Laughton-En-Le-Morthen.co.uk - Minutes

Present: Councillors P Lilleker (Chairman), K Evason, J Leaning, J Robinson, D Bagshaw and S Brooks (Parish Clerk). Apologies: Councillors T Stanway (Vice-Chairman), H Muller and PC Shaun Rhodes. In attendance: Elaine Alliott (Consultant for Rotherham Local Compact Mini guide), two parishioners.

1. Open Forum for Parishioners in Attendance
The two parishioners in attendance wished to enquire about rental properties in Laughton en le Morthen. Councillors provided local knowledge regarding local letting agents and suggested several sources of information.

2. Presentation by Elaine Alliott (Consultant for Rotherham Local Compact)
Councillors observed a presentation on the Rotherham Local Compact Mini-guide, after which the matter was discussed. Councillor G proposed signing up to the Compact; seconded by Councillor C; Councillors voted all in favour. Resolved: The clerk will schedule a suitable date with Elaine in June for the two hour workshop.

6. Parishioner’s Written Requests
a. Well on Firbeck Lane (from February meeting)
The Clerk reported Scammings Farm to the Dangerous Structures Department at RMBC and enquired as to the progress of covering the well. It has been covered by a wooden door with bricks to hold it down. Councillors asked the Clerk to contact RMBC to request that the well is made more secure. Resolved: The Clerk contacts RMBC regarding the well.

b. Request for kerb to be lowered outside All Saints’ School, Laughton
The Clerk received a request from a parishioner regarding the high kerb's on the entrance to the school. The parishioner explained that the site is becoming used more frequently now due to the increasing number of burials in the new graveyard at Laughton. She raised concern that many of the visitors use disabled carriages, so it is vital that we give them safe access down the pavement rather than down the main road. Resolved: The clerk reports the matter to RMBC and replies to the parishioner explaining the course of action.

7. Items under Review
a) Use of Recreation Ground
(1) LRGDC
Councillor G reported that LRGDC held a meeting in March during which it was agreed that an application will be made to Awards for All to cover the price of the tower to hold the new CCTV cameras. They are in the process of completing an application to the Big Lottery to cover the cost of the playground works. The next meeting will be in June. Resolved: Councillor G and the Clerk keep the Parish Council informed of progress of the applications.

(2) CCTV System
Councillor G met with the contractor to discuss the new system and make the necessary adjustments. The contractor explained that it is not possible to adjust the camera which looks onto the car park entrance as the housing has eroded and can’t be adjusted. He suggested that the LED infra-red is moved from the camera covering the rear of the building to the car park camera which should be fitted with new housing. The work could be carried out at a price of £282 + VAT. Councillors discussed the matter; Councillor G proposed accepting the quote for the works; Councillors voted in favour. Resolved: (1) Councillor G arranges for the work to be carried out. (2) Councillor G requests a sample of a Data Protection Policy from the contractor.

b) Laughton Planting Scheme
(1) Planters at top of Brookhouse Lane and outside Pear Tree Farm
The clerk reported that all the planters and signs have received consent from RMBC and the planning permission application has been completed. In order to progress with the application two cheque's are required to cover the administration costs. The planning application fee is £67.50 (50% of the full cost), and the advertisement fee for the signage is £132.50 (50% of the full cost). The Parish Council pays only 50% of the full cost and the application fees will cover all the new signs, the two planters and the map case for Slade Hooton. Resolved: The clerk issues two cheque's to cover the applications.

(2) Planter at St John’s Road entrance (near church)
The stone which was to be donated by Elaine for the planter has been taken from her property by an unknown person. The builder will need to source the stone from an alternative supplier. Resolved: The clerk asks PG Building to produce a quote for the dwarf wall including the price of sourcing stone to match the church wall.

c) Anti-social behaviour throughout Laughton
Councillor C received a report from a concerned neighbour that off-road bikes were being used on the animal sanctuary ground down Eastfield Lane and on the Firbeck Lane allotments. The concern has been reported to noise abatement at RMBC. She also raised concern over an incident on the recreation ground where a number of people were screaming and shouting, although the incident has not been reported to the police. Resolved: The situation continues to be monitored.

g) Provision of Community Garden/Burial Area
(1) Footpath Extension
The Clerk contacted Andy Sealey at Streetpride regarding the unfinished works, and was informed that the new lighting will be completed within the next three weeks. Resolved: The clerk monitors the works and issues the cheque to RMBC for £1000 once the work has been fully completed.

h) St John’s Road Allotments
(1) Collection of rents for 2007/08
The clerk sent rent notices to all tenants at the end of March and has received £28.40 to date. The clerk has arranged to collect rents on site on Saturday 28th April and Saturday 5th May. A matter arose recently on the allotments regarding the erection of a fence by a tenant. The Clerk attended the plot and found that the tenant was within their rights to erect the fence in order to protect their property from trespassers. Councillors agreed that the right course of action had been taken on the matter. Resolved: The clerk collects the rents and banks them in the current account.

k) Land Registry – Deeds for recreation ground and village hall
The Clerk has met with the conveyancer to discuss the document and hopes to have more to report at the next meeting.
l) Laughton-en-le-Morthen Spending Plan
No further decision on the signage can be made until full planning permission has been received.

n) Brookhouse Spending Plan 2006/07
An invoice for £498.05 has been included in the finance section to cover the new hedging which has been planted under the viaduct in Brookhouse. The amount has been allocated as part of the 2006/07 precept allocation for Brookhouse.

o) Carr Spending Plan 2006/07
The clerk put forward a request from Carr Village Hall Association to have the baskets re-filled at a price of £200 by Hobson’s Nurseries, as part of the new precept allocation for 2007/08. Councillors voted in favour of the proposal and asked the clerk to reply to Carr Village Hall Association. Resolved: The Clerk gives permission for the baskets to be re-filled a part of the 2007/08 budget for Carr village.

8. Police in the Community
a) Crime figures
Crime figures were supplied by PC Shaun Rhodes covering the period 14th March to 18th April 2007, as follows:
Newhall – No recorded crimes
Carr – No recorded crimes
Brookhouse – No recorded crimes
Slade Hooton – 1 recorded crime as follows:

1. The theft relates to a garden strimmer being stolen from the allotments.
2. The offence of burglary other relates to frozen food being stolen from a freezer with a garden shed.
3. The offences of burglary with intent relate to (1.) A previously secure house being found insecure – no items stolen. & (2.) Theft of an air rifle from the allotments.
4. The section 47 assault was as the result of a domestic incident and is still being investigated.
5. The theft in a dwelling relates to a set of keys being stolen.

b) Karate Club request
The clerk discussed the issue of providing mats with Dave Bilson who runs the club. He said that they would prefer not to purchase the mats as there is nowhere to store them and it would mean a large expense for the club. The issue appears to be the sweat marks left on the hall floor following the lesson, and the bucket containing bleached water which was used to clean the floor, and which subsequently left marks on the polished floor. Dave explained he would prefer it if a bucket of water and suitable detergent was left in the kitchen to allow him to clean up any sweat marks. He also requested a donation towards the general running of the club. Councillors discussed the issues and agreed that it would be better to provide the mop and bucket and asked the clerk to discuss the issue with Manns and Kath. Councillor P proposed giving a donation of £50 towards the club; Councillor Bagshaw made a counter proposal of £100, seconded by Councillor G. Councillors voted in favour of giving a donation of £100 towards the general running of the Karate Club. Resolved: (1) The clerk speaks to Manns and Kath regarding the floor issue. (2) The clerk issues a cheque for £100 for the Karate Club.

d) Village Hall bin emptying
The clerk explained that there have been some recent problems with Veolia where the bin has not been emptied and this has resulted in several phone calls to sort out the problem. Councillors asked the Clerk to contact RMBC to obtain a quote for weekly emptying with a smaller bin. Resolved: The clerk contacts RMBC regarding bin emptying.

10. Environmental Issues
a) Brookhouse Dyke
Councillor P expressed concern that the watercress in the brook is particularly bad at the moment, and there are many sanitary towels lodged in the watercress and floating down the brook. Resolved: The clerk will pass on Bill Greenwood’s e-mail address to allow Councillor P to contact him regarding the concerns.

c) Bat boxes at Rectory Farm, Laughton
The clerk contacted Leanne Cain, Planning Officer at RMBC who replied:
“Condition 5 of planning permission RB2005/0491 states:
The development shall be carried out in accordance with the mitigation measures described in a bat survey prepared by Eric Bennett dated November 2004, which was submitted as part of this application, unless agreed otherwise, in writing, by the Local Planning Authority.

There are no details on the file confirming whether the bat boxes were installed, although in complying with the above condition they would not have to send further details to us. They should have complied with all of the details set out in the Bat Survey prepared by Eric Bennett dated November 2004. I can find no details on the files to suggest that they wished to vary or not comply with the information in that bat survey.”

a) Resolved: That the following invoices be authorised for payment:
Creditor Description Amount (£)
Clerk Salary 221.42
RMBC Rates for village hall 96.31DD
Veolia (Onyx) Bin emptying village hall March 39.57DD
RMBC Hedging for Brookhouse 498.05 PD
Transfer From savings to current 500.00 PD
(To cover hedging)
Heritage Inspired donation 50.00
Karate Club donation 100.00
RMBC Planning app. Fees 67.50
RMBC Advertisement app. Fees 132.50
YLCA subscription 07/08 236.00
Clerk petty cash claim 30.24
Hobson’s Nurseries baskets for Carr 200.00

13. Consultation Documents
Resolved: That the following consultation documents be circulated to members for consideration:
a. RMBC – Borough Council’s Standards Committee minutes March 2007
b. SRRTG Forum minutes March 2007
c. RVSA Minutes February 2007
d. RVS Area Co-ordinating Group meeting January 2007
e. RMBC Tourism Forum minutes October 2006
f. YRCC - Country Air magazine Spring 2007
g. Model Code of Conduct (circulated separately)

14. Correspondence
a. Veolia – increase in landfill tax
Resolved: Councillors note the price increase.
b. RMBC – Parish Council Election
Resolved: Councillors note that the election has not been contested. Councillors Bagshaw and Muller have decided not to stand for election; Philip R and Simon Q have both stood for election.
c. RMBC Parish Council websites
Resolved: The clerk replies to the request for information.
d. All Saints’ PCC – request for fence to be painted
Resolved: The Bell Ringers will arrange for the fence to be painted.
e. Heritage Inspired – request for a donation
Councillor C proposed giving £50; Councillors voted in favour. Resolved: The clerk issue a cheque for £50 to Heritage Inspired.
f. RMBC Summer Holiday Activities 2007
Councillors discussed the matter and decided that the Council would not be hosting any activities.
g. Robin Hood Airport
Resolved: Councillors will forward any comments to the Clerk by the May meeting.
i. RMBC – Parish Council Doubles
Resolved: The clerk passes the letter onto Manns for consideration.

15. Any Other Business
a. Information for newsletters
Councillor P suggested that an article is put into the next newsletter on the “Door 2 Door” Community Transport, and on cutting carbon emissions. Councillor G explained that the forthcoming newsletter has been finalised, but that the articles will be placed in the autumn newsletter.

16. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Resolved: That the Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday 8th May, 2007 commencing at 7.00pm in the Village Hall, Firbeck Avenue, Laughton. The Ordinary meeting will follow at approximately 8.00pm.
The meeting closed at 10.07 pm