07.04.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 18^TH APRIL 2007

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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Present: Mesdames Cooper, Roe and Jacobs. Messrs. Johnson, Bayliss and Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin. Two members of the public (part).

Apologies for absence: Apologies were received from Mrs. Bennett and Councillor Stewart.

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Prior to the commencement of the formal meeting the Chairman thanked members of the Council for their service and particularly Mrs. Bennett and Miss Roe who are not standing for the next Council.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13^TH MARCH 2007:

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Dr. Kilpatrick asked that minute 07.03.5.5 be amended to read ‘the abuse of volunteers had been by passing motorists’; and not drivers caught exceeding the speed limit.

Mr. Bayliss asked that the words ‘not against Elmcroft’ be removed from minute 07.03.3.8; this was agreed.

Two members of the public arrived at this point.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 13^TH MARCH 2007:

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Litter Calverton Road: Mr. Johnson reported that litter had been cleared from Beanford Lane.

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Nottinghamshire Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan:

Dr. Kilpatrick reported that a response is not required until 14^th May and suggested that as Council had to grade several ‘Statement of Actions’ it would be useful to involve the walking group and other Councillors in this exercise to ensure a representative response is made. It was agreed that Dr. Kilpatrick, Miss Roe and Lyndsey Turner jointly respond to the plan on behalf of the Council.

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Recreation Facilities: The Clerk reported he had requested Ulyetts to roll the children’s play area to level the surface. Ulyetts have inspected the site and reported that the ground is currently too hard but will roll the area when conditions are suitable.

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Speedwatch: Dr. Kilpatrick reported that the monitoring equipment will be available to the Council in July; also that the Speedwatch contact at the Police was now on 12 months leave.

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Affordable Housing: The Clerk reported that he had informed Notts. RCC that Council were not able to proceed with negotiations with any Housing Associations at present.

07.04.2

COMMUNICATIONS:

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Model Code of Contact Order 2007: Council noted receipt of the order; it is anticipated N&SDC will arrange further training advice in due course.

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Reinforcement of Electricity Supplies: Central Networks intend reinforcing the underground supply cable between Sandy Lane and Main Street; Council noted the proposal which takes place in the highway or highway verge.

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Interim Parish Council Conference: It was noted that the next conference will be 2^nd July; Council had no items for inclusion on the agenda.

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Invest to Save Transport Voucher Scheme: This is a scheme that is to be started in the next six months by Notts. CC to provide access to key services to members of the community who have no alternative means of transport. The Clerk was asked to obtain further details.

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Nottinghamshire Waste Core Strategy: Notts CC has acknowledged receipt of Councils comments; the preferred options document will be published in July 2007.

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Draft East Midlands Regional Plan: Council noted receipt of the List Of Matters to be considered at the Examination in Public commencing in May.

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CPRE AGM: Council noted the Notice of AGM on 30^th April; there were no nominations for officers.

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Post Office Closures: Council noted a letter from Postwatch outlining government proposals to close 2500 post offices enclosing its response to Governments consultation. It was agreed the Clerk circulate this document.

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Dover Beck River Basin Study: The Clerk reported receipt of this document which is to be circulated.

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County Council Civic Service: Council noted the service to be held on 15^th July.

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Best Kept Village Competition: It was agreed Council enters this year’s competition at an entry fee of £5.00.

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New Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse: Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 N&SDC as Principal Litter Authority has invited Council to maintain its land in accordance with a Code of Practice. If Council adopt the code they will be responsible for maintaining its land to the Medium Intensity Use defined by the code which would require Council to respond to a complaint of littering, dog fouling etc. within one day of receiving the complaint. If Council does not adopt the code it will still be responsible for litter, as currently, but the code now gives powers to the principal authority to require levels of cleanliness if litter on Councils land falls below the code requirements.

It was agreed not to adopt the code but to ask N&SDC for assistance if an

07.04.3

extraordinary litter or dumping incident occurred.

HIGHWAYS:

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Water Lane: Miss Roe reported that the edge of the road was crumbling on the corner near to the safety fencing. Clerk to report.

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Main Street Weed Clearance: Mrs. Jacobs reported she would no longer be able to clear weeds growing at the kerb edge; Miss Roe agreed to pull up the odd weed.

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Oxton Roundabout: It was reported that the clearway sign had been knocked down. Clerk to report.

It was also reported that signs had been nailed to trees on the roundabout advertising the Olde Bridge Inne. It was agreed Council do nothing that would impact on the viability of businesses in the village; Mr. Bayliss did not think any serious damage would be done to the trees.

PLANNING:

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Oak Cottage Sandy Lane – Tree works: N&SDC has agreed to the pruning of a Weeping willow and felling of a Lawson Cypress.

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Kingswood Main St. – Extension: N&SDC has approved this application.

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2 Manor Close – Brick Wall & Gates: Council had no objection to this proposal.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for payment:

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The Clerk pointed out that following the last meeting he had received an invoice for £15.00 for registration at Our Centre for use of the mini bus from 1^st April. To ensure that the mini bus would be available he had asked the Chairman and Mrs. Jacobs to sign a cheque for this amount. The Clerks actions were confirmed.

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Final Accounts for 2006/2007: The Clerk presented the accounts which show a balance of £2456.94 in the current account and £8414.92 in the sinking fund with income of £10610.50 and expenditure of £10951.94. The Clerk reported outstanding payments of £1619 which leaves a working balance at the year end of £837.00. Dr. Kilpatrick proposed acceptance seconded by Mr. Johnson and passed unanimously.

07.04.4

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Oxton Flyer Year End Analysis and NCC Grant: The Clerk presented an end of year analysis showing income of £840.00 and payments of £945.60 representing a Council subsidy of £105.60. He also reported that the application for a grant of £480 from Notts.CC for 2007/08 had been approved but only in the sum of £360 plus concessionary fares; according to Notts. CC the increased grant has been refused as grants are based on miles travelled and the Oxton Flyer does the same mileage each year. It was agreed to accept the grant offered and that Council will have to subsidise the Oxton Flyer to a sum of £100 -£150 this year.

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Ringmaster and Speedwatch Expenses: Dr. Kilpatrick presented a claim for expenses associated with the above in the sum of £39.03; this was agreed.

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Appointment of Internal Auditor: The Clerk reported that Mr. Perkins was willing to carry out the duties once more; it was agreed to appoint Mr. Perkins. The Clerk reported that the external audit had been called for 29^th June, the Clerk distributed copies of the Auditors letter and ‘2007 Annual Returns – Important Practical Points’ as required by the auditor.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Report: Mrs. Jacobs presented the report which identified jumps having been created for bikes etc. from loose soil created by moles and loose tiles under the long slide. It was agreed to take no action pending the ROSPA inspection in May.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – AGENDA:

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The Clerk confirmed that Andy Statham had accepted the invitation to address the meeting, the Chairman said that the beat constable Keith Thompson would visit the meeting, The Clerk reported the election for the Workhouse Trust trustees would take place at the meeting; other items for inclusion were agreed as Local Bus Update (MC), Speedwatch and Ringmaster Update (IK).

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

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Proposal that all discussion re.affordable housing be suspended pending         the appointment of the next Council: Mr. Johnson declared an interest and took no further part in the discussions. Mrs. Jacobs said the open forum at the Annual Parish Meeting would provide a useful interface at which to hear the views of the village and the new Council would have new dynamics; a delay in further discussion would allow the Council to come back in two months and reconsider affordable housing better equipped to make a decision. Mr. Bayliss said he was disappointed this item was on the agenda as the proposer had also proposed closure of discussion at the March meeting.

On a vote the proposal passed by 3 votes 2 Mr. Bayliss and Dr. Kilpatrick voting against

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Proposal that a full and open discussion to determine whether Council should continue to pursue affordable housing: The meeting agreed this proposal had now fallen.

07.04.5

PROCEDURAL MATTERS:

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Mr. Bayliss asked if in future all items for the agenda had to be submitted in writing to the Clerk as per Standing Orders. The Clerk responded that all items requiring expenditure must be included on the agenda, under normal circumstances the Clerk organises the whole agenda and is happy to take items verbally where they are not contentious; however in the circumstances of a high profile item such as affordable housing particularly where feelings are so strong it is essential that such items follow Standing Order procedures so that Councillors are aware of the items and issues to be discussed in the words of the proposer and not those of the Clerks interpretation.

Mr. Bayliss also asked if Standing Order procedures regarding time limits for proposal and debate were to be followed for all items in future. The Clerk responded the Standing Orders are there to ensure a meeting can be controlled, since becoming Clerk in the vast majority of cases everyone had been able to have their say in an amicable meeting without recourse to time limits.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

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Casual Vacancy: The Chairman suggested Council should move quickly to fill the vacancy in the new Council and suggested an item in the Dover Beck. The Clerk said he would confirm procedures and proceed to advertise the vacancy ASAP.

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Annual Footpath Walk: The Chairman said she had made arrangements for the walks to be on 20^th May in association with Oxton Wanderers.

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Leaflet Dispenser: The Chairman reported the dispenser needs replacing; Mr. Johnson is to supply one.

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Garden Bonfires: Mr. Bayliss asked if there were any bye laws relating to garden bonfires; the Clerk said as he understood it there are no bye laws but nuisance fires are dealt with by N&SDC under Environmental legislation. Mr. Bayliss agreed to confirm the current situation.

Meeting closed at 21.30

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