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

PRESENT:

Cllrs D Lindley (Chairman), B W Lifsey, A Elder, R Johnson, Mrs M Lindley, E Tatton-Kelly
Mrs J Worthington, Clerk

1 member of the public

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

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TO RECEIVE/ACCEPT APOLOGIES
RESOLVED to accept apologies received from Cllr K Robinson.

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MATTERS ARISING FROM ABOVE MEETING
Dead tree on Green - It was reported that the tree had been removed.
Registration of parcel of Land - Pending.
Response from First re lack of consultation etc - despite numerous emails no response as yet received. Clerk to contact yet again.
Information from Green Mile Trees re provision of permanent Christmas tree/delivery etc -
the company advises it can carry out all the work required and will be in touch in due course.
RESOLVED to seek clarification as to a warranty on the tree.
Response from Messrs Higgins re permanent Christmas tree - the Company is happy with the choice of a permanent tree.
RESOLVED that Cllr Lifsey makes enquiries with Messrs Higgins regarding suitable wording as put forward by the parish council for the plaque. Also he offered to ascertain details of a supplier and installer for a plaque.

The Clerk advised that the Parish Plan Group had sought clarification as to whether or not a notice board, to be sited on the Village Green, could be funded from the £2.5k donated by Messrs Higgins.
RESOLVED to advise that no decision can be made until full costings are available for the permanent Christmas tree/plaque provision.

Price from G Plevey for providing Christmas tree on green
RESOLVED to accept the prices for tree cost, delivery, siting in the sum of £335 but alternative arrangements will be made to remove the tree.

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Double taxation grant offer 2010/11
The Clerk advised, that following submissions of pro formae to DMBC, a grant of £915 will be paid next financial year. The Clerk has signed and returned the form of acceptance.

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PLANNING ISSUES
A) To comment on planning applications
None received.

B) Local wildlife and geological sites, draft supplementary planning document consultation - 9th November to 21st December
DMBC invites comments on the document which can be viewed on www.doncaster.gov.uk/spd
RESOLVED the letter be circulated to members.

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TO RECEIVE AND NOTE CORRESPONDENCE
RESOLVED documents be passed around members for noting.

STANDING ORDER 1C) WAS SUSPENDED TO ALLOW THE REMAINDER OF THE BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED.

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JOINT PLAYING FIELD
Repairs to play equipment, highlighted by DMBC
RESOLVED to advise DMBC that, for the moment, it is not thought any work is necessary but to ask if the treads could be looked at during the next inspection.

Information re inspections from DMBC - DMBC advise that inspections are normally carried out every 2 months, free of charge, by an officer with the required training. Although, due to various circumstances, the visits may slip by up to 2 weeks, the frequency still meets European Standards. Information as requested on the results of inspections will be forwarded.

Report on joint meeting with Blaxton PC - 12 November
Cllrs Elder and Johnson advised on issues raised at the joint meeting when representatives of both parish councils agreed to take back the recommendations for discussion at their next meetings. These were:
- that the JPF assets are jointly owned by both councils
- future funding of the JPF should be on a 50/50 basis
- the issue of the ramp being a joint asset would be considered by Finningley parish council
- current management arrangements should be retained. However operational aspects of these to be reviewed to make sure they are efficient and transparent
- the JPF constitution to be reviewed and where appropriate redrafted to ensure:
i) safeguards are in place to protect members of the JPF Management Committee
ii) it satisfies the criteria to attract external funding

The parish council was, in principle, in agreement with the above recommendations.

A lengthy discussion took place. Cllr Johnson and Elder had worked on producing a budget forecast for 2010-2011, which also gave expenditure for the current financial year in relation to both parish councils. It was felt that JPF would operate with a float of £10k (current balance £13.5k). Blaxton parish council should add £1,852 to match Finningley’s contributions. JPF to pay all bills from date of Blaxton parish council top up. JPF to request top up to £10k float as and when during 2010/11 financial year. The aim is to keep JPF with a float of between £7k and £10k maximum so it can meet expenditure obligations. Both parish councils can approve and pay over in equal amounts; and JPF accounts to reflect all income and expenditure.

Cllr Johnson suggested that JPF Committee becomes a CIC (Community Interest Company) requiring the grant of a 99 year lease by both parish councils which would become an Asset of the company. Both parishes to have 2 representatives on CIC committee from which CEO/Chairman is nominated in rotation. He gave information regarding a Community Interest Company and also on a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and the requirements of same.

RESOLVED:
• To discuss the proposals with the JPF Committee (via Cllrs Elder and Johnson)
• Future funding of the JPF should be on a 50/50 basis via both parish councils
• The ramp expenditure to be funded jointly by the two parish councils
• Facts are obtained via Blaxton parish council for expenditure in repairing the ramp
• Finningley parish council has an outline proposal which it will present to Blaxton parish council and to the JPF for a response (via Cllrs Elder and Johnson)
• That either a CIC or CIO is agreed
• That a managed finance concept be supported by both parishes, via the precept, and from the point of agreement by both parishes and the JPF
• That Finningley parish council includes the sum of £2k in its budget for the next financial year ring-fenced for the JPF

Cllrs Johnson and Elder advised they would attend the next meeting of Blaxton parish council.

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TO CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING -
Tuesday 15 December 2009, commencing at 7 pm in the Village Hall.

The meeting ended at 10.15 p.m.

Chairman: ...........................................