Present: Cllrs. Mr. I Lloyd (Acting Chairman), Mrs C Leigh, Mrs. B. Gunby, Mr. S. Green, Mrs A Adams, Mrs W. Thompson and Mr. D. Hall
027.11 To receive any apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. Mrs. J. Pattison and Mrs E. Simmonite
028.11 To approve the minutes of the Meeting held on 11th January 2011
Resolved: That the minutes of the Meeting held on 11th January 2011 are accepted and approved as a true record. Proposed Cllr. Adams, seconded Cllr. Green. Carried.
029.11 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
Resolved: That the press and public should be excluded from agenda item 29 due to the confidential nature of the business to be conducted. Proposed Cllr. Pattison, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried.
030.11 To declare any interests necessary for this meeting
a) Cllr. Lloyd declared his personal interest in agenda item 21&22
b) Cllr. Leigh declared her personal interest in agenda item 21&22
031.11 To note any matters arising (For information only)
a) There have been no further developments on North Farm
b) RMBC says that they are unable to act in relation to the drainage problem at the Precinct car park. It is entirely the landlord’s responsibility. The Clerk will keep in touch with the Co-op over the issue.
c) The new speed sign on Winney Hill is there on a 2 month trial basis only
032.11 To consider planning applications
RB 2011/1207 (amendment) Single storey side and rear extension, formation of rooms in roof space at 11 Dow Carr Lane Woodall for Mr S Lamb.
Resolved: That there are no objections to this application Carried
033.11To receive the RFO’s report
a) After 10 months of the financial year 100.7% of the budget has been spent and 98.7% of income has been received. An overspend of around £6k is forecast. The overspend has been mainly caused by increased S137 expenditure and costs associated with the village hall lease and refurbishment.
b) The internal audit this year will take place during the 3rd week in May.
034.11 To monitor the budget against income and expenditure
The management accounts were examined and no problems were identified.
035.11 To verify bank reconciliation to 31st January 2011
Bank statements were examined and initialled by two Councillors.
036.11 To approve the Parish Council Financial Risk Assessment
This item was deferred until March pending information awaited to complete the Asset Register
037.11 To approve arrangements for internal audit
A review of the effectiveness of the Council’s system of internal audit has been undertaken.
The current remit for the internal auditor is to review internal controls and ensure that the Council has complied with its own financial regulations. The Clerk as Responsible Finance Officer provides a regular bank reconciliation to the Internal Auditor together with bank statements, files, minutes and all other documentation requested. All payments are approved by the Council and all invoices available for inspection by the Council. Cheques are signed by authorised signatories in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Council’s Financial Regulations.
No amendment was considered necessary to the current process for internal audit and it was recommended that the internal audit should take place in May 2011.
Resolved: That no amendment is required to the Council’s existing remit for internal audit.The internal audit will take place in May 2011.Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Thompson. Carried.
038.11 To approve renewal of membership of Yorkshire Local Councils Associations (YLCA)
This item is deferred as the invoice has not yet been received.
039.11 To approve renewal of the Council’s membership of Rural Action Yorkshire
Resolved: That renewal of the Council’s membership of Rural Action Yorkshire is approved. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, Seconded Cllr. Thomson. Carried
040.11 To consider reinvestment of Cooperative Bank Guaranteed Investment Bonds
Resolved: Thatthe Council’s Cooperative Bank Guaranteed Investment Bonds are renewed for periods of 3 months and 6 months respectively. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Lloyd. Carried
041.11 To consider requests for financial assistance
No requests were received.
042.11 To approve accounts for payment
Resolved: That accounts for payment are approved. Proposed Cllr. Green, seconded Cllr. Gunby. Carried
043.11 To note any correspondence
An invitation for the Parish Council to become a member of the Chesterfield Canal Trust was received. The annual cost is £36. Resolved: That approval is given to the Council’s membership of the Chesterfield Canal Trust. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried.
044.11To consider RMBC training programmes for Parish Councillors
Training courses re Countering Terrorism and Standards were discussed. No-one is available to attend.
045.11 To receive reports of January / February external meetings
a) Area Assembly / PACT - attended by Cllr. Lloyd. This included a talk by the RMBC Environmental Crime Unit which highlighted the main concerns in the RMBC area. The number one problem is dog mess and the officer stressed that no action can be taken unless people report offences.
Most crimes in the area are down. Vehicle crime and robbery (muggings) have increased however. Supply of alcohol to underage drinkers is being targeted. Thefts of metal were highlighted as a growing concern.
b) South Rotherham Rural Transport Group. Cllr. Simmonite had attended but was not present at the meeting to report. Minutes of the meeting have not yet been received.
046.11 To receive information on external meetings arranged for February / March
The next Parish Network Meeting is on 3rd March at 5.30pm at Rotherham Town Hall. Cllr. Lloyd will attend.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Resolved: That the meeting is adjourned for comments and questions from the press and public. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Leigh. Carried
Mr Newby raised several issues
a) He asked that the Streetpride number is displayed on the Parish Council website for reporting dog fouling.
b) He has asked the Area Assembly to investigate the possibility of a visibility mirror at Walseker Lane.
c) He reported that someone has checked the signs for the national cycle route.
d) He raised a query about the cost of the Woodall Christmas tree.
047.11 To approve the lease between the Parish Council and Harthill Village Hall Ltd.
Following the notice about the lease no comments or objections have been received. The valuation of the Village Hall has also been completed. There are now no further obstacles to the signing of the lease.
Resolved: that the lease between the Parish Council and Harthill Village Hall Ltd covering a 99 year period on Harthill Village Hall is approved for signature. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried.
048.11 To consider other matters relating to the Village Hall
a) Cllr. Lloyd reported that the budget prepared for 2011/12 indicates that the Village Hall will breakeven
b) Further problems have been encountered with funding for the refurbishment. BIFFA is no longer an option. Work will commence shortly on the Veolia bid. The National Lottery main community scheme is still open to the Council and Cllr. Lloyd has identified a further potential landfill funding scheme.
c) A meeting is needed with TH Michaels (the successful tenderer) to partition the costs of refurbishment against each of the proposed funding bids. This will be arranged as soon as possible.
049.11 To consider grounds maintenance matters
a) Several potholes have been temporarily repaired but others are still outstanding. These have been reported to Streetpride
b) RMBC had again refused to add the hill section of Pryor Meade to their winter gritting schedule citing turning difficulties.
050.11 To consider matters related to Parish footpaths and bridleways
a) Cllr. Gunby and the Clerk attended a meeting at the RMBC design office to progress the footpath leaflets. It was decided at the meeting that a graphic map would be produced by RMBC in preference to use of an O.S. map. There is no cost to the Parish Council.
b) A meeting with Clare McRoy of RMBC has been arranged for Friday 18th February at 1.00pm in the Village Hall. This is to review the footpath situation generally and receive an update on enforcement action at Norwood.
c) Proposed footpath diversions sought by RMBC were discussed and deferred until the next meeting pending further enquiries.
051.11 To consider proposals for an Easter holiday play scheme in Harthill
Resolved: That the Council will support an Easter Holiday play scheme in Harthill at a date to be arranged. A charge of £2 per day will be made. Proposed Cllr. Lloyd, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried
052.11 To consider matters relating to Harthill Leisure Centre
a) One tender has been received for the Bowling Green maintenance with two more expected shortly. A decision will need to be taken at the March meeting so the new contract can operate from April 1st.
b) Work at the Leisure Centre by the Community Payback service has been delayed because of the supervisor’s illness but should resume shortly. Painting of the fence and handrails is next to be undertaken and a proposal has also been made to repair the benches and picnic tables at a cost of approximately £120.
Resolved: That repair of benches and picnic tables is added to the Community Payback Service work schedule at a cost not exceeding £120. Proposed Cllr. Hall, seconded Cllr. Adams. Carried.
053.11 To consider matters related to the Woodall Lane play area
a) The Awards for All application in respect of the new fitness equipment has been delayed due to procedural reasons with the funder.
b) The meeting with Groundwork (Creswell) to discuss proposed maintenance work will now take place on Monday 14th February at 10.00am.
c) Cllr. Pattison has proposed that the refurbishment of the maze should include red poppies to tie in with a forthcoming British Legion event. The feasibility of this will be discussed with Groundwork Creswell.
d) RMBC has topped up the sand levels at the playground.
054.11 To consider matters related to the UNSCO site
A request has been received from Thorpe Salvin Parish Council for a joint meeting with Harthill with Woodall Parish Council and RMBC officials about the former UNSCO site. This is to receive reports on the current situation and future plans for the site. This was supported in principle and the \Clerk was asked to investigate further with RMBC.
055.11 Individual Councillor Reports (For information only)
Cllr. Thompson requested that British Waterways are contacted re addition of anti-litter and dog fouling signage.
Cllr. Leigh has been asked by a resident if the Parish Council could ask residents who clear snow to put it on their own land. Cllr. Leigh also said that the public bench at Loscar had still not been repaired.
Cllr. Hall thanked Councillors for their good wishes during his recent illness
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.
056.11 To consider matters related to Parish Council land
A resident has written to relinquish his rear garden plots at Winney Hill. There is a policy not to re-let these plots as allotments. The Council will therefore take on responsibility for their maintenance.
The meeting closed at 9.01pm