Present: Cllrs. I. Lloyd, (Chairman), Mrs. A. Adams (Vice-Chairman), Mrs. J. Pattison, Mrs. W. Thompson, Mrs. B. Gunby, Mr. S. Green, Mr D. Hall and Mrs. C. Leigh.
120.08 To elect a Chairman for 2008/2009
Resolved: That Cllr. I. Lloyd is elected Chairman for 2008/2009. Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried.
121.08 To receive any apologies for absence
An apology was received from Cllr. Simmonite. A reason was given and this was accepted.
122.08 To elect a Vice Chairman for 2008/2009
Resolved: That Cllr. Adams is elected Vice Chairman for 2008/2009. Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried.
The newly elected Chairman and Vice Chairman signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
123.08 To elect 4 representatives to the Allotments Committee
Resolved: That Cllrs. Lloyd, Adams, Thompson and Pattison will serve as Parish Council representatives on the Allotment Committee for 2008/2009. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
124.08 To elect 4 members to the Finance Committee
Resolved: That Cllrs. Lloyd, Adams, Thompson and Green will serve on the Finance Committee for 2008/2009. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried.
125.08 To elect two representative to the Village Hall Management Committee
Resolved: That Cllrs. Lloyd and Leigh will represent the Parish Council on the Village Hall Management Committee for 2008/2009. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried.
126.08 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. Green, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried.
127.08 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. Thompson. Carried.
128.08 To elect 2 representatives to the Yorkshire Local Councils’ Association
Resolved: That Cllrs. Adams and Gunby will represent the Parish Council at the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried.
129.08 To elect 2 representatives to the Harthill Charities group
Resolved: That Cllrs. Hall and Lloyd should represent the Parish Council on the Harthill Charities Group. Proposed Cllr. Green, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
130.08 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2008
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2008 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried.
131.08 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 item 37 due to the confidential nature of the business to be conducted. Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried.
132.08 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting.
Cllr. Green declared his personal interest in agenda item 37.
133.08 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) The speed sign on Woodall Lane is now working properly.
b) Repairs to the Village Hall exterior wall have been completed by Mr & Mrs Parker
c) The hard court resurfacing is scheduled for Thursday 15 May
d) SYPTE have confirmed that the bus shelter on Union Street will be replaced but this may take 3 to 4 months
e) The RMBC meeting re the Spens Field Lease will be held on Tuesday 27 May
134.08 To consider planning applications
a) RB2008/0640 Proposed two storey extension at 68 Union Street, Harthill for Mr & Mrs Atkin.
Resolved: That there are no objections to this application. Carried.
b) RB2008/0674 Extension of existing footway fronting and obscure glazing of bedroom window at Pond Farm, Pryor Mede, Harthill for Mr & Mrs Payne.
Resolved: That a letter of objection is sent to RMBC in respect of this application on grounds that the application is unreasonably dependent on land not owned by the applicant. Carried:
135.08 To receive information on other planning matters
Amended plans have been put forward in respect of the rectory development RB2008/1691 but have not yet been issued. The application has been referred to the Planning Board and a Parish Council representative has been invited to speak at the Board. Resolved: That Cllr. Lloyd will represent the Parish Council at the forthcoming Planning Board meeting in relation to application RB2008/1691. Proposed Cllr. Adams, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried.
136.08 To receive information on non-traditional housing in Harthill
A meeting was held on 12 May with Sharon Pedersen of RMBC who is now leading the options exercise on non-traditional housing in the village. Cllrs Adams and Gunby and the Clerk attended.
The meeting was positive overall but RMBC were left in no doubt about the strength of feeling in the village and the Parish Council’s dismay at the poor communication demonstrated to date. Sharon apologized for this and undertook to communicate with affected residents in a straightforward way and to keep the Parish Council fully informed of developments.
The current situation is that because of the restructuring within RMBC Neighbourhoods there is effectively a clean slate on this and no decisions are planned imminently. Sharon reiterated earlier claims that demolition is a last resort option and there are many other avenues to explore. In the first instance there will be a new consultation with residents, commencing with a survey of those affected. Following this there will be group consultations and a drop in to be held at the Village Hall. RMBC hopes to carry out the survey this month and consultations in June and July.
Sharon agreed to investigate the empty properties in the village and will liaise with the Clerk over remedial action.
Resolved: That the Council will defer its earlier resolution to make a formal complaint to RMBC pending evaluation of the new team’s performance regarding the non-traditional housing problem. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
137.08 To receive information on a proposed pharmacy for Harthill
An application in respect of a new pharmacy in Harthill has been received for comment. The proposed pharmacy would be a new building but the precise location is not specified.
Resolved: That the Parish Council supports the application in principle but will comment further if the application reaches the planning stage and a location is known. Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
138.08 To receive the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday 6th May
Resolved: That the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday 6th May are accepted. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
139.08 To approve renewal of Parish Council Insurance for 2008/2009 (as recommended by the Finance Committee (FC.42.08)
Resolved: That renewal of the Parish Council Insurance for 2008/2009 is approved. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
140.08 To approve updating of the Chairman’s Allowance for 2007/2008 (as recommended by the Finance Committee (FC.43.08)
Resolved: That the Chairman’s Allowance is increased to £102.50 from May 2008. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
141.08 To receive information on the Co-operative Bank signature mandate.
Resolved: That the Cooperative Bank signature mandate is updated t include Cllr. Gunby and Leigh. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison . Carried
142.08 To approve renewal of the Guaranteed Investment Bond
Resolved: That the Guaranteed Investment Bond and interest accrued is renewed for a further period of 3 months. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
143.08 To approve accounts for payment (see separate sheet)
Resolved: That the accounts for payment are accepted and approved for payment. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried.
144.08 To consider requests for financial assistance
a) The request for funding from Kiveton Park and Harthill First Responders was deferred at the last meeting pending discussions with Wales Parish Council over the possibility of joint funding. The Clerk has attended a meeting of Wales Parish Council which passed a resolution donating £1500. Wales Parish Council proposed that a ratio of 3:1 is a realistic breakdown based on relative populations and have asked that Harthill with Woodall Parish Council consider a donation of £500. .
Resolved: That a donation of £500 to the Kiveton Park and Harthill First Response Team is approved. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried
145.08 To approve and adopt a revised Parish Council Complaints Policy
Resolved: That the revised Parish Council Complaints Policy is approved and adopted. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
146.08 To approve and adopt a Parish Council Document Handling Policy
Resolved: That the Parish Council Document Handling Policy is approved and adopted. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
147.08 To note any correspondence
There is no correspondence this month that is not covered by other agenda items.
148.08 To receive risk assessment reports
Risk assessments on the Leisure Centre and the activities of the handyman are still to be arranged.
149.08 To receive reports of April/May external meetings
No meetings were held that are not covered by other agenda items.
150.08 To receive information on external meetings arranged for May/June
a) The Parish Council Network will be held at 5pm on 22 May at the Town Hall. Cllr. Adams and the Clerk will attend.
b) Cllr. Gunby and the Clerk have a meeting with Streetpride on 20 May re flooding on Thorpe Road
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Resolved: That the meeting is adjourned for comments and questions from the press and public. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
Mr Newby once again asked about the hedge on Woodall Lane. The Clerk said that the work would be completed in the next couple of weeks
Mrs Sampson said that the phone box has still not been repaired. The Clerk will follow this up
151.08 To consider matters relating to improvements and services for Woodall
The proposed road marking scheme is to go ahead in the near future. A reminder has been given to BT regarding the vandalised telephone box. A further meeting has been arranged with Nosober Latif for Thursday 15 May to discuss other outstanding Woodall items.
152.08 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
This item was deferred pending comments and proposals from the Village Hall Management Committee
153.08 To consider proposals to upgrade play equipment at Doctor Lane
The Clerk presented cost options to the meeting in respect of a pair of junior goalposts with nets but because of the range of suppliers this was not exhaustive. The Clerk has also been provided with an estimate of £348 by RMBC for installation. No consideration has yet been given to removal of the existing goalposts.
Resolved: That a decision on purchase of goalposts and nets for the Doctor Lane play area is deferred pending consultation with user groups. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
154.08 To consider proposals to upgrade Woodall Lane Play Area
Following a successful national play bid, RMBC have undertaken to invest a minimum of £30,000 in upgrading the Woodall Lane Play Area. This funding is earmarked for new equipment and RMBC have asked for an indication on what level of funding may be available from the Parish Council for infrastructure purposes. RMBC have also asked that any Parish Council funding is added to a single project budget
Resolved: That the Parish Council approves in principle the allocation of £10,000 from reserves to the Woodall Lane play project subject to further consultation with RMBC. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
155.08 To consider SYPTE proposals for local issue of over 60s bus passes
The Clerk outlined a proposal for a Travel Day - SYPTE / RCT to attend the Village Hall in July to issue over 60s bus passes and registration forms for RCT schemes. The event would be advertised in the summer edition of The Hart. SYPTE and RCT have already agreed to attend.
Resolved: That the proposal for a travel event at the Village Hall in July is approved. Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
156.08 To consider matters relating to “The Tom Wakefield Way”
A meeting has been arranged with Richard Pett to discuss signage and siting of benches. This will take place on Monday 19 May at 9.45 and Cllr. Lloyd and the Clerk will attend.
157.08 To consider options for a holiday play scheme in Harthill during summer 2008
RMBC have proposed a two week holiday play scheme in Harthill following the success of the Easter event. The proposed weeks are 21-25 July and 11-15 August. The summer play schemes will be charged but will require a subsidy from the Parish Council.
Resolved: That the proposal for a two week summer holiday play scheme is approved subject to costings being obtained from RMBC. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
158.08 Individual Councillor Reports (For information only)
Cllr. Adams raised the problem of the temporary traffic lights on Hard Lane.
Cllr. Green said that dog fouling continued to be a problem and that further notices should be considered.
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.
159.08 To consider action regarding Parish Council Land
a) The Clerk has received verbal requests from two Winney Hill residents requesting the opportunity to buy the allotment land to the rear of their home. It is understood that all five residents with allotments at the rear of their home are interested in pursuing this. Now that the land has been registered the Parish Council has the opportunity to sell the land, at market value, if it so wishes. Councillors agreed in principle to consider this matter again.
Resolved: That in the first instance the Clerk should contact all affected Winney Hill residents to confirm their interest in purchasing the allotment land. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried.
b) A request was made that maintenance of the Winney Hill village sign is added to Mr Ellam’s work schedule. The Clerk will arrange this.
The meeting closed at 9.02 pm.
Signed
Chairman