Meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.

Present: Messrs. Maclaren, Bayliss and Colston. Mesdames Bennett and Roe. District Councillor Armstrong. Clerk Mr. B Machin.

Apologies for absence. Apologies were received from Mrs. Jacobs and Mrs. Armstrong.

MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD 8^TH JANUARY 2002:

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

Budget 2002/2003: Mr. Bayliss pointed out that Tim Leafe could carry out tree work if the Council so required.

Invitation to accompany Police on front line duties: The Clerk reported that he had confirmed with the Councils Insurer’s that cover was provided for Councillors accompanying the Police provided they were only observing and doing so on behalf of the Council. It was agreed Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Jacobs and Mr. Colston should attend on behalf of the Council.

Notts. CC Local Bus Survey: Mrs. Cooper has completed and returned the survey.

Manor House development – fencing around paddock: The Chairman reported a letter received from N&SDC informing him that planning permission was not required for the fencing around the paddock as this was allowed as permitted development. However, the Section 106 agreement does preclude development, including the fence, and they would therefore request the owners remove it. It is possible for the owners to seek planning permission to allow the fence.

The Chairman reported that he does not think that N&SDC are correct because the paddock is not the domestic curtilage of the property and is not therefore covered by permitted development rights.

It was agreed the Council should try to protect the paddock from further development and ask for the fencing removing. The Clerk to write to N&SDC for clarification as to whether permitted development would include the paddock also pointing out that the agreement was to protect the paddock from development, if the fencing was allowed to stand this could lead to future applications for housing etc. on the land.

Poop scoop bins: The Chairman has yet to contact affected residents.

Bottle bank: Mr. Colston asked if the bins could be moved to back on to the roadside fence the land being higher and not subject to puddling. The Clerk pointed out that as the agreement was between the managers and N&SDC the first requirement would be to get the managers comments on the proposal before contacting N&SDC, Mr. Colston agreed to do this.

Charitable status of playing field: The Chairman reported a letter from the Charity Commissioners stating that the charity exists. He however disagrees as the conveyance requires the Council to hold the land in trust but does not create a charity, the confusion apparently stems from the introduction in 1996 of the Charities (Accounts & Reports) Regulations. He read out a draft letter refuting the charity and it was agreed the Clerk send this to the Commission.

The Chairman reported that registering the playing field with the Land Registry will cost £30.00 and will require a statement that the land had no appreciable value. It was agreed the Chairman should proceed to register the land.

B&Q ‘You can do it’ awards 2002:

A letter informing the Council of the awards was noted.

N&SDC sports club audit:

Council completed the audit for sports clubs in the Parish.

Dog friendly stiles:

Notts. CC has replied to Councils request for a stile on the footpath at the top of Elmcroft saying that this is not priority work and would not be installed immediately. An alternative was for the County to supply the stile and for the Council to arrange installation, with the landowner’s permission. It was agreed the Clerk seek the landowners permission and arrange for a stile installing.

Modification of Rights of Way:

The Clerk reported a letter from Councillor Laughton stating that the Countryside and Rights of Way Act will allow designation of old footpaths and rights of way that are not currently designated. It was agreed the situation should not affect the Councils land.

A member of the public arrived.

NALC Model Code of Conduct Seminar 13^th March:

It was agreed the seminar organised by N&SDC and attended by the Clerk and Mrs. Cooper is adequate for the Councils requirements.

N&SDC training – Introduction to the Planning Process:

The two day course costing £50 was considered beyond the Councils requirements. The Clerk was asked to write to N&SDC suggesting a short evening course on the planning process would be a good idea.

N&SDC Web Site:

Council has been offered a page on the site, the Clerk suggested that a link between this and the Councils web site was all that was required, this was agreed.

Advertiser Newspaper Group:

The group has requested a copy of the Councils agenda on a regular basis, the Clerk was authorised to meet the request.

Funds for Parish Projects:

The Clerk reported an invitation from Paddy Tipping MP to attend a seminar on the 22^nd February. It was agreed not to attend as the Clerk will be attending a similar seminar by Notts RCC.

Speeding in Oxton Village:

Replying to Councils request the Police have decided that the speed of cars in the village is not sufficiently high to warrant a dedicated speed enforcement site, instead local officers will provide a high visibility presence to act as a deterrent to offending drivers.

Police Public Consultation Meeting:

The meeting on the 26^th February was noted.

Tree work – Cherry tree Cottage Water Lane:

N&SDC has approved the felling of three and the pruning of two trees.

Telecoms Tower – Loath hill:

N&SDC has refused full planning permission as the tower would be detrimental to the rural character and visual amenity of the area.

Highway defects:

Mr. Colston reported a pot hole on Oxton Hill and Miss Roe reported the village sign on Southwell Road had been moved round. The Clerk was requested to report these items.

Blind Lane flooding:

Miss Roe ask if the ‘Road Flooded’ signs could be kept in the village to be put out when flooding occurred and removed when it had subsided, she offered to keep the signs and put them out. It was agreed the Clerk ask Notts.CC is they were agreeable.

Outstanding Highways Items: The Chairman asked the Clerk to review his menu of outstanding items and send an appropriate reminder to the County Council.

Invoices and payments: The following were approved for payment.

B Machin                       Clerks salary Jan                                 £118.56

Oxton VHMC               Donation towards repair of car park £220.91

Parkinson Dis. Soc.      Fares reimbursement Jan                 £36.00

Powergen                       Car park lighting                                 £4.51

NALC                       Annual subs.                                 £76.61

Total                                       £456.59

Financial report for January: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £4098.59, plus £2930.72 in the sinking fund with receipts of £423.46 and payments of £171.12.

The member of the public was granted permission to speak to the meeting.

Dover Beck printing costs: Mrs. Wheatley reported that the cost of meeting the Councils request for a loose leaf ‘useful telephone numbers’ insert into the Dover Beck was £12 plus VAT. It was agreed that the printer should invoice the Council direct and the Clerk should then recharge the Dover Beck for their costs included on the invoice.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

As Mrs. Jacobs was not in attendance there were no items to discuss.

PARISH BENCHES: As Mrs. Cooper was not in attendance the item was held over to the next meeting.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING:

It was agreed the meeting should be held on Wednesday 1^st May in the Village Hall. Mrs. Armstrong suggested inviting Mike Evans, Planning Officer for N&SDC, to speak on the Governments new planning proposals, this was agreed. It was also agreed the Clerk should also invite the Police. The Agenda should include an item for Neighbourhood Watch.

Council meetings were also arranged for Tuesday 9^th April (Bar Room) and the Annual Meeting for Tuesday 14^th May (Games Room).

Allotments – Forest Road: Miss Roe noted that two of the allotments were vacant and asked if they could be advertised. It was agreed that, as the allotments were the responsibility of the Estate, the Clerk contact them and suggest they put an item in the Dover Beck.

Disposal of Fridges: Mrs. Jacobs, in her absence, has requested to know what arrangements N&SDC had made for the diposal of fridges. Mrs. Armstrong agreed to update the Council at the next meeting. She also reported that the twin bin scheme had been ‘shelved’ pending a review by Notts. CC of their policy.

Pathfinder bus service: Mrs. Bennett reported that the No.61 Pathfinder service was to be discontinued by the Company, Notts CC are trying to find another operator to take on the route.

Conservatories in the Conservation Area: Mr. Colston asked if planning permission was required. The Clerk agreed to check.

Meeting closed at 21.20

Signed Chairman Date