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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 14^TH NOVEMBER 2006

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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Present: Mesdames Cooper, Roe, Jacobs and Bennett. Messrs. Johnson and Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin. County Councillor Stewart (part) and District Councillor Laughton (part).

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

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Mr. Laughton attended the meeting to present Council with a cheque for £500 as a contribution from the budgets of Mrs. Armstrong and himself towards the cost of laying the playing field hedge and providing a bench. Mr. Laughton then left the meeting.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18^TH OCTOBER 2006

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 18^TH OCTOBER 2006

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Chiropody: The Chairman reported that she had been offered financial assistance from Notts. County Council under its Grants for Old Peoples Clubs Scheme, however this only covered 50% of  hall rental costs which would only amount to £45; she was therefore of the opinion that the grant was not worth applying for, this was agreed.

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School Bus Stop: Councillor Stewart reported that the papers had been lost for this scheme resulting in the delay; this also applied to the additional street light for Forest Road, he has now been promised these for next financial year.

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Speeding Traffic: Councillor Stewart said he was to visit the site of the BBC bid on Tuesday 21^st November with officers to emphasise the importance of the scheme to them. Councillors were invited to attend.

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A6097 Tractor Signs at Grange Farm: Councillor Stewart informed the meeting that the works had been ordered.

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Telephone Directory: The Clerk reported the difficulty he had in making sensible contact with BT; he understood that they would now also waive the postage and packaging charges for Oxton residents but was awaiting confirmation.

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Speedwatch: Dr. Kilpatrick reported that the equipment had been in use during the last three weeks and had now been returned. He presented the activity logs which are summarized as follows:

06.11.2

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Councillor Stewart informed the meeting that letters are not being sent out to offenders due to the volume created by the success of the scheme; Dr. Kilpatrick had been assured that letters would be sent out. He also reported that he was of the view that traffic volumes had once again decreased due to the operation of the scheme. Dr. Kilpatrick also reported that Home Office approval was not required for speed monitoring equipment and the cost was £70; he assured Mrs. Jacobs that there are sufficient volunteers coming forward.

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Greaves Lane – Stiles: Mr. Johnson reported that Notts. County Council had informed the Oxton Estates that it is its responsibility for the stiles and had supplied him with two stile kits which the Estate would install.

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Windmill Hill – Seat: Mr. Johnson reported that he had inspected the site and the ‘seat’ was in fact the remnants of an old stile and that no action was required.

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District Council Budgets: The Clerk was asked to thank Councillors Laughton and Armstrong for their contribution. Mrs. Jacobs offered to make up any shortfall in financing to ensure that Council obtained a good quality bench. Council thanked Mrs. Jacobs for her genrousity.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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Building Better Communities: Notts County Council has acknowledged receipt of Councils bid for 2007/08 it is hoped a decision will be made by April 2007.

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A6097 / Oxton Roundabout – Proposed Traffic Signs: Following the site meeting with Councillors Notts County Council has decided to revise the proposed accident remedial scheme. No road markings are now proposed instead signs are to be erected to warn lorry drivers of the roundabout and adverse cambers. Also the ‘flicker boards’ are to be substituted by ‘Think Bike’ signs. Council is in agreement with the proposed changes.

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The Future of Sherwood - 2^nd Partnership Conference: The conference on 22^nd November was noted.

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Passenger Transport Forum: The Chairman is to attend this Forum on 22^nd November

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Gedling Borough Council Statement of Community Involvement: This was formally adopted on 11^th October.

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Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Waste Core Strategy: The Clerk presented the above document upon which Council can comment before 8^th December, it was agreed to circulate the document.

HIGHWAYS:

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Burntstump – Closure of Gravelly Lane: Councillor Stewart reported that the adjoining woodland had a preservation order on it and difficulties would be met obtaining any land required for permanent improvements to the junction, hence the temporary closure was made; he said opinion is that a permanent solution is required; it is not a satisfactory solution to a problem to close the road without knowing what the final resolution to the problem will be.

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A6097 – Mini Roundabout Woodborough Junction: Mrs. Jacobs reported that the mini roundabout was not effective in slowing traffic and presented a danger to drivers travelling South and turning right towards Woodborough. Councillor Stewart agreed to ask the Highways Dept. to look at the situation.

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

EAST MIDLANDS JOINT STRATEGIC PLAN:

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The Clerk reported that the plan had been held up in circulation and consequently not all Councillors had had the opportunity to comment on it. It was agreed to defer discussion to the December meeting. Councillor Stewart informed the meeting that responsibility for strategic planning had been transferred from N&SDC and Notts CC to the East Midlands Assembly; the plan before Council has now added an additional 75000 houses to those proposed in the plan formulated by Notts. CC and N&SDC, this will require a lot of additional land to be used for building which will clearly impact on villages.

Councillor Stewart left the meeting at this point.

PLANNING:

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Home Farmhouse Main St. – Tree Works: N&SDC has approved various tree works.

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The Spinney Oxton Hill – Extension: N&SDC has granted full planning approval.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for payment:

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Financial Report for October: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £6301.87 with £693.26 of outstanding cheques for payment with receipts of £4173.86 and payments of £926.96 and a balance of £7752.84 in the sinking fund.

BUDGET 2007/08:

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The Clerk reported that the Budget had to be agreed and precept demand submitted by the January meeting; to enable him to prepare the budget he needed to know any variations to this years budget Council wished to make. Possible additional items  raised were; information boards, which had been the subject of an unsuccessful BBC bid, reprint of walks leaflet and replacement of the fence alongside the village hall car park with something more aesthetically pleasing. It was agreed the information boards would be too expensive to be financed by Council and that responsibility for the fencing and an estimate should be determined.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

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Mr. Johnson declared an interest and took no further part in the discussion. The Clerk reported on information received from Notts. RCC; this included a pre application enquiry from N&SDC in response to an enquiry made as to the suitability of various sites. The various sites considered were land behind the Olde Bridge Inne, which the brewery were now unwilling to release; land on the opposite side of the road, which is not considered suitable due to the potential impact on the openness of the Green Belt; land off Water Lane which is not considered suitable due to adverse impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. Suitable land identified was off Elmcroft subject to detailed design and planning application.

Council was concerned that the considerations included in this document were not following the brief issued by Council and examined sites which Council would not support for development. To clarify the situation and to focus investigation back to Councils objectives the Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting between Notts. RCC. N&SDC Planners and Council preferably at the December meeting.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

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Christmas Hampers: The Chairman reported that she had been approached by the proprietor of Home Farm Stores who had informed her that Halam Parish Council is to give Christmas Hampers to all pensioners in the village. Council was of the opinion that any such request should be made to the Workhouse Close Trustees.

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Delivery Noise – Post Office: Miss Roe informed Council about early morning noise from the bulk delivery of newspapers to the Home Farm Stores disturbing nearby residents. It was agreed that this was an issue that affected residents should try and resolve personally with the proprietor of the store.

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Post Office Change of Proprietor: Mr. Johnson informed the meeting about the difficulties the new proprietor was encountering with the Post Office Counters transferring the business to him; he suggested that this could be an early warning sign of the Post Office intention to close rural post offices and Council should make known to them its objection to the current transfer delay and any closure proposals. This was agreed.

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Warm, Well & Wise: The Chairman reported she had received information from N&S Community Voluntary Service about this initiative to advise about events in villages. It was agreed the information be circulated.

The meeting closed at 21.20

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