06.10.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 18^TH OCTOBER 2006

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

1

Present: Mesdames Cooper and Bennett. Messrs. Johnson, Kilpatrick and Bayliss. Clerk Mr. B Machin. County Councillor Stewart (part) and District Councillor Laughton (part).

Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Mrs. Jacobs and Miss Roe.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12^TH SEPTEMBER 2006

2

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 12^TH SEPTEMBER 2006

3

Chiropody: Mr. Bayliss offered the Council a £300 cheque from the Oxton Social Committee as a contribution towards the Chiropody service; the cheque would have to be paid direct to P. Cleverley (Chiropodist) subject to invoice and receipt made out to the Oxton Social Committee; Council agreed to these conditions. Councillor Stewart presented a cheque for £250 also as a contribution towards the Chiropody service; he also reported that he was enquiring about the possibility of the County Councils Adult Social Care & Health Section providing support. The Chairman thanked the Committee and Councillor Stewart for their generousity.

4

Oxton Hill:  Councillor Stewart confirmed that the drains had been cleared.

5

Affordable Housing: Mr. Johnson declared an interest in the matter and took no part in the discussion. The Clerk reported that he had spoken to Carole Turner of Notts. RCC who informed him that she was awaiting the opinions of the District Council planners on the various proposed sites; currently the site behind the Olde Bridge Inne has been rejected by the brewery, it was agreed the Clerk write to the Chief Executive of N&SDC to expedite the unacceptable planning delays. Mr. Bayliss said it would be necessary to consult the residents of Elmcroft if this option was proposed he also noted that affordable housing was being built in Calverton for anyone with a need for such property; the Chairman said she would have difficulties with the proposal to utilise the site accessed from Elmcroft.

6

Oxton Hill Milestone: Councillor Stewart confirmed that Notts. CC is to continue to be responsible for the milestone but that if it went missing it would not be replaced by them.

7

School Bus Stop:  Councillor Stewart had nothing to report; he was also awaiting a reply regarding the additional streetlight on Forest Road.

8

Speeding Traffic: The Clerk handed Councils bid to Councillor Stewart who said he was to arrange a site visit with officers to highlight the need for the scheme to progress.

06.10.2

1

Water Lane Hedges: Dr. Kilpatrick reported that he had spoken with the owners and the hedge had subsequently been cut. The Clerk reported an email from a Mr. Crudgington complaining about the overgrown nature of the hedge between the White house and Pilgrim Cottage. Mr. Johnson confirmed that a small part of the hedge belonged to Oxton Estates and was included in an environmental scheme the remainder belonged to Notts. CC. Council considered that as the hedge was divided from the road, did not constitute a nuisance and was also an ideal environment for wildlife no action should be taken.

2

Telephone Directory: The Clerk reported on a letter received from BT explaining their policy with regard to distribution of directories; BT had also removed the charge, other than for postage & packing, for anyone requiring directories for other areas; the Clerk has objected to the need for Oxton residents to pay for postage etc.

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

HIGHWAYS:

3

A6097 Tractor Signs at Grange Farm: Councillor Stewart reported that the signs were near the top of the Highways to do list.

4

Greaves Lane: On behalf of Miss Roe Mrs. Bennett reported that a resident was complaining about speeding traffic and asked if narrow road signs could be erected. Council was of the view that it was obviously a narrow road unsuited to speed and that signs would have cost but have no impact on anyone likely to speed.

5

Blind Lane Stop Sign: On behalf of Miss Roe, Mrs. Bennett reported has been bent.

6

School Gardens Street Nameplate: On behalf of Miss Roe, Mrs. Bennett reported that the nameplate was missing.

Councillor Stewart left the meeting at this point.

COMMUNICATIONS:

7

Bonfire: Council agreed a request by the OVHMC to hold the annual bonfire on the playing field; this was agreed subject to the usual conditions.

8

Heyday: The Clerk reported a request by the organiser of Heyday to attend a meeting to outline its objectives i.e. provide support and advice for modern retirement. Council agreed it was more appropriate to attend the parish meeting and the Clerk should respond accordingly.

9

Parish Council Conference: Mr. Johnson and the Clerk may attend on the11th November.

10

Ordnance Survey Mapping Agreement: The Clerk outlined an agreement required by Notts. CC before they would issue copies of OS plans to Council. It was agreed the Clerk complete the agreement.

06.10.3

1

Code of Conduct Training: A training session ‘Outline of the Local Investigation Procedure’ is to be held on 30^th October. No one was able to attend.

2

Notts. RCC AGM: To be held 1^st November, the Chairman hopes to attend.

3

Use of Playing Field for Caravan Meeting:  The Clerk reported on a request from Steeple Stompers Square Dance Group to use the playing field to site up to 30 touring caravans in association with a line dancing meeting in the village hall for a weekend in August 2007. It was agreed this was an inappropriate use of the field.

PLANNING:

4

N&SDC Core Strategy Consultation: It was noted that the Consultation Response Document was now available.

5

Manor Paddock Main Street – Tree Works: N&SDC has agreed to the felling of four trees and pruning of an apple tree.

6

Moorfield Farm – Change of Use: N&SDC has given temporary permission expiring on 06.04.08 for change of use of redundant building.

7

The Old Vicarage Main Street – Convert Coach House to Dwelling: Mr. Bayliss declared an interest. Council has no objection to the proposal provided that materials used are sympathetic to the existing.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

8

Internal Auditor: Mr. Perkins has thanked Council for the book token gift.

9

Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for Payment:

10

Financial Report for September: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £2361.71 with receipts of £49.76 and payments of £524.11 and a balance of £7752.84 in the sinking fund.

Councillor Laughton Arrived at this point.

06.10.4

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

1

Monthly Report: As Mrs. Jacobs was not in attendance no report was available.

SPEEDWATCH:

2

Dr. Kilpatrick reported that the scheme has operated twice recently with three more sessions are arranged. He reported that he was awaiting a reply from the Police on the use of equipment owned by the Council; Councillor Laughton said that such equipment would need calibrating every three months. He also reported that due to the success of Speedwatch the Police workload had increased and that they are trying to reduce their involvement – this he would try to resist. Mr. Bayliss suggested that the speed limits in the village were wrong and that evidence from Speedwatch could be used to achieve some changes, it was noted that currently only the Department of Transport can authorise changes in speed limits but that the Government are currently reviewing speed limits and their advice was awaited. The Clerk suggested that the results of the current speed monitoring be submitted in support of Councils BBC bid, this was agreed.

HEDGE LAYING:

3

Mr. Johnson suggested that the answer to the problem of weed and brambles was to spray the area in the spring in the meantime the area can be improved in appearance by strimming; the chairman said she was against the use of weed killers.

It was agreed that Oxton Estates strim the area at a cost not exceeding £100 and that a decision on spraying be delayed until spring.

With regard to the hedge laying it was agreed to accept the proposals of BTCV to complete outstanding work and the additional work at an additional cost of £322.81 including VAT. The Chairman suggested a new bench on the base left following removal of the timber shed would be a good idea.

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR BUDGETS:

4

Councillor Laughton suggested that as Council would incur additional costs associated with laying the playing field hedge together with a new bench on the concrete base left by the removal of the timber shed; this would be a suitable scheme to be funded from this source at a cost of £500. This was agreed and the Clerk was asked to submit a request to Councillors Laughton and Armstrong.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

5

Elmcroft Hedge: Mr. Bayliss reported that adjacent residents had asked if Council has any objection to them removing voluntarily self set Holly and Elder; the Clerk reported that Council were awaiting renewal of the lease from N&SDC but he could not envisage any objection. It was agreed to accept the offer with thanks. Councillor Laughton asked if he should try and expedite the renewal of the lease, this offer was accepted.

6

East Midlands Joint Structure Plan: Councillor Laughton advised Council to study this document and respond to it as it included proposals to increase the amount of residential building in N&SDC which could impact on villages in the District. It was agreed to circulate the document and include an item on the next agenda.

06.10.5

1

Greaves Lane – Stiles: On behalf of Miss Roe, Mrs. Bennett reported that the stile on the Farnsfield side was loose; Mr. Johnson reminded Council that the stile on the Oxton side had completely vanished. The Clerk was asked to report these defects.

2

Windmill Hill – Seat: Dr. Kilpatrick reported that the seat where the footpath passes from the last field to the farm track is defective. The Clerk and Mr. Johnson are not aware of a seat in this location and think it is possibly the remains on a stile that used to be in a now non existent hedge. It was agreed to inspect.

3

Blind Lane – Overgrown Bench and Road Sign: Mr. Bayliss reported an overgrown bench and road sign Mr. Johnson agreed to cut back the offending foliage at a cost not exceeding £100.

4

Barn Owl Boxes: Mr. Bayliss asked if there had been any success this season, the Chairman is to find out.

Meeting closed at 21.35

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