03.04.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 8^TH APRIL 2003

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

Present: Mesdames Cooper, Bennett, Jacobs and Roe. Messrs. Maclaren, Bayliss and Colston. Clerk Mr. B Machin. County Councillor Mr. Stewart.

Apologies for absence: Received from Councillor Armstrong (at Edingley meeting).

1

Before the meeting commenced the Chairman pointed out that Duncan Maclaren would not be seeking re-election to the Council and that this meeting would be the last of his current stint which has extended over twelve years eleven as Chairman. She thanked him for his record of service to the community on behalf of the Council and residents and presented Mr. Maclaren with a pair of Whiskey tumblers to record the gratitude of the Councillors and Clerk.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11^TH MARCH 2003:

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The minutes having been circulated prior to the meeting, were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 11^TH MARCH 2003:

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NALC risk assessment seminar: The Clerk reported that Messrs. Colston and Bayliss had agreed to attend.

4

Grass & hedge cutting: The Clerk reported that he had met Mr. Walker from English Nature on site and that there does not appear to be a problem pruning the tree provided the works required can be agreed in advance with the tree surgeon.

5

Village Appraisal: The Chairman reported that all the collected appraisal forms were now with Notts. RCC for analysis, about 60% had been returned which she considered an excellent result no doubt down to the efforts of Councillors who she thanked.

6

Hatfield Lane – barn conversion: Mrs. Jacobs reported that work appeared to have started on the conversion. It was noted that work on the original application could proceed but that approval to the revised application, involving raising the roof, was still awaited. The Clerk was asked to seek clarification from N&SDC.

7

Items for Annual Parish Meeting: The Clerk reminded the Council that the re-election of Trustees for the Workhouse Close Trust was due to take place at the meeting. The two existing Trustees have indicated their willingness to stand for re- election further nominations will be sought via. a notice on the notice board.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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NALC Annual Conference: To be held 3^rd to 5^th October, no one can attend.

9

Village Hall Public Entertainment Licence: An application to renew the annual licence has been received by N&SDC. Council had no comment to make on the application.

03.04.2

1

Quality Parish Council Initiative: Details of the tests Council will have to pass if it wishes to become a ‘Quality Parish council’ have been received from DEFRA. For accreditation Council will require to:-

a)      Have initially 80% of seats filled by candidates who stood for election (rising to 100% for re-accreditation).

b)      Have a suitably qualified Clerk.

c)      Hold six Council meetings a year.

d)      Publish annual reports.

e)      Provide regular information to residents on parish activities.

f)        Produce properly prepared and audited accounts.

Detail guidance for the scheme will be available in May.

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NALC risk assessment seminar:  To be held on Tuesday 29^th April at a cost of £12.50 per person, it was agreed the Clerk should attend.

At this point the Chairman changed the order of the agenda.

HIGHWAYS:

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Highways defects: A letter from Notts. CC Highways responding to items raised at the January meeting (753) was noted.

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Beanford Lane rubbish dumping: The Chairman expressed concern over dumping the latest item being a three piece suite, this had been reported to N&SDC who had been asked to carry out regular clearance, she suggested that a ‘litter pick’ be considered in May. Mrs. Jacobs said she was also concerned about the debris in the water splash, Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue this.

5

Footpath through Oxton Bogs: Miss Roe reported that the footpath was unclear and required signing, Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue.

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Lay-by Old Epperstone Road: Mrs. Jacobs reported that timber fencing was damage and required renewing; Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue this.

Councillor Stewart left at this point.

PLANNING:

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Tree works: The following tree works have been approved by N&SDC:-

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Planning approvals: The following, which have received full planning permission, were noted -

03.04.3

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Orange telecoms mast Loath Hill: The Clerk reported that the appeal against refusal of planning permission had been rejected, the inspector found that there was no reason for a mast not to be erected but the siting of the mast and size and position of the ancillary buildings were not acceptable.

Mr. Maclaren said he had read the N&SDC policy on telecoms mast which had recently been received and circulated, he did not consider this to be a policy but merely a collection of statements from various sources and did not represent the thinking process that N&SDC followed when faced with an application. The Clerk was asked to write to N$SDC accordingly.

2

Manor House Paddock: Mrs. Jacobs reported that the fence between the paddock and garden had been removed and that extension of the garden into the paddock would be a breach of planning conditions. It was agreed Mrs. Jacobs should report back if encroachment onto the paddock took place.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly report: Mrs. Jacobs reported verbally:-

a)      Stones on the safety surface of the rocker.

b)      Top bar of the Wicksteed swing requires painting.

c)      Tiles loose under the Wicksteed swing.

It was agreed to delay action until the results of the ROSPA inspection were received.

4

Signs to play area:  Mr. Bayliss was of the opinion the proliferation of signs was incompatible with the conservation area and suggested the need for the signs be reviewed and possibly reduced to one sign. It was agreed the Chairman and Clerk review the signs.

FOOTPATHS LEAFLET:

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The Chairman presented a first draft for consideration. This could be produced free if we joined the Parish Paths Partnership but this would delay publication and when previously considered Council were against joining. For Council to produce the leaflet would cost approx. £180 for 500 copies plus £47.50 plus VAT for an Ordnance Survey Licence to use the map, she intended to put a leaflet in every Dover Beck and have a supply freely available in the Post Office.

Councillor Armstrong arrived at this point.

It was suggested that sponsorship should be considered and also the use of local printers to defray the cost.

03.04.4

To allow the project to proceed Council approved expenditure of up to £250 at the discretion of the Chairman and Clerk inclusive of the OS licence fee, use of local printers should be investigated but sponsorship should be left until the second print thereby avoiding delay.

OXTON FLYER:

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The Chairman pointed out that Council need to renew its approval to support the Flyer. Currently the scheme is well supported and self financing but this has not always been the case and therefore it is essential support is available should circumstances change.

It was agreed to extend financial support for a further financial year.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

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Pleasure ground gate: Miss Roe reported that the access gate was in poor condition and in a prominent position bearing in mind the Best Kept Village Competition. It was agreed to report this to the Estate.

3

Home Court overhanging branches: Miss Roe reported that overhanging branches were obstructing passage. Mr. Colston agreed to cut them back.

4

Village benches: Miss Roe asked when the village benches would be returned to site. Mr. Bayliss reported that progress was good and will be complete in the near future, he suggested some alterations to bench positions and the following was agreed.

a)      Seats on Main St should be swapped so the both matched.

b)      The seat on Epperstone Road is to remain in its current position.

c)      Blind Lane should be moved nearer Southwell Road away from the new nursery entrance, the Estate should be asked to remove the dead tree.

5

Churchyard Yew Tree: Mrs. Jacobs reported that the Yew tree is overhanging the pavement with low branches, it was agreed to report to Mr. Hose.

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Dog walking in access fields:  Mr. Maclaren pointed out that all three public access fields had sheep in them and consequently there was no where to exercise dogs.

Meeting closed at 21.00

Signed                                      Chairman             Date