Present: Cllrs. I Lloyd (Chairman), Cllr. Mrs A. Adams (Vice-Chairman), Mrs. J. Pattison, Mr. D. Hall, Mr. S. Green, Mrs. B. Gunby, Mrs. E. Simmonite and Mrs. C. Leigh.
254.08 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Thompson. A reason was given and this was accepted.
255.08 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12th August 2008
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 12th August 2008 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried.
256.08 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.
Resolved: That the press and public should be excluded from agenda item 30 due to the confidential nature of the business to be conducted. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
257.08 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting.
a) Cllr. Green declared his personal interest in agenda items 23 and 30
b) Cllr. Lloyd declared his personal interest in agenda items 20 and 23
258.08 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) Dropped kerbs have now been installed at the bottom of Serlby Lane. Although these are long awaited, the siting is not ideal as the footpath is too narrow to allow wheelchair access. The Clerk will investigate why this work was undertaken without prior consultation.
b) The Clerk asked for ideas for articles for the next issue of “The Hart” and for details of councillor availability for distribution in early October
c) The pharmacy application has received initial approval from the PCT
d) Maintenance of “The Tom Wakefield Way” is planned for September. RMBC are also in negotiations with British Waterways to improve access to the other two ponds. The Parish Council will be invited to a site visit in the near future.
e) British Waterways are recommending “The Tom Wakefield Way” for an award in the Communities section of the Waterways Renaissance Awards 2009
f) We have been informed that Harthill with Woodall is a prize winner in the 2008 Rotherham in Bloom competition. Full results will be declared at a ceremony in Wickersley on 23 September. Cllr. Thompson will attend.
g) Work is scheduled to start on the replacement bus shelter on 10 September and this should be completed by the end of the week.
259.08 To review Councillors’ Declarations of Interests
The Clerk issued copies of current declaration of interests forms to be reviewed by councillors in light of the recent training session by Tim Mumford of RMBC. Forms were checked and found to be up to date.
260.08 To receive an update on proposals to upgrade the Woodall Lane Play Area
Jenny Harrison and Simon Fagg from Groundwork, Dearne Valley presented findings from the recent consultation and gave some project proposals. These were well received by the Council. Groundwork will now draw up a project plan for consideration by the Parish Council.
Resolved: That a Parish Council working group is established to consider proposals for the Woodall Lane play area. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
261.08 To consider planning applications
a) RB2008-1286 Erection of one three bedroomed detached two storey dwelling, one four bedroomed detached two storey dwelling, detached triple garage and alteration of vehicular access for Mr B. Hammond of 4 Union St. Harthill.
Resolved: That there are no objections to this application. Carried
b) RB2008-1291 Alteration of existing access for Mr. D. Macdonald of 9 Woodall Lane, Harthill.
Resolved: That an objection is made in respect of this application. This reiterates an earlier objection and also considers the application to be detrimental to the conservation area. Carried
262.08 To receive an up date on non-traditional housing issues
No further information has been received on this issue. A draft letter to RMBC expressing the Parish Council’s dismay at the situation was considered.
Resolved: That a letter expressing the Council’s dismay over the management of this issue is sent to RMBC. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried
263.08 To receive information on other planning matters
A letter has been received from Cornwall Light & Power giving some information on a community fund to be established
Resolved: That the Clerk researches the proposed community fund with CL&P and South |Yorkshire Community Forum. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried
264.08 To receive the RFO’s report.
a) After 5 months of the current financial year 65% of anticipated income has been received and 46.9% of anticipated expenditure has been spent. The Council remains on course to balance its budget for 2008/09.
b) The Clerk will produce a 6 month review for presentation to the next Finance Committee and Parish Council meeting.
c) There has been no feedback to date on the external audit.
265.08 To monitor the budget against income and expenditure
The management accounts were examined and no problems were identified.
266.08 To verify bank reconciliation to 31st August 2008
Bank statements were checked and verified and initialled by two Councillors.
267.08 To approve accounts for payment (see attached sheet)
Resolved: That the accounts for payment are accepted and approved for payment. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried.
268.08 To consider requests for financial assistance
a) A request for an unspecified donation has been received from Mencap.
Resolved: That the request for funding from Mencap is not approved. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
b) A request for an unspecified donation has been received from Rotherham Pensioners’ Action Group.
Resolved: That the request for funding from Rotherham Pensioners’ Action Group is not approved Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
269.08To note any correspondence
a) An apology has been received from SYPTE regarding the non issue of bus passes. It is eight weeks now since the travel event and most, if not all, who applied have still not received their passes. A strongly worded response has been sent to SYPTE demanding that the situation is rectified quickly.
b) A reply has been received from Andy Buck at the PCT in response to the Parish Council’s letter regarding transfer of services. Mr. Buck has suggested a meeting with the Council.
Resolved: That Mr. Andy Buck of Rotherham PCT is invited to attend an informal meeting of the Parish Council. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Simmonite. Carried
c) A letter has been received from Harthill Carnival Society regarding RMBC’s withdrawal of the Christmas tree which has been supplied in the past. The letter asks if the Parish Council will take on the costs of purchase and installation of the tree.
This item was deferred and will be placed on next month’s agenda
d) BT has sent a further letter regarding red telephone boxes, asking if the Council wishes to retain the boxes for ornamental value. No action was deemed necessary
e) A letter of thanks has been received from Harthill and District Garden Association thanking the Council for its recent sponsorship
270.08 To receive risk assessment reports
a) A risk assessment has now been undertaken at the Leisure Centre. This has highlighted some maintenance issues which the Chairman and Clerk will take up with the Leisure Centre Management Committee.
Resolved: That the risk assessment on the Leisure Centre is accepted. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
Resolved: That risk assessments on Parish Council buildings are undertaken annually. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried.
Resolved: That a meeting is arranged between the Parish Council and the LCMC to take forward maintenance issues. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
b) Risk assessments at allotment sites will be completed by end of October
271.08 To receive reports of August/September external meetings
No meetings were attended.
272.08 To receive information on external meetings arranged for September/October
a) The next Area Assembly meeting will be held in October but no details have as yet been forthcoming. The Clerk will investigate this with Sarah Currer.
b) The Clerk is hoping to finalise arrangements for a further meeting with Borough Cllrs. Sharpe and Fenoughty by end of September
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Resolved: That the meeting is adjourned for comments and questions from the press and public. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried
Mr Newby asked about the cost of bowling green maintenance at the Leisure Centre. He also raised several Woodall related issues including hedge cutting, road signs and speed limits.
273.08 To consider matters relating to improvements and services for Woodall
a) The Woodall road marking scheme has been postponed indefinitely owing to a dispute between RMBC and their white lining contractor. It is hoped that this will be resolved quickly
b) We still await details of installation of the dual bin following the allocation of funding from the devolved budget. The Clerk will pursue this with Sarah Currer from the Area Assembly.
274.08 To consider matters relating to the Village Hall
A report has been received from VAR regarding village hall refurbishment. VAR have offered to assist in an external funding search for the project and a meeting will be arranged with them soon. Cllr. Lloyd reported that the Village Hall Management Committee have in principle accepted a change to charitable status to aid a funding bid led by the VHMC which is the preferred option at this stage. Concern was expressed as to how this would affect Parish Council financial support for the VHMC.
Resolved: That advice is sought from YLCA on the implications of the Village Hall Management Committee adopting charitable status. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
275.08 To consider grounds maintenance matters
Resolved: That Mr. G. Tune is asked to cut the Spens Field section of the hedge on Woodall Lane in line with his original quotation. Proposed Cllr. Simmonite, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried
276.08 To receive the minutes of the Allotments Committee meeting held on 19 August 2008
Resolved: That the minutes of the Allotments Committee meeting held on 19 August are accepted. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Pattison. Carried
277.08 To consider proposals for a rent review on allotment and garage plots
A rent review for 2009 has been considered and recommended by the Allotments Committee. The proposal is that standard allotment rents and garage rents should increase from £8 to £12, small plot rents from £5 to £7, garage service charges from £7.50 to £10 and quarry rental from £1.50 to £5 per year as from 1 April 2009.
Resolved: That the proposal for an increase in allotment, garage and quarry rents is approved and that all tenants should be informed of changes to rents by letter before 30 September.2008. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Hall. Carried
278.08 To receive an update on the Parish Council website
The Clerk reported that the website is now fully up and running and is accessible to all. It is hoped that the photo gallery will be added over the next week or so and the discussion forum by the end of the year. The website will be updated on a weekly basis.
279.08 To consider a response to an RMBC consultation on Dog Control Orders
RMBC’s recent letter about dog control orders was considered and the Council is content with RMBC’s proposals.
280.08 To receive an update on seating on “The Tom Wakefield Way”
It is now confirmed that three benches have been donated by residents. Negotiations with British Waterways re installation is still ongoing.
Resolved: That Mr. Tingle is commissioned to produce an oak bench at a cost not exceeding £300 and that an attempt is made to source a bench of the same model as that provided by Mr. Sharpe. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
281.08 To receive an update on the Spens Field lease
The RMBC Corporate Management Team met on 18 August but didn’t discuss Jonathan Marriatt’s report on the lease as the meeting overran. The new dates given are 29 Sept for the next CMT meeting and 22 October for final ratification at the Regeneration and Asset Board. A further progress report will be given at the next meeting.
282.08 To consider matters relating to Harthill Post Office
Resolved: That the Parish Council fully supports the continuation of Harthill Post Office and a letter is submitted to this effect via the ongoing consultation process. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
283.08 Individual Councillor Reports (For information only)
Cllr. Adams asked about further improvements to the school railings. Cllr Lloyd did not think that further work was planned at present.
Cllr. Gunby offered some ideas for articles for the next issue of “The Hart”
Cllr. Leigh raised issues about work being undertaken by ROC on council properties on Pryor Mede. This will be placed on the next agenda.
Cllr. Lloyd has been invited to the launch of the 2009 Objective 1 Rural Target Fund to be held at Hellaby Hall. Cllr. Gunby has also been invited.
Cllr. Pattison also raised concerns about ongoing work on council properties and comments made by contractors.
Exclusion of the Press and Public
Resolved: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. Carried.
284.08 To approve action concerning Parish Council land
Cllr. Lloyd and the Clerk attended a meeting with Ian Strong from YLCA about this issue on 19 August. Having looked at the deeds YLCA does not see any barriers to proceeding with the sale of allotments to specific Winney Hill residents, considering the Parish Council to be unencumbered in the matter. They recommend serving notice to terminate the existing allotment agreement on affected tenants and proceeding with valuation of the land via the District Valuer’s Office.
Resolved: That tenants are notified of the Parish Council’s intention to proceed with investigations leading to potential sale of allotment land at Winney Hill and will be served with notice to terminate existing allotment agreements prior to any sale taking place. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
Resolved: That the District Valuer’s Office is contacted to arrange individual valuation of the affected land. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
The meeting closed at 10.10 pm
Signed
Chairman