Present: Cllrs. Mrs. J. Pattison (Chairman), Mr. I Lloyd, Mrs C Leigh, Mrs. W. Thompson, Mr. D. Hall, Mrs A. Adams and Mrs E Simmonite.
209.10 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs. Mrs B. Gunby and Mr. S. Green.
210.10 To approve the minutes of the Meeting held on 8th June 2010
Resolved: That the minutes of the Meeting held on 8h June 2010 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried.
211.10 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
No items were identified
212.10 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting
a) Cllr. Lloyd declared his personal interest in agenda item 16
b) Cllr. Leigh declared her personal interest in agenda item 16
c) Cllr. Adams declared her personal interest in agenda item 21
213.10 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) The low level street light at Woodall is being rectified, hopefully within the next couple of weeks.
b) A report on Harthill drainage has been received from RMBC. This shows minimal problems with blocked gutters although this is in some dispute and will be returned to on a later agenda.
c) A letter has been received from BDO Stoy Hayward (external auditors) seeking further information about the land sale. This has been sent.
d) RMBC have now delivered 24 sandbags to the Council’s garage to be used in the event of flooding
214.10 To consider planning applications
There are no new applications this month
215.10 To consider other planning matters
a) The programme to upgrade RMBC managed non-traditional housing has now been completed and appears to have been done to a good standard, on time and without causing distress or complaint.
b) The wind farm at Loscar remains on schedule for September completion.
216.10 To receive the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday 6th July 2010
Resolved: That the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday 6th July 2010 are accepted. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
217.10 To consider requests for financial assistance
a) A request for unspecified sponsorship was received from Harthill and District Garden Association in respect of the forthcoming show.
Resolved: That a payment of £100 is approved in respect of Harthill and District Garden Association’s request for sponsorship of the annual show. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried.
b) The Parish Council grants scheme was deferred until the end of the year pending training on the new Power of Wellbeing which will remove S137 restrictions on grants and donations.
218.10 To approve accounts for payment
Resolved: That the accounts for payment are accepted and approved for payment.Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried.
219.10 To consider risk assessment matters
a) Cllr. Lloyd reported that all Leisure Centre risk assessment items will be completed before the next meeting.
b) Cllr. Lloyd reported that all Village Hall risk assessment items have now been completed.
c) The risk assessment on the Handyman’s work activities will be undertaken in August.
220.10 To consider allotment, garage and wayleave matters
a) The Council has two longstanding wayleave agreements with residents who cross Council land to access their garages. Wayleave charges have now remained unpaid for two years. The Clerk was asked to seek advice from YLCA in the first instance. This has been done and the matter is now with YLCA legal advisers for an opinion. This should be received by the August meeting.
b) Approval was sought to hire a skip for Thorpe Road allotment site at a cost of £150-£180.
Resolved: That a skip is hired for Thorpe Road site at a maximum cost of £180. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
c) The well cover at Firvale allotments has been repaired at a cost of £60.
221.10 To note any correspondence
a) A letter of thanks was received from Harthill Well Dressing Group in respect of a recent donation.
b) An e-mail has been received from a resident about further anti-social behaviour on Jacky’s Lane. The Clerk has replied outlining action taken by the Council, the police and other agencies to combat anti-social behaviour.
222.10 To receive reports of June/July external meetings
a) The Parish Council Network meeting was held on 15th June. This was not attended due to holidays.
b) The PACT meeting and The Rother Valley South Parishes meeting were both held on 5 July but were not attended because of a clash with a village event.
223.10 To receive information on external meetings arranged for July / August
a) A meeting has been arranged with SYPTE on Wed 14th July at 2pm to discuss public transport services that affect the Parish.
b) The next PACT meeting will be held at Wales Village Hall on 5 August at 6pm
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Resolved: That the meeting is adjourned for comments and questions from the press and public. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
Mr. Newby raised questions about the proposed CCTV at Jackys Lane, street lighting, M1 noise, and pothole repairs and gave some feedback on the PACT meeting which he had attended.
Another resident asked questions on a wide range of Woodall issues.
224.10 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
a) A public meeting was held at the Village Hall on 12 July to discuss the refurbishment plans and proposals for charitable status. Several people attended and ideas were put forward. A final meeting will now be arranged with DTP to make final amendments to plans before going out to tender
b) Further steps have been taken towards becoming a limited company with charitable status. A business plan is in preparation and ideas for marketing the hall agreed.
225.10 To consider matters related to Woodall
a) RMBC / YEDL have agreed to replace the low level streetlight in Woodall. This had been installed in error.
b) RMBC has confirmed that the recently installed road safety signage is complete and there are no plans to add to it further.
c) One quote has been received in respect of refurbishment of the roadside bench by the Woodall village sign. A second quote will be obtained prior to the next meeting.
226.10 To consider grounds maintenance matters
a) The road repairs on Woodall Lane / Winney Lane have still not been completed. Further follow up has been undertaken with RMBC but no timetable for this work is yet known.
b) A resident has asked if verge maintenance and litter picking could be extended further along Thorpe Road. This has been raised with RMBC and agreed. The handyman will also extend his litter picking duties along Thorpe Road.
c) The bank cutting on Woodall Lane has been undertaken by Streetpride and the flower bed outside the Leisure Centre has also been tidied up.
d) An overgrown path from Pryor Mede to Firvale was reported to Streetpride in June. Streetpride have since been out to carry out maintenance but have only done one side. The Clerk will investigate to see if there is any 2010 responsibility for the remaining work.
e) It was generally felt that undergrowth on Woodall Lane is causing the road to narrow. The Clerk was asked to investigate with RMBC if this could be sprayed or cut back.
227.10 To consider proposals for CCTV usage in Harthill
Neighbourhood Watch has had a request approved by Rother Valley South PACT for the temporary installation of CCTV on Jackys Lane. In view of recent anti-social behaviour in that area this was welcomed by the Council. There is a one off charge of £150 for costs incurred in moving and installing the CCTV camera and a request was received from Neighbourhood Watch enquiring if the Council would meet these costs.
Resolved: That payment of £150 for costs associated with the installation of a CCTV camera on Jackys Lane is approved. Proposed Cllr. Leigh, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
228.10 To consider matters relating to footpaths and bridleways
a) Following the last Parish Council inspection walk, a further meeting was held with Claire McRoy from RMBC Rights of Way. Claire has accepted the information gained from the inspection walks and will act upon the findings.
b) There has been no further progress on the proposed footpaths booklet. It is expected that this will resume in September
229.10 To consider support for the continuation of Active Always in Harthill
The Active Always class in Harthill is still struggling to break even because of varying attendance. It was proposed that the class should receive a further Parish Council donation of £100 in order to secure its continuance.
Resolved: That a donation of £100 is approved to the Active Always programme in Harthill with the funding to be drawn down on request. Proposed Cllr. Leigh, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
230.10 To consider further action on M1 noise pollution at Woodall
No further correspondence has been received from the Highways Agency on this matter. A resident has however received a letter from RMBC outlining its role in relation to the proposed works on the M1. It was agreed that the Clerk would make further investigations with RMBC as well as pursuing the Highways Agency for further information.
231.10 To consider matters relating to Harthill Leisure Centre
A meeting was held with the Leisure Centre Management Committee about the future of the bowling green which continues to be underused and very expensive to maintain. It was agreed that efforts would continue to boost participation, including a press release to local newspapers, for the remainder of this season. However if there was no significant increase in users then the bowling green would close in October.
232.10 To consider action on the Woodall Lane to Pryor Mede public footpath
A proposal from RMBC Streetpride to commission Groundwork Dearne Valley to clear the path and adjoining area at an approximate cost to the Parish Council of £100 was not approved. It was strongly felt that as Streetpride Rights of Way team are responsible for the path, and 2010 responsible for the adjoining land, that clearance and ongoing maintenance should be carried out at no cost to the Parish Council.
233.10 To consider matters related to access problems on Serlby Lane
This item is deferred pending Cllr. Green’s return from holiday.
234.10 To consider matters related to the Woodall Lane play area
A meeting was held with a representative from Haggs play equipment company to discuss the addition of fitness equipment to the Woodall Lane play area. A quote is being obtained but has not yet been received.
235.10 To consider matters related to The Tom Wakefield Way
a) Mr. Ellam will be asked to undertake the work of maintaining the eight benches around the reservoir.
b) A revision of the licence issued by British Waterways has been requested to allow for the addition of one more bench. No problems are anticipated and it is expected that the bench can be installed in September.
c) Spraying of the path with weedkiller is still held up because of a dispute between RMBC and The Environment Agency. It is hoped that this will be resolved shortly.
236.10 Individual Councillor Reports (For information only)
a) Cllr. Simmonite asked if the goal nets at Doctor Lane could be investigated for repair or replacement.
b) It was generally felt that further investigation needs to be undertaken regarding parking restrictions near the roundabout. The Clerk will make further enquiries with the police and include the matter on the next agenda.
The meeting closed at 9.13 pm