Wentworth Parish Council

On Monday 19^th November 2007 at 6.30pm

1644. Present

Councillor Mr D. Hunton (Chair) Councillors Mr C. Woodcock, Ms S. Hales (From 7.20pm) , Miss B Sharp MBE, Mr I. Lomas, Mrs M.R. Dickerson, Ms L. Stevenson, Mr J. Jones (From 6.40pm) RMBC Councillor Mr F. Hodgkiss RMBC Mr A. Fellows, Ms C. Boldy (Until 7.00pm). Mr P. Cunningham (From 6.55pm Until 7.45pm) Wentworth Estates Mr A. Barber-Lomax (From 6.59pm) Parishioners Mr J. Morley (From 6.56pm)

1645. Apologies For Absence

Councillor Mrs L. Hardwick (Deputy Chair)

1646. Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 1st October 2007 were accepted as a true record and were authorised to be signed by the Chairman.

Proposed Councillor Woodcock

Seconded Councillor Lomas

RMBC & Affordable Housing

1647. Mr Fellows introduced Ms Boldy, who gave a brief outline of the landlords accreditation scheme. The scheme aims to work with private landlords to introduce standard quality into the sector. There are 4 levels of accreditation, at the highest level RMBC will advertise and manage the property let on behalf of the landlord. It was noted that the schemes are voluntary and that RMBC offer support to try and attract landlords to the scheme. Councillor Jones joined the meeting at 6.40pm Councillor Hunton asked about promotion of the schemes, it was decided that RMBC should attend the next Annual Assembly meeting with a display about letting policy and rural housing strategy

Mr J Morley and Mr P Cunningham (RMBC) joined the meeting at 6.55pm

1648. Mr Fellows noted that new developments over a certain size had to include an element of affordable housing.

Mr Barber-Lomax joined the meeting at 6.59pm

Harley Play Equipment

1649. The Harley play scheme had progressed and it was now thought by the Harley Parents Group (HPG) that the parish council should purchase and insure the equipment on their behalf and that RMBC would look after the routine maintenance. Mr Cunningham advised the meeting that the HPG had secured funding from the big lottery and HMR, although this would need to be used by March 2008.

1650. The parish councillors asked for clarification of the legal ownership and maintenance of the equipment if they were to purchase it on behalf of the HPG. Mr Cunningham confirmed that RMBC would project manage the scheme, but that the parish council would own the equipment, he went on to comment that RMBC would probably carry out minor maintenance, but that major repairs would probably be the responsibility of the parish council. He commented that in case of major repairs due to vandalism etc, there is the option to remove the equipment rather than repair. The parish councillors expressed concern that a private group scheme now appeared to be becoming the responsibility of the parish council. Mr Cunningham was asked about insurance, he commented that it is unlikely that cover will be available for the equipment, only for the public liability, which the parish council already has, he thought it unlikely the premium would rise because of the additional equipment. It was noted that there are still issues with the types of equipment to be incorporated in the scheme and Mr Cunningham pointed out that there is a slight chance funding would not be forthcoming because the scheme is not considered to be what the community as a whole wants.

Councillor Hales joined the meeting at 7.20pm

1651. The parish councillors proposed that more consultation be undertaken with the wider community, but that it be mindful of funding deadlines. There would then need to be consultation with Wentworth Estate on the final choice of scheme and materials. Harley parish councillors to arrange a meeting with the HPG

Mr Cunningham left the meeting at 7.45pm

Parish Parking Permits

1652. Councillor Hunton had been approached by Mr Gordon Scott regarding the extension of the permit scheme to villagers who do not live within the parish boundary. The matter was discussed and it was decided that no extension of the scheme would be made. Clerk to write to Mr Scott

1653. It was noted that a camper van is parking in the car park. A sign outlining the main clauses of the parking order is to be displayed.

1654. It was noted that some residents of Street Lane are proposing that they should be included in the Wentworth parish rather than Brampton, although no formal approach has been made to the parish council.

Matters Arising

1655. RMBC have been contacted regarding the proposed site for the new Nether Haugh notice board, the parish council has been advised that planning permission will be required for that particular site. Mr Barber-Lomax and the PPG are to look at alternative sites.

1656. Wentworth Estate have contacted the parish council regarding a dilapidated boundary fence adjoining the cricket field, they are offering to contribute to the cost of replacement. The parish council agreed, Mr Barber-Lomax to advise whether estate resources are available to carry out the repairs and request 50% contribution from the parish council.

1657. Wentworth Estate have replied regarding the recharge for the removal of the undergrowth to the rear of the Barrowfield properties. They dispute it is their land and produced a more recent map and boundary line. The parish council agreed to waiver the recharge.

1658. RMBC are proposing a scheme of traffic calming for Nether Haugh. The parish council perused and supported the proposal. Clerk to write

1659. Wentworth cricket club have replied to the letter regarding rehire of the pitch, they refuted the claim of rehire and complained that they themselves had received several complaints regarding the boundary fence and the temporary mesh fencing they had erected, whilst nothing was being done about the problem of the new storage unit. A reply had been issued noting that the design and storage at the site was been considered along with an extension to the pavilion by Wentworth Estate.

1660. A request to site a memorial bench in Wentworth from Mr Adey of Swinton has been received. The parish council had to decline the request due to lack of space and recent proliferation of such benches.

1661. The results of the RMBC vehicle survey have been received, they show no excessive speed an the SY Police are not pursuing the matter further. No mention was made of the weight survey, clerk to chase, copy the PPG

1662. The request for increased dog warden patrols had been acknowledged, it also noted that nothing can be done about stray dogs fouling the area.

Finance

1663. Authorisation of cheques and Direct Debit payments for November

Proposed Councillor Sharp

Seconded Councillor Stevenson

1664. Councillor Hunton asked that the Buttercross be repaired.

Correspondence

1665. Correspondence dealt with during the meeting

WW Estate Boundary fence - Main Street

WW Estate 117 Overgrown vegetation

RMBC Highway gateway - The Barrow

WW Cricket club Rehiring of ground

M Adey Memorial bench

RMBC Vehicle survey

RMBC Dog fouling

1666. General Correspondence

RMBC Parish review

RMBC Borough Standards Committee

RMBC Tourism forum

RMBC Muse

RMBC Planning board training session

RMBC Joint working group

SYPTE National concession passes

Rotherham Partnership Community strategy

YLCA Ballot papers

RMBC Local development framework

CCLA Newsletter

SYPTE Service Changes

Bluebell wood Donation request

RMBC Election charges

RMBC Planning board training session

YRCC Annual report

YRCC Agenda

YRCC Rebranding

RMBC Borough Standards Committee

RMBC Completed developments tour

Vitalise Donation request

YRCC 21st century villages conference

Defra Tackling climate change

YLCA Agenda & minutes

RMBC Emergency planning

Sheffield CC Development framework

RMBC Planning list X 7

RMBC Graffiti wipes

1667. Mr Morley enquired if the parish council ever made donations, it was noted that parishioners are able to make their own donations, rather than the parish council on their behalf.

Police Matters

1668. It was noted that there had been a further accident in Wentworth, one in Harley and one on the bends and that the park wall has been damaged on Coley Lane. Clerk to notify the police

1669. The police had been in attendance at the recent service at the cenotaph and had laid a wreath of remembrance.

Pro Active Councilling

Parish Plan

1670. Mr Morley reported that the PPG are engaging with various stakeholders including members of the retirement and business communities, RMBC Councillor Hodgkiss asked to be notified if any other senior citizens events are organised. The parish plan introduction has been prepared and includes a history of the church.

Harley Village Hall Project

1671. Councillor Lomas reported that the appeal against the funding decision had been sent and it was 12 days into the 16 day notification period. The group are not optimistic of a favourable outcome.

WNAA Projects

1672. Councillor Lomas reported that Streetpride has received a devolved budget and is looking for projects of under £1,000 litterbins for the parish have already been listed, Councillor Hunton noted that the fencing on Birdcage Walk still needed repairs. Projects are to be considered for discussion at the next meeting

Open Forum

1674. Councillor Lomas noted that there had been fire damage to the banking on the Wentworth playing field from the recent village bonfire. Councillor Hunton noted that reinstatement of the banking is to be on the next WVCA meeting agenda.

1675. Councillor Woodcock asked that the old sign over the cottage on Main Street be restored. Mr Barber-Lomax is to look into the matter, but requested any old photographs of the sign be forwarded to him to help with the restoration. The parish council agreed to contribute to the cost of restoration.

1676. Councillor Hales has been approached about the state of the grass verge on Dike Hill, the verge had originally been planted by a resident, but the shrubs removed by RMBC after a complaint from a neighbour. She asked if the parish council could adopt the verge or obtain a licence to plant. The parish council had previously requested a licence to plant all verges, but had received no reply. Clerk to chase.

1677. Councillor Stevenson to start to obtain quotes for the repair of the rear wall and yard at the Barrowfield properties.

Next Meeting

1678. The next meeting was confirmed as the 17th December 2007 at 6.30pm at the Mechanic's Institute.

Agenda to be distributed.

The Meeting closed at 9.09pm