JRW/409

TODWICK PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held in Todwick Village Hall
at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 24th November 2015

Present

Councillor Carter
Councillor Ferris
Councillor Gregory – Chairman
Councillor Jeffrey
Councillor Newbold
Councillor White
J R Walker – Clerk & Financial Officer
Marie Dabell
Katie Mapplebeck
John Gray
Paul O’Sullivan
Borough Councillor Gordon Watson

Borough Councillor Gordon Watson discussed the possible implications of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Statement on local councils.

15/94 APOLOGIES

An apology had been received from Councillors Greer-Waring and Hill.

15/95 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Ordinary Meeting 20th October 2015

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

15/96 MATTERS ARISING

Gregory had noted that more road planings had been removed from the site at the bottom of Kiveton Lane and that there were now only two banners secured to the fence there.
Carter asked members to consider arrangements for the 2016 Funday as early as possible because booking some popular attractions became more difficult if left.

Gregory/White confirmed that this would be considered at a budget meeting early in the New Year.

15/97 DECLARATION OF MEMBER’S INTERESTS

Gregory advised that the Council’s submission in response to the Local Development Plan had now been submitted and there was no longer any reason why Councillor Carter could not now participate fully in planning or other related matters.

15/98 URGENT ITEMS FOR LATER CONSIDERATION

Christmas Carols
Transport Strategy
Award for Community Service
Bonfire
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Raffle Prizes
Yorkshire Air Ambulance

15/99 CLERK’S REPORT

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

15/100 FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT

Monies received
	£
1. British Gas – Feed in Tariff at Village Hall	599.13
2. Barclays Bank – Gratuity Account Interest	0.35
Payments made since last meeting
1. Hi-Tec Print – Supplementary Informer Printing	42.00
2. Aviva PLC – Clerk’s Pension	5422.53
3. Todwick Church Hall – Room Rent	24.00
4. Todwick Village Hall – Room Rent	16.50
5. Todwick Parish Rec. Ground – October Grounds Maintenance	963.48
6. Rotherham MBC – October Grounds Maintenance	44.33
7. Wales High School – Award	100.00
8. HMRC – Tax/NI	332.24
9. David Gregory – Councillor Expenses	64.72
Un-presented cheques
1. Mrs. H Greer-Waring – Car Parking	4.00
2. Todwick Village Hall – Room Rent	16.50
3. Todwick Parish Rec. Grd. – Oct Grounds Maintenance	963.48
4. Rotherham MBC – Oct Grounds Maintenance	44.33
5. Wales High School – Award	100.00
6. HMRC – November Tax/NI	332.24
7. David Gregory – Councillor Expenses	64.72
Payments to be made
1. J R Walker –Salary/Expenses	564.62
2. Mark Archer – Village Maintenance	142.83
3. David Gregory – Cleaning Materials	5.45
4. Bryan Ferris – Christmas Tree	75.00

Bank statement balances
Business Saver Account (Cheque Feeder)	Community Account (Cheque)
£23,859.91	£1.00
Bank balances after all payments completed
Business Saver Account (Cheque Feeder)	Community Account (Cheque)
£21,546.74	£1.00

15/101 CORRESPONDENCE

Written correspondence received and passed to Members:

Rotherham Hospice – Publicity Posters

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
Norman Anderson – Neighbourhood Watch Update
Councillor Greer-Waring – Irwin Mitchell Quotation
Councillor Gregory – Mr. Clarke Letter
Various Councillors – Reply to Marie Dabell
Councillor Greer-Waring – First Aid Poster
Councillor Gregory and RMBC – Road Planings
Councillor Greer-Waring – Blocked Access to Field and Wood
RMBC – CCTC at A57/B6463
Various Councillors – RMBC Planning Consultation
YLCA and Councillor Gregory – YLCA/RoSPA Playground Inspection Course
Norman Anderson – Further Neighbourhood Watch Update
Sheila Pantry – Agenda/Minutes
YLCA – Smaller Authorities Transparency Fund
RMBC – Housing Strategy Consultation
YLCA – Dog Fouling
RMBC/ Ward Borough Councillors and Various Parish Councillors – Bus Services Between Todwick and Dinnington
Councillor White – Hire of Church Hall
RMBC – A57 Todwick Roundabout
RMBC/ Ward Borough Councillors and Various Parish Councillors – Provision of Bollards to Prevent Driving and Parking on Footway at Rectory Gardens
Councillor White – TVH FIT
YLCA – Accounts and Finance for Town and Parish Councils Training Session
Voluntary Action Rotherham – Food for People in Crisis Christmas Appeal 2015
RMBC – New Funding Opportunities
Norman Anderson – Neighbourhood Watch Update
RMBC – Banners Placed on the Fence at the A57/ Junction with Kiveton Lane
Councillor Gregory – Poppy Wreath
Councillor Ferris Planning – Email to Brandon Lewis MP
G. Capper/Save our Green Belt Dinnington – Rotherham Sites and Policies
Sheila Pantry and Norman Anderson – Incident on the Todwick Recreation Ground Sunday 1 November 2015
Chesterfield Canal Trust – E:Newsletter Number 84
Councillor Greer-Waring – Draft Submission re Proposed Residential Development and Major Employment Site
Mr. J Clarke – Todwick Local Plan Proposal
Councillor Carter – Council Objection to Site 0730
RMBC – Health and Safety and Resources Audit of Training Centres
Councillors Greer-Waring and Hill – Blocked Access to Field and Wood
SYPTE – Appointment of Executive Director
Councillor Greer-Waring and Various Councillors – Local Plan Submission
Councillor Gregory Playgrounds Maintenance
YLCA – ICO Understanding Data Protection and Freedom of Information Training
RMBC – Dinnington Together
RMBC – Ulley Parish Clerk
Brinsworth Parish Council – CCTV Enquiry
Councillor White – Todwick Award for Community Service
RMBC – Weather Warning
Councillor Gregory – Bollard Outside Village Hall
Councillor Greer-Waring and Environment Agency – Foul Smell at Killamarsh
RMBC – Right to Buy Social Mobility Scheme
RMBC and Mr. Capper Councillor Greer-Waring Consultation on the Draft Rotherham Transport Strategy
Councillor Newbold – Bollard Outside Village Hall and Street Light on Manor Way
Councillor Gregory and RMBC – Heras Fencing at The Pastures
YLCA – ICO Understanding Data Protection and Freedom of Information Training
RMBC – Weather Update
Norman Anderson – Crime Statistics
Councillor Greer-Waring – Recent Road Traffic Accident and Air Ambulance Fundraising
Various Councillors – Bank Deposits on 2 July 2015
Councillor Newbold – Recent Road Traffic Accident
Councillor Hill – Apology for Non Attendance at Meeting
Councillor Ferris – Mark Archer Cheque
Councillor Gregory – Cleaning Materials
NALC – Bulletin on National Developments and Meetings
Chesterfield Canal Trust – Newsletter Number 85

15/102 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

RB2015/1341

Single storey side and rear extensions at 21 Osborne Road for Mr. G Stevens.

Resolved to offer no objection
Fenced of Area at The Pastures

Gregory advised that RMBC had written to those who had applied for planning permission for the new dwelling at 20 The Pastures (Birtles Housebuilders Ltd) but was yet to receive a response. Their Legal Department was to undertake a search to ascertain who owned the land and RMBC would then be contacting them to find out what the situation was at the site.

The fencing had been described as being only temporary. He had asked RMBC to say how long might be considered temporary but RMBC was unable to answer as this was not specified in legislation.

15/85 COMMITTEES

Allotments

Ferris reported that there had been no reports of rodent activity but in any event the RMBC Pest Control Officer was scheduled to visit the site within the next couple of weeks.

Village Hall Management

Ferris reported that the Christmas tree would be sited outside the hall the following day and the defective lights at the Kiveton Lane side of the hall would also be replaced.

Recreation

Gregory had undertaken an inspection of the play equipment at both sites and noted that both roundabouts juddered when slowing down. He had spoken with Wicksteed the company that had installed the equipment and arranged for them to undertake an inspection of all equipment with him at a total cost of £142 plus VAT.

He had also attended the RoSPA Training Course.

In order to ensure Todwick obtained the best possible price he had made enquiries from other parish councils as to the arrangements they had for the grounds maintenance of their recreational facilities. To date he had received only a response from Harthill which had the same arrangement with RMBC.

White had a contact at Woodsetts and would enquire what arrangements were in place there.

15/103 CLERK’S GRATUITY/PENSION

Clerk reported that the gratuity account had been closed and monies transferred to the Community Account. A cheque had then been written in the sum agreed for the pension lump sum payment and a direct debit arranged to pay the monthly pension contributions. He had increased his own pension contributions by an appropriate amount.

Gregory confirmed that all had been done fully in accordance with pension legislation.

15/104 CO-OPTION OF FURTHER MEMBER

Gregory advised that John Gray had expressed an interest in joining the Council.

Paul O’Sullivan was also in attendance to observe the Council.

15/105 STRATEGIC PLAN

Gregory wished to arrange a meeting to discuss this before Christmas.

Members agreed to consult their diaries and agree a suitable date/time.

The meeting was suspended at 7.45 p.m.

OPEN SESSION

Gregory outlined the way in which the open session was to be conducted. Members would consider any matters raised but this may not be until a future meeting.

Marie Dabell had made enquiries as to the cost of proving a 16 seat mini-bus to transport passengers once a week from Todwick to Dinnington. She had received a quotation of £20/week which would provide a two hour window in Dinnington. This was based on the service being provided every week and not occasionally. She estimated that accounting for various holiday periods the total cost would be some £960/year. She considered this to be money well spent when compared to the cost of maintaining the recreation ground.

Gregory had obtained information on the “Door to Door” bus service provided by the SYPTE. The service to Crystal Peaks attracted some 12 passengers, that to Dinnington 10 and to Worksop 9. The service was under used and the SYPTE had agreed to provide up to a 22 seater bus if the custom was there.

Marie stated that this service provided only a one hour window in Dinnington which was insufficient and hence why more people didn’t use it.

Carter asked whether passengers would contribute to the cost and Marie thought that they would providing that was reasonable.
Katie Mapplebeck from RMBC’s “Mega Active” gave details of the activities provided and the costs involved. Attracting children to participate for the full week rather than for a day or half-day was much preferred and was encouraged by the charges. More needed to be done to promote the camps and her colleague John Mercer would be encouraging the local school to help with this.

Members agreed to fund both the Spring Camp in June and the Summer Camp in July. The Parish Council would also encourage participation by placing suitable articles in “The Informer” Newsletter and displaying posters.

Carter gave Katie details of the company that had supplied banners for the Funday.

Open session closed at 8.05 p.m.

15/106 MEMBER’S ACTIVITY REPORTS

Gregory had found the RoSPA training to be of most benefit because of the discussions he had had with other attendees rather than the training itself.
Gregory had together with Councillor Jeffrey undertaken further works at the Church Yard most noticeably the cutting of the laurel trees at the end of Mr. Chapman’s garden.
Gregory had met RMBC to discuss the proposal to erect bollards on a blocked paved area within the highway at Rectory Gardens. The request for these had been brought about because of the parking large vehicles on the area but those responsible for this had now left. Placing the bollards would cause problems for other residents and RMBC was now considering not installing the bollards.
Newbold advised that RMBC had still not dealt with the damaged bollard at the junction of The Pastures and Kiveton Lane nor the street light on Manor Way.

Clerk would make a further report to RMBC.
Ferris had assisted Mark Archer in tidying the planters within the fenced off area at The Pastures.
Ferris distributed copies of the draft circular walks leaflet.

Members resolved to purchase the artwork from RMBC at a cost of £198 + VAT and also 500 copies of the leaflet at a cost of £273 + VAT.

The leaflets would be displayed in the village hall, local shops and Kiveton library.
White and Ferris had erected the Christmas lights on the tree belonging to Christal Vince at The Meadows. Christal would be paying the electricity cost.

15/107 VILLAGE MAINTENANCE

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

It had been five weeks since the last report.

Mark had thanked Councillor Ferris for helping him to take up all the dead flower beds on The Pastures area a few weeks earlier. He had called back there during the last week and pulled up the other two flower beds next to the benches. He had also cut down most of the overgrown bramble that was obscuring the benches and removed any litter. The whole area was now looking much better.

He had carried out litter picks since my last report:

Kiveton Lane – Two rounds
Goosecarr lane – Two rounds
Church View – Two rounds
Pastures – Nine rounds
Recreation Ground – Nine rounds

The main areas had been pretty light going over past few weeks, possibly because children were back at school. Rubbish on Goosecarr and Kiveton Lane. Kiveton Lane had been particularly heavy on his last round. There had been no more evidence of drug use, although he still kept finding empty beer cans and vodka bottles.

The war memorial now had artificial turf installed and so no grass cutting would be necessary in future. The new flower beds had plenty of water and he still kept removing weeds if he saw any.

15/108 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION MATTERS

Gregory had received nothing other than the report of a serious road traffic accident on Goosecarr Lane which had resulted in serious injuries to a pedestrian.

15/109 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

A report had been received from Norman Anderson and the statistics for crime and antisocial behaviour were:

September – None
October – None
November to date – One theft from a motor vehicle, one criminal damage to a motor vehicle, two attempted burglaries, one burglary and one vehicle nuisance.

In future Neighbourhood Watch would not be permitted have a direct link to the Police because of the latest cut backs. Even contact with a PSCO would not be possible. This was a shame as the link had been a very useful source of information.

Obtaining crime statistics in future would therefore be much more difficult but he would try to get them off the internet himself.

He would inform the Parish Council of any developments.

Carter was aware from social media of an attempted break in to a vehicle and at the gift shop at “Greenscene”

15/93 URGENT ITEMS

Christmas Carols

Ferris advised that Vicky Camber was arranging for the singing of carols around the Christmas tree to be sited outside the village hall.
Transport Strategy

Gregory would consult with Councillor Greer-Waring but in any event the Council would be sending a formal response.
Award for Community Service

White had been in discussion with the Deputy Head at Wales High School and a decision had now been taken as to who would win the prize awarded by the Parish Council. The award ceremony was to be held on the 27 November at the high school. He normally attended but to date had not received an invitation.
Bonfire

White had received a number of enquiries as to why the Parish Council did not now provide a bonfire and/or firework display. He had been researching how adjacent villages managed such events whilst still maintaining the strict H&S regulations now in force and believed Todwick should now re-introduce bonfire night.

Members agreed to give this serious consideration and to discuss further in January.
Duke of Edinburgh Award

White had received an enquiry from Mrs. Lynn Robins whose son Luke was pursuing the bronze award. Luke was seeking to carry out volunteering work in the village such as collecting litter. He would be accompanied at all times either by one of his parents.

Members were very supportive and agreed to provide suitable protective equipment etc. and a letter recording what Luke had done.

Gregory hoped, with his approval, to provide a photographic record of Luke carrying out the work and he hoped an article in “The Informer” would encourage others to become similarly involved in helping improve the village environment.
Raffle Prizes

Ferris still had unclaimed prizes from the Funday.

Members agreed that these be passed to Tony Rusling for inclusion at the Christmas Fayre.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance

Ferris referred to the accident on Goosecarr Lane and the assistance provided by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. This was the third time in the year that this had attended in the Todwick area. He asked whether the Council would be prepared to offer support to the organisation which relied entirely on charitable donations having no support from national or local government. The organisation could provide its own stand at events and supply various items for sale.

Members agreed to offer places at any suitable event such as the Funday. Unfortunately it was too late for anything at the Christmas Fayre this year.

The Meeting Closed at 9.00 p.m.

The next Council Meeting will be in Todwick Church Hall at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 15th December 2015.

Post Meeting Note

Councillor Greer-Waring was not in attendance at the meeting but subsequently submitted the following information:

“Rotherham Sitwell Rotary has confirmed that they will bring Father Christmas to Todwick again this year on Friday 18th December. The time and route is to be confirmed. I have suggested they change the route from last year so that other areas of the village are covered.

Kiveton Surgery Patient Participation Group (PPG) attended the monthly meeting on 18 November. People are urged to go to the surgery for the flu jab if they have been invited for one. Surgeries have a target to meet and the under 65 age group is still not up to the 75% they are aiming for. Everyone who is a patient at the surgery can attend the meetings which are held monthly. The next meeting will be from 5 pm on Wednesday 16th December at the surgery.”

Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held in Todwick Village Hall at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 24th November 2015