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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 14^TH AUGUST 2007

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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Present: Mesdames Cooper, Jacobs and Jones. Messrs. Johnson and Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin.  County Councillors Stewart (part) and Laughton (part). Three members of the public.

Apologies for absence: Apologies were received from Mr. Wilkes, Mr. Bayliss and District Councillor Armstrong.

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The Clerk reported that Mr. Bayliss had today tendered his resignation by telephone with immediate effect as he is leaving the village. The Clerk was asked to send Councils thanks to Mr. Bayliss for his service to the community.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 28^TH JUNE 2007:

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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 28^TH JUNE 2007:

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Flooding: The Clerk reported a letter received from N&SDC outlining its response to the flooding to date. Briefly N&SDC has already cleared debris from the flood channel on Sandy Lane near the water splash and has mown the banks of the channel; silt from the channel will be removed in the near future. Silt has been removed from the culvert under Sandy Lane and the Highways are to clear the silt from under the A6097. Consideration is being given to clearing the highway ditches on Southwell Road to reduce the amount of water reaching the ditches on Sandy Lane.

Longer term N&SDC will look at the adequacy of the weir arrangement at the top of Water Lane, they are of the opinion that as Water Lane is the lowest point in the village future flooding will be a possibility and that residents should consider their own measures to protect their property.

The Chairman said the dyke did not deal with the flooding on the 25^th and is thus inadequate; Mrs. Jones said on that day the channel on Sandy Lane was full but that most of the water was coming from the Southwell Road direction.

Councillor Stewart reported on a letter he had received from the County Council saying that the rainfall had been unprecedented in recent times and had overwhelmed flood defenses and drainage across the County and the Council’s ability to respond adequately; Council is to review the lessons learned. Councillor Laughton said he was not optimistic as the lessons learnt following the floods of 2000 had not been implemented, it was also necessary for occupiers to accept some responsibility for protecting their own homes. Mr. Johnson said that the flood channel is in place it only requires maintenance.

Mrs. Jones asked if the resurfacing of Main St. over the years had raised the surface level and contributed to the problems; Councillor Stewart said the problem on Main St was caused by water coming back up the drain.

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Mrs. Jacobs said that despite Council having identified a problem on Blind Lane causing regular flooding the County Council has failed to carry out regular maintenance work.

Dr. Kilpatrick reported that for a modest outlay a water height monitor which sends out signals to mobile phones could be purchased which would alert owners to rising water levels; he was asked to insert details in the Dover Beck. Mrs. Jones said her husband maintained a sophisticated weather station which had predicted the intense rainfall this information is available on a web site for anyone to access.

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CCTV at Litter Hit Spots: The Clerk reported that N&SDC did not have CCTV equipment for this purpose.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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Newark & Sherwood Well Being Alliance: Council noted a letter promoting the launch of this initiative.

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Lease of Land at Elmcroft: Following Councils request N&SDC has indicated it is willing to renew the lease on the same terms as the previous lease. The Clerk outlined the terms of the original lease which was for five years at a peppercorn rent and Council agreed to the proposed extension.

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Best Kept Village: The village has passed the first round of judging. Mrs. Jacobs asked if Main St and Honeyknab Lane could be swept before the next round of judging.

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Building Better Communities: Notts. County Council has invited bids for suggested schemes by 29^th October. It was agreed to include this item on the September meeting agenda and to circulate the information in the meantime.

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Affordable Housing: Notts RCC has enquired as to the position with affordable Housing; the Clerk reported that he had responded that Council has not discussed the subject since the May elections. Subsequently Notts. RCC has informed Council that their Rural Housing Enabler has been retired and future contact should be with N&SDC.

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Code of Conduct Training: It was noted that N&SDC is offering a further training course on 6^th September.

HIGHWAYS;

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Speeding Issues New Road: Council discussed a letter sent to all Councillors by Mr. D Callaway making suggestions as to reducing speeding problems on New Road. The Chairman said Council had visited many of these suggestions over the years and found them not feasible or practical. The best hope for reduction of speeding was Speedwatch and the proposal to alter traffic priorities at the Southwell Road/Epperstone Road junction; the Clerk was asked to respond accordingly. It was suggested that Council place unofficial signs on Sandy Lane and New Road to stop through traffic; Councillor Stewart advised against this as it would be illegal; Mrs. Jones was concerned it would also be detrimental to

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business in the village. The Chairman said she had already asked the County Council to renew the duck signs.

Councillor Stewart suggested that the Police Beat Manager could assist Speedwatch as he was now trained and this would give more power to Speedwatch with speeding contraventions resulting in an actual fine. He suggested Council write to Chief Inspector Charlton to get formal approval to this course of action, this was agreed.

Councillor Laughton left at this point.

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Review of Speed Limits: Councillor Stewart pointed out that a pilot study was ongoing but that 20mph speed limits were only likely to be approved outside schools. It was agreed that Council consider where an extension of the 30mph limit would be beneficial and discuss this at the September meeting.

The Chairman suggested that the setts at either side of the water splash on New Road could be altered to reduce speeding using finance from the BBC scheme.

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Ragwort: Mrs. Jacobs drew Councils attention to Ragwort on the road verges on Calverton Road and Whinbush Lane.

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50mph Signs: Mrs. Jones asked if the temporary 50mph signs on the by pass could be removed; Councillor Stewart said they should have been removed after six months and he will pursue removal.

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Calverton Road/A614 Junction: Mrs. Jacobs asked what proposals existed for this junction now that the new site for Arnold Town Football Club had been agreed. Councillor Stewart responded that nothing would be agreed until the evaluation of the closure of the Gravelly Hill junction has been completed.

Councillor Stewart left at this point.

PLANNING:

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Crash Course on Planning: NALC are offering the course on 18^th October at a cost of £10 per person redeemable upon attendance. Councillors Kilpatrick, Cooper, Jones and Johnson are to attend.

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4 The Orchards – Extensions: N&SDC has granted full approval.

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2^nd Bungalow Honeyknab Lane – Extensions: This application circulated between meetings received no objections and has been reported to N&SDC as approved.

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2 Manor Close – Replace Fence with 1.8m High Brick Wall: The Clerk read out a letter from Mr. Jarvis of 24 Elmcroft who has concerns about the proposal. Council has no objection to the proposal.

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Cromer Cottage Water Lane – Renew Conservatory: Council has no objection to this proposal,

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Sunnyside Cottage Water Lane – Extension to Form Sun Lounge: Council objected to this proposal on the grounds that the extension was too large in relation to the existing cottage in the conservation area and that the extension would extend beyond the natural building line created by the front and rear porches.

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1 The Brambles – Extensions: Council objected to this proposal on the grounds that the extension was too large in relation to, and destroys the symmetry, of the existing cottage in the conservation area. Also the garage would be resited in a more prominent position.

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Fallows Farm – Alteration to Form Holiday Accommodation: Mr. Johnson declared an interest. Council are keen to see the rescue of these dilapidated buildings and think the proposal is a good compromise provided wildlife in the buildings is protected. Council is also concerned about the access along Honeyknab Lane in relation to the condition of the road surface and access for vehicles around the Green Dragon car park which currently can sometimes be difficult.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for payment:

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Note: The payment to D Hose includes a cheque for £11.96 outstanding from December, the cheque has not been presented to the bank and Mr. Hose does not recall receiving it. The Clerk has cancelled the original cheque with the bank.

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The following payments have been made between meetings for reasons explained by the Clerk with the approval of the Chairman. Council agreed these actions:

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Financial Report for June & July: The Clerk reported a current account balance at the end of July of £3239.68 with outstanding cheques for payment of £231.53; receipts of £321.60 and payments of £990.48 and a balance of £8414.92 in the sinking fund.

Messrs. Johnson and Kilpatrick confirmed that the Clerks figures reconciled with the bank statements.

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RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Inspection Report: Mrs. Jacobs said there is nothing new to report.

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ROSPA Annual Report: The Clerk presented the report and summarized those items of Medium Risk, there were no high risk items; it was agreed to replace the chains to the cradle swings as this is the incorrect type of chain.

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Model Code of Conduct: The Clerk summarized the main points of the new code details of which had already been circulated. It was agreed to accept the code in full and Council is satisfied if the required notice is only published in the Dover Beck.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

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Crime Figures: Mrs. Jacobs presented the crime figures fro April to June which are up from 5 in the corresponding period of 2006:

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Main Street Parking: Mrs. Jacobs reported that double white lines down the centre of Main St. outside the school would prohibit parking; it was not considered that this was a feasible solution.

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Smart Water: Mrs. Jacobs said that this anti theft solution was now available; she agreed to put an item in the Dover Beck.

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Berta Dunn: The Chairman reported that Mrs. Dunn will shortly be 100 and even though she had recently left the village she suggested Council should send her a card and flowers; this was agreed.

The meeting closed at 21.50

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