Minutes of the Forum Meeting held on Wednesday, 6th September 2023,
online via Zoom

1.    Attendance.
Andrew Jenkins (Chairman), Terry Whitehead (Treasurer), Mike Vardy, Sallie Vardy,
Jane Cooper, Lis Reid, Lynn Henstock, Louise Causer, Jan Jenkins.

Apologies: Geoff Snare, Richard Goad (who tried to join but was unable to do so) 

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. Some of this has been ring-fenced for FOSH and the amount will be checked.
Terry reported that he no longer has a car and the meeting confirmed that he should remain as treasurer nevertheless.

4.    Planning and Environment - Lis Reid

Officers approved building of five houses on Wild Hill. There are six weeks for an application for judicial review. Forum members have had a not very constructive meeting with Christine Sarris and Jas Hundal from Ashfield DC. Concerns may be communicated to the Local Authority Ombudsman.
Michael Hollis is the owner (according to the Land Registry) but his name is not on the planning application. This raises a Governance issue because of his son Tom Hollis’s position as a Councillor.
Heathfield, Silverhill Lane: Michael Gove’s office have bounced this back to ADC.
Application was passed against officers’ recommendations.
Two more planning applications include the Stable Block at Whiteborough.
Some Forum members are putting in much effort on all these applications, without much result. It was a general feeling that not much notice is being taken of us as a Forum. Before the recent election Jason Zadrozny responded positively to Andrew’s request for a Climate Action Pledge. We should inform Jason that ADC’s response to the Forum is not good enough. Mike and Lis will work on a message and we should then ask Jason for a meeting.

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

Louise raised the issue of access to notice boards. Louise and Jane are talking to Debbie Halfpenny about closer cooperation with the Visitors’ Centre. Doug and Vera have sent a message that for reasons of illness they may not be able to continue with the Community Garden behind the Coop. Louise will put a request for volunteers on Facebook and talk to allotment holders. Andrew will talk to Simon at the Coop about this

6.    Heritage – Lynn Henstock

The footpath that had been blocked at Whiteboro Farm has still not been reinstated.
There is still concern about footpaths leading to Skegby Hall and gardens.
Dovedale Farm (now owned by the National Trust) has an application to knock down
outbuildings to create a woodland pasture. This is supported.
There is a new plan to install cesspits next to Orchard Farm. Harry North’s water line
is in the same place. Lynn will approach ADC and maybe the Forum can take this
up. Andrew will give Lynn details of a contact in Severn Trent.

7.    Climate Change & Sustainability – Andrew Jenkins

There is a meeting planned with Darren and Arjun from ADC on 25th September to
discuss climate action.
There is a plan to continue Food Share over the Christmas period, when the Library
is closed. More volunteers would be welcome.

8.    Public Transport – Mike Vardy

Lee Haywood and Dan Shearer are in contact with the Council about the 141; the
service has been extended for one year from September.

9.    Liveability Campaign – Lis Reid

(the degree to which a place is suitable or good for living in)
Lis will resend a list of Chapters for the report with the names of contributors to each.
Mike suggested we could produce this be updating the Neighbourhood Plan.

10.    Any Other Business

On 22nd August, because of a fire on the motorway, residents of Stanley were locked in by a traffic jam for the whole day and there was a danger to horses etc. because of poor management. Richard and Lis have been in contact with the police, about proper planning for problems on the motorway. Richard requested Forum involvement in communication on this.

11.    Next Meeting.
The next Forum meeting, which will be the AGM, will be held on Wednesday January 17th from 7.00 pm, in the Manor Room, Teversal
(note – not 10th January, which was discussed in the meeting).

Attendees were thanked for their input to the meeting which closed at 9.00 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