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, Mrs. E. Simmonite and Mrs. C. Leigh.
Before the meeting commenced, a one minute silence was held in memory of Mr. Brian Leary who was a longstanding member of the Allotments Committee
087.08 To receive any apologies for absence
No apologies were received
088.08 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2008
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2008 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried.
089.08 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.
No confidential items were identified.
090.08 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting.
No interests were declared.
091.08 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) The speed sign on Woodall Lane is still not working. RMBC have asked for a site meeting with the manufacturers to try and resolve the problems. RMBC have rejected an request for the sign to be sited elsewhere in Harthill
b) The work on the Village Hall boundary wall has been delayed as suitable coping stones have not yet been identified. It is hoped that this will be resolved soon but the matter will be placed on the next agenda if alternative action is required.
092.08 Presentation to the Council by Kiveton & Harthill First Response Team
A short presentation was given on the work of Kiveton & Harthill First Response Team. This was informative and helpful.
093.08 To consider planning applications
RB2008/0490 Single storey side extension with rooms in roof space and first floor balcony to replace existing at Hill Cottage, Union Street, Harthill for Mr P. Brookes
Resolved: That there are no objections to this application. Carried.
RB2008/0497 Two storey side and single storey front & rear extension at 20 Pryor Mede, Harthill for Mr T Cawkwell.
Resolved: That there are no objections to this application. Carried.
RB2008/0491 & 0492 Proposed development at The Rectory, Union St. Harthill for Sheffield Diocese Board of Finance
Two applications were considered under this proposed development and strong objections were expressed by Councillors and members of the public.
Resolved: That a letter of objection are sent to RMBC in respect of these applications on grounds that
1. The proposed dwellings would be materially detrimental to the character of the conservation area and the adjacent greenbelt
2. The proposed development is out of character with existing properties in the immediate vicinity.
3. Access to the main road will continue to be problematic.
4. The proposal does not address problems which will be caused by the number of additional vehicles likely to be generated. Carried
094.08 To receive information on other planning matters:-
To receive an update on the Loscar Wind Farm planning application
The planning board meeting was held on 27 March and members voted 11-2 in favour of the application. This application has now been referred to central government for a final decision and is expected to be ratified.
095.08 To receive information on non-traditional housing in Harthill
A briefing paper has been received from Sharon Pedersen who is now leading on this for Rotherham 2010. This was circulated to Councillors. Councillors expressed their dismay at the way that this exercise has been handled to date, particularly in relation to the delay, lack of information and generally poor communication.
Resolved: That a letter is sent to the Leader and Chief Executive of Rotherham MBC to express the Council’s concern and dismay over the handling of this exercise. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
Resolved: That Sharon Pedersen is invited to an informal meeting with the Parish Council to provide information about the options exercise. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
096.08 To receive the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday 4th March
Resolved: That the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday 1 April are accepted. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
097.08 To approve the end of year accounts for 2007 - 2008
Resolved: That the accounts for 2007/2008 are approved. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
098.08 To verify bank reconciliation to 31 March 2008
Bank statements were checked and verified and initialled by two Councillors.
099.08 To approve accounts for payment (see separate sheet)
Resolved: That the accounts for payment are accepted and approved for payment. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
100.08 To consider requests for financial assistance
a) Request for a donation of £380.70 from Harthill Cricket Club as a contribution to the maintenance of the outfield
Resolved: That the request for a donation of £380.70 from Harthill Cricket Club is approved. Proposed Cllr. Simmonite, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
b) Request for a donation of £600 from the Three Shires Clog Society
Resolved: That a donation of £500 to the Three Shires Clog Society is approved. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
c) Request for a donation of £1000 from the Harthill Carnival Society
Resolved: That the request for a donation of £1000 from Harthill Carnival Society is approved. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
d) A request for an unspecified donation from Kiveton Park and Harthill First Responders was deferred pending discussions with Wales Parish Council over the possibility of joint funding. The Clerk will investigate this and report back to Council.
101.08 To note any correspondence
There is no correspondence this month that is not covered by other agenda items.
102.08 To receive risk assessment reports
A risk assessment has now been undertaken on the Village Hall and a copy of the report made available. A risk assessment on the activity of the handyman will take place this week and a report completed. The risk assessment on the Leisure Centre is still to be arranged.
103.08. To consider Allotment and Garage matters
Mr. Malatratt has now submitted plans for the extension of his garage plot.
Resolved: That approval is granted for the extension of Mr. Malatratt’s garage plot, no 19 at Doctor Lane. Proposed, Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr Pattison. Carried
104.08 To receive reports of March/April external meetings
a) Cllrs. Adams and Leigh attended the recent RMBC planning training event on Affordable Housing
105.08 To receive information on external meetings arranged for April/May
a) The Clerk has been asked to arrange a Code of Conduct training event for Councillors with RMBC. The Clerk will seek further information on this and report back to Council
b) The Clerk is still trying to arrange an informal meeting with Borough Councillor Gavin Sharp about traffic problems in Harthill. Nothing is likely to happen on this until after the election in Wales ward.
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
Mrs. Sampson raised again the condition of the telephone box at Woodall. The Clerk said he would follow up the matter with BT
Mr Newby asked if a hedge on Woodall Lane could be cut for reasons of road safety. The Clerk will investigate this.
A resident asked about provisions for plastic recycling in Harthill
106.08 To consider matters relating to improvements and services for Woodall
A meeting was held on 13 March with Nosober Latif of the Area Assembly. This covered items such as waste and dog bins, road safety concerns and the condition of Walseker Lane. Nosober has followed up some of these issues and replied although no action has been taken to date. The possibility of a resident’s association was also raised and Nosober will liaise with Mr. Newby on this. A follow up meeting is planned for 8 May.
107.08 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
Cllr. Lloyd requested that plans be put in place to undertake a comprehensive refurbishment of the Village Hall. He said that the Village Hall was in competition for the same clients with other venues in the area, many of which were new or in far better condition. There was unanimous agreement to pursue this and it was felt that the Village Hall Management Committee should also be involved. This item will be on the agenda at the next meeting
108.08 To consider proposals to upgrade play equipment at Doctor Lane
It was agreed that fixed junior size goalposts was the best way forward. The Clerk will present cost options to the next meeting.
109.08 To receive an update on the proposed lease of Spens Field from RMBC
The report prepared by Jonathan Marriott is being considered by RMBC Councillors in two weeks time and approval is expected. The Parish Council will need to appoint a solicitor to advise on the new lease. The Clerk was asked to investigate if YLCA could offer this service.
110.08. To consider matters relating to the Leisure Centre hard court and Woodyard car park
It has been confirmed by AMK that the hard court will be resurfaced in April, weather permitting. Arrangements have been made with the Leisure Centre to allow access to the site at 24 hours notice should forecasts indicate a likely period of dry weather.
Unofficial enquiries suggest that it will cost in the region of £10k to resurface the Woodyard Car Park.
111.08 To receive an update on the Parish Council website
Training on setting up and maintenance of the website has now been completed but there is now a further delay while RMBC register domain names for Parish Council websites. It is likely to be a further 2 weeks before we have access to the website to populate it but it is hoped the site will be up and running by the end of April.
112.08 To receive an update on repairs to stiles
The broken stile at Woodall has now been repaired. The stiles off Thorpe Road are still under consideration for replacement as kissing gates. This may take some time to resolve as there is a resource implication.
113.08 To consider options for insurance of the Well Dressing Group tapestry
Further investigations have been undertaken and it will be complicated and expensive to insure the tapestry because it is not housed in Parish Council premises.
Resolved: That no further action is taken on the insurance of the tapestry. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
114.08 To receive an update on installation of dropped kerbs in Harthill
It is now 15 months since the report of the RMBC Access Officer recommended that dropped kerbs be installed at certain sites in Harthill. At the time we were around 80th on the waiting list for Streetpride to undertake the work. We are currently still outside the top 50, Streetpride having completed around 20 in 2007/8. Budget restraints are the main problem as a pair of dropped kerbs costs over £2000 to install. The work is only ever done according to the waiting list as RMBC consider that it is not possible to allocate this work according to need.
Putting in a request under the devolved budget for one of the sites is a possibility, as is funding the work from the Parish Council budget.
115.08 To consider a request for “kneeling” buses on routes through Harthill
This matter has been raised by a local resident but not yet put forward to the SRRTG. It was thought that a formal request should be made by the Parish Council in respect of route no 21 especially in light of the high proportion of elderly residents in Harthill.
Resolved: That a formal request is made to South Yorkshire Travel for a “kneeling” bus on route no . Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried
116.08 To consider matters relating to “The Tom Wakefield Way”
a) There have been two enquiries to date from residents who would like to fund a memorial bench along the pond path. Councillors felt that benches should be of a hardwood type but could be chosen by those donating and don’t have to match. The Clerk was asked to formally seek permission from British Waterways to site benches and to liaise with residents wishing to donate.
b) A meeting has been arranged with Richard Pett to discuss signage. This will take place on Monday 28 April at 9.30 and Cllr. Lloyd and the Clerk will attend.
117.08 To receive an update on the Village Map project
The new village map has been completed and delivered and is awaiting installation on Festival Verge. It is expected that this will be done this week.
118.08 To receive a report on the holiday play scheme in Harthill March 2008
A report had been received on the Easter play scheme and this was circulated to Councillors. The scheme was very well attended and was considered to be very successful by RMBC. Participant evaluation was very positive. Proposals to participate in a summer play scheme will be discussed at the next meeting.
119.08 Individual Councillor Reports (For information only)
Cllr. Adams said she had heard reports of possible improvements to internet access in the village.
Cllr. Simmonite said that the gate leading to Kiveton Ponds from Hard Lane was still locked
Cllr. Thompson said she had received a complaint about the Leisure Centre being closed and asked that its opening times be advertised.
The meeting closed at 10.05 pm.
Signed
Chairman