| Minutes - December 2007 |
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Present: Councillors P Lilleker (Chairman), T Stanway (Vice-Chairman), J Robinson, S Johnson, P Shackley, K Evason and S Brooks (Parish Clerk). Apologies: Councillor J Leaning and PC Shaun Rhodes. In attendance: Representative from Laughton Boys football club, a parishioner from Laughton and K Shackley. 108. Open Forum for Parishioners in Attendance b. Representative from Laughton Boys Football Club
The representative explained that he had presented the draft agreement to his committee who were in favour of accepting the terms. He stated that the £250 bond has already been paid to the Management Committee and Councillors agreed that the Parish Council would stand as a third party in any dispute over the bond conditions. He also asked if the light in the changing room toilets could be fixed. The agreement was signed on behalf of the Parish Council by Councillor J and on behalf of Laughton Boys by the representative. Councillor T will arrange for for the village hall management to sign the agreement and will forward a copy of the signed agreement to the representative.
Resolved: (1) Councillor T arranges for the agreement to be signed by the village hall management committee. (2) The broken light is reported to the VHMC. c. Concern over Hooton Lane
J attended the meeting to raise her concern over the state of the surface of Hooton Lane, especially near the entrance to the barn at the bottom of the hill. Councillors explained what action has been taken by the Parish Council and the responses given by Streetpride.
109. Minutes of the meeting held on 14th November 2007 110. Declaration of Prejudicial & Pecuniary Interests
There were no declarations made.
111. Matters Arising from the Minutes 112. Parishioner’s Written Requests
a. Concern over new bus route (from June meeting) The Clerk met with a parishioner to discuss her suggestion of an alternative bus route which would encompass the new estate at Laughton Common as well as St John’s Road at Laughton. The clerk has typed up and sent the suggested route to SYPTE and is awaiting a reply. Resolved: The clerk reports back when further correspondence is received.
113. Items under Review b) Laughton Planting Scheme
(1) Planters at top of Brookhouse Lane and outside Pear Tree Farm The clerk explained that she had spoken to PG Building regarding the planter outside Pear Tree Farm. A new quote has not yet been composed as he is trying to source the stone. Councillors discussed the spending requirements for 2008, particularly the money ring fenced for the playground development. Further discussion of the planter will take place at the January meeting once the decision from Wren has been received. The clerk will circulate the spending requirements in spreadsheet form to Councillors before the January meeting. Councillor D will bring an estimate for the Brookhouse Lane planter to the January meeting. Resolved: A decision on the planters will be made at the January meeting once the updated quote has been received. c) Anti-social behaviour throughout Laughton
Nothing to report. d) Drainage problem on Rotherham Lane
No further progress. Resolved: The clerk reports the matter to Gary Kemp at Streetpride. e) Traffic concerns on Slade Hooton Hill
The matter is detailed in minute number 108c. f) Streetpride
The clerk reported the concern over the entrance to Lomas Potatoes and the poor state of the footpath. A phone call was received from Streetpride who explained that the footpath was not in need of immediate repair. Resolved: Councillor T asked the Clerk to report the matter again to Streetpride, placing emphasis on the blocked grate near the entrance. g) Provision of Community Garden/Burial Area
(1) Footpath Extension The lighting column has not yet been lit. Resolved: The clerk pursues the matter with Streetpride. h) St John’s Road Allotments
Nothing to report. i) RVSA
Councillor T provided feed back from the December meeting including information on the Dinnington Youth Cafe. j) Japanese knotweed on recreation ground
Councillor J has spoken to a parishioner who has offered to spray the knotweed and the weeds in the car park twice a year, free of charge. Councillor T suggested that a record should be made of when it is sprayed and what dosage of chemicals has been used. Resolved: Councillor J will arrange for the spraying to take place and will make a record as suggested. k) Land Registry – Deeds for recreation ground and village hall
The clerk is awaiting the draft of the Statutory Declarations which are to be signed by Councillor T and the Clerk. l) Laughton-en-le-Morthen Spending Plan The clerk spoke to Pam Stebbing regarding the updated drawings and revised quote, which should be ready for the January meeting. m) Parish Plans
Councillor T reported that Andrea Mason from RVSA is currently carrying out work on 50 Parish plans within the Rotherham area. She will make contact with the Parish Council once further information has been received.
114. Police in the Community 115. Village Hall Issues
a) Football Clubs Covered in minute number 108b. b. Concern over damp under windows in hall
Councillor J explained that the windows have been re-siliconed as agreed. Councillor T suggested that it would be wise to have the mortar under the top two windows re-pointed, as this appears to be where the water is penetrating the walls. Resolved: A quote for the work will be obtained in the spring. c. Parking Order for village hall car park
The clerk has not yet received a reply regarding the draft of the Parking Order. Councillor T pointed out that the signs in the car park which display information regarding the CCTV monitoring system are in need of replacement. Councillor J will arrange for new signs to be erected. Resolved: (1) The clerk will chase up the Parking Order arrangements. (2) Councillor J will arrange for new signs in the car park.
116. Environmental Issues Councillor T suggested that a separate meeting should be planned for February where all the interested parties are present, including a representative from RMBC, James Hobson and Barry Green.
b) Thurcroft Landfill
The clerk received information from Councillor B regarding the matters discussed at the November meeting, as follows: • Site restoration has continued; grass seeding is now complete and the grass has been cut 3 times and all the trees sprayed. • Eight benches have been installed along the main pathways. • The wall at New Orchard Lane, Thurcroft had been knocked down during the June floods allowing yet more water into Brookhouse and it seems that the drains in that area are inadequate and, it would seem, also need upgrading as well as the sewage disposal system. • James Hobson said that in due course, discharge consents which presently allow monitored levels of water to be discharged into the water course will be revoked when the site has settled down. • Next meeting - May 21st, 2008.
117. Finance Report 118. Planning Applications
a. RB2007/2149 Demolition of farm house and erection of a detached dwelling house at Scamming Farm, Firbeck Lane, Laughton en le Morthen Resolved: That after careful consideration no objection be submitted. b. RB2007/2150 Conservation area consent for demolition of farm house at Scamming Farm, Firbeck Lane, Laughton en le Morthen
Resolved: That after careful consideration no objection be submitted. c. RB2007/2157 Two storey and single storey rear extension to both dwellings at 11 & 13 St John’s Rd, Laughton en le Morthen
Resolved: That after careful consideration no objection be submitted. d. RB2007/1143 Extension to existing stables to form barn at land at Hooton Lane, Laughton en le Morthen
Resolved: That after careful consideration no objection be submitted. e. RB2007/0918 Appeal against enforcement notice served regarding the use of land for siting of caravan at land adjacent to 81 St John’s Road, Laughton en le Morthen.
Planning Inspectorate/Appeal Reference:APP/P4415/C/07/2059292 Resolved: That after careful consideration the following representation be made: In response to the argument stated in Ground A:
“the applicants request that the Secretary of State considers that there are approximately twenty caravans that are currently parked on allotments behind 114 St John’s Road, owned by Rotherham MBC, and on green belt land, that have been granted planning permission by the Council.” The land in question is privately owned by St Leger Estates and is leased on a yearly basis by Laughton en le Morthen Parish Council via Savills Ltd. The caravans on the site do not require planning permission and are used as storage sheds by the allotment tenants. They are not for accommodation or recreation purposes but merely as a secure place to keep tools and gardening accessories. We feel that this is an irrelevant comment and that this caravan should be taken entirely on its own merits.
The caravan in question is not currently used for human habitation and would not therefore require a Lawful Development Certificate just for "parking" the vehicle on the land. We also object as the application states that "the caravan has been in continuous use" which is clearly incorrect. The Parish Council has several members who have lived in Laughton for many years and we have no record of the caravan being sited there for 11 years continuously.
In our opinion, it seems likely that their long-term intention is to apply for planning permission to build on the site and this application is merely being used as a stepping stone.
119. Consultation Documents 120. Correspondence
a. YLCA – Appointment of Representative to RMBC Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel – ballot paper Resolved: Councillors agreed to vote for Councillor M Donnelly. b. RMBC – Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Resolved: Councillors agreed to complete the questionnaire. c. RMBC Member’s Training Programme 2008 – Planning Dates Resolved: Councillors noted the dates. d. RMBC Rotherham Tourism Forum dates 2008 Resolved: Councillors noted the dates. e. RMBC Parish Network Meeting Resolved: Councillors noted the date. Councillor J expressed an interest in attending the meeting. An invite will be received along with the agenda in January.
121. Any Other Business
122. Date and Time of Next Meeting |