Present: Cllr Mrs. J. Pattison (Chairman), Mr I Lloyd (Vice Chairman), Mrs B. Gunby, Mrs. C. Leigh, Mrs W. Thompson, Mrs A. Adams, Mr. S Green, Mrs E. Simmonite and Mr. D. Hall
302.11 To receive any apologies for absence
No apologies were received
303.11 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11th October 2011
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 11th October 2011 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
304.11 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.
No items were identified
305.11 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting.
Cllr. Lloyd declared his personal interest in Agenda item 21
Cllr. Leigh declared her personal interest in Agenda item 21
306.11 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) There is no further info on North Farm.
b) The Tanimara streetlight situation is currently being dealt with by Clare McRoy at RMBC – she is trying to get the property owner to cut the tree back. Once this happens we should get the light upgraded fairly quickly.
c) The Winney Hill gate has still not been done but should be completed during November. RMBC is meeting the full cost of £760.
d) Information has been received on emptying of recycling bins at Woodall Lane. This has been passed on to the handyman.
307.11 To consider planning applications
a) There were no new planning applications
b) An objection was submitted in respect of applications to allow change of use to waste transfer at the former UNSCO site.
308.11 To receive the RFO’s report
a) After 7 months of the financial year, the Council has received 100% of anticipated income and spent 62% of planned expenditure. There are no concerns at this stage.
b) A VAT reclaim for £4603.08 has been submitted but not yet received.
309.11 To monitor the budget against income and expenditure
The management accounts were examined and no problems were identified
310.11 To verify bank reconciliation to 31st October
Bank statements were verified and initialled by two Councillors
311.11. To consider budget provision for 2012-13
A draft expenditure budget was presented. This recommended an £1856 (4.4%) precept increase to take into account the extra costs incurred through grounds maintenance, the youth club and a village hall repair bill. Additional costs are partly offset by savings elsewhere on administration, insurance and other aspects of grounds maintenance such as the bowling green. The proposed precept increase is below the current CPR inflation rates of 5.2%. Income other than the precept is unchanged. Councillors will consider the draft budget and make a decision at the December meeting.
312. To approve renewal of membership of CPRE
Resolved: That payment of £29.00 in respect of subscription to Campaign for the Protection of Rural England is approved. Proposed Cllr. Simmonite, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried
313.11 To consider financial support for the Active Always programme
The programme is still undersubscribed and regularly making a loss.
Resolved: That a grant of £100 is approved for the Active Always programme at the Village Hall. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
314.11 To consider requests for financial assistance
a) A request was received from the Carnival Society for a donation of £700 towards the costs of Christmas lights.
Resolved: That the Carnival Society’s request for a donation of £700 towards the costs of Christmas lights is approved. Proposed Cllr. Leigh, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
b) Resolved: That a donation to JADE of £700 for the cost of Youth Club rent at the Village Hall is confirmed and approved. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried
315.11 To approve registration payments for the Clerk’s CiLCA qualification
Resolved: That the £150 registration payment for the Clerk’s CiLCA qualification is approved. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried
316.11 To consider allotment matters
Resolved: That retrospective approval is given to expenditure of £85 for ploughing undertaken at Thorpe Road allotment site by Mr. J. Dixon. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
317.11 To approve accounts for payment
Resolved: That the presented accounts are accepted and approved for payment. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
318.11 To consider risk assessment matters
Cllr. Lloyd reported that all items from the recent risk assessment at the Leisure Centre were either completed or underway.
319.11 To note any correspondence
There was no correspondence that is not covered by other agenda items.
320.11 To receive reports of October / November external meetings
Cllr. Gunby gave feedback on a meeting attended with the RVS Area Housing Panel which covered footpath booklet issues and plans for development at the reservoir. This will be further addressed at a meeting to be held on 23 November.
321.11 To receive information on external meetings arranged for November/December
a) Rural Action Yorkshire meeting at Harthill Village Hall on Wednesday 16 November. This is principally about funding opportunities.
b) Rother Valley South Parishes meeting to be held on 19 November. This is not likely to be attended.
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 were present at the meeting
322.11 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
a) The Council received £18,900 from Veolia in respect of the refurbishment bid. This is much less than we asked for and a revised project plan is needed.
Resolved: That a meeting with TH Michaels is arranged to ascertain what can be achieved with the money available. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
b) Other funding options such as Virador and Biffa still need to be pursued
c) The fan in the main hall is broken and very expensive to replace. The work will need to be tendered and it was agreed to defer until March / April 2012.
d) Resolved: That a request for £1000 in financial support to Harthill Village Hall Ltd. was approved. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried.
323.11 To consider matters relating to footpaths and bridleways
a) A meeting with RMBC, British Waterways and others relating to walks and development of the reservoir site is on 23rd November. Cllr. Gunby and the Clerk will attend.
b) Cllrs Gunby and Leigh will meet to review the current Parish Council walks leaflet draft and select one for production as a pilot leaflet.
324.11 To consider RMBC withdrawal of grounds maintenance services
a) The basic cutting of Spens Field by RMBC under the terms of the existing lease is no longer under threat. There is also the possibility of a one-off discount on grass cutting of Doctor Lane and Winney Hill recreation grounds but this is yet to be confirmed.
325.11 To consider other grounds maintenance matters
a) A 2012 schedule for Parish Council funded grounds maintenance work will be presented at the next meeting
b) A planter on Thorpe Road had been damaged and needs to be scrapped or replaced. It was agreed to seek a quote from Groundwork Creswell in the first instance to ascertain costs and feasibility.
c) Cllr. Lloyd outlined a proposal to create a nature garden on the Winney Hill recreation ground, on the area of the former football pitch. It may be possible to obtain funding to do this under the Loscar Wind Farm fund. The site would require initial ploughing, and sowing of seeds would take place in March / April. The proposal was very well received. Cllr. Adams and the Clerk agreed to research ploughing possibilities with local farmers and Cllr. Lloyd agreed to research funding opportunities. The idea will be presented at the January meeting for formal approval if practicalities can be resolved.
326.11 To approve plans for snow ploughing during winter 2011/12
Mr. Wilks has confirmed that he is available, and insured, to carry out snow ploughing in the Parish as required.
Resolved: That approval for necessary expenditure on snow ploughing is given. Determination of need is delegated to a sub-committee comprising the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Clerk. Proposed Cllr. Adams, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
327.11 To consider proposals regarding use of the Community Payback Scheme
a) Community Payback have completed the Bowling Green surround work and will be doing further work at the Leisure Centre during the winter and spring.
b) They are also interested in decorating the Village Hall. Given the limited success of the funding bids to date, the Council agreed in principal that this was worth consideration. This will be on a future agenda.
328.11 To consider matters relating to Harthill Leisure Centre
It has not yet been possible to arrange a date for a meeting with the Leisure Centre management committee. This will be addressed as soon as possible
329.11 To consider matters relating to the Woodall Lane play area
a) A missing part is holding up the repairs to the outdoor gym. HAGS have had to re-order it from Sweden. It is hoped but not guaranteed that the work will be done during November.
b) Resolved: That the quotation received from Mr. J. Dixon for supply and planting of trees is accepted. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
330.11 To receive an update on the former UNSCO site
The next UNSCO meeting with RMBC and Thorpe Salvin Parish Council is arranged for Thursday 24th November at 3pm at Harthill Village Hall. This will consider planning, environmental, health & safety and highways matters.
331.11. To consider matters related to The Tom Wakefield Way
Matters relating to proposed developments at Harthill Reservoir will be addressed at the planned meeting with RMBC, British Waterways and other interested groups to be held on 23 November.
332.11 Individual Councillor Reports
a) Cllr. Lloyd asked that internet banking is added to the next agenda
b) Cllr. Thompson reported that street lighting was off at the shops and on Union Street and Hard Lane
c) Cllr Green and Cllr. Leigh had both reported instances of fly-tipping
The meeting closed at 9.23 pm