Todwick Parish Council Minutes
JRW/413
TODWICK PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held in Todwick Church Hall
at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 23rd February 2016
Present
- Councillor Carter
- Councillor Gregory – Chairman
- Councillor Jeffrey
- Councillor Newbold
- Councillor White
- J R Walker – Clerk & Financial Officer
- Borough Councillor Beck
- Borough Councillor Watson
Borough Councillor Watson had spoken with RMBC Planning Officers about the temporary Heras fencing at The Pastures following his discussions with Councillor Gregory. Apparently the fencing was acceptable as it was perceived to be placed to secure the building site for the new property to the rear of the carpet shop. Environmental Health may be able to take action and he would be discussing the situation with officers from that department.
Councillor Beck confirmed the siting of a skip on the recreation ground at 10.00 a.m. on the 18th March.
White asked that consideration be given to placing these on a monthly basis and Councillor Beck undertook to look into this.
Newbold referred to the parish council’s previous requests to RMBC for one of the three waste bins at the junction of Goosecarr Lane and The Pastures to be re-sited elsewhere in the village.
Councillor Beck asked that Councillor Newbold send him an explanatory e-mail and he would then also look into this.
Newbold pointed out that although some new stickers may have been placed on the waste bins themselves new notices giving the present information on fines for dog fouling and litter had not been replaced as requested.
Clerk would make a further request to the Borough Council.
15/148 APOLOGIES
An apology had been received from Councillors Ferris, Greer-Waring and Hill.
15/149 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Ordinary Meeting 26th January 2016
There were no amendments and the minutes were signed as a true record.
15/150 MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising.
15/151 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.
15/152 URGENT ITEMS FOR LATER CONSIDERATION
- Crime
15/153 CLERK’S REPORT
Clerk had undertaken all the duties placed on him at the last meeting.
15/154 FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT
£ |
|
Monies received |
|
|---|---|
Nil |
|
Payments made since last meeting |
|
1. Aviva – Clerk’s Pension |
15.82 |
2. Wicksteed Leisure – Play Equipment Inspections |
170.40 |
3. Hi-Tec Print – “Informer” Printing |
95.00 |
4. HMRC – February Tax/NI |
332.24 |
Un-presented cheques |
|
1. Mrs. H Greer-Waring – Car Parking |
4.00 |
2. HMRC – February Tax/NI |
332.24 |
Payments to be made |
|
1. Todwick Village Hall – Rent |
18.00 |
2. Mark Archer – Village Maintenance |
142.83 |
3. Rackfords – Bowling Clubhouse Door |
85.24 |
4. J R Walker – February Salary/Expenses |
546.73 |
5. Safety Buyer (UK) Ltd – Protective Floor Mats |
238.64 |
6. Information Commissioner – Registration Renewal |
35.00 |
7. Todwick Parish Rec. Grd. – Jan. Grounds Maintenance |
1263.74 |
8. Rotherham MBC– Jan. Grounds Maintenance |
153.20 |
9. Country Publications Ltd – Magazine Subscription |
29.90 |
10. Brian White – Timber for Cupboard |
108.35 |
Bank statement balances |
|
|---|---|
Business Saver Account (Cheque Feeder) |
Community Account (Cheque) |
£16,936.09 |
£1.00 |
Bank balances after all payments completed |
|
Business Saver Account (Cheque Feeder) |
Community Account (Cheque) |
£14,030.49 |
£1.00 |
15/155 CORRESPONDENCE
Written correspondence received.
Zurich – Renewal of Local Council Advisory Service
Down Your Way Magazine – Subscription Renewal
Resolved to renew the subscription as a thank you to the Internal Auditor Margaret Clark.
Correspondence had 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 – Area Assembly Meeting
RMBC (Various) – Parish Councillor Confirmation
YLCA – White Rose Update
Various Councillors – Meeting Minutes
Councillor Gregory – Wicksteed Invoice
Chesterfield Canal Trust – Special E-Newsletter
YLCA – Sector Led Body for Audit: Further Information
Councillor Greer-Waring – Informer
YLCA – Clerk Vacancies
Various Councillors – Playground Repairs
Borough Councillor Beck and Wales Parish Council – The Return of Force for Good Community Sponsorship
Sheila Pantry – Todwick Best Gardens and Scarecrow 2016 prizes
Sheila Pantry – Spring Bulbs and Goosecarr Lane
Raymond Sykes and Councillor Greer-Waring – Fracking: Digging up Democracy
Norman Anderson – Neighbourhood Watch and Police Liaison
Various Councillors – “Informer”
SYPTE – Rotherham Central Rail Engineering Works – Sunday 7/14/21 February 2016
SYPTE – Meadowhall Park and Ride Extension
Zurich Insurance – Cancellation of LCAS Invoice
Sheila Pantry and Councillor Gregory – Confirming Date for Recreation Ground Skip
YLCA – Smaller Authorities Transparency Fund
Eileen Northall and Councillor Gregory – RMBC Grounds Maintenance Statement
RMBC – Submission for Examination of Rotherham’s Community Infrastructure Levy
RMBC and Councillor Gregory – Inclusion of VAT on Grounds Maintenance Invoices
YLCA – Revised Model Financial Regulations 2016
YLCA – Petition to Give Local Councils the Right to Appeal Planning Decisions
YLCA – NALC Digital Councils Event 18 May 2016
YLCA – NALC’s Funding and Grants Bulletin
YLCA and Norman Anderson – Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary – Report: South Yorkshire Police
RMBC and Councillor Hill – RB2016/0145: Parish Boundary
Councillor Gregory – New Bowls Clubhouse Door
Councillor Gregory – Order Confirmation/Invoice for Protective Mats
Councillor Ferris – Apology for Non-attendance at Council Meeting
Councillor Ferris – This Month’s Report from Mark Archer
Councillor Ferris – Todwick Best Gardens and Scarecrow 2016 Prizes
Resolved to offer prizes of £50, £30 and £20 to the keepers of the best gardens in the village but to offer no prize related to the scarecrow competition.
Councillor Ferris – Meeting Information
Information Commissioner – Reminder to Renew Data Protection Registration
Resolved to renew the registration.
Councillor Hill – Apology for Non-attendance at Council Meeting
15/156 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
RB2016/0145
Conversion and extension of existing garage and gym to create garage/gym with hobby room in roof space at 2 and 3 Kiveton Hall Farm, Kiveton Lane for Mr. T Ralton.
Resolved to offer no objection
RB2016/0206
Single storey side extension at 22 Osborne Drive for Mr. R Dawtry
Resolved to offer no objection
Gregory had been made aware of an application for a vehicle operator’s licence to run 14 lorries and four trailers off land at Kiveton Lane by Hague Farms. He was aware that some nearby residents were objecting to this but legislation prevented the parish council from doing so.
Gregory had spoken with John Wragg at RMBC in connection with the temporary Heras fencing placed at The Pastures. Enforcement action could only be taken within regulations and there was no power to do so in this instance. Fencing could remain in place as permitted development under Part 4 Class A of the Permitted Development Order 2015 until “such time as operations had been carried out”. In this instance the newly built property was sold subject to contract. The building had exceeded the permitted roof height but this may be allowed following the submission of a “Non-material amendment” planning application. Once this had been done and the property sold then the fencing should be removed and the issue resolved. Gregory had not been satisfied with this response and had referred the matter to Borough Councillor Watson as described earlier in the meeting. He would adopt this approach in the future as this seemed to be the only way RMBC Officers would take the necessary action.
15/157 COMMITTEES
Allotments
Ferris was not in attendance but had sent an e-mail reporting little rodent activity identified at the last visit by the RMBC Pest Control Officer. He would be sending out a reminder letter to all allotment holder s that the rent was due in March and had booked the village hall coffee lounge for Sunday 20th March. He would pay the rent into the bank and obtain a receipt.
Village Hall Management
No report was made.
Recreation
Gregory gave details of further quotations received for maintenance of the recreation ground and children’s playground.
Resolved to accept the quotation from the Borough Council. This would be for a three year period commencing 1 April 2016 at a cost of £15,586.87. Costs would be increased annually by the relevant retail price index measured in the preceding August.
Gregory had received quotations for the provision of a new external fire door at the bowling clubhouse at a total cost of £85.24.
Resolved to accept the quotation from Rackfords in the sum of £85.24
Gregory informed that Wicksteed Leisure would be on site soon to undertake agreed repairs to the playground equipment. He intended painting the benches at the children’s playground and also the igloo climbing frame. Some work was also required to shorten bolts on the benches. There was a small hole in the tarmac surfacing that required patching.
Clerk suggested the laying of a product such as “Instarmac”.
Gregory would be displaying posters informing of the placement of the skip on the 18 March.
Gregory had requested updated quotations for provision of lighting to the roadway at the recreation ground but only one had so far been received and this was substantially higher than previously.
Carter had met with Councillor Greer-Waring to make arrangements in connection with the “Fun-day”. It was yet to be determined whether to buy or hire tents/ a marquee in the event of rain or other bad weather on the day.
Resolved to hold the Fun-day on the 26th June 2016.
White had made preliminary enquiries in connection with the provision of a bonfire and fireworks display. He and Councillor Carter were to meet on the 7th March to discuss further and would be making a presentation to the Council at the March meeting. The rubbish presently sited would need to be removed.
15/158 CO-OPTION OF FURTHER MEMBER
No further enquiries had been received and the vacancy would continue to be advertised.
15/159 STRATEGIC PLAN
There was nothing further to report.
15/160 MEMBER’S ACTIVITY REPORTS
White had visited the primary school. Some 30 children were to give a 20 minute musical presentation to the “Grey Matters” group on the 26 February at 2.15 p.m. The Head-teacher would like the children to participate in determining how the area at the recreation ground might be used as a multi-functional area. A volunteer was being sought to help the children rejuvenate the lavender garden. The prizes awarded annually by the Parish Council were very much appreciated.
Resolved
To increase the diligence awards from £10 and £5 to £15 and £10 respectively and to award a new prize in 2016 for “Best Idea”. This would increase the total award money to be given to Todwick Primary to £200.
To include an article in the “Informer” seeking a volunteer to help with the lavender garden at the school.
White had begun the construction of a cupboard at the sports pavilion in which to store tables and accommodate the CCTV control equipment. Councillor Gregory would be painting it.
Jeffrey had spoken with Peter Beevers. The Church yard clearance team were to recommence activities on the 28th March. In the meantime he had been collecting wind blown twigs and tree branches and piling them near the entrance gates to aid removal at a later date.
Gregory had met with Jodie Bridger from Sports Yorkshire/Rounder’s Association who was trying to ascertain what interest there might be in forming rounder’s teams.
Gregory was to meet with Borough Council Officers with a view to including a Todwick Parish Council web site within the Borough Council web site as was the situation with many other parish councils.
15/161 VILLAGE MAINTENANCE
Ferris was not in attendance but had sent an e-mail giving a précis of the report prepared by the maintenance contractor Mark Archer. It had been four weeks since the last report:
The main areas were still pretty light going although he had noticed a lot more litter collecting on the recreation ground recently. It may be the case that over the coming weeks he would have to switch back to twice weekly picks on this area. For the time being he had been sticking to weekly picks. The following rounds have been carried out over the past month:
- Recreation Ground: Four rounds
- The Pastures: Four rounds
- Church View: Four rounds
- Kiveton Lane: Four rounds
- Goosecarr Lane: Four rounds
Over the past month he had given the war memorial a couple of wipes down with warm water. He wasn’t sure who kept walking on it but he habitually found muddy foot prints all over it. He suspected that it may be children just playing on it. He would try and keep it clean. The flower beds had been watered regularly although he had noticed that the plants didn’t seem to have been growing much over the winter. They may pick up when the weather improved with more sunlight.
A few weeks ago Councillor Gregory had set him further tasks. Initially these were to make up for missing a week on the pavilion however the tasks took a lot longer than anticipated. He had cut down all the protruding branches and twigs on the basketball court area on the recreation ground. He had used a pair of cutting pruners to get rid of most of the thin branches and then had to go back a couple of times with a hand saw to cut away the thicker branches. This was just about done now and was something that he would keep an eye on. He had spent about four and a half hours on it so far.
He had spent about half an hour clearing away moss on the Church View playground. Not a big job but he just used a hoe and left the moss bagged up near the bins. This had now been collected.
The litter picks were currently taking around three hours.
He would be happy to attend to any other issues that the Council requested.
15/162 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION MATTERS
There was nothing new to report.
15/163 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Norman Anderson had reported following a meeting he and his wife Virginia had with the (only) Maltby Police Sergeant.
Police presence at parish council meetings is being encouraged.
Statistics of crime and antisocial behaviour in the village were not presently going to be provided to him on the grounds of lack of staff. The Chief Superintendent and the Sergeant had said that the statistics had to be “audited” before release. He hadn’t had this problem in the 10 years since he had resurrected the village Neighbourhood Watch. The latest figures on the internet for the Todwick area were from November 2015.
One of the things that has come to light was that reported ‘violence and sexual’ offences were more often than not of an historical nature. “Operation Clover” related to the Rotherham CSE investigation.
Work was currently underway on a new Community Alert System.
He would be attending a meeting with several other NHW Area Co-ordinators when Jason Harwin would be in the ‘firing line’.
15/164 URGENT ITEMS
Crime
Carter gave details of postings on “Facebook” initiated by a photograph of an individual and a car on Kiveton Lane.
Someone had said that there should be a meeting and she had posted saying that anyone concerned could attend the Open Session at a parish council meeting and express their concerns. No one had attended the meeting.
The Meeting Closed at 8.55 p.m.
The next Council Meeting will be in Todwick Village Hall at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 29th March 2016.