Present: Cllr Mrs. J. Pattison (Chairman), Mr I Lloyd (Vice Chairman), Mrs W. Thompson, Mrs B. Gunby, Mrs. C. Leigh, Mrs A. Adams, Mr. S Green and Mrs E. Simmonite
243.11 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. D. Hall
244.11 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9th August 2011
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 9th August 2011 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Thompson, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried.
245.11 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
246.11 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting.
No interests were declared
247.11 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) The Winney Hill gate will be installed in September
b) The Clerk should complete the CiLCA qualification this month and have the certificate by the end of the year. This will open up use of the Power of Wellbeing and application for Quality Parish Council status.
c) There is no further feedback on North Farm
d) Copies of the autumn issue of The Hart were issued to Councillors for distribution
248.11 To consider planning applications
No new applications were received
249.11 To receive the RFO’s report
a) After 5 months of the financial year, 52% of anticipated income has been received and 48% of planned expenditure has been spent
b) No feedback has yet been received from the revised audit submission
250.11 To monitor the budget against income and expenditure
The management accounts were examined and no problems were identified
251.11 To verify bank reconciliation to 31st August
Bank statements were verified and initialled by two Councillors
252.11 To consider requests for financial assistance
a) A request was received from the Peregrin Centre for £190 to assist with purchase of blinds to replace worn out curtains.
Resolved: That the request for a donation of £190 from the Peregrin Centre is approved. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried
b) A request was received from Harthill in Bloom for £250 towards the cost of grounds maintenance of Thorpe Road which is undertaken by Mr. Dungworth.
Resolved: That the request for a donation of £250 from Harthill in Bloom is approved. Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
253.11 To approve accounts for payment
Resolved: That the presented accounts are accepted and approved for payment. Proposed Cllr. Leigh, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
254.11 To consider risk assessment matters
The Leisure Centre risk assessment remains outstanding so this item is deferred until the next meeting.
255.11 To note any correspondence
A letter of thanks was received from Harthill Morris in respect of the Parish Council’s recent grant.
256.11 To approve the minutes of the Allotments Committee meeting held on 16th August
Resolved: That the minutes of the Allotments Committee meeting held on 16th August are accepted. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried
257.11 To receive reports of August / September external meetings
No meetings were held that are not covered by other agenda items
258.11 To receive information on external meetings arranged for September / October
a) Area Assembly – Monday 3rd October at Anston Parish Hall
b) South Rotherham Rural Transport Group – Monday 10th October 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. Lloyd. Carried
Mr Ball raised an issue over flooding at his garden on Winney Hill. This is currently being dammed by Mr Ball but will cause a problem if containment of the water could not be continued. The Council agreed to investigate the matter.
259.11 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
a) HVH Ltd has held a meeting with the owners of the adjacent property to agree boundary issues. Agreement was reached over removal of conifers although another type of screening hedge will be planted. It was also discovered that the adjacent driveway is part of the Village Hall grounds.
b) A sign has been added to the main lounge preventing use of the emergency doors except in a genuine emergency.
c) Elder trees to the rear need to be taken out. Mr. Tune will be asked to quote for this.
d) Funding applications are still pending with the Lottery decision expected in late September and Veolia in late October.
260.11 To receive an update on Harthill Youth Club
a) The Youth Club re-opened on 12 September and was well attended. The reopening has been advertised in The Hart and it is hoped this will attract more interest.
b) A meeting was held with RMBC to resolve issues with the draft Service Level Agreement for the club. This was very productive and resulted in all issues being resolved including RMBC gifting all equipment to the Parish Council.
Resolved: That the terms of the Service Level Agreement between RMBC and the Parish Council are accepted and approved. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried.
c) The Council will need to take over insurance for the club equipment and Cllr. Lloyd agreed to look into this.
261.11 To consider matters relating to footpaths and bridleways
a) Cllr. Gunby and the Clerk will produce a draft of text for the first footpath leaflet in time for the next meeting.
b) There has been no response from Barlborough Parish Council to the request for a meeting. Several follow-ups have been made.
c) The Clerk was asked to enquire about a walking group / club run by the Peregrin Centre
d) No further information has been received from RMBC about the Union Street to Serlby Lane path past Tanimara. This will be followed up for the next meeting.
e) A further request for a memorial bench on The Tom Wakefield Way has been received. Cllr. Lloyd will arrange a meeting with the proposed donor to discuss options.
262.11 To consider options relating to the recycling bins at Woodall Lane car park
This has caused some concern due to vandalism in recent months. It was strongly considered that more regular emptying of the recycling bins was required.
Resolved: That a letter is sent to RMBC requesting details of current arrangements to empty recycling bins and to seek improvements to ensure more frequent emptying. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
263.11 To approve action following RMBC withdrawal of grounds maintenance services
A meeting was held with RMBC Streetpride about plans to withdraw grounds maintenance services on Parish Council land. A list had been prepared by RMBC which covered the items they considered were covered by this action.
Resolved: That most items on the list produced by RMBC are not required with the exception of grass cutting on the Winney Hill and Doctor Lane recreation grounds. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Green. Carried.
We await further information on Spens Field items that were included on the RMBC list of works to be cut but are covered by a recently signed 20 year lease that obliges RMBC to carry out the work. We also await confirmation of RMBC prices for the remaining items stated above.
264.11 To consider a submission to the RMBC Local Development Framework consultation
Resolved: That a submission requesting consideration of change of planning designation in respect of the former UNSCO site is approved. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
265.11 To receive a report on the August joint meeting re the former UNSCO site
A second meeting was held with RMBC officials and Thorpe Salvin Parish Council in August. We are now awaiting an inspection of the site by the Health and Safety Executive. The Clerk will follow this up with Chris Wilkins from RMBC.
266.11 To receive a report on the summer holiday Mega Active play scheme in Harthill
The report had been circulated to Councillors in advance of the meeting. The scheme had once again been a great success with a high number of participants and excellent feedback from parents and young people
267.11 To consider action regarding lying water on Woodall Lane
This is a long-standing and continuing problem which has never been resolved despite repeated efforts. The Clerk was asked to raise the issue with Dominic Beck, RMBC Ward Councillor for Wales.
268.11 To consider further action regarding public transport services in the Parish
Kevin Barron MP has taken up the issue of changing / reduction of services in the area and is awaiting a reply from First. The Council considers that a further meeting with SYPTE is required, with service operators in attendance. This will be reviewed after the next round of route changes in October and the next meeting of the Rural Transport Group.
269.11 To consider matters relating to Harthill Leisure Centre
a) A proposed meeting with the Leisure Centre Management Commitment is deferred until after the risk assessment has been completed.
b) The contractor undertaking bowling green maintenance has re-seeded the green. No further maintenance work has been done on the surrounding grounds which are currently in a poor condition.
270.11 To consider matters relating to the Woodall Lane play area
a) Repair work on the outdoor gym should be completed by the first week in October. Confirmation has been received that the Council’s insurance policy will cover the cost, minus an excess of £250.
b) The central bin on the playground is considered to be inadequate. The Clerk was asked to seek the handyman’s opinion on the issue.
c) Ownership and responsibility for the play equipment has been called into question via recent discussions with RMBC. It was felt that a meeting was required to resolve outstanding issues.
d) Further work on the maze is deferred for the time being.
e) Advice is to be sought from Mr. Dixon prior to further tree planting at the play area
271.11 Individual Councillor Reports
Cllr. Simmonite asked if purchase of flags for the Carnival Society and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee could be added to the next agenda
Cllr. Gunby said that the flower / shrub bed on Woodall Lane beside the Leisure Centre was once again in a poor condition and asked if measures could be taken to improve it.
Cllr. Green said that maintenance of the grass bank on Serlby Lane had still not been done by RMBC / 2010
Cllr. Pattison asked if a further meeting could be arranged with the Community Payback Service
Cllr. Leigh said she had reported the poor condition of the path between Pryor Mede and Firvale and that Streetpride had been out to do some clearance work.
The meeting closed at 9.41pm