JRW/250

TODWICK PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly held in Todwick Village Hall at 7.30 p.m.
on Tuesday 29th April 2003

PRESENT

• Councillor Pantry - Chairman
• Councillor Mosley - Vice Chairman
• Councillor Gregory
• Councillor Lythell
• Councillor Marsh
• Councillor Rusling
• Councillor B. Waller
• Councillor L. Waller

J. R. Walker - Clerk and Financial Officer

Mrs Anderson (Parish Councillor Elect from May 2003)

02/165 APOLOGIES

Clerk an apology had been received from Councillor Langford.

02/166 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF 30th APRIL 2000

There were no amendments.

The minutes were signed as a correct record.

02/167 MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

02/168 URGENT ITEMS FOR LATER CONSIDERATION

1. Signing of the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

02/169 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Chairman

This was the last meeting of the present Council and the last meeting of the 2003-3 year. During the year Councillors Bill Senior and Ian Pennock had left and Councillors' Darrell Lythell and Paul Langford had joined.

At the top of the list of events there had been much more involvement from residents in Todwick. Firstly, the response to the speed humps, which was very successful and secondly the co-operation in the Golden Jubilee Celebrations and the excellent turnout at the events on 16 June 2002.

Permanent improvements to the village included the hard surfacing of the road in the Recreation Ground, the provision in the Recreation Ground of a youth shelter with a flood light. This has not met with universal approval, but the young people now had somewhere to go.

Dog waste bins had been installed in places determined after much thought and negotiation. Councillors Gregory and Mosley were mentioned in this connection as the campaign for this facility has been lengthy.

Budget Expenditure in the year was within Budget.

For the first time since 1983 the Council did not hold a bonfire - the reason being that Health and Safety Legislation had pushed up the costs by a large amount requiring qualified stewards amongst other improvements. This in turn has encouraged the insurance industry to raise their charges. Progress on the Village Appraisal had been slow, perhaps reflecting the amount of interest shown by residents. Without "consultation" the results would simply be the view of a few Councillors aided by a few residents. The latest advice from the Countryside Commission had the title "Village Plans" and interested parties would study and possibly act on this as time permitted.

New and revised legislation had been adopted after serious study and deliberation and included the Code of Conduct for Councils, the Freedom of Information Act and the Crime and Disorder Act. Advice and training was available to ensure Councils were able to comply and the Parish Council had a good record in keeping pace.

His own activities had, as previously, involved attendance at a variety of external meetings and he had been re-appointed as TPC representative on the Todwick Junior and Infants School Governors Board.

There had been more external meetings to attend and he had been appointed to the Decision Making Body, which was responsible for approving the allocation of funds to suitable projects.

The village web site - although not a Parish Council site did now carry the Minutes of the Council and also "The Informer". It could be reached on www.todwick.org.uk

To the regret of all the Councillors, there would not be an election and mostly the same councillors would be "elected" unopposed. The reason for this was that Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council had lost two nominations and only 8 candidates were presented. Only if there were at least 10 candidates was it necessary to have an election. Blame must also be attached to residents - only a possible 10 candidates from a population of 2000.

The Council would endeavour to serve Todwick to the best of it's ability. He thanked all Councillors for their support and the standard of debate in the meetings. More Councillors had been involved in liaison meetings with representatives of other councils and taking part in decision making for South Rotherham.

As always Councillor Gregory had produced the excellent "Informer" to a very high standard.
The Vice Chairman had provided both support and healthy opposition.
Rod Walker, the Clerk to the Council, brought quality, accuracy and legality to the proceedings.

Gregory/Mosley thanked the Chairman for his excellent report and for representing the council at numerous meetings and events.

02/170 CLERK AND FINANCIAL OFFICER'S REPORT

Clerk

• thanked all the members of the Council for their assistance to him and the community over the last year.

• explained various aspects of the 2002/2003 accounts and changes to audit procedures.

• the accounts indicated a sound financial position thanks to good management.

• the end of year balance was high but it should be borne in mind that the Council was still committed to significantly contributing to the extension and improvement of the village hall.

• thanked the Internal Auditor.

• answered detailed questions.

02/171 APPROVAL OF THE ACCOUNTS FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2002/2003

Clerk & Financial Officer had circulated with the papers for the meeting the documents which would be presented at audit.

Resolved

• to formally approve the Receipts and Payments Account for 2002/3.

• to thank the Responsible Officer for his excellent work.

• that the Chairman and Responsible Financial Officer be allowed to sign the accounts on behalf of the Council

02/172 COMMITTEE REPORTS

Recreation

Mosley

• reported on a successful season by the Junior Football Club which was seeking funding from the Football Foundation.

• expressed delight at the success of the Jubilee celebrations.

Footpaths

Gregory

• there had been few problems over the year.

• the RMBC Public Rights of Way Officer had expressed a desire to attend a Council Meeting and this was being arranged.

• nettles adjacent to the paths off Manor Drive would be a problem unless weed killer was applied.

Clerk would speak with the Public Rights of Way Officer

Allotments

L Waller - reported on the clearance works undertaken by the Village Maintenance Contractor and the hedge cutting by Creswell Groundworks.

02/173 URGENT ITEMS

1. Signing of the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

   Resolved to delay the signing of the Declaration of Acceptance of Office until the May meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.15 p.m.