05.01.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 11^TH JANUARY 2005

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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

Apologies for absence: There were no apologies for absence.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14^TH DECEMBER 2004

1

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 14^TH DECEMBER 2004

2

Chiropody: The Chairman reported that she had been in contact with the N&S PCT and that the matter is to be discussed at their January meeting.

Mr. Johnson arrived at this point.

Beanford Splash Footbridge: A letter from Notts. CC indicated that they would be discussing the splash with Newark Internal Drainage Board, Environment Agency and Gedling BC and would inform Council of their findings. Councils request for a site meeting had not been taken up; Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue the necessity for a site meeting.

Mr. Bayliss raised the problem of damage to the trees in Thorndale Plantation which he believed was associated with the flooding. It was agreed the response from the Environment Agency was less than satisfactory and the Council should seek the views of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

Bus Shelter: A letter from Notts. CC indicated that they are satisfied with the ramp to the bus shelter but would apply an anti skid surface to the concrete ramp if requested to do so. It was agreed to ask for the anti slip surface and express Councils satisfaction with the new shelter.

Mrs. Jacobs arrived at this point.

Blind Lane – Flooding: A letter from Notts. CC acknowledged the problem with flooding and agreed to do everything possible to minimise this happening. Council maintained the view that regular maintenance of the culvert would be the best preventative measure and that a site meeting at the same time as Beanford Lane meeting would be desirable. Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue the site meeting.

The Orchard - Flooding: The Chairman reported that the problem had been resolved by residents and was the result of root growth in the drains.

05.01.2

Hedge Laying: The Clerk reported that he had received no reply to the request to a reduction in cost for the additional work. The Chairman reported that she and Mrs. Bennett had visited the site, which was near completion, and the work is an improvement on the earlier attempt. They had agreed that any additional work be delayed until Autumn.

Oxton Flyer: The Clerk reported that Notts. CC were considering Councils request to continue their subsidy and to back date this to August last year. Council will have to complete a formal request for grant aid, at the moment the Clerk is waiting for the necessary application forms which Council agreed he should progress. Councillor Stewart said he had spare money in his budget, of around £300, which he will make available to the Council if this helps to keep the Flyer going, this offer was accepted with thanks. Mrs. Jacobs praised the organisers and drivers for providing the Oxton Flyer service.

The member of the public arrived at this point.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Nottinghamshire Policing Plan: The plan which had been previously circulated was considered. It was agreed the Clerk should respond that Council are not in favour of ASBO’s administered by Council which has no-one available, nor with the powers, to deal with people creating problems, this is an issue for the Police or District Council.

The report talks about accessible Police but Councils experience is of the withdrawal without replacement of the Community Constable.

Affordable Housing: The Clerk reported that N&SDC were still unable to progress the Housing Needs Survey due to staff absence at the agency they employ i.e. Notts RCC. It was agreed that as Council had been awaiting action since the last Annual Parish Meeting and as it will be an issue at the next meeting, the Clerk should write to the Chief Executive of N&SDC suggesting he appoints another agency to do the work.

Survey of Allotments: The Chairman reported receipt of the survey which the Clerk was asked to complete and return.

NALC Training: A training course ‘Councillors Behaving Badly’ on 23^rd February was noted, no one will attend.

HIGHWAYS:

Oxton Roundabout – Unofficial Signs: The Clerk reported that he had received a complaint about the signs which had been erected advertising the Olde Bridge Inne. It was agreed Council maintain its policy of encouraging local business and will do nothing regarding signs etc. that do not have a significant impact on the community.

05.01.3

Combs Lane Temporary Closure: Notification was received from Notts. CC that the lane will be closed to motorised vehicles from the A614 to Greaves Lane for six months starting 1^st January due to surface damage.

Road Sweeping: Mrs. Jacobs reported that the roads in the village and on Oxton Hill need sweeping and drains clearing, the Clerk was asked to request the work.

Oxton Hill Milepost: The Clerk reported that Notts. CC had made no progress on replacing the milepost as promised. Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue the matter.

A6097 Roadwork’s: Councillor Stewart reported that temporary Traffic Lights would be in use at roadworks between Lowdham and Gunthorpe at half term and that this was likely to cause major delays.

At this point the Chairman changed the order of the meeting

STREET LIGHTING:

Additional Street Light: The Chairman was of the opinion that Council should decide on the exact location for the new street light that had been requested for near the Olde Bridge Inne. Councillor Stewart informed the meeting that the work had not yet been approved and that if and when it is approved the County Council will arrange to meet Council and agree the siting.

Further Street Lighting Improvements: The Chairman suggested that Councillors should take a look at street lights in the village to determine if further provision was required. Initially it was agreed that an additional light was needed on Forest Road. Councillor Stewart said that if the additional light already been requested was approved, it should be possible at that time to request and get this extra light on Forest Road.

Street Light Main Street: Mrs. Jacobs reported that the last remaining cast iron lamp standard on Main Street was held together in places by adhesive tape and that the pavement at the base of the lamp had been marked with yellow road marking paint. She was concerned that the lamp standard was to be removed and replaced and that she would like to see it repaired and retain for its historical value, the Clerk was asked to determine what is proposed.

SITING OF SECOND BUS SHELTER:

The Chairman suggested that Council should seek a site meeting to determine the siting and timescale for a second bus shelter. Mr. Bayliss said the shelter was in the wrong position and not in keeping with the conservation area, Mrs. Bennett would have preferred it green. The Chairman pointed out the shelter was exactly as had been agreed at various Council meetings and at a site meeting with Notts. CC and whilst it may be a compromise in some respects Council had delivered its commitment in the village plan and the shelter was a benefit to the village and bus users. It was agreed to ask for details of the second shelter and for a bus timetable to be put in the new shelter.

05.01.4

Councillor Stewart left the meeting at this point. He gave his and Councillor Laughton’s apologies for the February meeting.

PLANNING:

Birkhouse Oxton Hill –Agricultural etc. Storage: The applicant has now withdrawn this application.

The Spinney Oxton Hill – Extensions: This application has received full planning permission from N&SDC.

Oakwood Cottage Forest Road – Extension: This application has been refused by N&SDC.

1 & 2 the Paddocks Ollerton Road – Combination of Dwellings: This application was approved without comment.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

Invoices and Payments:

The following were approved for payment:

Financial Report for December: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £4452.72 with receipts of £125.00 and payments of £894.18 and a balance of £4054.83 in the sinking fund.

Mr. Bayliss confirmed the bank reconciliation against the bank statements.

The Clerk informed the meeting that the Premier Bonus account had been transferred to a telephone account as part of the merger between the Bank of Scotland and Halifax Plc, consequently statements were now only issued after every 30 transactions.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

Monthly Inspection report: Mrs. Jacobs reported she had been unable to carry out the inspection to date.

Annual Playground Inspection: It was agreed the Clerk place the order for the annual inspection with ROSPA at a cost of £59 plus £3 per item over five items plus VAT.

05.01.5

RENOVATION OF WASTE BIN ON ELMCROFT:

The Chairman suggested that the waste bin needed either renovation or renewal and that Councillors should inspect the bin before the next meeting. It was suggested the bin should be allowed to mature naturally.

UPDATE ON COUNCIL WEBSITE:

The Clerk reported difficulties with the Web Site. Originally the site was a free service but due to a period of no utilisation the service had been suspended. The Clerk had been advised by BCVS to create a new site with a domain name which would overcome the problem and cost £33.49, this was agreed. The Clerk reported that some of the information on the site had become corrupted and would take some time to rectify before the site could be made public.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

Main Street – Overgrowing Ivy: Miss Roe pointed out that ivy was overgrowing on to the path. Mr. Johnson agreed to cut this back.

Bus Service: Mr. Bayliss pointed out that the service bus parked outside Home Court with its engine running and lights on dipped for extensive periods, this causes pollution and the lights are a distraction to other drivers, which is hazardous. It was also mentioned that the service was unreliable changing its route without notice. The Clerk was asked to report these matters to the County Council.

Main Street Grass Verge: Mrs. Jacobs was concerned that the verge was used for parking by users of the village hall and that she would like to see this parking stopped. It was agreed to include this item on the next agenda.

Mr. Graham Colston: The Chairman reported that she had received the resignation of Mr. Colston as he was soon to move from the village. The Chairman thanked Mr. Colston for his service to the Council and also to the Oxton Flyer; she presented him with a selection of plants for his new garden as a token of the Council’s appreciation.

The meeting closed at 21.15

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