06.05.1

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 23RD MAY 2006

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

Present: Mesdames Cooper, Bennett, Roe and Jacobs. Messrs. Johnson and Kilpatrick. Councillors Stewart (part) and Laughton (part). Clerk Mr. B Machin.

Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Mr. Bayliss and Councillor Armstrong.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN:

1

Mrs. Cooper was elected Chairman and Mrs. Jacobs Vice Chairman both unanimously.

Mrs. Cooper signed the Declaration of acceptance of Office.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11^TH APRIL 2006:

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 11^TH APRIL 2006:

3

BT Kiosk: The Clerk reported that the text signs have been once again removed, the company has apologised.

4

Utility Cabin Main Street: The Clerk reported he had closed the cabinet.

5

Waste Strategy for Newark & Sherwood 2006-2020: The Chairman reported that she had responded to the consultation paper on behalf of the Council supporting the proposals for recycling.

6

Ringmaster: Dr. Kilpatrick reported that he had requested an invoice for the service but as yet had not received it.

7

Play Area Repairs: The Clerk reported he had received a verbal estimate from FT Redfern for relaying and gluing the safety surface under the ‘Wicksteed’ swing in the sum of £400.00 plus VAT subject to the final cost being invoiced on the basis of actual costs due to the difficulties in estimating the work required. Council agreed to accept the estimate on this basis.

8

Annual Parish Meeting Arrangements: The Chairman reported that after consultation it had been agreed to invite Anthony Greener from N&SDC.

9

Chiropody: The Chairman reported that she had been unsuccessful in obtaining financial assistance from Notts. CC. Health & Community Section, she said she hoped to make a further request for assistance following reorganisation of the County Council Environment Section.

COMMUNICATIONS

10

Code of Conduct Training: Council noted that N&SDC are to hold a training session on 7^th June; no-one is able to attend.

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1

Building Better Communities: The two schemes submitted by Council i.e. pavement alongside Southwell Road and heritage trail have not been successful for 2006/07.

2

N&SDC Strategic Housing Forum: Council noted the meeting on 9^th June no-one is able to attend.

3

Best Kept Village Competition: Council agreed to enter the competition at a cost of £6.00. It was suggested that someone should ‘champion’ Councils efforts, Miss Roe said she was happy to attend to the planters in the village but would not wish to take on additional duties.

4

Dog Bin Emptying: N&SDC has increased the cost of bin emptying from £1.30 to £1.40 per bin per visit, Council agreed to this increase.

5

Gedling Local Development Framework: Council noted receipt of the ‘Core Strategy and Options Paper’. 

6

Proposed Merger of East Midlands Police Forces: Consultation on the proposals is in progress and until 11^th August. The Chairman said she could not see any advantages in amalgamating forces which would cover a larger area; she could foresee cuts in Police numbers and could see no potential for improvements in local policing she was also concerned about the costs involved in the reorganisation. It was agreed Council should respond accordingly.

7

County Council Civic Service:  Council noted the service on 16^th July no-one is able to attend.

8

DEFRA Byelaws in England – Discussion Document: Council noted receipt and agreed to circulate this discussion document.

9

Community Safety Liaison Group: Council noted the next meeting on 24^th July, Mrs. Jacobs reported that it is intended to install more CCTV cameras and that these will be able to automatically record car registration numbers.

10

N&SDC Arts Plan: Council noted receipt and agreed to circulate this discussion document.

Councillor Stewart arrived at this point.

HIGHWAYS:

11

Oxton Hill Warning Sign: Councillor Stewart reported that due to the topography of the site the detector was set at the maximum possible distance for detection and cannot be further adjusted.

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1

Yellow Card System: The Clerk pointed out that the yellow card system was losing validity as the green cards returned to the Clerk provided no useful information; Councillor Stewart said he would take this up with the Highways Manager.

2

Oxton Hill Sweeping & Blocked Drains: Mrs. Jacobs reported that the road required sweeping and then the drains clearing, the Clerk was asked to arrange.

3

Blind Lane Pot Holes: Mrs. Jacobs reported a pot hole in the pavement outside Orchard Court; the Chairman reported a pot hole at the edge of the road adjacent to the bench.

4

Quiet Lanes: The Chairman asked what is happening about Quiet Lanes. Councillor Stewart reported that the proposals were on ‘the back burner’ due to lack of finance currently there is only the pilot scheme at Sutton Bonnington. The Chairman suggested we should include quiet lanes in next years BBC bid.

5

Annual Footpath Walk: Miss Roe reported that the path between Norwood and Rosselles Wood is overgrown, signs faded or missing and stiles are slippery. Mr. Johnson reported that the stile where the footpath from Oxton meets Greaves Lane was completely missing.

6

Dunn Line Buses: The Chairman asked Councillor Stewart what action had been taken following the Woodborough meeting that they had recently attended. Councillor Stewart agreed to find out what action had been taken.

Councillor Laughton arrived at this point

7

School Buses: Dr. Kilpatrick asked Councillor Stewart about the proposal to cut concessionary travel for voluntary aided schools which would affect residents of Oxton as the Lowdham school was the local catchmant school. Councillor Stewart responded that this was a money saving idea that he was opposed to, the original decision has been withdrawn and is now out for consultation.

Councillor Stewart left at this point.

PLANNING:

8

Lilac Farm Barn Water Lane: N&SDC has approved the felling of one Acer tree.

9

Wesley House Forest Road: N&SDC has approved the removal of a Leyland Cypress tree.

10

Notts. & Nottingham Joint Structure Plan: Council noted that notification has been received that the plan has now been adopted and is available for inspection at various locations and on the internet, copies can also be purchased. Councillor Laughton briefed the meeting on the consequences of the plan and it was agreed the Clerk circulate the minute of Notts. CC Planning Committee.

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FINANCIAL MATTERS:

1

Invoices and Payments: The following were approved for payment:

2

It was agreed not to renew the Ordnance Survey License in the sum of £55.81 as this represented poor value.

The Clerk pointed out that the Clerks salary payment included the final agreed increment and NALC annual increase payable from 1^st April 2006.

3

Financial Report for April: The Clerk apologised as he had been unable to prepare the report due to pressure on his time.

4

Receipt of Accounts for 2005/2006: The Clerk presented the final accounts for 2005/2006 which show income of £15039.64 and expenditure of £11218.74 giving a surplus for the year of £3820.90 this includes liabilities in the region of £2175 the retention (£337.32) and completion costs for the hedge laying by BTCV. Funds are represented by £3459.80 in the current account and £7752.84 in the sinking fund. The accounts as presented were accepted by Council.

5

Insurance Renewal: The Clerk reported that the renewal costs for Allianz Cornhill for the coming year was £858.83. He has sought alternative quotations but the only suitable alternative is £1654.02 from Zurich Municipal. Group policies provided through N&SDC and Community Council of Lincolnshire whilst apparently providing good value specifically exclude play areas. It was agreed to accept the renewal premium of Allianz Cornhill.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

6

Monthly Report: Mrs. Jacobs presented the report which identified splits to the seats on the Wicksteed swing. It was agreed to take no action pending receipt of the ROSPA report.

7

Redevelopment of Play Area: The Chairman reported that Lyndsey Turner had indicated an interest is creating a group to carry the redevelopment forward. It was agreed to discuss this at the Parish Meeting.

Councillor Laughton left at this point.                      

RINGMASTER:

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The Clerk reminded Council that approval had only been agreed for a trial period which had now expired. Dr. Kilpatrick’s opinion is that the scheme provided a useful service although a lot of information is not relevant; the scheme also provides free personal alarms etc. Miss Roe was concerned that she did not get

06.05.5

any information; Dr. Kilpatrick explained that only relevant information was given to individuals at the coordinators discretion but he would arrange for her to receive the information.

It was agreed to approve extension of the scheme for 2006/2007 and to review the scheme annually as part of budget discussions.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:

1

The following dates were agreed:

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

2

Dog Fouling: The Chairman reported that dog fouling was a problem in Honeyknab Lane, it was agreed the Clerk put a reminder in the Dover Beck.

3

Beanford Lane Dumping: Mr. Johnson reported that the tree cuttings had not been removed, the Clerk was asked to report.

4

Affordable Housing: The Clerk reported that Notts.RCC and N&SDC Planners had requested a site meeting on 1^st June @ 9.00 to inspect the suggested sites.

Meeting closed at 21.20.

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