Present: Cllr Mrs. J. Pattison (Chairman), Mr I Lloyd (Vice Chairman), Mrs B. Gunby, Mrs. C. Leigh and Mr. S Green
272.11 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. D. Hall, Mrs W. Thompson, Mrs A. Adams and Mrs E. Simmonite
273.11 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 13th September 2011
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 13th September 2011 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
274.11 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
275.11 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting.
Cllr. Lloyd declared his personal interest in Agenda item 18
Cllr. Leigh declared her personal interest in Agenda item 18
276.11 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) Further investigations have been carried out re the water on Winney Hill with no result. A leak check on Firvale allotment site will be arranged.
b) There has been no further progress on the Tanimara path street lighting. This matter is now in the hands of RMBC Rights of Way
c) The Woodall Services litter pick has yet to be arranged but is likely to be in half term week.
d) The Winney Hill recreation ground gate has been delayed by discovery of a high voltage cable running near the planned site. YEDL plans have been obtained and the work should go ahead within the next few weeks.
e) Progress on North Farm enforcement by RMBC has been delayed due to change of legal ownership. Further details are awaited.
f) Strimming of the grass banks on Serlby Lane opposite The Downings has been undertaken by Rotherham 2010.
277.11 To consider planning applications
No new planning applications were received
278.11 To receive the RFO’s report
a) After 6 months of the financial year, 100% of anticipated income has been received and 55% of planned expenditure has been spent. There are no issues of concern at this stage.
b) A VAT reclaim for £4603.08 will be submitted in October
c) The second stage precept payment of £21,023 has been received
279.11 To monitor the budget against income and expenditure
The management accounts were examined and no problems were identified
280.11 To verify bank reconciliation to 30th September
Bank statements were verified and initialled by two Councillors
281.11 To approve the External Audit report for 2010/11
Resolved: That the external audit report for 2010/2011 is approved. Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
282.11 To approve purchase of a wreath for Remembrance Sunday
Resolved: That a wreath is purchased on behalf of the Parish Council for the Remembrance Sunday service. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
283.11 To consider requests for financial assistance
There were no requests this month
284.11 To approve accounts for payment
Resolved: That the presented accounts are accepted and approved for payment. Proposed Cllr. Leigh, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
285.11 To consider risk assessment matters
The Leisure Centre risk assessment has now been completed and several issues were identified such as signage improvements, hot water thermostat problem, water heater in kitchen not working, missing bulbs, fire extinguisher needs checking. Brookhouse Gas and South Anston Fire Extinguishers have been contacted to carry out repairs. There is also damage to the wire fence which it is hoped that the handyman can repair.
286.11 To note any correspondence
There was no correspondence that is not covered by other agenda items.
287.11 To receive reports of September / October external meetings
a) The Area Assembly meeting held on 3rd October was not attended,
b) The Clerk attended the South Rural Transport Group meeting on 10th October and gave a brief report. Minutes will be circulated when received.
288.11 To receive information on external meetings arranged for October / November
An informal meeting was held with Ward Councillor Dominic Beck. Several issues were raised including grounds maintenance work undertaken by RMBC, the Spens Field lease, lying water on Woodall Lane and Harthill Youth Club. Cllr Beck agreed to report back to the Council with any findings.
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
289.11 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
a) The Clerk reported that the bid for funding to the National Lottery was unsuccessful. Lack of evidence of need was cited as the main reason. The Veolia bid will be determined on 29th October
b) Cllr. Lloyd presented the Village Hall Year End Accounts. This shows a small improvement on last year in terms of the gap between income and expenditure.
c) It was confirmed that the Youth Club rent is to be paid to the Village Hall by JADE. JADE will apply to the Parish Council for a grant to cover the costs involved.
d) There is a faulty fan in the main hall. Mr Oxley will be asked to investigate repairs.
e) Resolved: That the quote from Mr G Tune of £90 to remove the elder trees at the rear of the hall is accepted. Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Green Carried
290.11 To consider matters relating to footpaths and bridleways
a) A meeting was held with members of the Peregrin Way TARA and Rother Valley South Area Housing Panel about plans to develop facilities at the reservoir. One of the plans is to establish planned walks under the Seven Golden Walks project. Details of Harthill walks will be offered to contribute to this project. A further meeting will be held on 28th October.
b) The Clerk was asked to report a broken stile to RMBC Rights of Way. The stile is located between Spens Field and the brook.
c) Cllr. Lloyd reported that phase two of the Connect 2 project has commenced in Halfway.
291.11 To consider RMBC withdrawal of grounds maintenance services
A quote has been received from RMBC to provide grass cutting services on Doctor Lane recreation field and Winney Hill recreation field. There is a prospect of creating a natural meadow in part of the Winney Hill recreation ground which will reduce maintenance costs.
Resolved : That the quote from RMBC for grounds maintenance of Doctor Lane recreation ground and Winney Hill recreation ground is accepted subject to possible changes at Winney Hill. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Leigh Carried
292.11 To consider other grounds maintenance matters
a) Resolved: That the quote from Mr G Tune to undertake tree removal at Spens Field is accepted. Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
b) Resolved: That the quote from Mr G Tune to weed and prune the bed on Winney Hill outside the Leisure Centre is accepted. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
c) A planter Thorpe Road has been damaged by a vehicle. The handyman will be consulted about possibilities of repair.
d) Resolved: That 20 bags (half a ton) of rock salt is purchased to maintain Council supplies. Cost will not exceed £200. Proposed Cllr. Green seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
293.11 To approve arrangements for provision of Christmas trees in 2011
It was generally agreed that the Woodall Christmas tree had been a success last year.
Resolved: That permission is sought from Mr Holmes at White House Farm Dow Carr lane to site the Woodall Christmas Tree on his land once again. Proposed Cllr. Leigh, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
294.11 To approve proposals regarding use of the Community Payback Scheme
A meeting with South Yorkshire Probation Service at which the offer was made of further work at the Leisure Centre by Community Payback scheme. This is to include grounds maintenance, fence painting and tarmacing of the path.
Resolved: That the offer of work to be undertaken by Community Payback service at the Leisure Centre is accepted. Work is to be undertaken for cost of the materials only. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
295.11 To receive an update on public transport services in the Parish
There have been no further negative changes in the October bus timetables recently issued by SYPTE. The parish Council will keep a watching brief on the need for a further meeting with SYPTE and service operators about the issue.
296.11 To consider matters related to broadband provision in the Parish
The Clerk has researched the possibility of commissioning work to improve broadband provision in the Parish. This was requested by members of the public. Findings have shown that the cost would be prohibitive at this stage. It was also felt that demand within the Parish was not as significant as previously thought. No further action is to be taken at this stage
297.11 To consider arrangements for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
It was generally agreed that an event would be supported by the Parish Council in respect of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Ideas would be sought in the first instance via the website and newsletter.
298.11 To consider matters relating to Harthill Leisure Centre
Resolved: That representatives from the Leisure Centre Management Committee will be invited to a review meeting with the Parish Council as soon as possible. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
299.11 To consider matters relating to the Woodall Lane play area
a) Repairs to the outdoor gym information panels should be completed before the end of October.
b) Cllr. Leigh met with Mr. Dixon to take advice on tree planting at the play area. Mr. Dixon has recommended planting mature trees and will provide a quote for this.
c) Dog mess has been reported in the sand at the play area. This issue will be raised on the website and in the newsletter.
d) Cllr. Pattison agreed to research options for a new waste bin at the site.
300.11 To consider matters related to The Tom Wakefield Way
a) A new memorial bench will be installed before the next meeting
b) The handyman was requested to clean off graffiti from the Tom Wakefield Way sign
c) The planned meeting referred to in 290.11 also relates to The Tom Wakefield Way. It is hoped that a specific meeting can be arranged with all parties aiming to develop the site.
301.11 To consider employment matters
Resolved: That due to an increase in the minimum wage, the handyman’s wage is increased to £6.58 per hour from 1 October 2011. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
Resolved: That the Clerk’s incremental increase is approved from 1 October. The new incremental point is Scale Point 31 (£26,276 pro rata). Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
302.11 Individual Councillor Reports
There were no further reports
The meeting closed at 8.55pm