Clerk to the Council  Mr John Palmer

2 Fitzwilliam Avenue, Wath Upon Dearne Rotherham S63 7HW

01709 879065

parish.clerk@barnburghandharlington.co.uk

Barnburgh & Harlington Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 12^th March 2008, in the Village Hall, Barnburgh.  

Present Councillors F Peace (Chairman), R Bartlett, T Evans, W Jackson, J Llewellyn, D Packham, and Clerk J. Palmer.

Ward Councillor C Ransom. 

045/03/08 – ‘Football Coaching’ Multi-Play Area.

Mr Michael Eardley (DMBC) attended to discuss proposals to hold ‘sports coaching’ sessions on the Recreation Ground MPA. These activities would target the secondary school aged youngsters. They would be organised by DMBC, fully qualified personal along with the Community Police Officers. A range of sports would be catered for. Initially based on one night every two weeks, evening to be arranged. Publicity for the proposal was discussed – fliers to be handed out on school buses, ‘Grapevine’, posters.   

046/03/08 - Apologies for absence. - Apologies for absence were received from G Taylor.  

047/03/08 – Declarations of personal and prejudicial interest. - There were no declarations. 

048/03/08 - Exclusions. - There was no reason for any exclusions. 

048/03/08 – Previous Meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 13th February 2008 were agreed as a true record and duly signed by the Chairman.   

050/03/08 – Planning Applications and other planning issues.

1. 08/00177/COU – The Surgery, Fox Lane, Barnburgh – change of use from doctor’s surgery (class D1) to residential dwelling (class C3). The Parish Council resolved to object to this proposal on the following grounds: -The loss of a doctor’s surgery, which provides a very important facility for the community, would create a huge impact on the living conditions for the communities of Barnburgh and Harlington. Alternative facilities could entail extensive travelling with limited public transport availability. 
2. 08/00277/FUL – Springfield, Grange Lane, Harlington – construction of replacement pitched roof to incorporate installation of four dormer windows to form additional rooms in roof space created including conversion of existing attached garage to habitable room to detached bungalow. Members noted this subsequent application to Min No 021/02/08 (D).

051/03/08 – Consultation Waste Development Plan.

Details of the consultation exercise, Tuesday 4^th March 2008, were circulated. Members noted the response. 

052/03/08 - Clerks report.

The Clerk reported on the following items: -

Barnburgh Lane Allotments - A further two plots have recently been tenanted. Some of the plots recently tenanted have accumulations of waste, rubble, scarp etc. It was agreed to hire of a skip for a forthcoming weekend to allow this waste to be removed. 

Recreation Ground - An order has been placed for the subsidiary lighting to the play area. 

Cliff Plantation and Stables Wood - The contractor is currently completing the silviculture work it is anticipated that everything will be completed in the near future.

Cemetery - We are awaiting return of the gates; removed for refurbishment week commencing 28^th January 2008 by Don Barker Ltd, ‘Ecclesiastical Blacksmiths’, minute no 185/09/07.

The Planning application for the proposed access to the lower cemetery has been registered and validated the decision should be known for around the 17^th March 2008. Requests for tenders to complete the work will be prepared and ready for dispatch on receipt of satisfactory planning application.

Twinning Sign - Vandalism to the Barnburgh Lane sign, has been reported to the neighbourhood team for attention.

Pit Wheel Memorial - Slight re-wording of the text for the memorial plinth has been agreed with the History Group. Quotations for the production of the information plinth are now being sought.

Footpath fence – Coach and Horses - The damaged fencing has been reported to the Neighbourhood team.

YRCC - The Chairman and Clerk met, Kathryn Chapman, representative for YRCC on the 26^th February 2008 to complete a monitoring exercise on the Village Sign and Graffiti wall projects, which were funded by YRCC under the Rural Target Fund. There were no areas of concern.  

 053/03/08 – DMBC –Consulting with Parish Councils.

The Parish Council considered a draft ‘good practice’ guide being prepared to assist in consulting with DMBC Departments. It was agreed to support the draft copy and suggest that a section should be include on making ‘down-load’ copies easily printable, without pictures or coloured background to text. Details of future Parish Council meeting to be supplied for inclusion. 

054/03/08 – Proposed extension to Village Hall.

Councillor Packham reported that a meeting with the architect had discussed issues raised in the disability audit and amendments to the plans would be made. Informal approaches to grant funding bodies would now be made. 

055/03/08 – Agenda for Annual Parish Meeting.

The Clerk reported on arrangements for the APM to be held on Wednesday 23^rd April 2008 at 7.00pm in the Main Hall, Barnburgh Primary School. The agenda was taking shape with South Yorkshire Police and Neighbourhood Watch confirming attendance. 

056/03/08 – Parish Plan Steering Committee.

Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 4^th March 2008.

• The Clerk reported details received from DMBC with regard to ‘litter pick’ days in the village. It was agreed that further discussion take place with regard to the first date, to allow more time to advertise and alternative day if practical.
• Members considered the proposal by DMBC to install ‘highway features’ on the ‘The Green’. It was agreed to support the proposal with the Parish Council agreeing to fund the additional cost for conservation setts.

057/03/08 – DMBC – Local Area Agreement and Borough Strategy Review.

Consideration was given to a ‘draft’ of the above following initial consultation in November 2007.

The Parish Council agreed to he following response: -

Question 1 – Yes; Question 2 – Yes; Question 3 -

a)      Reduce ASB by building a culture of responsibility and self-respect.

b)      Improve rural access – better transport links to rural areas for access to education/employment/leisure and recreation.

c)      Improve provision of recreational facilities in rural areas.

d)      Continue to expand and explore recycling opportunities and where possible simplify methods of collection.

e)      Provision of affordable housing in rural communities. 

058/03/08 – Cemetery Headstones – Health and Safety Implications

Discussion took place following the Parish Councils inspection of the Cemetery on Tuesday 11^th March 2008. It was noted that there were 23 headstones deemed to be in an unsafe condition with a further 59 to be monitored. It was agreed that a draft notice for publication be presented to the next meeting of the Parish Council advising that if no action was taken by relatives the parish Council would have to undertake remedial work which could include laying of the headstones. The Clerk was requested to seek estimates for completing this work. 

059/03/08 - Correspondence received.

The following correspondence was discussed and noted:

·        From Jeff Ennis MP – with regard to Parish Councillors becoming ‘flood wardens’ for their areas. It was agreed that the Clerk should request more information on the detailed role and how it would operate.

·        From Doncaster Community Arts – giving details of ‘Making Waves’ exhibition launch – Friday 4^th April 2008 at 2.30pm The Gallery, The Point, South Parade, Doncaster.

·        From DMBC – advising that it has been agreed that future cost of Parish Council elections can be spread the re-payments over more than one year if the Parish Council wishes.

·        From Rural Arts – details of ‘Arts in Your Village’ a free event to be held on Saturday 12^th April 2008, 9.30am to 3.30pm at the Old Courthouse, Thirsk.

·        From SYPTE – copy of briefing pack in relation to ‘Yocard Pilot Scheme’.

·        From Enjoy England – copy of booklet ‘ Celebrate St George’s Day’ 23^rd April 2008.

·        From Heritage Inspired – copy of the latest edition of ‘Heritage Inspired’.

·        From SYFAB – copy of ‘Funding News’ issue 114 – March 2008.

 060/03/08 - Accounts for payment.

Cheques were signed to the value of £7608.49 cheque numbers 539 to 549 inclusive. 

061/03/08 – Bank Reconciliation.

Bank Reconciliation to the 20^th February 2008 was agreed by Members present.

 062/03/08 – Next Meeting.

It was agreed that the next ordinary meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Wednesday 9th April 2008 in the Village Hall, Barnburgh commencing at 7.00pm. Councillors Surgery would be held prior to the meeting at 6.45pm.  

063/03/08 – Issues raised/discussed with Ward Councillors

·        The number of horseboxes and ancillary vehicles now parked at Millfield Stud.