Minutes of the Forum Meeting held on Wednesday, 3rd July 2024,
Manor Room, Buttery Lane, Teversal Village, NG17 3JN
1. Attendance.
Andrew Jenkins (Chair), Geoff Snare (Secretary), Mike Vardy, Sallie Vardy, Richard Goad, Jane Cooper, Lis Reid, Lynn Henstock, Doug Edwards, Julie Smith
Apologies: Jan Jenkins, Terry Whitehead, Janine Vardy, Sarah Woodside
2. Minutes.
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record.
Matters Arising - there were no matters arising
3. Treasurers Report.
Our Treasurer, Terry Whitehead, was unable to attend the meeting but he (subsequently) advised that the current account bank balance stands at £774.22
4. Reports from Working Groups.
Planning & Environment - Richard Goad
The new ADC Local Plan has been submitted to the inspector, but no news yet on when the public consultations will take place.
The Forum’s view is that not all of our evidence and arguments submitted to ADC regarding the Draft Local Plan, were considered / included in the final version – in particular
1) there was an inconsistency as Stanton Hill, Skegby and Huthwaite have been taken into the main urban area and are not now settlements, whilst Fackley is designated as a settlement but will take 40% more housing, and
2) there was very little reference to the lack of health, education and transport services either in the Local Plan or the Draft Infrastructure Plan
A meeting had been held with Jason Zadrozny and various ADC council officers regarding various topics and issues in the Forum area. As a result, Melanie Wheelwright (Forward Planning & Economic Growth Team Manager) has provided a summary of the meeting including the various action points.
Following the meeting, communication with ADC has improved (via Melanie Wheel wright), but some very large issues remain unresolved.
It was agreed that we should talk directly to the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire NHS Integrated Care Board to voice our concerns about the lack of health services in the Forum area.
It was also agreed that we should request to meet with the new regional mayor, Claire Ward, but we need to ensure we have a clear idea of our goals and objectives for the meeting before pursuing any further.
There was only one other planning matter for which there was any news, namely a submission of a very slightly modified plan to turn the property at 83 Skegby Road into flats – Lis Reid will put together an objection on behalf of the Forum.
Friends of Stanton Hill (FOSH) – Jane Cooper
All agreed that the Co-op garden was looking very good and commended Doug and his wife on their continuing efforts.
Doug recently hosted a group of disabled adults to work in the garden, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
The seat in the Co-op garden was recently vandalised and has been taken in by the Co-op for repair.
Following the discussion with ADC (see under Planning above), John Bennett (ADC Director of Place) has expressed interest in establishing a task force to address issues in Stanton Hill
Jane confirmed that H&S and DBS requirements would prevent inclusion of young children in any litter picking activities.
Heritage – Lynn Henstock
A number of additional assets will be submitted for inclusion in the non-designated heritage asset list, but with no conservation officer within ADC, this is likely to take a considerable time to achieve any results.
With no conservation officer, no assets are being designated, but we still need to request designation as this can then be referenced when objecting/commenting on planning applications that affect these assets.
Climate Change & Sustainability & Public Transport – Andrew Jenkins
Green Investment – after the Diocese of Nottingham & Southwell finally divested from fossil fuel companies, the Justice and Peace group may now take up Operation Noah’s campaign for Green Investment by the Diocese.
Food Share – the number of participants in the food share has increased, with 11 or 12 visiting during the morning sessions. With the increase in availability of items, the pattern of use has changed with visits spread through the morning, rather than a big rush at 9am.
It has been suggested that Ashfield Community Action could be a potential source of new volunteers.
The Place of Welcome session in the Library, running alongside the Food Share have now started and the number attending is gradually increasing.
Transport – Claire Ward, the new East Midlands mayor will not have any control over transport for the first year in her role, but she has expressed an interest in transport and we should include the topic of buses in any discussions we have with her.
She has appointed someone to be responsible for “active travel” (walking, cycling, etc)
Community Energy Project – a group has been formed within the Forum to discuss this and the group believes it can meet the criteria for financial support from East Midlands Energy Hub to pay for a feasibility study. A possible site in Teversal Village has been identified and the owner of the site has shown a willingness to participate.
Arjun Padmavathy from ADC has requested an online meeting to discuss a Heat Hub Advice event.
The visit to Skegby Sewage works organised by Jane Cooper was very interesting and through Andrew Jenkins’ involvement with Severn Trent/OFFWAT we should have further opportunities to raise questions about river water quality and also invite a visit from our local river warden.
5. Any Other Business
Mike Vardy requested for someone to take over the task of the Neighbourhood Plan ‘Redesignation’ that is due before the end of 2024.
Geoff Snare agreed to take this on with help from Mike.
Mike Vardy and Lis Reid agreed to look into the creation of an addendum to the Neighbourhood Plan to clarify and tighten up certain areas of the plan – this would need approval at a suitably convened meeting, but would not require a referendum. It would help bring the Plan up to date and also make any references to the Plan in our Planning Objections simpler and more straightforward.
6. Next Meeting.
The next Forum meeting, will be held on Wednesday October 23rd from 7.00 pm, in the Manor Room, Teversal Village.
Attendees were thanked for their input to the meeting which closed at 8:20 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