TODWICK VILLAGE

Todwick Parish
Council Minutes

JRW/289

TODWICK PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held in Todwick Village Hall
at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 28th March 2006

Present
Councillor Pantry - Chairman
Councillor Langford
Councillor Cloke
Councillor Gregory
Councillor Kettell
Councillor B Waller
Councillor L Waller

J R Walker - Clerk

Tina Chamberlain, South Yorkshire Community Development and Monitoring Officer was in attendance. She explained the bidding process necessary to apply for RTF monies related to the Village Plan. Preference would be given to applications to support youth, environmental and information society projects in particular.

Chairman thanked her for her attendance. The Council hoped to apply for assistance for capital expenditure such as the provision of fencing at the Children's Playground and the erection of a Public Rights of Way Information Notice Board.

05/139 APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Councillors Palmer and Varah.

05/140 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - 28th February 2006
There were no amendments.
The minutes were signed as a correct record.

05/141 MATTERS ARISING
1. 05/130(4)
Gregory asked the Clerk to send a further letter to Mrs. Sternberg.

2. 05/130(10)
Kettell gave details of his attendance at the Customer Care Focus Group Session.
Resolved that the Clerk write to RMBC expressing dissatisfaction with the comments made by the Highway Schemes Engineer. Many of the public highways in the Parish were in a poor state of repair. A site meeting to inspect the streets was to be requested.

3. 05/132
Cloke reported on the latest situation with regard to the A57 Improvement Scheme and the referral to the Ombudsman. A Roads Inspector was to be called in to give advice to the Ombudsman and this was seen as being favourable to the Group's objectives.

05/142 URGENT ITEMS FOR LATER CONSIDERATIONS
1. South Yorkshire Transport
2. School Governor Representation
3. Village Hall Improvement Plans

05/143 CLERK'S REPORT
Clerk had undertaken all the duties placed on him at the last meeting including receiving allotment rents on 19th March. He had attended a further meeting of the Village Hall Improvement Liaison Group.

05/144 FINANCIAL OFFICER'S REPORT

The Meeting was Suspended at 8.30 p.m.

OPEN SESSION
1. Mr. Rusling asked for information about the latest proposals to improve the village hall.
Chairman/Clerk gave details.

2. Mrs. Wainwright gave information about a grant application for the provision of a toy storage shed made by the Toddler Group.

3. Mrs. Wainwright thanked the Clerk for his letter to the Junior Football Club advising of the need to allow the Cricket Club time to prepare the crocket pitch and wicket.

Open Session Closed at 8.50 p.m.

05/145 CORRESPONDENCE
Copies of correspondence received by the Clerk had been circulated with the papers for the meeting.

1. RMBC - Parish Council Liaison Meeting

2. RMBC - Member Development Programme Update

3. Deputy Prime Minister - Section 137 Expenditure
Clerk explained the revision and the effect on any future donations and funding of local groups or activities.

4. Wales Parish Council - Pharmaceutical list
Resolved that the Clerk ascertain whether the objection to allow a further facility in Wales parish had been upheld.

5. RMBC Mayor - Invitation to Civic Service
Chairman would represent the Council.

6. RMBC - Standard's Committee

7. YLCA - Gratuities and the New Taxation Regime for Pensions after 6 April 2006

8. Land Registry - First Registration of Parish Council Land
Resolved to ascertain whether the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations would give advice on the desirability and methodology for registering Parish Council owned land.

9. SYPTE - Concessionary Fares

10. Champs Camps - Football Academy
Resolved not to allow the Saturday morning training sessions.

11. Red Lion - The Late John Mosley
Resolved

1. Not to name a street, the village hall or any other Council controlled facility after the late Councillor John Mosley.
2. To suggest that the Hotel name one of their bars or provide a wayside seat in his memory.

12. Defra - Regional Parish Plan Conference
Chairman had attended.

13. Sheila Pantry - Fun day & Garden/Historic Trail

14. SAFE@Last - Thank You for Donation

15. 2010 Rotherham Limited - Board Representation

16. RMBC - Liaison Meeting

17. South Yorkshire NHS - Consultation

18. RMBC - Joint Working Charter Signing Ceremony
Chairman hoped to be able to attend.

19. RMBC - "Frontloaders" Event

20. YLCA - Membership Renewal
Resolved to renew membership at a cost of £294

05/146 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Clerk no applications had been received since the last meeting.

05/147 COMMITTEES
7 Parishes
Resolved that the Parish Council be represented by Councillors Cloke, Gregory, Kettell and Palmer.

05/148 CLERK's GRATUITY
Clerk explained that the Council had previously approved the payment of a gratuity to him on his retirement in accordance with the existing regulations. This gratuity had been registered with and approved by the Inland Revenue. Had he retired before 6 April 2006 the gratuity would have been paid entirely free of any deduction for tax. This was to be changed as from 6 April 2006. The lump sum gratuity had been granted by the Council in preference to regular pension payments for the duration of the Clerk's employment. At the time the gratuity had been seen by the Council as a less expensive method of ensuring that the Clerk receive financial recognition of his service when he retired.
Resolved

1. To pay the maximum gratuity possible to the Clerk on his retirement.
2. That HM Revenue and Customs be informed in order that existing rights for service by the Clerk to 5 April 2006 be protected and that accordingly that part of the lump sum be paid tax-free.

05/149 PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL AWARDS
Resolved

1. To offer a number of Annual Awards for Outstanding Achievement.
2. That details of the type, number and value of awards be determined by a group comprising Councillors Cloke, Gregory, Palmer and B Waller.

05/150 VILLAGE MAINTENANCE
L Waller gave details of the very satisfactory work carried out by the Contractor.

05/151 NOTICE BOARD
Gregory would make further contact with the RMBC Footpaths Officer.

05/152 TODWICK VILLAGE FUN DAY
Chairman declared an interest because his wife was organizing the event. He took no part in the discussion or vote.
Resolved

1. To apply for grant aid of £700 through the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations.
2. To donate £700 from Parish Council funds in the event that the grant application proved unsuccessful.

05/153 URGENT ITEMS
1. South Yorkshire Transport
Cloke reported on his attendance at the meeting at Wales High School. He made particular reference to improvements in the behaviour of students since the introduction of CCTV cameras on school buses and action taken against offenders. He also referred to the "Dial-a-Shopper" Service and the renewal of bus passes.

2. School Governor Representation
Chairman had represented the Council on the Governing Body of the local school and had thoroughly enjoyed the work. Under the latest rules there would be no automatic representation for parish councils. There was the option of applying for the vacancy of Community Governor but he considered this could be better filled by someone with more direct links to the school. He would therefore cease to be a Governor from May 2006.
Resolved to thank the Chairman for his dedication and hard work.

3. Village Hall Improvement Plans
Chairman referred to the latest plans prepared by the Architect. An open morning was to be held in the village hall on 1 April when the whole community was invited to inspect the plans and make comments. These would be analysed by the Building Liaison Group who would have the final decision on the detailed plans to accompany the planning application.

The Meeting Closed at 10.12 p.m.

The next monthly Council Meeting will be in Todwick Village Hall
at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday 25th April 2006
followed by the Annual Parish Assembly at 7.30 p.m.