Todwick Parish Council Minutes
JRW/334
TODWICK PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held in Todwick Village Hall at
7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 26th January 2010
Present
- Councillor Hill - Chairman
- Councillor Ferris
- Councillor Leah - to 9.00 p.m.
- Councillor Gregory
- Councillor Northall
- Councillor Pantry
- Councillor White
- Councillor Bennett - After signing the Declaration of Acceptance of Office
- Clerk - J R Walker
P.C. Howard Saul was in attendance and reported crime statistics over the preceding three months, including:
- Theft of several gully grate covers from roads in the village
- Anti-social behaviour
- Theft from a motor vehicle
- Burglaries
- Criminal Damage
- Domestic Assaults
- Damage to Taxi
09/112 APOLOGIES
An apology had been received from Councillor Palmer
09/113 Approval of the Minutes - 15th December 2009
09/110 should read actioned not auctioned.
The amendment was made and the minutes signed as a correct record.
09/114 MATTERS ARISING
09/84(6)
Leah was still hopeful of a meeting with the youth leaders shortly but there had been some delay following a freeze on spending.
09/84(3)
White asked whether the Clerk had received any response to his letter to the Landowner, Mr. Birtles.
Clerk had not and was instructed to write to ask whether the Borough Council would intervene and also to write again to Mr. Birtles asking whether the lessor or the lessee was responsible for the forecourt and specifically the concrete stump.
09/115 URGENT ITEMS FOR LATER CONSIDERATION
- Boundary Hedge at the Allotments
- Storth Lane
- Village Hall Trust Deed
- Preparation for Adverse Weather Conditions
- Parish Council Newsletter.
09/116 CLERK'S REPORT
Clerk had undertaken his routine duties and all the instructions given to him at the last meeting. He had made various additional reports to RMBC including the request for reinstatement of a grit bin at Mortains and Kiveton Lane and concerns as to the condition of the carriageway at Goosecarr Lane and the Dinnington side of the Red Lion Crossroads.
09/117 FINANCIAL OFFICER'S REPORT
Clerk had
- not received the monthly statements as arranged and had complained to the bank. Staff had refused to give this information over the telephone. Copies of the statements were promised within the next few days.
- received a request from a Mr. Crowther asking that the Council consider changing its bank accounts in order to attract higher rates of interest. He had explained that the Council had reviewed its banking arrangements many times and explained some of the reasons why it had chosen to remain with Barclays.
Resolved that:
- Councillor White undertake research to ascertain whether the Scottish Widows Bank had a local branch.
- Chairman would obtain contact details for the relevant staff at the Kiveton Park Branch of Barclays Bank
09/118 CORRESPONDENCE
A copy of each item of correspondence received by the Clerk had been circulated with the papers in advance of the meeting.
Mr. J Tompkin - Continued Obstruction of Footpath No. 22 Wales
Clerk had written again to RMBC to express continued dissatisfaction with the Borough Council's inability to take any action against the company responsible for indiscriminate tipping to such an extent as to completely destroy the definitive line of the path. The temporary path that had now been provided only after many years and his complaints had also been obstructed and was wholly inadequate/unsatisfactory. The local users of the route were exasperated by the attitude of RMBC officers.
RMBC - Rotherham Green Space Strategy Consultation
Rural Action Yorkshire - Subscription Renewal
Resolved to renew membership at a cost of £35.00
RMBC - Precept 2010/11
Clerk had returned the precept request in the sum of £35,000
The meeting was suspended at 8.05 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
Mr. J Cloke was in attendance representing the Todwick A57 Action Group. He gave details of the history in respect of the most recent road improvement scheme, including details of the current proposals, the Action Group's actions to date and his liaison with the Department of Transport's Representative following the recent publication of the Side Order and Compulsory Purchase Order.
Chairman confirmed that the Parish Council would be making representations in person to the proposed public inquiry.
Open Session closed at 8.45 p.m.
09/118 CORRESPONDENCE (Continued)
Dept. for Transport - Public Inquiry into A57 Improvement Proposals
Resolved to send representation to the next meeting of the A57 Action Group.
SYPTE - Bus Service Changes
RMBC - Standards Committee Minutes
NHS Rotherham - Half- day Conference on 24.2.10
Clerk had sought a response to his letters in 2009 requesting the provision of a doctor's surgery/medical facilities in the village.
NHS Rotherham - Provision of Medical Services/Doctors Surgery in Todwick
Clerk reported that the Council's request had been refused. He had written again, pointing out the number of elderly people in the village and asking whether s surgery in the village hall say one day/week might be permitted.
RMBC - Public Rights of Way Local Paths Partnership Scheme
Claire Bennett - Application for Membership of Todwick Parish Council
NHS Rotherham - Doctor's Surgery/Medical Facilities in Todwick
Clerk reported that the Council's further request had been refused.
RMBC - Dog Control Review
Age Concern - Healthy Living Activities
Leah and White would meet with the Age Concern representative to determine whether any further support could be provided to villagers.
RMBC - Planning Board Training Session
Todwick Parish Bowling Club - Hedge Cutting
Resolved that members would inspect the conifers and seek further quotations for the work.
Councillor John Palmer - Public Transport Matters
Resolved to allow Councillor Palmer to arrange a public transport event in the village.
09/119 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
RB2009/1432
Erection of 1.8 m high gates at 47 Goosecarr Lane for Mr. A Ward.
Resolved to offer no objection
RB2009/1472
Single storey side and rear extension at 19 Manor Way for Mr. D Wainwright
Resolved to offer no objection
RB2010/0041
Demolition of existing garage and conservatory and erection of two storey and single storey side extension with first floor Juliet balcony, erection of porch to side and detached summer house to rear at 23 Goosecarr Lane Todwick for Mr & Mrs Cooper
Resolved to offer no objection
09/120 COMMITTEES
Allotments
Resolved that Councillor Ferris replace ex Councillor Mathieson as the Chairman of the Allotments Committee.
09/121 COUNCIL VACANCY
Clerk had informed RMBC of Councillor Mathieson's resignation from the Council. The formal Notice of Casual Vacancy had been displayed. No request having been made for an election, the Council was permitted to co-opt.
Resolved to co-opt Miss Claire Bennett onto the Council with immediate effect.
Miss Bennett was present, signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, took her seat and participated in the remainder of the meeting.
Clerk would inform RMBC.
09/122 MEMBER'S ACTIVITY REPORTS
White reported in detail on the quotations received to refurbish the stone boundary wall to the western boundary of the village hall curtilage.
Resolved
- To accept the tender by Hillside Masonry in the sum of £2,240
- That the Clerk check available documents to ascertain whether the parish Council was wholly responsible for the maintenance of the boundary.
- That the Chairman undertake a search on the neighbouring property through the Land Registry.
White reported in detail on the quotations received to supply three village signs to the shield design previously approved by Council.
Resolved to acquire three number double sided embossed signs and supporting posts from the Harry Stebbing Workshop in the sum of £2,924 + VAT + Delivery.
White would review the site locations with Councillor Gregory and provide the Clerk with a plan showing the proposed sign locations in order to enable him to seek the necessary permissions from Rotherham Borough Council.
Pantry had received a report from Lawrence Shepherd of 22 Osborne Road, following recent flooding to his rear garden caused by water flowing from the curtilage of the Manor House. He had advised Mr. Lawrence to contact the Borough Council and had heard nothing further.
09/123 RECREATION GROUND CHARITY
Resolved that Councillor Gregory replace ex Councillor Mathieson as the designated Chairman of the Charity.
White would amend the details given on the Charity Commission's Web Site.
09/124 VILLAGE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
The Contractor had submitted details of his works.
Resolved that Councillor Palmer instruct Mr. Marples to plant appropriate hedging required to replace that recently destroyed as a consequence of a road traffic accident on Goosecarr Lane.
09/125 YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Resolved to place on the February Agenda.
09/126 EMERGENCY PLAN
Clerk reported that Councillor Leah had kindly offered to make the necessary revisions to allow him to submit the revised document to the Borough Council.
09/127 URGENT ITEMS
Boundary Hedge at the Allotments
Resolved that Councillor Ferris arrange for the necessary hedge cutting.
Storth Lane
Clerk would again request that the Borough Council repair the potholes.
Village Hall Trust Deed
White explained that when Hallmark Accreditation had been sought from Rural Action Yorkshire a little while ago, it had been pointed out that the Trust Deed was out of date and did not reflect current working procedures. Apart from this being an unsatisfactory situation, this could conceivably affect the success or otherwise of future applications for grant. Some considerable work had gone into proposed changes to bring the document in line with current practice and White asked now for the TPC's approval to approach the Charity Commission to seek their advice on the next steps to take.
Resolved
- To support in principle the need to revise the Trust Deed and offer no objection to the Village Hall Management Committee discussing the proposed revisions directly with the Charity Commission.
- To defer any further consideration or formal approval to any changes to the Trust Deed until a formal response had been received from the Charity Commission.
Preparation for Adverse Weather Conditions
Resolved to place on the February Agenda.
Parish Council Newsletter
Resolved to place on the February Agenda.
The Meeting Closed at 10.24 p.m.
The next monthly council meeting will be in Todwick Village Hall at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 23rd February 2010.