Council News
These are items of concern and interest to our community which the parish council has direct responsibility for.
Keyworth - Fit for the future
A Village Design Statement (VDS) group was formed at a meeting on 14th April in the Parochial Church Hall. The officers will be Chris Kemp (chair) and Richard Clothier (secretary). A VDS is a practical tool to help influence decisions on design and development. Prepared correctly, a VDS will provide a clear statement of the character of Keyworth against which planning applications may be assessed. It is not about whether development should take place (this is one of the purposes of the Borough's Local Plan), but about how development should be undertaken so as to respect the local identity. An effective VDS is: developed, researched, written, and edited by local people; representative of the views of the village as a whole and has involved a wide section of the village community in its production; describes the visual character of the village and demonstrates how local character and distinctiveness can be protected and enhanced in new development; is compatible with the statutory planning system and is suitable for approval by the Borough Council as supporting its Local Plan; is applicable to all forms and scale of development; and is about managing change in the village, not preventing it.
The Keyworth VDS group "is looking for images that express your opinion of what you consider to be good views in and around Keyworth and what you consider to be bad views. These should be aspects of both the approaches to Keyworth and looking from the village: the good and bad of building design and street furniture. Examples of attractive roads and lanes within the parish and the not so attractive, the pleasant spaces and the not so pleasant. We do not want pictures of rubbish or fly tipping etc. It's all about what you like and dislike about the look of the village. The pictures should be taken from a public place, respect privacy and be of views only and not people. We would like the photos sent please as jpg attachments to emails sent to keyworth_vds@btinternet.com . A picture sent to us in that way may be used to assist in the development and publication of the Keyworth Village Design Statement but for no other purpose."
Keyworth - Free from crime
No, we'll never be totally free but, as the police liaison committee heard recently, it is the fear of crime which can undermine the confidence of a community - more than the actual deeds. The committee heard how a recent spate of burglaries appears to be over; a significant arrest was made following a car chase; and how homeowners are being encouraged during spells of warmer weather to be careful about leaving doors and windows open. Our sympathy is extended to all those affected by events 25 years ago as closure seems to be moving closer.
Keyworth - For our children
The newly refurbished Nottingham Road play area has now been open for over a month, and in this time has seen many children and families enjoying the equipment. We have received a few complaints about older children using the equipment and preventing younger ones from enjoying themselves. If this happens just politely ask them to move away. We have found this usually works. In the longer term we are trying to find land and money to develop a park for teenagers. The official opening of this play area is on Saturday 23rd May at 11am. There will be activities for the children of all ages from around 10.30 until 12.30, provided by Rushcliffe Play Forum. Come along with all the family and help us celebrate this popular playground in the village. More »
Cllr Tim Heeley
On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council
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Keyworth Nature Reserve Open Day will be held on Sunday 17th May 2009 between 11am and 4 pm.
This is a fantastic opportunity to explore one of our best resources. Wardens will be on hand to help with any queries you may have. So, book the date and get ready to take a walk along Lings Lane to this peaceful meadow bordering Fairham Brook.
QUESTION TIME
There’s an opportunity to put your questions about any issue in the parish – Crime; Speeding; Youth Facilities; Playing Field Covenant; or the Village Plan to councillors at The Annual Parish Meeting, which is being held at 7.30pm on Monday 27th April in the Centenary Lounge. After dealing with the statutory business the floor will be yours to put your questions. If you cannot make the session but would still like to raise an issue, or are feeling a bit shy, please email your questions to the Clerk to the Council as soon as possible office@keyworthparishcouncil.org More »
YOUNG PARENTS AND CARERS APPEAL
Do you want to help make a difference and have fun? We’ve just been hearing a progress report from the Friends of Keyworth Leisure Centre. They told us that while the Group is 600 strong, what would make the Campaign and the Centre stronger would be more support from parents with younger children. “Keeping the Leisure Centre in the village requires a combination of lobbying those responsible for the facility and service, and making sure that it is well used. There are plenty of opportunities for babies, toddlers and young children to start learning water skills and the fun of swimming. Both Parents and Carers are encouraged to make full use of this local facility and also to join the Friends of Keyworth Leisure Centre.” To find out more about the swimming courses phone the Leisure Centre on 01159375582. To support the campaign email friendsof.klc@googlemail.com or write to Friends of KLC c/o 1 Belvedere Close, Keyworth, Notts NG12 5JF
BE ALERT – REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
All residents are encouraged to report all suspicious activity to the police. The has been a spate of burglaries recently and the police are following a number of useful leads – but they need everyone to be on their guard against bogus callers attempting distraction burglaries, and they want people to report sightings of people (strangers or otherwise) acting in a suspicious manner, possibly trying to work out whether a property is unattended. In other words, ‘be a nosey neighbour’ and show you care.
Nottingham Road Playing Field
At its meeting in March councillors voted to pursue removal of the Covenant which restricts activities on the playing field and in the Village Hall. It also voted to allow some level of organised sports on the field on Sundays during the first year after the hoped for removal of the Covenant. This latter item would be the subject of further discussions.
Cllr Tim Heeley
On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council « Less
Nottingham Road Play area gets £43,000 transformation
Keyworth Parish Council is spending £43,000 on a major refurbishment and enlargement of its Nottingham Road play area. The council successfully bid for the money from Rushcliffe Borough Council which had received a cash allocation from central government to spend on play areas. It was a highly significant win for the parish, and accounts for all the available monies in the first year of the three year scheme being operated by the Borough Council. More »
You told us what you wanted the council to focus on in the Village Plan survey. 43% of respondents said they were not satisfied with the present play area. The new area will be much more exciting, challenging and educational than the present one. It is constructed from natural materials such as timber, stone and grass. And there will be ample seating areas for children and parents in what we hope will be a safe and enjoyable environment for families, right in the heart of the village.
Work will commence on the transformation within next few weeks. The play area will be closed for about two weeks and work will be completed before the end March.
Nottingham Road Playing Field Covenant
The Parish Council has initiated discussions with the Parochial Church Council, Diocese of Southwell and local residents regarding the use of the Nottingham Road playing fields on Sunday. The Keyworth young peoples' cricket and football teams are growing rapidly but space at Platt Lane on Sunday is very limited. Currently they are unable to play in Keyworth due to a legal covenant drawn up by St Mary’s church when the land was passed over to the Parish Council over 50 years ago. (This covenant also forbids the sale or use of alcohol in the Village Hall complex).
Before formally approaching the church authorities to seek changes to the covenant the Council has opened discussions with St Mary’s and local residents to seek their views. The Parish Council recognises that while our young sportsmen would like use the playing fields the needs of the wider community also have to be considered. It is planned to discuss this at the next meeting of the Parish Council on 9th March.
CRIME WAVE
There's been a marked increase in burglaries and attempt burglaries, not only in Keyworth but in the whole South Nottinghamshire area. It is thought that this is directly related to the economic downturn. The police ask that you are vigilant and report anything suspicious to them immediately. Their advice is to leave lights on when going out at night and make sure your property is secure. When going on holiday inform the local police that your house will be empty so that they can keep an eye on it.
Dance success
The dance in January was a great success. Over 100 people of all ages attended and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. The Council hopes to arrange another event later in the year.
Cllr Tim Heeley
On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council « Less
Due to major construction work by Severn Trent on Wolds Drive the road will be closed between Monday 2 February and Tuesday 10 February.
The Keyworth Connect service will travel along Nicker Hill - Willow Brook - Selby Lane - to the Square. The bus will miss out Wolds Drive and Fairway. Signs have been posted on bus stops alerting travellers to this change. Normal service is expected to resume on Wednesday 11 February.
PARISH COUNCIL CUTS PRECEPT BY 3%
While other local authorities plan to increase their spending in the coming year your Parish Council is delighted to announce it is actually able to reduce its financial demands for the next twelve months.
The precept for 2008/9 was £183,800, for the coming year it will be £178,504. As will be seen from these figures, the Parish Council has chosen to reduce the precept, and council tax payers in Keyworth will accordingly pay less in respect of the Parish Council in 2009/10 than they did in 2008/9. The budgeted Parish Council precept for 2009/10 will be reduced by £2 (2.88%) to £67.41 (approximately £1.30 per week) for a Band D property. More »
One of the reasons for the reduction is because we had set money aside last year for expenditure on youth work but, due to the unavailability of staff on Friday evenings, these plans did not come to fruition. You will find a leaflet explaining the precept elsewhere on this website.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
To meet the latest requirements of the Freedom of Information Act the parish clerk has created a new section on our website which provides a comprehensive guide to the council and all its activities. Go to the Council Info section and click on the Freedom of Information link.
PUBLIC MEETING
Please support the Village Plan public meeting at South Wolds School on Thursday 26th Feb at 7.15pm where you will hear what the Planning team thinks should be included in the Village Plan. The team has spent several months looking at your responses to last year’s village wide survey and discussing their findings with a number of local authority delivery partners. They now need your feedback on their work.
COUNCILLOR VACANCY
The Parish Council is looking to co-opt a new member to fill a vacancy which has arisen following the resignation of Councillor Chris Evans. Anyone wishing to be considered should apply to the clerk by letter or e-mail, by 28 February at the latest, giving details of their background, and outlining how they feel they could make a contribution.
Cllr Tim Heeley
On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council « Less
Happy New Year
... and what a year 2009 promises to be for Keyworth. Grab your diary now and book in the Public Meeting at 7.15pm on Thursday 26 February. Everyone is invited to this Village Plan Meeting being held at South Wolds School. You’ll find more information elsewhere in this edition of Keyworth News
This will be the first of several opportunities during the year for you to play a role in helping to shape the future of Keyworth. Of course, you’ve always got that opportunity each month at the full meetings of the parish council (see the website for dates). You’ll be able to see the decision making process at first hand and share your own thoughts with your representatives. If you can’t make it to the sessions do look at the meeting minutes on the website. More »
Quick Wins
Shaping the future will take time and effort. But there could be some quick wins along the way such as making Keyworth a safe and attractive place to live. This might include participating in the Britain in Bloom competition, or simply clearing away animal droppings from pavements and roads. A recent traffic survey, by the village plan transport group, gives us hope that we have a case for getting effective measures to encourage motorists to drive more steadily into and through the village. This might take a little longer to achieve.
Nottingham Road Play area
Rushcliffe Borough Council has awarded us a ‘Play Builder Project’ grant to refurbish the play area. The plans involve making it slightly larger with new and exciting equipment. With the work scheduled for part of January and February the area will be closed for that period. Once it’s completed we hope that many more people from Keyworth and the surrounding areas will use the play area.
New Councillor
There’s a new face on the parish council. Gweneth Cane was co-opted to the Council at its meeting in November. We look forward to the contribution she’ll be making to our life and work.
Freedom of Information
To meet new regulations the council has adopted a publication scheme, laying out what information is available for you to view and how you can access it - either in print (possibly at a cost) or on the website. Do look on the website – you’ll find all you need to know about the council and how it goes about ‘your’ business.
Hog Roast
There are still some tickets (£7.50) available from the parish office for the CEILEDH & HOG ROAST – at the Village Hall on January 24th.
Cllr Tim Heeley
On behalf of Keyworth Parish Council « Less
On Friday 14th November the Village Hall opened its doors to young people from across the village as the first Big Event swung into action. Organised by the Community Police and in association with the Village Plan ‘Young People’s Action Group’ the evening was an opportunity for local organisations to recruit new young members, for young people to demonstrate their talents and for everyone to have a lot of fun.
Stalls promoting a variety of activities from the Air Force Cadets to the Keyworth Choir rubbed shoulders with free manicures and massages, rowing machines and the biggest table of raffle prizes most had ever seen. Outside the car-park hosted the County Council Youth Bus complete with big screen computer gaming, the funky Face-It bus providing information about substance and alcohol mis-use, a chance to learn some circus skills and the controlled carnage of giant Sumo suits and Gladiators-style pugil sticks.
Back inside entertainment was provided in the form of Ballroom and Latin dancing that gave the stars of Strictly a run for their money, Shokotan karate, theatre dance, and music from both a local band and DJ. With all that too much for some, the local churches youth group provided much needed space & refreshment in the chill-out lounge.
With hundreds of young people attending the Big Event there was little for the police to do except sell those raffle tickets and enjoy the fun – as the evening drew to a close everyone agreed that Keyworth young people are some of the most talented and well behaved around, and they now smell great too as each went home with a free bag of health and beauty products! What’s more the evening also raised nearly £200 for the BBC’s Children in Need appeal.
There'll be a New Year dance on 24th January in the Village Hall. Tickets are £7.50 and include food. Tickets are NOT YET on sale.
We are turning on the Christmas lights on 5th December at 7pm in the Square. The Salvation Army will be there to play carols. The Rotary Santa Claus float will also be in the Square and there'll be mulled wine and mince pies for the public.
Use these quick links to find all you need to know about Keyworth
Keyworth Parish Council, Village Hall, Elm Avenue, Keyworth, NOTTINGHAM, NG12 5AN.
Tel: 0115 937 2185 Email: office@keyworthparishcouncil.org