JRW/408

TODWICK PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held in Todwick Church Hall
at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 20th October 2015

Present

Councillor Carter
Councillor Ferris
Councillor Greer-Waring
Councillor Gregory – Chairman
Councillor Hill
Councillor White
J R Walker – Clerk & Financial Officer
Ray Sykes

Councillor Hill had rejoined the Council and was warmly welcomed.

15/76 APOLOGIES

An apology had been received from Councillors Jeffrey and Newbold

15/77 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Ordinary Meeting 29th September 2015

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

15/78 MATTERS ARISING

15/71(5)

Ferris advised that “Grey Matter” would be seeking funding once it had opened a bank account.
15/75

Ferris advised that the housing for the Christmas tree would be fabricated shortly.
OPEN SESSION (3)

Gregory suggested that financial support be given to the Spring Play Camp but to assess the success of that before deciding whether to commit to a Summer Camp also. Members supported this proposal.

15/79 DECLARATION OF MEMBER’S INTERESTS

Carter has an interest in land recommended for development potential by RMBC and also owns a property on Rayls Rise.

Greer-Waring is Vice-chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee.

15/80 URGENT ITEMS FOR LATER CONSIDERATION

CCTV Camera at Red Lion Roundabout
Burning of Rubbish
Dogs on Kiveton Lane
War Memorial
Bus Provision

15/81 CLERK’S REPORT

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

15/82 FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT

Clerk reported:

Monies received
	£
1. E-on – Feed in Tariff at Sports Pavilion	188.81
2. Sandra and Ray Sykes – Donation to Professional Advice re LDP	20.00
Payments made since last meeting
	Nil
Un-presented cheques
1. Bryan Ferris – Cup Engraving	8.45
2. RMBC – Mega Active Camp Fee	143.34
Payments to be made
1. Todwick Village Hall – Rent	15.00
2. Chesterfield Canal Trust Ltd – Membership Renewal	36.00
3. Hi-Tec Print – “Informer” Printing	95.00
4. J R Walker – Salary/Expenses	547.89
5. HMRC – Tax/NI	332.24
6. Rotherham MBC – September Grounds Maintenance	44.33
7. Todwick Parish Rec. Ground – September Grounds Maintenance	963.48
8. Hobson Nurseries – Winter Planting	480.00
9. Barry Northall – Shelf/Hooks at Sports Pavilion	12.28
10. Mark Archer – Village Maintenance Works	142.83
11. Mrs. H Greer-Waring – Car Parking	4.00

Bank statement balances
Business Saver (Gratuity)	Business Saver (Cheque Feeder)	Community (Cheque)
£5,264.20	£26,142.26	£1.00
Bank balances after all payments completed
Business Saver (Gratuity)	Business Saver (Cheque Feeder)	Community (Cheque)
£5,264.20	£23,337.42	£1.00

15/83 CORRESPONDENCE

Written correspondence received and passed to Members:

Chesterfield Canal Trust – Membership Renewal
Zurich Insurance – Local Council Advisory Service Renewal
Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group – The Changing Face of GP Services Event

Correspondence had also been received via E-mail and forwarded by the Clerk to Members on their receipt. The Clerk had replied where appropriate.

Various Councillors – Meeting Minutes
Voluntary Action Rotherham – Various Email Bulletins
Rural Action Yorkshire – Various Email Bulletins
RMBC – Various Weekly Planning Lists
RMBC (Various) – Parish Councillor Confirmation
YLCA – White Rose Update
YLCA –YLCA/RoSPA Basic Half Day ‘Routine Playground Inspection Course for Volunteers’ – 2 October 2015
John Clark – Planning Matters
Councillor Greer-Waring – The Informer
YLCA – RMBC/Joint Local Councils Working Group
Danlec Electrical – Payment
RMBC – New Funding Opportunities
Rural Action Yorkshire –Annual Conference and AGM
Ray Sykes – Problem Parking at Junction of Mortains and Kiveton Lane
BDO LLP – Audit
RMBC – Consultation – Regeneration of the Pit House near Rother Valley Country Park
RMBC – Invitation to Public Consultation Event: Gullivers Theme Park
Councillor Greer-Waring – Church Yard Working Group
RMBC – Halloween and Bonfire/Firework Displays
Councillor Ferris – RotherFed
Various Councillors – Christmas Tree
YLCA – October and November Training
RMBC – Letter to All Parish Councils from Lead Commissioner
YLCA – Councillors’ Allowances
Marie Dabell – Parish Council Considerations
Various Councillors – Chesterfield Canal Trust
Various Councillors Borough Councillor Jepson and Yorkshire Parish Councils – Rotherham Borough Council Local Development Plan
Sprotbrough and Cusworth Parish Council – Councillors’ Allowances
Councillor Gregory – Letter from Mr. Chambers
Councillor Hill – Signed Declaration of Acceptance of Office etc.
Councillors Gregory and White – FIT at Sports Pavilion
Councillor Gregory – Clerk’s Pension etc
Various Councillors – Grass Cutting/Hedgerows
YLCA – SLCC National Conference, 15 and 16 October
Norman Anderson and Various Councillors – TVH Income and Expenditure
YLCA – SLCC National Conference, 15 and 16 October
Various Councillors – Notes of Open Meeting
Brian Chambers – Cutting of Grass Verges
Voluntary Action Rotherham – Rotherham Petition Against Marches
Councillor Ferris – LDP Item in Local Paper
Councillor Gregory and RMBC – Banners Opposite Red Lion
YLCA – November Training
Borough Councillor Jepson – Agenda for Council Meeting, Wednesday 21st October
YLCA – Waste Disposal Problems
Councillor Greer-Waring Informer
Councillor White – TVH FIT
YLCA – RoSPA Training
RMBC – Visit to Clerks
YLCA – Presentation: Hydraulic Fracturing
Councillor Jeffrey –T.P.C. Meeting
Hobson Nurseries – Invoice for Winter Planting
YLCA – Public Contracts Regulations: Contracts Finder User Guide
Sheila Pantry and Councillor Greer-Waring – Informer and Supplement
Councillor Ferris – Mark Archer Report

Gregory was aware that a complaint had been made about road planings stored on Kiveton Lane. The complainant had spoken with RMBC Streetpride only to be told that they could do as they wished.

Ferris reported that some of the planings had recently been removed.

15/84 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

RB2015/1286

Single storey side extension at 1 Grange Gardens for Mr. A Perkins.

Resolved to offer no objection
RB2015/1233

Application to fell a tree protected by RMBC Tree Preservation Order No. 1 1987 at 136A Kiveton Lane for Mr. Chapman.

Resolved to offer no objection

Gregory thanked all those who had attended the open meeting to discuss the Local Development Plan. He had assimilated the various quotations sought/received in connection with the obtaining of professional advice to assist the Council in preparing its response to the Local Development Plan. There were numerous solicitors and other professionals who had been unable to work for the Council because of a conflict of interest. As a consequence he had earlier that day met with Rob Stubbs of Banner Jones Solicitors who had estimated costs in the region of £2,500 with additional costs of at least £1,000 being incurred if it became necessary to seek the advice of a barrister.

Hill suggested the Chartered Town Planning Institution may be able to provide a list of suitable advisers available in the area.

Resolved that Councillor Gregory proceed with obtaining the services of Banner Jones.

15/85 COMMITTEES

Allotments

Ferris reported that the Pest Control Officer had visited the site earlier that day and found little rodent activity. He had re-baited and re-set the traps. There were no problems to report and all was satisfactory.

Village Hall Management

Greer-Waring reported that the AGM had been held with all the trustees present, including the new trustee Jenny Hudson who was also the Secretary. The accounts had been copied to the Clerk.

Recreation

Gregory reported:

A User Group Meeting had been held but attendance had been poor. Aston Hall Cricket Club had expressed delight with the facilities now provided.

There had been instances of unapproved electrical equipment being brought into the sports pavilion and so he had removed these and instructed that no items of such equipment were to be used unless approved in advance.

The Bowling Club had been given permission to erect a second shelter.

Barry Northall had erected a shelf in the cleaner’s cupboard in the sports pavilion, together with some hooks to aid storage.

He had requested a full schedule of all maintenance activities from RMBC and being conscious of the need for due diligence was looking at alternative contractors. To assist with this he would seek information from other local parish councils.

15/86 CLERK’S GRATUITY/PENSION

Gregory reported that he had informed the Clerk of the discussions held at the September meeting during the time the Clerk had been asked to leave.

Resolved to bring the gratuity account up to date, transfer the total then held in this account into a pension plan that currently exists in the Clerks name and subsequently pay monthly contributions into that pension amounting to 2% of the Clerks salary.

Clerk would be increasing his contributions into the plan and would make all appropriate arrangements with the provider.

15/87 CO-OPTION OF FURTHER MEMBER

Stephen Hill had been co-opted onto the Council but one vacancy remained to be filled.

Gregory reported on the numerous ways in which the vacancy had been advertised without success.

Resolved that an appropriate article appear in every issue of the “Informer” newsletter until the vacancy was filled.

The meeting was suspended at 8.00 p.m.

OPEN SESSION

Mr. Ray Sykes supported the Council’s intention to submit an alternative site for development in the parish in respect of the Borough Council’s Local Development Plan. He was aware of the Council’s intention to employ professional expertise to put the case forward and he and his wife had given a donation of £20 to assist with the cost.

Members thanked Mr. Sykes for his donation which was very much appreciated.

The Informer Supplement was still in the process of being distributed and further contributions may well be forthcoming.

Open session closed at 8.05 p.m.

15/88 STRATEGIC PLAN

Gregory wished to ensure a separate meeting on this was held before Christmas but in the short term he appreciated all efforts were being concentrated on the Council’s response to the Local Development Plan.

15/89 MEMBER’S ACTIVITY REPORTS

Gregory had been working with others to clear the Church Yard of nettles and other unwanted flora. The seeding previously carried out was now growing through and significant improvement already made. The working party established to improve the condition in all respects was to meet on the coming Saturday and he encouraged as many as possible to join in with this very worthwhile activity.
Gregory together with other Members had attended the public meeting called to discuss the Local Development Plan.
Greer-Waring had spent a considerable amount of time researching into various aspects of the Local Development Plan.

Gregory was aware of the considerable amount of time she had spent doing this invaluable work and thanked her for doing so.
White had contacted his solicitor to see whether he was prepared to give advice to the Council on the Local Development Plan. This had led to a referral to a specialist on development issues. Unfortunately, this had not worked out due to a conflict of interest.
White had also assisted with the clearing in the Church Yard and said that weather permitting, on the Sunday coming, the trees at the southern boundary would be topped. The neighbour had very kindly donated £100 towards the disposal of the cuttings and this money had been passed on to Peter Beevers.
White had submitted the meter reading for the village hall solar panel system some three days prior to the meeting and he anticipated receipt of £599.14.

£188.81 had recently been received from the system at the sports pavilion where the Feed-In Tariff payment was less.

He understood that the government were to discontinue FIT payments on new installations in the New Year.
White had been contacted by a resident on The Meadows reporting a sapling growing out of the roof of the electricity sub-station. He had telephoned the company concerned and the sapling had now been removed.
Hill recalled having discussed with the Vicar the need to have self-set trees removed from graves and other sites at the Church Yard. These had not yet been removed but he recommended that they were because in addition to preventing further damage it would also provide a better growing environment for trees and other vegetation which were of value.

Gregory would be consulting with Peter Beevers on Sunday about the activities to be undertaken during next phase of the clearance.

15/90 VILLAGE MAINTENANCE

Ferris gave details of the report given by the maintenance contractor, Mark Archer:

The double litter picks around the main visible areas seemed to be working out well. He was having lighter loads on each round. He was to litter pick the full length of Goosecarr Lane and Kiveton Lane later this week.

The grass on the memorial was cut earlier this month and weeds removed. He had noticed that the new flower beds had been planted and would ensure they were watered regularly. The Astro turf had not yet been laid. He estimated that the existing grass would require just one further cut before the winter.

Work was planned on the flower beds at the Pastures over the summer but they had been cordoned off and he had not been able to do it.

On Friday the 16th October he found evidence of drug use around the picnic benches at the recreation ground, numerous empty drug bags, torn up cigarettes and papers etc. He also found the odd empty super strength lager can here and there.

15/91 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION MATTERS

Greer-Waring reported that the week prior to the meeting Wales Primary School Parents had undertaken a traffic count and utilised a life-sized model of a police woman to gauge drivers’ reactions. There had been a noticeable reduction in vehicle speeds as the model had been seen by drivers.

Hill noted that there had been no further progress on getting a village-wide 20 mph speed limit introduced, when this was very much required, particularly in the vicinity of the school. He evidenced recent experiences related to the driving of vehicles at high speed through the village and considered that the provision of a speed camera was necessary.

Gregory/Greer-Waring explained that the Borough Council’s funding was so low as to prevent even the repair or replacement of the damaged speed warning sign near the Red Lion. All attempts by the Parish Council to have a speed camera placed had been rejected.

Greer-Waring would discuss this again with Andrew Lee at the Borough Council. A solar powered and therefore less expensive to maintain option might help provision.

15/92 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

No recent report had been received.

14/93 URGENT ITEMS

CCTV Camera at Red Lion Roundabout

Discussion took place on the poor standard of driving at the roundabout near the Red Lion.

Clerk would ask the Borough Council to ensure that the CCTV Camera was operable and used to good effect.
Burning of Rubbish

Greer-Waring had received complaints about rubbish being habitually burnt at a property close to The Meadows/Goosecarr Lane. She would make further enquiries to ascertain who was doing this and report as necessary
Dogs on Kiveton Lane

Greer-Waring had received a complaint about two dogs on Kiveton Lane being aggressive and causing problems for the owners of other dogs some of which had run into the road with consequent threats to their and others safety. Children could also be frightened by the dogs and also run onto the road to escape.

Hill had come across this problem and found reporting instances to the police/RSPCA to be very helpful.
War Memorial

White reminded Members that the Remembrance Day Service at the Church would continue at the memorial and it was necessary to ensure the area was prepared in readiness. His wife Carol was prepared to help to do this and it was agreed that she and Councillor Gregory’s wife Etta would do this together.
Bus Provision

Discussion took place on the suggestion by Marie Dabell that the Parish Council arrange and pay for the provision of a bus to transport passengers from the village to Dinnington. This would help many people to access the shopping which was otherwise extremely difficult and certainly impractical by public transport. She had suggested that this could be provided at a cost of some £30.

Gregory asked if Greer-Waring would make enquiries about the cost of provision but doubted that, bearing in mind that a bus would have to wait for passengers to complete their shopping, a bus could be provided for anywhere near such a low figure. Over a year this would amount to a considerable amount of the Council’s funds even though any passengers would have to pay a fare.

The Meeting Closed at 8.50 p.m.

The next Council Meeting will be in Todwick Village Hall at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 24th November 2015.

Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held in Todwick Church Hall at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 20th October 2015