MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 23^RD OCTOBER 2001.

Meeting commenced at 7.30 p.m.

Present: Messrs. Maclaren, Bayliss and Colston. Mesdames Cooper, Jacobs, Bennett and Roe. Clerk Mr. B Machin.

Apologies for absence. Apologies were received from Mrs. Armstrong.

MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 20^TH SEPTEMBER 2001:

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

Dog friendly stiles: The Clerk asked if Council wished to take any action on this matter. It was agreed to ask for a dog friendly stile on the footpath at the top of Elmcroft.

Recycling facilities: N&SDC report that they have agreed the siting with the managers and will be re-siting the bins in the near future. It was agreed the Clerk put a sign in the Village Hall car park indicating the new location of the bins, it was assumed that in future income would go to the Olde Bridge Inne.

Dover Beck low flow alleviation scheme: A reply from the Environment Agency is awaited.

Blind Lane resurfacing: A reply from Notts. CC is awaited.

Mr. F G Leafe – accident at Beanford Splash footbridge: It was agreed that a charge of £10 per hour for the Clerks time plus costs would be a reasonable fee for the information provided.

Football pitch: The Clerk reported that the referee at a recent Green Dragon match had commented that the pitch was unsuitable for play due particularly to the length of the grass, line marking and the overhanging tree. The Clerk reported that he had arranged for grass cutting and line marking and had informed the club that the tree was in the conservation area and would not be cut. Notts. FA are to inspect the pitch in the near future. The Clerk noted that the grass cutting regime was the same as previous years, but that the mild wet conditions were promoting late growth.

Trees in Manor House development: The Clerk reported that he had spoken to Mr. Catchpole who said he could take no further action, he suggested the Council write to the developers about its concerns. As the house has now been sold the Clerk reported he had not yet actioned this advice.

It was agreed it would be inappropriate to contact the new owner and that the Clerk should therefore write to Keen Construction reminding them of their obligations as previously agreed with Mr. Catchpole.

Field gate key: Two new keys have been cut and are to be held by Mr. Bayliss and Mrs. Bennett.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Parish Council conference: The conference is on 12^th November, the Chairman and Clerk will attend.

Group insurance for Parish Councils: Following a request at last years Parish Council conference N&SDC agreed to co-ordinate an insurance quote for a group of Parish Councils, it is now wanting to know if the Council are interested in participating. It was agreed the current policy is a group policy negotiated by NALC and that Council had confidence in NALC’s experience and ability to negotiate the policy on the Councils behalf. It was agreed to make no change.

Risk Assessment: The Clerk reported a seminar to be held by Zurich Municipal Insurance at a cost of £50 per person and would cover such items as playing fields. It was agreed not to attend.

Green Dragon transfer of licence: The hearing date of 16^th November was noted.

Newark & Sherwood Partnership conference: The conference on the 30^th October was noted.

4 Oxton Manor Gardens - detached stable: A revised application was considered, the Clerk has been informed by N&SDC that planning approval would not supersede the Section 106 condition on this site, a further application to remove this condition would be required. Following discussion it was agreed to approve the application by a majority of four to two with one abstention, subject to use being limited to ‘domestic equestrian use only’.

Street lights: The Clerk was asked to report defective street lights opposite Home Court and by the Church.

Epperstone Road/Southwell Road junction: The Clerk was asked to report a large pot- hole.

Blind lane flooding: It was noted that flooding occurred following the recent heavy rain, the Clerk was asked to report this.

Invoices and payments: The following were approved for payment.

B Machin Clerks salary September £102.46

B Machin Clerks expenses £115.31

Sherbrooke Farms Rolling football pitch £58.75

Notts CC Grass cutting £683.35

Parkinson Dis. Soc. Reimbursement of fares July-September £95.00

Total               £1054.87

Financial report for September: The Clerk apologised as he had forgotten to bring the report, it was agreed the Clerk should circulate the report outside the meeting.

Monthly inspection report: Mrs. Jacobs presented the report, it contained one new item, the Chestnut tree overhanging from the Estates field. It was agreed the Clerk ask the Estate to cut back the tree.

Bonfire: The Clerk reported that the Village Hall Management Committee had asked him to lock the field gate as they were concerned about the type of material being delivered to the site, by whom and the damage being done to the field. They would reopen the gate for the weekend only. Mrs. Bennett said the Committee was concerned about the control of dumping at the site and would have to consider this before the next bonfire.

Charitable status of playing field: The Chairman was concerned that he had been requested to sign an annual return to the Charity Commissioners in the capacity of Trustee, he is of the opinion that no trust exists. The Clerk pointed out that he had been receiving and completing such forms since becoming Clerk and was continuing what had been done historically, he agreed to investigate the charitable status.

Village notice board: Mr. Bayliss is of the opinion that the notice board needs either replacing or ‘sprucing up’ and that the Jubilee celebrations would be a suitable occasion to do this.

It was agreed to varnish the board and replace the hessian backing.

Village Hall car park: The clerk reported that the Village Hall management Committee had given him three quotes ranging from £740 to £2125 for repairs to the car park. They are requesting a contribution from the Council towards the cost; an early written commitment from the Council was required to support a further application for assistance from WREN. It was suggested that, as the Committee were seeking finance from WREN, they should consider trying to obtain all their requirements from that or similar sources, the Clerk pointed out that Beth Harvey at N&SDC would be a useful contact to give advise on obtaining funding.

It was agreed the Council should ask the Committee to seek funding externally from the village, this would retain the Councils money for other purposes. If the Committee were unsuccessful the Council would reconsider the request.

Travel & subsistence allowances for Parish Councillors: The Council was asked to comment on the DLTR consultation document. It was agreed that in a small Council such as Oxton, Councillors should not expect payment for their efforts, which should be given for the benefit of the community in which they live, therefore, a Participation Allowance is inappropriate. Travel allowances were acceptable outside the Parish.

WEB PAGE:

The clerk outlined the draft web page that he had been created and was congratulated on his efforts, the Council agreed that it would wish to continue. The Clerk informed the Council that Microsoft had donated the necessary software, saving around £150. He would have to attend a three day course so that he could maintain the site, he was happy to attend the course in his own time but asked the Council to cover his travel expenses, this was agreed.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

The following were agreed.

Tuesday 20^th November Games Room.

" 11^th December Games Room/Bar Room.

" 8^th January 2002 Bar Room.

" 12^th February Games Room.

" 12^th March Games Room.

Crime & Disorder Liaison: Mrs. Jacobs reported that the Council should request PC Brotherhood to arrange a speed trap if it is concerned about speeding traffic. It was agreed to make a request for a speed trap in term time.

Poop scoop bin: Mrs. Bennett suggested additional poop scoop bins would be beneficial. It was agreed to include this as an item on the next agenda.

Main Street – cutting back ivy: It was agreed to thank Mr. Johnson for his prompt response to the Councils request.

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