The Informer
Todwick Parish Council
No. 59
March 2002
TRAFFIC CALMING IN THE VILLAGE - THE STORY SO FAR
At the time of publishing the November issue of The
Informer it was not
possible to assess the feelings of the majority of residents to the
Scheme. However when the Parish Council met on 27 November some 56 residents attended the
Open Session to express their strongly held objections. Because the scheme had
been introduced by Rotherham Borough Council following their receipt of a petition from
residents, and after direct consultation by means of questionnaire to all households,
but with no direct consultation with the Parish Council, while Councillors listened to all
the complaints sympathetically the only constructive action that the Council could take
was to arrange a public meeting with officers of Rotherham Engineering Service in
attendance.
This was duly held on 25 January when Stephen Ward, Head
of Rotherham's Engineering Service, explained the sequence of events
leading up to the introduction of the scheme and listened to all the comments of residents
who packed the Village Hall. There had been a reduction in the speed of vehicles
passing through the village, but he accepted that there were also problems, particularly with
noise. He undertook to conduct a further survey asking for the views of residents
on the scheme, including the siting of the pedestrian crossing, and very soon after the
meeting a questionnaire was distributed to all households in the village.
On 4 February the Parish Council was invited to send
representatives to a meeting at the Borough Council's Economic & Development Services
Department at which the Cabinet Member responsible and the Executive Director, as well as
Stephen Ward and other officers were present. The Parish Council was represented
by Councillors Clive Pantry (Chairman), Mary Gregory and Barrie Marsh, and the Clerk,
Rod Walker, who were able to make the concerns of Todwick residents clear and to
express suggestions as to how matters might be improved.
A week later a meeting was held in Todwick between the
above-mentioned Parish Councillors plus Councillor John Mosley, and Rotherham's
Engineers. A video made by a resident on Kiveton Lane illustrating the problems was
shown, and possible solutions were further discussed. Without any doubt the greatest
problem is that of noise, which particularly affects residents on Kiveton Lane and The
Pastures, caused by heavy goods vehicles, especially empty ones, which go through the
village late at night and in the early hours of the morning as well as during the daytime.
One suggestion which has been made is to restrict the hours at which such vehicles
would be allowed to drive through Todwick.
The engineers are anxious to find a solution to the
problems, which seem to be unique to Todwick, and are undertaking wide -ranging research to
make sure they "get it right" before they take any action, so we are unlikely to see any
remedial work before the summer.
THE PARISH PRECEPT 2002/3 -
This is to remain at the same rate as in 2001/2 - in fact it has not been increased since 1995/6, except for
the decision in 1996 to raise an extra £5000 a year towards the cost of refurbishment of
the Village Hall. The total for the coming year will therefore be £18,650 - £13,650 for
normal Parish Council expenditure and £5000 for the Hall. The money is
collected by the Borough Council with their Council Tax and paid to the Parish Council in
two instalments. The Budget for the year is under consideration and will be finalised
at the March meeting of the Council.
THE ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY -
will be held on Tuesday 30
April in the Village Hall, commencing at 7.30 pm. It is your
opportunity to hear the reports of the Chairman and the Clerk on the year's work of the
Council, as well as the financial report and accounts - i.e. to learn how your money has been spent
as well as the work Councillors have undertaken on your behalf. You will be
able to comment on the reports and accounts and to raise any matters of concern.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS -
The March meeting will be held on Tuesday 26 in the Village Hall commencing at 7.30 pm. In April the
meeting will commence at 7.00 pm prior to the Annual Assembly and will reconvene after
that if necessary to complete the business. After April the Council will continue to
meet on the last Tuesday of each month except August, with an Open Session at 8.30 pm at
which members of the public may ask questions or comment on any matters of concern.
Forthcoming dates are 28 May, 25 June and 30 July. A reminder of subsequent dates
will appear in the July issue of The
Informer.
PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY -
As a result of the resignation of Bill Senior from the Council there is a vacancy. If you are interested, or know
someone who is, please write to the Clerk, Mr J. R. Walker, at 10 High Street, South
Anston, S25 5AY. As this is the final year of the present Council's existence - an
election is due in 2003 - the
appointment will be for one year only, which should not be a very
onerous commitment but could arouse interest for the future!
CODE OF CONDUCT -
Under the Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2001 all Councils have to adopt their own Code of Conduct
by 5 May 2002. These must maintain the provisions of the Model Code, and once
adopted must be sent to the Standards Board for England. The first part of the Order
deals with the general obligations to be observed by all Councillors in the
carrying out of their duties, while Part 2 requires that within 28 days of the Code being adopted
members must register their personal (including financial) interests which might be
held to prejudice their work as Councillors. A copy of the Register will be maintained by
Rotherham Borough Council, and the Parish Council must maintain a copy for
public viewing the availability of which must be advertised. The final provision requires
a member, within 28 days of receiving any gifts or hospitality over the value of
£25.00, to provide written notification of it to the Monitoring Officer. It is doubtful if this
will often need to be complied with in Todwick - in over 20 years all one Councillor has
received is a bouquet of flowers of much lower value than this! The Parish Council has already
spent some time considering the Code and having received clarification of
some provisions will be adopting it before the May deadline.
A QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL FOR TODWICK? The
Government has recently introduced a concept of Quality Parish Councils and a
model charter will be published shortly giving guidance on the tests Councils must meet to
achieve this status. Successful ones will be given more powers and greater
flexibility, and if considered a 'best value' parish be eligible to receive additional
grants from central government. Todwick should be able to surmount the hurdles regarding
election of councillors and the professional standards of administration demanded - but
there would have to be 4 issues of The Informer each year instead of 3!
GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN TODWICK
At a meeting of village organisations and interested
individuals held in the Village Hall on 7 March it was agreed that there should be one large
-scale community event which would be supported by various smaller events.
THE COMMUNITY EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE RECREATION GROUND ON SUNDAY 16 JUNE, PROBABLY COMMENCING AT 12 NOON,
AND WITH THE EMPHASIS ON ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN, THOUGH ADULTS WILL NOT BE LEFT OUT. PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THE
DATE IN YOUR DIARY NOW!
A small group has been appointed to make the arrangements
but the support of all residents is needed if the day is to be a success. If you
can help in any way with the arrangements or on the day, or even by
sponsorship, please
contact one of the undermentioned as soon as possible.
John Mosley, 95 The Meadows (tel: 771384) (Chairman)
James Armstrong, 16 Osborne Road (tel: 770751)
Audrey Radford, 8 Tortmayns (tel: 771931)
Sarah Wilson, 52 Rectory Gardens (tel: 774533/515773)
The Environment Action Group is putting red, white and
blue lights up round the Village Hall and planting beds in the village in the same colours.
Can you help by planting in your gardens, especially if you live on one of the roads
leading into Todwick?
Details of events planned by the various organisations and
groups are not yet known, except that there will be a Special
Church Service on Sunday 2 June ,
and the Garden Fete on Saturday 6 July may
well have a Jubilee theme. The Bowling
Club will be holding similar events as in previous years - including an
Inter-Parish Competition.
PLEASE SUPPORT ALL THE CELEBRATIONS IN ANY WAY YOU CAN AND HELP THEM TO BE MEMORABLE OCCASIONS - AFTER ALL, ITS YOUR VILLAGE!
VILLAGE APPRAISAL -
The Parish Council has been anxious for some time for Todwick to have a Village Appraisal and now a meeting has
been arranged for Thursday 11 April in the Village Hall, commencing at 7.30 pm when
a representative from the Yorkshire Rural Community Council will attend to explain
how to carry out an Appraisal and to offer that organisation's help. Invitations have
been sent to certain people who it is though could be interested, but the meeting is open to
everyone so if you would like to come please do. Councillor Mary Gregory and the Clerk, Rod
Walker, recently attended a training day on Parish Plans organised by the
Countryside Agency under their Vital Villages Programme and found it most informative on ways
of carrying out Appraisals. If Todwick is to be successful in obtaining grants for
future projects it is essential to have carried out detailed consultation with residents and
drawn up a plan. Financial help in doing so may be obtained from the Community Council. If
you are interested in improving the facilities in Todwick please come to this
meeting - and if you would like any further information beforehand please contact either
the Chairman of the Parish Council, Clive Pantry, on 771024 or Mary Gregory on
770703.
NEWS FROM TODWICK ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP (TEAG)
The BAD NEWS is the continual element of destruction and
vandalism taking place. One of the seats in the Millennium Garden has been
destroyed, but fortunately funds allowed for its replacement; plants, shrubs and even bark
continue to be stolen from flower beds; and grafitti has appeared on stone planters.
If you see anything suspicious which you do not think is serious enough to warrant
calling the Police please contact one of the Committee (see below).
The memorial seat to Laura Tyas near the Carpet Shop was
vandalised beyond repair on Friday, 30 November 2001, between 8.30 and 8.45 pm. It was
observed by two people waiting at the bus stop who remonstrated with the vandals,
but to no avail. The Police were informed. The GOOD NEWS is that some funding has been
obtained from the Community Chest and TEAG has been able to install a new
seat. Long may it last!
The total cost of destruction and theft in 2001 amounted
to £300. If you see any vandalism taking place please telephone the Police on 0114
2 20 20 20 - you do not have to give your name if you do not wish.
TODWICK IN BLOOM 2002 - TEAG hopes you are enjoying the
Spring show of daffodils, tulips, crocus and primulas around the village.
More planting for Summer and Autumn, including trees and shrubs in the various beds,
planters and surrounding areas is planned. If when your Spring bulbs have finished blooming
you have more than you know what to do with, let Sheila Pantry know (tel: 771024)
and she will be happy to pick them up and plant them around the village.
TEAG Committee Members are: Brenda and John Palmer
(Todwick Post Office - 770978); Rosemary Chambers (87 The Meadows - 770816); Anne
Warburton (158 Kiveton Lane - 772133); and Sheila Pantry, Co-ordinator, (85 The Meadows - 771024).
FOR SALE - The
Parish Council has a Honda petrol driven mower and a petrol strimmer for sale. If you are interested please contact the Clerk,
Rod Walker, at 10 High Street, South Anston (tel: 566639). If you wish to see them before
making an offer contact Councillor Les Waller at 13 The Pastures.
ALLOTMENT RENTS - will
be collected at the Village Hall on Sunday 24 March between 11.00 am and 12 noon. If you are interested in
renting one of the vacant allotments please contact Councillor Les Waller (address
as above - tel: 770819).
FOOTPATH WALKS - These
continue to leave the Village Hall at 10.00 am on the second Sunday of each month. They are led by Mr Pat Wilson
from whom further information can be obtained - tel: 771319.
YOUTH CLUB - There
has been no Thursday evening Junior Youth Club in Todwick for several months due to staffing problems at Rotherham.
However a new Youth Officer for the area has now been appointed and it is
hoped that the Club will re-open before too long.
CONGRATULATIONS to
Sue McKiernan of Roche End who was awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours for her services to disabled athletics.
TODWICK WEB SITE - Don't
forget that you can find this at www.todwick.org.uk
giving all kinds of information about the village. You will be
able to get up-to-date news of the various events planned for Todwick's Golden Jubilee celebrations (see back page of this
Informer).
The Informer is published three times a year by Todwick
Parish Council from 10 High Street, South Anston, Sheffield S25 5AY. The next issue
will appear in July 2002.
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