MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 8^TH JANUARY 2002.

Meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.

Present: Messrs. Maclaren and Colston. Mesdames Cooper, Bennett, Jacobs and Roe. District Councillor Laughton. Clerk Mr. B Machin.

Apologies for absence. Apologies were received from Mr. Bayliss and Mrs. Armstrong.

MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD 11^TH DECEMBER 2001:

The minute ‘Grass Tracking Opposite Grange Farm’ was raised by the Chairman not Miss Roe, otherwise the minutes, having been circulated prior to the meeting, were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Web page: The Clerk pointed out that due to difficulties with the software the web page had not been accessible for about a week, it was now accessible.

Standards Board for England: The Clerk reported that Mrs. Cooper and he had attended the seminar and that whilst the code was effective from 27^th November, Council had up to 5^th May 2002 to adopt a local code. N&SDC are developing a local code which the Council can adopt (or adopt the model code or its own code), the advice at the seminar was to await this code before taking further action. Within 28 days of the adoption of a code the Clerk would be required to set up a register of members interests and submit this to the Standards Board.

Unsatisfactory repairs to play area: Awaiting a response from the contractor.

Budget 2002/2003: The Clerk reported that following arrangement by Mrs. Armstrong he had met Mr. Catchpole on site. His advice was that the tree was an important part of the parkland landscape and that it should be preserved. Before any work could be carried out on the tree it would be necessary to obtain a report on the use of the tree by bats (Notts. County Council may be able to help with this) a report from a recommended tree surgeon and the approval of N&SDC. He suggested based on his experience a ‘ball park’ estimate in excess of £300 for the work.

The Chairman pointed out that a covenant on the tree prevented any work without the approval of the vendor.

It was agreed the Clerk obtains a report on the bats and an estimate from a tree surgeon but that the matter was of low priority.

Poop scoop bins: The Chairman has yet to contact affected residents.

Bottle bank: Mrs. Cooper reported that she had spoken to the management of the Olde Bridge Inne and they had agreed to look at the state of the car park around the bins.

NALC Annual Subs 2002/3: Notification has been received that the annual subscription will rise in excess of the sum agreed at the AGM to reflect the increases proposed in the corporate plan, unless objections were raised. The sum involved was 1.14 pence per elector. No objection was raised.

Invitation to accompany Police on front line duties: Councillors have been invited to accompany the Police so they may obtain a better understanding of demands on the service. Mrs. Cooper/Mr. Colston and Mrs. Jacobs were interested subject to being covered by the Councils insurance, the Clerk is to check.

Notts. RCC Funding Day: A seminar is to be held on 20^th February aimed at informing Councils about funding opportunities, the Clerk is to attend.

Notts. CC Local Bus Survey: The Council has commissioned a survey of attitudes to local bus services by means of a questionnaire. It was agreed Mrs. Cooper complete the questionnaire on behalf of the Council.

Appointment of Parish representative on District Council’s Standards Committee: Representatives are to be selected by applications, shortlisting and interview, the deadline for receipt of applications being 31^st January.

Tree work – 2 The Brambles Forest Road: N&SDC has given permission to fell two and prune two trees.

Manor house development- fencing around paddock: The chairman reported that he had contacted N&SDC about the fencing that has been erected around the paddock by the developer apparently without planning permission. He wanted to know if planning permission is required for the fence and the effect of the Section 106 agreement, to date he had not had a reply. The Chairman and Mr. Laughton are to pursue the matter.

Forest Road pavement: Miss Roe reported that the pavement was badly overgrown and required attention. The Clerk was asked to report the problem.FINANCIAL MATTERS:

Invoices and payments: The following were approved for payment.

B Machin Clerks salary Dec                                    £103.12

Oxton VHMC Fee for use of meeting room               £5.00

Parkinson Dis. Soc. Fares reimbursement Oct-Dec £63.00

Total                             £171.12

Financial report for December: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £3855.99, plus £2920.98 in the sinking fund with receipts of £13.51 and payments of £200.90. A transfer of the sum of £1175.00 donated to the play area fund from the current account to the sinking fund had also taken place.

Mr. Laughton left the meeting at this point.

Monthly inspection report: Mrs. Jacobs presented the inspection report for December and January, there were no items to report.

ROSPA annual inspection of play equipment: The Clerk was authorised to place an order with ROSPA for this year.

Damage to bench – Windmill Hill: The Chairman reported that the bench had been damaged by farm equipment and had been subsequently repaired.

It was noted that several of the Council’s benches were in need of attention, Mrs. Cooper agreed to inspect the benches and report back to the next meeting.

CHARITABLE STATUS OF PLAYING FIELD:

The Chairman reported that the field was transferred from the Estate to the Council in 1955 in trust as a place of recreation. The previous recreation field was returned to the Estate at that time. He did not consider that this created a Charitable Trust and he did not believe it was in the interest of the Council that it should be considered to be a Charitable Trust: the Council simply holds the land as trustees for the residents. The Clerk reported that the matter had previously been raised with the Charity Commissioners in 1996 but he could find no record of any resolution, beyond a letter stating the deed of transfer created the Charity.

It was agreed the Clerk contact the Commission to ascertain their views.

It was noted that the Councils deeds were kept by the Clerk at his home and that this was an unsatisfactory situation for valuable documents. The Chairman agreed to ascertain the cost of registering the property with the Land Registry.

VILLAGE HALL CAR PARK REPAIRS:

Mrs. Bennett and Mrs. Cooper declared an interest. The Clerk reported that a request for financial assistance towards the cost of repairs had previously been received from the Village Hall Management Committee and that there was some discussion as to who should be entitled to the income from the recycling facility.

It was agreed that the income from the recycling for the last two years should be given to the Committee to assist with the cost of car park repairs, this amounted to £220.91.

CONSULTATION PAPERS:

The Chairman expressed his concern that only one copy of the consultation papers are received which has to be circulated around seven Councillors usually with a short consultation period. It was agreed the Clerk ask for seven copies in future.

Quality Town and Parish Councils: It was agreed that the proposals were in general excessively bureaucratic for a small Council such as Oxton and that the Clerk should reply in accordance with his discussion paper.

N&SDC Leisure Strategy: It was noted that the strategy picked up mainly on large population centres and did not identify existing rural facilities and how they could be helped i.e. Cricket Club and football pitch. It was agreed the Clerk reply accordingly.

Draft Policing Plan: Concern was expressed that the plan had little mention of Neighborhood Watch Council is concerned about the apparent decline in support and interest by the Police. Concern was also expressed about the lack of positive comment on Parish Constables and the lack of any pro-active proposals to deal with the migration of crime from urban to rural areas. It was agreed the clerk reply accordingly.

Review of N&SDC Local Plan: Concern was expressed about the lack of affordable housing, the apparent threat to local bus services due to lack of finance and any impact the Governments new proposals may have on the preservation of the green belt. Council would also like to see emphasis placed on the creation of employment and viable businesses in rural areas. It was agreed the Clerk reply accordingly.

Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places: It was agreed the Council is not aware of any local problem and that the Clerk should reply accordingly.

Useful telephone contacts: Mrs. Cooper asked that the list is inserted in the next Dover Beck, preferably in loose leaf form, this was agreed.

Annual Parish Meeting: The Clerk asked Council to consider whom they may wish to invite to the meeting and the date for agreement at the next meeting.