MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 14^TH MAY 2002.

Meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.

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

ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN:

The Chairman announced that having held the post for the last eleven years he would not be seeking re-election. Council asked that thanks be recorded for the Chairman’s valued service and guidance over his terms of office.

Mrs. Cooper was proposed and seconded as Chairman with a unanimous vote of approval.

Mr. Maclaren was proposed and seconded as Vice Chairman with a unanimous vote of approval.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Apologies were received from Mrs. Armstrong and Mr. Laughton who were attending District Council meetings.

MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD 9^TH APRIL 2002:

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

Poop scoop bins: The Clerk confirmed the Workhouse Close Trustees had no objection to siting the bin on the verge outside the Trust field. He also asked for confirmation that the Council wished to proceed without approval from Notts County Council Highways to the siting of the bin on the highway verge and in the face of objections from an adjacent resident. Confirmation was given. It was suggested the bin be sited towards the access to the Workhouse Close field.

Football field renovation: The Clerk reported that he had obtained application forms for grants from the Football Foundation. The Foundation will only give grants up to 90% of the cost, it was therefore reasonable to assume the £700 initial consultation fees would not be reimbursed. It was agreed to await the outcome of a village appraisal before proceeding further.

Rural funding day: The Clerk reported that he had obtained information on village appraisals from Notts. RCC and NALC. Notts. RCC estimated that, with their assistance, an appraisal would cost in the region of £3000 for a community of 400 households, they were also interested to know why Council did not wish to go down the Vital Villages grant route. He had also obtained a copy of the village appraisal master document by Notts RCC, but not authority to use it.It was agreed to circulate the village appraisal document and include an item on the next agenda for discussion.

Manor House development road signs: The Clerk reported a letter from N&SDC confirming the signs were the responsibility of the developer who had not yet completed the development. They would chase the developer when the site was completed.

Rights of Way- Modification Order: The Clerk reported a letter from Notts. County Council allaying fears expressed by some Council’s over the future maintenance of these routes. The right of way status will be reinforced by the orders and maintenance will continue to current standards.

Parish benches: The Clerk presented a schedule of works required to upgrade the benches. It was agreed Mr. Bayliss ask Tim Leafe for a quotation. Mrs. Cooper suggested that a replacement plaque be fixed to the Old Epperstone Road bench in memory of The Queen Mother, this was agreed.

CPRE AGM: The AGM is to be held on 20^th May at Welbeck College. Mrs. Bennett is to attend.

NALC Annual Conference: The conference is to be held from the 14^th to 16^th June, no one is to attend.

N&SDC Healthy Lifestyle Officer: It was noted that Kelly Franklin has been appointed to the above post.

Tansley House Main Street – conversion of garage:The Clerk reported a copy letter from Mr. Jones of Grove House to N&SDC planning section outlining objections to the proposal including grubbing up mature hedges and access for large vehicles, this was noted.

A revised plan of the development was received indicating that no hedges were to be removed, and that landscaping would be agreed with N&SDC, no elevation showing the garage in relation to the houses was received.

Concern was expressed that no elevation had been received but the application as now submitted was approved unanimously.

Hatfield house – conversion of barn to dwelling:The Clerk reported that this application had been circulated between meetings and no objection to the proposal or comments had been raised, he had reported accordingly to N&SDC.

Loath Hill – telecoms mast:The Clerk reported that this application had been circulated between meetings, concern had been expressed that a further separate application is likely to be made to increase the height of the mast. Therefore, the current application should be refused until full details of the proposed development are available for consideration. The Clerk had replied accordingly.

The Clerk reported a consultation letter from Orange seeking Councils views on the further development of the site including raising the existing mast to 20 metres and constructing larger equipment cabins. Council was concerned about the proposal including the effect on the landscape and health implications but was agreed the 20 metre mast was far preferable to the 30 metre mast recently refused planning permission. The Clerk was asked to convey Councils cautious approval subject to safeguards restricting further development and allaying of health concerns.

Nottingham Road: Miss Roe reported that the street nameplate required re-fixing. The Clerk was asked to report this.

Southwell Road / Blind Lane junction: Miss Roe reported the finger post had not yet been reinstated. The Clerk was asked to report this again.

Beanford Lane – dumping of rubbish: It was reported that several fence panels had been dumped along with a lot of other detritus. It was agreed the Clerk request N&SDC have a general clearance of the lane.

Newark Area Highways Manager: Councillor Stewart informed the meeting that Mr. Jones the current manager was leaving his post but that he had promised Councillor Stewart that all outstanding works within the Parish would be completed subject to programme.

Councillor Stewart left the meeting at this point.

Invoices and payments: The following were approved for payment.

B Machin Clerks salary April                                £118.57

Parkinson Dis. Soc. Fares reimbursement March £42.00

Powergen Car park lighting                                    £4.51

Cornhill Insurance Annual premium                     £551.39

Advertiser Group Code of Conduct notice              £81.50

Total                        £783.77

Financial report for April: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £5261.51 plus £2943.67 in the sinking fund with receipts of £2808.32 and payments of £432.30.

Receipt of final accounts for 2001/2002:

The Clerk presented the Final Accounts showing receipts of £6532.80 and payments of £6462.27 leaving a balance of £5842.11 at the year end, represented by £2898.44 in the current account and £2943.67 in the sinking fund. Approximate liabilities at the year end were £1166 leaving an approximate working balance of £1732 against a budgeted figure of £2000.

Auditors Certificate 2000/2001: The Clerk reported receipt of the certificate and opinion of the Auditors which were satisfactory.

Monthly inspection report: Mrs. Jacobs presented the monthly report on the play equipment which identified a bolt missing on the cradle swing, concrete breaking up around the multi-play equipment and defects to the safety surfacing under the Wicksteed swing.

It was agreed that Mr. Bayliss ask Tim Leafe to repair the swing and remove the concrete replacing it with soil and grass. It was further agreed to await the result of the May ROSPA safety inspection before doing any work on the safety surfacing.

Oxton Rangers – use of football field: The Clerk reported a request from the club to use the pitch next season. He also pointed out that some damage had been done to the changing rooms. Mrs. Bennett confirmed that the Village Hall Management Committee had still to consider its reaction to the damage but that concern had been expressed. The problem of foul language and the charges made for use of the pitch were also raised. It was agreed that use of the pitch be granted subject to behaviour and review of fees. The latter to be included on the agenda for the next meeting.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING:

There were no items arising from the meeting requiring action from the Council.

It was suggested that in future a list of ‘fall back’ questions should be prepared for guest speakers in case there are no questions from the audience, this was agreed.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: Mrs. Cooper reported that a meeting of the group had been arranged for the 22^nd May in the village hall. As the group had no finances she asked if the Council would meet the cost of hiring the hall. Council was pleased to agree to pay the £8.50 hire fee.

OXTON FLYER:

Mrs. Cooper pointed out that the current support agreement terminated at the end of last financial year and asked if the Council would continue its support for a further year. The Clerk reported the Council had paid a subsidy of only £34.80 last year against a budgeted figure of £100.00 and that passenger numbers remain high.

It was agreed to continue the Councils support during this financial year.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

The following meetings were arranged.

Tuesday  June 11^th             @19.30 Bar Room

     "        July 23^rd              @19.30 Games Room

     "        September 3^rd      @19.30 Bar Room

Notice Board: Mr. Bayliss requested that this be kept tidy as it contributed to the points in the Best Kept Village Competition.

Jubilee Committee: On behalf of the Jubilee Committee Mr. Colston requested the use of the playing field on 1^st June for a function that could involve the use of a traction engine, approval was given.

Dover Beck: Mrs. Jacobs asked that consideration be given to a contribution at the next meeting.

Poop scoops: Mrs. Bennett asked that consideration be given to the provision of a bin at the bottom of Windmill Hill at the next meeting.

Recreational facilities: Mr. Bayliss asked that consideration be given to the future of the facilities at the next meeting.

Jubilee Committee insurance cover: Mr. Bayliss informed the meeting that the Committee were having trouble obtaining cover as Cornhill their usual insurers had withdrawn from the market. The Clerk was asked to enquire if the Councils cover could be extended to cover the Committees requirements.

Village Sign: Mrs. Cooper thought the Council should consider the future of the proposed village sign at the next meeting and suggested a sun dial could be an alternative of which she would circulate details.

Meeting closed at 21.25

Signed Chairman Date