The INFORMER
Todwick Parish Council
No. 59
March 2002
TRAFFIC CALMING IN THE VILLAGE - THE STORY SO FAR
At the time of publishing the November issue of The Informer it was not possible to assess the feelings of the majority of residents to the Scheme. However when the Parish Council met on 27 November some 56 residents attended the Open Session to express their strongly held objections. Because the scheme had been introduced by Rotherham Borough Council following their receipt of a petition from residents, and after direct consultation by means of questionnaire to all households, but with no direct consultation with the Parish Council, while Councillors listened to all the complaints sympathetically the only constructive action that the Council could take was to arrange a public meeting with officers of Rotherham Engineering Service in attendance.
This was duly held on 25 January when Stephen Ward, Head of Rotherham's Engineering Service, explained the sequence of events leading up to the introduction of the scheme and listened to all the comments of residents who packed the Village Hall. There had been a reduction in the speed of vehicles passing through the village, but he accepted that there were also problems, particularly with noise. He undertook to conduct a further survey asking for the views of residents on the scheme, including the siting of the pedestrian crossing, and very soon after the meeting a questionnaire was distributed to all households in the village.
On 4 February the Parish Council was invited to send representatives to a meeting at the Borough Council's Economic & Development Services Department at which the Cabinet Member responsible and the Executive Director, as well as Stephen Ward and other officers were present. The Parish Council was represented by Councillors Clive Pantry (Chairman), Mary Gregory and Barrie Marsh, and the Clerk, Rod Walker, who were able to make the concerns of Todwick residents clear and to express suggestions as to how matters might be improved.
A week later a meeting was held in Todwick between the above-mentioned Parish Councillors plus Councillor John Mosley, and Rotherham's Engineers. A video made by a resident on Kiveton Lane illustrating the problems was shown, and possible solutions were further discussed. Without any doubt the greatest problem is that of noise, which particularly affects residents on Kiveton Lane and The Pastures, caused by heavy goods vehicles, especially empty ones, which go through the village late at night and in the early hours of the morning as well as during the daytime. One suggestion which has been made is to restrict the hours at which such vehicles would be allowed to drive through Todwick.
The engineers are anxious to find a solution to the problems, which seem to be unique to Todwick, and are undertaking wide -ranging research to make sure they "get it right" before they take any action, so we are unlikely to see any remedial work before the summer.
THE PARISH PRECEPT 2002/3 - This is to remain at the same rate as in 2001/2 - in fact it has not been increased since 1995/6, except for the decision in 1996 to raise an extra £5000 a year towards the cost of refurbishment of the Village Hall. The total for the coming year will therefore be £18,650 - £13,650 for normal Parish Council expenditure and £5000 for the Hall. The money is collected by the Borough Council with their Council Tax and paid to the Parish Council in two instalments. The Budget for the year is under consideration and will be finalised at the March meeting of the Council.
THE ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY - will be held on Tuesday 30 April in the Village Hall, commencing at 7.30 pm. It is your opportunity to hear the reports of the Chairman and the Clerk on the year's work of the Council, as well as the financial report and accounts - i.e. to learn how your money has been spent as well as the work Councillors have undertaken on your behalf. You will be able to comment on the reports and accounts and to raise any matters of concern.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS - The March meeting will be held on Tuesday 26 in the Village Hall commencing at 7.30 pm. In April the meeting will commence at 7.00 pm prior to the Annual Assembly and will reconvene after that if necessary to complete the business. After April the Council will continue to meet on the last Tuesday of each month except August, with an Open Session at 8.30 pm at which members of the public may ask questions or comment on any matters of concern. Forthcoming dates are 28 May, 25 June and 30 July. A reminder of subsequent dates will appear in the July issue of The Informer.
PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY - As a result of the resignation of Bill Senior from the Council there is a vacancy. If you are interested, or know someone who is, please write to the Clerk, Mr J. R. Walker, at 10 High Street, South Anston, S25 5AY. As this is the final year of the present Council's existence - an election is due in 2003 - the appointment will be for one year only, which should not be a very onerous commitment but could arouse interest for the future!
CODE OF CONDUCT - Under the Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2001 all Councils have to adopt their own Code of Conduct by 5 May 2002. These must maintain the provisions of the Model Code, and once adopted must be sent to the Standards Board for England. The first part of the Order deals with the general obligations to be observed by all Councillors in the carrying out of their duties, while Part 2 requires that within 28 days of the Code being adopted members must register their personal (including financial) interests which might be held to prejudice their work as Councillors. A copy of the Register will be maintained by Rotherham Borough Council, and the Parish Council must maintain a copy for public viewing the availability of which must be advertised. The final provision requires a member, within 28 days of receiving any gifts or hospitality over the value of £25.00, to provide written notification of it to the Monitoring Officer. It is doubtful if this will often need to be complied with in Todwick - in over 20 years all one Councillor has received is a bouquet of flowers of much lower value than this! The Parish Council has already spent some time considering the Code and having received clarification of some provisions will be adopting it before the May deadline.
A QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL FOR TODWICK? The Government has recently introduced a concept of Quality Parish Councils and a model charter will be published shortly giving guidance on the tests Councils must meet to achieve this status. Successful ones will be given more powers and greater flexibility, and if considered a 'best value' parish be eligible to receive additional grants from central government. Todwick should be able to surmount the hurdles regarding election of councillors and the professional standards of administration demanded - but there would have to be 4 issues of The Informer each year instead of 3!
GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN TODWICK
At a meeting of village organisations and interested individuals held in the Village Hall on 7 March it was agreed that there should be one large -scale community event which would be supported by various smaller events.
THE COMMUNITY EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE RECREATION GROUND ON SUNDAY 16 JUNE, PROBABLY COMMENCING AT 12 NOON, AND WITH THE EMPHASIS ON ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN, THOUGH ADULTS WILL NOT BE LEFT OUT. PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY NOW!
A small group has been appointed to make the arrangements but the support of all residents is needed if the day is to be a success. If you can help in any way with the arrangements or on the day, or even by sponsorship, please contact one of the undermentioned as soon as possible.
- John Mosley, 95 The Meadows (tel: 771384) (Chairman)
- James Armstrong, 16 Osborne Road (tel: 770751)
- Audrey Radford, 8 Tortmayns (tel: 771931)
- Sarah Wilson, 52 Rectory Gardens (tel: 774533/515773)
The Environment Action Group is putting red, white and blue lights up round the Village Hall and planting beds in the village in the same colours. Can you help by planting in your gardens, especially if you live on one of the roads leading into Todwick?
Details of events planned by the various organisations and groups are not yet known, except that there will be a Special Church Service on Sunday 2 June , and the Garden Fete on Saturday 6 July may well have a Jubilee theme. The Bowling Club will be holding similar events as in previous years - including an Inter-Parish Competition.
PLEASE SUPPORT ALL THE CELEBRATIONS IN ANY WAY YOU CAN AND HELP THEM TO BE MEMORABLE OCCASIONS - AFTER ALL, ITS YOUR VILLAGE!
VILLAGE APPRAISAL - The Parish Council has been anxious for some time for Todwick to have a Village Appraisal and now a meeting has been arranged for Thursday 11 April in the Village Hall, commencing at 7.30 pm when a representative from the Yorkshire Rural Community Council will attend to explain how to carry out an Appraisal and to offer that organisation's help. Invitations have been sent to certain people who it is though could be interested, but the meeting is open to everyone so if you would like to come please do. Councillor Mary Gregory and the Clerk, Rod Walker, recently attended a training day on Parish Plans organised by the Countryside Agency under their Vital Villages Programme and found it most informative on ways of carrying out Appraisals. If Todwick is to be successful in obtaining grants for future projects it is essential to have carried out detailed consultation with residents and drawn up a plan. Financial help in doing so may be obtained from the Community Council. If you are interested in improving the facilities in Todwick please come to this meeting - and if you would like any further information beforehand please contact either the Chairman of the Parish Council, Clive Pantry, on 771024 or Mary Gregory on 770703.
NEWS FROM TODWICK ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP (TEAG)
The BAD NEWS is the continual element of destruction and vandalism taking place. One of the seats in the Millennium Garden has been destroyed, but fortunately funds allowed for its replacement; plants, shrubs and even bark continue to be stolen from flower beds; and grafitti has appeared on stone planters. If you see anything suspicious which you do not think is serious enough to warrant calling the Police please contact one of the Committee (see below).
The memorial seat to Laura Tyas near the Carpet Shop was vandalised beyond repair on Friday, 30 November 2001, between 8.30 and 8.45 pm. It was observed by two people waiting at the bus stop who remonstrated with the vandals, but to no avail. The Police were informed. The GOOD NEWS is that some funding has been obtained from the Community Chest and TEAG has been able to install a new seat. Long may it last! The total cost of destruction and theft in 2001 amounted to £300. If you see any vandalism taking place please telephone the Police on 0114 2 20 20 20 - you do not have to give your name if you do not wish.
TODWICK IN BLOOM 2002 - TEAG hopes you are enjoying the Spring show of
daffodils, tulips, crocus and primulas around the village. More planting
for Summer and Autumn, including trees and shrubs in the various beds,
planters and surrounding areas is planned. If when your Spring bulbs have
finished blooming you have more than you know what to do with, let Sheila
Pantry know (tel: 771024) and she will be happy to pick them up and plant
them around the village.
TEAG Committee Members are: Brenda and John Palmer (Todwick Post Office
- 770978); Rosemary Chambers (87 The Meadows - 770816); Anne Warburton
(158 Kiveton Lane - 772133); and Sheila Pantry, Co-ordinator, (85 The
Meadows - 771024).
FOR SALE - The Parish Council has a Honda petrol driven mower and a petrol strimmer for sale. If you are interested please contact the Clerk, Rod Walker, at 10 High Street, South Anston (tel: 566639). If you wish to see them before making an offer contact Councillor Les Waller at 13 The Pastures.
ALLOTMENT RENTS - will be collected at the Village Hall on Sunday 24 March between 11.00 am and 12 noon. If you are interested in renting one of the vacant allotments please contact Councillor Les Waller (address as above - tel: 770819).
FOOTPATH WALKS - These continue to leave the Village Hall at 10.00 am on the second Sunday of each month. They are led by Mr Pat Wilson from whom further information can be obtained - tel: 771319.
YOUTH CLUB - There has been no Thursday evening Junior Youth Club in Todwick for several months due to staffing problems at Rotherham. However a new Youth Officer for the area has now been appointed and it is hoped that the Club will re-open before too long.
CONGRATULATIONS to Sue McKiernan of Roche End who was awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours for her services to disabled athletics.
TODWICK WEB SITE - Don't forget that you can find this at www.todwick.org.uk giving all kinds of information about the village. You will be able to get up-to-date news of the various events planned for Todwick's Golden Jubilee celebrations (see back page of this Informer).
The Informer is published three times a year by Todwick Parish Council from 10 High Street, South Anston, Sheffield S25 5AY. The next issue will appear in July 2002.