04.11.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 9^TH NOVEMBER 2004

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

Present: Mesdames Cooper, Bennett and Jacobs. Messrs. Johnson and Colston. Clerk Mr. B Machin. One member of the public.

Apologies for absence: Apologies were received from Mr. Bayliss, Miss Roe and Mr. Stewart.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12^TH OCTOBER 2004

1

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 12^TH OCTOBER 2004

2

Chiropody:  The Chairman reported she had written to the N&S PCT but as yet had received no reply, she also suggested Council approach the Notts. RCC to see if they could assist in bringing a Chiropody service to the village. It was agreed the Clerk enquire.

3

Community Speed Watch Programme: A Mr. Les Needle of Forest Mill House has indicated an interest in being involved, the Clerk to ask Miss. Roe if she has had any confirmations. There are delays in implementation of the scheme by Notts. CC due to insurance cover.

4

Green Dragon Public Entertainment Licence: Mr. Colston has spoken to Miss Lewington and informed her that specific complaints should be reported to N&SDC.

5

Ringmaster: The Chairman reported that the scheme was up and running and that the next meeting of Neighbourhood Watch would be 23^rd November.

6

Xmas Tree: The Chairman reported that some problems with power supply and insurance had arisen and asked if Council would be interested in assisting with the insurance problem. Council declined to get involved.

7

Beanford Splash Footbridge: The Clerk reported that Councillor Stewart had spoken to the Highways Manager and there was little likelihood of remedial works being undertaken in the near future; it was however intended to erect ‘deep water’ road hazard signs.

8

Bus Shelter: The Clerk reported that the shelter would be erected early in the New Year where the millennium bench is currently sited; Council would be responsible for removing the bench. The Clerk had obtained a quote for removing, storing and refixing the bench from F T Redfern & Son in the sum of £160 plus VAT, it was agreed to accept this quotation. Discussion took place on the future site for the bench this to be agreed at the next meeting.

04.11.2

COMMUNICATIONS:

1

Ethical Framework Standards: It was noted these new standards came into force on 4^thth November.

2

Risk Assessment Training: Training by NALC is to be held on 27^th November the cost would be £42.50, the Clerk indicated he would attend if Council so wished but was reluctant as the course took up a Saturday. Council agreed it was satisfied with the current risk assessment procedures and outcomes and the Clerk need not attend the course.

3

Charity Commissioners: The Clerk reported that he had received a further demand for the outstanding accounts and trustee updates with a deadline for submission of 31^st January 2005; in accordance with Council policy he was not responding to the request, this was agreed. The Clerk informed the Council this was a long running saga that he would like to see resolved, he was also of the opinion that the Commissioners would eventually involve their legal side to resolve the issue, at this time it would be beyond the Clerks ability to deal with the matter satisfactorily and that legal representation may be required which would have a budget implication. The Chairman informed the Council that any action to resolve the issue would place the responsibilities of the trust on the VHMC; Council policy to date had been to deny our responsibility but not to indicate the true details of the trust, this is for the Commissioners to determine for themselves. It was agreed the Clerk speak to Mr. Maclaren who has most knowledge of the charity and ask his opinion of the best way forward and possibly the local NALC representative.

HIGHWAYS:

4

Nottingham Road – Village Sign: The Chairman had received a complaint from the managers at the Olde Bridge Inne about the village sign was obstructing vision of the pub sign and suggested that the sign be lowered. Mr. Johnson agreed to look at the sign.

5

Blind Lane Flooding: Mrs. Jacobs reported that signs were that the lane would flood again in periods of heavy rain and asked if the culverts had been cleared recently. The Clerk was asked to pursue the matter.

6

The Orchard – Flooding: It was reported that water flowing off adjacent fields was flooding the gardens of property, it was agreed Mr. Johnson inspect the site and report back to the next meeting.

7

Local transport – Rural Schemes: The County Council has invited Council to submit suggestions for improvements in the Parish. A key aim of the scheme is to provide greater travel choice; examples of suitable schemes would be for extension of existing footways to local services such as bus stops surgeries etc. It was agreed to include the item on the December agenda for decision.

Whilst not considered to be part of this scheme Council were concerned that the ‘Quiet lanes’ initiative had gone very quiet and the Clerk was asked to determine the current position on Councils suggestions.

04.11.3

PLANNING:

1

Birkhouse Oxton Hill – Storage Barn: This application was approved provided a condition was included to preclude any future commercial use.

2

Oakwood Cottage Forest Road – Extension: Council were of the view that this application was not sympathetic to its location in the conservation area particularly the external chimney breast on the front elevation and that N&SDC should get the views of the conservation officer before making a decision.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

3

Invoices and payments:

The Clerk pointed out that he had borne the cost of protecting his computer from viruses and hackers at a cost of £30 a year for the last five years and asked, that as the Councils work represented a large proportion of the risk factor, would Council finance the package for the coming year at a cost of £24.99, this was agreed.

The following were approved for payment:

4

Financial Report for October: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £5205.87 with receipts of £3990 and payments of £903.73, and a balance of £4054.83 in the sinking fund.

The Chairman changed the order of the meeting at this point

OXTON FLYER:

5

The chairman reported that as the original mini bus was no longer available she had sourced a replacement from Kirkby Volunteer Centre and that she had now received invoices totaling £144.40 for use of their mini bus in September and October. The Clerk pointed out that the figure was in excess of the average income of £22.50 per month in 2003/04 and that as no arrangements had been made through Notts. County Council he did not think their contribution would be available automatically. It was agreed the Clerk forward the invoices through the normal channels to see what the results were.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

6

Monthly Inspection Report: Mrs. Jacobs reported verbally that no further items had been noted.

7

Hedge Laying: The Clerk informed Council he had been chasing completion by BTCV and that due to changes in staff there was no clear timetable for completion of the work.

04.11.4

BUDGET 2005/2006:

1

The Clerk informed Council that N&SDC would request the submission of the precept for next year in December and that variations over last years budget need to be identified so that he could prepare a budget for consideration at the December meeting.

The following items were identified, safety surfaces on the play area, dog friendly stiles at Roman Camp and the Bypass, and photocopier. Mr. Colston said he had a copier which the Council could have if it wished, it was agreed the Clerk give consideration to this offer.

BEST KEPT VILLAGE PRIZE:

2

The Clerk reported he had now received a quotation from F T Redfern & Son for the provision of a bench on Windmill Hill at a cost of £225.00 plus VAT to be financed from last years prize money of £150. It was agree the Clerk place an order for the bench.

As the cost of the bench was in excess of the prize money it was agreed the outstanding balance be financed from this years prize money of £150 the remainder to be used towards the cost of plants for the planters.

It was also agreed the Clerk ask F T Redfern to replace the broken slab under the planter outside Holly Cottage.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

3

Defective Streetlights: The Clerk was asked to report the following:

It was suggested the Clerk obtain a plan of the street lights.

4

Water Lane Overgrown Hedge: It was noted that no work to cut back the hedge had been carried out; the Clerk was asked to remind the County Highways.

Mr. Colston reported that the hedge to Wesley House Forest Road was obstructing the pavement, the Clerk was asked to report this also.

The meeting closed at 21.15

Signed............................................. Chairman.           Date.............................