Present: Cllrs. I Lloyd (Chairman), Mrs. J. Pattison, Mr. D. Hall, Mrs W. Thompson, Mr. S. Green, Mrs. B. Gunby and Mrs. C. Leigh
Prior to the meeting, a one minute silence was observed in memory of Alice Booth MBE, a former Harthill resident who had been a long serving member of Wales Parish Council and Rotherham MBC and was a widely respected public figure throughout Rotherham.
001.09 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs. Mrs. A. Adams and Mrs E Simmonite
002.09 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9th December 2008
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 9th December 2008 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried.
003.09 To identify any agenda items from which the press and public should be excluded due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed.
Resolved: That the press and public should be excluded from agenda item 27 due to the confidential nature of the business to be conducted. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
004.09 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting.
No interests were declared
005.09 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) Lighting on Woodall Lane is still to be investigated by RMBC
b) Seating on “The Tom Wakefield Way” – there have been further delays but benches should be installed before the end of January
c) Woodall – the white lining scheme has now been completed.
d) The new kissing gates will be installed by the end of February
006.09 To consider planning applications
a) RB2008/1871 Residential development with four dwellings and garages at 28 Serlby Lane, Harthill for Mr. F. Hartley.
Resolved: That an objection is sent in respect of this application on the grounds that the proposed development is out of keeping with the conservation area and nearby properties, represents overdevelopment of the site and will present problems of access. Carried
b) RB2008/1873 New double garage at Dowcarr Lane Farm, Woodall for Mr. Hollingworth
Resolved: That there is no objection to this application. Carried
007.09 To receive the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 6 January 2009
Resolved: That the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday 6 January are accepted. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
008.09 To approve bank reconciliation to 31st December 2008
Bank statements were checked and verified and initialled by two Councillors.
009.09 To approve renewal of membership of Rural Action Yorkshire (formerly YRCC)
Resolved: That renewal of membership of Rural Action Yorkshire (formerly YRCC) is approved. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
010.09 To consider proposals on the appointment of an internal auditor
Mr. D. Wright has stepped down from his position as internal auditor to the Parish Council. The Clerk will seek advice from YLCA in the first instance regarding appointment of a new internal auditor.
011.09 To approve accounts for payment
Resolved: That the accounts for payment are accepted and approved for payment. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
012.09 To consider requests for financial assistance
A request for an unspecified donation has been received from the Rotherham Hospice.
Resolved: That the request for an unspecified donation from the Rotherham Hospice is not supported.
Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
013.09 To note any correspondence
A letter of thanks has been received from Neighbourhood Watch in respect of the Parish Council’s recent donation
014.09 To receive reports of December/January external meetings
No external meetings have been held that are not covered under other agenda items.
015.09 To receive information on external meetings arranged for December/January
The next Area Assembly meeting will be held on 2 February. Cllr. Lloyd will attend.
016.09 To consider matters related to the Area Assembly and RVS Parishes Meeting
The Area Assembly has asked the Council to reconsider support for the mobile CCTV scheme and to consider financial support for a new scheme to reward dog owners for observing dog fouling measures. Neither scheme was supported. The Clerk will feedback this decision to the Area Assembly and RVS Parishes and Cllr. Lloyd will attend the next meetings.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Resolved: That the meeting is adjourned for comments and questions from the press and public. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried
Mr Newby raised issues re street lighting and hedge cutting in Woodall and commented on the white lining scheme which has been completed.
017.09 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
a) Cllr. Lloyd presented the Village Hall budget to the Parish Council. This was considered and accepted.
b) An earlier resolution had been passed to move the Village Hall building insurance on to the main Parish Council Policy. This has proved to be very expensive and investigations have been undertaken with Allianz over a solution. Allianz have now confirmed that it is acceptable for the building to be insured on the Village Hall Management Committee’s policy. This would require a reversion to the original arrangements
Resolved: That responsibility for insurance of the Village Hall building should revert to the Management Committee. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
c) Cllr. Lloyd said that a change was needed in the wording of the agreement between the Parish Council and the Village Hall Management Committee in order to satisfy funders’ requirements.
Resolved: That the amendment to the wording of the agreement between the Parish Council and the Village Hall Management Committee is approved. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried.
018.09 To consider grounds maintenance matters
a) The Clerk reported that outstanding maintenance issues had now been addressed including the Tom Wakefield Way (by RMBC), the Spens Field hedge and the Well area. The issue of privately owned hedges between Harthill and Woodall is still the subject of action by RMBC. The Clerk will follow this up to ensure that any necessary action is taken before the nesting season commences.
b) Cllr. Simmonite has requested that action is taken on clearing the overgrowth of weeds emanating from the North Farm site.
Resolved: That a letter is sent to the owner of North Farm requesting that this matter is addressed. Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
019.09 To consider matters related to the Woodall Lane play area
A meeting was held with the designer from Groundwork prior to the Parish Council meeting. Because of price increases the budget will not sustain the full original plan although all key features remain in place. The designer is hopeful that additional resources can be found to minimise loss of new equipment. The Parish Council’s play sub-group had accepted the changes.
Resolved: That changes to the specification for the Woodall Lane play area are approved. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
020.09 To consider matters related to the Spens Field lease
Although promised, the draft lease has not yet been sent by RMBC so this item is deferred until the next meeting.
021.09 To receive information on RMBC’s Active Always programme
This had been originally raised by Cllr. Simmonite under Councillor Reports. The Clerk has investigated and it would appear that this is primarily a PCT scheme that is supported by RMBC. It is usually funded by participants.
Resolved: That further investigations and costings are undertaken with the PCT and options presented for introducing the scheme to Harthill. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
022.09 To complete arrangements for the Community Event to be held in January
The Clerk confirmed that all necessary arrangements were in place and the event would go ahead on Tuesday 27th January. More than 20 local organisations would be attending and the event had been well publicised via the Parish Council website, “The Hart” and posters in Harthill and Woodall. £400 in external funding has been secured to pay for the event.
023.09 To approve arrangements for distribution of “The Hart”
Arrangements for distribution of the Winter 2009 issue of “The Hart” were approved.
024.09 To consider action on signage in Harthill
“Residents Only” parking signs have been erected at De Warren Place and are proving contentious. The origin is believed to be 2010.
Resolved. That a meeting is arranged with Rotherham 2010 to discuss the issue of signage at De Warren Place. Proposed Cllr. Green, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
025.09 To consider proposals on Community Entertainment
The Carnival Society has opted to promote a performance of “Wind In The Willows” at the Village Hall later in the year. The Clerk will investigate if another organisation wishes to promote the other play which was also offered to the Parish Council.
026.09 To consider matters relating to land at Serlby Lane
A letter has been received on behalf of a resident who has acquired some former Borough Council allotment land under squatters’ rights. Under planning regulations he has been asked by RMBC to make a contribution to the village by way of compensation for the loss of the former amenity.
There does not seem to be a precedent for this and the Clerk was asked to seek advice from YLCA in the first instance.
027.09 Individual Councillor Reports (For information only)
Cllr. Gunby commented that the Christmas tree supplied by Cllr. Hall to All Hallows Church was excellent. All agreed
Cllr. Leigh said that complaints had been received about the overgrown Ivy at Danby House. The Clerk said he would investigate.
Cllr. Lloyd reported some fly tipping at Loscar. He and Cllr. Thompson had both reported this and it is now cleared.
Cllr. Pattison reported some fly tipping on Serlby Lane. This has been cleared by Mr Ellam, the village handyman
Exclusion of the Press and Public
Resolved: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. Carried.
028.09 To receive an update concerning matters relating to Parish Council land
The final valuation was received in December and this was agreed by the prospective purchaser. A meeting was held with Ilett & Clark on Monday 15th December to take matters forward and letters have now been sent to all prospective purchasers. Land plans for the four plots concerned have been commissioned. There appear to be no problems at this stage.
The meeting closed at 9.30 pm