07.12.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 11^th DECEMBER 2007

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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Present: Mesdames Cooper, Jacobs and Jones. Messrs. Johnson, Wilkes and Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin.  County Councillors Stewart (part). One member of the public (part).

Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence was received from Mr. Aldridge.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13^TH NOVEMBER 2007:

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Minute 07.11.1.1 should read that Mr. Wilkes was not present but will attend future meetings.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 13^TH NOVEMBER 2007:

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Post Office Closures: Mr. Johnson said he understood the Post Office was not to close as part of the current list of proposed closures, the Chairman said that the interview for replacement post master will take place in January.

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Community Transport Funding: Notts. County Council has indicated that the fine will be deducted from the second grant payment but will be repaid if the January return is received on time.

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Olde Bridge Inne – Smoking Pergola: Mrs. Jacobs pointed out that smoking areas already existed at the property.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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Crash Course in Planning: NALC has rearranged training, as the initial course was overbooked, to be held 12^th March at Epperstone Village Hall @ 6.45; Messrs. Kilpatrick, Wilkes and Johnson and Mesdames Cooper and Jones confirmed they will attend.

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Charity Commission Annual Return: The Clerk reported receipt of a reminder for the 2007 return and explained for the benefit of new councillors that Council had agreed, following advice from Duncan Maclaren, that Council was not subject to a charity and would therefore not submit annual returns, the Charity Commission has been informed. It is likely the Commission is confusing the Council and the Oxton VHMC.

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Fire Hydrant Locations: The Clerk reported receipt, as requested from Notts. Fire & Rescue, of a plan showing locations of fire hydrants in the village, a copy of which has been sent to the Oxton VHMC as requested.

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Draft East Midlands Plan Panel Report: It was noted that the plan is now available at libraries and on the Government web site.

The Chairman changed the order of the meeting at this point pending the arrival of Councillor Stewart.

07.12.2

PLANNING:

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Second Bungalow Honeyknab Lane – Extensions: N&SDC has granted full planning permission.

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Green Dragon Cottages Blind Lane – Replace Dormer: N&SDC has granted full planning permission.

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Church House Main Street – Flood Protection: Council approved the proposals including listed building consent.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for Payment:

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Financial Report for November: The Clerk reported a current account balance at the end of November of £4875.59 with outstanding cheques for payment of £73.50 and outstanding receipts of £32.40; receipts of £816.35 and payments of £1056.91 in November and a balance of £8414.92 in the sinking fund.

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Budget: The Clerk presented his budget proposals showing an estimated year end balance of £2106 a base budget for 2007/08 of £5860 and a list of non recurring items and costs for consideration by Council. Mr. Aldridge had emailed suggestions for planting using posts from which baskets could be hung at the entrances to the village at a cost of £100 each; Council was not too keen on the proposal but agreed to include £250 in the Budget for a more appropriate scheme. It was agreed to add the following items to the base budget:

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The above items added to the base budget would give a total budget requirement of £7300.

It was agreed to keep the precept at £7800.00 the same level as last year.

Councillor Stewart arrived at this point.

07.12.3

HIGHWAYS:

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Oxton By-Pass/Oakes Lane Junction:

The Clerk reported that as a consequence of lighting the above junction it would become a 30mph limit; Notts. County Council therefore intends to introduce a Traffic Regulation Order to de-restrict the illuminated section such that the national speed limit of 70mph for dual carriageways and 60mph for single carriageways will apply; subject to Councils agreement.

Council is in agreement with the proposal but would wish to agree the revised proposals for the junction when these are completed.

The Chairman mentioned that whilst at the on site inspection a van had taken a shortcut across the corner whilst travelling North onto Oakes Lane and looking at the tracks in the grass verge this was a regular occurrence, also that there was dumping occurring in the County Council compound which requires a new gate; Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue these items.

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Service Bus: Councillor Stewart asked if the service bus was running on time as there had been problems at Woodborough slowing the bus which had now been resolved. The Chairman said she was not aware of any problems.

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New Road – manhole cover protruding: Dr. Kilpatrick reported the above but he was not sure to which utility it belonged; the Clerk is to inspect.

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Blind Lane – Sunken pavement: The Chairman reported the above at the entrance to Home Farm Cottage opposite the Green Dragon Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue.

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New Road Water Splash: The County Council claim to have carried out works to the splash, the Clerk reported that he was expecting some works aimed a slowing traffic but suggested only tarmac patching has been done. Councillors are to inspect the work prior to the next meeting.

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Good Causes: Councillor Stewart said he had money in his budget for good causes if the Council had any in mind; it was agreed he would contribute £200 to both the Walks Leaflet Reprint and Chiropody. Council thanked Councillor Stewart for this contribution

FLOODING:

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Culvert under By-pass: Councillor Stewart reported that this work had now been completed; Mr. Johnson said there was still water being retained in the flood channel at the Oxton side of the By-pass, Councillor Stewart suggested that this was probably due to the limitations put on the amount of silt that could be removed from the culvert due to structural concerns relating to the foundations of the culvert.

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE:

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The Clerk summarized proposals made in a letter from N&SDC, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, upon which it required the comments of the Council; he suggested that the 18 points be considered individually.

07.12.4

The Clerk reported he had received an email from Mr. Aldridge who had indicated he would be happy to act as flood warden.

Following initial discussions the Chairman suggested this item should be discussed in full at the next meeting, this was agreed.

Councillor Stewart left the meeting at this point.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Report: Mrs. Jacobs presented the report which contained no new items.

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Playing Field Gate: The Clerk reported that the new lock had been fitted and a key given to Mrs. Wheatley for Oxton VHMC purposes. Further keys will be held by Mrs. Jones and Mr. Johnson.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

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Due to lack of time it was agreed to delay this item to the next meeting.

STANDING ORDERS:

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Council agreed the revision to Standing Orders necessary to comply with paragraph 12(2) of the New Code of Conduct in respect of the right of the public to speak at meetings.

OLDER PEOPLE IN NOTTINGHAM:

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Mrs. Jones said she had attended the recent Forum. Volunteers are required for social care through Notts. CC. Suggestions were for IT Champions in each community, funding and training being available for one year, also First Contact volunteers where the vulnerable could ring for advice on which service to contact for assistance. She said the village had a fantastic facility in the village hall which could be used for social purposes.

FOOTPATHS LEAFLETS:

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Dr. Kilpatrick said he had obtained quotes for printing as follows:

Dr. Kilpatrick agreed to get a price for as many copies as possible within a budget of £200.

RISK ASSESSMENT:

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Due to lack of time it was agreed to delay this item to the next meeting.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

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The following dates were agreed:

07.12.5

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

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Green Dragon Car Park: Mrs. Jones asked if the car caravan parking/sales in the car park were allowed. The Clerk responded that he had previously written to the landlord saying such activities required planning permission. It was agreed the Clerk contact N&SDC.

Meeting closed at 21.40

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