Cotgrave Town Council

Chairman's Report

2007-2008

I am pleased to report significant progress in a number of areas in what is always seems to become another difficult year.

The input from the Borough Council, the police, the fire service and other agencies during the week of action was second to none. It is always fraught with danger to mention individuals at the risk of upsetting others but in particular I would like to thank Vickie Beaumont and her team for driving a massive agenda on our behalf.

Our new area commander, Jeff Haywood has been like a breath of fresh air with a change in policing which is much more proactive rather than reactive which has been borne out by the numbers of our worst recidivists that are now in custody and I would like to thank Jeff and his team for his work in making our community safer.

We entered a new age of partnership with the Borough Council by renegotiating our Leisure Centre contribution and the agreement but more importantly than that is that it has opened the door for a more open discussion between the two organisations and our clerk now meets regularly with Sue Griffiths from the Borough Council.

The partnership to develop our playgrounds with the Borough Council has been an unqualified success with the new toddler park, mini skate park and cricket wicket. What I found astonishing from those projects was the way in which we could interact with young people to not only take on their views but to actually let them make a positive contribution. I would also like to place on record a vote of thanks for the work undertaken by Jacki Grice in the preparation of these funding bids.

I am also extremely encouraged about the possibility of Positive Futures working in Cotgrave with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. Again I must thank Rushcliffe Borough Council for putting Cotgrave forward as the first scheme in Rushcliffe and after meeting Derek Brewer and his team at Trent Bridge Cricket ground I am totally looking forward to working with them on this major and exciting initiative. As well as sport taking the form of Cricket, Football, Rugby Ice Hockey and boxing there will be an opportunity for local people and young people to take part in accredited coaching courses.

The first Town Plan has come to its end and we have now drawn a line under a significant piece of work. Cotgrave’s Plan was one of the first in the Borough and has been copied by other parishes. I must offer sincere thanks to Katie Wilson who stepped in at the eleventh hour to finish off the plan after we had two false starts with two different officers. This new session of council does need to consider firstly how to take the existing plan forward but also to look at whether and how we develop Town Plan II. There is certainly much merit in the concept which is evidenced by the "partner’s event" earlier in the year organised by Katie Wilson and Carola Jones from the Rural Community Action Network. I would also like to place on record not inconsiderable work undertaken by Pat Walsh who has often driven the plan often with sparse support from other councillors including myself.

The two recent planning applications in Hollygate Lane and the former pit site, along with an application for a traveller to site two mobile homes at Stragglethorpe have sent shockwaves through certain sections of the community. All three of these applications will fall or stand on their own merits. What I have said quite publicly is that I hope that everyone will be given an opportunity to discuss the implications of these applications in a calm and constructive manner which unfortunately up to date has not happened. I would not be in public life if I did not realise that people have the right to criticise and have their own opinions. What I do object to is people who make disparaging personal remarks, often anonymously on the council’s own message board and anyone doing so should hang their head in shame. In particular those who ask the question "How do I sleep" or make the comment that "I do not care about Cotgrave." In fact I care deeply about Cotgrave and its people. I believe they deserve better and will fight tooth and nail to try and make sure that happens. I spend virtually every waking hour thinking about Cotgrave and whether you agree or otherwise I will not have my integrity impugned by throw away remarks.

I too have reservations about the developments but I also have reservations if they do not happen. I am still convinced that it is far better for all concerned to be at the heart of the process and not to simply ignore it in the hope that it will go away only to have a situation imposed on us after a planning inquiry. My reason for support also comes from concerns voiced by all residents who want better health centre, better shops, better housing, better police service, better transport infrastructure, a youth provision and better education which will all come from the planning gain that comes with the development. The alternative leaves Cotgrave as a mediocre settlement in Rushcliffe that does deserve better. The regeneration fund proposed as part of the section 106 planning gain settlement of circa £1million pounds has been criticised as being a bribe by the developers. It has in fact been offered by the people disposing of the land for development because they want to put something back into the community. NOT the developers.

In conclusion I would like to thank the Clerk, Mrs. Ellis and the assistant to the clerk, Jacki Grice who have both worked extremely hard on your behalf along with Lennie Knight and our park keepers.

I would also like to thank the Chairs and Vice Chairs of committees and all of the councilors who attend regular meetings and undertake a considerable amount of work in addition.

In closing I would like to quote the Town Plan Mission statement:

Those sentiments are as relevant now as they were when they were written.