05.06.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 14^th JUNE 2005

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

Present: Mesdames Cooper, Bennett, Roe and Jacobs. Messrs. Johnson and Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin. County Councillor Mr. A Stewart.

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

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10^TH MAY 2005

1

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 10^TH MAY 2005

2

Community Physical Activity Officer: Dr. Kilpatrick reported he had spoken to Christina Millar and had given her contact details for Oxton Cricket Club. The Clerk was asked to chase the list of possibilities.

3

Speed Watch: Dr. Kilpatrick reported that the volunteers had been trained and that risk assessment was ongoing. Three sets of monitors are available and the next available would be reserved for Oxton. Four signs indicating a speed watch area are to be erected at each entry to the village.

4

Oxton Hill – Road Sweeping: It was reported the sweeping had been done.

5

Blind Lane – Flooding: Councillor Stewart reported that the gullies had been cleared and that he had made arrangements for the gullies to be cleared in future at the request of the Parish Council.

COMMUNICATIONS:

6

Rural Older Persons Project –“Don’t let it happen to you”: N&SDC has a new initiative designed to increase the safety and independence of older people (over 55 years) living in the District by raising awareness of home security, safety in the home, reporting anti social behaviour and IT for older people. The Clerk reported he had put information regarding a meeting on the 13^th July on the notice board. The Clerk was asked to include the information in the Dover Beck.

7

Building Better Communities – A Year of Celebration. Council noted this annual event on the 22^nd June; no one was able to attend.

8

County Council Civic Service: Council noted this event on 17^th July; the Chairman may be able to attend.

9

NALC Workshop – Freedom of information and Data Protection Acts: The Clerk reported he was willing to attend the workshop but was of the opinion that the Acts had little impact on the Council having already agreed to make all Council information available to the public and maintaining few personal details on computer. It was agreed the Clerk need not attend.

05.06.2

1

Passenger Transport Forum: This will be held on 17^th November, the Chairman is to attend.

2

Boundary Committee Review for N&SDC: Notification has been received that a review commenced on 17^th May. Council has the opportunity to make suggestions by 8^th August.

3

Police Community Support Officers: The Clerk read out a letter from Chief Superintendent R E Johnson the Divisional Commander which outlined his policy for policing the area and pointed out that there would be no more staff available. He outlined the role of Community Support Officers and suggested Council may wish to finance such an officer. Councillor Stewart said there was some antagonism in other councils at being asked to  finance something that should already be provided from the council tax, also by providing the finance Council should be aware that it may jeopardise future central funding of CSO’s.

Dr. Kilpatrick reported that the most common crime was daylight theft from cars at the Olde Bridge Inne.

The Chairman said that the idea was interesting but that she would like to see the occasional uniformed police officer in the village. The Clerk was asked to respond and ask for a police presence in the village prior to any commitment to CSO funding.

4

Nottinghamshire Community Strategy 2005: The Clerk reported receipt of this strategy too late for Councils consideration due to holidays, this was noted.

HIGHWAYS:

5

Pavement Outside 15 Elmcroft: The Clerk reported that Notts. CC is to inspect the site. It Was agreed that Mike Catchpole be asked to inspect the site and advise on what remedial work could be done to prevent further root damage.

6

Matters Arising from Annual Parish Meeting: Councillor Stewart advised the meeting that he had reported the following items to Chris Charnley for attention:

·           Change of priority at Southwell Road/Old Epperstone Road junction.

·           Tractor signs on A6097 at Grange Farm entrance.

·           Moor Lane traffic lights – insufficient room for cyclists.

·           Mowing of Oxton Roundabout and consequent damage to daffodils.

He also  reported that the County Council were aware of flooding on Calverton Road but that the Environment Agency were anxious to create more wetlands and are not too willing to address this problem.

The Chairman asked the Clerk to contact Notts. Wildlife Trust and obtain their view on the effect of the flooding.

7

Street Light No.4 Elmcroft: Dr. Kilpatrick reported that this lamp post had been replaced but was not yet working. The Clerk was asked to pursue.

05.06.3

PLANNING:

1

9 The Orchards – Single Storey Extension: N&SDC has granted full planning permission.

2

Consultation on Planning Applications: The Clerk reported that in order to meet Government targets N&SDC now required Council to return consultation documentation within 21 days. This would cause some problems for Council particularly when the Clerk is on holiday also circulating applications between meetings when Councillors were on holiday; taking into account the time in the postal system the effective time available was probably less than 17 days. A Planning Conference is to be held on 6^th July to explore and explain the issue in greater detail.

The Chairman said it was essential members inform the Clerk of their holiday commitments to avoid applications languishing in their post whilst on holiday.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

3

Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for payment:

4

Financial Report for May: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £5425.20 with receipts of £6480.86 and payments of £1052.53 and a balance of £7116.78 in the sinking fund.

5

Report of Internal Auditor: The Auditor has questioned some of the figures is in the Receipts and Payments summary which the Clerk has agreed to re-examine  but that the total payment figure is correct and the Annual Return has been signed. Other items noted were a rounding-up difference of £1 in the Annual Return and that the MFI invoice is not a VAT invoice.

The Clerk presented a revised Receipts and Payments Summary to the meeting which had been agreed with the auditor, this was agree and signed by the Chairman.

The Clerk pointed out that due to the difficulties with the accounting software he had reverted to maintaining the accounts on computer spreadsheets.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

6

Monthly Report for May: Mrs. Jacobs reported she had not undertaken an inspection as ROSPA inspected in May.

She reported that following a report of an injury sustained on the Wicksteed swing she had padlocked the swing to prevent further use, the Clerk is to arrange repair.

05.06.4

1

ROSPA Annual Report: Council considered the report and agreed the following works:

·           Replace defective chains and attend to safety surface gaps to Wicksteed swing.

·           Replace defective cradle swing.

Dr. Kilpatrick asked what was Councils intention with regard to the replacement or renewal of the play equipment. The Chairman said she was of the view that major works would be required within the next 5 to 10 years and at that time a separate group would have to be constituted to deal with the proposals.

RISK ASSESSMENT:

2

It was agreed to delay discussion of this item to the next meeting.

MATTERS ARICING FROM ANNUAL PARISH MEETING:

3

Web Site: The Clerk reported that the web site was now up to date and that the address is now ‘www.oxtonpc.org.uk’ and the e mail address  ‘office@oxtonpc.org.uk’, the old e mail address will continue to receive messages.

4

Police Telephone Contacts: The Clerk reported that these are now on the web site and will be published in the Dover Beck.

5

Grass Cutting: The Chairman said the problems with grass were at the beginning of the season and by now there was no problem. It was agreed to take no action.

Dr. Kilpatrick asked who was responsible for the verges etc on Water lane. The Clerk reported that this would be the riparian owners including the County Council Highways, Miss Roe was against cutting the grass as it provided a wildlife sanctuary, it was agreed the Council would take no action.

6

Tennis Court Etc: The Chairman reported that this had long been an aim of some residents but that agreement as to where to site it would be an issue, should such a proposal go ahead a separate body from the Council would need to be created to plan and fund it; Council is concerned to increase the utilisation of existing facilities.

CHIROPODY:

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The Chairman reported that the PCT were unwilling to provide a service in the village and that she would like to see Council take the initiative using the £300 Councillor Stewart contributed to the Oxton Flyer which was not now required for that purpose. She had contacted a chiropodist who would charge £15 per person and could start in September, she asked Council for comment. Questions were raised about the numbers who would use the service but that it would be good to respond to a need identified in the Village Appraisal.

It was agreed to go ahead with the provision up to the sum identified. The Chairman agreed to take bookings and advertise the service in the Dover Beck.

05.06.5

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

 1

There were no items.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

2

The following were agreed:

Meeting closed at 21.40

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