| Minutes - June 2007 |
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Present: Councillors P Lilleker (Chairman), T Stanway (Vice-Chairman), S Johnson, P Shackley, J Leaning, J Robinson, and S Brooks (Parish Clerk). Apologies: Councillor K Evason. In attendance: PC Shaun Rhodes and 4 parishioners.
32. Open Forum for Parishioners in Attendance
a. Concern over roadside verges The parishioner raised concern over the overhanging grass from the roadside verges which is causing an obstruction to users of Firbeck Lane. Councillor F explained that the Borough Council has made cutbacks to the Grounds Maintenance budget, and urged the parishioner to report the matter to Streetpride. b. Concern over new bus route
The parishioner raised concern over the new route for bus 23 which enters Laughton via School Road instead of the previous route via St John’s Road. Councillors discussed the matter at length and asked the clerk to write to the South Yorkshire Transport Executive outlining the concern. Resolved: The clerk writes to SYPTE and sends a copy to the parishioner. c. Representative from Laughton Boys Football Club
Councillor K had invited a member from the Football Club’s committee to attend the meeting to discuss the hire of the village hall and football pitch. After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that Councillor K and John will draw up a draft agreement for the July meeting. Resolved: Councillor K drafts the agreement and presents to Councillors at the July meeting. 33. Minutes of the meeting held on 8th May 2007.
Resolved: That the minutes be accepted as a true and accurate record. 34. Declaration of Prejudicial & Pecuniary Interests
Councillor F declared an interest in the matter regarding the well and repairs at Scammings Farm, Firbeck Lane, Laughton. 35. Matters Arising from the Minutes
There were no matters arising. 36. Parishioner’s Written Requests
a. Well at Scammings Farm (from February meeting) The Clerk wrote to Gowersand Developments following the May meeting but has not received a reply. Councillor F explained that the farm has since been sold, although the new owners are apparently unaware of the concerns regarding the well and the derelict farm house. Councillor F explained that the plans include a new vehicle and pedestrian entrance which will run adjacent to his boundary fence, directly off Firbeck Lane. There has been no provision made for the entrance to the other barn on the site. Councillor F has sent in a personal objection to the access proposals and will be contacting the Planning Department to discuss the matter further. PC Shaun Rhodes added that no further action has been taken with regards to securing the well or building. He will contact Phil Harris at RMBC to discuss the matter further.
37. Items under Review
a) Use of Recreation Ground (1) LRGDC Councillor D reported that LRGDC have been awarded £11,000 from the RMBC Lottery bid. The announcement is not due to be made public until early July. The clerk explained that the money is part of the Borough Council’s Big Play Award; therefore LRGDC will no longer be able to access further funds from the Big Lottery. The Committee are due to meet in July and are planning to put an application into WREN for the remaining funds necessary to start the project. Resolved: Councillor D and the clerk keep the Parish Council informed of progress on the fund-raising. (2) CCTV System
The work on the camera has been carried out and the invoice is included in the finance section. Councillor D passed the Data Protection pack onto the clerk for further reading. Resolved: The clerk uses the information to draft a CCTV Policy document. b) Laughton Planting Scheme
(1) Planters at top of Brookhouse Lane and outside Pear Tree Farm The clerk explained that a decision is due at the end of June. (2) Planter at St John’s Road entrance (near church)
The clerk has received a quote from PG Building for the dwarf wall, as follows: Materials £880 Labour £680 TOTAL £1560.00 Councillors discussed the quote and asked the Clerk to obtain a further quote from Ken Hardy. Resolved: The clerk obtains a second quote for the works.
c) Anti-social behaviour throughout Laughton
Nothing to report. d) Drainage problem on Rotherham Lane
The Clerk contacted Gary Kemp at Streetpride (replacement for Andy Roddis), but has yet to receive a reply. e) Traffic concerns on Slade Hooton Hill
The clerk has reported the overhanging trees and verges and the state of the road, but no work has taken place as yet. Resolved: The clerk continues to report the matter to Streetpride. f) Streetpride
The clerk contacted Andy Roddis regarding the finger post sign which is to be placed at the top of Rose Lane on the crossroads (Brookhouse side). The clerk contacted Helena regarding the site for the green litter bin at Slade Hooton. It was suggested that the bin is placed underneath the viaduct in a suitable position, possibly next to the notice board. Resolved: The clerk reports to Councillors once the items have been erected. g) Provision of Community Garden/Burial Area
(1) Footpath Extension The lighting column has been erected although it is not functional as yet. The road markings and signs have still to be completed before the invoice can be paid. Resolved: The clerk pursues the matter with Andy Sealey at Streetpride. h) St John’s Road Allotments
(1) Collection of rents for 2007/08 The clerk has received a further £59.40 in rents and is still awaiting payment from two further tenants. Resolved: The clerk continues to collect the rents and banks them in the current account. (2) Fires on allotments
The Clerk contacted Phil Harris at RMBC to discuss the matter. He suggested that the Parish Council puts up a guidance notice regarding the suggested time of day for fires and the type of rubbish which can be burned. Councillors discussed the guidance notes provided and asked the clerk to simplify the note and erect it on the allotment site. Resolved: (1) The clerk constructs a simplified version of the notice and erects it in a prominent place at the site. (2) The clerk sends a copy to the Allotment Society and to the Inspection Committee, pointing out that a full ban may be necessary if the notice is not adhered to. (3) Complaint regarding bees
The clerk received a complaint from a tenant regarding the bees which are being kept on a plot near to his allotment. He has been stung many times by the bees, as have his family and dog. The tenant had to visit Accident and Emergency due to the severity of the stings. Resolved: The clerk contacts the bee-keeper explaining the situation. i) RVSA
Councillor F attended the June meeting during which many complaints were made regarding the grass cutting throughout the area. The Rother Valley South Parishes Meeting is taking place on Thursday 14th June at 7.30 pm in Dinnington resource centre. j) Japanese knotweed on recreation ground
The clerk received a reply from Ian Halliwelll who explained that the weed is on a list to be sprayed. Councillor D suggested that he arranges for the weed to be sprayed at the same time as the car park weeds are sprayed in the autumn. k) Land Registry – Deeds for recreation ground and village hall
The Clerk apologised that there has been a further delay in getting the document completed. Resolved: The clerk reports back at the July meeting. l) Laughton-en-le-Morthen Spending Plan The clerk received a letter from the Planning Department regarding the signs at Brookhouse. After speaking to Matthew Peck, it became clear that it is a standard letter sent out to applicants who are developing within 250 metres of a Category 2 landfill site. Resolved: No further action is necessary. Councillors discussed the style and colour of the proposed signs and agreed on a dark blue background with gold writing. Resolved: The clerk obtains a coloured sketch of the proposed design.
m) Parish Plans
Councillors discussed the subject further and asked the clerk to contact Andrea Mason to request copies of questionnaires and other sample plans. Resolved: The clerk contacts Andrea Mason to request the information. n) Risk Assessment Revision
The clerk circulated the revised copy of the document. Councillor F suggested that an insert is made to include the following: Topic Risk Identified H/M/L Management of Risk Review frequency Signature Transfer of money Loss through theft or dishonesty M Transfer log authorised by Councillor, transfer password kept by Chairman & Vice-Chairman, minuted at meetings As applicable o) Model Code of Conduct
Councillors voted unanimously to accept the new Model Code of Conduct. Resolved: (1) The clerk writes to the Standards Board for England detailing the acceptance. (2) The clerk contacts RMBC to have the acceptance advertised in the newspaper. (3) The clerk erects a notice on the notice board detailing the acceptance. p) Date for Rotherham Local Compact Training
Councillors were unable to attend the dates given by Elaine Alliott. Councillor D asked the clerk to obtain the dates of further afternoon sessions which he may be able to attend. Alternatively, an evening later in the autumn could be arranged at Laughton Village Hall. q) Brookhouse Village Association precept allocation 2007/08
The clerk received a request from the Treasurer asking for 6 circular stepping stones which will be placed underneath the barrel planters on the grass outside the Traveller’s Rest (village green). A quote has been received from Ken Hardy for £70.50 (including VAT). Councillors voted in favour of the proposal and asked the clerk to issue a cheque once the invoice has been received. 38. Police in the Community
a) Crime figures Crime figures were supplied by PC Shaun Rhodes covering the period 9th May to 13th June 2007, as follows: Newhall – 1 recorded offence of theft at Newhall Grange on 4/05/07. Carr – No recorded crimes Brookhouse – No recorded crimes Slade Hooton – No recorded crimes Laughton en le Morthen – 3 recorded offences as follows: • Theft on Hooton Lane on 1/06/07 – money taken from telephone box. • Theft on Eastfield Lane on 26/05/07 – 3 birds stolen from animal sanctuary (1 later recovered). • Section 47 assault on Kingswood Avenue on 18/05/07 – assault upon a female (detected crime). PC Rhodes provided information of a dispersal order in place in Dinnington town centre, and information regarding the theft of lead from St John’s Church roof.
39. Village Hall Issues a) Electrical wiring Councillor D provided feedback on the inspection and detailed the cost of the works as follows: • Category 1 – need to be done asap - £509.70 • Category 2 (necessary improvements), 3 (further investments) & 4 (don’t comply with B77671) - £1558.82 Councillors discussed the quote; Councillor D proposed accepting the quote and getting the work done asap. Councillors voted in favour of the proposal. The invoice for the inspection has been included in the finance section. Resolved: Councillor D arranges for the work to be carried out. b) Village Hall bin emptying
The bin from RMBC has been delivered and the Veolia contract has been cancelled. c) Electricity Contribution
The Treasurer of the VHMC asked the clerk to raise the issue with Councillors regarding the contribution towards the cost of running the CCTV system and car park lights. The last contribution made by the Parish Council was in the financial year 2005/2006. Councillor F asked the clerk to find out the price per unit to allow him to calculate how much the Parish Council is due to pay for the year 2006/2007. Councillors discussed the suggestion of installing additional meters, but it was decide that this would be a costly exercise as there are several electrical boards. Resolved: The clerk obtains the necessary information for Councillor F. 40. Environmental Issues
a) Brookhouse Dyke The clerk explained that the Village Association at Brookhouse will be clearing the watercress and debris from the brook on Sunday 18th June. Resolved: The clerk continues to report sewage concerns to the Environment Agency. b) Thurcroft Landfill
Councillor V reported on the meeting held in May during which the ongoing maintenance of the site was discussed. Ogden’s have in place a 5 year maintenance plan including grass seeding and cutting and the planting of 16,000 saplings around the site. It seems unlikely that the site will be used for landfill with permission running out in 2016. Resolved: Councillor V keeps Councillors informed of any progress. c) Bat boxes at Rectory Farm, Laughton
The clerk is still awaiting a reply from RMBC as the ecologist has been off sick for several weeks. 41. Finance Report
Debtor Description Amount (£) Alliance & Leicester Interest on savings May 14.88 Allotment tenants Rent & rates 07/08 59.40 HM Revenue & Customs VAT repayment 06/07 2196.45 a) Resolved: That the following invoices be authorised for payment:
Creditor Description Amount (£) Clerk Salary 221.42 RMBC Rates for village hall 98.00 DD RMBC Refuse collection at v. hall 146.44 15.05.07 to 31.03.08 Yorkshire water St John’s Rd allotments 181.83 1st quarter Paul Wickson Annual audit 06/07 175.00 Hobson’s Nurseries Hanging baskets for Brookhouse 236.00 Ken Hardy Circular stepping stones for 70.50 Brookhouse Riber Surveillance CCTV work 334.88 NECTA Electrical Inspection 799.00 b) Approval of Sections 1 & 2 of Annual Return of accounts year ending 31st March 2007
The clerk explained that the internal audit has been completed and the following issues/concerns were raised: • The Fidelity Guarantee Insurance should be increased from £40,000 to £53,000 • The Parish Council does not currently have libel & slander insurance cover or legal expenses cover The clerk contacted Zurich Insurance prior to the meeting and received an estimate for the changes to the policy. Increasing the Fidelity Guarantee would involve no extra charge; libel & slander cover would be charged at £25 + insurance tax; legal expenses are not necessary for the Council as they would only be required for employee disputes. Councillors discussed the concerns and asked the Clerk to increase the Fidelity Guarantee and take out the Libel & Slander cover. The clerk read through Sections 1 & 2 and the Clerk and Chairman signed the necessary boxes to complete the first part of the audit. The notices have been erected giving parishioners the chance to view the accounts. The audit is due to take place on 17th July 2007. Councillor F suggested that the clerk amends the Standing Orders to include the procedure for dealing with the press. Resolved: (1) The clerk makes the necessary alterations to the insurance policy. (2) The clerk sends the annual return and supporting information to BDO Stoy Hayward in time for the audit date. (3) The clerk amends the Standing Orders to cover press releases.
42. Planning Applications
a. RB2007/0850 Application to prune a walnut tree protected by RMBC TPO number 8, 2001 at 1 Walnut Tree Cottages, Brookhouse for K Hardy Resolved: That after careful consideration no objection be submitted. b. RB2007/0851 Six weeks notice of intent to fell two silver birch trees within Laughton Conservation Area at 56 High Street, Laughton en le Morthen for R Thrower
Resolved: That after careful consideration no objection be submitted. c. RB2007/0876 Extension to planters and erection of map case at various sites at Laughton and Slade Hooton – Parish Council application
d. RB2007/0877 Display of various signs at various sites at Brookhouse and Laughton en le Morthen – Parish Council application
e. RB2007/0914 Two storey side and single storey front extension at 3 The Avenue, Carr
Resolved: That after careful consideration no objection be submitted. 43. Consultation Documents
Resolved: That the following consultation documents be circulated to members for consideration: a. RMBC – Robin Hood Airport Airspace Change Proposal b. MUSE newsletter Summer 07 c. CPRE Fieldwork Magazine June 2007 d. South Yorkshire Forest newsletter summer 07 e. CPRE Annual Review 2007 f. RVSA minutes April 2007-06-05 g. SRRT Forum minutes May 2007 h. RMBC & Parish & Town Councils Joint Working group minutes April 2007 i. RVS Parishes Meeting minutes April 2007 j. RMBC Standards Committee minutes April 2007 44. Correspondence
a. RMBC – Parish Network Meeting invite Sat 30th June 9.30 – 2.30 pm Resolved: The clerk sends apologies on behalf of Councillors. b. RMBC – Parish Council Websites Passed onto Councillor D. c. RMBC – Rotherham Playing Pitch Strategy Passed onto Councillor K. d. CPRE AGM invite Resolved: The clerk sends apologies on behalf of Councillors. e. RMBC – Vacancies on Joint Working Group No volunteers were put forward. f. YLCA Conference invite Resolved: The clerk sends apologies on behalf of Councillors. 45. Any Other Business
None 46. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Resolved: That the Ordinary Meeting will take place on Wednesday 11th July, 2007 commencing at 7.00pm in the Village Hall, Firbeck Avenue, Laughton. The meeting closed at 10.34 pm |