Present: Cllrs. J. Pattison (Chairman), Mr. I Lloyd (Vice Chairman), Mrs C Leigh, Mrs. B. Gunby, Mrs A Adams, Mrs W. Thompson, Mr. D. Hall and Mrs E. Simmonite.
057.11 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. Mr. S. Green.
058.11 To approve the minutes of the Meeting held on 8th February 2011
Resolved: That the minutes of the Meeting held on 8th February 2011 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried.
059.11 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 items 26 and 30 due to the confidential nature of the business to be conducted. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried.
060.11 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting
a) Cllr. Lloyd declared his personal interest in agenda item 19
b) Cllr. Leigh declared her personal interest in agenda item 19
061.11 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) There have been no further developments on North Farm
b) This year’s Easter play scheme will take place on 11-15th April
c) The Hart is scheduled for delivery by 8 April
062.11 To consider planning applications
a) RB2011/0032: Erection of one 3 bed dwelling and one 4 bed dwelling with associated garages and access on land to the rear of 4 Union Street, Harthill, for Mr and Mrs Hammond.
Resolved: That previous observations made in respect of this application are restated. Carried
b) RB2011/0108: Demolish existing house and garage and erect new dwelling with granny annexe at Fir Hill, Winney Lane, Harthill, for Mr and Mrs Messerschmidt
Resolved: That there is no objection to this application. Carried
c) RB2011/0274: Proposed single storey front extension, rear and side porch and extension to existing garage for Mr. P. Heathcote at 11 Darley Close, Harthill
Resolved: That there is no objection to this application. Carried
063.11 To consider risk assessment matters
Annual risk assessments are due to be carried out by Cllrs. Lloyd, Gunby and Leigh. The Councillors will liaise and agree a schedule for the visits to be carried out.
064.11 To receive the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 1 March 2011
Resolved: That the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 1 March are accepted. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
065.11 To verify bank reconciliation to 28th February 2011
Bank statements were examined and initialled by two Councillors.
066.11 To approve earmarking of reserves for specific 2011/12 projects
It is now known that specific Parish Council contributions are required for two ongoing projects – the village hall refurbishment and the play area extension. It was proposed that these sums were earmarked as committed reserves.
Resolved: That the sum of £30,000 is earmarked as a Parish Council contribution to village hall refurbishment. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
Resolved: That the sum of £10,500 is earmarked as a Parish Council contribution to new equipment at Woodall Lane play area. Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
067.11 To approve the Financial Risk Assessment (as recommended by the Finance Committee)
Resolved: That the Financial Risk Assessment is approved. Proposed Cllr. Adams , seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried
068.11 To approve the Parish Council Asset Register (as recommended by the Finance Committee)
Resolved: That the Parish Council Asset Register is approved. Proposed Cllr. Lee, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
069.11 To approve renewal of membership of Yorkshire Local Councils Associations (YLCA)
This item is deferred pending a receipt of an invoice.
070.11 To consider requests for financial assistance
a) A request has been received, with supporting information, from Harthill with Woodall in Bloom for a donation of £1,000
Resolved: That a donation of £1,000 to Harthill with Woodall in Bloom is approved, to be paid in April 2011. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried
b) A request for an unspecified donation has been received from the joint secretaries of Harthill Garden Show. This was deferred until the next meeting pending clarification of the request and receipt of supporting evidence
071.11 To approve accounts for payment
Resolved: That accounts for payment are approved. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
072.11 To receive the minutes of the Allotments Committee meeting held on 15th February 2011
Resolved: That the minutes of the Allotments committee meeting held on 15th February 2011 are accepted. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
073.11 To note any correspondence
An invitation was received from RMBC for Councillors to attend Localism training. Because of the very short notice Councillors were unable to attend but will attend a future session when arranged. The Clerk will also attend if possible.
074.11 To receive reports of February / March external meetings
Cllr. Lloyd attended the Parish Council Network meeting. The meeting gave information on procedures for the forthcoming elections and referendum. Feedback was also given on RMBC’s procedures and performance during the winter weather crisis.
075.11 To receive information on external meetings arranged for March / April
a) Rother Valley South Parishes Meeting – 24 March, 7pm at Anston Parish Hall
b) Parish Council Liaison Meeting – 7April, pm at 6.30pm
c) South Rotherham Rural Transport Group – 11 April, 2pm at Harthill Village Hall
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
No members of the press or public were in attendance
076.11 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
a) Because of delays in gathering information for the funding bid we are now unlikely to meet the April Veolia deadline. July looks like a more achievable option for both Veolia and the Lottery.
b) A meeting has been arranged with T H Michaels to attempt to breakdown the costs of the work to be undertaken and match against what is available from potential funders.
c) The lease between the Parish Council and the Village Hall is complete but is still awaiting ratification by CiSWO. It is hoped that the lease can be signed to commence on 1st April.
d) Following the valuation of the Village Hall the Council will approach Norris Fisher, the Village |Hall insurers, for a re quotation on the current premium.
077.11 To consider grounds maintenance matters
There is nothing to report that is not covered under other agenda items
078.11 To considers proposals for illumination of village signs
The Clerk will investigate options and report to the next meeting.
079.11 To approve purchase of a Parish Council copy of Microsoft Office
Following further investigations this issue is now resolved so no purchase is necessary
080.11 To consider further support for the Active Always programme in Harthill
The Active Always programme continues to struggle with lack of participants and does not break even. It was considered that the programme is very beneficial to existing users and should be supported. A further subsidy was approved.
Resolved: That the Active Always programme is awarded a further 8 week subsidy of £10 per week. Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried
081.11 To consider matters related to Parish footpaths and bridleways
a) The diversion over Mr Skepper’s field proposed by RMBC is still not resolved and the Council will invite Rights of Way officers to a meeting to discuss the issue.
b) Work on the footpath leaflets is deferred pending the outcome of the above.
c) A meeting has been arranged with Clare McRoy of RMBC on the 18th March to discuss wider footpath issues.
082.11 To consider matters relating to Harthill Leisure Centre
a) Further work has been undertaken by the Community Payback Service. Decorating work has now been completed and work on restoring benches and tables commenced. Work will start on the bowling green surround next week.
b) The Clerk will investigate the feasibility and cost of mole clearance by RMBC for the next meeting
083.11 To consider matters related to the Woodall Lane play area
a) Groundwork Creswell has commenced work at the play area. A potential solution to the drainage problem at the large swing has been identified and it is hoped that this will be carried out in time for the next meeting.
b) Groundwork have supplied and planted some silver birch trees to replace those that have been vandalised. The trees need to be properly staked.
c) Groundwork have also offered to reinstate the maze with a wooden surround for materials costs only. The cost is not likely to exceed £250.
Resolved: That approval is given to the restoration of the maze by Groundwork Creswell at an approximate cost of £250. Proposed Cllr Pattison, seconded Cllr, Leigh Carried
d) The Clerk will contact HAGS about a date for the installation of the new play equipment. There has been no further information about the funding bid in this respect.
084.11 To consider matters related to The Tom Wakefield Way
a) A letter has been sent to British Waterways requesting littering and dog fouling signage. No reply has been received as yet
b) RMBC now has a suitably qualified officer to spray the pond path with weed killer. This will be undertaken in April.
085.11 Individual Councillor Reports (For information only)
Cllr. Adams reported that the new Winney Lane street sign has now been fitted.
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.
086.11 To consider quotations for the maintenance of the bowling green
Three quotations have been received ranging from £2,600 to £4,500.
Resolved: That the tender from Lightwood Grounds Maintenance is accepted at an annual cost of £2,600. The contract will commence on 1 April and run for three years, subject to reviews. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
087.11 consider a proposal related to Parish Council land
Advice has been received from YLCA that the Council is able to dispose of land at Winney Hill on a lease basis of not more than seven years.
Resolved: That consultation is arranged with the current grazing land leaseholders to take forward the merging of grazing land and former allotment land under a single lease. Proposed Cllr. seconded Cllr.
The meeting closed at 9.53pm