Present: Cllrs. Mrs. J. Pattison (Chairman), Mr. I Lloyd, Mrs C Leigh, Mrs. B. Gunby, Mr. S. Green, Mrs A Adams, Mrs E Simmonite and Mrs W. Thompson.
334.10 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. Mr. D. Hall
335.10 To approve the minutes of the Meeting held on 12th October 2010
Resolved: That the minutes of the Meeting held on 12th October 2010 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Leigh, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried.
336.10 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
337.10 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting
a) Cllr. Lloyd declared his personal interest in agenda items 20 and 21
b) Cllr. Leigh declared her personal interest in agenda item 20 and 21
338.10 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) The M1 hard shoulder scheme has now been approved but is unlikely to go ahead until 2015. The Highways Agency has promised a consultation on all issues including noise reduction once timescales are known.
b) The new grit bins have now been installed
c) The Manor Road street sign has finally been replaced by RMBC after 6 months.
d) The Active Always scheme is still running at or around breakeven. There is a small approved subsidy from the Council which is yet to be claimed.
339.10 To consider planning applications
There were no new planning applications since the last meeting
340.10 To consider risk assessment matters
a) A query has been raised over insurance cover at the play area and on Spens Field. Both are covered by the Parish Council’s public liability insurance
b) Health and safety notices have now been displayed at the Village Hall
c) A chair mover has been sourced for the Village Hall and will be ordered this month if expenditure is approved. This is the last of the items identified in the risk assessment.
341.10 To receive a report the RFO’s report
a) After 7 months of the financial year 71.4% of planned expenditure has been spent and 99.5% of income has been received. The Council is likely to overspend against the budget by £2-3k
b) The latest VAT reclaim (£3620.63) has been received
c) The annual review of financial risk assessment will be on the agenda next month.
342.10 To monitor the budget against income and expenditure
Management accounts were examined and no problems identified
343.10 To verify bank reconciliation to 31st October 2010
Bank statements were checked and signed by two Councillors
344.10 To consider reinvestment of a Cooperative Bank Guaranteed Investment Bond
Resolved: That the Cooperative Bank Guaranteed Investment Bond, plus interest, is reinvested for a further period of three months. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
345.10 To consider requests for financial assistance
a) A request was received from Harthill Memories Society requested support for storage costs. This was deferred pending further information and a meeting with Harthill Village Hall Ltd to try to resolve ongoing storage problems.
b) A request was received from the Carnival Society for a donation of £700 towards the costs of Christmas lights.
Resolved: That the Carnival Society’s request for a donation of £700 towards the costs of Christmas lights is approved. Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
346.10 To consider budget provision for 2011-12
The budget will be presented to the December meeting. No significant change is expected on general income and expenditure. The level of precept required was discussed and it was considered that no increase was required.
Resolved: That the precept for 2011/12 will remain at the current level of £42,046. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
347.10 To approve renewal of membership of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England
Resolved: That renewal of membership of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England is approved at a cost of £29.00. Proposed Cllr. Adams, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
348.10 To approve accounts for payment
Resolved: That accounts for payment are approved. Proposed Cllr. Green, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
349.10 To note any correspondence
A letter was received from the Carnival Society seeking help from the Parish Council with insurance for the annual Carnival. It was asked if the event could be added to the Council’s insurance policy. The Clerk has investigated this with the Council’s insurers and it is not possible to insure an event which is organised and managed by another organisation. The Council expressed a wish to assist the Carnival society to resolve the problem in other ways.
350.10 To consider allotment matters
a) Following the adoption of the Allotments Policy the Clerk was asked to investigate incorporation of two Winney Hill plots into the leased grazing land. The Clerk has initially enquired with the leaseholder who would be supportive of the proposal. The matter will now be taken forward with the assistance of Yorkshire Local Councils Association (YLCA)
Resolved: That the Council intends to incorporate two vacant allotment plots into the existing grazing land at Winney Hill and advice will be taken from YLCA on the most suitable way forward.
351.10 To receive reports of October / November external meetings
a) The Clerk reported back from the South Rotherham Rural Transport Group and placed the minutes in the circulation folder.
352.10 To receive information on external meetings arranged for November / December
a) Rother Valley South Parishes meeting – 10 November (Todwick)
b) Area Assembly – 6 December (Anston)
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Resolved: That the meeting is adjourned for comments and questions from the press and public. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
No comments or questions were received
353.10 To approve the lease between the Parish Council and Harthill Village Hall Ltd.
A draft lease between the Parish Council and Harthill Village Hall Ltd has now been received. Although the lease is non-contentious it was felt that the Council should take further legal advice on it following amendments by CISWO.
Resolved: That Ilett and Clark should be consulted over the conditions and terms of the draft lease between the Parish Council and Harthill Village Hall Ltd. Proposed Cllr. Adams, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
354.10 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
a) The two remaining firms tendering for the refurbishment of the Village Hall will be invited to interview, also attended by representatives of the Parish Council and HVH Ltd. A decision on the successful tender will be taken at the December meeting.
b) We are still awaiting eligibility details from the Big Lottery Community Buildings Fund. This is expected in early December.
c) Resolved: That renewal of the Village Hall insurance is approved at a cost of £1100.79. Proposed Cllr. Gunby, seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried.
d) Resolved: That purchase of two items – a replacement tea urn (£80.33) and a chair mover (£67.00) are approved. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
355.10 To approve arrangements for provision of Christmas trees in 2010
a) Granville Tune has been booked to transport the Harthill tree to All Hallows Church.
b) Various options for a Woodall tree were discussed.
Resolved: That RMBC are asked to supply and fit a junction box for a Christmas tree at Woodall at a cost of £800. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Leigh. Carried
b) Resolved: That the Carnival Society are asked to supply a suitable tree and lights for Woodall. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Leigh. Carried
The Clerk said that there was still a potential problem in that YEDL were required to fit the electricity supply for the Woodall tree and their lead-in time was not yet known. The Council agreed that potential sites identified on private land could be used should the preferred option be unavailable.
356.10 To consider grounds maintenance matters
Proposed road repairs are expected to take place this month on Killamarsh Lane and Winney Lane
357.10 To consider matters related to Parish footpaths and bridleways
Following the meeting of the Steering Group there is now enough material to press ahead with production of leaflets featuring walks in the Parish. One walk was selected to produce as a template. A meeting will be held shortly with RMBC Rights of Way which will hopefully resolve issues on use of maps and required health and safety information.
358.10 To approve proposals regarding use of Groundwork (Creswell) services
Following earlier meetings, four small projects were proposed. These were the flower bed on Woodall Lane in front of the Leisure Centre, the bed at the bus turning circle at Firvale, ground clearance at Doctor Lane allotments and waste removal at Thorpe Road allotments.
Resolved: That Groundwork Creswell is asked to undertake the work outlined above. Proposed Cllr. Leigh, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried
359.10 To approve proposals regarding use of the Community Payback scheme
Several meetings have been held with the Community Payback Service in order to identify potential projects. As a result it was proposed that several items of work at Harthill Leisure Centre could be undertaken. Initially, this would involve internal redecoration and repair of the bowling green surround and path. Work could commence this week if approved. Materials costs only would be incurred, to be monitored monthly.
Resolved: That the proposed work, to be undertaken by the Community Payback Service at Harthill Leisure Centre, is approved. Proposed, Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
360.10 To consider matters relating to Harthill Leisure Centre
Following the decision taken at the last meeting to continue to support the bowling green, new arrangements need to be put in place for its maintenance. The first stage is a retendering of the maintenance contract as this is now due.
Resolved: That the contract to maintain the bowling green at Harthill Leisure Centre is put out to tender and that tenders should be received in time to be decided at the January meeting. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried
361.10 To receive an update on training related to the Power of Wellbeing
YLCA has now asked if this training could take place in January. Two alternative dates were offered when the required number of Parish Councillors could attend. The date of the training should be confirmed by the next meeting.
362.10 To consider matters related to the Woodall Lane play area
The Chairman and Clerk reported on the recent meeting of the Play Steering Group.
a) Funding issues are still not resolved and it is being considered that the Steering Group becomes a legal entity so it can apply for funding in its own right. Cllr. Leigh has contacted the school which would be very supportive of a funding application to buy fitness equipment.
b) The Clerk will investigate with Groundwork Creswell the possibility of tree planting and restoration of the maze.
c) The Clerk will ask RMBC to top up the sand levels at the play area
d) The Clerk will investigate the cost of a replacement litter bin.
362.10 To receive an update on North Farm
A meeting was held with Lewis Coates of RMBC Environmental Health who gave an update on the current situation and measures being taken to deal with environmental problems at the site. He promised to keep the Parish Council informed of any further developments
363.10 To receive an update on The Tom Wakefield Way
A meeting has been arranged with Richard Pett, RMBC Rights of Way, to discuss solutions to ongoing maintenance problems on the pond path, which was adopted by RMBC in 2008.
364.10 Individual Councillor Reports (For information only)
No further reports were received.
The meeting closed at 9.30 pm