04.07.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY  13^th JULY 2004

Meeting commenced at 7.35p.m

Present: Mesdames Cooper, Jacobs, Bennett and Roe. Messrs. Johnson and Colston. Clerk Mr. B Machin. County Councillor Mr. Stewart.

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

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10^th JUNE 2004

1

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 10^th JUNE 2004

2

Orchard Court: The Clerk reported that following an article in the Dover Beck he had received no indication of any items of concern following the recent water mains rehabilitation work and had therefore agreed with the Chairman not to seek a site meeting with Severn Trent. It was pointed out that the remedial work on Orchard Court was defective and that a section of an iron surface cover was missing on Blind Lane also that Mr.Palmer and Mrs. Carnal had reported some problems. It was agreed the Chairman would check on these and then the Clerk should write to Severn Trent regarding these outstanding works.

3

Oxton Hill:  Mrs. Jacobs reported that the sweeping had not yet been done, it was also noted that the village roads and pavements required sweeping prior to the Best Kept Village Competition Inspection, the Clerk was asked to arrange both matters.

4

Internal Auditors Report: The Clerk read out the written report which had now been received and which confirmed the items reported verbally by the Clerk at the June meeting.

5

Review of Annual Parish Meeting:  

Bus Shelter: Mr. Stewart reported that the County Council is to provide a shelter under the BBC initiative. The Clerk reported that he had been in contact with the County Council and they were investigating suitable sites, they have however rejected the proposed site on the grass verge opposite the Post Office as unsuitable. It was agreed the Clerk should arrange a meeting on site with the County Council when their proposals are known.

Xmas Tree: The Clerk apologised that he had not included the Xmas Tree on tonight’s agenda and would therefore include it for the August meeting.

Chiropody: The Chairman reported that she had through Mrs. Armstrong asked if N&SDC could help with this provision but had received a negative response, consequently she thought that Council would need to take the initiative of approaching the NHS or alternatively arranging three trial surgeries possibly from September to Xmas, Council being prepared to cover any shortfall in funding.

04.07.2

Mr. Stewart suggested approaching Nott. CC Social Services to determine if they could assist. It was agreed Mr. Stewart approach Social Services.

COMMUNICATIONS:

1

Charity Commissioners: The Clerk reported that he had received the Annual Return and Trustee Update Form 2004 for completion, it was agreed that the Clerk take no action in accordance with Councils agreed policy.

2

NALC Health & Safety Training: A course has been organised for the 29^th July, no one was able to attend. It was agreed the Clerk suggested to NALC a course on Planning would be beneficial.

3

Litter Bin Insurance Claim: The Clerk reported that Allianz Cornhill had accepted the claim and the settlement would be the estimated replacement cost of £221 less excess of £75, the Clerk had queried the excess in view of its ratio to the total claim and Councils good claims record without success. Consequently the Clerk had order the replacement bin at a cost of ££163 plus VAT from Neptune and fixing at £58 plus VAT from F T Redfern this was agreed.

4

Community Speed Watch Programme: The Clerk reported on a letter from County Councillors Stewart and Laughton outlining this programme and the possibility of purchasing mobile speed detection equipment for loan to and use by Parish Councils, if sufficient support can be identified. Consequently a meeting is to be held on 12^th August to assess the support and agree the way forward. Miss Roe, Mr. Colston and Mrs. Bennett will try to attend.

5

Green Dragon Public Entertainment Licence: An application for 31^st July was noted without comment.

6

Local Alchemy: An initiative to enhance business and opportunities in local communities was noted.

7

Building Better Communities: A launch event on the 15^th July was noted unfortunately due to short notice no one is able to attend. It was agreed the Clerk circulate the supporting documentation.

HIGHWAYS:

8

Oxton Roundabout: Mrs. Jacobs reported that flooding was occurring and was probably due to blocked drains; Mr. Johnson thought there may be a leak from the water mains disturbed following the recent pollution incident. The Clerk was asked to report the flooding

9

Outstanding Highways Work: Concern was expressed that despite the promises following the reorganisation of the Highways Dept. no improvement in performance was perceived. Mr. Stewart asked that the Clerk let him have a copy of his letter to Mr. Charnley so that he could pursue the outstanding issues, this was agreed.

04.07.3

1

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000: The Clerk reported receipt of the provisional maps for the Parish, any appeal against the rights shown on the map has to be submitted by 7^th September. It was agreed the Clerk circulate the information and include it on the August agenda.

Report on Annual Footpaths Walk:

2

The Clerk reported on the items identified on the walks the main being overgrown paths, poor signing and the rerouting of the footpath through Park Farm, the Clerk was asked to report these matters to the County Council.

Mr. Stewart left the meeting at this point.

PLANNING:

3

Orange Telecoms Mast Loath Hill: Full planning permission has been granted.

4

Sunnyside Cottage Water Lane – Extension and garden Room: The Clerk reported that this application which had been circulated between meetings had received majority support; observations being made were restrictions on use of the garden room to prevent residential use and the extent of the extension relative to the size of the cottage.

5

Rivendaell Forest Road- Link between House and Garage: This application was approved without comment.

6

5 Elmcroft – Extension: This application was approved without comment.

7

Forest House Forest Road – Tree House: The Chairman reported that a large tree house had been erected and asked if this should have planning approval. The Clerk was asked to determine. It was agreed the Clerk place an item in the Dover Beck reminding residents of the need to obtain planning approval within the conservation area.

Mr. Laughton arrived at this point.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

8

Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for payment:

04.07.4

1

Financial Report for June: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £4111.92 with no receipts and payments of £312.44 and a balance of  £4054.83 in the sinking fund.

2

External Audit: The Clerk reported that Councils annual return had been submitted on time.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

3

Monthly Inspection Report: Mrs. Jacobs presented the report with only one item a broken fence rail, Mr. Johnson agreed to attend to this.

4

ROSPA Annual Safety Report: Council considered the ROSPA report and concluded that the items requiring attention were covered in the quotation of G Baggaley Engineering it was agreed to place an order for these works in the sum of £366.00 plus VAT, with regard to the safety surfaces the Clerk reported that the inspector would be happy to see the tiles edged with a timber edging to keep them in place the joints being fixed with a proprietary adhesive, the Clerk was asked to obtain a price for this work.

5

Steps to Rear of Village Hall: An inspection of the site was made following Mr. Johnsons concerns that to grade the area may cause problems due to drainage in heavy rain. Mr. Johnson asked who was responsible for the steps, the Chairman was of the opinion that any work would have to be in full agreement with the Village Hall Committee. It was agreed that the proposed regrading work was not a suitable response to the safety issues and that the agreed action should be a timber post and rail fence to the top of the slope and handrails to each side of the steps. The Clerk was asked to obtain quotes for this work.

FOOTPATHS LEAFLET:

6

The Chairman circulated a draft copy of a revised footpaths leaflet for discussion, she reported that Minta’s were willing to print 500 copies for £165, the Clerk pointed out that no allowance had been made in the budget for this cost. It was agreed to change the photo on the cover and to go ahead with the printing. Mr. Laughton suggested that Councillor Stewart may be willing to sponsor the leaflet from his budget if asked.

RINGMASTER:

7

The Chairman asked the meeting for comment with a view to making a decision about buying in the service. Mrs. Jacobs was concerned that the infrastructure was not available to receive and disseminate the data through the Parish, the Chairman said she hoped Ian Kilpatrick would take on the co-ordinartors role and arrange the dissemination. She also thought the cost was minor in terms of the Council budget and that the village appraisal had shown a need for this type of system. Mr. Colston was worried that the type of information received could enhance the fear of crime and that Neighbourhood Watch needed reorganising, he said he would be interested to see some actual samples of the data circulated before being asked to make a decision. It  was agreed the Clerk obtain samples of recent data.

04.07.5

Mr. Laughton left the meeting at this point.

BEST KEPT VILLAGE PRIZE MONEY:

1

Following discussion it was agreed an additional seat be provided; suggestions for siting were a replacement for the Old Epperstone Road seat, or the playing field or at the top of Windmill Hill. It was agreed the Clerk obtain a price for a substantial ‘rustic’ seat.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

2

School Gardens Grass Cutting: Mrs. Jacobs pointed out that there were two strips of grass one cut and one not and asked if Council could cut the grass to maintain appearances. The Chairman pointed out this was the responsibility of the Housing Association. The Clerk was asked to get them to cut the grass.

3

Hedge to Paddock rear of Holly Cottage: Mr. Colston was concerned that this hedge which was cut regularly is not now cut. Mr. Johnson agreed the Estate would cut the hedge once a year.

Meeting closed at 21.40