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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 13^th JANUARY 2004.

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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

Apologies for absence: There were no apologies received.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9^TH DECEMBER 2004:

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 9^TH DECEMBER 2004:

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Village Appraisal: It was reported that no summary of results had been received from Notts. RCC. The Clerk was asked to chase up the results for the February meeting.

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Thorndale Plantation: The Clerk reported that the Chairman, Mr. Johnson and he had met the Environment Agency on site. The Agency had agreed there was a problem with flooding that had affected the trees and agreed to carry out a study and produce a report on recommended actions for consideration by all interested parties. They requested Councils backing in obtaining finance from various sources as the Agency had insufficient funds to finance any proposed works. The Agency also reported that they were to install a smaller pump at the borehole on Oakmere Golf course to reduce the flow in the Dover Beck.

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Burntstump Crossroads: Mr. Stewart was unaware if finance had been approved but would find out and let the Clerk know.

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Oxton Hill Milestone: Dates were agreed for the meeting with Notts. CC.

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Main Street Drainage Investigation: It was noted that Severn Trent intended to carry out works on the water mains and had circulated information to affected residents.

HIGHWAYS:

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A6097 Proposed Speed Limit: Mr. Stewart reported that the County Council was considering imposing a 50mph speed limit on the A6097 from Oxton roundabout to Lowdham and that he had been asked to ascertain if Council supported this proposal  before putting it to public consultation.

Mr. Laughton arrived at this point.

Council was in favour of the speed limit and hoped it would reduce the number of accidents including fatalities on the road.

Discussion took place on the potential improvements to safety if the junction with the Old Epperstone Road were closed or made one way only, preventing

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access from the bypass. Concerns were expressed over this suggestion and the impact it could have on traffic flows through the village, it was agreed any such proposal would require an in depth traffic study.

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Highways Manager: Mr. Stewart reported that a new Manager had been appointed to the Newark Depot the new manager had, in conversation with Mr. Stewart, indicated that he intended to improve communications with Parish Councils and also aim to have reported pot holes, including those marked with yellow paint by Highways Inspectors, dealt with within one month.

It was agreed the Clerk should write to the new Manager Mr. Charnley welcoming him to the post and highlighting outstanding works.

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County Council Sponsored Parish Council Conference:  Mr. Stewart reminded Council that there used to be an annual conference which had ceased to take place. He had met with NALC and Mr. Burroughs at County Hall and was looking at how these conferences could be beneficially reinstated and what format they should take.

Mrs. Armstrong arrived at this point.

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Blind Lane: Mr. Colston reported that a cast iron cover was missing from an underground chamber. Mr. Stewart agreed to pursue.

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Water Lane Overgrown Hedges: Mrs. Bennett reported that hedges were obstructing the path outside Orchard Cottage and the road outside Elmfield.

The Clerk was asked to write to the occupiers.

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Oxton hill Blocked Drains: Miss Roe reported that straw had blocked the drains. Mr. Stewart agreed to pursue.

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Beanford Water Splash: It was noted that the embankments to the footpath and footbridge were being eroded and that the road surface was terribly pot holed. Mr. Stewart agreed to pursue.

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Defective Street Lights: Street lights No.4 on Elmcroft and No.13 on Blind Lane were reported as defective.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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Parkinson Mini Bus: The Clerk reported that new procedures were to be introduced by Notts. County Council effective from 1^st January these covered booking arrangements, driver details and invoice payments, the Clerk confirmed he had arranged for the new procedures to be adopted.

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Oakmere golf Club – Justices Licence:  The Clerk reported that an application for a new licence would be heard on the 23^rd January. The application was noted without comment.

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East Midlands Ambulance Service – Estates Review: Council can expect to receive the outcomes of the review in September 2004.

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Replacement Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan: Council noted that the public enquiry to consider the plan would commence on 20^th April 2004.

PLANNING:

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Governments Planning Bill: The CPRE has requested the Council write to the Minister for Housing and Planning with two objections to the bill, firstly to give County Councils a statutory responsibility to engage in the preparation and review of the new Regional Spatial Strategies and secondly to address the urgent need for better enforcement of planning controls. It was agreed the Clerk comply with the request.

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The Old Police House Nottingham Road – Detached Garage and Storeroom: N&SDC has granted full planning permission.

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20 Elmcroft – Lounge Extension and Porch: The application was approved by Council without comment.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for payment:

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Financial Report for December: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £3254.67 plus £4039.99 in the sinking fund with receipts of £50.81 and payments of £530.84.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Inspection Report: Mrs. Jacobs’s inspection report had no defects to report.

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Use of Football Pitch: The Clerk reported that the referee at a recent match had refused to start the game due to mole hills and line marking, the question of marking paint had been resolved but the future of the utilization of the pitch needs to be considered as the expenses were likely to grossly outweigh the income, particularly as the Council has no control over the changing rooms which could be a limiting factor on the number of teams using the pitch. Mrs. Armstrong said it would be a pity to lose the facility and would enquire of N&SDC what sources of finance might be available for mole control, goal area repairs etc.

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BUDGET 2004/2005:

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The Clerk presented a provisional budget calculation amounting to a revenue requirement of £9345 inclusive of a working balance figure of £1500, this compares with a precept for this year of £6100 an increase of approx.53%.

It was agreed that the figure was unacceptable and the budget should be amended by making the following reductions below.

It was agreed the Clerks salary be increase by two increments to SCP19 with effect from 1st April 2004 and thereafter annually by one increment to the maximum of Scale LC1.

The final figure for the precept was agreed at £7500

VILLAGE APPRAISAL:

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As no information had been received from Notts. RCC. It was agreed to hold this item over until the next meeting.

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AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

As time was at a premium it was agreed to hold this item over until the next meeting.

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DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

The following were agreed:

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

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There was no other business.

Meeting closed at 21.30

Signed:                                           Chairman     Date: