Welcome to our Village

Was this appendage really necessary.  The sign was nice enough as it was, was there really any need to have more expense and tack something else on underneath, something that doesn't really mean anything since the majority of vehicles are passing through.  Wouldn't - Please Drive Carefully -  have been more appropriate.

What's wrong with this - less is better

Some one told me that not that many years ago the Parish Council didn't have a pot to pee in and was operating on the breadline.  Since the injection of capital from the Packet Inn site, the present incumbents seem intent on depleting this so that they are back to scratching their backsides for cash. Maybe that's the idea.

That Jubilee Garden still hasn't endeared itself to me, no matter how hard I try to like it. Pretentious stone that would look a lot better in a town garden, and even then I suspect anybody with a bit of taste wouldn't have gone for that particular shade of stone to sit in the middle of an old village.  That particular spot is certainly not as well used as it was before.  A nice piece of grass somewhere would improve it's barren appearance, without us having to rely on the grass provided on the road side by the district council. 

There was a great deal of spouting at the time that it hadn't cost us anything.  Well it had, that money came from our savings fund, the one that  belongs to the residents of this village.  Were we asked whether we should spend that much money on a garden that isn't really a garden, more like a monument.  No, and perhaps if they had there might have been more input from residents on what we really wanted.  Might even have been somebody local who would have done it much cheaper and known how to plant the stuff in it properly.  So much could  have been done given the size of the plot after the old bank had been demolished.

Despite its fame there are very few photographs around of this monument to our Queen, other than the ones taken when vandals attacked it.

 

The only thing you can say now is it barely gets looked at as we pass by and maybe shake our heads.

A wash and brush up for 2014

Don't know whether you have noticed but over Christmas, Century House has had a complete wash and brush up.  It was previously the home of residents who moved on ( I had better say no more), leaving the house empty.  More recently there were plans to demolish and build in the back garden but after an application for 5 dwellings was submitted, which was bound to fail if only on greediness.  Following the departure of the residents it has  fallen into decay, unwanted and unloved as all houses become when nobody lives in them.  This was it in 2009.  Looking at that time, quite respectable, to what it was prior to Christmas 2012.

Broken windows, overgrown trees, couldn't be seen from the road etc.  Now all gone, garden cleared entirely of all rubbish.  So what next, knocked down, refurbished.  I think we will have to wait and see although there is no other planning application on it, as yet.  Could this be  another village eyesore about to bite the dust?

Well yet another glorious year over

I say glorious because for residents in Misterton it is, or should be.  We have a lovely village, maybe not chocolate box pretty, but okay.  We have local shops on our doorstep, a library and a place to vent our fury if the bin collection is missed (not often) at the Misterton Centre, which also includes a police office to visit if we have more serious complaints.  We might  be the most northerly outpost that Bassetlaw would like to forget about, if it were not for our district councillor who lives in our village and stands in our corner regularly.  In a nutshell, we have everything we want within our village to cover our basic needs. Our only shortfall is a train service, which is a pity since we have a station.  I can't comment on the bus service since I don't use it but I do know it is difficult if you want  to work in towns other than Gainsborough.  Even the weather is kinder to us than in other parts of the country and best of all we live with open countryside around us.  Bloody perfect.


So, what next for 2014?  I'm not a resolution person, objectives is my motto, so what should we have on that list that I and maybe others would like to see happen?

1.  The Victorian Institute sold at the earliest opportunity, which won't come about if some trustees are sitting on their hands hoping for a white knight.

2.  The parish council stop messing about  and toying with ideas above our financial ceiling.  To be honest I don't go to meetings or want to, but I'm told there is a theme amongst certain individuals of trying to make a name for themselves - at our expense

3. A bit of green on that other little island of expense wouldn't come amiss either. 

4.  Fibre optic broadband would be good but I suppose I'm singing in the wind there

5.  A bit of civic responsibility from the parish council, why fix it if it ain't broke.  We have superior (seen that word on Bassetlaw website) accommodation in the Misterton Centre.  Why go out of their way to spend cash on something that has to be demolished, rebuilt and will still have no or negligible parking.  There is a much better alternative in the Methodist Hall (in the future possibly), which has a lot of affection in the village, regardless of your faith.

6. No more 'International' calls from idiots wanting to get me a free boiler, compensation on the injury claim I made or the payment protection insurance I had.  Even if I feel like answering them I tell them a load of tosh.

7.  A ring fence on any major housing in our village until those that can, give our infrastructure a major refurb

I could go on but I'll settle for the above for 2014.

A Happy (and prosperous) New Year to you all.

Boundary Changes in the offing

There was a little piece in the parish council minutes relating to boundary changes.  Now I know this has been suggested before and from the parish council's view would be in the interest of the village.

I suspect the area in question relates to the Langley Estate that comes under  the Walkeringham Parish and Newells Terrace.  Significantly the Fire Station is also 'based' in Walkeringham.  From a financial point of view it would mean more bums on seats for the village, without it normally coming from new build houses in the village.

If these changes had been in force some years ago, we would have had chance of stopping  the proposal of houses more in keeping with a town than a village.  As it was, the planning application went to Walkeringham for approval.   Since that is now all water under the bridge, it seems silly that these properties still come under the Walkeringham Parish, especially since the Misterton village sign comes well before you pass the  first house on Newells Terrace and their postal address is Misterton.

Whether they would want the boundary change is debatable.  I've not looked at the Council Tax structure recently but last time I did look Walkeringham was lower than that for Misterton and with all the proposals hovering in the air about the parish council wanting to spend more money on yet another vanity project they could rise significantly.  As it is they have all the benefits with none of the disadvantages.  If they want Newsletters they only need to call in at the Misterton Centre and they can get the Parish Magazine at the Co-op; after all most residents in the village have always treated them as Misterton residents.  I say most, because I know there are one or two dissidents in the  village, but then they are like that with West Stockwith residents (who I have found to be charming people). 

Well I suppose it wont happen overnight so there will be plenty of time for them to weigh up the pros and cons of the venture.

  

Come on Mr Chairman, call them to order

Well we know now why there is no For Sale sign at the Victoria Institute.  I understand a rear guard action is being operated by some of the trustees, no idea why really, other than either they are going to find the cash to buy the building themselves or they think they can turn things round and ignore the decision made at the public meeting.  

So what next, more insurance will be due to be paid, more repairs may need doing if we have a bad winter and I suppose worst of all the building will start and look like the old bank, derelict and a blot on the landscape.  How much is in the bank account now?  How much was there when a number of people fended off the sensible decision in 2010?

I will say this, they are only making themselves look idiots if this rear guard action is true and they are not doing themselves any favours.  There was a bit of double dealing going on when they managed to get the Parish Council as a whole removed as trustees from the building and just a few remaining plus a couple of residents with strong views.  You can see why now.  The parish clerk no longer has anything to do with it either, what was the reason for that?

Just in case you are wondering.

Where is the FOR SALE SIGN

Well after all that hullabaloo about having a meeting to obtain the views of the residents, what's happened since.  Nothing.  The meeting was way back in September, I think, so plenty of time to get the old estate agent in to view the premises and price the old girl out.  The chairman appeared to have his hand on the tiller to steer this decision in the right direction so what has happened since?

What really worries me is the fact that the Parish Council are thinking of buying the VI., presumably thinking it might be cheaper than  the old library and as a replacement for the Misterton Centre.   Well I can see a conflict of interest there, especially since the trustees of the VI have to get the best possible price.  Are they hoping nobody will bite.  But what then, how can they make an offer when there is this conflict of interest.  I would think they will have to buy at the offered price or else there would be potential for legal action on the trustees.  Then what, they still have to do it up and at what cost.  Do it on the cheap;  how long would that take and nobody does owt for nowt nowadays, they can't afford to.  Borrow it?  Well what about this scenario.

If the PC borrows say £300k over 40 years, initial interest charges at say 5% will be £15k per annum, with annual repayment instalments of £7,500.  Then there's annual maintenance/heating/lighting/cleaning/insurance, etc. costs of say £5k per annum. Then on top of all that there are salaries for a clerk, gate keeper and a groundsman.  Might get it cheaper, might not.

So, if the PC goes it alone, you're looking at something approaching £30k per annum, plus triple business rates.  Then there's no parking and I doubt the Co-op would be particularly accommodating.   I can see that financial pot that has kept them afloat for these little projects they've had in recent times diminishing rapidly.

Where they are now they have two other partners, Bassetlaw and the Police to share the rent and all associated costs.  They might come on an ad hoc basis to the VI but I doubt they would want to make this permanent, apart from the fact that the VI is no Tardis.  So you could say goodbye to shared costs and probably a policeman in the village on a regular basis. 

Is this really worth it or are they thinking of hanging a financial noose round our necks that will cost us dearly in future.

Hope it doesn't come to something like this.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2513218/Parish-council-quits-en-masse-villager-performed-Nazi-salutes-revolt-Christmas-lights-grass-cutting.html

They are still dithering on the restoration of the War Memorial.  At this rate come 28th July 2014 they will still be holding Working Group Meetings instead of getting  the job done. I would imagine that this is a skilled job and when you think about it, how many other villages will be looking to do the same or similar job 

A Perfect Storm?

Well it is so flaming quiet at the moment, with absolutely nothing happening of interest anywhere, you get the distinct feeling that something is going to happen to shatter this bliss.

So far the 'Welcome' signs have not gone up, or if they have I need some new glasses.  Some villages have 'Drive Carefully' signs, which would be much more appropriate given that speeding through the village seems to be the norm.

If you go through Mattersey be mindful of the fact that they have put two ginormous humps at either end in, that are the biggest I have seen yet and  designed to peel the underneath of your car off like a tin of sardines.  Not so bad in daytime if you can see them but hardly seen at night.  It would be interesting to see if they have had many complaints  yet.  Not that I am advocating them for Misterton, more trouble than they are worth and only hack people off.

I suppose the next big thing will be the Neighbourhood Plan.  Not read much about it other than there is money involved and more money if you have one.  I harvested these bits from the Government website:

Neighbourhood development plans

A neighbourhood development plan establishes general planning policies for the development and use of land in a neighbourhood, like:

• where new homes and offices should be built
• what they should look like

The plan can be detailed or general, depending what local people want.
Neighbourhood plans allow local people to get the right type of development for their community, but the plans must still meet the needs of the wider area. In most cases we expect this will mean that neighbourhood plans will have to take into account the local council’s assessment of housing and other development needs in the area.
More and more communities are taking up the right to produce a neighbourhood plan. At August 2013, 3 plans have successfully been through a community referendum and have been brought into force by the local planning authority.

Community Infrastructure Levy

Parishes with a neighbourhood plan will receive 25% of any Community Infrastructure Levy arising from developments in their area compared to parishes without a neighbourhood plan who will receive 15%.

Role of the local planning authority

The local planning authority has a duty to support communities making their neighbourhood plan. For example, it will organise the independent examination of the neighbourhood development plan, neighbourhood development order or Community Right to Build order. This is to check that the plan or order meets certain minimum conditions.
The local planning authority is responsible for organising the neighbourhood planning referendum. The referendum ensures that the local community has the final say on whether a neighbourhood development plan, neighbourhood development order or a Community Right to Build order comes into force in their area.


At the moment we have the Newells site with around 70 houses not built and bits of infilling here and there.  Our infrastructure is struggling to cope with what we have already.  Some places can stand more houses being built in large numbers, can we without changes.  It will be interesting to see what happens.  Still at least  we are having say in that.

Yet Another Public Consultation

Well although I haven't actually received my parish council newsletter yet I have been able to look at one.  So why devote 12 paragraphs of space to tell us what is going to happen to the War Memorial and then in the penultimate one start asking for our views.  They ask us to fill in a poll on their website.  Just what for I don't know, all cut and dried so why try and chivy us into taking an interest now.  Now they have made the decision are they uncertain of what they are doing and just want us to say yay so they can confirm that they have obtained the views of all residents of the parish.

Quite frankly I suspect that most of us aren't that bothered and those that are probably don't have an Internet connection (or want one), to fill in the magic poll that absolves them of all responsibility of spending any money on it.  It doesn't really say much for their decision making skills when they make one and then start dithering.  Still at least it filled in a vast space on the newsletter, so they didn't have to think of anything else, other than dog crap, litter and depriving elderly residents of a little Christmas bonus.

There was not even an update on the Victoria Institute current status, or the behind the scenes activity regarding the old library.  Things we want to know about they keep us in the dark, especially since that will be one enormous money pit and any lack of information on that subject will make us all extremely suspicious.

Come to think of it, not even a Merry Christmas either!


 

The Packet Inn and other stuff

Well they are putting the old sign back  for the Packet Inn.  At least I think they are, the item was so poorly worded in the parish council minutes for October,it could have related to something entirely different.  Bit funny really, can you imagine, some wag knocking on your door asking for a pint of bitter or whatever.  Tempting providence there I think.

As far as the Christmas charity money is concerned, I suspect that the money is going to sit in the vaults for years doing nothing.  Who the heck do they think is going to fill in a form and admit to the parish council they are brassic.  Beggar confidentiality, it gets out sooner or later, either big mouths or pillow talk.  Not made themselves any friends with that decision. 

Hillysyde want their street lighting on again and sending in a petition.  Will that create more petitions from other street residents?  Can you really create a precedent?  I suppose they are hinging on the fact that it includes Swallow Court, and I suspect that the hours there are no lights  wont bother Swallow Court residents too much.

Victoria Institute:  "It was noted that any potential purchase of the building for use by the Parish Council would be considered by the Future Office Working Group."

Like a dog with a  bone on that one and whatever happens you can bet your bottom dollar it will cost residents in the end with these mad money spending ideas.

New signs going up soon. don't exactly say which, again poor reporting, but I assume the ones that are supposed to say "Welcome to our Village" or similar, we will have to wait and see.  Whatever they say they will have been a waste of money and totally unnecessary in these austere times.

Well all the activity down by Station Road was for the canal lock gates, leaking.  Lots of activity, standing looking, standing observing, standing watching and even some working.  Then you wonder why things cost a lot to get done.

Bit too much information

I've seen the Parish Magazine and while it is full of useful information there is one bit that could have done with a pencil through.  While I appreciate that dog  crap in the village is a problem, was there any need for the parish council to devote a whole fat paragraph to it, and describing in graphic detail what we already know.  We're not that stupid.  Talk about rubbing our noses in it, especially if we don't have a dog.

In fact there was little else really of any interest to your average resident in the Misterton parish council news, which makes you wonder what they do talk about,  given that they are intent on spending our saved cash in the bank on a  vanity project or maybe two, depending on who you talk to.  I suppose the little nuggets from those discussion will be kept well and truly hidden in case anybody starts complaining.

Oh and another thing, I've heard complaints about this new system for dishing the charity cash at Christmas.  Enough to know the parish council has dumped themselves in the dog crap with that decision, so if I were them I'd think again and stop blaming the Charity Commission, because they don't care a brass farthing when peanuts are involved.