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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 16^TH JANUARY 2008

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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Present: Mesdames Cooper, and Jacobs. Messrs. Johnson, Wilkes and Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin.  County Councillor Stewart (part). Two members of the public (part).

Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence was received from Mr. Aldridge, Mrs. Jones and District Councillor Laughton. The Clerk reported on an email received from Mr. Aldridge apologising for his absence saying he had expected meetings to be on the second Tuesday of the month; he also asked if meeting dates could be set in advance for the whole year.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11^TH DECEMBER 2007:

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Mr. Johnson pointed out that minute 07.12.3.2 should refer to the Minster School Bus not the Service Bus. Otherwise the minutes having been circulated prior to the meeting were confirmed and signed as a true record.

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With agreement, at this point the Chairman changed the order of proceedings to consider the following Planning Application.

PLANNING:

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Sunnyside Cottage Water Lane – Conservatory: This application which replaces an earlier application which was withdrawn was approved without comment.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 11^TH DECEMBER 2007:

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Budget: The Clerk suggested that as there is ample surplus money remaining in this years budget Council proceed to purchase the photocopier, this was agreed, and Dr. Kilpatrick is to source a suitable copier.

The Clerk also reported an email from Mr. Aldridge suggesting allocated money could be spent on planting daffodils in verges; the Clerk said he would be concerned that this proposal could make grass cutting difficult and suggested any planting should take place in woodland areas such as the top of the playing field or adjacent to Oxton roundabout; Councillors are to suggest suitable sites.

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Green Dragon Car Park: The Clerk reported he had previously written to the landlord in 2004 pointing out that storage and sales of cars and caravans on the car park required planning permission; no reply had been received. He has now contacted N&SDC’s Enforcement Officer who agreed that the use of the car park for sales etc. was in contravention of planning law and that an enforcement notice would be served by N&SDC.

COMMUNICATIONS:

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Oxton Flyer: Notts. CC hope to extend the current agreement into next year without the need to complete an application form, subject to receipt of income & expenditure information for 2007/08; the Clerk has submitted a provisional account which shows a deficit of approx. £30 to be financed by Council.

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Lease of Land at Elmcroft: N&SDC has agreed to renew the lease on the original terms; to complete the agreement the Chairman and one other Councillor will have to sign the lease as tenants. It was agreed that Mr. Wilkes will sign when the final agreement is received.

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Nottinghamshire Passenger Transport Forum: The Annual Meeting will be held on12th February, the Chairman may attend.

PLANNING CONTINUED:

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1 The Brambles Forest Road – Extensions: N&SDC has approved full planning permission.

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Fallows Farm Honeyknab Lane – Conversion to 6 Holiday Units: N&SDC has approved full planning permission.

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Ye Olde Bridge Inne – Erection of Pergola: This application has been withdrawn.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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Invoices and payments: The following were approved for payment:

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Financial Report for December: The Clerk reported a current account balance at the end of December of £4697.16 with outstanding cheques for payment of £180.00 and outstanding receipts of £5.00: receipts in December of £233.28 and payments of £411.71 and a balance of £8414.92 in the sinking fund.

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Sinking Fund: The Bank of Scotland claim not to have received Councils request to transfer £500 from the current account to the sinking fund and require a further signed letter of instruction for the transfer to be completed. It was agreed a further letter be sent.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Report: Mrs. Jacobs said she had been unable to undertake an inspection this month.

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Hedge to Playing Field: Mr. Johnson said he had inspected the hedge and recommends that it be trimmed before the growing season, he also recommends that the 2 metre wide margin at the foot of the hedge be trimmed back to facilitate grass cutting up to the base of the hedge at a cost for both of approx. £100; it was agreed to proceed with the work, Mr. Johnson and the Clerk to agree the timing.

Mr. Johnson said there was also a dead elm near the hedge which should be

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removed this was agreed.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

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As two Councillors were absent it was agreed to carry this item forward to the next meeting.

FOOTPATHS LEAFLET:

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Dr. Kilpatrick reported that he had obtained a quote for 2500 folded leaflets for the sum of £200 from Newark Designer Print; it was agreed to proceed and accept this quotation. Dr. Kilpatrick and Mr. Wilkes are to review the design of the leaflet before placing the order.

The Clerk presented details of a vandal leaflet dispenser; he was asked to get further details and prices.

Councillor Stewart arrived at this point.

HIGHWAYS:

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New Road Water Splash: Following inspection Council agreed that the work to the splash was at best a temporary patch and in no way provided the speed limiting alterations it was expecting. Councillor Stewart agreed carry out an on site inspection and to pursue this matter.

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Access to Sewage Pumping Station – Nottingham Road: The Chairman said the damage to the wall had not been repaired; the Clerk said contractors employed by Severn Trent had caused the damage and he had spoken to their Supervisor; Dr. Kilpatrick has reported the damage to Severn Trent. The Clerk was asked to pursue Severn Trent to repair the wall.

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Main Street Resurfacing: The Chairman pointed out that the road surface near the Church was in need of resurfacing. Councillor Stewart responded that the road is not on the current list of resurfacing work for this year but will put the work forward as a priority for next year.

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Nottingham Road – Damaged Road Sign: The Chairman reported the clearway sign had been knocked down; Councillor Stewart is to pursue,

FLOODING:

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The Clerk reported an email from Mr. Aldridge saying Notts. CC had cleared a large section of the stream on Water Lane but that the owners of Dumble Cottage had declined to have the stream cleared outside their property as they do not have riparian rights – this needs clarification. In the recent rains the flood diversion worked adequately on the first occasion but a concrete block in the Sandy Lane section and adverse falls in this section require attention; on the second occasion Water Lane flooded to a depth of 2inches but no property was affected, it would appear the level set by the weir is too low allowing too much flow into Water Lane.

Mr. Johnson said he had met Mr. Neal and N&SDC on site; Mr. Neal had re fixed the weir boards which were loose. He also reported that Newark Area Drainage Board would be clearing the channels to the West of the A6097 by the end of

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February.

The Clerk asked if Councillors were aware if the County Council had done any work as agreed to Honeyknab Lane area; the Chairman suggested Council has a further look at this area.

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE:

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The Chairman said she had spoken to Ian Harrison Risk & Resilience Manger at N&SDC who said that householders have a responsibility to protect their own property and Parish Councils to appoint a flood warden.

It was agreed the need for a Flood Warden was becoming urgent so Council agreed to appoint Mr. Aldridge in his absence and thanked him for volunteering.

As Mr. Aldridge was not in attendance it was agreed to carry this item over to the next meeting.

RISK ASSESSMENT:

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The Clerk presented the Risk Assessment saying it was a largely the same as the current assessment but drew attention to the following:

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

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Neighbourhood Safety Group: Dr. Kilpatrick and Mr. Wilkes will be attending the next meeting on 26^th February.

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Meeting Closed at 21.10

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