06.02.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 14^th FEBRUARY 2006

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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Present: Mesdames Cooper, Bennett and Roe, Dr. Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin. County Councillors Stewart (part) and District Councillor Armstrong (part). Two members of the public (part).

Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Mr. Johnson.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10^TH JANUARY 2006

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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 10^TH January 2006

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Speed Watch: Dr. Kilpatrick reported that he had requested use of the speed watch equipment again. He also informed the meeting that the capital cost of equipment may reduce to £125 with new equipment coming to the market; he suggested that in these circumstances Council may wish to purchase its own, this was considered a good idea. Dr. Kilpatrick will report back to the meeting when available.   

Councillor Armstrong arrived.

Dr. Kilpatrick reported that traffic along New Road and Sandy Lane appeared to have halved.

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Nottinghamshire East Midlands Airport: The Chairman informed the meeting that she has the Draft Master Plan for the airport if anyone wished to borrow it.

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Southwell U3A: Mrs. Bennett reported that she had attended the first session which was oversubscribed.

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Oxton Hill Flashing Warning Sign: Councillor Stewart informed the meeting that the sign had been repaired and was now working he was also of the opinion that the sign should be resited nearer to the bend, it was agreed that Council were satisfied with its current siting.

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Oxton Hill Milepost: Councillor Stewart reported that a granite kerbstone (slightly damaged) was available that could be used to replace the sign with any information painted on. Council is not happy with the suggestion.

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Oxton Hill Tree Stump: Councillor Stewart reported that this had now been moved.

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Grange Farm Tractor Signs: Councillor Stewart reported that it has been agreed to erect ‘vehicles turning’ signs.

06.02.2

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Elmcroft Grit Bin: Councillor Stewart reported that this request was being considered.

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Electoral Review of Newark & Sherwood: The Clerk reported that Councils comments have been acknowledged by the Boundary Committee and N&SDC.

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Fiskerton Recycling Centre: The Clerk reported he had received a letter from Notts. County Council following Councils objections to the proposed closure which outlined reasons for the closure; he did, however, understand that the closure had been postponed. Councillor Armstrong said that the closure had indeed been postponed to allow for the consultation that should ideally have taken place before the closure announcement. She was not hopeful that the consultations would change the eventual outcome.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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Parish Council Representatives on the Standards Committee: N&SDC has confirmed that the representatives are Mr. Bill Jackson of Collingham and Mr. Brian Robbins of Caunton.

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Register of Members Interests: N&SDC are reviewing the register and remind all Councillors that any changes to Councillors interests have to be notified to the Monitoring Officer within 28 days; the Clerk to circulate the guide to the Code of Contact.

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N&SDC Standards Committee: The next meeting will be 20^th February; the Clerk is to circulate the agenda and minutes.

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Gedling Borough Council Statement of Community Involvement: The Clerk reported receipt of this consultation document which describes the processes, means of consultation and representations received with responses. Council noted the document.

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Litter Hit Squad: N&SDC has introduced an additional resource called the ‘Litter hit Squad’ created to respond to the growing problem of anti social litter and fly tipping in rural areas. The squad will be in Oxton on 5^th June 2006 concentrating on streets and roads. Council has the opportunity to suggest areas that are a problem and require attention. It was agreed to ask for attention to be given to Calverton Road from the roundabout to the Sheepwash, Beanford Lane and Old Epperstone Road picnic area; preferably in March when Beanford Lane will be closed.

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Our Green Belts: A conference arranged by the CPRE is to be held on 7^th March, no-one was able to attend.

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Claiming Public Paths: An information document entitled Claiming Public Paths After Twenty Year’s Use from the Open Spaces Society was noted; the Clerk to circulate.

06.02.3

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Awards for All: Notice was received that grants up to £5000 could be obtained under the Lottery Grants for Local Groups initiative.

HIGHWAYS:

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Notts. CC Customer Service: Councillor Stewart reported that a new Customer Services Officer named Jo Horton had been appointed at the Newark office; he hoped for improvements in the service Council received.

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Sandy Lane – Ruts on Verge: Miss Roe reported deep ruts in the verge immediately at the side of the surfaced road which could be dangerous; Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue.

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Blind Lane/Main Street Junction – Pot Hole: Miss Roe reported a pot hole near the grit bin; Councillor Stewart agreed to pursue.

The Chairman changed the order of the meeting at this point.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

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The Clerk reported on a meeting with N&SDC and Notts.RCC. Rural Housing Enabler on 27^th February. The meeting was attended by the Chairman, Dr Kilpatrick, Mrs. Bennett and the Clerk on behalf of the Council. The purpose of the meeting was to identify possible sites for affordable housing upon which N&SDC planning could give tentative guidance as to their acceptability. Two sites were highlighted that would have minimum impact on the village i.e the field to the rear of The Olde Bridge Inne owned by Everards and the field at the opposite side of Nottingham Road owned by Oxton Estates. To date no feedback has been received from the Planners. Council approved the actions taken at the meeting.

The Chairman reported that she was concerned for the future of the old apple tree in the paddock to the rear of Holly Tree Cottage and that she was personally seeking a tree preservation Order to be issued.

Councillors Stewart and Armstrong left at this point.

PLANNING:

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Two Acres Oxton Hill- Extension: N&SDC has refused permission for this application.

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Oxton Hill Farm – Access to Cottage: An application to create a access to the cottage was objected to on the grounds that adequate access to the property already exists, the proposed access involves the use of agricultural land, the access will have a negative impact on neighbours and would appear inappropriate

The Chairman then allowed the members of the public present to comment.

The members of the public left at this point.

06.02.4

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Planning Gain Supplement: The Government has issued a document entitled ‘Planning Gain Supplement – a Consultation’ which proposes the Section 106 agreements will be replaced by the supplement. N&SDC has written to Council because it is concerned that the proposals will have a serious impact on its ability to make planning agreements with developers for providing open space, community or other on site facilities. It is urging the Council to write objecting to the proposals, it was agreed that Council would object.

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Online Planning Consultations: N&SDC are seeking Councils opinion on their proposal to deal with planning issues as far as possible online. Council is concerned that plans sent by e. mail would be too small to read and that it would require the Clerk to access everyday via. his dial-up connection, the proposals appeared to transfer responsibility from N&SDC to the Clerk, Council were however happy to receive non urgent decisions by e. mail, the Clerk was asked to respond accordingly.

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NALC Planning Training: It was agreed that the Chairman, Mrs. Bennett, Miss Roe and the Clerk attend a seminar organized by NALC on 16th March at a cost of £15 per person.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for payment:

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Financial Report for January: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £4549.91with receipts of £42.84 and payments of 699.40 and a balance of £7616.78 in the sinking fund.

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Speed Watch and Ringmaster Expenses: Dr. Kilpatrick said he had incurred expenses in his capacity as co-coordinator for the above schemes. The Chairman asked that an item be put on the next agenda.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Report: As Mrs. Jacobs was not present there was no report.

The Clerk pointed out that at a recent visit to the play area he was concerned by the damage being caused by moles and the safety implications, he requested members have a look at the site. The Chairman was of the opinion that the time was approaching when Council should be considering setting up a group of volunteers to manage the future development of the play area.

06.02.5

GRASS CUTTING:

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The Clerk reported on quotations he had invited for the 2006 seasons grass cutting including the extra cutting to the verge outside Holly Tree Cottage as follows:

It was agreed to accept the quotation of Ulyett Landscapes.

Miss Roe reported that someone had taken to parking a 4*4 vehicle on the grass on Elmcroft which was causing damage. It was agreed to try and find out who is the owner.

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Standards of Conduct: This document which had been circulated prior to the meeting was considered unwieldy for the purposes of a small parish, applying as it does to all local authorities, it does in consequence have a negative impact. Council would prefer a shorter document focused solely on small parish Councils written with due cognisance of their work and the risks involved with which it could feel associated.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

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Council considered the above consultation document which had been circulated prior to the meeting. Council agreed that the policy to increase the use if incineration was shortsighted and would have a detrimental effect on the area surrounding the local population and would also have a detrimental environmental effect due to greenhouse gasses etc. emitted. Council would prefer to see an increased effort towards recycling.

DATES OF ANNUAL AND ANNUAL PARISH MEETINGS:

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The following dates were agreed:

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

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Hedge Water Lane: Miss Roe reported that the hedge to the boundary of Elmfield was encroaching on to Water Lane and that traffic was damaging the grass verge to avoid the hedge. Dr. Kilpatrick said he knew the owners and would ask if they would cut the hedge.

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Recreation Field Holes: The Chairman said she had noted a large hole near the timber shelter, the Clerk said there were further holes at the top of the field, it was agreed the Clerk should inspect and report back.

The Chairman said that the timber shelter whilst safe was an eyesore, it was agreed the shelter be disposed of around bonfire time.

06.02.6

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BT Telephone Directory: The Clerk had tried several times to contact BT with a view to changing to the Nottingham telephone directory but everytime they had requested a customer account number, which Council do not have, before they can action any request. It was agreed that the Clerk should include an item in the Dover Beck informing residents they will have to take individual action.

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BT kiosk: The Chairman pointed out that BT had plastered bright yellow notices over the kiosk advertising text messaging. It was agreed this was inappropriate in a conservation village and the Clerk was asked to request removal.

Meeting closed at 21.25

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