Present : Councillors I Shaw (Chairman), V Allison, L Attewell, C Chewings, M Chewings, D Daws, S Gardner, S McGinley, Y Wilson, V Wood, R Butler (7.05pm), B Tansley (7.08pm)

Apologies Approved: Councillor J Bennett, L Daws, H Brumpton-Surgey, P Walsh

In Attendance : Assistant to the Clerk and 1 member of the public.

The meeting was held in Studio 4 of Cotgrave Leisure Centre and started at 7.02 pm.

The opening prayer with given by Councillor S Gardner.

222 Councillors D Daws and L Attewell declared a personal interest in Cotgrave’s Masterplan and did not take part in the discussion.

223 Resolved : ‘To suspend Standing Orders to alter the order of business so that Inspector Phil Hallam could give a presentation to council on crime prevention figures in Cotgrave.’

224 Inspector Hallam presented the following report:-

Sally Jackson gave a presentation in 2009 which stated the problems in Cotgrave, high levels of anti social behaviour, youth crime and general crime. Also high proportion of repeat victims and offenders with the precinct and several residential areas as persistent hotspot areas. The public had a poor perception of the police.

225 Area Based Initiative came to Cotgrave in 2009 in partnership with the local fire brigade, health team and housing authority.

226 Area Based Initiative team introduced Challenge 25 and reviewed the licences for all the take away outlets. This reduced the problems faced on the precinct.

227 The public perception of the Police was raised through the community events, Christmas Lights, Cotgrave Connections newsletter, days of action and community clean up days.

228 The Police also introduced Positive Futures, work in local schools, leisure centre project, multi use games area, stay safe and tackling knives action project to reduce crime with the youth of Cotgrave.

229 Regular visual audit inspections started and highlighted areas which needed gating orders, demolition of old garages, dog fouling campaign which reduced the anti social behaviour and criminal damage and animism- more police officers patrolling the streets on Friday and Saturday nights.

230 Projects were introduced to help stop repeat victims of crime and repeating offenders.

231 Crime trends in Cotgrave has been reducing for the last 6 years with a 40% reduction in the last year, also in the last year there has been a reduction of 75% in youth crime.

232 Anti Social Behaviour has seen a reduction of 85% in the last 6 years and 24% in the last year.

233 The Police have promoted good practice with being entered into Tilley and Rushcliffe Awards, using local media to promote the reducing crime levels in Cotgrave and to build on strong working relationships with Cotgrave Town Council.

234 An overall reduction in ‘All Crime’ of 22% moving Cotgrave up the league tables to 25^th from being 10^th last year, this is very positive for Cotgrave. All teams are working together and this has had a successful outcome.

235 The Police are looking forward to the introduction of a Neighbourhood Watch and Community Speed Watch groups in Cotgrave.

236 Standing Orders were resumed at 7.20pm

237 Resolved : ‘’That the minutes of the meeting held on 28th September 2011 be received and confirmed as a true record’’.

238 M178 Computer Hacking Enquiry

The police investigation for the alleged computer hacking is now complete and there was no evidence found or proved. The police case is now closed.

239 Councillor R Butler presented the minutes and took questions.

240 M116 Trees at Eastmoor

The trees in the buffer zone have been cut back and some removed. The work is now complete.

241 Councillor M Chewings presented the minutes and took questions.

242 M076 Village Signs

The new village entrance signs will be installed from 15^th December in all 5 locations.

243 Resolved : ‘To confirm the planning minutes recording the decisions taken by the Council and those of the Planning Authority’.

244 Resolved : ‘To accept the notes of the Forum Meeting’

245 The Chairman presented a report to Council with his views and ideas for asset utilisation of buildings in Cotgrave.

246 The council have noted his report and future discussions will take place.

247 The audit of the annual accounts for year ending 31^st March 2011 have now completed by Clement Keys.

248 Clement Keys have noted the Council have reviewed its internal control arrangements via the work of the internal auditor but also noted the Council must conduct a review at least once a year of the effectiveness of its system of internal control and minute the review formally.

249 A business plan for Cotgrave was presented to Cotgrave Town Council.

250 Cotgrave Futures is registered as a charity and the building is leased from CISWO on a 50 year lease term and has 40 years left to run.

251 Cotgrave Futures cannot grant a lease only a yearly licence for Serendipitys.

252 Serendipitys pays a large contribution towards all the running costs of Futures.

253 The Localism bill is going through parliament and will devolve more powers to local Parish and Town Councils through new powers passed to Nottinghamshire County Council.

254 Nottinghamshire Council County have asked Parish Councils if they would be interested in taking more services in the local area.

255 Cotgrave Town Council is to raise a level of interest with Nottinghamshire County Council for taking on additional services in Cotgrave.

256 A draft concordant agreement has been drawn up by Rushcliffe Borough Council for the Cotgrave Masterplan and Cotgrave Town Council have been asked to formally sign the agreement.

257 This agreement will confirm Cotgrave Town Council is fully committed to the Masterplan.

258 Each community event organised by the Town Council will have a working budget of £250. A maximum of £1000 (4 events) per year for community events.

259 Any profits made from the community events will be used to fund other community events.

260 A discussion to inform the Council on public liability cover. Council are covered by a council policy when doing work on behalf of the council after it has been agreed at a council meeting. It does not cover councillors working independently outside of the council.

261 The Cotgrave Community Website went live on 1^st December 2011.

262 The launch was through an article in Cotgrave Connections and members are starting to sign up to join the site.

263 A vote of Thanks was giving by Council for the working party, who have put a lot of work and effort into making the new website. Also thanks to Sally Ward of Village Green Network for the amount of work she has given to the working party and the brilliant website.

264 Moderation of the site will be lead through the community and a small team will be working together.

265 Cotgrave Town Council’s tractor has broken down again. The repair is estimated at £2720. This is the fifth time and has cost the Council £3500 in repairs from April 2010.

266 The value of the tractor if repaired would be £3000.

267 A second hand tractor can be purchased at £8500 and has an offer of £1000 trade in for the old tractor. The cost to Council would be £7500 for a TYM 431 tractor, 42hp and 400 hours on the clock.

268 Resolved : ‘To purchase a TYM 431 Tractor from Mick Dutton & Son Ltd and to trade in the old tractor.’

269 Cotgrave Town Council placed a questionnaire in a Cotgrave Connections and 14 members of the public responded.

270 Comments included parking issues, litter and dog fouling.

271 The dog warden has been informed and asked to increase patrols and the parking issues past on to the Police. Rushcliffe Streetwise has been informed about the litter hotspots.

272 Rushcliffe Borough Council – A Fresh Approach to Housing in Rushcliffe

A letter has been received discussing Local Framework Plan which includes Cotgrave. The only growth area for Cotgrave in the Development Framework will be the colliery site.

2012 Community Events

A letter has been received suggesting ideas and events for planning a Diamond Jubilee Party or a Jubilee Beacon.

Parish and Town Council Forum Event

Letter informing Council of the Electoral Review Progress and Event Planning for the Diamond Jubilee and Olympics Events.

273 Rushcliffe Borough Council is organising an event at Cotgrave Welfare on 14^th February 2012 called ‘Love Yourself’ for the over 55’s and it will include talks on home safety and health care.

274 Rushcliffe Borough Council is organising a visual audit of Cotgrave on 20^th December 2011 and have asked if any members of Council would attend.

275 Councillor Wood has agreed to attend the visual audit on behalf of the Cotgrave Town Council. Councillor M Chewings may also attend.

276 Councillor I Shaw issued an apology to members of Council who had been named in a previous computer hacking matter reported to the Police. The Police had been unable to find evidence of the computer hacking and the issue is now closed.

277 Councillor Wilson has filled in the documents for Ashlea School to become a school governor.

278 Councillor Attewell stated the Christmas Lights Event was a success and an enjoyable event for the community.

279 Councillor D Daws commented that Councillor Gardner had been a very good Santa at the Christmas Lights Event.

280 Councillor McGinley asked Council to note the first Meeting Neighbourhood Watch at the Cotgrave Welfare on Thursday 19^th January 2012.

281 Councillor Wood informed Council that Daniel Young will be giving a presentation on 1^st February 2012 regarding the starting of a youth council for Cotgrave.

282 Councillor M Chewings noted the build up of surface water around the junction of Candleby Lane and Main Road. This will be passed on to Nottinghamshire County Council.

There being no further business the meeting ended at 9.00pm.