Treeton Parish Council

TREETON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE

PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE READING ROOM

ON MONDAY 13th DECEMBER 2021

Present:       Councillor: T.W. Adair (Chairman)

Councillors: O.R. Baum-Dixon, V. Beckett, R.J. Croxton,

W. Parker-Foers, J Travis

In attendance:         J. James Clerk to the Council        

2021/197 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Levin

2021/198 Public Question Time

1 member of the public attended, there were no questions.

2021/199 Declaration of Interests

There were no declarations of interest.

2021/200 Minutes of Previous Meetings

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held 22nd November 2021 and Extraordinary Parish Council meeting held 30th November 2021 were taken as read, copies having been circulated to all members of the Parish Council previously and with the agenda.

Resolved:     That the minutes are approved and signed by the Chairman.

Proposed:     Councillor Parker-Foers

Seconded:    Councillor Beckett

Cllr Baum-Dixon joined the meeting

2021/201 Matters Arising

2021/53 and 2021/78  Land r/o Wood Lane and r/o Mill LaneThe Clerk reported that in respect of Wood Lane RMBC have clarified their requirements

In respect of Mill Lane, she reported that RMBC have responded to advise that they are aware this is an outstanding issue.

2021/168      Staffing resources: Clearing & keeping tidy pavements/land more broadly in RMBC ownership –

The Clerk reported she is still in email exchange with RMBC to ensure that they will collect the waste from clearing pavements as they are doing leaves and for permission tidy r/o war memorial and to sever ivy and tidy around the trees in the gardens of elderly persons bungalows on Station Road opposite Church Lane.

Cllr Parker-Foers expressed her disappointment in the lack of engagement by RMBC and their unwillingness to continue to deliver routine cleaning and maintenance in Treeton pointing to Washfield Lane which is regrettably beginning to look over grown again.

2021/ 179     Litter bins – The Clerk reported that RMBC are still looking at the request for the 4 missing bins but have located a new bin at the bus stop at the end of Treeton Lane.

2021/181      Community Payback scheme – The Clerk reported RMBC have advised that they are exploring options.

2021/202 Clerk’s Report & Correspondence Received

The Clerk’s report previously circulated was noted. It detailed the following:

1. RMBC - Updates on Covid-19 and related matters across the Borough.
2. RMBC - Planning applications and decisions across the Borough.
3. RMBC - Weekly traffic reports across the Borough.
4. RMBC - Licensing applications across the Borough.
5. RMBC - Town Centre news.
6. RMBC - Rotherham Round up.
7. RMBC – Footpath off Flatts Lane – request that some forms of gate/boulders are put at the entrance widened as a result of YWA works to prevent unauthorised vehicle access. Cllr Beckett reported that a car had very recently been driven down the track and set alight requiring the fire brigade to attend. Action Clerk to contact RMBC and Ward Councillors
8. RMBC - Revised Joint Working Agreement 
9. SYPTE - Details of Supertram service changes & Stagecoach bus disruption as a result of planned industrial action, reminder that face coverings are now mandatory and Christmas/New year timetables
10. Alexander Stafford MP – Christmas Card
11. Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust exploring interest in their nature recovery programme.
12. South Yorkshire Archaeological Service - South Yorkshire Local Heritage List first round of candidates and details of how to make a nomination
13. YLCA - White Rose updates and Law & Governance Bulletin
14. YLCA - Training courses
15. YLCA - Regulation and guidance on face coverings and that meetings must be held in person
16. Rev P Barringer -Invitation on behalf of the Bishop of Sheffield to his licensing as Team Rector and Oversight Minister in the Rivers Team
17. Resident – ongoing issues with 4x4 off roading r/o Mill Lane – reported to SY.Police, RMBC and Alexander Stafford MP Action Clerk to raise as part of email to address off roading of Flatts Lane and include off Well Lane.
18. Waverley CC – advice that the footpath by River Rother will close early December whilst electrical work is completed and that the Red Shale path will reopen in January
19. DEFRA – Housing and other measures introduced to manage risks from avian flu – allotment tenants with poultry advised.
20. Resident – mud on Wood Lane from Jones Homes site – referred to RMBC Planning
21. Rotherham South Community Police newsletter

LATES

1. RMBC – Reminder about the Community Flood Resilience event 14 Dec 2021

2021/203 Borough Councillors Report

Item not taken

2021/204 Use of secure email addresses

Cllr Baum-Dixon provided details of the services and costings for 2Commune, Cloudabove and Cloud Next to provide secure email services for the Parish Council recommending that Cloudabove best meets the Parish Councils requirements in terms of simplicity and ease of use, security and pricing structure.

Resolved:     That the Parish Council will now move towards secure emails and that Cllr Baum-Dixon obtains a firm quote and further details from Cloudabove on the next steps.

Proposed:     Councillor Baum-Dixon

Seconded:    Councillor Travis

2021/205 Planning & Review of Progress on Projects through 2021

1. General items

The Christmas lights and nativity are all now in place and look well, agreed to review in January with thoughts for December 2022

Arrangements for the Christmas Drop in at the Reading Room were confirmed

The forward planner was noted and agreed that Parish Councillors would exchange ideas amongst themselves by email for HM The Queen’s Jubilee to prepare for a substantive discussion at the next meeting.

2. Proposals from meeting with RMBC regarding improvements to Well Lane playpark

Nothing further to report

3. Proposals for a MUGA on the Cowfield

Item not taken

2021/206 Standing Items

1. Reading Room

Housing & Parish Councillor surgeries: it was agreed that monthly themed drop-ins should be explored at the January meeting and that Parish Councillor attendance would be:

15 Dec 10.00-11.30 – Cllrs Travis & Adair

12 Jan 10.00-11.00 – Cllr Adair

26 Jan 10.00-11.00 – Cllr Travis

2. Allotments/Garage sites

The Clerk and Cllr Parker-Foers reported on the recent check of allotments where concerns had been raised with tenants.

Resolved:     That the two tenants who have tidied their allotments be thanked for that work.

That a tenant be thanked for reducing the height of conifers and asked to prune back the width.

That one months’ notice to terminate tenancy be given to 2 tenants where plots remain unturned.

That a further 2 tenants are required to reduce the height of a few remaining confers substantially before end February but with a deadline of end of June.

That a further tenant is required to complete work to tidy trees, debris and address concerns over poultry with an absolute deadline of end of February

Proposed:     Councillor Beckett

Seconded:    Councillor Croxton

It was noted during the allotment check that plots were in varying condition with piles of debris, bricks etc although accepted that winter isn’t the best time in the garden.

Agreed to write to all tenants in the Spring reminding them separately from the general reminder that goes out with their rent demand that their plots do need to be well kept and the Parish Council are proactively managing the allotment and garage plots will enforce the conditions of tenancy.

3. Burial Ground

Extension to the burial ground

The Clerk reported she was still trying to locate any deeds without which establishing ownership and entitlement to register the land would be a challenge and seeking advice from solicitors who might act for the Parish Council to register the land.

Agreed that the Clerk asks Foys for copies of all deeds and leases they hold and whether they would provide safe storage for all Parish Council property deeds and leases  

4. Recreation Ground and Play areas

Nothing to report

5. Environment

Old Burial Ground Gates

Resolved:     That if the Friends of St Helen’s provide paint Parish Council staff resources can be used to paint the gates.

Proposed:     Councillor Baum-Dixon

Seconded:    Councillor Travis

6. Planning Applications

The weekly lists of planning applications and planning decisions in the Borough were circulated by email to all Parish Councillors. There has been one planning application in Treeton by YWA for alterations at the sewerage processing plants on Long Lane.

The Clerk reported that there is still no further information on the decision on the application to build on the site of the old MUGA.

2021/207 Report from Representatives on External Bodies

1. RMBC/Parish Council’s Liaison Committee

Nothing to report.

2. YLCA Branch Representatives

Nothing to report.

3. Treeton Youth Club

The Chairman reported an average of 25 young people attend the youth club enjoying a range of activities. The provision of hot meals is currently paused due to the pandemic however the Community Centre are exploring options to restart them.

4. Community Centre & Playing Fields Memorial Committee

Nothing to report

2021/208 Community Centre

The Chairman reported that £475 had been raised for the Children’s Hospital Helipad appeal through a number of events including coffee mornings and that the centre had funded 100 selection boxes for children in the village.

2021/209 Chairman’s Review

The Chairman reported that the Christmas tree lights on the lamp posts across the village and the nativity scene had been very well received. He thanked the litter pickers for their continued hard work and was pleased see them enjoy the bacon butties funded by the Parish Council as a way of expressing appreciation.

2021/210 Finance and General Purposes

1. Pension Provision

Resolved:     That a NEST pension would be offered with an employer contribution matching that of the employee to a maximum of 5% gross pay.

Proposed:     Councillor Baum-Dixon

Seconded:    Councillor Parker-Foers

2. Budget Monitoring

The Clerk presented a monitoring statement of expenditure against budget and an up-to-date financial statement of the Parish Council’s affairs, these were noted.

3. Precepting 2022/23: Draft 2022/23 budget & to agree the Precept

Resolved:     That the draft 2022/23 budget is noted and that the 2022/23 Parish precept demand is unchanged from previous years and is £56,000

Proposed      Councillor Beckett

Seconded     Councillor Baum-Dixon

4. Approval of accounts for payment

The following accounts were approved for payment.

Receipts                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   £

Payments

Proposed:     Councillor Parker-Foers

Seconded:    Councillor Beckett

Bank & Cash Book Reconciliation 25th November 2021

2021/211 Any Other Urgent Business

1. COVID restrictions & Business Continuity

The Clerk reported that clauses 4.1, 4.5 & 5.5 of the Parish Council’s Financial Regulations will be used to ensure business continuity in the event government restrictions to manage the COVID pandemic result in an inability to meet and there being no provision introduced by the government to allow for a return to virtual meetings.

2. Use of Reserves & Community Infrastructure Levy

• Agenda to agenda a substantial discussion at the January meeting and ask that Cllr Levin be asked to share the feedback from the Facebook consultation she undertook in the Spring of the views of residents on what they would like to see in the village particularly by way of either additional or improvements to infrastructure.

2021/212 Date of the Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting was arranged for Mon 24th January 2022 at 6.30pm.

2021/213 Exclusion of the Press & Public

Resolved:     To exclude the Press & Public on the grounds that the consideration of the following items may involve the likely disclosure of confidential information (s1 (2) Public Bodies (Admission of Meetings) Act 1960).

Proposed:     Councillor Parker-Foers

Seconded:    Councillor Beckett

2021/214 Update on actions in respect of Staffing Resources to deliver Parish Priorities

The Clerk updated the meeting on a number of staffing matters.

It was agreed to invite Ward Councillors Allen, Brookes and Miro along with Alexander Stafford MP to the next Parish Council meeting with the aim of engaging with RMBC to address some of the work needed to keep the village clean and tidy.

The workload of the Clerk was reviewed, support offered and priorities agreed.

2021/215 Suspension of Standing Orders

Resolved:     That Standing Orders limiting the length of a Parish Council meeting to 2 hours be suspended to allow business to be completed.

Proposed:     Councillor Parker-Foers

Seconded:    Councillor Travis

2021/216 Property matters

It was agreed that Cllr Parker-Foers would obtain quotes to clear fly tipping and for groundworks and that the Clerk would send out rent demands and that this would be an item on the January agenda for a decision on the Parish Council’s future interest.

The meeting closed at 8.45pm