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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 13^TH DECEMBER 2005

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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Present: Mesdames Cooper, Bennett, Jacobs and Roe, Messrs. Bayliss and Johnson. Clerk Mr. B Machin. County Councillor Stewart. One member of the public.

Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Dr. Kilpatrick, District Councillors Armstrong and Laughton.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15^TH NOVEMBER 2005

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 15^TH NOVEMBER 2005

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Speed Watch: The Clerk read an e-mail received from Dr. Kilpatrick who reported that at an initial survey held on 13^th December between 07.15 and 09.15 fourteen vehicles had been logged exceeding 35mph the bulk of which were non residents of the village. He reported that there was anecdotal evidence that since displaying the speed watch signs traffic through the village had reduced substantially.  

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Chiropody: The Chairman reported that she had pursued the question of grant aid with Notts RCC and was pleased to report that they were optimistic about obtaining a grant in view of the target group of people being the elderly residents of the village; she cautioned that it may take quite a long time to secure any grant.

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Forest Road Waste Bin: The Clerk reported that N&SDC accepted no responsibility for repairs to the bin and he had therefore, after speaking to the Chairman, arranged with F T Redfern to do the work, this action was agreed.

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Outstanding Payment: The Clerk reported he had contacted Indigo FC and they had agreed to pay the outstanding amount via. Mrs. Wheatley.

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Village Hall Car Park Light: The Clerk reported he had received a quote of £150 from Ulyetts Landscaping to cut back the trees affecting the light and also trim the remaining trees alongside the village hall car park as previously discussed. Mr. Johnson was of the opinion the cost was excessive; it was agreed he and the Clerk inspect the trees following the meeting. (At the inspection Mr. Johnson agreed to do the work for £100.00; this was accepted by the Chairman).

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Budget: The Clerk reported that the lease agreement with N&SDC has expired it was valid for a period of five years which terminated on 1^st January 2001. Council’s responsibilities for grass cutting appear to only include the three triangular areas.

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It was agreed that the grass cutting was a major part of Councils expenditure and should be reviewed the Clerk was asked to include an item on the January agenda. In the meantime the Clerk was asked to contact N&SDC regarding renewal of the lease.

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Road Sweeping: Mrs. Bennett reported that the streets had been swept but that no attempt had been made to clear the pavements of leaves which presented a significant hazard particularly to the elderly accessing shops and public transport. It was agreed the Clerk request N&SDC to sweep some of the pavements.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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The Dover Beck: The Clerk reported a letter received from the Dover Beck Management Committee thanking Council for its donation for 2005 and its ongoing commitment to support the publication. They pointed out that Minta’s the printer were  unable to maintain their subsidy of the printing at the same level and therefore the Committee are seeking contributions from other sources and increasing advertising charges.

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Nottinghamshire Strategy for Extending Services in and Around Schools: This consultation document was noted without comment.

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Further Electoral Review of Newark & Sherwood District Council: Draft Recommendations: The Chairman reported that she had received this consultation document, this gave no detail but she was concerned as she had heard rumour suggesting changes to the Farnsfield Ward. The Clerk was asked to obtain further information.

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Amalgamation of Police: Councillor Stewart asked if Council had received a copy of the consultation document which should have been returned by 5^th December. The Clerk reported that Council had not received a copy of the document.

HIGHWAYS:

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Burnstump Cross Roads: Questions were asked about the closure of Gravelly Lane; Councillor Stewart said he was not aware of the proposals but that he would enquire about progress. Concern was expressed that the finance promised for improvements to the junction was now not available.

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Oxton Hill Flashing Warning Sign: Councillor Stewart asked if the sign was operational; he also expressed concern that the sign should be nearer the junction. As no-one was aware of the current situation he agreed to enquire.

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Oxton Hill Milestone: Councillor Stewart assured Council that the milestone would be reinstated eventually.

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Grange Farm Tractor Signs: It was noted that these signs had not yet been erected, Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue.

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The Chairman changed the order of proceedings at this point.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

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The Clerk circulated the final document received from Notts. RCC along with an e-mail received from Dr. Kilpatrick. Mr. Bayliss cautioned that the figures in favour were so small and were not representative therefore they did not give a balance to the negative side of the survey. The Chairman responded that the intention of the survey was not to find out those for or against but to establish a need. She added that she would like Council to adopt this as a competent document, irrespective of the minor errors pointed out by Dr. Kilpatrick. Mr. Johnson agreed that the survey was not an exact science but needed to be a proportional response to the views of the residents.

Miss Roe arrived at this point.

Mrs. Jacobs noted that the Conservation Area was due for review in 2007 and that Council should get the Conservation Officer to speak to it. The Chairman was of the opinion that at this point this would be unnecessary as Council is still at the very early discussion stage, she had no doubt that both the Council and N&SDC would be anxious that any development maintained the character of the village and was not in contravention of any conservation or planning considerations. It was agreed not to ask the Conservation Officer to attend at the current time, but to contact them to confirm the 2007 date as correct.

Councillor Stewart said he had received a letter from a constituent concerned that it would be a large development; the Chairman responded that there was a misconception about the scale of any development; if the development went ahead she envisaged a maximum of six units.

It was agreed that the survey be accepted by Council as a competent document and that the Clerk should determine what the next steps in the process are.

It was agreed that the Clerk can publish the report on the internet and include an item in the Dover Beck

The member of the public left at this point.

PLANNING:

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Far Leys Oxton Hill – Self Contained Annexe: This application has been withdrawn.

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4 Chapel Lane: N&SDC has given permission for the pruning/reduction of 1No. Yew tree.

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1 & 2 The Paddocks Ollerton Road: Mr. Bayliss pointed out that the alterations had left the property with dissimilar bricks on the front elevation which detracted from the appearance of the property. The Clerk was asked to determine if this was satisfactory to N&SDC Planning Dept.

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FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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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 £5101.01 with receipts of £217.30 payments of £368.95 and a balance of £7616.78 in the sinking fund.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Report: Mrs. Jacobs presented her report which included items previously reported i.e. mole hills and grass growing over the edges of the safety surfaces. It was agreed to take no action on mole hills and to cut back the grass as part of repairs to the safety surfaces.

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ROSPA Inspection: It was agreed the Clerk ask ROSPA to undertake the annual safety inspection of the Children’s Play Area.

BUDGET

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The Clerk presented his Budget estimates which show an estimated balance at 31^st March 2006 of £1462 this includes a figure of £150 for Affordable Housing Survey postage from N&SDC; the Clerk has challenged this invoice which has been withdrawn. The Budget for 2006/7 amounts to expenditure of £10097 of which £1900 can be considered discretional e.g. mole hills, goal mouth repairs etc; also income of £1085 (this figure wrongly excludes an estimated £300 income from Oxton Flyer Fares). With a working balance of £1250 the estimated precept would be £8750.

It was agreed that the precept should be maintained within approx 4% of last years figure and discretionary expenditure adjusted accordingly. Therefore a precept of £7800 was agreed for 2006/2007.

Miss Roe had received a request to provide planters to the entrance to Home Court; as this is private property Council decided to take no action.

Mr. Johnson agreed to look at the ruts at the playing field entrance to determine what is necessary.

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PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PLAN:

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The Clerk reported that the N&SDC Community Physical Activity Officer had already organised a walks group and that 'Kickstart’ and ‘Boxercice’ were due to commence in the New Year.

Mrs. Bennett said she was interested in the ‘Pilates’ which offered gentle exercise. The Clerk was asked to find out.

LIGHT IN BUS SHELTER:

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The Chairman reported that at a recent Passenger Transport Forum she attended she had been told that Notts. CC was trialing solar powered lighting but to date this had not proved successful, the alternative was to connect to an adjacent street light. It was questioned whether a light in the shelter was necessary as there was adjacent street lighting. It was agreed to defer a decision.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

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The following dates were agreed:

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

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Football Pitch Grass Cutting: Miss Roe reported she had received a request to cut the grass as it was too long. Council agreed not to take any action.

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Telephone Directory: Mrs. Bennett reported that the village had received directories covering Newark & Mansfield not the Nottingham directory. The Clerk was asked to determine why?

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Gas pressure: The Chairman reported that she had been told that gas pressure at the end of the line was low. It was agreed to leave this issue pending until work in progress in the village is completed.

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Forest Road Water Issue: Mr. Bayliss reported a water issue at the top of Forest Road, Mr. Johnson thought it was probably run off from the fields. The Clerk was asked to report it to Severn Trent.

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Illegal Tipping: The following tipping was noted:

Meeting closed at 21.20

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