04.12.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 14^TH DECEMBER 2004

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

Present: Mesdames Cooper, Bennett and Roe. Messrs. Johnson and Colston. Clerk Mr. B Machin. One member of the public.

Apologies for absence: Apologies were received from Mr. Bayliss, Mrs. Jacobs and Mr. Stewart.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9^TH NOVEMBER 2004

1

Minute 04.11.2.6 is to read ‘Mr. Johnson will inspect the site’ without reference to reporting back to the meeting, otherwise, the minutes having been circulated prior the meeting were confirmed and signed as a true record.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 9^TH NOVEMBER 2004

2

Chiropody: The Clerk reported his contacts with Notts. RRC. Initial suggestions were for private provision, a Rural Transport Partnership application for transport to get residents to local surgeries and continuing pursuit of N&S PCT.

The Chairman agreed to pursue the PCT.

3

Community Speed Watch Programme: The Clerk confirmed there were only three volunteers and that for the scheme to proceed six volunteers including a co-coordinator will be essential. It was agreed the Clerk write to the volunteers explaining the current situation and also makes a further appeal for volunteers in the next Dover Beck. It was also noted that the question of insurance remains unresolved.

4

Beanford Splash Footbridge: Council noted that Beanford Lane had now been closed to traffic. Mrs. Bennett reported that she had visited the site and that there was very deep water across the road but little flow in the stream, there was also lots of debris. Mr. Johnson reported that the water level was now lower and someone had attempted clearance immediately down stream. The Clerk was asked to determine the reason for closure and proposals for improvements it was agreed a site meeting with the Highways Dept. be arranged.

5

Bus Shelter: Council was concerned the ramp to the new shelter was too steep and represented a hazard, the Clerk was asked to bring this to the attention of Notts.CC.

6

Charity Commissioners: The Clerk reported on his discussion with Mr. Maclaren who did not think it necessary to make any financial provision for legal fees as the Clerk should be able to resolve the matter, this would however mean Council had to reveal that the VHMC were actually the Trustees referred to. He recommended that Council may like to put the VHMC on notice that the issue was nearing the time when Council could no longer reasonably prevaricate in the matter. It was agreed the Clerk inform Mrs. Wheatley of the situation.

04.12.2

1

Blind Lane Flooding: The Clerk reported that Notts. CC they were aware of the problems but could not assure the Council that any promises made in the past by Mr. Fitch would be fulfilled as he had left the office. The Clerk was asked to reply that the commitment was a County Council not a personal assurance and that Council would expect that the culvert cleaning had been included on a schedule of works which would be carried out as agreed.

2

The Orchard – Flooding: The Chairman reported that she had met Mrs. Paling and a representative of N&SDC, she had pointed out that the water was finding its way onto Blind Lane and aggravating the road flooding. Mr. Johnson explained the drainage situation as he understood it but was of the opinion it was the responsibility of the property owners. The Chairman said she would contact N&SDC again but agreed that other than the flooding on Blind Lane it was an issue for individual owners to resolve and not the Council.

3

Local Transport – Rural Schemes: The Clerk reported that Notts. CC. had introduced a trial scheme for ‘quiet lanes’ at Sutton Bonnington which was being monitored for effectiveness. There was no intention to fund any schemes in the next financial year.

4

Hedge Laying: The Clerk reported that BTCV intend to complete the hedge on 4^th to 6^th January. They have however recommended that as the hedge will be very thin in places further planting take place this would cost £102.81 including VAT. Mr. Johnson suggested that as the work was poor and completion long overdue BTCV might like to do the work as a gesture of goodwill free of charge. It was agreed the Clerk arrange the additional planting provided he can negotiate at least a 50% reduction in the quoted cost.

COMMUNICATIONS:

5

N&SDC Housing Services: It was noted that from the 1st November 2004   N&SDC housing will be managed by Newark & Sherwood Homes Ltd.

HIGHWAYS:

6

A6097 Greaves Lane Junction: Mr. Johnson pointed out that white lining and anti skid surface treatment had been undertaken recently.

7

Road Sweeping: Mrs. Bennett suggested that the village roads needed sweeping, this was agreed and the Clerk was asked to arrange.

PLANNING:

8

Pinfold House Forest Road: The appeal against N&SDC decision to refuse change of use of land to the rear and side of the house has been refused.

9

The Spinney Oxton Hill – Extensions: This application was approved without comment.

10

Wesley Grange Chapel Lane – Variations to Approved Plans: This application was approved without comment.

04.12.3

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

1

Invoices and payments:

The following were approved for payment:

The Clerk pointed out that the invoice from Henry Perry was £ 30.55 plus VAT in excess of the quote and that this was the cost of an extra length of fence required due to a discrepancy in the dimensions on the original drawing on which the quote was based, this was agreed.

The Clerk also pointed out that Mr. Colston had donated a photocopier to the Council which would hopefully reduce Councils copying costs. The Chairman thanked Mr. Colston for his gift.

2

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

3

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

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

OXTON FLYER:

4

The Clerk reported that the arrangements regarding the mini bus had changed and consequently a mini bus had now been sourced from Kirkby Volunteer Centre. As a consequence the subsidy from Notts. County Council had, at least temporarily, been lost and this would have a significant impact on Councils finances. Currently if arrangements remain the same the contribution from Council will increase in this financial year from nil to £416 and next year from £75 to £816. The Clerk reported he is currently negotiating the reinstatement of the County Council subsidy but is not hopeful of a speedy resolution or of the subsidy being backdated to August when the arrangements for the Oxton Flyer changed; consequently he thought it prudent to include the above figures in his budget review for this year and proposals for next year. Council agreed that they would continue to support the Oxton Flyer for the remainder of this financial year but that support for next year would be dependent on satisfactory arrangements being agreed with Notts. CC regarding their future subsidy.

04.12.4

Mr. Laughton arrived at this point.

BUDGET 2005/2006

1

The Clerk presented his outline Budget report. The estimated balance for this financial year would be £884; an overspend against budget of £729. The estimated budget requirement for next financial year is £9434 expenditure and £555 income which results in a estimated budget for 2005/2006 of £9495. It was agreed in discussion that the precept figure should be broadly in line with this year’s precept and to achieve this the following reductions were agreed.

* To be reassessed dependent on actual expenditure.

** Bid to be made for finance under Local Transport – Rural Schemes initiative.

The precept for 2005/2006 was agreed at £7500.

LOCAL TRANSPORT – RURAL SCHEMES:

2

Notts. County Council is inviting bids for schemes aimed at improving the quality of life for rural communities. It was agreed Council submit a scheme for dog friendly stiles to each side of the by pass with a central refuge between carriageways. It is hoped such a scheme will increase access across the by pass into the access land in a safe manner.

MILLENNIUM BENCH:

3

It was agreed the bench be re-sited on Main Street to the Southwest of the Elmcroft junction located between a gap in the hedge.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

4

The following were agreed:

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

5

Mr. Laughton informed Council that Lynn Pallett had been appointed Anti Social Behaviour Officer for N&SDC.

6

Mr. Colston pointed out that he would be resigning from the Council when he moved house. It was agreed to hold arrangements for his replacement until his notice was received.

04.12.5

1

The Chairman informed Council that the time capsule purchased by the Millennium Committee had been given to Council. Consideration as to its future siting would be required in the future.

Meeting closed At 21.15

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