Minutes of the Forum meeting held on Wednesday, 3rd May 2023,
All Saints Church, Fackley Road, Stanton Hill

1.    Attendance.
Andrew Jenkins (Chairman), Geoff Snare (Secretary), Terry Whitehead (Treasurer), Mike
Vardy, Sallie Vardy, Jane Cooper, Lis Reid, Lynn Henstock, Richard Goad, Lee Haywood,
George Watson, Vic Lawley, Mic Barber, Louise Causer, Helen Bond, Janine Vardy, Lis Reid

Apologies: None 

2.    Minutes. 
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record.    
Matters Arising - there were no matters arising

3.    Treasurers Report.
Treasurer reported that there was a current account balance of £1,005.38 with no income
or expenditure outstanding.

4.    Planning and Environment - Richard Goad

There has been a significant increase in planning applications in recent weeks that have
required comment from the Forum, many thanks to Lis Reid for putting together many of
the responses.
Site next to Station Farm, Pleasley Road, Teversal – some preparatory work has been
carried out to the entrance to the location, but no further planning application has been
submitted
Peartree Lane, Teversal – the current sitting tenant has vacated the site, we await further
news including possible planning conditions regarding the surface of Peartree Lane itself.
Wild Hill – the Forum has responded to various planning applications, some applications
have been refused, some are pending, one is subject to ongoing communication
Silverhill Lane – this application is being looked at by the Secretary of State (Michael Gove),
which is extremely unusual for a an application or this really quite small size
Coppywood Close – still awaiting full planning application
Brand Lane – this has now gone to appeal
Forest Row, White Cottages – currently no activity
It was noted that a number of developments appear to have contravened one or more of
the restrictions applied to the planning approval, but lack of enforcement and follow-up by
ADC, was leading to further contraventions as developers realised they would not be
penalised.
As stated at the previous meeting, the gradual drip feed of further housing and, if
approved, the major developments mentioned above will continue to have a growing
catastrophic effect on the pressure points of medical provision, adequate schooling
availability, lack of public transport and highway adequacy, not to mention incursion into
the countryside surrounding existing development. This is reflected in the situation
nationwide, but in our area in particular we are starting from a low base, so the
developments are all the more concerning. See also the Livability Campaign section below

5.    Friends of Stanton Hill – Louise Causer / Jane Cooper

There had been a successful litter pick organised by Louise Causer.
The Community Garden behind the Coop are still looking for more volunteers. They are
looking at the possibility of working with the garden ‘club’ that has started recently at the
Teversal Visitor Centre

6.    Heritage – Lynn Henstock

An objection had been submitted to the development of White Cottage on Forest Row
The footpath that had been blocked at Whiteboro Farm has still not been reinstated
Still chasing the proposal for designation of the two footpaths that run near / through
Skegby Bottoms
The Portakabins installed at Whiteboro Farm were reported to ADC, who have issued an
enforcement notice for them to be removed

7.    Climate Change & Sustainability – Andrew Jenkins

Food Share scheme at Skegby Library is going well, there are an average of 120 user visits
per month, with 10 volunteers.
We are also coordinating with Teversal Visitor Centre & Vinetree to publicise volunteer
opportunities via a joint newsletter, and also publicising how to get help with bills, etc.
The Climate & Nature pledge was sent to all nine candidates standing for election in Skegby
& Stanton Hill – positive responses were received from 2 of the 3 Labour candidates, Jason
Zadrozny provided a positive response on behalf of the Ashfield Independents, none of the
Conservative candidates responded
We have been advised that ADC has recently appointed a leader for their Climate Change
Strategy, we hope to meet with them in the next few months.
Our plans for further tree planting are on hold pending the identification of the latest
responsible officer in ADC for this area.

8.    Public Transport – Mike Vardy

It should be noted that this is a County Council issue, rather than an ADC matter, however
the lack of action by our local County Councillor, meant no progress had been made.
The continuing issues with the route length of the 141 service were reported, leading to
long delays and lack of reliability, which in turn reduced passenger numbers.
(Since the meeting Lee Haywood has been leading a separate campaign on the 141 bus
route, which seemed to be having some success).

9.    Liveability Campaign – Lis Reid

(the degree to which a place is suitable or good for living in)
We need to ensure that not only are we a statutory consultee on planning applications
(although ADC does not currently appear to be taking much note of our views), but also
that we are entitled to participate in planning committee meetings where we have raised
significant objections, so that we can give voice to those objections and ensure that are
concerns are at least discussed.
We hope to meet with all the new councillors for Skegby and Stanton Hill to explain the
role of the Neighbourhood Forum.
It was noted that between 2011 and 2020 the population of Ashfield had grown by just
6.9%, but in the Forum area covering Skegby & Stanton Hill, the population had grown by
13.5% during that same period, almost double the overall rate of Ashfield. However during
that time there has been little or no growth in GP health services, schools or public
transport.
It was suggested that we should be campaigning for a Community Development Officer
role within ADC, and that the levels of Child Poverty should be identified as an issue to
ADC.

10.    Any Other Business

We need to determine at what point the S106 money (planning gain) due from Herron
Homes for the Brand Lane development will become due and whether it could be used for
pedestrian crossings in Brand Lane, given the levels of traffic from the new development.

11.    Next Meeting.
The next Forum meeting will be held on Wednesday JSeptember 6th from 7.00 pm, via Zoom

Attendees were thanked for their input to the meeting which closed at 8.45 pm.
 

The Forum is recognised by Ashfield District Council as the representative body for Skegby, Stanton Hill and Teversal and Forum working groups are dealing with a number of issues affecting our area.
Anyone who lives or works in Teversal, Stanton Hill and Skegby is entitled to be a member of the Forum and attend its meetings. To become a Forum member please visit our website