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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 10^TH APRIL 2008

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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Present: Mesdames Cooper, Jones and Jacobs. Messrs. Johnson, Wilkes and Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin. 

Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Mr. Aldridge and Councillor Armstrong.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11^TH MARCH 2008:

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 11^TH MARCH 2008:

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Gravelly Hollow Road Closure: The Clerk reported that he has received confirmation of the receipt of Councils complaint also details of the complaints procedure which requires a response within 20 days.

The Chairman suggested we seek a site meeting if the response is inadequate and also involve Calverton PC; Dr. Kilpatrick thought the closure was a fait accompli but the Chairman objected to the closure without consultation, Mrs. Jones suggested the closure had reduced the number of accidents. Mrs. Jacobs suggested Council should expose the lack of consultation and that it was essential to have a safer junction.

It was agreed to await the response to Councils complaint.

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Charity Commissioners: The Clerk reported he has, on behalf of Council, accepted Mr. Maclarens offer and has requested an indication of costs.

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Recreational Facilities – Monthly Report: Mr. Johnson reported he had arranged for all offending branches to be cut back.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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Review of Residential Care Homes for Older People: Council noted a letter from Notts. CC outlining an alternative approach to residential care in the light of feedback received during consultation this will be now recommended to full Council in April.

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Building Better Communities Annual Event: This event to be held on17th June was noted, the Chairman may attend.

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Nottinghamshire Local Access Forum – Lost Ways Project: Council noted a special meeting to be held on 29^th April.

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Burial Sites: Council has been asked by N&SDC to identify burial sites in the parish; the Clerk to reply identfying the Church.

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Sherwood Forest Regional Park Councillors Event: Council noted this event to be held on11th April.

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Best Kept Village: Council agreed to enter the competition at a cost of £5.00, the Clerk to ask Miss Roe if she will again co-ordinate the efforts of the village.

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Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment: Council noted this letter from N&SDC asking landowners and developers to identify land which may be available for development in the next 15 to 20 years.

The Clerk was asked to confirm to N&SDC the Council is still in favour of supporting Affordable Housing.

HIGHWAYS:

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A6097/ Forest Road Junction Lighting: The Clerk reported receipt of a plan showing the revised lighting scheme; as the scheme is nearing completion there was no comment about the actual scheme, however, Mr. Johnson expressed his concern at the lack of consultation on this and other schemes carried out by Notts. CC.

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Southwell Road – Change of Priorities: The Clerk reported that no reply has been received to Councils letter to Mr. Bob Hart at Notts. CC and asked if Council wished to take further action. Mr. Johnson said he thought it would have been better spending the money used to light the Forest Road junction on measures to reduce rat running. It was agreed to include this as an item on the next agenda when the advice of Councillor Stewart could be sought.

It was noted that the finger post at the junction had been displaced.

PLANNING:

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8 The Orchards Extension: The Clerk reported that this application circulated between meetings had received unanimous approval without comment.

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Moorfield Farm – Change of Use of Store: The change of use to paper store was approved unanimously subject to a clause limiting the approval to five years.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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Dog Waste Bin Emptying: N&SDC has invited Council to renew its contract at a cost of £1.50 a bin. This was agreed.

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Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for payment:

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Financial Report for March: The Clerk reported a current account balance at the end of March of £2745.23 with outstanding cheques for payment of £846.73 and outstanding receipts of £12, with payments of £796.73 and receipts of £332.32 and a balance of £9157.25 in the sinking fund.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Report: Mrs. Jacobs had nothing to report other than the swings have been wound around the supporting bar and require unwinding.

Mr. Wilkes said he would attempt to progress the play area renewal group.

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE:

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The Clerk read out an email from Mr. Aldridge who has met N&SDC Risk & Resilience Team, it has provided information on the role of the Flood Warden which will be under the control of the Environment Agency, it will provide training, it recommends a small team so an article will be placed in the Dover Beck seeking volunteers. Mr. Aldridge recommends Council has a resilience store sited near the ford, this will be an attractive wooden hut and if Council agree N&SDC will obtain the approval of the landowner and planning permission.

Ian Harrison has still to arrange a meeting about the weir and Mark Henry has been asked to come and examine the flood barrier near the weir as Water Lane flooded again after some unexceptional rain.

Mr. Aldridge attended and had informed all residents affected by the floods of, the Flood Fair at Lowdham; some residents are seeking quotes for flood protection devices.

Mr. Johnson said he had met Councillor Armstrong and Andy Statham and was meeting Garry Burden next week on behalf of Oxton Estates to review diverting water from the lake directly to the flood channel. He also said that water backs up from the culvert under the by pass for a long way near Meadow View and he questioned the amount of silt that had been removed from the culvert.

FOOTPATH LEAFLET:

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Mr. Wilkes and Dr. Kilpatrick presented a final draft of the leaflet which was agreed for publication subject to amendments to the acknowledgements.

Mr. Johnson agreed to provide a replacement for the broken leaflet dispenser.

AGENDA /SPEAKERS FOR APM:

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In addition to the normal items it was agreed to invite PC Keith Thompson to address the meeting.

The Clerk noted that Mr. Walton had indicated his intention to stand down as a Workhouse Trust trustee; he had arranged a notice to be placed in the Dover Beck for volunteers who would be appointed at the APM.

BUS SHELTER/BENCH:

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The Chairman reported that the County Council had, without consultation, completed the base for the new bus shelter but that it was in the wrong location; it has agreed to resite this nearer to Home Court but this would be now in next years budget. She said the base already installed would remain and she recommended Council fit a new bench on the base. This was agreed the Clerk to get details of.

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benches.

DOG STILE:

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The Chairman reported she had received a request for a dog stile alongside the existing personal stile behind the cricket pavilion. It was agreed to provide the stile.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

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Council Tax Bill: Mr. Johnson noted that the bill indicated an increase for Oxton of 1.8% whereas Council had not increased its precept. The Clerk was asked to determine why.

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Parish Footpaths Walk: The Chairman informed Council that the Church would not be involved with the walk this year on Rogation Sunday, she intended to arrange the walks in liaison with the walking group; this was agreed.

Meeting closed at 21.15

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