Finningley Parish Council

Minutes of Council Meetings

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF FINNINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, FINNINGLEY,
ON TUESDAY, 17th MARCH 2009 AT 7:00 PM

PRESENT:	Cllrs D Lindley (Chairman), E Cooke, A Elder, R Johnson, K Robinson Mrs J Worthington, Clerk
IN ATTENDANCE:	Ward Cllr Mrs P Schofield PC B Pyle, PCSO J Bellamy 1 member of the public Press representative

Prior to commencement of business a period of up to 15 minutes was allowed for Public Participation.

TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT APOLOGIES
RESOLVED to accept apologies received from Cllrs B W Lifsey and E Tatton-Kelly
for reasons given.

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS
Cllr Lindley declared a Personal Interest in item 18.

DISCUSS ANY MATTERS RAISED BY RESIDENTS
There were no issues raised which required consideration and action.

COMMUNITY POLICING
The officers advised of incidents - 1 criminal damage and 1 motor cycle theft.

It has been noted that Blaxton parish council would not contribute towards the cost of the speed gun, thus this unit will be used in Finningley for 30.5 hours per month and for a lesser time in Blaxton.

A PACT meeting (Partners & Communities Together) has been arranged for Thursday 26th March at 7 pm in St Wilfrid’s School, Branton.

WARD COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr Mrs Schofield advised that the Government has given £1.5m to the Authority to fund play areas, to be divided between the 21 wards. It is not yet known what this parish’s provision will be and Mrs Schofield promised to ascertain whether this funding could be split for use in the village, ie not on one project.

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 17 FEBUARY 2009
RESOLVED the minutes be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING FROM ABOVE MEETING
Reply from DMBC A614/Wroot Road - as works are classed as minor the Authority is not informed of dates when work is taking place. It is intended to provide additional/imposed road markings upon entering the 30mph limit along with slow markings and coloured surfacing adjacent to the new signs on each approach, warning of bend ahead. The existing lining will also be recovered when required. Re the chevron sign outside resident’s property the officer has spoken with occupant.
The piece of remaining barrier will be removed as soon as possible.

Reply from DMBC provision of dog fouling bin - The Neighbourhood Manager has been to site and it is felt there is adequate provision in the area, ie at South Glebe bungalows

Reply from DMBC request for double yellow lines, Chapel Lane - response is this is no different from most other roads in the immediate vicinity of a school and unfortunately residents living close to schools will suffer some inconvenience for short periods each day.
RESOLVED to request that the decision be re-visited because of the safety issues and potential for a serious incident.

Higgins Group - 50 years celebrations RESOLVED to advise that options are still being considered and a decision will be made at the next meeting.

TO CONSIDER RESCINDING STANDING ORDER TO ALLOW A WORKING PARTY TO BE SET UP INSTEAD OF A COMMITTEE AS PREVIOUSLY AGREED
The Clerk again explained that public notice of committee meetings has to be given and, as a group would only be in place for a short period, suggested that a Working Party could be set up instead.
RESOLVED that Standing Order be amended to amend the title to Working Party.

MATTERS RELATING TO JOINT PLAYING FIELD
a) Further information from Committee re funding situation and granting of Lease
It was noted that no further details had been received via Messrs Waring, Solicitors. Cllrs Elder and Johnson indicated they would attend Blaxton parish council’s next meeting, on behalf of the Joint Playing Field Committee, to explain the latest situation. Both parishes are required to agree any change to the Constitution in respect of a future lease.
RESOLVED to advise Blaxton p.c. of the requirements in advance of the meeting and it was noted that its own JPF representative would be aware of the current situation.

Cllr Elder showed members the latest plan for a new pavilion, only two changing rooms were shown and the parish council felt that consideration should be given to a further two.

b) Information re portion of site in Blaxton parish not being registered - this information was received via Messrs Waring, Solicitors, to JPF Committee.
The Clerk has contacted Blaxton PC’s previous clerk on this issue who stated that the area was not registered because the parish council held the title deeds.
RESOLVED to advise the current clerk of the situation.

c) Blaxton parish council replies:
i) Signage for dog fouling
The signs have not yet been ordered pending a decision on wording.
RESOLVED that the decision be left to Blaxton parish council.

It was noted via Blaxton p.c. that with consent from private land owners, the Authority can carry out enforcement on parish land in respect of dog fouling and litter dropping. Blaxton passed a resolution to allow enforcement on land it owns and the Finningley p.c. Clerk will advise that this was undertaken by Finningley last year.
RESOLVED that 2 other signs be ordered:- (possibly via Blaxton on a rechargeable basis) Dog depicted with words Dogs must be on lead in this area, and the other stating Pick up or pay up. Sizes to be 400 x 500mm

ii) Joint meetings to discuss relevant issues - Blaxton PC suggested list be provided together with a short synopsis of each one for consideration.
RESOLVED to put forward the following issues in addition to those at 9 a) and b):-
Future maintenance and repair bills
General funding of the playing field
Condition of tennis courts

d) Dog fouling, Lindley Road/Picklewood Court - DMBC has stencilled both entrances to the footpath and have replaced outdated dog sign on Lindley Road. With regard to actual dog fouling, patrols will be undertaken on the playing field for 4 weeks and issues of cleansing the path will be discussed with Public Rights of Way Section.
RESOLVED to ascertain when patrols take place as this nuisance is particularly prevalent early morning and late at night.

VILLAGE HALL ISSUES
Application to Awards for All
The Clerk advised prices for the items agreed upon have been obtained (laptop, projector and screen) and the completed application form and enclosures can now be submitted.

FURTHER INFORMATION FROM DMBC PLANNING RE PILOT SCHEME
ELECTRONIC PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The Clerk has attended a meeting with other town/parish clerks in the Borough and two more councils have agreed to take part in the pilot scheme.

FINANCIAL MATTERS
Signing of cheques

£319.00	YLCA (Annual membership)	100555
£ 13.50	NALC (Annual Local Council Reviews)	100556
£150.00	Arrow Publications (March Newsletter)	100557
£ 15.84	DMBC (Emptying litter bins)	100558
£245.20	HM Revenue & Customs (Qtrly tax)	100559

TO CONSIDER CLERK’S PROGRESSION ON SAME SALARY SCALE
The National Association of Local Councils recommend that Clerks salaries are reviewed/increased annually until the top of the scale is reached. No review has been undertaken since 1 April 2006 when the scale increased from 26 to 27.
RESOLVED to progress to scale 28.

Notification received from NALC that, following arbitration, as indicated last year, the increase is now in total 2.75% w.e.f. 1 April 2008.
RESOLVED to apply as above.

PLANNING ISSUES
A) To comment on planning applications
09/00513/RET, Retention of 0.55ha of land providing secure airport car parking, inc 1.8m high security fence and siting of relocatable building (9.14m x 2.44m) land to side of Unit 1, Ash Holt industrial Park, Bank End Road
RESOLVED to raise no objections.

09/00511/FUL, erection of first floor pitched roof ext to side and ground floor conservatory ext to rear, 10 Harvey Close
RESOLVED to raise no objections.

B) Decision Notices
09/00089/REM - Stanlea, Old Bawtry Road, GRANTED
08/01089/OUT - Land adjacent Blenheim Drive, GRANTED

C) 11 Acre Field
RESOLVED to seek update re completion of works and DMBC site visit as concerns expressed regarding mud on the highway.

REPORT ON PC JCC MEETING HELD 17.3.09 AT MANSION HOUSE
Cllr Johnson attended the meeting and handed out a report for members’ information.
The Neighbourhood Charter was discussed and a copy will be sent to all parish/town councils in the near future. The Charter sets out service standards across a range of services and parish councils will be encouraged to participate in monitoring performance against service standards. This will be done via Neighbourhood Manager who will contact parish councils and make a presentation, if required.

TO CONSIDER PLANTING TREE FOR USE AT CHRISTMAS
Quotation received from Green Mile Trees in the sum of £287.50 inc vat for 1 Abies Nordmannii, potted, delivered and planted.
RESOLVED to accept the quotation and that arrangements are made to meet the Chairman on site when delivered.

ISSUES RELATING TO THE POND
The contractor has carried out all outstanding tasks thus the cheque was posted.

WEBSITE UPDATE
RESOLVED the Clerk forwards the February minutes to the Chairman.

HIGHWAY ISSUES TO BE REPORTED TO APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY
Highways and Footpaths Patrol - this will take place later in the week.

Wroot Road - Clerk to advise DMBC that some of the drains still appear to be blocked.

TO RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE
Invitation from CVS to launch and signing of Compact 17.3.09. 12.30-2.00pm at Carr House Centre, Main Hall. Booking form with Clerk. For information see (www.doncastercvs.org.uk/news)

Public Rights of Way Forum - meeting at Carr House Centre, 19.3.09, 10 am

The Policing Pledge - information can be found on The Policing Pledge (HTML format)

Results of Neighbourhood Consultation questionnaire - DMBC advise of results.
Likes: good local shops, low crime rates, good parking.
Dislikes: litter, youths on
street corner, HGVs going to quarry.
RESOLVED to note the above information.

TO CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Tuesday 21st April 2009 to follow on immediately from the Annual Parish Meeting which will commence at 7 pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting ended at 9.45 pm.