06.04.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 11^th APRIL 2006

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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Present: Mesdames Cooper, Bennett and Roe, Messrs. Johnson and Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin. County Councillors Stewart (part) and Laughton (part).

Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Mr. Bayliss Mrs. Jacobs and County Councillor Stewart.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14^TH MARCH 2006

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 14^TH MARCH  2006

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Oxton Milepost: The Chairman reported that she had inspected the suggested stone at Newark Depot and had rejected the granite stone and selected one of sandstone in lieu.

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Grass Cutting: The Clerk reported that Ulyetts had failed to commence the grass cutting at the contracted date consequently grass cutting did not commence until 6^th April at which time they failed to carry out the additional cutting to the verge outside Holly Tree Cottage.

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BT Kiosk: The Clerk reported a letter from BT apologizing for fixing the text signs to the kiosk. It was reported that the signs had now been refixed. The Clerk was asked to arrange for removal once again.

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Utility Cabin Main Street: Dr. Kilpatrick reported that the door had not yet been secured, the Clerk was asked to report the problem.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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Oxton Flyer Funding 2006/07: The Clerk reported that Council are required to accept the conditions of the scheme annually, he had therefore arranged for the Chairman and Mrs. Bennett to sign the formal acceptance for 2006/07 and this had been submitted. The Clerks actions were agreed.

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Nottinghamshire Statement of Community Involvement pre-submission draft: The Clerk reported that the comments Council submitted are invalid as they did not relate to how the County Council had consulted on planning matters.

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Criminals Records Bureau Disclosures – Umbrella Body: The Clerk informed Council that occasionally access to the above was necessary, for example prior to appointing volunteer drivers for the Oxton Flyer, when this occurs, Nottinghamshire County Council acts on behalf of Council. The County Council now requires a formal agreement signed by Council before they will act in future. It was agreed to accept the agreement which was signed by the Chairman.

06.04.2

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Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005: The Clerk reported a letter received from DEFRA regarding the Act. The Act allows for parish councils to issue fixed penalty notices for littering, graffiti and fly posting from the 6^th April 2006. Alongside the Act a new system for controlling dogs called Dog Control Orders which replace the current byelaw system has been introduced these enable parish councils to make a range of orders including banning dogs and requiring owners to clean up after dogs and also to be able to issue fixed penalty notices; any byelaws currently in place remain in force until such time as they may be replaced by an order. DEFRA has published a guide to the new powers and the Clerk was asked to obtain a copy. Council did not envisage at this time making any orders and would prefer that existing authorities i.e. N&SDC and the Police control these activities.

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N&SDC Green Spaces Strategy: The Clerk reported that the draft strategy was available for comment on request if Council required, this was noted.

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Statement of Community Involvement: N&SDC has notified Council that this statement has been adopted by Council; the main considerations of interest to  Council are consultation procedures on Planning and Local Framework issues which are in line with Councils requirements.

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Building Better Communities: Notts. County Council has invited Council representatives to an event to celebrate the success of the initiative on 4^th July. The Chairman, Mrs. Bennett and Dr. Kilpatrick wish to attend.

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Waste Strategy For Newark & Sherwood 2006 – 2020: The Clerk reported receipt of the above for comment, in view of the tight timescale for return of comments it was agreed the Chairman respond to the document on behalf of the Council.

HIGHWAYS:

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Epperstone Road 30mph Sign: The sign is damaged the Clerk to report.

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Elmcroft Street Nameplate: This sign needs refixing the Clerk to report.

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Elmcroft New Tree: This tree is being damaged by strimming; a tree guard was suggested but was considered to be unsuitable due to weeds and long grass growing within the guard. It was agreed the Clerk speak to Ulyetts about the problem.

PLANNING:

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Elmfield  Main Street – Extensions and Redesigned Swimming Pool: The Clerk reported that this application was circulated following the April meeting, there were no objections to the proposal and he had reported accordingly.

06.04.3

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The Cottage Oxton Hill Farm – Proposed Access: The Clerk reported that Council had been invited to N&SDC Planning Committee on 30^th March to comment on this application, following discussion with the Chairman it had been agreed not to attend. The application has now been given full approval subject to one of the existing accesses being permanently sealed.

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Far Leys Oxton Hill – Extensions to Form Dependent Relative Accommodation: N&SDC has granted full approval.

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Two Acres Oxton Hill – Extension: The decision by N&SDC to refuse this application has been appealed. The comments Council made on the original application will be taken into account at the appeal but Council has six weeks to comment on the appeal. It was agreed the Clerk should reinforce the initial points regarding loss of mature hedge and the impact due to excessive size of the extensions.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for payment:

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The Chairman pointed out that due to booking problems an additional treatment had been provided by the Chiropodist hence an additional £15 had been invoiced, it was agree to pay this extra.

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Financial Report for March: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £3454.20 with receipts of £199.24 and payments of £557.12 and a balance of £7752.84 in the sinking fund.

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Appointment of Internal Auditor: The Clerk reported that he had spoken to Mr. Perkins who was willing to undertake the audit this year. It was agreed to appoint Mr. Perkins.

Mr. Laughton arrived at this point

06.04.4

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Dr. Kilpatrick reported that he had been reminded by the service provider that Ringmaster had not been paid since the scheme began, he was asked to obtain an invoice for the service for payment. The Clerk reminded Council that the scheme had been approved for a trial period of one year and Council need to resolve on the future of the scheme. It was agreed to include an item on the next agenda.

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Oxton Flyer Analysis: The Clerk presented an analysis of the income and expenditure for 2005/06 which shows receipts of £810.00 and expenditure of £861.00 giving a deficit of £51.00, this was due to the increase in mini bus hire following on from fuel cost increases. It was agreed that it would be inappropriate to ask Notts. CC for an increase in grant and that Council should seek to increase the income through greater passenger numbers; Council will stand the deficit from balances.

Mr. Laughton left at this point.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Report: As Mrs. Jacobs was not present there was no report.

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Football Pitch: Miss. Roe reported that the team using the pitch has indicated that they would not be using the pitch next season as it does not meet the FA requirements largely due to mole damage.

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Play Area Repairs: The Clerk reported that he had met F T Redfern and was expecting a quotation for repair of the play area, in view of the Chairman’s comments at the last meeting he asked if the repairs should go ahead. The Chairman said she was of the opinion that the redevelopment of the play area was becoming essential but that this would take some time to organize, in the meantime she thought repairs should go ahead this was agreed.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING ARRANGEMENTS:

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It was agreed that no speaker would be invited to the meeting. It was agreed items on grass cutting and the play area redevelopment be included on the agenda.

Mr. Stewart arrived at this point.

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Flashing Warning Sign – Oxton Hill: Councillor Stewart informed the meeting that it had been discovered that the alignment of the sensor was wrong this accounts for the suggestions that the sign was not effective, it will be re-aligned.

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Signs A6097 Oxton Grange: Mr. Johnson reminded Mr. Stewart that the promised traffic signs had not been erected and that this would be raised at the Annual Parish Meeting. Mr. Stewart said it was still on the ‘to do’ list.

06.04.5

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Extension of Footpath Southwell Road: Miss. Roe asked Councillor Stewart if the footpath requested under the BBC scheme could be extended to Blind Lane. The Chairman suggested that at this stage it would be better to wait until the requested work had been completed.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

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Electoral Review: A copy of the comments made to the Boundary Committee via. N&SDC was available, it was agreed to circulate this.

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Annual Footpaths Walk: Miss. Roe asked if Council were arranging the walk for this year as usual. The Chairman responded that Council had agreed that Oxton Wanderers be asked to co-ordinate the walks and this she had done. Miss. Roe was concerned that no one was organising the walks and it would be a pity if the tradition was not continued. The Chairman said she would confirm the arrangements she had made.

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Chiropody: The Chairman reported that Notts CC now has a Health and Community Section and that she was applying to them for funding.

Meeting closed at 21.25.

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