Present: Cllr Mrs. J. Pattison (Chairman), Mr I Lloyd (Vice Chairman), Mr. D. Hall, Mrs W. Thompson, Mrs B. Gunby, Mrs. C. Leigh, Mrs A. Adams and Mr. S. Green..
119.11 To elect a Chairman for 2011/2012
Resolved: That Cllr. Mrs. J. Pattison is elected Chairman for 2011/2012. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried.
The newly elected Chairman signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and took the Chair.
120.11 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllr. Mrs E. Simmonite. A reason was provided and this was accepted.
121.11 To elect a Vice Chairman for 2011/2012
Resolved: That Cllr. I. Lloyd is elected Vice Chairman for 2011/2012. Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried.
The Vice Chairman signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office
122.11 To elect 4 representatives to the Allotments Committee
Resolved: That Cllrs. Pattison, Lloyd, Thompson and Leigh will serve as Parish Council representatives on the Allotments Committee for 2011/12. Proposed Cllr. Green, seconded Cllr. Gunby, Carried.
123.11 To elect 4 members to the Finance Committee
Resolved: That Cllrs. Pattison, Lloyd, Adams and Thompson will serve on the Finance Committee for 2011/2012. Proposed Cllr. Adams, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
124.11 To elect 2 representatives to the South Rotherham Area Assembly
Resolved: That Cllrs. Lloyd and Simmonite will represent the Parish Council at the South Rotherham Area Assembly. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried.
125.11 To elect a representative to the South Rotherham Rural Transport Group
Resolved: That Cllr. Simmonite will represent the Parish Council on the South Rotherham Rural Transport Group. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried.
126.11 To elect 2 representatives to the Yorkshire Local Councils’ Associations
Resolved: That Cllrs. Gunby and Leigh will represent the Parish Council at the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations. Proposed Cllr. Adams, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried.
127.11 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12th April 2011
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 12th April 2011 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Pattison seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
128.11 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 38 and 39 due to the confidential nature of the business to be conducted. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
129.11 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting.
Cllr. Lloyd declared his personal interest in Agenda item 27
Cllr. Leigh declared her personal interest in Agenda item 27
130.11 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) Andrew Leigh of RMBC Highways has upheld his decision not to pursue a visibility mirror at Walseker Lane in Woodall. However it would be possible to have a mirror sited on private land if a suitable site could be identified.
b) An RMBC street light specialist will be carrying out an inspection of the path between Union Street and Serlby Lane. A date is not yet known.
c) Investigations into provision of enhanced broadband facilities in Harthill and Woodall have not yet commenced because of lack of time.
d) The same applies to the investigation into lighting of the village signs.
e) The Bowls club have reported that a competition open to the public at the May Bank holiday is unfeasible because of the condition of the surrounding path. It suggests a competition later in the year.
f) The next issue of the Hart is due during the first week of July prior to Harthill Carnival.
131.11 To consider planning applications
There were no new planning applications this month.
132.11 To receive the RFO’s report
a) After one month of the financial year 48% of anticipated income has been received (including the first half of the precept) and 13% of planned expenditure has been spent.
b) The tax year end has been completed by Voluntary Action Rotherham and P 60’s will be issued this week.
c) The VAT reclaim for October to March was £1604.88.
d) £1025 has been collected so far in allotment and garage rents. £82 is still to come in mainly due to new lettings.
e) The internal audit will take place next week.
133.11 To monitor the budget against income and expenditure
The management accounts were examined and no problems were identified
134.11 To verify bank reconciliation to 31st March and 30th April
Bank statements for March and April were verified and initialled by two Councillors
135.11 To consider options for renewal of Parish Council Insurance for 2011/12
A review of the Parish Council Insurance has been undertaken. Following the updated valuation on the Leisure Centre there is a need to increase cover. There is also a need to add recently purchased play equipment to the policy. The existing insurance policy is adequate for the Council’s needs and continues to represent good value. In addition, the Council has been offered 16 months insurance at a single year’s costs with a renewal date in October 2012.
Resolved: That the insurance cover on the Leisure Centre is increased to £180,000. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried.
Resolved: That £20k cover for newly purchased play equipment is added to the insurance policy. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried.
Resolved: That renewal of the Aviva policy via Came & Co. Ltd is approved Proposed Cllr Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
Resolved: That the Aviva offer to renew the policy in October 2012 at one year’s premium cost is accepted and approved. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
136.11 To approve updating of the Chairman’s Allowance for 2010/2011
Resolved: That the Chairman’s Allowance for 2010/2011 should increase to £120.00. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried.
137.11 To approve the end of year accounts for 2010-11
Resolved: That the Parish Council end of year accounts for 2010/11 are approved and adopted by the Council. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
138.11 To consider reinvestment of a Cooperative Bank Guaranteed Investment Bond
Resolved: That the Cooperative Bank Guaranteed Investment Bond, maturing on 17 May, is closed with proceeds transferred into the current account. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried.
139.11 To consider requests for financial assistance
a) A request has been received from the Carnival Society for unspecified sponsorship of this year’s Shire Horse show at the Carnival.
Resolved: That sponsorship of £100 is approved in respect of the request from the Carnival Society to support the Shire Horse show at the Carnival. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried.
b) A request has been received from Harthill Over 60s for an unspecified donation towards costs of a bus previously funded by external grants. This item was deferred pending further information from Rotherham Community Transport.
c) A previous request for a donation of £200 from Harthill and District Garden Association was now supported by financial information.
Resolved: That a donation of £200 is approved in respect of the request from Harthill and District Garden Association to support the annual show. Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried.
Agenda item 22 (Accounts for payment) was moved to the end of the meeting to allow for items approved at this meeting to be paid.
140.11 To consider risk assessment matters
Cllrs. Lloyd, Gunby and Leigh will undertake the risk assessments on the Leisure Centre and Village Hall before the next meeting.
141.11 To note any correspondence
There was no correspondence that was not covered under other agenda items
142.11 To receive reports of April/May external meetings
No meetings were held that are not covered by other agenda items
143.11 To receive information on external meetings arranged for May/June
a) An Area Assembly meeting is scheduled for 10am on 6th June at Harthill Village Hall.
b) The Clerk will attend an RMBC training session on the proposed Localism Bill on 31st May
c) The Clerk has had confirmation that a meeting of interested parties in the former UNSCO site will be arranged by RMBC. A date is not yet known.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Resolved: That the meeting is adjourned for comments and questions from the press and public. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried
No members of the public attended the meeting
144.11 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
a) The lease between the Parish Council and Harthill Village Hall Ltd. has now been signed by CISWO. A meeting will be arranged within the next couple of weeks for formal signing between the Parish Council and HVH Ltd.
b) Some further progress has been made on the refurbishment funding bids and it is expected that they will be completed by the end of next month. The question of a 3rd party funding contribution remains unresolved and the Clerk will continue to pursue this with RMBC.
145.11 To consider matters relating to Harthill Youth Club
A further meeting with RMBC and Youth Club representatives has been arranged for 16 June. This will hopefully give some solid detail of future plans for youth provision via the mobile bus and take forward options for keeping some provision at the Village Hall. Cllr. Pattison is still hopeful of attracting volunteers. A Parish Council donation on a match funding basis was also discussed and considered a possibility.
146.11 To consider grounds maintenance matters
The Clerk has sent further reports of potholes, with photographs to RMBC,
147.11 To consider allotment matters
A request has been received from a new tenant on Firvale site for assistance in removing old buildings on his plot that are considered to be a health and safety risk. The plot has been vacated by the death of the former tenant.
Resolved: That Groundwork (Creswell) is asked to investigate the clearance work and proceed if feasible. The Council will meet any tipping costs incurred. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Hall . Carried
148.11 To consider a response to the RMBC consultation on the A57 road scheme at Todwick
Cllr. Simmonite has attended the RMBC consultation and sent a proposal to the meeting, which was discussed. It was broadly supported that traffic lights were needed at the proposed new roundabout at Todwick. Cllr. Hall commented that this had already been considered and rejected during the planning phase.
Resolved: That as part of the consultation on the A57 road scheme at Todwick, a letter is sent to RMBC expressing the need for traffic light controls at the new roundabout. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried
149.11 To receive a report on the Easter Holiday play scheme
The RMBC report on the Easter play scheme was circulated. Once again, the play scheme was very well attended and had received a positive evaluation from both children and parents.
150.11 To approve proposals for a holiday play scheme in Harthill during summer 2010
Resolved: That the Council will support a two week summer play scheme on Spens Field, under RMBC’s Mega Active programme, in 2011. Proposed Cllr. Leigh, seconded Cllr. Gunby . Carried
151.11 To consider matters relating to footpaths and bridleways
a) The Council has been invited to participate in RMBC’s Local Paths Partnership. Cllr. Lloyd has reviewed the terms and conditions of this. Resolved: That the Council does not wish to participate in the RMBC Local Paths Partnership in 2011/12 proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
b) It was reported that the stretch of bridleway between Woodall Services and Dow Carr Lane is strewn with rubbish most of which emanates from KFC and McDonalds. Resolved: That a letter is sent to the manager of Woodall Services advising them of the situation regarding littering and raising awareness of the issue among food outlets proposed Cllr. Leigh, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
c) It was proposed that a joint meeting was needed with Barlborough Parish Council to identify shared interests on footpath issues. Resolved: That Barlborough Parish Council is invited to a meeting to discuss joint footpath issues proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
d)Unfortunately the Bluebell Walk could not be held this year because bluebells flowered early and would not be present. An alternative walk is being planned for September.
e) Cllr. Gunby agreed to obtain an electronic copy of the test of Mrs Webb’s planned walks. This will allow work on the footpaths leaflets to recommence.
152.11 To consider matters relating to Harthill Leisure Centre
a) The tarmacing work on the holes left after the bowling green surround was installed is still to be completed. It was suggested that the Council could undertake this work itself. Cllr. Lloyd has identified a supply of cold roll tarmac.
Resolved: That a small supply of cold roll tarmac is purchased and that the Council undertake work in a test area to assess feasibility. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried
b) Several questions have been posed to the Parish Council regarding policies and practices relating to the Leisure Centre. It was agreed that the Leisure Centre Management Committee would be invited to a meeting with the Parish Council following the Leisure Centre risk assessment.
153.11 To consider matters related to the Woodall Lane play area
a) The new fitness equipment has been installed and is proving popular no problems have been reported so far. It was suggested that a health and safety notice may be needed indicating that the equipment is used at users own risk. The Clerk will take advice from HAGS on this.
b) Drainage work undertaken by Groundwork Creswell has commenced on the cantilever swing.
c) The basic shape of the maze, edged with wood, has now been completed and seeding has taken place. Further cosmetic work on the area still needs to be completed.
154.11 To consider matters relating to The Tom Wakefield Way
Richard Pett from RMBC Rights of Way has reported that the spraying of the pond path will be done within the next 2 weeks. Cllrs. commented that it needs cutting back in addition to spraying. The Clerk will speak to Richard to organise this.
155.11 Individual Councillor Reports
Cllr. Patterson has had reports that the bus from Crystal Peaks to Dinnington via Harthill is under threat. The Clerk will investigate.
Cllr. Leigh said that the former garage site managed by 2010 and the chapel path between Woodall Lane and Pryor Meade is once again in need of clearance. The Clerk will take this up with Rotherham 2010.
Cllr. Gunby asked if a full list of village organisations could be featured in the next issue of the Hart. The Clerk said that as it would be a 4 page issue that space will be found.
Cllr. Thompson commented that RMBC grass cutting was not being done to a high standard this year.
156.11 To approve accounts for payment
Resolved: That the accounts for payment are accepted and approved for payment. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried.
All Councillors present at the meeting signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. Cllr. Simmonite will sign the Declaration at the next meeting she attends.
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.
157.11 To consider matters relating to North Farm
RMBC has reported that the owner of the North Farm site has not complied with enforcement procedures and steps are to be taken to commence prosecution. The Parish Council will keep the situation under review.
158.11 To consider matters relating to Parish Council land
The former allotment land adjacent to the grazing land has now been let to the tenants of the grazing land on a standard allotment agreement.
The meeting closed at 9.25pm