Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 6 June 2012 at Kilham Hall commencing at 7.00 p.m.

 

PRESENT: Councillors G Warrender (Chairman), J Worthington (Vice-Chair), B Fussey, B Cheetham and N Williams 

                                 

IN ATTENDANCE:   J Staniforth (Clerk to the Council), Ward Councillor Y Woodcock and Paul Butler (Head of Planning for Yorkshire Region of Barratt and David Wilson Homes)

 

On opening the meeting the Chair requested that a minute’s silence be observed in respect of the late Joan Clarkson a former long serving parish councillor.

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

No members of the public were in attendance.

 

1)         APOLOGIES

The Clerk reported that apologies had been received from Councillors Y Butterworth and M Sidebottom

RESOLVED (1)

That the apologies be received and accepted.

 

2)         DECLARATION OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS

A declaration of personal interest was received from Councillor Fussey in respect of items 3, 7c) and 8 relating to Kilham Hall. Members present confirmed that there were no amendments to the Register of Interests.

 

3) PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT TO THE NORTH OF DONCASTER ROAD BY BARRATT AND DAVID WILSON HOMES

Mr Paul Butler circulated a copy of a proposed development of approximately ninety houses on the area of open land north of Doncaster Road of which around 26% would be affordable two or three bedroom homes with the main access from Doncaster Road. The area also included a play area if this was required. It was intended to hold a public exhibition in the near future to outline the plans in more detail. Members of the parish council raised questions in connection with the impact on facilities particularly the local primary school and noise from the motorway. It was explained that the developer may be required to provide funding if pupil number projections for the next five years denoted that the school was likely to be oversubscribed and that the Highways Authority would be undertaking assessment test over the next few weeks. Mr Butler confirmed that pre-planning advice had been sought and that DMBC supported the project in principle as it was within policy development limits and has had former approval for a residential development. Issues were raised in connection with the amount of parking that would be included and it was agreed that as much off street parking as possible would be provided along with garages of an appropriate size.  It was intended to undertake the development as soon as practicably possible and the developer would be either Barratt or David Wilson Homes. A further update would be provided for the next parish council meeting.

Resolved (2)

a) That Mr Butler is thanked for attending the meeting and for the information provided.

b) That Kilham Hall Management Committee is approached regarding the hire of the hall for a public consultation meeting.

 

4)         APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE TO KILHAM HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

RESOLVED (3)

a) That the appointment to the current vacancy be deferred to the next parish council meeting.

b) That Councillor Williams is thanked for his service to the committee.

 

5)         REPORT FROM COMMUNITY POLICING TEAM

No representative of the police was in attendance. The Clerk reported the receipt of information relating to a possible solar panel scam from the South Area Neighbourhood Team.

RESOLVED (4)

That the information be received and noted.

 

6)         REPORT FROM DMBC WARD COUNCILLORS AND UPDATE ON THE FLEXIBLE BUDGET

Councillor Woodcock reported that the meeting relating to the Flexible Budget expenditure on 17 May 2012 had been cancelled so no decisions had been made regarding the awarding of any funding for the current financial year and there was no funding left from the previous year. It was explained that the budget could not normally be used for maintaining or improving road.  An update was provided in respect of developments relating to DMBC’s role with the Keepmoat Stadium.  A motorised sweeper had been sent to try and improve the quality of pavements in Branton but had not been particularly successful as some pavements were now breaking up and required some resurfacing work.

RESOLVED (5)

That Councillor Woodcock is thanked for the information provided.

           

7)         MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 2 MAY 2012

RESOLVED (6)

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

 

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

a) Highway Matters – DMBC had erected ‘No Parking’ signs on the grass verges opposite Branton Farm Nursery and at Chapel Lane and other areas of parking on verges were being monitored. There had been no further incidents relating to BT vans obstructing the pavements. No acknowledgement had been received from Royal Mail regarding driving over the grass verges on Saturdays.  DMBC had agreed to edge the footpath between Branton and Auckley in the autumn.  Pavements had been inspected and details passed to the Assessment Team for consideration.

b)      Recreation Ground – The weed and feed treatment had been undertaken and appeared to be working well. The painting of the play apparatus would be undertaken after the summer holidays. The resurfacing of the play area had been completed and appeared satisfactory. The Branton Juniors Football Club had expressed appreciation for use of the recreation field for training

c)      Kilham Hall – The side gate had been repaired by the Council’s Handyman and Mr Park had been informed of this. The Management Committee had responded that the NHS would need to pay for the hire the hall for health checks,

c) Community – The village plinths had been planted with bedding plants and the planter at Old Cantley would be undertaken in the next week.

d)      Planning – The Neighbourhood Planning questionnaire had been competed and returned.

e)      Administration – The Clerk would complete the General Power of Competence module following training. The Health and Safety Policy was being compiled as time would allow. A date for the Clerk’s appraisal meeting would be arranged at the next parish council meeting.

f)        Staffing Matters – Due to the confidential nature of items to be discussed this item is excluded from publication in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960.

RESOLVED (7)

a)       That a letter is sent to Royal Mail requesting that drives refrain from driving on the grass verges adjacent to post boxes on Milton Road and St Vincents Avenue.

b)      That a further approach is made to Kilham Hall Management Committee regarding the possible use of the office premises on Tuesday morning to enable free health checks to be provided by the NHS.

c) That all other information is received and duly noted.

 

9)         KILHAM HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT

Councillor Fussey reported that the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations had been very successful with all 100 tickets sold plus additional ones sold on the day. Photographs would be uploaded on the parish council’s website. It was apparent that residents had only recently been made aware of the existence of the hall and there would be a table at the next school fete to promote the facilities. Regular bookings included street dancing sessions for different age groups of children, Zumba, Pilates and the social dancing on Friday evenings.  A need for lockable external electrical sockets and more tables had been raised.  Damage to the fascia boards was still to be addressed and it was suggested that the original builder be contacted to undertake the work. The current bank balance was around £13.5k

RESOLVED (8)

That the information be noted.

 

10)       RECREATION GROUND/GARDEN ISSUES AND REQUEST FOR USE OF THE CAR PARK BY BRANTON JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB

Discussion took place on the request for use of the car park however it was felt that this could cause difficulties with users of the hall who may then have to park on the road.  The following matters were raised: removal of daffodil leaves at the Rose Garden, provision of a stake to support the Salix plant, repair to the original pedestrian gate, repair to the side gate leading to the play area. Discussion also took place on health and safety issues relating to maintenance of the garden areas including the requirement to carry our legionnaires disease checks as soon as practicably possible.

RESOLVED (9)

a)      That permission for use of the car park is declined to avoid any impact on users of the hall.

b)      That the Clerk contacts the Handyman regarding repairs and gardening work identified.

c)      That Health and Safety issues are considered further at the next parish council meeting.

d)      That Councillor Williams seeks advice from DSM Plumbing on draining and testing the showers.

 

11)       REPORT FROM THE INTERNAL AUDITOR

RESOLVED (10)

That the receipt of the report circulated with the agenda confirming there were no issues identified and that the accounts had been maintained to a high standard is received and noted.

 

12)       PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND UPDATE

The following new applications were considered;

11/02878/FUL

 20 Warnington Drive

a)    Erection of detached dwelling and detached garage following demolition of existing  – AMENDED PLANS

No comments

12/01127/FUL

41 Oak Tree Road

b)    Erection of pitched roof extension/alterations to rear of detached bungalow

No comments

12/01251/FUL

Railway Bridge at Bessacarr

c)     Approval for works to Railway Bridge

Comments

12/01372/FUL

5 Warning Tongue Lane

d)                                           Erection of pitched roof sun lounge extension to rear of property Including formation of new access cellar

No comments

Details of decisions reached since the last meeting were circulated

RESOLVED (11)

That the Clerk notifies the Planning Authority of the parish council’s recommendations relating to the new planning applications and in respect of application 12/01251/FUL that comments are submitted that as the bridge is local historic interest and sited next to an ancient woodland measures should be enacted to preserve the appearance of the bridge.  A bat survey should also be undertaken.

 

13)       HIGHWAY MATTERS

The following issues were raised;

  • The sign at the junction of Gatewood Lane and Nutwell Lane needed restoring
  • A resident had expressed concern that fleets of coaches were travelling across the weight restricted bridge on Nutwell Lane.
  • The need for footpath repairs Conway Drive, The Close and Kingsmead Avenue in addition to those reported previously on Silverdale Close, Carlton Close and Moor View.
  • Vans parking on grass verges outside a property on Moor View
  • Overgrown hedging on Whiphill Top Lane
  • The poor quality of grass cutting around the parish with rape seed growing in some areas
  • The lack of a dropped kerb at a new property on Chapel Lane

RESOLVED (12)

That the Clerk notifies the relevant DMBC departments of the highway issues identified.

 

14)              WEBSITE ISSUES

There were no issues or concerns to discuss.  .

 

15)       AUTHORISATION OF BANK PAYMENTS

Consideration was given to the schedule of payments for signature.   

RESOLVED (12)

a) That the following payments be duly authorised:

D/12/13

Clerk

June Salary

£518.86

D12/14

Clerk

Postage and Stationery Expenses

£12.92

D12/15

Handyman

Petrol and Hook for gate

£9.49

D12/16

Arrow Publications

June Newsletter

£114

D12/17

Branton Farm Nursery

Bedding Plants

£41.99

D12/18

Doncaster Garden Machinery

Oil and Blade for hedge trimmer

£11.99

D12/19

Doncaster Garden Machinery

Washer for hedge trimmer

£7.19

D12/20

Npower

2011 Christmas Lighting

£98.19

D12/21

Npower

2010 Christmas Lighting

£59.41

D12/22

J Hutchinson

Internal Audit

£50

D12/23

Playgrounds UK Ltd

Resurfacing of Playground

£9,498

D12/24

Playgrounds UK Ltd.

VAT on Resurfacing Playground

£1,889.60

b) That it be noted that a credit note for £500 +vat had been negotiated by the Clerk as the original surface had not been removed but used as part of the new base.

 

16)              ADOPTION OF NEW CODE OF CONDUCT

Consideration was given to template Code of Conduct provided by NALC that had been circulated with the agenda and correspondence received from DMBC which included a model Code of Conduct drawn up by DMBC. It was noted that there would no longer be a separate committee for parish council standards issues and any standards matters would be considered by the DMBC Standards Committee (which had non-voting parish council representatives) which would remain in force.  There was no legal requirement to adopt DMBC’s Code of Conduct.

RESOLVED (13)

a)  That the information circulated with the agenda is received and duly noted.

b)That the Code of Conduct recommended by NALC be adopted from 1 July 2012 on the basis that it was designed for local councils and was more concise than the model recommended by DMBC.

c) That information relating to the publication of members interests be considered at the next meeting following publication of the legislation.

 

17)       ATTENDANCE AT TRAINING COURSES

Details of YLCA training on the new General Power of Competence the Localism Act by a local training provider were considered.

RESOLVED (14)

That the parish council funds 50% of the Clerk’s costs of attending the General Power of Competence Course.

 

18) CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS

The submission of comments in response to the following consultation documents was considered:

a) Infrastructure Planning Regime, b) Appointment of External Auditors, c) Improvements to the Policy and Legal Framework for Public Rights of Way.

RESOLVED (15)

a) That the changes to the Infrastructure Planning Regime be noted.

b) That the continuation of BDO as the External Auditor be supported.

c) That further consideration is given to the framework for Public Rights of Way at the next meeting.

 

19)       ITEMS OF CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence denoted on the agenda was duly considered including the minutes of the last meeting of the PCJCC.

RESOLVED (16)

That the correspondence received is duly noted.

 

20)       DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED (17)

That the next meeting be held on Wednesday 4 July 2012 commencing at 7.00 p.m. at Kilham Hall