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OXTON PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9TH DECEMBER 2008 AT OXTON VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllr. M. Cooper (Chairman) Cllr. L. Jacobs (Vice-Chairman) Cllr. R. Aldridge Cllr. I. Johnson Cllr. J. Jones Cllr. I. Kilpatrick Cllr. D. Wilkes
Mrs. L. Ingall (Clerk)
Cllr. A. Stewart (Nottinghamshire County Council)
1. INTRODUCTION OF TEMPORARY CLERK
The Chairman introduced the new temporary Clerk to the Parish Council, Mrs Lorna Ingall. Mrs Ingall will act as Clerk until a replacement is found for the retiring Clerk, Mr. B. Machin.
2. APOLOGIES
NOTED that there were no apologies for absence.
3. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd September were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
4. MATTERS ARISING
1. Building Better Communities – Village Trail
NOTED that the Chairman had submitted photographs, videos and books of local information to Nottinghamshire County Council’s Building Better Communities Scheme. Such information was requested by the County Council to aid production of informative boards for the village trail scheme. She stated that Nottinghamshire County Council hope to submit plans for consideration by this Council at its meeting on 13th January 2009.
2. Nottingham Road
NOTED that the loose kerb on the corner of Nottingham Road has not yet been repaired.
AGREED that Cllr. Stewart will contact Nottinghamshire County Council and expedite this matter.
3. Bus Shelter/Bench
Cllr. Stewart reported that he was aware that the bus shelter, although substantial, had not been fitted properly. The Chairman reported that the bench was now in place and thanked Cllr. Stewart for his help in this matter.
AGREED that Cllr. Stewart will contact Nottinghamshire County Council’s Highways Department regarding refitting of the bus shelter to a more acceptable state.
4. Act on CO2
NOTED that the Chairman attended an event on CO2 matters and had found it very interesting.
5. Future Concepts
NOTED that the Future Concepts Committee has agreed to have a “Welcome Arrangement” on the foyer table in the Village Hall on Saturday 24th January 2009, to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of NAFAS. The Committee has requested that the arrangement be transferred to the Church for the Sunday service on 25th January 2009.
AGREED that this Council has no objections to the Future Concepts proposal.
6. A6097
Cllr. Jones reported a further accident had occurred recently on the A6097 at the mini roundabout on the access to Shelt Hill. Cllr. Stewart stated that he had suggested to Nottinghamshire County Council that the introduction of anti skid surfacing and rumble strips would be advantageous.
5. COMMUNICATIONS
1. NOTED the letter from a local parishioner requesting permission to site a bench at the entrance to Home Court, Main Street, in memory of her husband, John Meldrum.
AGREED that whilst this Council agrees in principle to the siting of such a bench, the landowner’s permission should be sought prior to installation of the bench.
2. NOTED the letter from an Edingley parishioner regarding the poor state of verges at Greaves Lane Edingley which fall within this Parish’s jurisdiction. The parishioner states that the verges are constantly being destroyed by heavy lorries being used to carry out tree thinning work at the “bluebell” wood.
AGREED the parishioner is informed that Cllr. Stewart will liaise with Nottinghamshire County Council’s Highways Department on this matter.
3. NOTED the email from a resident of the United States of America seeking information on her family history.
AGREED that the correspondence is passed to the Strutt family.
4. NOTED the letter from the Charity Commission confirming removal of the Charity Name “Recreation Ground” from its Register of Charities.
AGREED that the letter is passed to Duncan McLaren for his perusal.
5. NOTED the letter from the Nottinghamshire Association of Local Council confirming that, under Section 137 of the Local Government Act, parishes and town councils may contribute to the erection of a memorial in Belgium, to those of the Sherwood Foresters who lost their lives in the Great War.
AGREED that this Council will contribute £30 towards the Sherwood Forrester’s memorial fund, the money to be taken from Section 137 funding and that the Local British Legion is contacted with regard to a more localised memorial being erected.
6. NOTED the letter from the Rural Services Network asking if this Council wished to be part of that Network.
AGREED that the correspondence is circulated and a decision deferred to a future meeting of this Council.
6. HIGHWAYS
1. A6097
NOTED that this matter had been dealt with under Matters Arising
2. School Bus
NOTED that Cllr. Stewart had recently travelled on the Lowdham School Bus. He stated that his journey was uneventful.
3. Road Surface, Main Street – Patching Work
The Chairman reported that patching work on the road surface at Main Street had now been completed. She expressed concern at the condition of the road outside the Church and asked Cllr Stewart when the next highway’s inspection was due. Cllr. Stewart stated that the County Council had added one million pounds to its Highway’s budget for road maintenance. However agreement could not be reached as to the schemes benefiting from the increase in budget but he would request Oxton’s necessary roadwork is added to the list of priorities for inspection and improvement.
7. PLANNING
(a) Application 08/02137/FUL – Proposed two storey front extension, loft conversion and dormer window to one side, 7 The Orchards, Oxton
AGREED to recommend to Newark and Sherwood District Council that planning permission be granted but that this Council expresses concern that the amount of glass used in the front elevation is detrimental to the visual amenity of the surrounding area.
(b) Application for Potterdyke, Newark
NOTED Newark and Sherwood District Council’s receipt of this Council’s comments on the proposal for the re-development of Potterdyke, Newark. The comments were submitted to the District Council’s Planning Committee on 11th November 2008.
(c) Notices of Decision.
1. NOTED that full planning permission has been granted for the erection of a single storey kitchen extension at 3 The Orchards, Oxton
2. NOTED that full planning permission has been granted for a riding ménage at Dumble End Farm, Oxton Hill, Oxton.
3. NOTED that full planning permission has been granted for the replacement of existing sheds with purpose storage warehousing at Moorfield Farm, Ollerton Road, Oxton.
(d) Planning e-Consultation
NOTED Newark and Sherwood District Council’s consultation document on e-planning.
AGREED that whilst this Council accepts receipt of most planning information by e-planning it would request that all planning applications applicable to this parish are supplied in paper form.
8 FINANCE
(a) Invoices and Payments
The following payments were authorised:
H. M. Custom and Excise PAYE £124.53 City and County Signs Dog Sign £ 29.38 Came and Company Insurance £ 25.00 Clerk’s Salary Sept., Oct. £364.63 Our Centre Mini Bus Hire £155.80 Eon Car Park Lighting £ 7.49 Rural Community Action Subscription £ 25.00 Ulyetts Grass cutting £561.07 B. Machin Expenses £ 33.49 B. Machin Office Expenses £ 46.08 Dover Beck Man. Comm. £100.00 Clement Keys Annual Audit £158.63 NALC Leaflet supply £ 13.50 P. Cleverley Chiropody Clinic £187.00 A. Roe Plant Purchase £ 16.45 I. Kilpatrick Speedwatch expenses £ 44.53
(b) Financial Report for October:
The Clerk reported a current account balance at the end of October of £4221.83 with payment of £1784.98 , receipts of £4216.64 and a sinking fund balance of £10,157.25
(c) Parish Precept 2009/2010
AGREED that the Parish Precept for 2009/2010 is set at £8000
(d) Insurance
NOTED the revised Oxton Parish Council Insurance Policy which includes an additional sum insured of £720 for the new bench and £1,201 for a handrail and gate.
9 RECREATION
(a) Play Area
Cllr. Jacobs reported that the old concrete bench outside the play area is broken and should be removed. Cllr. Johnson suggested that he investigates the matter and that if possible he will undertake the removal of the bench.
(b) Joint Venture with Oxton Cricket Club
The Chairman reported the Oxton Cricket Club has invited the Parish Council to work with them in a joint venture to secure funds for a new sports pavilion and children’s play area.
AGREED that the Parish Council agrees in principle to a joint venture with Oxton Cricket Club but that Cllr. Wilkes liaises with representatives of that club to investigate a way forward.
10. LAND AVAILABILITY ASSESSMENT – Land opposite Old Bridge Inne.
(Cllr. I Johnson declared an interest in this matter and took no further part in the decision thereof)
The Chairman suggested that the land opposite the Old Bridge Inne should be recommended as land suitable for affordable housing to Newark and Sherwood District Council. Cllrs. Jones and Wilkes expressed concern that the owners of the land had not been consulted on this matter.
AGREED that the land opposite the Old Bridge Inne is not suitable for affordable housing and that no such recommendation is made to Newark and Sherwood District Council.
11. BYELAWS
NOTED the consultation document from Communities and Local Government on the making and enforcement of bylaws.
12. LOWDHAM SCHOOL BUS
NOTED that his matter was discussed under matters arising.
13. COMMUNITY RESILENCE
Cllr. Aldridge reported that he hoped to speak to representatives of the Village Hall Management regarding the use of its concrete garage as a resilience store. He stated that the Environment Agency had suggested developing a Parish Flood Plan and he intended to form a small team in order to do so. The Clerk had received a Flood Risk and Response Profile from Newark and Sherwood District Council which Cllr. Aldridge agreed to complete. NOTED a letter received from Newark and Sherwood District Council stating that it was not willing to contribute over and above the production of plans and drawing for a scheme concerning issues of flooding around the weir at the top of Water Lane.
AGREED that a letter is sent to Newark and Sherwood District Council acknowledging their contribution as set out its letter of 13th October from the Head of Housing and Environmental Services.
14. PARISH BENCHES
AGREED that this matter is deferred to a future meeting of this Council.
15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1. Freedom of Information Act – New Model Publication Scheme
AGREED that his Council will adopt the New Model Publication Scheme under the Freedom of Information Act.
2. Waste Bin – Forest Road
AGREED to investigate the possibility of a replacement waste bin at the top of Forest Road.
3. Dates of Future Meeting
AGREED that the dates of future meeting are as follows; 13.01.09, 10.02.09, 03.03.09
4. Termination of Employment by Clerk
NOTED the termination, by Mr. B. Machin, from his position of Clerk to the Parish Council with effect from 31.12.08 due to ill health.
AGREED that; 1. A payment of £100 is made to Mr. Machin in recognition of his services to the Parish Council and that the Chairman is authorised to spend a further £25 on a floral bouquet. 2. Cllr. Jones undertakes the construction of a new job description and a contract of employment for the position of Clerk.
5. Temporary Clerk’s Contract
AGREED that a temporary clerk, Mrs Lorna Ingall, be appointed until 31.03.09 and that the contract, as submitted, is approved..
The meeting concluded at 9.40 p.m.
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