Present: Cllr Mrs. J. Pattison (Chairman), Mr I Lloyd (Vice Chairman), Mrs W. Thompson, Mrs B. Gunby, Mrs. C. Leigh, Mrs A. Adams and Mrs E. Simmonite
189.11 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs. D. Hall and S. Green.
190.11 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 14th June 2011
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 14th June 2011 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried.
191.11 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 24 due to the confidential nature of the business to be conducted. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried.
192.11 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting.
Cllr. Lloyd declared his personal interest in Agenda item 16
Cllr. Leigh declared her personal interest in Agenda item 16
193.11 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) Richard Pett from RMBC and Rotherham 2010 will be carrying out maintenance on the Chapel Path within the next couple of weeks
b) There is no further news on RMBC action over North Farm
194.11 To consider planning applications
RB2011/0967 Application for installation of a wind turbine at Oaklands Farm, Manor Road, Harthill
There are no objections in respect of this application
195.11 To receive the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday 5th July
Resolved: That the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 5 July are accepted. Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
196.11 To verify bank reconciliation to 30th June
Bank statements were verified and initialled by two Councillors
197.11 To consider requests for financial assistance
No requests were received this month
198.11 To consider risk assessment matters
Risk assessments on the Village Hall and the Leisure Centre will be completed before the August meeting
199.11 To note any correspondence
A letter had been received from Mr. R. Carter in respect of his allotment plot. This had been circulated to Councillors in advance of the meeting. A reply has been sent to Mr. Carter following further consultation with Councillors.
200.11 To consider allotment matters
a) Thorpe Road site has had a visit from the RSPCA in respect of bird keeping on the site. Two tenants have been given notice to improve conditions or have the birds removed.
b) Work has continued by Groundwork (Creswell) to clear the buildings on the allotment plot at Firvale.
201.11 To receive reports of June / July external meetings
a) South Rotherham Rural Transport Group – this was attended by several members of the public wishing to protest about changes to local services.
b) Cllr. Lloyd met with Allan Lewis from RMBC about the lighting on the path between Union Street and Serlby Lane past Tanimara. RMBC are going to arrange for vegetation around the existing street light and fit a stronger bulb.
c) The Rother Valley South Parishes meeting was cancelled as no agenda items were put forward.
d) The Parish Council Network meeting was held in June but was not attended. The Clerk will circulate the papers from the meeting when received.
202.11 To receive information on external meetings arranged for July / August
A meeting with the new local area Streetpride manager has been agreed but no date has been set as yet
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
No members of the press or public attended the meeting
203.11 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
a) The Veolia funding application is almost complete and will be submitted in advance of the 29th July deadline. The National Lottery bid will be submitted by 17th August. There is still no confirmation from RMBC that the required 10% third-party funding is confirmed.
b) Brookhouse Gas Services have installed a new radiator in the main hall as a repair was not possible.
c) Cllr. Lloyd gave a report on the Village Hall finances and said there was a shortfall of over £1000.00. This had been exacerbated by slower bookings over the summer period. He asked if the Parish Council would approve its budgeted contribution to cover the shortfall.
Resolved: That the request for grant support of £1000 from Harthill Village Hall Ltd. is approved. Proposed Cllr. Adams, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
204.11 To consider matters relating to Harthill Youth Club
a) A presentation had been given by JADE prior to the meeting. This was very informative and was welcomed by Councillors. Further discussions need to take place with JADE re funding and volunteering.
b) We are still awaiting a Service Level Agreement from RMBC which will cover youth club equipment in place prior to closure.
c) The new club is scheduled to reopen on Monday 12th September with a proposed informal launch/reunion on Monday 5th September.
205.11 To consider a response to RMBC withdrawal of grounds maintenance services
A letter has been received from RMBC outlining plans for withdrawal of grounds maintenance services on Parish Council land. This was greeted with dismay by Councillors who expressed a wish to protest against these proposals. It was agreed that a meeting was necessary with RMBC to clarify and receive further information on the proposals.
Resolved: That a letter of protest is sent to RMBC in respect of plans for withdrawal of grounds maintenance services and to request a meeting as early as possible. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
206.11 To consider other grounds maintenance matters
It was generally felt that the Parish was looking untidy in many places and that routine maintenance by RMBC was not being undertaken to a good standard. These issues will be taken up at the forthcoming meeting with the new Streetpride Area manager.
207.11 To consider action relating to public transport services in Harthill and Woodall
There have been further changes to local services announced by SYPTE. These would appear to remove any service between Harthill and essential services at Kiveton Park. The recent Rural Transport Group meeting was attended by a number of members of the public protesting about this.
Resolved: That immediate clarification on public transport services is sought from SYPTE. This should be copied to local ward councillors and Kevin Barron MP. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried.
Resolved: That SYPTE and relevant service operators are invited to participate in a public meeting in Harthill at the earliest convenience. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried
208.11 To consider matters relating to footpaths and bridleways
a) Work on the footpath leaflets is deferred until September due to holidays
b) There has been no reply as yet from Barlborough Parish Council about a joint meeting on footpath border issues
209.11 To consider action over a vacancy for a governor at Harthill school
Cllr. Adams is standing down as a governor of the village school. The school has requested that Parish Council representation is continued if possible. Cllr. Simmonite expressed an interest in filling the role and will apply.
210.11 To consider matters related to Woodall Services
The Clerk reported that discussions had taken place with Woodall Services regarding litter problems. They are keen to take measures to alleviate the problem and have requested a meeting with the Parish Council to take ideas forward.
Resolved: That a meeting with management at Woodall Services is arranged at the earliest convenience. Proposed Cllr. Leigh, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
211.11 To approve proposed action on access to Winney Hill recreation field
The Clerk has consulted with Streetpride, RMBC Rights of Way and residents with properties adjoining the entrance to Winney Hill recreation field. There is much support for a permanent gate and no objections. Further discussions need to take place with the Rights of Way team over design and access arrangements for pedestrians. Details will be put forward to the next meeting.
212.11 To consider matters related to the Woodall Lane play area
a) Serious vandalism has taken place at the outdoor gym site where all of the information panels have been destroyed. Two injuries to children are known to have occurred as a result. This has been reported to the police as criminal damage and a crime number obtained.
Resolved: That a quote for repair is obtained from HAGS and enquiries are made regarding insurance cover in respect of the damage. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
b) Councillors expressed concern at the condition of the maze which remains unfinished. New trees planted at the site also appear to have died. It was agreed in principle that new trees could be planted but this will be brought to a later meeting for approval.
Resolved: That Groundwork (Creswell) are asked to complete the work on the maze before the date of the next meeting, 9th August. Proposed Cllr.Leigh, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
213.11 To receive a report on the joint meeting re the former UNSCO site
Several Councillors attended a meeting with RMBC officials and Thorpe Salvin Parish Councillors about the former UNSCO site. Issues such as Health & Safety, Environmental health and planning had been discussed. Further investigations are ongoing and a further meeting will be held on 10 August.
214.11 To receive an update on maintenance on The Tom Wakefield Way
a) Mr. Barlow has repaired one of the public benches which was falling to pieces
b) The weed killer spraying around the path has been done. Councillors expressed the view that further action was needed to cut back to the wooden frame of the path. Richard Pett from RMBC Rights Of Way will be asked to arrange this.
215.11 Individual Councillor Reports
No reports were received
216.11 To approve accounts for payment
Resolved: That the presented accounts are accepted and approved for payment. Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
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.
217.11 To consider matters related to Harthill Leisure Centre
The Chairman of the Leisure Centre has received invoices totalling £2,500 dating back to 2008 in respect of grounds maintenance of the Bowling Green surround. Legal advice is being sought by the Leisure Centre
The meeting closed at 9.23pm