04.06.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY  10^th JUNE 2004

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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

Apologies for absence: Apologies were received from Mr. R Bayliss, Mrs. Bennett and District Councillor Mrs. Armstrong.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11^th MAY 2004

1

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 11^th MAY 2004

2

Thorndale Plantation: A letter from the Environment Agency indicated that they were in the process of costing a scheme to be carried out by in-house labour, in order to assess its viability, although this did not indicate a commitment to carry out the work, further contact will be made when the results of the costing exercise are known.

3

Outstanding Highways work:  Two letters were received from the Highways Dept. indicating that inspections would be undertaken in the next two to three weeks and appropriate action decided at that point. Also other than for the 50mph speed limit on the A6097 no priority has been given to improvements at the Epperstone Road junction.

Council was concerned that any works proposed for the junction should take into account the impact of additional traffic through the village.

4

Orchard Court: The Clerk indicated he had still to arrange an inspection with Severn Trent.

5

Affordable Housing: The Clerk reported he had arranged for representatives of N&SDC and Notts. RCC to attend the October meeting to present their proposals to Council.

CORRESPONDENCE:

6

The Local Channel: This is a web site were a link can be created to the Councils web site it is free and may be useful. It was agreed Council place a link on the site.

7

County Council Civic Service: No-one is able to attend the service on 11^th July.

8

Village Hall theatre licence: An application to N&SDC for a grant of an Annual theatre Licence was noted without comment.

9

N&SCD Open Spaces Forum: Mrs. Jacobs will be attending the meeting on 21^st September.

04.06.2

HIGHWAYS:

1

Oxton Hill: Mrs. Jacobs reported that whilst the drains had been cleared the debris had been left on site and was likely to wash into the drains the Clerk was asked to arrange for road sweeping.

Mr. Laughton arrived at this point.

2

Epperstone Road/A6097 Junction: The accident statistics indicate three accidents since 1998 one fatal one serious and one slight, Councillors agreed this did not equate with their view of the number of accidents. Mr. Laughton pointed out that official statistics would only include those accidents at which the Police attended.

3

Mobile Speed Traps: Mr. Laughton reported that Andy Stewart and he were seeking to purchase equipment out of their budget for this financial year if approval can be obtained from the Police. This equipment would be available for loan to Parish Councils.

PLANNING:

4

Land to rear of Pinfold House: An application to change the use of agricultural land to be included in the residential curtilage, to which Council raised no objection but which was subsequently refused by N&SDC, has been appealed, Council can now make further representation to the planning Inspectorate. It was agreed to take no further action.

5

Hatfield House – Replacement and Extension of Balcony:  Council approved the application without comment.

6

13 Elmcroft – Pitched Roof to Existing Bay: Council approved the application without comment.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

7

Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for payment:

8

Financial Report for May: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £4419.76 with receipts of £23.30 and payments of 3791.44 and a balance of £4054.83 in the sinking fund.

04.06.3

1

Internal auditors Report: The Clerk presented the report on the 2003/2004 accounts. The Auditor found a few minor clerical and computer input errors. A more significant error was that the Clerk had been underpaid by £4.00 per month since May 2003 due to a computer input error and was therefore due back pay for ten months. The Clerk has also agreed with the auditor that monthly bank reconciliations should be kept for inspection.

Council accepted the report and asked the Clerk to pass on their thanks to Mr. Perkins.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

2

Monthly inspection report: Mrs. Jacobs presented the report, only one item was included a broken fence rail Mr. Johnson agreed to rectify.

Mr. Laughton left the meeting at this point.

3

Quotation for repair of Play Equipment and Fencing to Rear of Village hall: The Clerk presented a quotation from G Baggaley Engineering for repair of play equipment in the sum of £366.00 this compares with a previous quote of Sid Paver & Sons Ltd in the sum of £395.00 plus VAT. It was agreed to defer a decision until the ROSPA report was considered at the July meeting.

The Clerk presented a quotation from G Baggaley for fencing to the slope at the rear of the village hall in the sum of £1194.00. In discussion it was thought the handrail was expensive and being galvanised tubular steel would not be in keeping with the rural location. As an alternative to remove the risk, grading the slope was suggested and Mr. Johnson offered to do the work for £1000 the work was carried out soon. It was agreed Mr. Johnson should carry out the work but that payment would be made in two equal instalments one on completion and one next financial year.

4

Football Pitch Review of Charges.  The Clerk reported that one team FC Indigo had requested use of the pitch for next season; the team had also offered to assist with the cost of lining paint. The Clerk also suggested that Council review the charges for the pitch. It was agreed to allow FC Indigo to use the pitch, to charge them 50% of the cost of paint and in view of this charge to hold the letting fee at its current ten pounds.

REVIEW OF ANNUAL PARISH MEETING:

5

The following items were discussed.

RISK ASSESSMENT:

The Clerk reported that the assessment was in need of review. Agreed the Clerk do a desk top assessment and present it to a future meeting for consideration.

CUTTING GRASS VERGE OUTSIDE HOLLY TREE COTTAGE:

It was generally agreed this was not the Councils responsibility. The Chairman suggested Councillors should enquire if anyone was willing to do it voluntarily.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

Caravan dumped on by pass: Mr. Johnson reported this; the Clerk to report to N&SDC.

Transport Links with Calverton: Miss Roe has been approached by Mrs. Meats regarding a link bus to Calverton to connect with the regular service into Nottingham and/or secure cycle storage at Calverton. It was suggested Mrs. Meats contact Notts. County Council.

04.06.5

Meeting closed at 21.30

Signed:                                      Chairman       Date:

Chairman’s Note.

Following the closure of the meeting Mr. Johnson inspected the site behind the village hall and expressed doubt about the proposed work there. There will therefore be a site meeting immediately prior to the next meeting.