Wentworth Parish Council

On Monday 21^st September 2009 at 6.30pm

2292. Present

Councillor Mr D. Hunton (Chairman) Councillor Mr J. Jones (Deputy Chairman) (From 6.40pm) Councillors Mrs M.R. Dickerson , Mr I. Lomas, Mr C. Woodcock (From 6.57pm) , Ms L. Stevenson Mr W. Crawford, Mrs S. Hales (From 8pm), Mr R. Clamp RMBC Councillor Mr F. Hodgkiss (From 6.48pm) RMBC Ms. L Reader SY Police Mr P. Gray (Until 7.27 pm) A6135ARG Mrs C. Shaw Parishioner Mr J. Morley

2293. Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 20th July 2009 were accepted as a true record and were authorised to be signed by the Chairman

Proposed Councillor Lomas

Seconded Councillor Stevenson

2294. Bonfire Celebrations

The WVCA have advised the Parish Council that the bonfire planned for Wentworth is to be cancelled. There seems to be issues about volunteers to run the event

Police Matters

2295. Residents are raising increasing numbers of complaints about vehicles parking on the pavements in Wentworth and obstructing the pavements for disabled and push chair users. Complaints are also increasing about dogs being allowed to foul the pavements. The police commented that a traffic officer has been in Wentworth recently and that no problems were identified. It was asked if a similar observation exercise could be undertake in Harley.

2296. The police advised that the latest priority areas identified at the PACT meeting are in the Wath and Swinton areas.

2297. The safes for the Wentworth initiative have been purchased and fitting is expected within a few weeks.

Traffic Issues

2298. A site meeting has taken place between the parish council and RMBC to discuss the main traffic concerns in the area. Work on the speed reduction along parts of Cortworth Lane is expected to commence soon.

Councillor Jones joined the meeting at 6.40pm

The request to consider extending 20mph zones within the parish is not going to be pursued further by RMBC. The request for a destination & origin survey on HGVs is not going to be pursued due to cost and the fact that it would add no new information and there are no proposals to restrict the route to HGVs. RMBC will consider new signs and road markings at the junction of Mill Lane and Barrowfield Lane to improve awareness of the junction. There are no plans to restrict traffic near to the sawmill, although speed checking wires are to be used to ascertain if speed is an issue. It was mentioned that an option for the Cortworth Lane/Stubbin Lane junction could include traffic lights, the parish council asked for further details on this option. The proposal for residents parking permits is being considered further by RMBC. The missing fencing on the Harley bends was also noted.

RMBC Councillor Hodgkiss joined the meeting at 6.48pm

A copy of the RMBC report to be circulated.

2299. Members noted that an article has been seen in which members of the public were given a speed gun and a log of speeders kept. Warning letters were issued at the first instance and fines were raised for subsequent infringements. The police noted that only a police officer using the speed gun would lead to penalties.

Councillor Woodcock joined the meeting at 6.57pm

2300. It was noted that there have been issues with parking in Friers Croft and that Rotherham 2010 have issued a letter to each resident outlining the status of the road and that anyone is free to park on an adopted road providing the vehicle is properly taxed and tested. It was thought prudent that the A-board no parking sign should no longer be used. A copy of the Rotherham 2010 letter to be forwarded to WVCA.

A6135.

2301. There have been replies to the Coroner's letter from BMBC, the Dept of Transport, the police and Safety Camera Partnership. It would appear that the only action to be taken is to remove the tree into which the vehicle crashed. BMBC note that resources are limited and other areas have a greater need of them. It was noted that due to utility repairs there is a temporary 30MPH limit in force along the A6135 between Harley and Chapeltown.

Matters Arising

PCSO Gray left the meeting at 7.27pm

2302. The Community Skip initiative is now scheduled to take place on October 31st, RMBC are to assist in promoting the initiative.

2303. The Cricket Club has written to the parish council outlining its proposed investments, which are to include new covers and a mower, and thanking the Parish Council for its support. Issues were raised concerning the appropriateness of rolling covers as opposed to flat covers and the capacity of the mower. Clerk to ask for clarification on the mower.

2304. A reply has been received from RMBC regarding the schools admission policy. Members are still not satisfied with the explanation and further letters are to be issued to RMBC and the Board of School Governors expressing the parish council's dissatisfaction with the current admissions procedures.

2305. Wentworth Estate has responded to the queries regarding hedges and the grass cuttings along Back Lane. Members are disappointed the cuttings will still be left in the wood, but asked if the fencing could be altered to prevent horses using the area.

2306. A request for maintenance information for the Best Kept Village Sign has been received from RAY. The parish Council will continue with the long term maintenance, RAY to be advised

2307. An offer to adopt the red telephone box in Wentworth has been made to the parish council. Members agreed to adopt the box.

2308. The recent noise from the George & Dragon appears to have been a one off charity event. The licence would appear to state it is a noise sensitive boundary, with no noise to be heard outside unless an amendment is applied for for a specific event. Members to monitor the situation

Councillor Hales joined the meeting at 8.00pm

2309. No response has been received form Wentworth Villa FC regarding outstanding payment. Members decided to apply to the league for compensation. Wentworth Villa to be advised

2310. A meeting with representatives of Wentworth Woodhouse is to be included in the October parish council meeting to discuss the planning issues at Greasborough. Item to be added to agenda

Finance

2311. Authorisation of cheques and Direct Debit payments for September

Proposed Councillor Jones

Seconded Councillor Stevenson

2312. The Councillor review of the 2008/9 accounts has been concluded successfully, with no issues raised

Correspondence

2313. Correspondence dealt with during the meeting

Wentworth Cricket club Expansion plans

RMBC Road safety issues

RMBC Parish clean up grant

RMBC Diversion footpath 20

RMBC School admissions

Wentworth Estate Hedges & grass waste

RAY Best kept village trophy

BT Adopt a red telephone box

2314. General Correspondence

RMBC Planning Application - The Square Harley

YLCA Agenda & minutes

RMBC Change in Executive arrangements

RMBC Landscape assessment workshop

RMBC Parish network meeting

RMBC Training session

Coalfields regeneration trust Grants

RMBC Parish council liaison meeting

Fire brigade union Redundancies

RAY Country air

RAY AGM

Radio Nightingale Donation request

RMBC Devolved budget report

RMBC Planning List x 9

2315. The Coalfields Regeneration pack was passed the parish plan group. No objections were raised regarding the planning application for the Square. Note was made of the proposed change in Executive arrangements within RMBC

Proactive Councilling

2316. The wording on the memorial plaque is to be changed to add "This tree was" and a scroll added to the bottom. Clerk to arrange.

2317. Members have reported several blocked drains in Wentworth, but no action has been taken to repair them. Clerk to complain to Streetpride

2318. Any articles for a new year edition of the newsletter to be forwarded to Councillor Hales, it was asked that a note be made of the RMBC Councillor Surgeries in the newsletter

Open Forum

2319. Councillor Dickerson noted a pot hole on the pavement at Barley Hole, RMBC Councillor Hodgkiss has already reported the matter

2320. A dog bin is to be requested for Kirby Lane

Next Meeting

2321. The next meeting was confirmed as the 19th October 2009 at 6.30pm at the Mechanic's Institute. Agenda to be distributed.

The Meeting closed at 9.05pm