Parish Council Minutes May 2007
| Minutes - May 2007 |
|
|
|
|
Present: Councillors P Lilleker (Chairman), T Stanway (Vice-Chairman), S Johnson, P Shackley, K Evason, J Robinson, and S Brooks (Parish Clerk). Apologies: Councillor J Leaning. In attendance: PC Shaun Rhodes and CSO, Andy.
17. Open Forum for Parishioners in Attendance
There were no parishioners in attendance. 18. Minutes of the meeting held on 18th April 2007.
Resolved: That the minutes be accepted as a true and accurate record. 19. Declaration of Prejudicial & Pecuniary Interests
None 20. Matters Arising from the Minutes
There were no matters arising. 21. Parishioner’s Written Requests
a. Well at Scammings Farm (from February meeting) The Clerk contacted RMBC regarding the well and the farmhouse and was informed that the well had been adequately secured. He explained that the site is not the responsibility of the Council and no further action would be taken in securing the site. The clerk raised the concern with PC Shaun Rhodes who contacted RMBC to discuss the matter. As a result, RMBC have issued a notice on Gowersand Developments giving them until 25th April to make the well and building secure. If the work is not carried out satisfactorily, RMBC will provide and secure boarding to the brickwork and at the top of the water well. Councillors asked the clerk to write to the Company Secretary of Gowersand Developments to express concern over the area. Resolved: The clerk writes to Gowersand developments. b. Request for kerb to be lowered outside All Saints’ School, Laughton
The Clerk reported the matter to Streetpride, which has been added to the work’s list. It is unlikely that the kerb will be included in the works for 2007/08, but will take place in the next financial year. Resolved: The clerk reports back when the work has been carried out. 22. Items under Review a) Use of Recreation Ground (1) LRGDC Councillor Y reported that LRGDC will be meeting on 6th June and that the Lottery application will be posted by the end of June. (2) CCTV System
The work on the car park camera will be carried out on Wednesday 9th May. The Data Protection pack will be available in time for the June meeting. b) Laughton Planting Scheme
(1) Planters at top of Brookhouse Lane and outside Pear Tree Farm The clerk has completed the planning applications forms and delivered them to RMBC. It is hoped that a decision will be made in time for the July meeting. (2) Planter at St John’s Road entrance (near church)
The builder has not yet provided a quote for the dwarf wall. Resolved: The clerk acquires a quote in time for the June meeting. c) Anti-social behaviour throughout Laughton
Nothing to report. d) Drainage problem on Rotherham Lane
No further progress. e) Traffic concerns on Slade Hooton Hill
No further progress. f) Streetpride
Councillor P provided the Clerk with a list of the budget decision. Laughton Parish has been awarded the following items as part of the 2007/2008 devolved budget: • Carr Lane – replace existing concrete bin with green metal bin • Hooton Lane, Slade Hooton – green metal bin • Laughton & Brookhouse – finger post sign to replace existing sign Councillors discussed the location of the finger post sign and asked the clerk to contact Andy Roddis to confirm the location on Rose Lane/Rotherham Lane. The litter bin for Slade Hooton also requires an exact location; the clerk will discuss the matter with Helena. Resolved: The clerk contacts Andy Roddis regarding the finger post sign.
g) Provision of Community Garden/Burial Area
(1) Footpath Extension The work has not yet been carried out. 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 collected rents on site on Saturday 28th April and Saturday 5th May and has banked a further £420.10. Resolved: The clerk continues to collect the rents and banks them in the current account. (2) Break-ins
The clerk reported that a number of sheds have been broken into recently although there have been no reports of stolen property. It is thought that the intruders were looking for garden machinery. (3) Fires on allotments
The clerk has received a complaint via an allotment tenant over the time of day and frequency of fires on the allotments. A resident of St John’s Road complained that someone was burning garden waste on a Sunday afternoon when the wind was blowing straight into his property. Councillors discussed the matter and asked the clerk to contact RMBC regarding suggested times of day for burning garden waste. Resolved: The clerk contacts the Environmental Department at RMBC for advice and reports back at the June meeting. The rules can then be revised and tenants will be notified. i) RVSA
Councillor P attended the May meeting and provided a summary of the discussions involved including information regarding grounds maintenance in the borough. j) Japanese knotweed on recreation ground
The clerk sent an e-mail and phoned grounds maintenance regarding the weed but has not yet received a reply. k) Land Registry – Deeds for recreation ground and village hall
The Clerk will be meeting with the Conveyancer at the end of May to discuss the document. Resolved: The clerk reports back at the June meeting. l) Laughton-en-le-Morthen Spending Plan No further decision on the signage can be made until full planning permission has been received. m) Parish Plans
Councillors discussed the subject further and asked the clerk to contact Andrea Mason for further guidance on the first steps to gathering the necessary information. Resolved: The clerk collects the information and reports back at the June meeting. n) Risk Assessment Revision
Resolved: The clerk makes the necessary amendments and circulates a revised copy to Councillors. 23. Police in the Community
a) Crime figures Crime figures were supplied by PC Shaun Rhodes covering the period 18th April to 8th May 2007, as follows: Newhall – No recorded crimes Carr – No recorded crimes Brookhouse – 1 recorded crime: theft of 2 planters from a garden on Bib Lane. Slade Hooton – 1 recorded crime: theft of garden furniture, animal feeds & bins from the stables at Hooton Lane. Laughton en le Morthen – 1 recorded offence: burglary with intent at St John’s Road, where lead was removed from the roof of the church. 24. Village Hall Issues a) Electrical wiring Councillor Y provided feedback on the inspection as follows: • The water pipes in the shower room require earthing. • The fuse grading in the fuse boards needs to be adjusted. • The socket in the changing room needs to be changed to RCD. Councillors asked the clerk to check with Manns regarding PAT testing. Councillor Y will bring the full report to the June meeting. Councillor Y proposed that the cost of the inspection and related works is paid for by the Parish Council; Councillors voted all in favour. b) Village Hall bin emptying
The clerk received a quote for bin emptying from RMBC of £169.22 including VAT to empty a 360 litre bin fortnightly. Councillors voted in favour of the new contract and asked the clerk to cancel the Veolia contract and set up the RMBC contract. Resolved: the clerk organises for the change of contractor. c) Football Club arrangements
Councillors discussed the concerns raised by the village hall management committee regarding the use of the changing rooms and football field by the football club. Councillor M offered to speak to the club Chairperson regarding a written agreement for the use of the premises. Resolved: Councillor M speak to the football club and reports back at the June meeting. 25. Environmental Issues
a) Brookhouse Dyke Nothing further to report. b) Thurcroft Landfill
Nothing further to report. c) Bat boxes at Rectory Farm, Laughton
The clerk is awaiting a reply from Carolyn Barber, Ecologist at RMBC. 26. Finance Report
Debtor Description Amount (£) Alliance & Leicester Interest on savings April 113.33 Allotment tenants Rent & rates 07/08 420.10 RMBC Precept 1st instalment 10,237.00 (to savings account) 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 Veolia (Onyx) Bin emptying village hall April 42.16 DD Transfer to cover April cheques 2000.00 Peter Y photocopying newsletter 69.60 CPRE Subscription 07/08 27.00 DD Friends of Rotherham Music donation 50.00 The Clerk reported that a VAT re-claim has been sent to HM revenue & Customs for £2196.45. 27. Planning Applications
a. RB2007/0602 Six weeks notice of intent to fell various trees within Laughton Conservation Area at Castle Hill, 2 Church Corner, Laughton en le Morthen The clerk explained that the documents are not yet available online, but asked Councillors to check via the website and report back any concerns. 28. Consultation Documents
Resolved: That the following consultation documents be circulated to members for consideration: a. Local Council review May 2007 29. Correspondence
a. BDO Stoy Hayward – audit date for 06/07 accounts The clerk reported that BDO Stoy Hayward have set the audit date for 20th July 2007. b. YLCA – nominations of Chairman & Vice-Chairman South Yorkshire Branch There were no nominations. c. RMBC – Gambling Act 2005 – Proposed Fee Levels Consultation The document does not apply to the Parish Council. d. Friends of Rotherham Youth Music The clerk received a letter detailing the work carried out by the group who are based at Thurcroft Music Centre. Councillors discussed the matter; Councillor Y proposed giving a grant of £50; Councillors voted all in favour of the proposal. Resolved: The clerk issues cheque for £50. e. RMBC – Consultation on Licensing Applications The clerk explained the new procedure involved in Licensing applications and the Parish Council’s role in local applications. 30. Any Other Business a. Letter to Councillors Councillor P suggested that the Chairman should write a thank you letter to Councillors Bagshaw and Muller. 31. Date and Time of Next Meeting Resolved: That the Ordinary Meeting will take place on Wednesday 13th June, 2007 commencing at 7.00pm in the Village Hall, Firbeck Avenue, Laughton. The meeting closed at 9.48 pm |