Wentworth Parish Council

On Monday 16^st July 2007 at 7.00pm

1538. Present

Councillor Mr D. Hunton (Chair) Councillor Mrs L. Hardwick (Deputy Chair) Councillors Mr C. Woodcock, Ms S. Hales, Miss B Sharp MBE, Mr I. Lomas, Mrs M. R. Dickerson RMBC Councillor Mr F. Hodgkiss Parishioners Mr J. Morley, Ms V Hamshaw (until 7.45pm) Rotherham Advertiser Mr J. Blundell

1539. Apologies For Absence

Councillors Ms L. Stevenson, Mr J. Jones

1540. Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 18th July 2007 were accepted as a true record and were authorised to be signed by the Chairman.

Proposed Councillor Lomas

Seconded Councillor Sharp

Accounts & Annual Governance

1541. The accounts for the financial year ended March 2007 were approved and signed by the parish council

1542. The annual governance statement was accepted and agreed. Point 6 of the statement was answered as no, although an adequate system of internal audit has been maintained, a review of its effectiveness is yet to be carried out.

Matters Arising

Councillor Hunton declared a personal interest in the following item.

1543. Fitzwilliam Amenity Trust have pledged £1,250 towards the fund, but no further pledges or enquiries have been received in response to the recent mail campaign. Councillor Hunton commented that the Hoober ward would be the only area without police bike cover. Brampton Parish Council had voted against contributing to the scheme and the retailers at the Cortonwood site, whilst able to donate materials etc to projects are unable to donate cash. He also noted that Area Assemblies have been donating funds towards bikes in other areas. Councillor Lomas reported that the RVA speaker at a recent meeting had been astounded that local organisations are being asked to contribute towards the bikes. He is to check why the area is being asked to make contributions. Councillor Hunton asked that the Area Assembly and further businesses in the area be contacted regarding funding. Councillor Hales asked if the Brampton Parish would still benefit from the bikes whilst not making any contribution. Councillor Lomas confirmed that the whole ward would be covered regardless of who made a contribution.

1544. RMBC had reported that the goal posts for the Harley football ground are unserviceable and will need replacing for the forthcoming season. the cost to be £661. Councillor Hunton noted that the sockets for the goal posts had been repaired previously, Councillor Lomas queried why the problem was not raised by RMBC at the end of the last season when the posts were removed. He thought the posts should be replaced, but would look at prices from alternate suppliers. Clerk then to advise RMBC how to proceed.

1545. A local girls football team have enquired into using the Harley football pitch, it was noted that they had been walking the pitch earlier in the week. The team would be looking to play on a 3/4 pitch, but the Harley pitch is currently in use as a full size pitch, the request was refused. Councillor Lomas is concerned that there had been two requests to use the pitches from teams outside the area, he wondered if there was a shortage of grounds or if the fees were high. Councillor Hunton commented that the Wentworth Villa team are to mark out the Wentworth pitch and have asked if they can trim the pitch after matches. Councillor Lomas to liaise with RMBC.

1546. Councillor Hunton had been approached about the new storage container for the Wentworth Cricket Club and asked to attend a meeting as the cricket club are struggling to resolve the matter with the Fitzwilliam Amenity Trust. The Amenity Trust had proposed two sites for the container, both impracticable. The matter was not considered to be a parish council matter, but one between the cricket club and the Amenity Trust, the Parish Council has given permission for and will support a new container on the original site, next to the pavilion.

1547. RMBC have obtained funding for the parish council of almost £10,000 to be used for play equipment for the Harley playing field. Several conditions have to be met and agreed, the letter to be passed the Harley Village Partnership and the Harley Parents Group for consideration. Councillor Lomas noted that £650,000 had been awarded to RMBC for play equipment, of that 2 areas, including Harley each receive £10,000, £150,000 is to be used in Clifton Park and £150,000 is to be used to employ a play officer and suitable accommodation. It is not known where the remaining £300,000 is to be allocated.

1549. Mrs Hamshaw raised the matter of a memorial bench for the Harley Circle development for the children of Harley she has spoken with other bereaved parents who would also like to see a memorial in the village. The Parish Council thought the proposal appropriate and the Harley councillors are to arrange a meeting with the parents to discuss the details of the proposal and report the decisions at the September parish council meeting Councillor Hunton would like to see a dedication service for the memorial, and is to contact the church.

Mrs Hamshaw left the meeting at 7.45pm

Finance

1550. Authorisation of cheques and Direct Debit payments for July

Proposed Councillor Woodcock

Seconded Councillor Sharp

Police Matters

1551. Councillor Hunton noted that the recent increase in crime appeared to have slowed, but it was noted that lead had been stolen from the belfry.

Floods

1552. Councillor Hunton is concerned that the Government grants given to the area to assist with the recent flood damage are not as large as those awarded to other areas. Councillor Lomas reported that here had been problems when parishioners had phoned RMBC for sand bags, it appeared that RMBC asked if the property was private or RMBC. He queried whether RMBC properties were given priority. Clerk to write to RMBC deploring the issue

Correspondence

1553. Correspondence dealt with during the meeting

RMBC Harley goal posts

RMBC Harley play equipment grant

1554. General Correspondence

SYPTE Service Changes

YLCA Assembly digest

YLCA Joint meeting resolutions

YLCA Joining the council seminar

NALC seminar

RMBC Borough standards committee

YLCA White Rose

YLCA Joint annual meeting

RMBC Rotherham alive

RMBC Changes to polling districts

RMBC Parish council liaison meeting

SY 2nd local transport plan Mobility week event

YRCC Country air

P White Audit

RMBC Planning List x 4

1555. With regard to the letter asking for consultation on polling areas, Councillor Hunton asked why the recent polling for the Hoober ward was held in the Mechanic's Institute which caused issues and complaints about the parking fees. Clerk to write. RMBC Councillor Hodgkiss explained that previously a portakabin had to be used and this is considered unsuitable, the Mechanic's Institute was used because it is nearer than the Brampton polling stations for some Hoober residents.

Pro Active Councilling

1556. Parish Plan

Mr Morley reported that the main issues are still around funding, the PPG are continuing to lobby John Healey MP. RMBC seem to be taking the position of waiting for a base line study report before commenting on the problem of the parish falling between various funding initiatives. The Housing Market Renewal fund has offered funding and a meeting is to take place to discuss the matter further. Social Enterprise Europe have contacted the PPG with a view to helping to gather information for the plan. They attended the recent Harley Gala, displaying the five key issues identified within the parish and asking for public comment. Mr Hill is continuing with school presentations and a traffic survey is being organised in Wentworth.

1557. Harley Village Hall

It was noted that the group are still awaiting news from various funding organisations before any further progress can be made. Councillor Lomas reported that the recent gala had been a huge success despite the poor weather. Councillor Hunton offered congratulations to the Harley Activity Group.

Open Forum

1558. It was noted that the 227 bus service failed to run for the 11am & 12pm service on 11th July. Clerk to report

1559. Councillor Hunton reported that the Wentworth car park wall had been damaged, clerk to resolve.

1560. Councillor Hardwick reported that loose chippings are still a problem along Harley Road, Councillor Lomas proposed that a list of problems be drawn up to discuss with the Chief Executive of RMBC when a meeting date is finally agreed.

1561. Councillor Hunton reported that there had been a fall on the pavement near Paradise Square and the flags need attending to as they are uneven.

1562. Councillor Dickerson reported that the verges needed attention in Barley Hole, Councillor Hunton noted that the hedges and verges in Wentworth had still not been attended to, despite being reported to RMBC. Councillor Hales reported that the hedges are now so overgrown, they are obscuring the 30mph road signs in Harley.

1563. It was noted that the new signs and speed restrictions are in place on the A6135. however Councillor Lomas reported that motorbikes don't activate the new sign, which warns of the bend when vehicles approach at speeds in excess of 45mph.

1564. Councillor Lomas asked if the agenda could be displayed on the notice boards along with the notice of meeting. Clerk to arrange

1565. Councillor Lomas commented that the first Harley Partnership newsletter had been circulated and brought a copy for file.

1566. Councillor Hunton reported that the Wentworth notice board perspex has been damaged and that the notice board needed re-varnishing and the door runners repairing. Clerk to resolve.

1567. Councillor Hales reported that the woodcarving of a hare is now on the Harley notice board and looks superb, Clerk to write to Mr Franklin.

1568. Mr Morley noted that discussions are taking place about the proposed new notice board for Nether Haugh. The PPG are proposing a different location.

1569. Councillor Dickerson reported that the recent flooding at Barley Hole had been made worse by a blocked culvert taking the stream under the road by the bends. Clerk to report to Wentworth Estate.

1570. Councillor Hardwick reported that the fence on the Old Hags footpath had fallen into disrepair and sheep are wandering on to the path, Councillor Dickerson noted that the gate also needed repairing. Clerk to report.

Next Meeting

1571. The next meeting was confirmed as the 3rd September 2007 at 7.00pm at the Mechanic's Institute.

Agenda to be distributed.

The Meeting closed at 8.55pm