Present: Cllr Mrs. J. Pattison (Chairman), Mr I Lloyd (Vice Chairman), Mr. D. Hall, Mrs W. Thompson, Mrs B. Gunby, Mrs. C. Leigh and Mr. S. Green..
159.11 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. Mrs A. Adams
160.11 To approve the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 17th May 2011
Resolved: That the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 17th May 2011 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried.
161.11 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
162.11 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting.
Cllr. Lloyd declared his personal interest in Agenda item 22
Cllr. Leigh declared her personal interest in Agenda item 22
163.11 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) No further information has been received about North Farm
b) Research into enhanced Broadband and lighting of village signs will be on the agenda in July or possibly August
c) RMBC is investigating an additional street light on the Tanimara path. A meeting will be arranged in the near future.
e) A letter has been sent to Woodall services about the litter problem but no reply has been received as yet.
f) Work has commenced on the allotment clearance at Firvale. This has led to several comments and two verbal complaints of theft. The matter is being investigated and will be on the next agenda.
g) The test work undertaken on tarmacing the footpath holes at the Leisure Centre was successful and further work will be done over the summer.
164.11 To consider planning applications
There were no new planning applications this month
165.11 To receive the RFO’s report
The Clerk reported that: -
a) After 2 months of the financial year 51% of anticipated income has been received and 25% of anticipated expenditure has been spent. There are no budgetary concerns at present.
b) A VAT reclaim for £1604.88 has been submitted
c) The external audit return is due to be sent before 1 July and there are no concerns about meeting this deadline.
166.11 To monitor the budget against income and expenditure
The management accounts were examined and no problems were identified
167.11 To verify bank reconciliation to 31st May
Bank statements were verified and initialled by two Councillors
168.11 To receive the report of the internal auditor for 2010/11
Resolved: That the report of the internal auditor for 2010/11 is accepted. Proposed Cllr. Leigh, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
169.11 To approve the 2010/11 Statement of Accounts
Resolved: That the Annual Return 2010/2011 Statement of Accounts is approved and adopted by the Parish Council. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
170.11 To approve the 2010/11 Statement of Assurance
Resolved: That the Annual Return 2010/2011 Statement of Assurance is approved and adopted by the Parish Council. Proposed Cllr. Green, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
171.11 To approve the 2010/11 Statement of Variation
Resolved: That the 2010/2011 Statement of Significant Variances for the Annual Audit is approved by the Parish Council. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried.
172.11 To approve and adopt the Annual Report for 2010/11
Resolved: That the Annual Report for 2010/11 is approved and adopted by the Council. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried
173.11 To consider requests for financial assistance
A request from Harthill Over 60s for financial assistance with minibus costs was deferred from last month pending further investigation. The Clerk has spoken to Mrs. Ridgeway, Over 60’s Treasurer, and Dave Cooper from Rotherham Community Transport. The bus has been funded for the past 5 years by external grants. Dave has not been able to secure any funding for this year and there is a shortfall of £700. The over 60’s are not asking for the full amount from the Parish Council but are seeking a significant contribution.
Resolved: That a donation of £350 is approved towards the costs of the over 60s bus during 2011/12. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried.
174.11 To approve accounts for payment
Resolved: That the accounts for payment are accepted and approved for payment. Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
175.11 To consider risk assessment matters
The risk assessments due on the Village Hall and the Leisure Centre will be completed before the next meeting. The Clerk will also take risk assessment advice regarding allotment sites following the discovery of asbestos at Firvale site.
176.11 To note any correspondence
RMBC has written to the Council offering a further supply of anti-graffiti wipes. This offer will be taken up.
177.11 To receive reports of May/June external meetings
a) An Area Assembly Meeting was held on 6 June but was not attended by the Council. Minutes have not yet been received
178.11 To receive information on external meetings arranged for June/July
a) The RVS Parishes meeting will take place on 7th July at Dinnington Lyric Theatre
b) The next Parish Network Meeting will be held at Rotherham Town Hall on Thursday 7th July.
c) The meeting concerning the former UNSCO site is scheduled for 29th June at 11am in the Village Hall. RMBC are fielding planning and environmental officers. Representatives from Thorpe Salvin Parish Council will also be attending.
d) The South Rotherham Rural Transport Forum will be held on 4th July at Harthill Village Hall
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
Mr. Carter raised several points in relation to alleged theft from his allotment site. He will take this up formally with the Council in writing.
179.11 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
a) The lease has now been signed and sent off to Waring Associates
b) The deadline for the Veolia bid to refurbish the Village Hall is 29 July and it is expected that this will be completed well in advance of this. There is still no confirmation however of third party funding being available from RMBC and without this the Veolia bid can’t succeed. The supporting National Lottery bid will be submitted in August.
180.11 To consider matters relating to Harthill Youth Club
The next meeting with RMBC and representatives from the Youth Club is on 22nd June. Hopefully the meeting will shed some further light on the proposals for the mobile bus and take forward options for some type of continuation at the Village Hall. The position re volunteers has improved, with one volunteer having come forward and a good prospect of another via Rotherham Volunteer Centre. Peter Foyle of Rural Action Yorkshire will also be attending the meeting from an external funding standpoint.
181.11 To consider grounds maintenance matters
a) Major pot holes have been either repaired by RMBC or are marked for repair
b) Cllr. Gunby will ask Mr. Tune to remove the dead shrubs at the Well area.
c) Mr. Ellam will strim the area around the village sign at Winney Lane.
d) A new Streetpride Area Manager has been appointed by RMBC (Chris Jones). Mr Jones will be invited to a meeting at the earliest opportunity.
182.11 To consider a response to the Dept. Of Communities and Local Govt. consultation on planning
No action will be taken in respect of this consultation.
183.11 To receive an update on the holiday play scheme in Harthill during summer 2011
The dates for the Mega Active programme in Harthill 25-29 July and 8-12 August. This will be advertised in the next issue of The Hart.
184.11 To consider matters relating to footpaths and bridleways
a) There has been no further progress on the footpaths booklet due to lack of time. This will be picked up again in July / August.
b) Barlborough Parish Council is discussing the request for a meeting on border issues at their meeting on Monday 13th June.
c) A request has gone in to Rotherham 2010 for clearance work on the Chapel path and former garage site.
d) The Clerk has once again raised the issue of spraying/ cutting back of the pond path with RMBC.
185.11 To consider action regarding the Winney Hill recreation field
A resident has requested that the Council consider putting a secure gate on the entrance to the Winney Hill recreation field. This is because of the nuisance caused by cars and motor cycles entering the field at night. Several reports to the police have been made in recent weeks.
The Council supported this idea in principle but felt that some initial research was required to ensure that there were no objections from immediate residents or from RMBC who cut the grass. This item will be on the next agenda.
186.11 To consider matters related to the Woodall Lane play area
a) Further work has been undertaken on the drainage problem at the cantilever swing. Groundwork (Creswell) have removed more clay and inserted a new drainage pipe below the level of the sand.
b) Further work has also been done on the maze but this urgently needs completing.
c) Mr. Ellam will be asked to rake the sand on the play area
d) Cllr. Gunby reported damage to the climbing frame. The Clerk will ask Mr. Barlow to assess and carry out any repairs required.
e) The gym equipment has now been in for one month and would appear to be widely used.
187.11 To consider arrangements for the summer issue of The Hart
The Hart will be available on 1st July. All Councillors and the Clerk are available to deliver it.
188.11 Individual Councillor Reports
Cllr. Pattison asked if the future of the Crystal Peaks to Dinnington bus service could be raised at the next meeting of the Rural Transport Forum.
Cllr. Simmonite said that many gulleys in the village were in poor condition and overgrown with weeds. It was agreed that this will be addressed at a forthcoming meeting with Streetpride.
The meeting closed at 9.10pm