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JRW264
TODWICK PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Assembly held in Todwick Village
Hall at 7.30 p.m.
on Tuesday 27th April 2004
PRESENT
Councillor Mosley - Vice Chairman - in the Chair
Councillor Castledine
Councillor Gregory
Councillor Langford
Councillor B Waller
Clerk & Financial Officer - J R Walker
03/168 APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from the Chairman, Councillor L Waller and the
South Yorkshire Police.
03/169 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
There were no amendments.
The minutes of the 2003 Annual Assembly were signed as a correct record.
03/170 MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising.
03/171 URGENT ITEMS FOR LATER CONSIDERATION
1. A57 Road Improvement Scheme
03/172 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
The Chairman was unable to attend the meeting but had prepared a written
statement and this was read out by the Clerk:-
In common with other local Parish Councils we have experienced
difficulty in filling all the seats on the Council and whilst turnover in
representation of Residents is healthy, additional burdens fall on the
remaining Councillors. Interest is being shown by some people but there
are three vacancies, and all interest is welcome.
One of the success stories of the year relates to the Allotments, all
of which are now taken with the exception of one half plot.
Congratulations to Councillor Les Waller and others involved.
A communication from the Charity Commissioners alerted the Council to
the fact that the Village did not own the Sports Field as was our belief.
Enquiries established the correct legal position, which is that the
Council are Trustees of the property on behalf of the Residents. This
arrangement does not alter current practices for the letting of the
facilities.
The highlight of the year has been the successful completion of the
Village Plan, which in a variety of guises has been under consideration
for about three years. As is often the case the magic ingredient which
triggered off an intense period of work for a large group of Residents was
money, in the form of a large grant which came to us via Yorkshire Rural
Communities Council. A steering group, led by Councillors, capitalised on
work done in previous years and devised and distributed a Questionnaire,
with assistance of Consultants, to which there was a very high response.
The report is now complete and it is hoped that there is the same level of
enthusiasm in carrying out the recommendations of the Plan as was put into
the earlier work.
Councillors have spent more time attending local liaison meetings and
training courses than in previous years to ensure that new regulations and
legislation are understood and taken into consideration in discussions and
when making decisions. Local meetings with representatives of other
Councils present an opportunity for information gathering and
collaboration, and most importantly to ensure that the voice of Todwick is
heard.
Nationally each City, Borough and Town are required by Government to
make plans to respond to emergencies and disasters and in turn to ensure
that all local communities are aware of the requirements and able to play
a part according to their facilities. This may sound alarming but Council
members attended a briefing session presented by Rotherham MBC and were
reassured to find that a comprehensive system is in place in Rotherham to
manage exceptional situations and surrounding communities will be involved
in detailed planning in the near future.
In August last year Rotherham MBC made a presentation at a public
meeting in the Village Hall on subject of the proposed upgrade of the A
57. Several suggestions made by residents were taken away for
consideration. Another meeting has just been announced and will take place
just a few days before this report is published, and doubtless Rotherham
MBC will once again have the benefit of the practical and well thought
views of the residents of Todwick.
All Councillors are to be thanked, and especially for their additional
efforts in the past year and special mention is due to Councillor John
Mosley who has provided invaluable support. The Informer, produced
quarterly by Editor Mary Gregory, is of an enviably high standard and
special thanks are due. The Clerk to the Council, Rod Walker, brings to
his work skills and knowledge which are the envy of other Councils, and
having completed 20 years in the post I offer congratulations on behalf of
the Council and our hopes that we will benefit from his services for many
years to come.
Please note that copies of the Informer and the Council Minutes are
available on the Todwick website www.todwick.org.uk
at the same time as the print versions.
03/173 CLERK & FINANCIAL OFFICER'S REPORT
Clerk reported on the work carried out over the previous year. It
had been his 20th as Clerk and he hoped to continue his service for many
years to come. He thanked all members for their assistance.
03/174 APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2003/4
Clerk had prepared copies of the Receipts and Payments Account for
the last financial year. He gave a detailed explanation and answered
questions.
Resolved to approve the Receipts and Payments Account and Statement
of Assurance for Financial Year 2003/4.
03/175 COMMITTEE REPORTS
Footpaths
Gregory reported on the work undertaken. Although no longer able
herself to walk the footpaths as she had done in the past, she had
extensive knowledge of the network and had continued to liaise with RMBC
and Pat Wilson who led the monthly walks.
Allotments
B Waller was delighted to report the 95% cultivation of plots. The
site was looking the best it had for many years. The high proportion of
cultivation would reduce the expenditure necessary to maintain
uncultivated plots. The Village Maintenance Contractor had been a great
help.
Recreation
Mosley was delighted to report heavy usage of the facilities
available. Football had just finished for the season but cricket and
bowling were underway.
Village Hall
Mosley was the Council representative and Vice Chairman. Six
meetings were held per year. The preparation of the Village Plan had
assisted in applying for grants to undertake the proposed extension and
improvement of the building.
03/176 URGENT ITEMS
1. A57 Road Improvement Scheme
There were a number of parishioners in attendance. Mr Green, Mr Castledine,
Mr Smith and Mr Hartley all expressed their objection to the scheme
presently approved by the Highways Agency. There would be many problems
which would have a detrimental effect on road safety. Their objections
included unsatisfactory access into and from Goosecarr Lane, restricted
access for emergency vehicles and pedestrian access across the new
carriageway, adverse effect on bus services, increased traffic flows
throughout Kiveton Lane. They favoured revisions which included the
provision of a roundabout at the Goosecarr Lane junction.
Clerk explained details of the letter sent to Kevin Barron MP.
Mosley confirmed the Council's objection to the approved scheme and
gave details of the action taken by the Council to date.
The Assembly closed at 9.20 p.m.
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