05.11.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 15^TH NOVEMBER 2005

Meeting commenced at 7.00p.m

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Present: Mesdames Cooper, Bennett, Jacobs and Roe, Dr. Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin. County Councillor Laughton. Jill Sanderson and Carole Turner representing N&SDC and Notts. RCC respectively. Three member of the public.

Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. Johnson and Bayliss, County Councillor Stewart and District Councillor Armstrong.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

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Carole Turner circulated a draft copy of the Oxton Housing Needs Survey Analysis for consideration by Council, at this stage she would be interested to have Councils comment on the format of the document within the next ten days so that she could make any necessary amendments and issue the final document to Council; the survey is valid for five years. She pointed out that there was evidence to justify development in the village and this would be accepted by N&SDC Planning Committee.

Following initial discussion of the results it was agreed Council would submit any changes to format and consider the report in detail at its December meeting.

Mr. Laughton arrived at this point.

Mesdames Turner and Sanderson together with the members of the public left at this point.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18^TH OCTOBER 2005

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It was agreed that minute 05.10.2.7 should refer to Mrs. Jacobs and not Mrs. Bennett; otherwise the minutes having been circulated prior to the meeting were confirmed and signed as a true record.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 13^TH OCTOBER 2005

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Speed Watch:  Dr. Kilpatrick reported that speed watch signs have been erected and that he has use of the detector for six weeks; he will be arranging surveys. He reported he has received more offers of help and would put an item in the Dover Beck.

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Grange Farm Composting: The Clerk reported that he had received assurances from Notts. CC, following its inspection together with the Environment Agency, that the site is operating within the terms of the planning consent. With respect to the field storage of compost the planning consent does not impose any conditions on this as it is considered as an agricultural product for soil improvement rather than a waste material, the landowner has advised that this material will be spread on the land when the standing crop had been removed.

The Clerk expressed concern that this item had appeared in the Dover Beck due to the editor copying the minutes she had been given. It was agreed that in future any ‘jottings’ in the Dover Beck should be submitted by the Clerk.

05.11.2

Dr. Kilpatrick left at this point.

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New Road: The Clerk reported acknowledgement from Notts. CC regarding trees obstructing the street light and pot holes outside Lake View.

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Sandy Lane: The Clerk reported acknowledgement from Notts. CC regarding the road surface deterioration.

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Chiropody: The Clerk reported that he had spoken to Notts. RCC and had been informed that they do not make grants, they are however willing to assist in obtaining grants. On first consideration Notts. RCC think the chiropody scheme in its current form would fail in obtaining grant. Their suggestion was that a scheme providing transport to a surgery would be more likely to succeed and suggested some link up with the Oxton Flyer. Chairman is to pursue the issue.

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Mrs. Perkins 100^th Birthday: The Chairman reported that she had presented Mrs. Perkins with a small bowl of flowers purchased within budget.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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Parish Toolkit: N&SDC has issued a toolkit in the form of a CD; it covers such items as Powers and Duties of Councils and Councillors, Elections etc. The Clerk has a copy available.

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N&SDC Core Strategy Issues and Options Paper: The Clerk reported receipt of this consultation document comments on which are required by 16^th January 2006. It was agreed the Clerk should circulate the document and include an item on the January agenda.

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Annual Policing Plan: The Clerk reported that the plan had been published and that it was available on the website or he could obtain a hard copy, this was noted.

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Gedling BC – Draft Statement for Community Involvement: Receipt of this discussion document was noted.

HIGHWAYS:

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Forest Road Waste Bin: The Chairman reported the post supporting the waste bin was broken, the Clerk confirmed he had reported it to N&SDC. Mr. Laughton agreed to pursue this.

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Oxton Hill: Miss Roe reported a potentially dangerous tree stump was hanging from the verge on to the road, Mr. Laughton agreed to pursue this.

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Blind Lane: Street light no.2 was reported as defective.

Mr. Laughton left at this point.

05.11.3

PLANNING:

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Conversion of Traditional Rural Buildings: The Clerk reported that the planning document upon which Council had commented had now been adopted by N&SDC.

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 £5752.66 with receipts of £3809.51 and payments of £1173.60 and a balance of £7116.78 in the sinking fund.

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Outstanding Payment: The Clerk reported that last year the football club using the pitch had agreed to pay towards the cost of the marking paint; he had invoiced the club and spoken to them on two occasions without payment. The Clerk asked what action Council wished him to take, it was agreed the Clerk speak to the treasurer of the club.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Report: Mrs. Jacobs reported that due to weather conditions she had been unable to carry out the inspection;

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BUDGET: The Clerk reminded Council that January was the latest time for agreeing the budget and submitting its precept demand. The Clerk needed to know any variations to this year’s expenditure so that he may cost it. The only items considered were Chiropody, in case no grant aid was forthcoming and the possibility of extra grass cutting. The Clerk was asked to determine from Councils agreement with N&SDC what its responsibilities were for grass cutting on Elmcroft. It was agreed to consider the budget at the December meeting.

THORNDALE PLANTATION:

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The Clerk reported on communications received from both the Environment Agency and Notts. Wildlife Trust in response to Councils concerns.

The Environment Agency report that the augmentation pumping for the Dover Beck at Oakmere Golf Club has been reduced from 0.7Mld to 0.28 Mld and only operates in dry weather, the pump serving the Oxton Dumble at Honeyknab Lane pumps at .05Mld on a needs only basis.

05.11.4

Calverton colliery closure has caused water levels to rise but only by 17metres, levels are still 468metres below ground. They conclude that these sources cannot be affecting water levels in the plantation. The plantation is not specifically in the Agency’s River Corridor Survey as it is not designated as a SINC but, in view of Councils concerns it will be included in the 2006 survey. The Agency’s Conservation and Biodiversity Department has visited the site and in their opinion the plantation seemed in good condition and is a good example of wet woodland.

Notts. Wildlife Trust reported that the area has become swampy due to impeded drainage which has added to its importance for wildlife. A Feature of wet woodland is that trees unsuited will die and provide standing or fallen dead wood habitat. Whilst the woodland may not look too attractive the current vogue for ‘tidying up’ the countryside’s messy habitats such as wetland is often ‘improved’ to the detriment of wildlife, fallen trees provide an important habitat for invertebrates, fungi and amphibians. Over time trees suited to wet conditions, willow and alder, will replace dead species. They conclude that there is no cause for concern, rather that an important wet woodland habitat has been created linking with the Oxton Bogs SINC to the North of the Calverton Road. They agree with the Environment Agency that reducing the swamping would be detrimental and the loss of an area of wet woodland in the County.

Council agreed to maintain a watching brief on the area; with regards to the reported flooding of Calverton Road it was thought to be a minor problem of which the Highways has been informed.

SHERWOOD FOREST HOSPITALS FOUNDATION STATUS:

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Council were in agreement with the proposals contained in the consultation document but emphasised the need to avoid building up debt levels as noted in the Benefits and Risks Section.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

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Village Hall Car Park Light: Mrs. Bennett noted that the trees were casting dark shadows from the light and asked if the branches could be cut back, this was agreed.

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Road Sweeping: Mrs. Bennett asked if the roads could be swept, the Clerk was asked to arrange this with N&SDC.

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Bus Shelter – Notices: Miss Roe pointed out that a notice had been placed in the bus shelter, it was agreed that this and all future notices should be immediately removed.

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Greater Notts. Crime Partnership Calendar: Miss Roe pointed out that the Partnership was distributing calendars providing useful information and contact details and asked if these could be distributed in the village. It was agreed that this was a good idea; Miss Roe agreed to follow it up.

Meeting closed at 21.05

05.11.5

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