JRW/366

TODWICK PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held in Todwick Village Hall
at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 26th June 2012

Present

• Councillor Hill – Chairman
• Councillor Gregory
• Councillor Greer-Waring
• Councillor Leah
• Councillor Palmer
• Councillor White

• J R Walker – Clerk & Financial Officer
• Helen Johnson – Dinnington and Worksop Guardian
• Norman Anderson – Neighbourhood Watch – In advance of the meeting only.
• Rotherham Borough Councillor Gordon Watson – In advance of the meeting only and to give details of the “Drop in Sessions” now arranged by RMBC in connection with the proposed additional closing hours of local libraries.

Prior to the formal meeting Norman Anderson gave a précis of the latest figures for reported crime and antisocial behaviour in the village for the 3 months up to and including the 21st June 2012 provided by PCSO Dimelow.

Members thanked Mr Anderson for the report and he left the meeting room.

12/22 APOLOGIES

Apologies for non attendance were received from Councillors Northall, Ferris and Pantry

12/23 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES – 29th May 2012

There were no amendments and the minutes were signed as a correct record.

12/24 MATTERS ARISING

12/20

Resolved that the Clerk thank Sheila and Clive (Councillor) Pantry for their extremely hard work on behalf of the village and in particular for the organising of the Fun Day and Music by Moonlight held during the Diamond Jubilee weekend. Thanks were also to be expressed for their donation of three prizes for young people in the Miniature Garden Competition in July.

12/25 URGENT ITEMS FOR LATER CONSIDERATION

1. Additional Pedestrian Access
2. Weeds on Public Footways

12/26 CLERK’S REPORT

Clerk had undertaken all the duties placed on him at the last meeting

12/27 FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT

Clerk had submitted the requisite documentation to the External Auditor on the 7th June and explained the changes to the Register of Assets instructed by the Auditor.

	£
Monies received
Barclays Bank – Interest	4.09
Un-presented cheques
	Nil
Payments made since last meeting
	Nil
Payments to be made
Todwick Village Hall Committee – Rents	33.00
J R Walker – Salary/Expenses	518.43
HMR&C – Tax/NI	313.08
Todwick J&I School – Diligence Awards	105.00
Allotment First Prize	15.00
Allotment Second Prize	10.00
Allotment Third Prize	5.00
Rural Action Yorkshire – Subscription Renewal	35.00
Best Scarecrow	50.00
Best Garden First Prize	50.00
Best Garden Second Prize	30.00
Best Garden Third Prize	20.00

Bank statement balances
Business Saver	Business Saver	Business Saver	Community
£4,604.56	£23,004.46	£15,016.50	£1.00
Bank balances after all payments completed
Business Saver	Business Saver	Business Saver	Community
£4,601.69	£21,819.95	£15,007.30	£1.00

12/28 CORRESPONDENCE

Copies of all written correspondence received had been included with member’s papers for the meeting.

1. RMBC – New Standards Arrangements under the Localism Act

2. Rural Action Yorkshire – Subscription Renewal

3. RMBC – Various Traffic Related Issues

4. BDO – Audit Questions

5. RMBC – Rotherham Local Plan

   Clerk handed the documentation and computer disc to the Chairman

Correspondence had also been received via E-mail and forwarded to members on receipt.

1. RMBC – Enviro Thaw

2. YLCA – Area Assembly Meeting 11th June 2012

3. YLCA – Response to Clerk re Quality Status Preferential Rates

4. YLCA – Request for Photographs.

5. YLCA – Training Programme for July

6. Chesterfield Canal Trust – Newsletter 36

7. Voluntary Action Rotherham – Bulletin 10

8. Rural Action Yorkshire – Neighbourhood Planning

9. YLCA – Adoption of Code of Conduct and Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

10. Stephen Hill (TPC Chairman) – Damaged Sign at Recreation Ground

11. RMBC – Libraries Review Consultation

12. Mr. R J Moyse – Wall Bounding Public Footpath to South Anston

    Clerk had requested RMBC to take the necessary action and informed Mr. Moyse of the action taken.

13. YLCA – Revision of the NALC Legal Topic Note/Guidance on the New Ethical Framework and Code of Conduct

14. YLCA/CPRE – Neighbourhood Planning Related Events

15. YLCA – Changes to Paragraphs 5 to 7 of Legal Topic Note 80. – Member’s Conduct and the Registration and Disclosure of Interests

16. RMBC – Publication Core Strategy Available to view and Comment between 25 June and 06 August 2012.

17. RMBC – Rotherham’s Local Plan (previously called the Local Development Framework). – Publication of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document along with accompanying documents on 25 June.

18. Ann & Tony Rusling – Defects at Children’s Playground

    Resolved that the Clerk ask RMBC for advice as to the most cost effective way of having the missing swing replaced and the seats painted and also seek advice from RMBC on the play facilities presently provided

There were no members of the public in attendance and therefore no Open Session was held.

12/29 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

1. RB2012/0836

   Single storey rear extension at 7 Grange Gardens for Mrs. Dee Sissons.

   Resolved to offer no objection

12/30 COMMITTEES

Village Hall

White informed that the electrical system at the village hall was to be checked the following Thursday in line with the Village Hall’s routine 5 year safety check.

Allotments

Clerk reported receipt of information from Councillor Ferris:

• The pest control officer had made his usual visit and was attending to some light rodent activity.

• Councillor Ferris had written to holders of numbers 2 and 23, on 14th June 2012, because their allotments were overgrown. In accordance with their agreement, he had given them 28 days to cultivate them to a reasonable standard. No action had been taken by the time of his check on the 24 June. He would be making a further inspection on 12 July and would terminate their agreements if appropriate action had not been taken. These two plots would then be offered to the next on the waiting list.

  Clerk had received an enquiry from a prospective holder and had passed the contact details to Councillor Ferris.

12/31 PARISH PLAN ACTION PLAN

Leah presented a paper listing the outstanding actions:

• The Parents in Action Group at the Junior and Infant School was to look at the possibility of setting up a coffee shop for the use of parishioners within the village hall.

• Councillor White research the possibility of grant aid for holding cinema sessions in the village hall.

• Sheila Pantry was to be asked to include an appropriate article in the next edition of The Informer Newsletter asking residents to consider their neighbours by parking sensibly and not so as to cause an obstruction in the highway.

• Councillor Palmer was to raise the outstanding transport issues with the SYPTE at the meeting at Harthill on 2nd July.

• The outcome of the meeting on traffic issues with RMBC on 19th July would be awaited before agreeing any future strategy.

• Further information would be sought on likely demand for chiropody and well person clinical services.

• Further liaison was to take place with the Junior and Infant School considering the possibility of the children providing limited post office services on the Village Hall premises. These were likely to be limited to the selling of stamps and cards as an educational exercise.

• Councillor Leah would provide Councillor Palmer with the telephone numbers of those requesting assistance together with those who had expressed an interest in helping with the good neighbour initiative.

• Councillor Northall had liaised with RMBC Playsafe Team regarding holiday child care schemes as outlined and agreed at the May TPC meeting and would be monitoring the outcome of the July 2012 project held in Todwick. Councillor Northall had also made enquiries regarding local child minders and would be asking Sheila Pantry to include an appropriate article in the next edition of The Informer Newsletter.

• Councillor Leah had commenced looking into grant opportunities for a replacement Sports Pavilion on the Recreation Ground and would be working with Councillors Gregory and White during the summer with a view to submitting an application for an autumn deadline date in the next Sport England submission round.

• Councillor White advised that the Junior and Infant School was looking seriously at the possibility of setting up a “walking bus” for the children to and from school and would be consulting with parents.

• Councillor Leah would provide Councillor Gregory with the telephone numbers of those whom had expressed an interest in helping with the revitalising of the Environment Group.

• Councillor Leah would provide Councillor Gregory with the telephone numbers of those whom had expressed an interest in sponsoring the provision of a hanging basket.

• Councillor Northall would be asked to consult with the Historical Society on the design, size, cost and timescales involved to erect a war memorial in the proximity of the village hall. This would sit alongside a flagpole for which research and a quotation had already been obtained by Councillors White & Leah.

• Councillor Northall was also to be asked for an update on the youth worker visits to the village.

12/32 ADOPTION OF NEW CODE OF CONDUCT

Clerk had circulated details concerning the legal requirement for the parish council to adopt a Code of Conduct compliant with Section 28(13) of the Localism Act 2011 and to bring this to the attention of those living in its area in compliance with Section 28(12) of that Act.

Resolved to

1. Adopt the National Association of Local Councils Template Code of Conduct for parish councils.

2. Publicise the adoption of the Code of Conduct in the next edition of the Council’s newsletter “The Informer” a copy of which would be delivered to every household in the parish.

3. Comply with the Disclosable Pecuniary Interests as defined in the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/1464).

12/33 MEMBER’S ACTIVITY REPORTS

1. White informed that the voltage of the electricity supply to the village hall was presently peaking at 257 volts which exceeded the legal guidelines of 253 maximum. This could cause the PV Panel inverter to trip out causing reduced revenue from generated electricity. It could also cause bulbs to blow. The system was presently being monitored with a recorder which would probably lead to the supply being “tapped down” at the nearby sub-station.

12/34 VILLAGE MAINTENANCE

1. Palmer remained in possession of the two tree saplings and wondered where they might best be planted. Chairman would look at them and give advice on the siting depending on the tree species.

2. Palmer reported that electrical supply to all street lights had now been restored after many weeks and the lights were at long last operational.

3. Palmer had seen a report in the 31st May edition of the Retford Times stating that North Nottingham Council was to reintroduce lengthmen to keep the streets clean. He wondered whether this was something RMBC might consider.

12/35 BMX TRACK

There was nothing to report.

12/36 WAR MEMORIAL

The matter had been discussed as part of the Parish Plan Action Plan.

12/37 YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Councillor Northall would be reporting to the July meeting.

12/38 CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND

Chairman had viewed a number of possible options for a stone memorial to Mary Gregory and made a recommendation. He had a large natural stone wheel which he would donate to the council and which could be used as a mount.

Resolved That the Chairman further liaise with Councillors Ferris and Sheila Pantry and finalise the memorial wording and arrangements.

Members thanked Councillor Hill for his generosity.

12/39 FIRST RESPONDERS

Greer-Waring confirmed that the training would be held in July. An appropriate article would be placed in the next edition of The Informer Newsletter.

12/40 URGENT ITEMS

1. Additional Pedestrian Access

   White had received a request that a pedestrian access be provided at the junction of The Meadows and Staniforth Crescent to allow use by a wheelchair user resident at the bottom of The Meadows near Guildway.

   Clerk would ask RMBC to provide the access.

2. Weeds on Public Footways

   White considered the condition of the road gutters in the village to be unacceptable since virtually all of them had weeds growing out of them.

   Clerk would ask RMBC to kill the weeds or remove them

   Chairman had noted that sight lines at the junction of Pocket Handkerchief Lane and Common Lane were badly obstructed by overgrown vegetation and needed clearing urgently in the interests of road safety.

   Clerk would ask RMBC to remedy the defects.

The Meeting Closed at 9.12 p.m.

The next Council Meeting will be in Todwick Village Hall at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 31st July 2012.