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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 14^TH JANUARY 2003

Meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m

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

Apologies for absence: Received from Mrs. Armstong at N&SDC meeting and Mr. Laughton at Sutton-on-Trent meeting.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12^TH DECEMBER 2002:

The Clerk reported that the page numbering of the November minutes did not follow in sequence from the minutes of the previous month and should read pages 742 to 746. It was agreed the Chairman amend and initial the minutes. Otherwise the minutes having been circulated prior to the meeting, were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 12^TH DECEMBER 2002:

Mobile speed trap: The Clerk reported that he understood speed guns were being used by Councils in Worcestershire. To clarify the situation Mr. Stewart informed the meeting that the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire is not in favour of delegating traffic enforcement duties and will continue only the professional service with legal consequences.

Village Appraisal: The Chairman reported on minor changes to the appraisal last circulated, these were agreed. She reported that the document should be available for distribution next month, it was agreed Councillors would deliver and collect the appraisal.

Village Sign: The Clerk reported that the Estate were happy for the stile near the village hall car park entrance to be replaced by a kissing gate, the Clerk was asked to get quotations for the work.

The Clerk reported that the Estate was concerned about the stile at the top of Elmcroft (which the Council is replacing with a dog friendly stile) this is not very stock proof. Mr. Bayliss agreed to expedite the replacement of the stile.

Oxton Jubilee Committee: The Clerk outlined the request from the Committee as:

1. Seeking permission to plant a Sweet Chestnut at the top of the playing field with associated plaque, the tree eventually replacing the existing ageing tree.
2. Plant a replacement tree on Blind Lane.
3. Plant trees in other parts of the village to replace dead or damaged trees.

Mr. Bayliss, as tree warden, thought there was insufficient space to plant the replacement tree but was keen to see other trees planted in the village.

It was agreed that the Council would accept the money for tree planting or other Jubilee celebratory purposes.

Mr. Bayliss said he was concerned the existing Sweet Chestnut tree on the playing field required attention, it was agreed the Clerk should now seek to

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follow through the recommendations of Mike Catchpole by determining the cost of a bat survey and remedial work.

Blind Lane surfacing: The Chairman reported on a meeting she and the Clerk held with Don Fitch from the County Highways. Repairs to Blind Lane will commence immediately after Easter and will involve resurfacing the badly deteriorated sections outside the Green Dragon and at the Southwell Road junction, for technical reasons the road will be left for 12 months and then surface dressing will be applied to the whole length. The flooding appears to be caused by a combination of a blocked culvert and levels in the adjoining lake, the culvert is to be jetted clean and the Clerk is to speak to the Estates to determine the management of levels in the lake. Other works to be carried out around the time of the above works will be repairs and resurfacing on Oxton Hill and resurfacing of the bypass south from Oxton roundabout.

Emergency procedures: Mr. Stewart reported that he had spoken to the Emergency Control Team at County Hall and they were satisfied that following two recent emergencies including the flooding of 2000 they were better prepared than ever to deal with emergencies. Procedures are constantly kept under review.

Crime and Disorder Partnership: Mr. Stewart reported that the County Highways would not change the type of street lighting because of power saving requirements.

Loath Hill – Orange telecoms mast:  The Chairman reported that she and the Clerk had met Paddy Tipping MP at Loath Hill to enlist his support. He was in agreement that the area was of particular landscape importance and that more effort should be made by N&SDC to ensure that alternative sites and mast sharing were fully investigated he has written to them accordingly; he was less concerned about the health impact of mobile masts. It was agreed to circulate the Governments response to the Stewart Report on Mobile Phones and Health.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Newark and Sherwood – Housing Issues Group: An invitation to attend a meeting of the group 20^th January 2003was received, no one was able to attend.

Greenwood Community Forest – Planting fund 2002: Grants of up to £200 are available up to March 2003 for tree planting schemes in the forest (essentially the area to the West of the Bypass). It was agreed Council is not to make a bid but the details should be posted on the notice board.

Community Housing Association: Details of vacancies in School Gardens will no longer be sent to the Council, reliance being placed on advertising. Local needs will continue to get priority.

Land Registry - Deeds: Mr. Maclaren has received the Land Certificate from the Land Registry which is to be safely kept by the Clerk, it was agreed the old deeds

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should be transferred to the County Archives when the issue of the charitable status of the playing fields is resolved.

PLANNING:

Moorfields Farm – removal of time limitation: Has been approved by N&SDC.

Windmill Hill – new dwelling:  An application was considered for a new dwelling on land adjacent Holly Bush house. Mr. Maclaren declared an interest in the application. As the site already has permission for a bungalow Council raised no objection.

HIGHWAYS:

Highway defects: The following were identified for the Clerk to report:

1. Forest Road. Two potholes outside the Forge.
2. Forest Road. Blocked road drain.
3. Main Street. Deteriorating road surface outside access road to Manor House development.
4. Oxton Hill. Miss Roe said that current works had uncovered the old milestone which she was anxious to see preserved.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

Invoices and payments: the following were approved for payment:

Financial report for December: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £3927.53 plus £3489.75 in the sinking fund with receipts of £381.17 and payments of £1532.82.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

Monthly report: Mrs. Jacobs reported verbally that there were no additional problems.

ROSPA annual inspection: The Clerk reported that the annual inspection was due in May and the cost this year would be £59.00 plus £2.50 each for items in excess of five, a risk assessment would cost ££77.00. It was agreed the Clerk place an order for the inspection but no risk assessment.

BARN OWL BOXES:

Mrs. Cooper reported that she had arranged for a registered expert, Mr. Blackburn, to inspect barns for potential box sites at Des Palmers and David Wilkins farms, she was hopeful to get the boxes in place almost immediately, to take advantage of the breeding season; the cost would be £50.00 and Mr.

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Blackburn would continue to monitor the boxes and recommend other suitable sites in the village. It was agreed to fund the £50.00 cost.

CHARITABLE STATUS OF PLAYING FIELD:

The Clerk reported this was an issue that had been running many years and he was anxious to come to a resolution with the Charity Commissioners preferably before the Council elections this year.

Mr. Maclaren reported that if a charity existed it would be included on the recently received Land Certificate from the Land Registry which it is not. The Charity existed for the original playing field located by the roundabout, when the Bypass was built the Trustees gave the land back to the Sherbrooks who gave the Council the current land but not subject to a charity. The Charity Commission is confusing the issue with the Village Hall charity but that is for them to sort out without hint from the Council. The reason accounts had been submitted previously was, he thought, that it was an easier option than resolving the issue which events have proved true. He was firmly of the opinion that Council should not be involved as trustees of a charity in this current litigious climate.

It was agreed the Clerk respond to any future contact from the Charity Commissioners along the following lines “The Council is surprised to receive your latest correspondence in the light of previous letters from the Council pointing out that the playing field is owned and maintained by the Council for the benefit of Parishioners but is not subject to charitable status. The Council has instructed me not to enter into any further correspondence”.  

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

Forest Road – dumping: Miss Roe reported dumping, probably asbestos, at the top of Forest Road behind the gate barring access to the route of the old road.

Blind Lane – litter:  Miss roe reported an accumulation of litter and suggested a litter pick, as this would take time to organize she volunteered to clear some litter herself.

Meeting closed at 21.15

Signed                                                Chairman            Date