSO and they will respond
The next Police community panel meeting 7 April at 7pm at Community Centre
The contact numbers are printed every time on our agenda.                       

Main Association Business

The Chairman introduced the meeting by once again referring to The Association constitution and reminding the meeting that we are a non-political organisation and that conduct of meetings will reflect this, and that his role as Chair of the Association is entirely separate from his role as a Parish Councillor.

 
Minutes Secretary
We are still seeking someone who will help with this?- please contact Chair or  a Cttee member

Mill Street Old Girls School
An application for a Licence is submitted to Bolsover DC and they are to make a decision on this. Chair has asked as a Parishioner and been told Cllr Murray Carr is unhappy with the proposal. Understood no licence until issues with the building are resolved. Enforcement Order being considered for breach of the Planning application. The local residents concerns have been put to the Council. Concern was raised in the Parish meeting. The licence seeks a late 1am closing time compared to the existing more acceptable 11pm
Heritage School - could not attend tonight , they have been notified of our dates and they will send someone to speak at a future meeting.
Barlborough rate reduction question passed on to Cllr Anne Western and are awaiting a reply. What is the logic to the understood decision and should the same  principle apply elsewhere?

5. Chairmans Report

Vice Chair Terry Cartwright took over the meeting for this item
The Parish Council has been asked about placing a notice announcing Association meetings on the new Parish Council Public notice board on Mill Street.
Vice Chair Terry Cartwright has conducted an exchange of letters with Parish Council seeking approval to use the Notice Board.
12 Nov 2008 Assoc wrote asking Parish permission for a notice of Association meeting dates
15 Dec 2008 Parish Council response said that they cannot allow any political notices and that it is for applicants to prove otherwise.
18 Dec 2008 Sent our Constitution which clearly states the Association is non political and asking what the Parish Council thought process was on this decision.
22 Jan 2009 Parish reply simply said Contents duly noted
29 Jan 2009 Assoc wrote back stating that we had specifically sought a clear decision from the Parish Council on our political status and can we place a notice on the board and if we are turned down again what is the thought process and if negative what is the process for appeal of such a decision.
9 March 2009 Parish wrote to us stating that the model code of conduct states that no council resources can be used for political purposes. The council decided on 15 Dec that it would not be appropriate. The Parish do have a community board in the community centre and we can place a notice there.
12 March- Assoc wrote stating the Management Cttee views
Note that Parish deem us a political group – despite our Constitution stating clearly that we are not. Furthermore no evidence has been produced to suggest otherwise.

Cttee has considered conversations and understands that the Parish Council Chair has informed Allan Bailey our chairman that the Parish deem the Association political because of his presence. The Assoc Cttee strongly resent these assertions.
In fact the notice board is used by a variety of organisations. Note that the Community centre use is offered but this is not open in the centre of the town where it is seen by passing residents. We are confused by the Parish Councils inconsistent approach Believe individual Councillors are bringing the Parish into disrepute. It is evident that the Parish is being intransigent and we believe they are guilty of a mis-use of their powers. It has been stated that the Parish have sought legal advice. Have also written to Bolsover Legal dept enclosing the correspondence.
13 March  Wrote to Bolsover Legal asking if the Parish have sought their comments and asking for an early reply.
Today Reply from Bolsover solicitor Mrs Sternberg received saying that if any legal advice was given it is confidential.

Next options?
Local Authority Organisation
Ombudsman
Court
Need minutes of the Parish and who was in attendance.
Under Freedom of Information Act should ask Bolsover and ask FOI Parish the same questions
Parish precept last year was £208,000 that is our residents resources.!- being used in this way by our Parish Councillors.

CVP Community Voluntary Partnership
This issue has been raised with them and they are very concerned about the Parish council approach to this.
Our forum is open and allows discussion and the concern is that the Parish itself is acting politically and its activity is not in the interests of the village of Clowne.
They are denying Parishioners the use of a Parish provision paid for out of our Tax contributions.
We need to show we have acted in an open and correct manner. Why is the Parish not supportive of the Association of Clowne? “All “ other Parish councils seem to use local community associations and  work with them.
Why not in Clowne?
This group will not discuss Parish Council business. But we cannot allow the Parish to wrongly brand us as a political organisation.
Suggested we approach our MP Dennis Skinner
Use other options first?

6. Chairmans Report

Allan Bailey resumed the chair at this point

Cllr Anne Western is at the Council House every Saturday morning but is busy on Thursdays.
There are no plans to put a wind turbine on the new school building
Mill Street speed restrictors have just been put in
A number of people have objected but equally a lot have told Derbyshire CC they are grateful for the speed reduction- 97-98% of responses are supportive.
Chair wrote to Bolsover DC on waste removal. There are plans to scrap the free collection of large items – 3 items £10 and 6 items £20 charge.
Chair will contact Derbys CC and complain about the loss of service .

Bellway Homes have been contacted and they said again that they will come to a future meeting. But with the current recession no action on site is intended. They are bricking up the Old Miners institute building to stop vandalism.
Skateboard park and Lights asked Bolsover DC about the camera and lighting. Cllr Anne Western has seen the rubbish left on Saturday mornings after Friday night drinking by young people.
It is now Bolsover DC responsibility.

8. Any Other Business

Attendance

There were approx 25 members present. Raffle was held and raised £16:50 - people were thanked for their donations.

Noted that we need to publicise the meeting more

9. Next meetings Dates  confirmed for  2009 all at 7pm Clowne Welfare
                     
28 May 2009 ( AGM)

Members were reminded to put forward any nominations for Association posts and Committee membership in advance of the AGM meeting

30 July 2009

24 September 2009