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OXTON PARISH COUNCIL MNUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13TH JANUARY 2009 AT OXTON VILLAGE HALL Present:Cllr. M. Cooper (Chairman) Cllr. L. Jacobs (Vice-Chairman) Cllr. R. Aldridge Cllr. I. Johnson Cllr. J. Jones Cllr. I. Kilpatrick Cllr. D. Wilkes
Mrs. L. Ingall (Clerk)
Cllr. A. Stewart (Nottinghamshire County Council) Cllr. B. Laughton (Nottinghamshire County Council)
1. APOLOGIES
NOTED that there were no apologies for absence
2. MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 9th December 2008 were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
3. MATTERS ARISING
(a) Nottingham Road
NOTED that the loose kerb on the corner of Nottingham Road has been repaired.
(b) Road Surface, Main Street – Patching Work
NOTED that Nottinghamshire County Council is to assess this parish’s request for improvements to the road surface at Main Street, Oxton for inclusion in its maintenance programme for 2009/2010.
(c) Waste Bin, Forest Road
NOTED that the waste bin at the top of Forest Road has been repaired.
(d) Play Area
NOTED that the broken concrete bench outside the Play Area has been removed.
(e) Clerk’s Retirement Gift (Cllr. M. Cooper declared an interest in this matter and took no part in the decision thereof) Reason: Cllr. Cooper publishes the book requested by Mr. Machin)
The Chairman reported that she and the Vice-Chairman had delivered £100 in vouchers, a plant and a bird box to the retiring Clerk, Mr. Brian Machin. She stated that Mr. Machin had requested a book on the History of Oxton.
AGREED that the Parish Council meets the additional cost of £10 to provide Mr. Machin with the book and that the Chairman is reimbursed accordingly.
4. COMMUNICATIONS
(a) The Clerk reported that she had received a communication from Mrs Meldrum’s daughter requesting the identity of the landowner of the land to the entrance of Home Court, Main Street. Mrs. Meldrum wishes to site a bench in memory of her husband John. Cllr. Johnson suggested that Mrs. Meldrum should contact the Chair of the Trustees of Oxton Estate.
AGREED that the Clerk communicates this information to Mrs Meldrum.
(b) NOTED a letter of thanks from The Dover Beck Management Committee for this Council’s annual contribution toward the production costs of “The Dover Beck”. Cllr. Jacobs stated that more contributions were needed from individuals who received the free publication in Oxton, Gonalston and Epperstone. The Chairman suggested that if the Parish Council’s contribution was recognised in the next issue of the publication, it may inspire others to contribute. Cllr. Stewart agreed to contribute £200 from the County Council’s Electoral Division Initiative Fund. Cllr. Jacobs thanked him on behalf of the Dover Beck Management Committee.
(c) Speedwatch
Cllr. Kilpatrick reported that Nottinghamshire Speedwatch had now been split into four areas formerly under the jurisdiction of Superintendent Jerry Butler, who has now retired. He confirmed that Oxton came under the jurisdiction of Sherwood Area Speedwatch and that Inspector Andy Gan was responsible for that area whilst the beat officer was P.C. Keith Thompson who was currently on long term sick leave. Cllr. Kilpatrick stated that he had been unable to attend meetings of the Lowdham and Farnsfield Safer Neighbourhood Group as he was no longer receiving Notices of those meetings.
AGREED that the Clerk contacts the person responsible for sending invitations to attend the Farnsfield and Lowdham Safer Neighbourhood Group and arranges for Cllr. Kilpatrick’s name be added to the distribution list.
(d) NOTED that a full time Police driver/information officer will be in attendance on the Mobile Rural Contact Point 2009. It is hope that a full range of IT based services will also be offered in all villages.
5. HIGHWAYS
(a) Bus Shelter
Cllr. Stewart reported that he had inspected the bus shelter and found it to be partially repaired.
AGREED that the Parish Council monitors the situation and reports back to a future meeting of this Council.
(b) Greaves Lane, Edingley
NOTED that the verges at Greaves Lane, Edingley have been re-instated following a request from an Edingley parishioner.
c) A6097
NOTED that new directional signs to Edingley have been erected on the A6097.
6. PLANNING
(a) Planning Applications
NOTED that there were no planning applications received.
(b) Notices of Decision
NOTED that planning permission has been refused for the erection of a two storey front extension and loft conversion with dormer window at 7 The Orchards, Oxton.
(c) Any other matters appertaining to Planning
1. 3 Holme Court, Main Street, Oxton
NOTED that an appeal has been lodged with the Secretary of State following the refusal of planning permission for the erection of a conservatory to the rear of 3 Home Court, Main Street, Oxton.
2. Corner Cottage, Main Street, Oxton
NOTED that a satellite dish has been erected at Corner Cottage, Main Street, Oxton. As the property is in the Oxton Conservation Area, the erection of such a dish requires planning permission.
AGREED that the Clerk communicates to the owners of the property that retrospective planning permission should be obtained in the near future.
7. FINANCE
(a) Invoices and Payments
The following payments were authorised:
L.E. Ingall Clerk’s salary Dec. £228.93 L.E. Ingall Clerk’s office expenses £ 32.25 Eon Village Hall Lighting £ 7.49 B. Machin Clerk’s salary Nov. Dec. £340.22 B. Machin Postal expenses £ 6.48 M. Cooper Reimbursement Clerk’s gift £137.98 HMRC PAYE – Tax Oct. Nov. Dec. £134.41 Oxton Village Hall Chiropody Clinic Room Hire £ 27.00 Our Centre Mini Bus Hire £ 77.90 Sherwood Forresters Cont. to W. Front Memorial £ 30.00 (Section 137 funds) (b) Financial Report for December
The Clerk reported an account balance at the end of December of £3316.66 with payments of £420.11, Receipts of £291.18 and a sinking fund balance of £10,157.25. The accounts were reconciled accordingly.
(c) Any other matters appertaining to Finance
NOTED that the a Penalty Determination of £400 by HM Revenue and Customs to this Council has been reduced to nil.
8. RECREATION
(a) Monthly Report
Cllr. Jacobs reported that a bolt had been dislodged by the fireman’s pole and the sleeve had come off. She stated that the foam in the Little Play Area had become overgrown with grass and was in need of repair. The litter bin had not been emptied recently and she asked if a regular emptying of the bin could take place. Cllr. Jacobs asked the Parish Council if it was prepared to pay for room hire so that discussions can be held with parishioners as to the future of the Play Area. She also indicated that the annual ROSPA inspection was imminent. Cllr. Johnson offered to inspect the defective areas to assess the necessary repairs.
AGREED that 1. The Clerk investigate previous records of safety checks with ROSPA and reports to the next meeting as to the annual requirement date . 2. The Parish Council pays for room hire so that discussions can take place as to the future of the Play Area. 3. The Clerk investigates if Newark and Sherwood District Council would undertake the regular emptying of the litter bin in the Play Area and if there would be a charge. 4. Cllr. Johnson inspects the defects in the Play Area and undertakes the necessary repairs if possible.
Cllr. Laughton joined the meeting at this point.
(b) Joint Venture with Oxton Cricket Club.
The Chairman reported that she had attended a meeting with Oxton Cricket Club and a representative of the Village Hall Management Committee as to the way forward in siting a new sports pavilion. She stated that discussions on access to the development had taken place and a suggestion that the existing access through the Village Hall car park might be appropriate. A meeting is to be held to discuss the funding of the joint venture between this Parish Council and Oxton Cricket Club. . Cllr. Laughton suggested that Nottinghamshire County Council could provide assistance in obtaining grants and that Sports England and NPower were issuing grants for new football pitches and new sports facilities.
AGREED Cllr. Wilkes would liaise with Nottinghamshire County Council, Sports England and NPower to ascertain the availability of grants for the forthcoming project.
9. COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
Cllr. Aldridge reported that a representative of Newark and Sherwood District Council had confirmed that the concrete garage sited at the Village Hall was adequate for a resilience store. He hopes to make an appraisal of the items to be stored therein, access and key holders. In the presence of Council members he completed the Flood Risk and Response Profile required by Newark and Sherwood District Council for use by the emergency services. Cllr. Aldridge stated that he had received a DVD from the Environment Agency regarding Flood Wardens. The Environment Agency recommended that a team of Flood Wardens is established with appropriate duties being outlined. Cllr. Aldridge will prepare a draft outline of these duties for comments by this Council. He stated that the Environment Agency recommended that as part of the Emergency Plan, a list of all vulnerable people within the Parish is established should evacuation be necessary when a flood occurs.
AGREED that Cllr. Aldridge reports to a future meeting of this Council on all matters aforementioned.
10. APPOINTMENT OF NEW CLERK
The Clerk reported that the advertisement for Clerk to the Parish Council had been placed in “The Bramley”. She stated that the newspaper would be distributed from 16th – 18th January 2009. The job description, prepared by Cllr. Jones, was discussed by members. Cllrs. Jacobs and Johnson thought that it was too complicated and should include a brief description of Oxton Parish and its attributes.
AGREED that Cllr. Jones would reassess the Job Description to include members’ suggestions. The Clerk would circulate the new description for further comments before sending it out, on request, to possible applicants.
11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
NOTED that the date in April for a meeting of this Parish Council shall be 7th April 2009.
The meeting concluded at 9.30 p.m.
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