Wentworth Parish Council

On Monday 18^th June 2007 at 7.01pm

1506. Present

Councillor Mr D. Hunton (Chair) Councillor Mrs L. Hardwick (Deputy Chair) (until 7.54pm) Councillors Mr J. Jones, Ms S. Hales, Miss B Sharp MBE, Mr I. Lomas, Mrs M. R. Dickerson Mr C. Woodcock RMBC Councillor Mr F. Hodgkiss RMBC Mr M. Hill SY Police Inspector S. Tattershall (until 8.01pm) Parishioners Mr A. Barber-Lomax Wentworth Villa FC Mr S. Massey, Mr A. Brammah (Until 8.20pm)

1507. Apologies For Absence

Councillor Ms L. Stevenson

Parishioner Mr J. Morley

1508. Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 21st May 2007 were accepted as a true record and were authorised to be signed by the Chairman, with the exception of minute 1460, which was amended to

7 councillors were in favour, one abstention, Councillor Hunton retained the position of Chairman for a further term

and minute 1461

A vote was taken on the two nominations, Councillors Lomas, Hales, Stevenson and Woodcock were in favour of Councillor Hardwick, Councillors Sharp and Dickerson were in favour of Councillor Jones, Councillor Hunton abstained from the vote

Proposed Councillor Jones

Seconded Councillor Woodcock

Matters Arising

1509. A letter had been received from SYPTE explaining and apologising for a recent incident on the 690 service. The bus had taken a different route, dropping school children off in Nether Haugh. Some minor incident had occurred and been interpreted by passers by as a more serious incident. The police had attended and investigated the issue. They are satisfied no criminal offence had been committed. SYPTE are taking steps to ensure the correct service route is followed in future.

1510. Wentworth Estate had responded to the letter of thanks for the contribution to the new lighting scheme, noting all organisations involved in the scheme deserved thanks.

Police Mountain Bike Contribution

Councillor Hunton declared a personal interest in the following item.

1511. Inspector Tattershall gave a brief outline of how the bikes would be used. He noted that policing is changing there are now Wentworth North and South Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT) based at Wath. Reported crime statistics for the Wentworth North Area are 3436 incidents in 2006, of which 4 were in Hoober, 46 in Wentworth 14 in Harley and 396 in Brampton. This equates to 2% of the areas crime in the Hoober ward. The highest incidences occur in Wath and Swinton. The police would like to provide high visibility patrols in the satelite villages to provide confidence and reassurance to the public. The patrol strategy for the Hoober ward is 3 visits per week, this equates to 18% of police time in an area with less than 2% of the crimes. The bikes are necessary as the Wath SNT's only have two patrol cars and the primary issue is transport, bikes allow the police to provide the presence frequently requested by the public. Obviously if any serious incidents are taking place, these will take priority over routine patrols. He went on to comment that two bikes would cost around #4500, and that two bikes are already covering the Thrybergh, Dalton and Hooton Roberts areas, only one parish council in those areas had failed to contribute to the scheme. The biggest issue faced by the SNT is vehicle crime then the theft of metals.

1512. Councillor Dickerson asked if Hood Hill and Barley Hole would be covered by the proposed bike patrols. Inspector Tattershall confirmed they are. Councillor Woodcock asked if cycling to various areas to patrol is the most effective use of police time, Inspector Tattershall admitted it might not be the most effective use, but at present it is the only option. He went on to comment that public opinion prefers to see police on foot patrol followed by police on bikes as they are easily approached. Councillor Hunton had received comments from parishioners about the scheme, primarily asking if the bikes could be stored in the parish and the police driven to the area to use them. This is considered unfeasible as if the transport were available it may as well be used for the patrol. Councillor Sharp raised concerns tha the bikes wouldn't spend much time in the parish, Inspector Tattershall assured the parish council that unless there was a serious incident the patrols would take place as discussed.

1513. Councillor Hardwick had several concerns about the scheme, she asked why the bikes had to be purchased in America, it was noted that the police had a contract with a UK firm which supplied US sourced bikes. She went on to comment that because the SNT are based in Wath, half the time would be taken up getting to and from the parish. She asked if patrols took place at night and in bad weather. Inspector Tattershall confirmed that due to health and safety reasons there were no night patrols. Her last concern is about the limited powers of the Police Community Safety Officers (PCSOs) who will be patrolling, they have less powers than the police. Inspector Tattershall confirmed that PCSOs could not arrest on suspicion of a crime, they had to see the crime being committed. Councillor Hardwicks last comment was that support for the initiative amongst parishioners in Harley is low they would rather see the funds being used to slow traffic, inspector Tattershall had previously mentioned about the parish buying a speed camera and working with local schools, but RMBC would not endorse such an initiative on health and safety concerns. Councillor Dickerson asked why motor scooters or similar were not being purchased, Inspector Tattersall replied that people are more reassured by bobbies on bikes, it’s a return to old style policing. Councillor Lomas commented that the initiative would probably mean greater police presence for the parish.

1514. Mr Barber-Lomax commented that the discussion had been interesting and he is becoming more aware of incidents which are possibly not reported, theft of roofing slates and fly-tipping. He went on to comment that the public must see past the fact that the police did not have the funds to buy equipment to do their jobs properly and if the parish is to provide those funds there needs to be a reciprocal agreement that the police presence will continue long term. Inspector Tattershall commented that SNT are the Government initiative for policing, it is a long term initiative. RMBC Councillor Hodgkiss commented that the only way to have a greater police presence in the ward is to have the bike patrols.

1515. The parish council voted on the proposal to contribute funds to the police bikes, 6 were in favour, 2 against (councillors Hardwick and Hales). The proposal was carried.

1516. The contribution to the bikes to be #750

Proposed Councillor Lomas

Seconded Councillor Jones

The parish councillors voted on the proposal, 6 were in favour, 2 against (Councillors Hardwick and Hales)

1517. Councillor Lomas asked if the retailers on the Cortonwood Park could be approached, the police have done a considerable amount of work there to prevent unsociable behaviour during the evenings. Inspector Tattershall pointed out that it wasn't a community, but Councillor Lomas pointed out that they employed members of the community, whose properties were empty whilst they are at work and would feel reassured by an increased police presence.

Councillor Hardwick left the meeting at 7.54pm.

1518. Mr Barber-Lomax noted that the trustees of the Wentworth charities had contributed to the previous motor scooter and had not seem much evidence of it in the parish, it might therefore raise questions about further funding.

1519. Councillor Jones asked if local businesses could be approached for contributions, clerk to arrange Councillor Hunton asked that the WVCA and HVP be approached again, clerk to write. Councillor Lomas pointed out that the HVP would have difficulty in contributing as the village hall project is trying to obtain matched funding.

Inspector Tattershall left the meeting at 8.01pm

1520. Councillor Hunton noted there has been a recent increase in crime in the area.

1521. The representatives of the football team have approached the parish council to use the football pitch for a junior Sunday league team to be formed. The parish council raised concerns about previous teams, excessive noise, swearing and even fighting between parents had meant that the previous team had been asked to find another venue. The representatives gave assurances that a repeat would not occur, the proposed players are already at a good standard and have a more professional attitude. There would be a match every two weeks, commencing at 11am, the team would bring all their own equipment. Issues about marking out the pitch, grass cutting and fees would need to be resolved. Councillor Hunton pointed out that the parish is creating a parish plan and as such any parish events would take precedence over the football team. It was also noted that any vehicles accompanying the teams would need to use the village car park and not cause problems by parking on various roads and lanes.

Mr Massey and Mr Brammah left the meeting at 8.20pm

1522. The parish council discussed the proposal and agreed to offer a trial season to the club, clerk to advise Mr Brammah. Councillors Hunton and Lomas would devise an appropriate agreement and charge rate. It was noted that the use of the pavilion would need to be arranged with WVCA. Councillor Hodgkiss commented that the coaches would need to be police checked as it is a junior team.

Harley playing Field

1523. The Harley playing field is in need of some maintenance, Councillor Lomas is aware that the HVP has sub lease on the field and had acquired quotes for severla items of maintenance. He declared a personal interest in the following matter. Firstly 120m of new fencing is required to alter the boundary line, and straighten it. The matter was agreed several years ago and as such it was thougth should be the responsibility of the parish council The gate to be increased from 12ft to 14ft and the pedestrian access to be reconstructed, this was thought to be the responsibility of HVP To reposition the Guy Canby memorial oak tree to a more appropriate site, the responsibility of HVP The remove the undergrowth and clear the ditches along the boundary of the field to enable RMBC to mow the the area properly and not continually increase the amount of field lost to undergrowth, this was thought to be the responsibility of the parish council Further quotes are to be obtained for the parish council responsibilities

Finance

1524. Authorisation of cheques and Direct Debit payments for June

Proposed Councillor Hunton

Seconded Councillor Jones

Correspondence

SY Police Funding for mountain bikes

Wentworth Estate Street lights

SYPTE Service 660

1528. General Correspondence

Standards Board for England Code of conduct

RMBC Code of conduct

YLCA Minutes

YLCA Minutes

YLCA Minutes

YLCA Agenda

YLCA Village of the year competition

J Healey Funding

RMBC Parish network meeting

Petwise Introduction

RMBC Vacancies - Joint working group

RMBC Websites

RMBC Rotherham in bloom

RMBC Joint working group minutes

RMBC Review of charter

RMBC Boro standards committee

Lieutenancy office Awards for voluntary service

RMBC Acknowledgement Declaration of acceptance/Interests

RMBC Environment act 2005

RMBC Planning List

RMBC Planning List

RMBC Planning List

Pro Active Councilling

1529. Mr Hill reported that the parish plan is progressing and a meeting is to be held with a consultant to outline further options for information collection, he commented that anyone is welcome to attend. He went on to comment that he would be visiting the junior school in July.

Open Forum

1530. Councillor Hunton noted that speeding and yellow lines are still an issue in Wentworth, the clerk reported that Mr Cuff, the Chief Executive of RMBC was able to attend the September meeting, however Councillor Hunton advised he would be unable to attend, clerk to reschedule.

1531. WVCA had askedpermmision for the car park to be closed on village day, a fair ground is to be held on it. It was decided that further information be sought, is there alternative parking available for residents and visitors the weekends are busy days for the car park and some re-imbursement may be sought. Clerk to write.

1532. Councillor Dickerson reported the wall adjoining footpath '' 5 is collapsing and the footpath is in a poor state Councillor Hales commented that the footpath is to be used in the revised route for the Harley Hobble

1533. RMBC Councillor Hodgkiss reported that the repairs to the footpath on Occupation Road to Coach Road have been suspended because a parishioner has requested a light be put in the car park.

1534. Councillor Sharp asked that a letter of congratulations be sent to the school on their recent successful Ofsted inspection, the school had earned very high praise from Ofsted. Clerk to write, Councillor Hunton to sign the letter.

1535. Councillor Sharp noted that the drains along Main Street are blocked, clerk to report

1536. Councillor Hunton noted that the hedges in the Barrowfield Gate area are overgrown, clerk to report

1537. Next Meeting

The next meeting was confirmed as the 16th July 2007 at 7.00pm at the Mechanic's Institute. Agenda to be distributed.

The Meeting closed at 9.30pm