Present: Cllrs. I Lloyd (Chairman), Mrs. J. Pattison, Mr. D. Hall, Mr. S. Green, Mrs W. Thompson, Mrs. B. Gunby, Mrs. C. Leigh and Mrs. E. Simmonite.
285.08 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Adams. A reason was given and this was accepted.
286.08 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9th September 2008
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 9th September 2008 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
287.08 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 32 and 33 due to the confidential nature of the business to be conducted. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried.
288.08 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting.
a) Cllr. Green declared his personal interest in agenda item 32
b) Cllr. Lloyd declared his personal interest in agenda item 22
c) Cllr. Gunby declared her personal interest in agenda item 15
289.08 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) Replacement of stiles with kissing gates has been deferred again because of a staffing shortage at RMBC. This work will now be done over the winter period.
b) The Parish received a Silver Award in the recent Rotherham in Bloom competition
c) It would appear that all national travel passes have now been received by applicants. A further apology has been received from South Yorkshire Travel about the extensive delay.
290.08 To consider planning applications
a) RB2008-1459 First floor extension to rear at 33 Serlby Lane for Mr. P. Stasi.
Resolved: That there are no objections to this application. Carried
b) RB2008-1422 Erection of a white PVC double glazed conservatory / demolition of existing sunroom at 21 Pryor Mede for Mr. D. Tingle.
Resolved: That there are no objections to this application. Carried
291.08 To receive an up date on non-traditional housing issues
A letter to RMBC expressing the Parish Council’s dismay at the situation has been sent but no reply has been received to date.
292.08 To receive information on other planning matters
The decision by RMBC on the planning application pertaining to 9 Woodall Lane, and the conditions attached to the decision, were noted by Councillors and will be monitored
293.08 To receive the RFO’s report.
a) After 6 months of the current financial year 120% of anticipated income has been received and 51.7% of anticipated expenditure has been spent.
b) The VAT reclaim for the April to September period totals £1788.82. This should be received in November
c) The Clerk has been verbally informed that the Council has passed the internal audit but this has yet to be confirmed in writing. One action point from the audit is that Council buildings are valued for insurance purposes.
294.08 To receive a half year income and expenditure report
The half year income and expenditure report was examined by Councillors and no problems were identified.
295.08 To consider budget provision for 2009-10
There was a discussion on budget income and expenditure items prior to the budget being presented to the November meeting. It was unanimously felt that the precept for 2009-10 should be limited to a below inflation increase and that expenditure should be contained within this limit.
296.08 To verify bank reconciliation to 30th September 2008
Bank statements were checked and verified and initialled by two Councillors.
297.08 To approve accounts for payment (see attached sheet)
Resolved: That the accounts for payment are accepted and approved for payment. Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried.
298.08 To approve purchase of a wreath for Remembrance Sunday
Resolved: That the purchase of a wreath for Remembrance Sunday is approved. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
299.08 To consider requests for financial assistance
a) A request for a donation of £50 has been received from the Well Dressing Group.
Resolved: That the request from the Well Dressing Group is approved. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
300.08 To consider a request that a Christmas tree is purchased by the Parish Council
A suitable tree has been offered free of charge by Cllr. Hall. The Clerk will investigate transportation, fitting and cost and report to the next meeting.
301.08 To note any correspondence
a) A letter has been received from the Carnival Society requesting a commitment to financially support the 2009 Carnival
Resolved: That provision is made in the budget to support the 2009 Carnival. An application will need to be made by the Carnival Society for financial assistance when it is required. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
302.08 To receive an update on risk assessment
Following the risk assessment undertaken at the Leisure Centre, agreement has been reached with the Management Committee on immediate repairs and ongoing maintenance issues.
303.08 To receive reports of September/October external meetings
a) A productive meeting was held on 1 October with Councillors Sharpe and Fenoughty.
b) The Area Assembly meeting was held on 6 October but was not attended.
c) Cllrs. Lloyd and Gunby attended the YRCC winding up event for Objective 1 funding
304.08 To receive information on external meetings arranged for October/November
a) The next meeting of the Rotherham South Parishes group will be held on 16th Oct.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Resolved: That the meeting is adjourned for comments and questions from the press and public. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried
Mr Newby gave some feedback from the Area Assembly meeting that he had attended. He also raised issues about the M1 widening scheme, crime figures, hedge-cutting, white-lining and Neighbourhood Watch
305.08 To consider matters relating to improvements and services for Woodall
There was nothing new to report this month
306.08 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
Cllr. Lloyd reported that he and the Clerk had attended a meeting at VAR at which help was offered re the WREN funding bid and in changes to the legal status of the management committee if this was approved. In the first instance a bid is being prepared to Awards for All to raise funding for a full feasibility study.
307.08 To consider grounds maintenance matters
a) RMBC is to undertake maintenance of the pond path within the next few weeks
b) The Clerk reported that Streetpride have now surveyed the hedges between Harthill and Woodall. They do not consider that there is a safety risk at present but they will keep this under review and assist with enforcement should it prove necessary.
c) Maintenance of the hedge at the well area will be undertaken in November
d) A resident has requested that the Parish Council undertake to carry out grounds maintenance not done or badly done by RMBC. It was felt that the Council cannot give a blanket commitment to this as it will effectively mean that the Parish is paying twice for these services. Each case will be considered on its merits.
308.08 To consider matters relating to work undertaken by RMBC contractors in Harthill
Councillors have received numerous complaints about the work being undertaken by ROK as part of the Better Homes initiative. Complaints have included quality of work, disruption, missed appointments, poor timekeeping and costs of redecoration.
Resolved: That a letter is sent to RMBC requesting an urgent meeting to seek solutions to the current problems. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
309.08 To consider allotment matters
The Clerk reported that there is currently a waiting list at the Thorpe Road site while some plots do not seem to have been worked at all this year.
Resolved: That an initial letter is sent to the tenants concerned warning of action to recover plots that continue to remain uncultivated. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
310.08 To consider proposals for a Volunteers Event to be held in December
Cllr. Lloyd proposed an event at the village hall to attempt to bring together recruiting village organisations with people who may wish to join or volunteer. Refreshments would be provided. The event could be advertised extensively via the newsletter and website. Small grant funding organisations could also be invited to attend. The proposal was widely approved although it was felt it would be preferable to hold the vent in January. Details will be discussed at the next meeting.
Resolved: That a volunteers event is approved, to be held at the village hall in January. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
311.08 To receive a report on the holiday play scheme in Harthill July/August 2008
The final report from the summer play scheme has been received from RMBC. The play scheme ran for two weeks in the summer holidays, attracted 108 participants who attended 336 sessions and the scheme overall received 100% positive feedback from participants and parents.
312.08 To receive an update on proposals to upgrade the Woodall Lane Play Area
The play sub-group met with the designers from Groundwork on Tuesday 14th October. There was broad agreement on the final design although some changes regarding the use of fencing will be made. There are also some concerns about ongoing maintenance costs which will be pursued with RMBC. RMBC have asked for confirmation that part of the Parish Council contribution can be used for design costs. A final meeting will be held on Wednesday 22 October.
313.08 To receive an update on seating on “The Tom Wakefield Way”
British Waterways risk assessment and methods statement forms have now been completed. The benches should now be installed during w/c 20 or 27 October.
314.08 To receive an update on the Spens Field lease
The offer of a 20 year lease has been approved by the RMBC Senior Management Team and now awaits final ratification by the Regeneration and Asset Board on 22 October.
315.08 To approve arrangements for distribution of “The Hart”
Distribution arrangements for the autumn issue of “The Hart” were agreed.
316.08 Individual Councillor Reports (For information only)
Cllr. Green asked if matters concerning the RMBC allotment land on Serlby Lane could be included on the next agenda.
Cllr. Gunby asked if the issue of lighting on the path between Tanimara and Serlby Lanecould be included on the next agenda.
Cllr. Leigh raised the issue of potholes on Woodall Lane. She will raise this with Streetpride.
Cllr. Pattison reported that the securing pegs on the Doctor Lane goal nets have been removed
Cllr. Simmonite asked if street lighting on Woodall Lane could be included on the next agenda.
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.
317.08 To receive an update concerning matters relating to Parish Council land
The report from the District Valuer, giving valuations of the affected land has now been received.
Resolved: That an individual letter is sent to each affected resident offering the land for sale at the price set by the District Valuer. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
318.08 To consider employment matters
a) Resolved: That following the increase in the minimum wage, the Handyman’s wages will increase to £6.23 from 1 October. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried
b) Resolved: That the Clerk’s will receive an incremental salary increase to scale point 28 (£22845 pro rata) from 1 October. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried
The meeting closed at 9.45 pm
Signed
Chairman