Minutes February 2025

WESTON ON TRENT PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held in the Village Hall on 17th February 2025

Present: Cllrs Green, Steadman, Mrs Freeman, Neville, and County Cllr Neil Atkin and District Cllr Peter Watson.

There were 13 members of the public present.

1.Public session

The majority of the parishioners, residents of Kings Mill Lane and Forrester Avenue, had come about the ongoing problems associated with school parking on the roads around school. John Buxton had produced some notes which he left with the Council. This is an ongoing issue which both the Parish Council and County Council are involved with. John's concerns centred on Health and Safety issues. He pointed out that at drop- off and pick-up times it would not be possible for a fire engine or ambulance to access Kings Mill Lane and Forrester Avenue. The volume of cars is creating pollution, which will have an effect both on residents and also the children. He pointed out that there are no white lines at the junction of Forrester and Kings Mill Lane so traffic is just pulling out which could easily result in an accident. School traffic is turning on private drives increasing wear and tear so he asked if the headmaster could be asked to bring this to parent's attention. He also asked if Weston could have a 'no school parking' area similar to Aston's or residents parking bays. Cllr Green reported that Cllr Than and himself had seen the previous head to discuss these issues and they will go again to see Mr Hibbert (the current head). One thing that might help is if the Village Hall car park and Coopers car park were more widely used. County Cllr Neil Atkin reported that Richard Hanbury (who has been our contact at DCC) has been promoted so he will talk to the new officer to see of any progress has been made. Cllr Green will speak to the PCSO and will follow up with the County Council.

Other parishioners had come to let the Council know that there are still problems with the buses being late or not turning up at all. Cllr Atkin has spoken to the operator and will investigate further.

A resident of The Avenue came to report that there has been no improvement in the parking opposite the junction making entering and exiting difficult. The Parish Council will ask the PCSO to make regular observations.

1.County Cllr's report –Cllr Atkin apologised for missing several recent meetings, this was due to illness.

Cllr Atkin reported that Network rail has been working overnight on the Chellaston to Swarkestone part of the track cutting back vegetation in preparation for 50 steam trains using it in the Autumn.

Work continues with survey work being done on Weston Road to eliminate the flooding issues. We await a date for the residents meeting.

Shardlow quarry meeting – hopefully the weather will be good enough for the next meeting to include a site visit.

He reported on the recent Melbourne Area meeting where it was reported that the building of 4 new secondary schools has been put on hold by the Government.

2.District Cllr's report - Cllr Watson had nothing to add.

3.Declaration of Interests – none declared

4.Apologies – District Cllr Dan Corbin, Cllr Harper, Cllr Wilkins and Cllr Than.

5.Minutes of the previous meeting having been previously circulated the minutes were deemed to have been read and were agreed as a true record of the meeting held on 20th January 2025.

6.Matters arising from the minutes

Network Rail – Cllr Green is drafting a letter about the unfinished vegetation trimming.

Flooding issues –awaiting date of next resident's meeting.

National grid – no update

Wicksteed Play Area report – Cllr Steadman will do the repairs once the weather is better.

Buses – As covered in the public session there are still issues with the timetable which will be followed up. The bus shelter on The Green is in need of repair, the bottom wood is rotten and needs replacing and it needs painting. Cllr Steadman has a large sleeper which would do the job. A working party will be sorted to do the work in the Summer, Cllrs Green and Neville agreed to help.

Parking opposite The Avenue – covered in the public session.

Coffee morning with Samantha Niblett MP – This will be held on 15th March. The MP,s office will be supplying the publicity for this event.

7.Reports

Chair's report –Cllr Green reported that there is a strong possibility that he will be standing in the County Council elections in May. Congratulations were offered.

He attended the recent airport meeting in his capacity as SAVE representative. There has been a reduction in training flights but they are still causing a problem. It was agreed to ask to have the portable monitor at the bowling green to record the number of flights. Cllr Green will contact Aston parish Council to make sure they are happy with this.

Clerk's report – Ian Cook who looks after the allotments has reported that after sending out some letters about the state of a few plots 2 of them are now being worked.

Work on the new mast in Aston is due to start in March.

The dog poo bin in Trent Lane and the post it was on has gone missing, the Clerk has confirmed with SDDC that they have not removed it so it is a mystery as to what has happened to it.

The Clerk reminded the Councillors the March meeting is Annual Parish meeting.

Footpath's Officer's report – Cllr Green will contact Rob Greatorex at DCC re the bridleway to Scotch Bridge becoming a public right of way.

Earth Day is being held in the Village on 27th April, Cllr Green has organised a route using the footpaths and will just need some help on the day with road crossings.

8. Planning - East Midlands Gateway , Statutory Consultation – Cllr Green will draft a report; our main concerns being increase in traffic and freight trains.

9. Correspondence

East MidlandsAirport Consultative Committee – statutory consultation

Off road bikes – Derbyshire Alert is aware that there is an ongoing issue of off road bikes using tracks, fields and canal paths around the Lowes Lane, Swarkestone, Aston, Weston and Shardlow areas particularly. SNT are looking into this but would appreciate any information from the public. You can call 101 ,or through crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the Police website www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us

Parish and Town Council Liaison meeting is on Wednesday 5th March at Matlock

SDDC Adult well being strategy – this can be found on SDDC website

East Midlands Airport Consultative Committee review 2024

10 Section 106 – Jo Cooke has suggested March 1st for the Scouts to help plant trees around the bowling green – Clerk will check who is available and liaise with Jo

11. Website – no issues

12. Speedwatch – A parishioner , Mike Parker has agreed to coordinate the Weston Speedwatch. There are 6 volunteers so the next step is to get the gun calibrated and to arrange a training session. The Clerk will find out from the Village hall bookings secretary when there is a vacant slot.

13.Finance

Invoices awaiting payment

Clerk's wages £254.45

Clerk's expenses £76.84

Weston on Trent Village Hall £590.00 (£255 for room hire and £335 for lease of carpark)

Inland Revenue – Clerk's tax £204.40

Aspen Tree Surgery £1140.00

The meeting closed at 10.10