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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 9^TH OCTOBER 2007

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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Present: Mesdames Cooper, Jacobs (part) and Jones. Messrs. Johnson, Wilkes, Aldridge and Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin.  County Councillors Stewart (part), District Councillors Armstrong (part) and Laughton (part).

Apologies for absence: There were no apologies for absence.

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The Chairman welcomed Mr. Aldridge as a new member of the Council

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11^TH SEPTEMBER 2007:

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It was noted that Dr. Kilpatrick not Mr. Johnson had raised access to the cricket ground, otherwise, the minutes, having been circulated before the meeting, were confirmed and signed as a true record.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 11^TH SEPTEMBER 2007:

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Crash Course on Planning: This course is oversubscribed and a further course will be held in March.

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Flooding: Mr. Johnson reported that all work agreed with N&SDC had been done except for the culvert under Sandy Lane. Mr. Aldridge said that thanks were due to N&SDC but that five issues were outstanding:

1. The watercourse from New Road to the Sandy Lane culvert had not been cleared to the same standard as the remainder of the flood channel and is unsatisfactory.
2. The Sandy Lane culvert next to Jonathon Teares has not been cleared.
3. Culvert under the by-pass has not been cleared.
4. There is an issue with the watercourse on the other side of the by-pass. Mr. Johnson said that the Internal Drainage Board had agreed to do this when the culvert under the by-pass is done.
5. The engineering appraisal of the weir at the head of Water lane has not been done. The Clerk pointed out that N&SDC had indicated to Council at its site meeting that this would be a medium term project. Mrs. Armstrong said that to date flood related works in Oxton had cost £15000; the improvements to the weir required identification of owners and their responsibilities before work would commence on any appraisal; she would continue to ensure that outstanding items are progressed.

Councillor Armstrong asked if she could bring Andy Statham to address the next Council meeting, this was agreed.

Councillor Stewart said that Notts. CC is investigating clearing the culvert under the by-pass; it is estimated that 100 tons of silt has to be cleared by suction for health and safety reasons and if the silt is contaminated this will cost £60000 plus. Three quotes are required and the Council is working through the problem.

Dr. Kilpatrick asked if the water level sensors were to be progressed, Councillor Armstrong responded that N&SDC are considering this.

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Summer Floods Risk and Resilience Conference: Mr. Johnson reported on the meeting which he had attended. The recent floods were estimated to have been caused by a 1 in 175 to 200 year event. The County Council will be promoting Community Emergency Plans. The Environment Agency will be promoting Flood Wardens for Parish Councils but this will be an onerous task. N&SDC are prepared to provide Parish Councils with sheds equipped with emergency equipment such as sand bags etc. if wanted.

Mr. Johnson asked that the conference documents be circulated which included a feedback form on which Council could identify items appropriate to them.

It was agreed to circulate the conference documents and to discuss them at the next meeting.

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At this point the Chairman changed the order of the meeting by agreement.

WATER LANE – OWNERSHIP OF ADJOINING FIELD.

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Dr. Kilpatrick reported that he had had sight of a letter from Notts.CC. to Paddy Tipping MP which confirmed that it is part owner of the field which was now surplus to requirements and is to be offered for sale; instructions have been issued to clear weeds from the stream.

Mr. Aldridge said he was concerned about the County Councils future clearance of the stream and hedge. Mr. Johnson said he was happy with the hedge as it is part of an environmental scheme; it is likely that the field will have to be offered to Oxton Estates in the first instance.

MATTERS ARISING CONT:

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Post Office Closures: Oxton is not on the initial list of closures.

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Speedwatch: Dr. Kilpatrick reported that he has contacted PC Thompson who is keen to get involved; he will be coming in November during term time with his own monitor to work with the team.

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Oxton Hill – Slow Sign: Councillor Stewart reported this sign has been removed.

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Water Lane – Overgrown Hedge: Dr. Kilpatrick reported he had spoken to the occupiers of Elmfield. Mr. Aldridge reported that the path outside Orchard Cottage was crumbling; Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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Older People in Nottinghamshire: Notts. County Council is consulting on the future of services for older people in Nottinghamshire until 11^th January 2008. It was agreed the consultation document be circulated and discussed at the next meeting.

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Travel to School in Nottinghamshire: Notts. CC is considering adopting the Governments Pathfinder Scheme which would, amongst other proposals, increase travel to school costs. It was agreed Dr. Kilpatrick and Mr. Wilkes complete and return the consultation form on behalf of the Council.

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Notts. RCC - AGM Council noted the meeting on 31^st October.

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Annual Parish Conference; N&SDC are to host the conference on 12^th November Messrs. Aldridge, Wilkes and Machin and Mrs. Jones will attend.

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How are you Today? Conference: The Chairman reported that she had attended this conference and raised the issue of no financial support for Chiropody in the village. Councillor Armstrong asked if any old people in Oxton would be interested in chair based exercises run by N&SDC at Kelham Hall with lunch provided. The Chairman responded that transport was the problem but if this could be resolved it would be welcomed.

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Sherwood Safer Neighbourhood Group: Dr. Kilpatrick and Mr. Wilkes are to attend the Inaugural Meeting on 6^th November.

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Old Peoples Issues in Rural Communities: The Chairman and Mrs. Jones are to attend this event on 21st November.

HIGHWAYS:

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Oxton By-pass/Oakes Lane Junction: Councillor Stewart presented the improvement scheme as proposed by Notts CC which comprises 12 lighting columns to improve safety at this junction. Mr. Johnson suggested that removing the hedge to the North of the junction would be a more effective and cheaper option. Mrs. Jones asked why the gap in the central reservation could not be closed.

It was agreed to ask for a site meeting with the County Council.

PLANNING:

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Cromer Cottage Water Lane – Renew Conservatory: N&SDC has granted full approval.

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Councillors Armstrong, Stewart and Laughton left at this point.

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Fallows Farm – Alteration to Form Holiday Accommodation: A revised application was approved by Council. It was suggested that construction traffic should access the site from Greaves Lane; Mr. Johnson said that there were problems with this suggestion as the access was merely a farm track.

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1 The Brambles – Extensions: A revised application was considered but Council were of the opinion that the drawings provided were inadequate for it to be able to make an informed decision. The Clerk was asked to request better information.

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Green Dragon Cottages – Replace Existing Dormer with Three: Council approved the proposal as an improvement to the Cottages.

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FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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Audit 2006/2007: The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from Hacker Young the external auditors informing Council that it had not submitted its return and specifying the actions required and consequences of non compliance. The Clerk reported that he had informed the Auditors that the return had been submitted on 15^th July and that they had acknowledged receipt on 20^th July.

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Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for payment:

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Sinking Fund Contribution: It was agreed to transfer £500 into the sinking fund as the annual contribution.

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Financial Report for September: The Clerk reported a current account balance at the end of August of £2029.14 with outstanding cheque for payment of £95.00: receipts of £16.72 and payments of £280.88 and a balance of £8414.92 in the sinking fund.

The Clerk noted that the second instalment of the Precept had been paid by N&SDC but was not yet credited to the account.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Report: Mrs. Jacobs reported that there were only small items like painting which would be better blitzed in the Spring, this was agreed.

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Play Area Renovation Group: The Clerk expressed concern that Council has no representation on this group and that it would be unsatisfactory to wait until a request is made for funding before making any comments on their proposals. This was accepted and it was agreed that Mr. Wilkes should represent the Council and report back regularly on proposals and progress; Mr. Wilkes is to contact the group accordingly.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

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The Clerk said he had put this item on the agenda as the subject had been left in abeyance by the former Council for progression by this Council which , to date, had not discussed the matter; this caused the Clerk some difficulty in articulating Councils current position or policy when asked. He felt it would be useful to have a statement of policy.

Messrs. Johnson and Wilkes declared an interest at this point.

Mr. Wilkes said the residents of Elmcroft are against the proposal as it will change the area significantly and that at the Annual Parish Meetings most people were

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against the proposal; it was pointed out that all owners on Elmcroft should have been aware that future development was a possibility and that the results of the Village Appraisal and Housing Survey gave a statistically significant number in favour of affordable housing.

Mrs. Jacobs said that Council had a duty to represent the whole village; the Chairman suggested it was better to do nothing and await developments. Dr. Kilpatrick was of the opinion Council had three option, be proactive, do nothing or reject the idea. Mr. Aldridge said Council had a moral obligation to provide affordable housing but can’t be proactive if we do not own the land, it was pointed out that the owner of potential land identified so far is Oxton Estates which had indicated its broad support.

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Mrs. Jacobs left the meeting at this point

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Mr. Johnson said he was not aware of any change in the position of Oxton Estates but that the Council should perhaps write to the Estate on a regular basis.

The Clerk pointed out that Council could only change its policy based on a proposal made and included on the agenda.

It was agreed that Councillors should include any proposals by way of an agenda item.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

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Footpaths Leaflet: The Chairman reported that she has no stock of leaflets remaining and would include an item on the next agenda seeking approval for a reprint.

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Fire Hydrants: The Chairman had been asked by the VHMC where the nearest hydrant to the village hall is and suggested that we should have this information; the Clerk said that Severn Trent and the Fire Brigade would have this information, he was asked to get a copy.

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Budget Reminder: The Clerk pointed out that the budget process will commence at the November meeting when he will need to know from Councillors of any additions to the budget requiring estimates of cost.

Meeting closed at 21.35

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