Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 5 June 2013 at Kilham Hall commencing at 7.00 p.m.

 

PRESENT: Councillors G Warrender (Vice-Chair), Y Butterworth, B Cheetham, B Fussey and       

 M Sidebottom

                             

IN ATTENDANCE: J A Staniforth (Clerk to the Council), Ward Councillors P Schofield and Y Woodcock, P Midgley and M Gannon (Bessacarr Forum representatives) and two members of the public.  

 

Members of the public expressed concern over the continuing speeding traffic on Whiphill Top Lane and that there had been another incident involving a car the previous day that had been attended by the  police. It was felt that a danger existed to pedestrians crossing the road in the vicinity of the fork junction on Whiphill Top Lane and a number of minor incidents had occurred that had not been reported.  Members of the parish council recommended that any incident is reported to the police on 101. Requests had been made for an increased use of speed detection equipment and the equipment had been operated for short periods twice in the past week.  It was agreed that speeding occurred mainly between 7.00 and 9.30am and 3.30 to 6.00pm and a request should be made for use of the equipment during these periods. Councillor Woodcock agreed to contact the police Details of the alterations to the fork junction at Whiphill Top Lane were outlined and that road from Whiphill Top Lane to New Road would be closed for the duration of the road works commencing on 10 June 2013.

 

1)         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from the Chair Councillor Worthington and N Williams. In the absence of the Chair the Vice- Chair took the Chair.

RESOLVED (1)

That the apologies be received and accepted.

 

2)         DECLARATIONS OF OTHER DISCLOSABLE INTERESTS/AMENDMENTS TO MEMBERS REGISTER OF INTEREST FORMS

Councillor Fussey declared a disclosable other interest in respect of Items 9. Councillor Sidebottom had not yet attended a meeting of the Kilham Hall Management Committee and requested that her appointment as a parish council representative be recorded on her Register of Interest Form.

RESOLVED (2)

That the Clerk provides Councillor Sidebottom with an ‘Amendment to Register of Interest’ form and that this is duly completed and forwarded to DMBC’s Monitoring Officer as soon as practicably possible.

 

3)         REPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY POLICING TEAM

The Clerk reported that a request for a report for the meeting had been made but no written report was available. Sergeant Butler had provided an oral report stating that he and PCs J Venables, N Green and G Stitch were being relocated to the airport due to security issues and the contact at Rossington Police Station would be PS R Higham. The speed gun had been used twice recently in Branton but not for the 9 hours per month as Inspector Cowling was not aware of the time allocation agreement.

RESOLVED (3)

That the information be received and duly noted.

 

4)                  REPORT FROM DMBC WARD COUNCILLORS

Councillor Woodcock reported that there had been a further reorganisation of DMBC’s Neighbourhood Teams and the Finningley Ward was now split between two Area Managers. New dining facilities had been completed at Hayfield School.

Councillor Schofield formally thanked Councillor Woodcock for her work within the ward during the last four years whilst she had undertaken Cabinet responsibilities and that following the appointment of a new cabinet she would now focus entirely on ward matters. Details of the new theatre were outlined and that Councillor B Johnson’s portfolio included tourism, culture and leisure.  The tourist information centre was being relocated to the Mansion House and Elmfield House was due to close. A new Director for Children’s Services had been appointed. There would be a Volunteer Day at The Mansion House on 11 June 2013. An enquiry was made regarding the progress of Section 106 funding from the Woodlands Walk development and it was clarified that the first funding was due on completion of 32 houses.  The issue of contractors using The Close for access and leaving mud on the road was reported by members.

RESOLVED (4)

That the Ward Councillors are thanked for their attendance and the information provided.

 

5)         MANOR FARM DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

 

The two representatives from Bessacarr Forum were welcomed to the meeting and provided members with a document outlining the history of the site. It was explained that the following the successful appeal to allow the site to be developed the Forum had focused on matters of safety mainly relating to the two level crossings and the fact that there would only be one main entrance to the site other than some limited capacity via Warren Lane.  The Forum felt that at the public enquiry Network Rail had not provided enough detailed information to explain the increased risk to safety that were particularly relevant following a recent civil case relating to two fatalities that had occurred on a similar crossing. Consequently the need to provide an underpass at the earliest opportunity rather than after the completion of 276 houses was deemed a priority.

Discussion took place on a second application that had been submitted by the land owners that was in addition to the application approved from Persimmon Homes and that Persimmon Homes did not currently own the land.  The Forum were currently pressing DMBC to treat the recent application as a new application and not an extension of the application agreed on appeal and that if it was deemed lawful for the application to be considered as an extension that if be considered by the Planning Committee so that it could be heard in public.  Reference was also made to the upgrading of the main Doncaster to Lincoln rail line which would pass through the Development and the increased rail traffic should be taken into account in respect of rail crossing requirements.

RESOLVED (5)

a) That the members of the Forum are thanked for their attendance and the information provided.

b) That DMBC are requested to consider the latest application to develop Manor Farm in public at a Planning Committee meeting or if it is deemed as a new application that it is considered under the latest planning legislation with any new information taken into account.

 

6)         MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 1 MAY 2013

 RESOLVED (6)

That the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting be agreed and signed by the Chairman.

 

7)         CLERK’S REPORT ON ACTION ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Consideration was given to the report provided by the Clerk relating to actions required from the previous meeting that had been circulated.  Members were informed that the Clerk had met with a Senior Planning Officer to visit the building that had been recently erected on land between May Dene an Willow Farm. It had been discovered that the land had been leased and the tenant was proposing to clear the site for horses to graze and the possible storage of vehicles. The Planning Officer confirmed that planning consent was required for the erection of the building and any change of use and that she would contact the land owner to discuss this. The Planning Officer explained that there was no written policy relating to advertising and that the legislation was particularly complex but did allow any business to advertise on its own land other than on the front of a building directly facing the main highway and only in respect of the its own business. Other sites that had previously been a cause of concern were to be viewed.

Details of the fencing that had been provided on Valley Drive to restrict the parking of vehicles were outlined and that St Leger Homes had agreed to re-site the ‘No Ball Games’ sign on Valley Drive.

YLCA had responded to the comment regarding the cost and location of training courses stating that the cost of the Planning Course reflected the engaging of a qualified Planner and that the reasons for choosing hotels rather than village halls was to ensure the venue was adequately prepared. It would be possible to hold sessions in South Yorkshire on any day of the week if a suitable conference venue was available.

 RESOLVED (7)

That the information be received and duly noted.

 

8)                  ISSUES RAISED BY THE PUBLIC

RESOLVED (8)

a) That the police are requested to continue use of the speed detection equipment on Whiphill Top Lane during early morning and evening and that any incidents reported are placed on record for future information.

b) That details of the incident occurring on 4 June 2013 at the fork junction are requested.

 

9)         KILHAM HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT

Councillor Fussey reported that there had been no meetings of the committee since the last parish council meeting with the next meeting scheduled for 17 June 2013. Arrangements for the Fun Day were progressing and the leak from the kitchen had been repaired. The bank balance was currently £15,820.

 RESOLVED (9)

That the information be received and duly noted.

 

10)       REPORT ON MAIN DRAINAGE/SEWERAGE CONNECTION FOR KILHAM HALL

Consideration was given to the report from GNE Contracting Ltd relating to the feasibility of connecting Kilham Hall to the main sewerage system on Whiphill Top Lane. GNE had previously estimated the cost between £13-15k and there would be road closure costs of around £1k to include. Severn Trent had advised that the cost of the actual application would be £440 +vat and there would be a cost for ascertaining the capacity of the existing sewer which GNE had quoted as £60+vat.

RESOLVED (10)

That GNE be asked to submit the application to ascertain the capacity of the sewer on Whiphill Top Lane and providing there is sufficient capacity an application to seek approval to undertake the connection is made as soon as possible in order that tenders can be sought for the work after the July 2013 meeting.

 

11)       RECREATION GROUND AND GARDEN MATTERS

Following notification from GNE regarding missing screws from one of the picnic tables and some sharp edges on the perimeter fencing around the children’s play area a local resident in liaison with the Handyman had carried out the work. A number of favourable comments had been received in respect of the provision of the picnic tables and it was suggested that preservative be applied in the autumn.

Discussion took place on summer bedding plants requirements.

RESOLVED (11)

That the Handyman in consultation with the Clerk purchases bedding plants for the three village plinths and planter at Old Cantley with the fourth plinth planted following its relocation.

 

12)       HIGHWAY MATTERS

The following matters were raised:

• The weigh limit sign opposite the Rose Garden had been displaced and required repositioning
• The surface of an area of pavement on the corner of Poppyfields Way and Springwood Close had been removed and was now uneven exposing adhesive material.

RESOLVED (12)

That the Clerk notifies DMBC to request work is undertaken to remedy the issues.

 

13)       PLANNING MATTERS

Consideration was given to the following applications:

 

Woodlands Walk Development 13/00984/WCC 13/00818/FUL	Changes to Condition 2 re affordable housing plot nos. 40-49 Substitution of detached house type for plot 77	No comments No comments
13/00983/FUL 7 Carlton Close	Erection of single storey extensions to front/side/rear	No comments
13/00998/FUL 22 Warning Tongue Lane	Erection of dwelling on 0.12ha of land following demolition of existing garage	No comments

 

It was noted that applications 11/02798/FUL (YWLP), 13/00661/TPO to fell a sycamore tree at Old Cantley and 13/00566/FUL an extension to a property on Doncaster Road had been granted.

RESOLVED (11)

That no comments or objections be submitted in respect of the applications considered and details of decisions reached since the last meeting are noted.

 

14)       2012/13 INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT

Members noted the receipt of the report that had been circulated with the agenda and that there were no issues for consideration and that the accounts had been maintained to a high standard.

RESOLVED (12)

That the report is received and the Clerk is thanked for the maintenance of the financial records.

 

15)       CONSULTATION FOR THE NEXT PCJCC ON ROAD SIDE MEMORIALS/TRIBUTES POLICY

Consideration was given to the information circulated with the agenda relating to the procedures adopted by the police in respect of roadside memorials and tributes which was to be discussed at the next DMBC PCJCC meeting with comments requested by the Chair of the committee in advance of the meeting.

RESOLVED (15)

That the Chair of the PCJCC be informed that the parish council concurs with DMBC’s procedures.

 

16)       WEBSITE ISSUES

The Clerk reported that the webmaster had indicated that the parish council should take over the payment for hosting fees as this would enable any change of website management to be undertaken more easily. The cost of web management for the next year would be around £330 + hosting fees of around £60 per annum. There were no other matters to report.

RESOLVED (16)

 That the website fees be considered on receipt of written information from the webmaster.

 

17)       AUTHORISATION OF BANK PAYMENTS           

Consideration was given to the schedule of payments for signature.  

RESOLVED (15)

That the following payment made be duly authorised:

D/13/09	Clerk	May salary	£506.71
D/13/10	Handyman	Petrol for gardening machinery	£13.10
D/13/11	nPower	Electricity for Christmas lights	£100.21
D/13/12	RAY	Annual subscription	£35
D/13/13	Clerk	Postage and envelopes	£9.86
D/13/14	J Hutchinson	Internal audit	£55
D/13/15	Veolia	19 April grass cutting	£35.68
D/13/16	GNE Contracting Ltd	Assembling and securing picnic tables	£1,083.20

 

18)       INVITATION TO VISIT TOOTHILL’S FARM IN AUCKLEY

Members present expressed an interest in accepting the invitation and outlined their availability.

RESOLVED (18)

That the date of the visit be preferably on a Friday, otherwise not on a Tuesday or 3 July the date of the next meeting.

 

19)       ITEMS OF CORRESPONDENCE

Consideration was given to a consultation relating to mobile connectivity and proposals to simplify the planning process. 

RESOLVED (19)

a)      That the items of correspondence be received and duly noted.

b)      That YLCA is notified that the council supports measures to improve the speed and efficiency of communications.

 

20)       DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED (20)

That the next meeting be held on Wednesday 3 July commencing at 7.00 pm at Kilham Hall.