06.12.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 12^TH DECEMBER 2006

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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

Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Mr. Bayliss Mrs. Armstrong and Mr. Laughton.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14^TH NOVEMBER 2006:

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 14^TH NOVEMBER 2006:

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School Bus Stop: The Chairman reported that she and Councillor Stewart had inspected the possible location of the bus stop and also of the additional streetlight on Forest Road a decision by Notts CC was now awaited.

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Telephone Directory: The Clerk confirmed that BT will provide a Nottingham Directory to residents of Oxton free of charge and postage. It was agreed to put this information in the Dover Beck.

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Speedwatch:  Dr. Kilpatrick reported that he has written to the Notts. Safety Partnership asking if the letters had been sent out by the Police as promised, he is still awaiting a reply. He also reported that a press article had inferred that the Police were investigating the possibility of communities sending out their own letters. Recent operation of speed watch has indicated two peaks of speeding traffic at approx. 07.30 and 08.45.

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Greaves Lane – Stiles: The Clerk reported that according to Notts CC the landowner is responsible for repair of stiles and that they had supplied Oxton Estates with stile kits as part of their statutory contribution. Mr. Johnson confirmed receipt of the kits.

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District Council Budgets: The Clerk gave the meeting several catalogues for timber benches. It was agreed to circulate these and make a decision on the bench at the next meeting.

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Delivery Noise – Post Office: The Chairman and Dr. Kilpatrick have spoken to the proprietor of the Post Office who is trying to deaden the sound created by deliveries he is also to speak to the delivery driver to ask them to cooperate.

06.12.2

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Post Office Change of Proprietor: The Clerk reported that to date, he has not taken any action on this matter. Miss Roe expressed concern about media rumours of Post Office closures and stressed the value of the service provided to residents; it was agreed to write to the Post Office and MP expressing concern over potential closures and stressing the social values of a Post Office in rural villages. It was suggested that the proprietor should run his own petition against closures.

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Warm, Well & Wise: The Chairman reported that she had not circulated the information as, on reflection, she considered this would be better handled by the Social Committee, this was agreed.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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Rural Touring Cinema Scheme: The Clerk reported receipt of the Promoters Pack which he will circulate; the scheme is being progressed by the Village Hall Management Committee.

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Training Courses: The Clerk is to circulate a list of training opportunities provided by NALC and Notts RCC. Any requirements to be notified to the Clerk.

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Local Development Framework - Core Strategy Options:  Council noted receipt of this document.

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Breathing Spaces Programme: Council noted receipt of this information but as the closing date for applications is 13^th December it is too late to participate.

Councillor Stewart arrived at this point.

HIGHWAYS:

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BBC – Southwell Road Junction: Councillor Stewart reported on a meeting he had held on site with the Chairman and Neil Hodgson of Notts. CC at which he stressed the benefits of the scheme and also the need for a simple inexpensive scheme which would not be ruled out on cost grounds.

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Verge Drainage: Councillor Stewart reported that he had received complaints from other parishes about the work Notts. CC had done on clearing highway drains across grass verges, and asked if Council had any such concerns; non were reported.

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Community Speedwatch: Councillor Stewart reported about the concerns raised by the failure of the Police to send out follow up letters. The Police have claimed that the scheme was only introduced as a six months trial, which is not correct; they also claim lack of resources as the 1300 offences committed require 17 days equivalent manpower. There is to be a change of Chief Constable and hopefully a more proactive approach to Speedwatch, after meeting with the new Chief Constable Councillors Stewart and Laughton may call a meeting with him and Speedwatch representatives.

06.12.3

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Footpaths: Councillor Stewart reported that Notts. CC was undertaking a survey of footpaths and he had reported the state of the Forest Road footpath. It was suggested that this footpath had recently been sprayed.

Councillor Stewart left at this point.

PLANNING:

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Old Vicarage Main Street – Convert Coach House: N&SDC has approved this application.

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Green Dragon – Alterations to Provide Accommodation: This application was considered and approved.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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External Audit 2005/2006: The Clerk reported that the external Auditor had approved Councils submission without comment.

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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 of £5924.14 with £239.12 of outstanding cheques for payment with receipts of £1068.85 and payments of £753.32 and a balance of £7752.84 in the sinking fund.

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Best Kept Village Prize: The Chairman handed the Clerk a cheque for £50 being the second prize in the competition which she had received at a recent NALC AGM.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Report: Mrs. Jacobs reported that the chain on the multi-play now touches the ground, the litter bin requires emptying and the top bar on the Wicksteed swing requires painting.

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Play Area Committee: The Chairman asked Dr. Kilpatrick how the Committee were progressing, he was aware that they had raised £375 with a table top sale.

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Transfer of funds to Sinking Fund: It was agreed to make the annual transfer of £500.00 to the sinking fund.

06.12.4

BUDGET:

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The Clerk apologised that he had omitted to bring along details of the Budget, the item was therefore deferred to the next meeting.

Miss Roe and Mrs. Jacobs said they were against replacement of the fence alongside the car park.

Mr. Johnson pointed out that Calverton Has its own grass cutting equipment and may be able to quote for Councils requirements.

At this point the Chairman changed the order of the agenda so that Affordable Housing would be the last item.

EAST MIDLANDS STRUCTURE PLAN:

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Council has the following comments on the above plan:

1.      Council is against any relaxation of the Green Belt as per the Barker Report.

2.      The proposition of 75000 additional houses in Nottinghamshire is alarming. This will have a major impact on rural communities in Newark & Sherwood and large developments around Newark are likely to create dormitory areas without the corresponding social and commercial development.

3.      Dualling of the A46 should proceed and link to the Newark southern bypass to accommodate any development in Newark.

4.      Council support combined heat and power if environmentally friendly, but oppose pure waste incineration.

5.      Council oppose open cast mining and additional night flights.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

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The following meetings were agreed:

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

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Crime Figures: Mrs. Jacobs reported that Oxton had four offences of violence against the person from April to September. Dr. Kilpatrick suggested these may be domestic violence.

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Notice Board: It was noted that a lot of notices were being pinned to the outside of the notice board. It was agreed the Clerk affix a sign restricting this practice.

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Police Contacts: It was agreed that Police contact numbers should be published in the Dover Beck.

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Water Lane Turning Lorries and Dog Mess: The Chairman reported she had received complaints about lorries turning into Water Lane and dog owners not clearing up behind their dogs. It was agreed Council cannot restrict lorries requiring access and any dog owners not clearing up after their dogs should be reported to N&SDC by the person witnessing the event.

06.12.5

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Duck Sign: The Chairman agreed to speak to the Highways regarding improving the signs.

Mr. Johnson left the meeting at this point.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

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The Clerk reported he had telephoned on several occasions and written to Notts RCC to arrange attendance at tonight’s meeting; he had not received any response. It was agreed Council should write to the Chief Executive of N&SDC expressing concern over the time being taken and the lack of communication. Council are concerned that negotiations are not proceeding in line with its wishes.

Meeting closed at 21.30

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