MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 20^th NOVEMBER 2001.

Meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.

Present: Messrs. Bayliss and Colston. Mesdames Cooper, Jacobs, Bennett and Roe. District Councillors Armstrong and Laughton. Clerk Mr. B Machin.

Apologies for absence. Apologies were received from Mr. Maclaren.

As the Chairman was not in attendance Vice Chairman Mrs. Cooper took the Chair.

Mrs. Armstrong and Mr. Laughton informed the meeting of the death of Sam Stuart after illness. The Chairman expressed the Councils sadness and asked a letter be sent to Mrs. Stuart expressing the Councils sympathies and acknowledging the work done on behalf of the Council by Mr. Stuart.

MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 23^rd OCTOBER 2001:

The minutes, having been circulated prior to the meeting, were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Dog friendly stiles: A reply from Notts. Cc is awaited.

Recycling facilities: The Clerk informed the meeting that the facilities had now been transferred and a sum of £96.29 had been received as payment for 2000/2001.

Mrs. Bennett drew the attention of the meeting to the minutes of the Village Hall management committee dated December 1994 suggesting that the committee should have been the beneficiary of income from the recycling facilities. The Clerk pointed out that as this was not on the agenda no decisions could be taken. It was agreed to include the item on the agenda of the December meeting.

Mr. Bayliss pointed out he had received complaints that the recycling bins were sited in an area that floods and the surface was covered with silt. The Chairman said she had inspected the site and suggested the problem was minor and should be monitored before taking any action.

Dover beck low flow alleviation scheme: A reply from the Environment Agency pointed out that the problem was caused by an illegal impoundment of the water course by a farm crossing with only a 300mm culvert. No action is to be taken over the illegal impoundment but the crossing is to be reconstructed using a 300mm culvert. The Agency also expressed concern over debris causing a silt trap on the downstream side of the Beanford splash, thereby raising the water level in the splash, they are to investigate further.

Blind lane resurfacing: Notts. CC has replied that only routine patching will be carried out although finance is being sought to carry out complete surface dressing, this is contrary to the Councils understanding.

The blocked gully has been cleared and jetted but a blockage in the drain will require specialist equipment when it is in the area to clear the drain.

The flooded area is to be resurfaced to give falls to road gullies to prevent further flooding.

Mr. Bayliss pointed out that tractors moving sugar beet were a hazard and were causing a problem with the verges and spreading mud on the road. The Problem was noted.

Mr. F G Leafe – accident at Beanford splash footbridge: The Clerk has received a letter of thanks and £30 payment for information supplied.

Trees in manor House development: A reply from Keen Construction is awaited.

Parish Council Conference: The Clerk reported that due to problems with his car he had been unable to attend.

Charitable status of playing field: The Clerk reported that the same issue had been raised in 1996 (minute 454) and that no resolution had been reached although the Council had continued to provide the information required by the Charity Commissioners on an annual basis. It was agreed to delay discussion to the December meeting when the Chairman would be present.

Village hall car park: The clerk reported he had informed Mrs. Wheatley of the councils decision but had heard nothing further. Mrs. Bennett said a decision had been taken not to proceed with WREN as a source of grant aid.

Village notice board: Mr. Bayliss asked if a quotation was required for the work to the notice board. It was agreed that as the work was likely to be less than £100 an order could be placed with Tim Leafe. He also pointed out a problem with locking the field gate, Mr. Colston agreed to look at it.

Web page: The Clerk reported that as the Microsoft web software was the latest addition his computer operating system would not run the web software and that he was attempting to obtain a later copy operating system.

Crime & Disorder Liaison: The Clerk reported he had requested a ‘speed trap’ and was awaiting a reply.

Police response model: A letter from Councillor Laughton with a copy letter from the Chief Constable indicated that Police response to incidents will be improved by transferring resources from traffic policing.

Sustainable development: N&SDC has appointed a policy officer (sustainable development) and asked the Council to complete a questionnaire so it could determine the Councils understanding of sustainable development. The questionnaire was duly completed.

NALC National Conference: An invitation to the conference on 14^th-16^th June 2002 was noted.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare: an invitation to the meeting on 28^th November was noted.

Standards Board for England: The code of conduct for local councillors came into effect on November 16^th, the Clerk circulated a guidance note ‘A Guide to Part Three of the Local Government Act 2000’provided by the Board to all Councillors. N&SDC will be setting up a local code within six months which the Council will have the option of signing, the clerk will be required to set up a Register of Interests and Gifts or Hospitality received over £25.

Council completed a questionnaire from N&SDC on the preferred options for the local code and the administrative arrangements.

Quality Parish & Town Councils- a consultation paper: The Clerk reported that he had received the paper from DEFRA requiring a reply by 14^th February 2002. The Clerk offered to summarise the document before circulating it, this was agreed.

Kersey Honeyknab Lane - tree work: N&SDC has agreed to the felling of one conifer near the gate.

The Old Police House Main Street – loft conversion fire escape: This has received full approval subject to the window being obscure glazed.

Beanford splash footbridge: Notts. CC has indicated that the bridge should be installed this financial year, the carriageway through the ford is difficult to repair due to high water levels the County Council will try to repair any hazardous defects which occur until they have a chance to carry out surfacing.

Honeyknab Lane: Notts CC will pot-hole this road but due to its condition a scheme has been submitted for major works, a decision on financing will not be known until next year.

Councillor Laughton left the meeting at this point.

Invoices and payments: The following were approved for payment.

B Machin Clerks salary October £103.12

SLCC Clerks annual subs. £40.00

NALC Local Council Review subs. £9.99

Tim Leafe Repairs to play area £42.50

Total £195.61

Financial report for October: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £3612.01 plus £2308.38 in the sinking fund with receipts of £242.49 and payments of £1054.87.

Accounts and Audit amendment: The Government has legislated to raise the threshold above which Councils are required to prepare income and expenditure accounts from £5000 to £50000, which will be of benefit to the Council in the future.

Best Kept Village: Mr. Colston gave the council the £50 prize money.

Monthly inspection report: Mrs. Jacobs had no items to report but was pleased with the high standard of work done by Tim Leafe.

Mrs. Jacobs gave the Council cheques amounting to £1175.00 which her husband had collected for the benefit of the play area. It was agreed to put the money in the sinking fund and for the Clerk to send a letter of thanks to Mr. Jacobs for his wonderful efforts and asking him to pass on the Councils thanks to all contributors.

POOP SCOOP BINS:

Mrs. Bennett asked the Council to consider another bin in the Windmill Hill Honeyknab Lane area and possibly near the Bridge Inne. This was agreed in principle, Mrs. Bennett and the Chairman are to decide on suitable locations outside the meeting.

It was agreed to put a reminder in the Dover Beck reminding owners of their duty to clear up after their dogs.

BUDGET 2002/2003:

The Clerk reminded Council that N&SDC had requested its submission by 8^th January 2002.The Clerk presented a list of items the Council may wish to consider and was asked to obtain budget estimates for those indicated thus (*).

Working balance, is £2000 OK?

Playing Field.

1. Tree – inspection and remove dead and overhanging branches (*).
2. Hedge – cut back and lay (*).
3. Condition of football field – uneven surface and moles.
4. Fence to access area boundary.
5. Repair replacement of bench.
6. Risk assessment of playing field (*).

Grass Cutting.

1. Frequency of cut (*). Allow for four more cuts p.a.
2. Collection of cuttings following complaints.

Play area.

1. Sealing gaps in safety surface (*).
2. Is sinking fund OK at £500?
3. Surface levelling and grass cutting.

General

1. Alternatives to village sign by Doughty’s.
2. Poop Scoop bins (*).
3. Clerks salary review and computer.
4. Charges for use of football pitch.
5. Any changes to Oxton Flyer.
6. Contribution to Village Hall Committee for car park repairs.
7. Loss of income from recycling.

It was agreed that the condition of all the benches in the parish needs reviewing and that Jubilee year was a suitable time to replace any also that the future of the football pitch should be considered as part of an improvement package for which Council could seek grant aid.

VITAL VILLAGES:

The Clerk drew Councils attention to the following grants that are available and gave Councillors a briefing note.

1. Community Service Grants.
2. Parish Plan Grants.
3. Parish Transport Grants.

Highways: The Clerk was asked to report street light No.6 on Main St. and the halt sign on Blind Lane which has been turned.

Miss Roe pointed out that there was no ‘Oxton' sign on Greaves Lane. (there is a Edingley sign).

Apologies: Mr. Colston gave his apologies for the December meeting, he is on holiday

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