Present: Cllrs. Mrs. J. Pattison (Chairman), Mr. I Lloyd, Mrs C Leigh, Mrs. W. Thompson, Mrs. B. Gunby, Mrs E Simmonite and Mr. S. Green.
272.10 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. D. Hall and Cllr. Mrs. A. Adams
273.10 To approve the minutes of the Meeting held on 10th August 2010
Resolved: That the minutes of the Meeting held on 10th August 2010 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried.
274.10 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
275.10 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting
a) Cllr. Lloyd declared his personal interest in agenda item 18
b) Cllr. Leigh declared her personal interest in agenda item 18
276.10 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) Cllr. Gunby and Mrs Webb have now produced some material for the Parish footpaths booklet. A further meeting of the Steering Group will be arranged for late October to take this forward.
b) There has been no response to date to enquiries to the Highways Agency about noise pollution measures at Woodall
c) The Woodall Lane to Pryor Mede public footpath has now been completed by Groundwork Creswell on behalf of Streetpride. Rotherham 2010 have also scheduled some work to clear the adjoining area and this should be done before the next Parish Council meeting
d) Maintenance of the Firvale to Pryor Mede path has now been completed by Streetpride
e) The report on the summer holiday play scheme has not yet been received although attendance figures and costs have been supplied. Over the two weeks there were 102 participants attending 363 sessions. The Cost to the Parish Council is £1021, which is £79 less than last year.
f) The notice served on the owner of North Farm expires on 13 October and prosecution will follow immediately if the remedial work has not been undertaken. In this event RMBC will ask the Parish Council to coordinate evidence on local impact of the derelict site.
g) There has still been no written confirmation that the external audit has been completed although further telephone confirmation has been received. Apparently this has been held up by annual and sick leave.
h) Cllr. Lloyd reported that the outstanding risk assessment items at the Village Hall have now been completed
277.10 To consider planning applications
a) RB2010/1065 – Extension and alterations to garage and store at 6 Union St for Mr. J. Morley.
Resolved: That there are no objections to this application. Carried
278.10 To receive the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 7 September
Resolved: That the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 7 September are accepted. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried.
279.10 To consider requests for financial assistance
No requests were received this month
Agenda item 9 “To approve accounts for payment” was deferred until the end of the meeting due to the possibility of further payments being approved under later agenda items.
280.10 To receive the minutes of the Allotments Committee meeting held on 17 August
Resolved: That the minutes of the Allotments Committee meeting held on 17 August are accepted. Proposed Cllr. Green, seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried
281.10 To approve and adopt the Allotments Policy (as recommended by the Allotments Committee)
Resolved: That the Parish Council Allotments Policy is approved and adopted. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
282.10 To approve amendments to allotment and garage agreements (as recommended by the Allotments Committee)
Resolved: That amendments to allotment and garage agreements are approved and will come into operation on 1 April 2011. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried
Resolved: That existing tenants are sent copies of amended allotment and garage agreements before the end of September. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried
283.10 To receive an update on Parish Council wayleaves
Advice has now been received from YLCA about unpaid wayleaves. The Council is correct in its current approach to issue invoices and reminders in respect of these and would have a strong case to pursue the matter legally if it chose to do so or to withdraw the existing wayleave agreements. The central principal of protection of Parish Council land against acquisition by “squatter’s rights” is maintained so no further action was deemed necessary.
Resolved: That no further action is taken on unpaid wayleaves but the Council will maintain its policy of issuing invoices and reminders on an annual basis. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
284.10 To consider options for membership of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE)
Resolved: That this item is deferred until a later meeting pending further investigations. Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
285.10 To note any correspondence
a) An invitation was received from All Hallows Church to attend a Christmas tree festival on December. A meeting has been arranged for 25 September to discuss this and Cllr. Pattison will attend.
b) A letter of thanks was received from Harthill and District Garden Association in respect of the Council’s sponsorship.
286.10 To receive reports of August / September external meetings
a) No-one was able to attend the PACT on 6 September as it clashed with another meeting. Mr Newby, Chair of Neighbourhood Watch, reported that no further incidents had been reported at Jackys Lane and that the newly installed CCTV would remain in place for the time being.
287.10 To receive information on external meetings arranged for September / October
a) A meeting has been arranged with Jonathan Marriatt to discuss the Leisure Centre valuation. This will be held on Monday 20th September at 3pm
b) The Parish Network meeting, originally scheduled for 23rd September has now been postponed with no new date known as yet.
c) The next South Rotherham Rural Transport Group meeting will be held on 18 October. The Clerk will attend as Cllr. Simmonite is on holiday.
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
Mr. Newby asked if consideration could be given to having a Christmas tree in Woodall this year. There was general agreement to this and the Clerk will undertake some research and put it on the next agenda. Mr Newby also raised questions regarding North Farm and the height of the hedge on the left side of the road between Woodall and Harthill.
288.10 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
a) Cllr. Lloyd reported that it had been a difficult summer for the village hall. Bookings are usually quieter during this period and the reduction of Mother and Toddler bookings from 2 days per week to one day has had a significant impact. A request to the Council for additional funding support was necessary to cover the current shortfall. Cllr. Lloyd said that there was considerable optimism for the future now that the new company is in place and efforts to market the hall as a venue were underway.
Resolved: That a donation of £750 to the Harthill Village Hall Management Committee is approved.. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
b) The opening of tenders for the planned refurbishment will take place on 23rd September. We will then have a clearer picture of the funds needed to undertake the project.
c) The Charity Commission has now responded to the Village Hall application and there are only minor issues outstanding. The new company, with charitable status, is still expected to formally come into being on 1 October.
d) The preparation of the lease between the Council and the Village Hall is currently being held up by a lack of response from SiSWO. It is hoped that this will be resolved before the next Council meeting
289.10 To consider matters related to Woodall
a) The broken bench has now been repaired and refurbished to a good standard
b) The misplaced streetlight has still not been moved. YEDL are responsible for this and efforts to speed up the work are being made by RMBC.
290.10 To consider grounds maintenance matters
a) The Clerk has had confirmation that Woodall Lane is not on the list for repair at all for this year. This is for economic reasons and is particularly disappointing given that the work was scheduled to be done during 2009/10.
b) Cllr. Gunby reported that a concrete post had been knocked down on Hard Lane. She will report this to Streetpride.
291.10 To consider proposals regarding use of Groundwork (Creswell) services
A meeting was held with Groundwork (Creswell) on 26 August to discuss the possibility of them undertaking work in Harthill and Woodall as part of their scheme to provide work and training for Jobcentre Plus clients. Councillors agreed to consider this by the next meeting with a view to drawing up a list of potential projects. A further meeting with Groundwork will be arranged following this.
292.10 To receive information on the Community Payback scheme
A meeting has been arranged with representatives of the Community Payback Scheme for Wednesday 6 October to discuss potential projects in the Parish.
293.10 To consider matters related to the Area Assembly mobile CCTV project
a) A request was received from the Area Assembly re support for its Pay As You Go CCTV initiative. It is on this basis that the camera situated on Jackys Lane is operating.
Resolved: That the Council supports the current Pay As You Go mobile CCTV project operated by the Rother Valley South Area Assembly. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
b) The Clerk reported that there has been very little anti-social behaviour at Jackys Lane this summer and the CCTV has not yet been called into action. The police and Area Assembly advise that it is staying at Jackys Lane for the time being at no additional cost to the Council
294.10 To consider matters relating to Harthill Leisure Centre
The Chairman and Clerk reported that the first bowling green open day was as successful as could be expected with quite a good attendance. There were 20 expressions of interest in joining a new bowling club. A second open day is scheduled for 18 October and further publicity is expected in the local press.
295.10 To consider matters related to parking at the roundabout
A meeting has been arranged with Andrew Lee from RMBC on Wednesday 22nd September at 3pm to discuss potential action on this issue
296.10 To approve the purchase of additional grit bins for Harthill
This item was a reconfirmation of purchase of grit bins and rock salt which had been approved last year but deferred owing to a dispute with RMBC. There has been a small increase in price since the purchase was originally approved.
Resolved: That purchase of four grit bins and a supply of rock salt is approved at a cost of £1308.00
Proposed Cllr. Green, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
297.10 To consider matters related to access problems on Serlby Lane
Cllr. Green raised the issue of increased traffic, speeding and parking problems on Serlby Lane which were likely to be exacerbated by proposed new house building. It was agreed to add this to the agenda at the meeting to be held with RMBC Highways officer Andrew Lee.
298.10 To consider matters related to the Woodall Lane play area
a) The Clerk has discovered that the Council is no longer eligible to apply for a grant from WREN on geographical grounds. This severely restricts the options for funding of the extension to the play area. Other options are being explored but the absence of a related community group remains a major factor.
b) A further meeting of the Play Steering Group will be held in October at a date to be arranged.
299.10 To receive an update on The Tom Wakefield Way
a) The path has now been cut back but still not sprayed
b) Maintenance and treating of the eight benches has been done by Mr Ellam.
c) One bench has been completely pulled out by vandals. It will be concreted back in position on Wednesday 15th September
d) We are still pursuing British Waterways re a licence variation for the new bench
300.10 Individual Councillor Reports (For information only)
a) Cllr. Simmonite reported that there have been recent incidents of fly posting on Doctor Lane
301.10 To approve accounts for payment
Resolved: That the accounts for payment are accepted and approved for payment.Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried.
The meeting closed at 9.40 pm