Wentworth Parish Council

On Monday 20^th April 2009 at 6.30pm

2157. Present

Councillor Mr D. Hunton (Chairman) Mr J. Jones (Deputy Chairman) Mr R. Clamp, Mr I. Lomas, Mr C. Woodcock, Mrs M.R. Dickerson, Ms L. Stevenson, Mrs S. Hales Mr W. Crawford (From 6.45pm) RMBC Councillor Mr F. Hodgkiss Parish Plan Group Mr J. Morley, Mr E. Strange, Mrs S. Clayton, Mr A. Barber-Lomax (All until 7.43pm)

2158. Apologies For Absence

RMBC Ms L. Reader

2159. Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 16th March 2009 were accepted as a true record and were authorised to be signed by the Chairman

Proposed Councillor Clamp

Seconded Councillor Lomas

Parish Plan

2160. The Parish Plan Group (PPG) have submitted a list of actions for consideration, for which they believe the parish council can assist. The matters include;

Various traffic issues, including speed & weight, the Harley bends congestion, extension of the 20mph zones speed signs, Issues with traffic at Nether Haugh and issues with poorly maintained pavements, drainage at the Barrow and Birdcage Walk

2161. Members noted that the parish council has been campaigning on many of these issues for some time, it is proposed to invite representatives of RMBC Highways to the June parish council meeting, where a 45 minute slot will be allotted to discuss all the points raised in the parish plan document.

2162. Repairs to the bridge at Harley have recently been undertaken and complaints have been received about the debris & traffic cones etc left by the contractors. Clerk to report.

Councillor Crawford joined the meeting at 6.45pm

2163. Mr Barber-Lomax asked that the suggestion of engaging a traffic consultant be considered to clarify which of the objectives highlighted had a reasonable chance of success. Clerk to obtain estimates of costs

2164. Members are keen to extend the A6135 ARG initiative to the whole parish and are to progress that matter further once the A6135 is resolved

2165. Councillor Dickerson raised the matter of the grass verges on Back Lane, the grass is encroaching on the path. The land is privately owned by the Estate and Mr Barber-Lomax confirmed that the trustees prefer the less formal effect of the verges and no further action is to be taken. Mr Barber-Lomax noted that further patch repairs are to be undertaken along Church Drive. It was noted that the Trans Pennine Trail Bridle path is from Main Street to Church Drive, past the school and on to Coach Road, the use of Back Lane as a footpath for the Trail is discretionary.

2166. Further concerns have been raised by Mr Newbold regarding the proposed incinerators at parkgate and the drift of fumes and dirt from the plant

2167. Concerns have been raised by Wentworth Estate at the amount of fly tipping in the area and ask that a letter be sent to RMBC noting that a relaxation of rules at local dump it sites may be cost effective as they will use less resources clearing fly tipping

2168. Councillor Hunton proposed that RMBC recycling skips be hired for a clean up day, previous days have been funded by RMBC, but they no longer have funding for the initiative. However a matched funding application has been submitted to WNAA to fund the day, the total cost is estimated at £2,600. £1,300 of which is to be funded by the parish council. The previous days have been very successful and residents are enquiring about a similar scheme this year

Proposed Councillor Hunton

Seconded Councillor Clamp

Approved by unanimous vote.

2169. Further proposals by the PPG come under the heading of Social & Community Issues and mostly concern the village associations. The community PC is thought to be difficult to access and is of limited use as it appears not to be connected to the internet. Further consideration is to be given to the problems of access and the funding of a broadband connection. Adult learning in IT is also to be considered, RMBC Councillor Hodgkiss to contact adult learning providers that have previously worked with RMBC and nearby parish councils.

2170. Consideration is to be given to funding for fitness classes for senior citizens, previous initiatives have failed, it is thought because of cost to the individuals attending. It was thought this should be a WVCA initiative which the parish council would consider supporting, if it could be proved there was sufficient demand for it.

2171. Similarly the parish council is asked to consider funding for a young persons film club, nearby schemes are proving very popular, again members asked that the village associations lead the initiatives and the parish council would consider supporting if there is sufficient demand.

2172. Transport facilities or an alternative venue to enable Harley residents to attend the luncheon club are being considered, it is thought that this could be incorporated in the initiative for community transport to health facilities already being discussed.

2173. The PPG and WVCA are considering whether there are sufficient play facilities in Wentworth

2174. There is to be a review of Rothercare services and wardens and promotion to residents . Clerk to request further details from Rothercare.

2175. There was a request that PCSO's be more visible in the area, members noted that they had been more visible recently and had put forward a suggestion that the area joins a pilot scheme to provide vulnerable residents with home safes. Members asked if the police could attend the May meeting to provide further details.

2176. It was noted there is still a small amount in the PPG petty cash, it was decided that it should be kept by the PPG for further incidental expenses

2177. The Chairman thanked the PPG members for attending the meeting and for the work done in achieving the parish plan, he invited them to attend the proposed traffic issues meeting in June

Mr Barber-Lomax, Mr Morley, Mrs Clayton & Mr Strange left the meeting at 7.43pm

Matters Arising

2178. A response has been received from RMBC regarding the purchase of a speed sign, the cost will be quite high and there will be difficulties in obtaining permission for a fixed camera. RMBC did however, supply details of a mobile camera which is used in nearby parishes. The matter to be discussed further at the proposed June traffic meeting.

2179. The clerk had been contacted by the Harley Parents Group (HPG) regarding any funds remaining from the play equipment. There is confusion regarding the insurance for the equipment, with the group being unwilling to reimburse the cost. It had been minuted that the Harley Village Partnership would cover the cost, but this now appears to be in confusion also. Councillor Lomas to clarify the position with HVP regarding contribution and the necessary inspections required to maintain insurance cover. Members proposed that he HVP & HPG discuss whether insurance is necessary and that the parish council will not provide damage & fire insurance after 31/05/09

2180. No objections were raised to a planning application for an extension on Occupation Road.

2181. The memorial tree for Councillor Hardwick has now been planted, the inscription for the plaque is still to be agreed.

Finance

2182. Authorisation of cheques and Direct Debit payments for April

Proposed Councillor Lomas

Seconded Councillor Stevenson

2183. Thanks was given to Councillor Hales for her work on the Parish newsletter, positive feedback has been received from the parishioners.

2184. The revised bank mandate was approved, all parish councillors to be cheque signatories, any two signatories with no cheque limits.

Proposed Councillor Lomas

Seconded Councillor Stevenson

Correspondence

2185. Correspondence dealt with during the meeting

HPG Playground insurance

RMBC Speed signs

RMBC Planning Application Occupation Road

2186. General Correspondence

J Healey Post office closures

RMBC recycling credit

RMBC Planning application changes

Home Office Policing pledge

YLCA white rose update

YLCA membership renewal

YLCA Nomination papers

Rotherham NHS In touch

RMBC muse

RMBC Borough Standards Committee

RMBC Parish network meeting 16/04

SYPTE service changes

W/W Estate Rent review acknowledgement

ICO Freedom of information

CCLA Annual report

RMBC Service standards

RMBC Planning List x 5

CSV Cathedral camps

K Payling Poppy appeal accounts

2187. A letter of thanks to be sent to Mrs Payling.

Open Forum

2188. There have been issues with the public car park in Harley, it would appear that messages are being put on cars advising them not to park there. Matter to be discussed more fully at the traffic meeting in June. Concerns were also raised a the poor state of repair of the square, it appears that the land is not the responsibility of anyone. Both matters to be discussed further at the June traffic meeting

2189. RMBC Councillor Hodgkiss is disappointed that the councillor surgeries are not better attended and would appreciate notification of any borough issues that arise

2190. Residents in Barley Hole have been enquiring as to the progress of the proposed landing strip. It was noted the plans have been drawn and some trees have already been removed.

2191. Members noted that here appears to be concerns about the welfare of some residential patients in the Rotherham area and RMBC is said to be monitoring the situation.

Next Meeting

2192. The next meeting was confirmed as the AGM On the 18th May 2009 at 7.00pm at the Mechanic's Institute. Agenda to be distributed.

The Meeting closed at 8.45pm