Treeton Parish Council

TREETON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD VIRTUALLY ON

MONDAY 26th April 2021

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

Councillors: A. Badger, G. Cooper, D. A. Goy, E. Levin,

L.J. Pickford, D. Whysall.

In attendance: Mrs J. James Clerk to the Council

2021/46Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Councillor Swift due to personal issues.

Resolved:      To accept Councillor Swift’s apologies

Proposed      Councillor Whysall

Seconded     Councillor Pickford

2021/47 Public Question Time

One member of the public attended and thanked the Parish Council along with the garage tenants for their efforts in tidying the site and asked if further work could be done to address the overgrown brambles and offered suggestions for where support could be obtained to undertake that work. It was agreed that the Clerk would add it to the request for RMBC for inclusion in their ‘Blitz days’

2021/48 Declaration of Interests

There were no declarations of interest.

2021/49 Minutes of Previous Meeting

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held 29th March 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 Goy

Seconded:    Councillor Levin

2021/50 Matters Arising

2020/59 c)    Replacement memorial plaque to Pilot Officer Douglas Edwards. This is now in place on the memorial stone and in the Community Centre.

A quote for the commemorative plaques and for signage for the mine tubs and mine wheel has been received at £270 for both and to include installation.

Resolved:      That the quote be accepted.

Proposed:     Councillor Pickford

Seconded:    Councillor Whysall

2021/9 e)      Mill Lane 4x4 & motor cycle off roading. There was a constructive meeting with RMBC on 7th April as a result of which they have agreed to consider the most appropriate from a range of solutions to address this problem. Councillor Goy raised concerns about the effectiveness of ditches and agreed that this be noted to RMBC.

2021/22        Additional grit bin on Station Road – It was agreed that the lack of storage for rock salt and therefore inability to refill a grit bin at this site mean this is not practical for the Parish Council and to make further representations to our Ward Councillor.

2021/51 Clerk’s Report & Correspondence Received

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

1. RMBC - Updates on Covid-19: Coronavirus and related matters across the Borough.
2. RMBC - Weekly traffic reports.
3. RMBC - Planning applications and decisions across the Borough.
4. RMBC - Licensing applications.
5. RMBC - Details of May elections.
6. Rotherham Town Centre News
7. RMBC - News from your Neighbourhood
8. RMBC – Guidance regarding virtual meetings in light of COVID regulations.
9. RMBC – Death of HRH Duke of Edinburgh and public mourning.
10. SYPTE – Changes to services.
11. YLCA - White Rose updates.
12. Alexander Stafford MP - Remembering HRH Prince Philip, remembrance, national mourning and the arrangements for HRH funeral.
13. Member of the public out of Parish – ownership of land off Well Lane for a Forest School - referred to RMBC
14. Resident – damaged play equipment at Well Lane – reported to RMBC
15. Cclr Pickford – access around the lake at Waverley – resolved via consultation with neighbouring parishes, RMBC and the developer.
16. Resident – vermin allegedly from Jones Homes development – reported to Jones Homes and RMBC
17. Resident – issue regarding access and damaged fencing by a tenant – resolved through discussion with the complainant.

2021/52 Borough Councillors Report

Item not taken

2021/53 Lease of Land at unadopted Front Street

The Clerk reported that as a consequence of communication with a resident regarding the proposed wildflower meadow she had sought to verify ownership and has established that the stretch of land behind 53-67 Wood Lane, the garage site and a small plot to the rear of Richlee is not owned by the Parish Council.

The land was leased to the Parish Council with restrictive covenants from 25.3.1998 for 21 years and that as this lease has now expired.  A decision of the Parish Council is sought on what, if any future interest they may wish to seek from RMBC whose terrier records indicate they are the land owner.

Councillor Goy raised concerns that RMBC had not made contact with the Parish Council in 2019 when the lease expired.

Resolved:    That the Parish Council do not wish to apply for a new lease or explore

purchase and that the Clerk is instructed to advise RMBC accordingly.

Proposed:    Councillor Goy

Seconded:   Councillor Whysall

Mindful of the above resolution the Clerk requested instruction in respect of the ongoing matters in relationship to a complaint regarding the condition of the garage site and the plans for a wildflower meadow.

Resolved:    That on the Clerk’s advice the proposal with regard to the wildflower

meadow is withdrawn, that RMBC is advised of the current garage

tenancy arrangements to assist with a transfer to them and that they are

advised over the concerns raised about the general condition of the land

and the concerns raised by the member of the public during Public

Question Time.

Proposed:    Councillor Goy

Seconded:   Councillor Whysall

2021/54 Planning & Review of Progress on Projects through 2021

The Clerk reported that she has the consent of Jones Homes to plant spring bulbs on grass verges and banks in their ownership and is currently pulling together the details of possible grass verges and banks owned by RMBC in order to seek their approval.

The Clerk reported that she still waiting for a quote for the planting out and watering of the Mine Wheel and the coal tubs.

2021/55 Presentation of Accounts for 2020/21 & Approval of Annual Governance

              Statement

1. Accounting Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021

The completed Accounting Statements for the year ended 31st March 2021 were presented to the Parish Council for approval and signature.

Resolved:    That the statements are received, approved and signed.

Proposed:    Councillor Goy

Seconded:   Councillor Whysall

2. Report of the Internal Auditor & Appointment of same for 2021/22

The report of the internal auditor was presented to the Parish Council

Resolved:      That the report be received and noted and that Brian Smythe be appointed auditor for the forthcoming financial year.

Proposed:    Councillor Whysall

Seconded:   Councillor Goy

3. Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2020/21

The Annual Governance Statement of the Council for the year ended 31st March 2021 was presented to the Parish Council for approval and signature.

Resolved:      That the Governance Statement is approved and signed:                          

Proposed:     Councillor Pickford

Seconded:    Councillor Goy

2021/56 Standing Items

1. Reading Room

Nothing to report, the Reading Room remains closed to the public.

2. Allotments/Garage sites
   1. The Clerk reported that she had undertaken an allotment check with Councillors Goy and Cooper and 2 plot holders were identified as in breach of tenancy conditions with regard to their condition both tenants having been advised some months ago that work was needed to address matters.

Resolved:      That the Clerk write to the tenants giving 3 months’ notice after which if

the matters are not resolved notice to terminate tenancies will be given.

Proposed:     Councillor Goy

Seconded:    Councillor Whysall

2. The Clerk reported that one of the garage plots being returned to the Parish Council as the tenant no longer meets the residency criteria has a garage in the same unusable condition as when the tenancy begin in 2017.

Resolved:      That the plot be accepted back to the Parish Council in its current

condition and that the Clerk offer to the next person on the waiting list and engage with them regarding addressing the condition and report back to a future meeting.

Proposed:     Councillor Goy

Seconded:    Councillor Levin

3. Burial Ground

1. The Clerk reported that the Health & Safety check of the memorials has taken place. 39 memorials failed the safety checks and were laid flat and a total of 44 memorials are now laid flat.  The safety check also highlighted a further 34 memorials that whilst currently safe do need work to remain so and need checking again in 12 months. Attempts are being made to contact memorial owners.  

Concern was raised by Councillor Whysall over some of the narrow memorials and their stability and it was that the Clerk should obtain a copy of the regulations and guidance from the National Associations of Memorial Masons the professional association to which all stonemasons working in the burial ground must be accredited.

An enquiry has been made as to whether the Parish Council would permit memorial plaques on the burial ground wall. It was that memorial plaques will not be permitted as the wall is unsuitable for this purpose but that memorials in bricks on pathways might be considered.

2. The Clerk reported she has a quote of £720.00 to replace the 2 damaged waste baskets, remove trees, shrubs and then lawn the stretch of land by the notice board which would both improve appearance and will create a number of additional cremated remains burial plots.

Resolved      That the quote be accepted.

Proposed:     Councillor Goy

Seconded:    Councillor Pickford

3. The Clerk reported as requested at the last meeting that the likely timeframe by when an extension to the burial ground might be needed is 15-16 years and confirmed that she had written to the farmer to give notice that when the land is required for an extension it will be reclaimed and fenced.

Representation has been made that the Parish Council consider extending the burial ground and to create a new entrance road thus improving access and safety particularly for those attending funerals.

Resolved      That the representation be noted.

Proposed:     Councillor Badger

Seconded:    Councillor Whysall

4. Recreation Ground and Play areas

Nothing to report

5. Environment

1. The Clerk reported that a member of the Parish team has reported evidence of horse riding on the public footpath off Well lane, this has been reported to RMBC who have advised they will address with local riding stables and erect ‘no horse riding’ signage.

2. The Chairman reported on dumping of soil and rubble that has taken place on land at the end of Arundel Street which he has referred to RMBC Environmental Health who have taken enforcement action requiring it to be removed. 

6. Planning Applications

The weekly lists of planning applications and planning decisions in the Borough were circulated by email to all Parish Councillors.

Planning consent has been granted for an outbuilding at 4 Dale Croft and extensions at 33 Admiral Biggs Drive. There are no new applications in Treeton

2021/57 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 that the Youth Club has restarted with reduced numbers, outside and with social distancing to ensure it is COVID compliant and that it is running well.

4. Community Centre & Playing Fields Memorial Committee

The Chairman reported the Treeton Memorial Playing Field Trust have paused their proposals for a grant application to the Football Foundation and are now in discussions with CISWO.

2021/58 Community Centre

The Chairman reported turf is now in place, that the next step will be to develop the garden area and that he is now looking for funding for security fencing. He advised that the scout group have restarted as have sessions run by Rotherham College both with reduced numbers to ensure compliance with COVID restrictions.

2021/59 Chairman’s Review

The Chairman complimented the litter pickers for their work across the Parish which has been noted by and received praise from RMBC. He reported that speeding remains an issue and that the Police are trying to address the problem.

2021/60 Finance and General Purposes

Contracts

Resolved:      To accept the 3year IRIS Payroll software contract and 3year BHIB - Aviva insurance contract

Proposed:     Councillor Goy

Seconded:    Councillor Whysall

Budget Monitoring & Approval of Accounts for Payment

The Clerk outlined the accounts to date and presented an up-to-date financial statement of the Parish Council’s affairs. These were noted.

The following accounts were approved for payment.

Receipts                                                                                                              £

Payments

Proposed:     Councillor Levin

Seconded:    Councillor Goy

Bank & Cash Book Reconciliation

31st March 2021

                                                                      £

Balances at bank:    Current account      10,428.55

                               Instant account        58,131.39

Cambridge Building Society                    60,000.00

Total                                                    128,559.94                                  

2021/61 Any Other Urgent Business

It was noted that Councillors Swift, Goy and Cooper are retiring from their roles as Parish Councillors and were thanked for their tireless work on behalf of the residents of Treeton and all good wishes extended to them for the future.

Councillors Goy and Cooper expressed their pleasure and fulfilment from their experience of servicing on the Parish Council in particular Councillor Goy who had served for almost 40 years and both wished the Parish Council well as they continue to work to benefit the community of Treeton.

2021/62 Date of the Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting was arranged for Monday 17th May 2021 to follow the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council which will commence at 6.30pm.

A decision as to whether the meeting is held virtually or in person will be taken in the light of the High Court decision on virtual meetings and COVID regulations and guidance

The meeting closed at 8pm

Chairman:

Date: