04.08.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 24th AUGUST 2004

Meeting commenced at 7.30p.m

Present: Mesdames Cooper, Bennett and Roe. Mr. Johnson. Clerk Mr. B Machin. County Councillor Mr. Stewart, District Councillor Armstrong.

Apologies for absence: Apologies were received from Mr. Colston and Mrs. Jacobs, both on holiday, and District Councillor Mr. Laughton.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13^TH JULY 2004

1

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 13^TH JULY 2004

2

Chiropody: The Chairman reported that she had been in touch with both the Gedling and N&SDC Primary Care Trusts regarding the provision of a service in the village, she was not optimistic of any support. Mrs. Armstrong reported she had received a similar impression following her enquiries. It was agreed that a formal request be made to the Chair of both Trusts for the provision of a chiropody service in the village.

3

Community Speed Watch Programme: Mesdames Bennett and Roe reported on the meeting they had attended. The programme required a minimum of 6 volunteers for one hour per week, a coordinator and deputy was required, training and risk assessment was done by the Police. Councillor Stewart said three cameras were available and bookings would be through Southwell Police, currently the liability for insurance cover had still to be determined.

It was agreed an item be placed in the Dover Beck asking for volunteers and that the item be included on the October agenda.

4

Oxton Roundabout: It was reported that flooding was still occurring.

5

Outstanding Highways work: The Clerk reported a letter replying to concerns raised in Councils letter of 20^th May explaining that reorganisation was causing disruption and delays in responding to requests.

6

Forest House Forest Road-Tree House: N&SDC has acknowledged the enquiry and will investigate.

7

School Gardens Grass Cutting: Nottinghamshire Community Housing association has confirmed they will cut the grass in future.

COMMUNICATIONS:

8

Community Transport: The Clerk reported receipt of a questionnaire from the County Council aiming to identify gaps in the provision of community transport. The Clerk was asked to complete and return the questionnaire.

04.08.2

1

Oxton Flyer: The Chairman reported that the mini bus had been transferred from the Parkinson Disease Society to the Mansfield Squadron Air Training Cadets with effect from 16^th August. She was hoping to negotiate an alternative mini-bus arrangement.

2

Building Better Communities: The County Council is inviting bids for finance from the above scheme for projects in the village by the 30^th September. Councillor Stewart reported that there was £20000 in the scheme to cover bids from 19 parishes, a system of priorities would be applied to determine which should be progressed, e.g. street lighting of dark areas and dangerous footpaths are likely to get a high priority.  He also agreed that, as there was no meeting before the closing date, he would arrange a postponement until after the October meeting. It was agreed to include this item on the October agenda.

3

Dover Beck Plantation - Flooding: A letter from the Environment Agency highlights that levels of the stream bed below Beanford Splash are higher than the road surface causing the flooding, their proposal is to raise the road surface by300mm. The cost of the proposal is £10000 to £15000 and they cannot finance this as the beck is not a main river, they suggested a funding bid for Partnership Funds but this would require the costs being shared by the Council or Oxton Estates.

Regarding flooding in the plantation the Agency considers the area to be healthy and quote a survey carried out in 1995 to justify this claim. The Agency is willing to meet Council to discuss these issues.

The Clerk was asked to respond that the splash and road were not its responsibility any proposal affecting the road surface should be taken up with Notts. CC, however Councils view that lowering the stream bed downstream of the splash was a more acceptable proposal to reduce flooding of the splash. With regard to the plantation Council were of the view that damage to trees was visibly obvious and that the quoted reports were undertaken before Calverton Colliery closed, this closure and the consequent increase in surface water had produced a situation in the plantation unparalleled in the Councils memory.

4

Coalfields Communities Campaign: An invite to the National Conference on 8^th November was noted.

5

NALC – AGM: It was agreed that Miss Roe and Mr. Colston be voting delegates at the meeting on 17^th November. Council had no nominations for Officers or Executive Committee.

6

Green Dragon Public Entertainment Licence: The Chairman reported on a letter received from Mr. Davies of Blind Lane regarding the intrusive noise and traffic problems created for nearby residents by the event. It was agreed to send a copy of the letter to N&SDC Environmental Health Dept and that in future Council must have more cognisance of the impact of events before agreeing licences.

04.08.3

HIGHWAYS:

1

A6097 Lowdham to Oxton Roundabout: Notice has been received from Notts.CC that the 50mph speed limit will come into force on 23^rd August 2004. Also, due to 19 reported injury accidents between Shelt Hill and Moor Lane in the period 2000 to 2003, amounting to over 50% of the accidents from Lowdham to Oxton Roundabout in this period, accident reduction engineering solutions are to be implemented. The proposals are a traffic signal controlled junction at Moor Lane and mini roundabout at Shelt Hill, subject to finance it is anticipated a start would be made this year.

2

At this point the Chairman changed the order of the agenda.

FOOTPATHS LEAFLET:

3

Councillor Stewart having received a request from Council said he was delighted to contribute to the overall cost of publication of the leaflet with the sum of £180. The Chairman thanked him for his contribution and it was agreed that a presentation of the cheque would take place at the October meeting.

4

Councillors Armstrong and Stewart left the meeting at this point.

PLANNING:

5

The following decisions by N&SDC were noted.

6

Old Police House – Extension: The Clerk reported this application which had been circulated between meetings for comment, the consensus of comments indicated there was no objection and he had responded accordingly.

7

Fernbrook Windmill Hill Alterations to Front Elevation: This application was approved without comment.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

8

Invoices and payments:

The Clerk asked if his salary for August could be paid as the month end was so close and the next meeting was October, this was agreed.

The Clerk also pointed out that the revised pay scales had been agreed for 2004 and 2005 and these were included in the July payment including back pay.

The following were approved for payment:

04.08.4

1

Financial Report for July: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £3223.84 with receipts of £181.76 including £146 in settlement of the insurance claim for the litter bin and payments of £1042.32 and a balance of £4054.83 in the sinking fund.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

2

Monthly Inspection Report: Mrs. Jacobs is on holiday so no report was available.

3

Steps to rear of Village Hall: The Clerk reported he had received a revised quote for galvanised handrail to the steps only from G Baggaley Engineering in the sum of £176.00 it was agreed to accept this quote.

The Clerk also reported he had received a quotation for timber fencing to the top of the slope from Henry Perry Ltd. In the sum of £523.00 plus VAT, Mick Asher had not submitted a quote, it was agreed to accept this quote.

Mrs. Bennett reported the VHMC were willing to pay 50% towards the cost of the handrail, the Clerk was asked to inform the VHMC of Councils proposals.

RINGMASTER:

4

The Clerk reported that he had been unable to obtain the information Council requested from Terry Reynolds. The Chairman reported that Dr. Ian Kilpatrick had indicated he would act as coordinator for Ringmaster if Council went ahead with the scheme. It was agreed Council go ahead with an initial one year trial at a cost in the region of £200. The Clerk was asked to make the necessary arrangements.

BEST KEPT VILLAGE PRIZE MONEY:

5

The Clerk reported he had obtained quotations for a bench of £300.00 plus VAT from G C Rhodes & Son and £337 plus VAT from Neptune Ltd, the former bench was acceptable if it could be supplied with flat timbers in lieu of half round, the Clerk to enquire.

RGHTS OF WAY ACT 2000:

6

Council had no observations on the provisional maps of Registered Common Land and Open Country

BUS SHELTER:

7

The Clerk reported that he had received brochures illustrating the shelters available but that Notts. CC is still assessing the proposed sites following the site meeting of the 5^th August with the Council. It was agreed the Clerk circulate the brochures and include the item on the October agenda.

04.08.5

XMAS TREE:

1

The Clerk reported a letter from Mr. & Mrs. Aldridge suggesting the village organise a Christmas Tree this year. Following discussion on the proposal and its implications Council were of the view that they were happy with the idea for a trial this Christmas but the Council would not wish to be directly involved and that Mr. & Mrs. Aldridge may wish volunteer to organise the tree.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

2

Rubbish Dumping: Reported on the Forest Road Car Park and Old Epperstone Road.

3

Severn Trent Water Mains Repairs:

The Chairman asked the Clerk to report the following defects.

4

Water Lane – Overgrown Hedge:  The Clerk was asked to report the hedge overgrowing the highway outside Elmfield on Water Lane.