08.09.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2008

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

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

Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Mrs. Jones.

It was agreed to change the order of the Agenda at this point.

BBC – VILLAGE TRAIL:

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Sue Rodgers of Notts. County Council attended the meeting to assist Council in delivering the village trail scheme approved for this financial year under the BBC initiative. She needed to know the format required by Council and any information and photographs that would be useful in producing the scheme. It was agreed that Council required the scheme to be based on information board or boards and that no leaflets are required as this is adequately covered by the current walks leaflet; Mr. Johnson cautioned that information boards would be expensive to maintain and that this cost would be met by Council. Several locations for boards were considered and it was agreed a main board sited near the village hall with ancillary boards possibly at the bottom of Windmill Hill and the Olde Bridge Inne; information on the boards could be cross referenced to the walks leaflet at the next reprint.

Councillor Stewart arrived at this point.

Mr. Aldridge said that the walks leaflet was useful but there are many things of interest that the people aren’t aware of; he also thought Sue Rodgers needed someone to liaise with on the Council. The Chairman agreed to let Sue Rodgers have the video and booklet giving much of the information needed regarding points of interest.

It was agreed that Sue Rodgers would produce a draft proposal for circulation at the November meeting of Council.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12^TH AUGUST 2008:

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It was noted that minute 08.08.2.4 should read A6097 and not A6093; also that minute 08.08.3.3 should read that Dr. Kilpatrick had spoken to residents not Mr. Johnson; otherwise the minutes, having been circulated before the meeting, were confirmed and signed as a true record.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 12^TH AUGUST 2008:

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Main Street Tree: Mr. Johnson reported that he had cut back some branches but that the shape and form of the tree are poor.

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Blind Lane Roadwork’s: The Clerk reported an email from Notts. CC describing confusion over the responsibility for the water emanating from underground; the original cause of the excavation. This is not from a water main but from a private culvert. To expedite the matter the County Council has agreed to take responsibility for rectifying the leak and reinstating the road.

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Nottingham Road: The Chairman reported that some work had been undertaken cutting back branches and to the safety barrier both here and on Water Lane, but that the loose kerb on the corner is still outstanding.

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Bus Shelter/Bench: The bench is due for delivery this week; Councillor Stewart agreed to ask the County Council to fix the bench free of charge as it was its mistake in siting the bus shelter which created the need for the bench.

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Working Together on Housing Issues: This consultation document was noted without comment.

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Transport for Communities: The Chairman may attend this event,

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Act on CO2: This event on 2^nd November was noted.

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Oxton Bonfire: A request from OVHMC asks for permission to hold the bonfire on 1^st November but with the addition of a laser and sound show; this was agreed subject to the usual conditions and those additional conditions identified in Councils Risk Assessment.

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Future Concepts: The floral design group which meets regularly in the village hall are seeking to plant some form of ‘Golden Tribute’ e.g. a tree or bulbs in the village. Bulbs on verges were considered to be at odds with grass cutting, replacement of the horse chestnut in the access land was also considered. There was no objection to the proposal in principal and it was agreed to ask the group for its suggestions.

HIGHWAYS:

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A6097 Accident Study: The Clerk reported receipt of the study by Notts. CC into accidents at the various junctions between Gunthorpe Bridge and Oxton Bypass. It identified a pattern of accidents involving right turners off the A6097 from Oxton towards Woodborough requiring larger junction warning signs and ‘SLOW’ road markings. Mr. Wilkes asked if it would be better to revert to the original road layout or to introduce lights; Councillor Stewart responded that there is no chance of lights and suggested more anti skid surfacing and rumble strips. It Was agreed to respond accordingly.

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Junction A614 and B6386: Mrs. Jacobs reported that the street lights installed at this junction made no difference; Councillor Stewart said this junction is outside his area.

08.09.3

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Road Gully Clearing: Mr. Aldridge asked if the County Council is to continue maintaining works associated with the flooding. Councillor Stewart said that the proposal is to clean gullies twice a year which would require the assistance of parishes in locating them; this will double the budget and the policy was awaiting approval.

Councillor Stewart left the meeting at this point.

PLANNING:

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Wells Cottage Chapel Lane – Tree Works: N&SDC has approved the remedial pruning of an Acer.

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Fosters Main Street – Extensions: N&SDC has granted full approval. The Clerk pointed out that this application had been withdrawn at the last meeting and no resubmission had been received; he has spoken to the planners who say a revise application had been sent out for consultation and that it is not its policy to follow up these consultations if no response is received, it was agreed to bring this to the attention of Councillor Laughton.

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Two Ways Windmill Hill - Replacement Dwelling: N&SDC has given full planning and conservation area approval.

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Orchard Court – Alterations: N&SDC has given full planning approval.

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Moorfields Farm Ollerton Road – Replace Existing Storage Sheds: Mr. Johnson said the development was in the green belt and that no farming activity took place at this farm. The Chairman said the site had already been developed and the proposal would have no impact on the site. Concern was expressed that this was no longer utilising farm buildings which had no further agricultural purpose but was intensifying the site usage for commercial purposes. The application was opposed on a vote of 1 in favour, 5 against.

The order of the meeting was again changed at this point.

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE:

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Mr. Aldridge reported that both he and the Clerk had been in contact with the OVHMC which was concerned that the resilience store would occupy a parking space and has suggested using the existing concrete garage as a store if this is suitable; he will pursue this option if Council are in agreement. Council agreed to pursue this option.

He also reported that the Environment Agency had provided information for Flood Wardens and that he would now get his team together and get them organised; he noted that during the last heavy spell of rain there was no problem and the flood channel never came into use.

Mr. Johnson reported that he had spoken to the Trustees of Oxton Estates regarding the proposals of N&SDC to improve the flow from the lakes into the flood channels; the Trustees are happy to go ahead with and contribute to the scheme subject to contributions from the Parish Council and N&SDC the work to be

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undertaken by the Estate on a daywork basis; N&SDC would need to provide a detailed scheme including levels.

The Clerk reported that he did not think Council has the finances to fund the scheme in this financial year without raiding the sinking fund and that budget provision would be required next year; Mr. Johnson said if the scheme was finished this year he was sure the invoice could be delayed until next financial year.

It was agreed to proceed with the scheme as suggested subject to an indication of cost being agreed; the Clerk to put the proposal to N&SDC.

Mr. Aldridge left at this point.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

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Monthly Report: Mrs. Jacobs had no items to report.

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Play Area – Progress Report: Mrs. Jacobs said she had been in discussion with N&SDC and that the funds for years one & two were now committed; she had therefore registered for funding in year three (2010). She said there was much consultation to do to meet the requirements of the scheme which required play facilities for up to 13year olds; therefore, land outside the current play area may be required.

Councillor Laughton arrived at this point.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

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Crime Figures: Mrs. Jacobs reported that crime detection for the area is 22% where a result is forthcoming, this better than the national average. House burglary is to be targeted and it should be noted that violent crime is 20 to 30% domestic.

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Addresses & Emails: Mrs. Jacobs asked that the Clerk prepare a list of Councillor addresses and e. mails etc.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

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Invoices & Payments: The following were approved for payment:

The Clerk pointed out that problems had occurred on two occasions with his computer, the first he had met out of his own pocket this second occaision he is asking Council to meet in view of its use of the computer; this was agreed.

08.09.5

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Financial Report for August: The Clerk reported a current account balance at the end of August of £2790.17 with payments of £797.75 and receipts of £42.19 and a balance of £9157.25 in the sinking fund.

Mrs. Jacobs and Councillor Laughton left at this point.

LAND AVAILIBILITY ASSESSMENT:

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Messrs. Wilkes and Johnson declared an interest. The Chairman suggested that the land opposite the Olde Bridge Inne which Council has considered for affordable housing should be submitted as suitable land. Mr. Wilkes said he had considered all the sites and could see no technical problems and Council should respond accordingly; he also said Council should be careful about suggesting pieces of land which it does not own. The Chairman thought Council should be proactive and put the parcel of land forward.

Dr. Kilpatrick was of the opinion the matter should be considered by full Council; it was agreed to put the item on the next agenda.

CHIROPODY INCREASES IN CHARGES:

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The Chairman reported that Mrs. Cleverley who provides Councils Chiropody services has requested on increase in payment of £2.00 per session to £17.00; this was agreed.

BBC BIDS 2009/2010:

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Following discussion it was decided not to resubmit the Southwell Road junction scheme. An alternative scheme to slow traffic on New Road and Sandy Lane using a chicane type system was agreed for submission.

EAST MIDLANDS REGIONAL PLAN:

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The Chairman was of the view that heat & power proposals were good but that the eco town for Bingham was not mentioned and that this and other housing suggestions would have a devastating impact on the Green Belt based on flawed housing need assessments. There is no mention of making new houses ecologically sustainable e.g. solar panels.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS CONT:

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There were no other items.

Meeting closed at 22.20

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