05.04.1

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OXTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 26^th APRIL 2005

Meeting commenced at 7.35p.m

Present: Mesdames Cooper, Bennett, Jacobs and Roe. Messrs. Johnson and Kilpatrick. Clerk Mr. B Machin.

Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Mr. Bayliss.

The Chairman welcomed Dr. Kilpatrick to his first meeting as a Councillor

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8^TH MARCH 2005

1

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

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF 8^TH MARCH 2005

2

Beanford Splash and Blind Lane: Following a site meeting Notts. CC has responded that the bridge and road surface at Beanford are being considered for remedial work but no promises as to timescales were given, the water level is to be discussed with the various interested parties. A request to include the gullies in Blind Lane in a regular cleaning schedule has been made but without any commitment.

A sketch of the milepost on Oxton Hill has been requested Miss Roe agreed to provide one.

3

Affordable Housing: The Clerk reported that the sequence of events for the survey is to publish an article in the May issue of the Dover Beck, carry out the survey during the summer months and report findings September/October. It may be necessary for Council to deliver the survey forms which was agreed , however it was not thought appropriate for Council to collect the forms, an alternative could be to arrange a ‘drop off’ point in the Post Office.

4

Speed Watch: Dr. Kilpatrick informed the meeting that he had been in contact with the Police and the next steps to be followed are:

1. Confirm with Councils insurers that cover is provided.
2. Determine sites where equipment is to be used.
3. Inform Police of sites who will then arrange for N&SDC to do a Risk assessment.
4. Training.

It was agreed to include an update on the May agenda.

5

Clean Neighbourhoods etc: Mrs. Jacobs reported that this Bill was to be discussed at a future meeting of the N&S Community Safety Partnership, it was agreed to postpone further discussion until after this meeting.

Councillor Stewart arrived at this point.

05.04.2

1

Community Physical Activity Officer: The Clerk reported that the officer had several ideas for activities within the village, it was agreed the officer be invited along to the next meeting.

2

Main Street Drains: The Clerk reported that, as suggested previously, the blockage had been in the private drains. The Clerk following a request from Mr. Brandreth to clear the drains and sweep the road on Main Street outside Church View had inspected the area and was of the opinion that no works were required, it was agreed no action be taken.

3

8 & 9 New Road – Porch Extension: The Clerk reported that following inspection Council had objected to the porch as the scale of the proposal was inappropriate to this attractive terrace of cottages in the conservation area.

4

Annual Parish Meeting: The Police have accepted the invitation to the meeting.

COMMUNICATIONS:

5

Charitable Status of Playing Field: A further demand from the Charity Commissioners for the annual accounts has been received, it was agreed that at the next communication on the matter the Clerk should refer the commission to the Village Hall Management Committee.

6

Building Better Communities 2005/2006: Councils request for an additional street light has been included in Notts. CC programme for this financial year.

7

CPRE AGM: To be held on 9^th May, no one was able to represent the Council.

8

Oxton Social Committee – Marquee: A request to erect a marquee on the playing field on the 16^th to 20^th June 2005 was agreed subject to the usual conditions on insurance cover, litter, damage and noise.

9

East Midland Regional Assembly: Two documents were received for consultation:

1. Draft Review Project Plan.
2. Draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Plan.

Council expressed concern at the number of consultation documents coming from the undemocratic Assembly, also the time demands on the Clerk and Council required in considering and responding to these, for these reasons Council were unable to consider these documents.

10

Best Kept Village Competition: It was agreed to enter the competition again, Miss Roe agreed to act as co-coordinator. It was agreed that a litter pick in the village be discussed at the Annual parish meeting.

11

Nottinghamshire Structure Plan – Modifications: This document modifying the Structure Plan, previously commented on by Council, was noted.

05.04.3

1

Oxton Flyer Funding 2005/2006: The Clerk reported that Notts. CC require that new agreements be signed each year to ensure the agreed grant continues to be paid. It was agreed the Chairman and Mrs. Bennett sign the agreement. The Clerk reported that he had spoken to Councillor Stewart about the £300 subsidy that he had generously donated form his budget to support the Oxton Flyer whilst the grant aid was renegotiated; he is happy that Council retain the money and apply it to some other requirements of the community.

HIGHWAYS:

2

Blind Lane – Bus Parking on Verges: Dr. Kilpatrick expressed concern that the Dunn Line bus was destroying the verges in two locations. The Clerk was asked to contact Dunn Line and the County Council about these concerns.

3

Main Street –Pavements: Mrs. Jacobs reported that the pavement outside 15 Elmcroft has been damaged by tree routes and constitutes a hazard particularly to the elderly and disabled, the Clerk was asked to report the damage.

4

Beanford Lane and Greaves Lane – Dumping: The Clerk was asked to report the dumping of timber and sanitary ware on Beanford Lane and carpet on Greaves Lane.

Councillor Stewart left the meeting at this point.

PLANNING:

5

The New House Blind lane- Tree Works: N&SDC has approved ‘crown lifting’ of a sycamore tree.

6

Two Acres Oxton Hill – Two Storey Extension: N&SDC has approved this application.

7

Oakwood Cottage Forest Road – Two Storey Extension. This application was approved without comment.

8

9 The Orchard – Single Storey Extension: This application was approved without comment.

9

Sabina House Main Street – Alterations: The Chairman reported receipt of a letter from Mr. Jones objecting to the 1.8m high wall to the access road boundary, Council agreed this could pose a hazard.

Council is concerned about the scale and appropriateness of the development but as the property is outside the conservation area it was decided not to object on these grounds. Council did object to the scale of the garage, the design of the garage windows and to the possibility of future residential use of the garage.

10

Meadow View Nottingham Road: The Clerk was asked to determine if the dormer windows to the garage had received planning permission.

05.04.4

1

N&SDC Statement of Community Involvement:  Council was asked to comment on this document relating to how consultation with the community on planning issues will be undertaken in future. Council is satisfied with the proposals.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

2

Invoices and payments: The following were approved for payment:

The Clerk reported that the account for dog bin emptying had omitted the new bin to the village hall car park entrance erected in July, he had agreed with N&SDC that a supplementary invoice would be submitted,

3

Financial Report for March: The Clerk reported a current account balance of £2764.04 with receipts of £22.6 and payments of £795.18 and a balance of £4554.83 in the sinking fund.

4

Appointment of Internal Auditor: The Clerk reported that Mr. G Perkins was willing to undertake the audit again and his appointment was agreed.

5

Annual Audit: This has been called for 30^th June 2005.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

6

Monthly Inspection Report: Mrs. Jacobs presented the report which identified a loose bolt and wobbly handle. Mrs. Jacobs was concerned that the grass cutting within the play area was not satisfactory, the Clerk was asked to speak to the contractors.

7

Donation to Play Equipment Fund: Mrs. Jacobs presented to Council a donation of £2493.75 collected in memory of her late husband, Council gratefully received the donation.

CLEAN NEIGHBOURHOODS ETC. BILL:

8

This item was discussed under matters arising and no further discussion was considered necessary at this time.

The Chairman brought forward Any Other Business so that Mrs. Jacobs could leave the meeting.

05.04.5

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

1

Community Safety Partnership: Mrs. Jacobs reported that crime in Newark & Sherwood was down 3.9% and that crime in the Farnsfield area was down except for criminal damage.

2

Date of Next Meeting: The date for the June meeting was agreed as 14^th June 2005.

STANDARDS BOARD FOR ENGLAND – A CODE FOR THE FUTURE:

3

Council considered a questionnaire on the future of the code. It was agreed that the code should be simplified to be more appropriate to a small council with volunteer councillors, part time clerk and small financial commitments who were already subjected to two annual audits and were answerable to the parish community yearly.

Mrs. Jacobs left the meeting at this point.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS?  CONTINUED:

4

Street Light – Elmcroft: Lamp no.4 is defective this has already been reported but the Clerk was asked to report it again.

5

Web Site Minutes: Dr. Kilpatrick asked that Council recommence posting the minutes on the web site. The Clerk explained that due to problems with the host ISP he was in the process of creating a domain for the Councils site but in the transfer process much of the minutes pages had become scrambled and time constraints had delayed rectification and publication,

6

Grass Cutting: Dr. Kilpatrick asked if grass cuttings could be collected. It was agreed that grass cuttings were a problem usually at the beginning of the season following mild wet winters, collection of cuttings would no doubt increase the cost if adopted.

7

Masts Loath Hill: Mrs. Bennett was concerned at the number of masts being erected. Mr. Johnson said that two mast were temporary whilst the new ‘Orange’ mast was erected and would eventually be removed.

8

Playing Field Hedge: Now that the hedge is starting to recover it was agreed that Councillors should inspect the hedge before the next meeting so that agreement could be reached on any further work required.

9

Elmcroft Paddock: Dr. Kilpatrick was concerned that the paddock given to the village had been incorporated into the garden of the adjoining dwelling. It was pointed out that the paddock did not belong to the village but that planning permission may restrict use as a garden the Clerk is to check on this latter point.

Meeting closed at 21.40

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