Council News

There will be a public meeting to discuss this issue at the Village Hall on Thursday, 2nd September between 7.30pm and 9.00pm, and the plans will then be formally considered by the Parish Council’s Planning committee at a meeting in the Centenary Lounge, starting at 7.30pm on Monday, 6th September. The Parish Council is also conducting a survey: forms will be distributed with the September edition of the Keyworth News, and should be completed and returned to the Parish Council office by 15th September at the latest. Although the results of the survey will not be known until after the Planning meeting, the Parish Council will still have time to forward the results on to the Borough Council.

We appreciate that these arrangements are at relatively short notice, but the Parish Council has to comply with the planning process as laid down by the Borough Council, and the timescale would have been tighter still if the Borough Council had not extended the 21 day consultation period by two weeks at the Parish Council’s request.

Whilst the Parish Council obviously needs to know what the residents of Keyworth feel about this issue, it is important to note that the Borough Council will have the final say, and residents are accordingly urged to write to the Borough Council, clearly outlining their views for or against the proposals, in addition to attending the public meeting and completing the survey form.

Please keep an eye on the Parish Council website for news of any further developments.

The Parish Council regrets that it cannot guarantee to respond individually to letters, emails or survey forms, but please rest assured that all comments received will be taken into account.

KEYWORTH CONSERVATION AREA CONSULTATION

Two extensions are proposed to the existing conservation area – to the North to include the Rectory and Rectory field and to the East to include the older properties on the north side of Selby Lane from Elm Avenue. These were open for discussion by residents at a meeting staged by Rushcliffe Borough Council in the Village Hall on 23 August.

BURIAL GROUND CAR PARK

The new car park at the Burial Ground is now complete and open for use. This should make it much more convenient and safe for visitors to the cemetery, who will no longer need to park on the spare land on Wysall Lane when attending interments.

Cllr Tim Heeley
On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council « Less

The Council is appealing for local groups and schools to let them know about activities that could be tied in with the programme.

The festival was held for the first time in Rushcliffe last year where a range of activities took place including canoe and sailing lessons, coaching sessions held by local rugby clubs and an open-air music event.

Derek Higton from Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Last year’s event was the first of its kind in Rushcliffe and was a huge success with children and young people getting a taste of activities available in their area.

“We will be building on the success this year by extending the festival to three other districts which will allow a greater number of young people to take advantage of the fun activities available in Greater Nottingham and Newark.

“However, the help and involvement of community groups, organisations and schools from all the four districts is essential to make sure this year’s festival is bigger and better than ever.”

Anyone wanting more information or is keen to get involved should contact Sam Jones at Nottinghamshire County Council on 0115 977 3067 or email sam.jones@nottscc.gov.uk

ENDS

For further information please contact Peter Saunders, Communications Officers, on 0115 977 3379. « Less

“Many residents will be aware of proposals for a Tesco store on the Wrights Garage site on Selby Lane, and may have attended the exhibition at Platt Lane on March 23rd and 24th.

Thank you to all who have written to the Parish Council outlining their views on these proposals. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to respond to letters and emails individually, but please rest assured that they have all been carefully noted.

The Parish Council shares the concerns of many residents regarding the short notice given for the exhibition at Platt Lane: the Parish Council itself only knew about it five days in advance and, whilst the display was subsequently transferred to the Village Hall, this was only for a short period and, again, at short notice.

The Parish Council will obviously have to consider any planning application on its merits at the appropriate time but, in the meantime, it will continue to monitor the views of residents.

In the event of a planning application being submitted, the plans will be available for inspection by the public. The Borough Council will have the final say in respect any planning application, but the Parish Council will be consulted, and will make its views known.

Please keep an eye on the Parish Council website for news of further developments and, if you haven’t done so already, please let us know what you think about this issue.”

ALLOTMENTS

The Parish Council has received seven comments from people generally in favour of more allotments in the village with a further five people requesting a plot. The Council will be keeping a watching brief on this issue.

NEW COUNCILLOR

At its meeting in April the Parish Council co-opted Sheila Kingdom onto the council. She used to live in the village between 1963-69 and returned back here in 2007. She has a background in nursing.

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council « Less

DEVELOPMENTS

The parish council, village design statement group and general public are being invited to ‘Have your say ...’ on how Rushcliffe could develop over the next 15 years. An exhibition was staged, at short notice, by the Borough Council in the Parochial Church Hall on 25^th March. There is still time to feed your views into the process. You will find links on the parish council website to the relevant places and documents on the Borough council website.

In a separate matter, representatives of the parish council were invited to meet, at a week’s notice, with developers interested in the former Wrights Garage site on Selby Lane. If there is more information that can be revealed you will find it on the news pages of the parish council website.

WILLOWBROOK ILLEGAL PARKING

The police have been asked to tackle illegal parking around the village. One of the regular trouble spots is the junction between Fairway and Willowbrook at school opening and closing times. The bus company has told the village transport forum that its drivers are having difficulty turning into Willowbrook because of vehicles parked right on the junction. This is illegal and potentially dangerous. Please park around the village with more consideration for the law and others.

TRANSITION KEYWORTH

This group, which is promoting positive solutions to climate change and the approach of the peak oil point (where usage exceeds discovery of new oil) gave a presentation at the last full council meeting and requested support for its activities. The group has been asked to put in requests to the council when it has specific needs to meet.

SNOW AND ICE – THE REVIEW

Thanks for your letters suggesting several new places for additional grit bins on sloping roads around the village. This information will be sent to the county council. It will be a few months before we know the outcome of the authority’s review of its winter road clearing operation.

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council « Less

VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT LIAISON COMMITTEE

This group holds its second quarterly meeting on 1^st of March. It brings together members of the Parish Council and the Village Plan group to explore progress on the implementation of the individual ‘actions’ in the Plan. It is an opportunity to carefully weigh priorities and seek to balance the needs of the few and the many.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Accountability and transparency are key themes for Parish Councils. Please take the opportunity to come to the Annual Parish Meeting, which will be held on Monday 26 April at 7.30pm in the Centenary Lounge. It is the ideal, informal session to put your queries and concerns to councillors. The meeting will be chaired by the chairman of the Parish Council and is open to all residents.

For one reason or another, the Parish Council must tread a path which, on occasion, may not be to the liking of some. However, our deliberations are done in public for you to listen to and for us to be accountable to you for our actions. If you can’t make this meeting you might like to come to one of our monthly parish council meetings. You’ll find the dates displayed on the parish council website.

SNOW AND ICE – THE REVIEW

Don’t forget to get your comments in to the County Council review of its handling of the snow and ice in January and February. If you’ve got specific views about the need for, and thoughts about sites for, grit bins in Keyworth please email or post them to the Parish Council Office. Your views will be passed on.

HOG ROAST CEILIDH

After the chill start to the year you might be delighted to learn we’re turning up the heat. Following last year’s highly successful event the Parish Council is organising another Hog Roast and dance on 20 March. Tickets, which are expected to sell out fast, will be on sale shortly from either one of your councillors or the Council Office.

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council « Less

PLAYING FIELD COVENANT

Sports teams, seeking a relaxation of the covenant on the village recreation field, are presenting a new proposal to the Parochial Church Council which will include fewer playing days throughout the year. The issue was to be discussed by the end of January.

SNOW AND ICE – THE REVIEW

The County Council is to review its handling of the snow and ice in January. If you’ve got specific views about the need for, and thoughts about sites for, grit bins in Keyworth please email or post them to the Parish Council Office. Your views will be passed on.

BMX TRAIL GETS CHOPPED

The BMX bike trail off Platt Lane is being removed due to lack of use. Again, if you have any thoughts on this contact the Parish Council Office.

COUNCIL VACANCIES

There are now three vacancies on the Parish Council. If you would like to serve our community and bring your skills and expertise to bear in a thriving and developing village please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council for information about becoming a councillor.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

We’re giving advanced notice of the Annual Parish Meeting, which will be held on Monday 26 April at 7.30pm in the Centenary Lounge. The session will be chaired by the chairman of the Parish Council and is open to all residents to come along with their questions and queries.

HOG ROAST CEILIDH

Following last year’s highly successful event the Parish Council is organising another Hog Roast and dance on 20 March. Tickets, which are expected to sell out fast, will be on sale shortly from either one of your councillors or the Council Office.

Cllr Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council « Less

WYSALL LANE CAR PARK

Work is to commence on the completion of a car park on Council land next to the Burial Ground on Wysall Lane. The entrance way was widened last year and this year a basic ‘country park’ style surface will be laid, sufficient to park twelve vehicles. This is timed to coincide with bringing into use the third section of the Burial Ground which was grassed last year. The new car park will be sufficient to accommodate both users visiting the Burial Ground and those wishing to use our expanding leisure facilities at that end of the village (Keyworth Meadow and Wild Flower Meadow).

WILD FLOWER MEADOW

Work is also to commence on the creation of a wildflower meadow on council land to the west of the Burial Ground. This land was purchased several years ago to provide for the longer term expansion of the Burial Ground. It was obvious, from comments from residents in the parish plan process, that many people wanted more ‘green’ space in the village. This is our attempt to help meet that need for the benefit of all.

THANKS

We would like to thank David Roos and Jodie Elsom for their work on the council as they step down to concentrate on other things. We’re delighted that David will continue his brilliant work with the Britain in Bloom group in the Village. It is they who’ve been planting out the flower boxes and keeping them tended.

Cllr Tim Heeley

SUMMER CHALLENGE

Have you got what it takes to help run the Keyworth Show? This is one of our social highlights, helping to raise funds for sporting activities in our community. The Show Committee, which make this annual event happen, would like to call on extra volunteers to share the work. They are looking for: a Show secretary – taking minutes and writing letters; Marketing & Publicity – telling everyone about the Show, when it will happen and what will be on; Site management – ghost the present manager and takeover in 2011; Craft fair – help build up the variety of skills; Entertainments – can you bring something new to the Show? If you’re interested call either Howard Marshall (Show chairman) 0115 937 3655 hmarshall70@ntlworld.com or Rachel Quinn (Show secretary) 0115 937 3900 rlq41@btinternet.com

WINTER WARMER

Do you fancy somewhere warm and welcoming to go when shopping in Keyworth? Members from some of ourlocal groups serve tea, coffee and biscuits Monday to Fridaybetween 10.00a.m. and 12 noon in the Centenary Lounge of Keyworth's Village Hall complex on Elm Avenue. If you'd like a change of venue for your 'morning cuppa', call in for a welcome break in very comfortable surroundings and friendly company.Our thanks go to: Mondays - History Society; Tuesdays - Community Concern; Wednesdays - Royal British Legion Ladies Division; Thursdays - Methodist Church/St Mary Parish Church; Fridays - Baptist Church/Community Concern

SPRING FEAST

Following on from the successful Hog Roast held in the Village Hall in January 2009 the parish council will be repeating the event on 20 March 2010. More details and pricing to follow.

THANKS

There was a good turnout at the Armistice service. It was nice to see so many members of the public attending to pay their respects and to hear trombonist Sam Boote fill-in in the bugler’s role.

LIGHTS

Join us on Friday Dec 4th AT 6.30pm as we mark the beginning of the Christmas season in the Village square. This year the lights will be on as you arrive (a technical reason). The Salvation Army Band and Willowbrook Childrens Choir will sing Carols. There will be Mulled Wine, Juice & Mince Pies and Father Christmas is coming too!

BEST WISHES

The Council sends its greeting to everyone in the parish. Please be aware that the Council office will be closed from 24 December and will re-open on 4 January.

Cllr Tim Heeley on behalf of Keyworth Parish Council « Less

Population and housing growth have been pinpointed as significant issues – as have the need for new infrastructure and facilities, village sustainability and future community events.

Interactive video kiosks have been launched which will be touring Rushcliffe – visiting local libraries, leisure centres, parish councils, schools and supermarkets as part of The Big Picture, recording views and memories.

These were launched in Bingham Market Place – and immediately caught the public’s imagination. Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Deputy Chief Executive says that the kiosks will give everyone the chance to make their contribution. “The interactive video kiosk is a totally different concept about looking at the future - as opposed to a straight forward consultation.

“Now it has been launched we will push on with the campaign and be able to gain some momentum with it.”

A website – www.thebigpicture-rushcliffe.com – has also been launched, showcasing Rushcliffe’s history – and seeks to find out what people want its future to look like.

Opportunities for leisure, transport, libraries, shops, doctors’ surgeries, communities and affordable housing are all part of The Big Picture. « Less

Farewell

Doreen Orr is retiring from her position as Council Secretary. She has worked for the Council since June 2001, and she has minuted many a meeting during that time. This was a particularly onerous task until relatively recently, with meetings almost every Monday, and sometimes two or even three meetings the same evening. Despite that, Doreen hardly every missed a meeting and had a virtually 100% attendance record. She has played a big part in making the Council office a friendly and, more often than not, enjoyable place to work in or visit. She will be missed. Taking over her work with Keyworth Diary will be Maggie Roberts.

Dicing with Death

The Highways Agency and Nottinghamshire Police are warning drivers not to dice with death by running red lights at plant crossings for the A46 Newark to Widmerpool improvement. Six traffic light controlled crossings have been set up on local roads along the17-mile route to allow construction traffic safe and efficient access from one part of the site to another where the line of the new A46 is bisected by the public highway. But in recent weeks there have been a growing number of incidents where road users have ignored the crossings and driven through the red lights.

County Council donates two benches

We’re delighted to have received two benches from the County Council which have been located in the new section of the burial ground, looking out towards the west.

Councillor Tim Heeley

On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council « Less