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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 12^TH FEBRUARY 2008

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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Present: Mesdames Cooper, Jones and Jacobs. Messrs. Johnson, Aldridge and Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin.  County Councillor Stewart (part) District Councillor Laughton (part).

Apologies for absence: Apology for absence was received from Mrs. Armstrong.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16^TH JANUARY 2008:

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Mr. Johnson pointed out that minute 08.01.3.2 should read ‘vandal proof leaflet dispenser’. Otherwise the minutes having been circulated before the meeting were confirmed and signed as a true record.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 16TH JANUARY 2008:

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Budget: The Clerk reported that two printers had been purchased to meet the needs of Council along with spare printer cartridges.

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Nottinghamshire Passenger Transport Forum: The Chairman reported that she had attended the forum where David Blunkett MP was the keynote speaker on the subject of yellow school buses.

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Sinking Fund: The Clerk reported that the transfer to the sinking fund has now been completed.

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Hedge to Playing Field: Mr. Johnson reported the hedge and grass trimming has now been completed.

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Footpaths Leaflet: The Clerk reported that the cost of a vandal proof dispenser is £217 including delivery and graphics, this was considered too expensive.

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New Road Water Splash: Councillor Stewart reported that at a site meeting he had been informed that the tarmac had been laid to hold the cobbles in place.

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Access to Sewage Pumping Station – Nottingham Road: It was noted the repairs have been completed.

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Nottingham Road Damaged Road Sign: Councillor Stewart reported that the sign was to be re-erected.

CORRESPONDENCE:

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Dog Fouling: The Clerk reported an email from Mr. Cheshire of Elmcroft regarding falling standards on Main Street; he has responded highlighting measures that Council has taken and suggesting any offender should be reported directly to the Dog Warden at N&SDC.

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Code of Conduct Training: It was noted that further training will take place on 28^th February.

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Consultation Relating to Code of Conduct: Receipt of the consultation document “Consultation on Orders and Regulations Relating to the Conduct of Local Authority Members in England and Wales” was noted.

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Crash Course on Planning: This will now be held on12th March; Mr. Aldridge will attend in lieu of Mrs. Jones.

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Nottinghamshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan: The Clerk reported receipt of the plan; it was agreed to circulate the plan.

HIGHWAYS:

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Blind Lane Flooding: Councillor Stewart reported that an inspection had revealed that the culvert was blocked and would be cleared.

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Civil Parking Enforcement: Councillor Stewart reported that this legislation would take effect on 12^th May and that there would be 20 enforcement officers to cover the County excluding the City.

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Southwell Road – Change of Priorities: Councillor Stewart reported that on enquiring about the progress on this scheme Notts. County Council had denied approving the scheme and that the scheme cannot be done, he has asked for evidence why it can’t be done as the scheme has been approved both verbally to him and in writing to the Parish Council as a method of reducing the amount of traffic using the village streets as a ‘rat run’. He suggested Council write to Bob Hart at County Hall expressing its concerns over the delay, this was agreed.

Mr. Aldridge asked if consideration had been given to creating a one-way system in the village; he was told this idea had previously been rejected as too expensive, unlikely to deal with the speeding issue and not supported by residents.

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Oxton Hill: Mrs. Jacobs reported that the drains are blocked and the road requires sweeping, the Clerk will arrange for the sweeping and Councillor Stewart the drains clearing.

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Honeyknab Lane: Mr. Johnson reported that Honeyknab Lane was heavily pot-holed, Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue.

It was agreed to change the order of the meeting at this point.

FLOODING:

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Mr. Johnson reported that the work to the West of the by-pass had been completed by the Drainage Board; indications are that there is a concrete base to the culvert under the by-pass.

Mr. Aldridge said that N&SDC had done a good job on the flood channel but an area behind Meadow View does not seem to have been cleared to the same extent

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as the remainder of the channel and he had asked Ian Harrison at N&SDC to check as to why. Mr. Johnson said it was probably because the depth to which the channel can be cleared to is governed by the level of the base in the culvert under the by-pass. Mr. Aldridge also reported that both he and Mr. Harrison were concerned that the flood defenses around the weir at the head of Water Lane are not satisfactory; following cancellation of a recent meeting between N&SDC and Oxton Estates a further meeting is to be arranged in the next two weeks at which the possible extension of the flood channel to drain water from the lake further upstream will be discussed; Mr. Harrison will keep Mr. Aldridge appraised of progress; apparently Oxton is fourth on the list of priorities for flood prevention measures.

The Clerk raised the matter of agreed flood works on Honeyknab Lane which have not progressed; Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue.

Mr. Aldridge asked about the flooding of Main Street near to Garden House; it was noted that the owners of Garden House are taking their own flood prevention measures.

Councillor Laughton arrived at this point.

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE:

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Mr. Aldridge said he needed guidance from Council on the14 points raised by N&SDC in its letter of November 2007 so that he could progress discussions with Ian Harrison. It was agreed as follows:

Item 1: Involvement and Ownership by Parish Councils in Partnership with Agencies: Council would wish to be involved.

Item 2: Local Emergency Warden Schemes: Mr. Aldridge has been appointed as Flood Warden but he may need assistance.

Item 3: More Flood Warden Schemes: This would depend on what is proposed by the Environment Agency.

Item 4: Local Deployment of Immediate Basic Resources: See item 5.

Item 5: Community Resilience Stores: Central location would create difficulties moving items to areas of need. A direct delivery from N&SDC stores would be preferable.

Item 6: Flood Fairs: Council will support the forthcoming fair in Lowdham.

Item 7&8: There were no comments.

Item 9: Local Early warning Schemes: Council supports this idea but not the use of sirens.

Item 10: Watercourse Management/Ownership Plans to Parish Councils: Council supports this idea; it is already clear that riparian ownership can be an issue.

Item 11: Lobby Government for Insulation Grants. No comment.

Item 12: Priority Telephone Access to Agencies: Agreed.

Item 13: Information Leaflet Explaining Responsibilities of Agencies: Agreed.

Item 14: Use of Safer Neighbourhood Groups etc: No comment.

Mrs. Jacobs said that there needs to be a commitment from the various agencies to provide adequate cleaning and maintenance.

Councillor Stewart said the County Council is looking at the causation and consequences of the flood and what to do for the future.

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FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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Oxton Flyer: The Clerk reported that Notts. CC had reimbursed the £9.80 penalty incurred for late submission of the Oxton Flyer data.

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External Auditor: It was noted that Clement Keys has now been appointed.

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Invoices and Payments:

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Financial Report for January: The Clerk reported a current account balance at the end of January of £4072.32 with outstanding cheques for payment of £264.70 with receipts of £922.31 and payments of £1047.15 and a balance of £8914.92 in the sinking fund.

PLANNING:

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Validation of Planning: This letter from Notts. CC was noted.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Report: Mrs. Jacobs reported she had been unable to carry out an inspection this month.

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ROSPA Safety Inspection: It Was agreed the Clerk place an order.

GRASS CUTTING:

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The Clerk reported he had invited quotes from five companies but received only

two:

It was agreed to accept the quote of Ulyett Landscapes

The contractor will be required to flatten moles hills before each cut. The Clerk pointed out that N&SDC had treated the football field at Farnsfield and early observation suggest it has been largely successful; he was asked to get further information.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

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The Chairman recommended that Council should vote on the principal only as this would allow Mr. Johnson to vote; she proposed the motion “That Council is in favour of pursuing Affordable Housing”. Mr. Aldridge said he would abstain as he needed to know more about what is intended by affordable housing. In a show of hands four were in favour with two abstentions.

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Mr. Aldridge said it would be impossible for a committee to write a policy and this should be done by a small group. Dr. Kilpatrick said the village was rife with rumour as Council had never had a clear view; he was concerned as to how Council can ensure houses were offered to parishioners and not outsiders.

The Clerk said the current policy of Council is recorded by several minutes over several years and it would be useful to bring these together into one document, this was agreed.

DATES OF AGM AND ANNUAL PARISH MEETING:

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The following were agreed:

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

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Any Other Business: Mr. Aldridge said he had been told at a recent training course for new councillors that AOB was illegal. The Clerk assured the meeting that it was a valid item provided Council adhered to the guidelines he had circulated to all Councillors.

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Tree Warden: The Chairman informed the meeting that Council need to appoint a new tree warden; this item to be included on the March agenda.

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Body MOT’s: The Chairman said these would be held on 19^th April and may require assistance from Council; this item to be included on the March agenda.

Meeting closed at 21.25

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