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OXTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9th June 2009

AT OXTON VILLAGE HALL

Present: Cllr. J.Jones (Chairman)

Cllr. L.Jacobs (Vice-Chairman)

Cllr. R.Aldridge

Cllr. M.Cooper

Cllr. I.Johnson

Cllr. I.Kilpatrick

Cllr. D.Wilkes

Cllr. B.Laughton (part of meeting)

Cllr. A.Stewart (part of meeting)

Mrs. K. Birks (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES

There were no apologies for absence

2. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 12th May 2009 were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

3. MATTERS ARISING

(a) Raising banks on Water Lane

No plans had yet been produced by Mr Rooks from N&SDC regarding this work.

(b) Calor village of the Year

The council have withdrawn their application for this year as it was not felt possible to create a suitable presentation in the short timescale that was available but intend to enter next year when plans for the village are better defined and timescales are know further in advance.

It was agreed that the clerk confirm with Shani Lambert that both English and French units were represented in the planting on the 100 acre field and once confirmed all were in agreement that the wording provided by Shani should be included on the board.

It was unanimously voted that the board should be located on the tarmac area at the entrance to the village hall car park where the new bench (made of recycled materials) is currently situated. Further reference to this is made in section 11 in these minutes.

The clerk to convey these decisions to Shani Lambert.

(d) Issue with moles on the football field

It was noted that a significant problem is being caused by moles and it was agreed that the clerk will write to N&SDC to request an inspection of the area asking them to comment on the current condition and what is required to bring it up to a suitable specification.

4. COMMUNICATIONS

(a) The clerk gave details of a Building Better Communities workshop being held on the 16^th June to provide practical and realistic information on how to apply for BBC funding. Cllr. Jill Jones is planning to attend. Post meeting note: This workshop has been cancelled due to the new administration following the recent election results.

(b) N&SDC are offering to carry out playground inspections in June for £27.80 plus VAT , a rate considerably less than that charged by ROSPA. The inspection has already been done by ROSPA for this year but the council agreed to have a second inspection done by the district council as a comparison and to decide if this will be used next year. Clerk to contact N&SDC to arrange.

5. HIGHWAYS

(a) Gravelly Lane/ Burntstump junction

Cllr. Andy Stewart reported that this junction is going to be looked at as a priority and whether or not it opens again will depend on the outcome of this review but he will keep the council informed on progress. The parish council confirmed that their view is that it should be reopened but in a different form to the original junction.

Cllr Stewart also informed the meeting that the change of priority on Oxton Road is on the County Council agenda to look into and he is aware that it is still a key issue for Oxton.

(b) Speeding in the village

Cllr Andy Stewart recommended that the parish council write to Inspector Gann based at Southwell to request that he visits Oxton with his mobile speed camera in an attempt to address the issue of speeding in the village which is a cause of great concern to the residents. Clerk to action this.

7. PLANNING

(a) Planning Application 09/00563/FUL – Addition of porch to front of Kynance, Honeyknab Lane, Oxton

AGREED to recommend to Newark and Sherwood District Council that planning permission be granted. No comments to be made. Clerk to respond to N&SDC.

(b) Planning Application 09/00193/FUL – Conversion of barn to dwelling, Hartswell Farm, Greaves Lane, Oxton.

AGREED to recommend to Newark and Sherwood District Council that planning permission be granted. No comments to be made. Clerk to respond to N&SDC.

(c) Notices of Decision

- Planning Application 09/00288/FUL - N&SDC have granted planning permission for insertion of a dormer window at 7, The Orchards, Oxton.

- Planning Application 09/00272/FUL - N&SDC have granted planning permission change of use of outbuilding to part of public house at Ye Olde Bridge Inne, Oxton.

(d) It was agreed that Cllr Ian Johnson would take a lead role in looking at planning applications which required a response from the Parish Council. This will involve doing some initial assessment of the application in advance of the council meeting and then presenting this in order to assist the rest of the councillors understand the application.

8. FINANCE

(a) Invoices and Payments

The following payments were authorised:

P.Cleverley Chiropody Treatment £68.00

Our Centre Mini Bus Hire – May £66.10

K.Birks Clerks Salary May £214.76

K.Birks Clerks expenses May £41.99

Oxton Village Hall Room Hire £5.50

________

Total £464.35

(b) Financial Report for May 2009

The Clerk reported an account balance at the end of May of £3315.43 with outstanding cheques for payment of £183.53. Payments for May were £1290.78 and receipts £30.37.The Sinking Fund balance was £10,353.69. The accounts were reconciled accordingly.

The annual return was completed and signed by the clerk and the chairman.

9. RECREATION

(a) Monthly report

Cllr. Lin Jacobs reported that food was being left in the bottom of the waste bin next to the seat which could attract wasps in summer. It was agreed that the clerk will write to N&SDC to ask them to ensure the bins are cleared out thoroughly.

(b) Play equipment

Cllr David Wilkes reported to the council on the current status of application for recreational facilities for the village.

The consultation with the village through the Dover Beck in February had only produced 3 responses and there were no responses to the subsequent publishing of the suggestions from these responses. Since then a letter had been received from Lindsay Turner Whitby stating that she would like to re-start a group which had previously carried out fundraising for playground equipment for the village and start fund raising and generating ideas again. She raised particular objections to the football pitch being used as anything other than a football pitch, concerns about the pitch not being maintained and gave suggestions for play equipment for the very young and older children.

It had previously been agreed that face to face consultation with the young people of the village would be an appropriate way of canvassing their views and a meeting had been held on 5^th June

with 12 children aged 6 to 13. Following this a Playbuilder application had been put together for funding up to £50,000. This could provide for a wooden adventure trail which was one of the most popular pieces of play equipment with the children consulted. This has the benefit of being designed for children aged 3 to 14 and would be in keeping with the rural area. The money could also provide for additional items to be incorporated including a zip-wire and a big slide suitable for older children (other items/features which were popular). This equipment would be in addition to that which the village already has and would not encroach upon the current football pitch. This application has been put together to meet the deadline of 9^th June 2009 which N&SDC had extended for Oxton to ensure it could submit its application.

Now that the initial application has been made it was noted that there is a need to both manage this bid through (final decisions on application expected in September), and then go on to drive other recreational facilities for the village as well as managing expectations. Cllr David Wilkes suggested that a sub committee be formed from people within the village and this committee would report back to the parish council as ultimately the council will be responsible for maintaining and insuring any new equipment. The council thanked David for his time and energy in researching and submitting the application and agreed that a subcommittee should be formed as soon as possible and Cllrs. Ian Kilpatrick and Robin Aldridge expressed an interest in being part of this group.

Cllr Bruce Laughton recommended that Cllr. Nora Armstrong be contacted to assist in pushing the bid through and Cllr David Wilkes agreed to do this.

Cllr. Robin Aldridge led a discussion on the village appraisal and suggested that villages were now creating Community Led Action Plans and that this was the way forward for the Parish Council to find out exactly how this community feels about their village. It was felt important that as more decisions are going to be based at local level Oxton needs to be in a position to respond quickly and this should be based on a community led plan. It was agreed that meetings be set up with both Rachel Johnson who is a Community Development Officer at Notts County Council and also with Katie Wilson from RCAN to discuss ideas to move ahead. Cllrs. Ian Kilpatrick, Lin Jacobs, David Wilkes, Robin Aldridge and Jill Jones all expressed a particular interest in attending these meetings and it was agreed that the dates would be mailed to all councillors.

Cllr. Bruce Laughton asked the chairman for permission to raise some points before he had to leave the meeting and this was agreed. He pointed out that the SLHAA had raised many concerns locally and that everyone should remember that this is just an assessment and the District council are having to follow the process that has been handed down to them. The growth point in Newark is likely to take most of the share of the building that is required.

He reminded the council that Cllr Andy Stewart now has an increased EDI fund of £10,000 at his disposal which is available to the community.

Finally Cllr Laughton informed the council that there will be many changes at County Hall since the recent elections including more resources for front line services and a move away from deprivation indices being used as the main reason for action in communities.

10. VILLAGE BENCHES

It was suggested that a number of the old concrete and oak benches do not need replacing , they maybe just need cleaning.

The bench on blind lane is broken and does need replacing and it was agreed that the old bench closest to the village hall car park entrance that is to be replaced by the new bench as part of the move to make way for the Interpretation Board (see 3c) should be moved to Blind Lane. A quote for £90 has already been received from a local builder to relocate two benches and it was agreed that Cllr Jill Jones would request the builder to go ahead with the work on the understanding that the new cost would be expected to be a little higher than the original quote.

11. REVIEW THE REGISTER OF MEMBERS INTERESTS

N&SDC have requested that all council members review their details and report any changes. It was agreed that all councillors complete any changes and return them to the clerk at the next meeting in July. Cllr Robin Aldridge to complete a new form as the District Council do not hold any details for him.

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

(a) Cllr Jill Jones suggested that she place a short piece in the Dover Beck on a monthly basis giving details of council activities and the main issues which were being looked at. This was agreed by the council.

(b) Cllr Jill Jones also suggested that a welcome pack be designed and given to any new residents of the village. It was agreed to put this on the agenda for next months meeting for discussion.

(c) Cllr Robins Aldridge reported that the recent very heavy rain had not caused any flooding in the village and the water courses had all coped with the level of water.

It was agreed that Risk and Resilience be made a regular agenda item.

(d) The chairman presented Cllr Margaret Cooper with a beautiful orchid as a token of appreciation for all her hard work and dedication in her years as Chairman.

The meeting concluded at 9.45 p.m.

Chairman Date

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