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OXTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 7TH APRIL 2009 AT OXTON VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllr. M. Cooper (Chairman) Cllr. L. Jacobs (Vice-Chairman) Cllr. I. Johnson Cllr. J. Jones Cllr. I. Kilpatrick Cllr. D. Wilkes
Mrs. L. Ingall (Clerk) Mrs. K. Birks (Clerk)
1. NEW CLERK
The Chairman welcomed the new Clerk to the Parish Council, Mrs Karen Birks, who took up the position on 1st April 2009.
2. APOLOGIES
NOTED the apologies for absence from Cllr. Robin Aldridge, County Councillor A. Stewart and District Councillor B. Laughton.
3. MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 3rd March 2009 were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
4. MATTERS ARISING
(a) Interpretation Board
NOTED that a draft of the Interpretation Board, which is to be situated at the Village Hall, will be available at the next meeting of this Council on 12th May 2009.
(b) Placement of Bench on Main Street, Oxton
NOTED that no decision had been taken by Mrs Meldrum on a proposal to site a bench, in memory of her husband John, opposite the shop on Main Street, Oxton. This would replace the present dilapidated bench.
(c) Inspection Cover, Elmcroft, Oxton
NOTED that the damaged inspection cover on unadopted land at Elmcroft, Oxton has now been repaired.
(d) Refuse Collection
NOTED that Newark and Sherwood District Council is to introduce a third refuse bin for green waste in Ollerton and Lowdham at an extra cost, to the householder, of £26 per year. The extra bin will be introduced in a year.
5. COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reported that she had received a letter from JMP Consultants who have been employed by Newark and Sherwood District Council to canvass parishes’ views on water related matters. Subjects to be considered included flood risk, water amenity, water quality, water services and sewerage. Cllr. Jacobs expressed concern at the low water pressure in part of the village.
AGREED that members’ comments are sought and included in a draft reply to be presented to a future meeting of this Council.
6. HIGHWAYS
(a) Directional Sign A6097
NOTED that a small local direction sign on the A6097 has a broken post.
AGREED that the Clerk reports the matter to Nottinghamshire County Council
(b) Broken Sign – Beanford Lane, Oxton
NOTED that a sign at Beanford Lane, Oxton had fallen to the ground.
AGREED that the Clerk reports this matter to Nottinghamshire County Council
(c) Fallen Tree Branches in Dyke – Opposite the Bridge Inne, Oxton
NOTED that tree branches have fallen into the dyke opposite Ye Old Bridge Inne, Oxton.
The Clerk stated that she had reported the matter to Nottinghamshire County Council.
7. PLANNING
(a) Planning Application 09/00272/FUL – Proposed change of use of outbuilding to part of public house (retrospective), Ye old Bridge Inne, Nottingham Road, Oxton
AGREED to recommend to Newark and Sherwood District Council that planning permission be granted.
(b) Planning Application 09/00288/FUL – Proposed two storey front extension and dormer window to side elevation, 7 The Orchards, Oxton.
AGREED to recommend to Newark and Sherwood District Council that planning permission be granted.
(c) NOTED that there were no further planning applications received prior to the meeting.
(d) Notices of Decision
NOTED that there were no Notices of Decision.
(e) Any other matters appertaining to Planning
Fosters, Main Street, Oxton.
Cllr. Jones reported that the property at Fosters, Main Street, Oxton had been demolished. A planning application had previously been submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council for an extension to the dwelling. The clerk reported that she had consulted with the Planning Officer at the District Council, and whilst planning permission was not required to demolish the property, no further application had been received for the erection of a new dwelling. The matter has been referred to the Enforcement Officer of that Council.
AGREED that the Clerk contacts Newark and Sherwood District Council to ascertain if any progress on Enforcement Action has been made.
8. FINANCE
(a) Invoices and Payments
The following payments were authorised: L.E. Ingall Clerk Salary, March, April £334.59 L.E. Ingall Office Expenses £4.32 Our Centre Mini Bus Hire – March £78.85 P. Cleverley Chiropody Clinic £68.00 Newark and Sherwood DC Dog Waste Bins – Annual Contract £358.80
(b) Financial Report for March 2009
The Clerk reported an account balance at the end of March of £1214.51 with payments of £732.19, receipts of £62.61 and a Sinking Fund balance of £10,157.25. The accounts were reconciled accordingly.
(c) Purchase of new Filing Cabinet
The new Clerk reported that she would require a filing cabinet to accommodate this Council’s files.
AGREED that the Clerk liaises with Cllr. Kilpatrick on the purchase of a new filing cabinet up to a cost of £150.
9. RECREATION
(a) Play Area – Monthly Report
Cllr. Jacobs reported that everything was satisfactory in the Play Area.
(b) Removal of Bench outside the Village Hall
AGREED that a site meeting is held to discuss the removal of the bench outside the Village Hall and that the matter is discussed at the next meeting of this Council.
(c) Play Area and Cricket Pavilion.
Cllr. Wilkes reported that he had no further information on Oxton Cricket Club’s grant application. He stated that further to his article in the Dover Beck requesting ideas for the proposed new Play Area, he had received many positive replies. Suggestions included the establishment of a six a side football pitch, a tennis court and a skateboard park. The Chairman suggested that consultation with younger members of the parish was vital. Cllr. Wilkes stated that he was keen that the consultation process should be instigated as soon as possible and would endeavour to present various ideas at the Annual Parish Meeting.
(d) Contract – Emptying of Dog Waste Bins
The Clerk reported that she had received a Contract from Newark and Sherwood District Council for the emptying of dog waste bins for the forthcoming year. The total charge for the year was £312.
AGREED that the Clerk would investigate the proposed charge with a view to reducing the amount and that a letter is sent to Newark and Sherwood District Council expressing this Council’s opinion that the emptying of dog waste bins should be free of charge, such charges being integrated in the District’s Environmental budget.
10. COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
The Clerk reported, in the absence of Cllr. Aldridge, that Newark and Sherwood District Council has now set up the risk and resilience equipment in the garage at the Village Hall. Keys for the garage will be made for the flood team.
AGREED that the names of the flood team are placed in the Dover Beck and on this Council’s website.
11. CALOR VILLAGE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION
AGREED that Oxton Village is entered in the Calor Village of the Year Competition 2009 and that Cllrs. Jones and Cooper complete the entry form on behalf of this Council.
12. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
AGREED that: 1. Kate Anstey of the Police Safer Neighbourhood team is invited to speak at the Annual Parish Meeting. 2. A member of Oxton Cricket Club Committee is invited to speak. 3. The Interpretation Board is included on the list of agenda items.
13. ANY OTHER BUISNESS
1. Contract of Employment – New Clerk
NOTED the Contract of Employment for the new Clerk is almost completed and will be submitted for her approval in the near future.
2. Safety Liaison Group
NOTED that Cllr. Jacobs is unable to attend the next meeting of the Safety Liaison Group at Kelham Hall, Newark. Cllr. Kilpatrick stated that he may be able to attend in her absence.
The meeting concluded at 9.00 p.m.
Chairman Date
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