Minutes of Council Meetings
   


MINUTES OF A MEETING OF FINNINGLEY PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, FINNINGLEY,
ON TUESDAY, 20th SEPTEMBER 2011 AT 7:00 PM

 

PRESENT:

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

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr S Racjan, Area Officer, South Area Team
Mr A Mell and two of his colleagues (Mell Homes)
Ms T Plumb, Hatfield parish;
2 members of the public

 

 

 

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

 

 

1

TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES
RESOLVED to accept apologies received from Cllr B Lifsey for reason given.

2

 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS
Cllr A Elder declared personal interests in items 11, 12 and 14.
Cllr R Johnson declared personal interests in items 13 a) & b) & a personal and prejudicial interest in item 13c).
Cllr E Tatton-Kelly declared a personal interest in item 13.
Cllrs D and Mrs M Lindley declared personal interests in item 20.

3

 TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS RAISED UNDER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mell Homes a synopsis of the proposed development by Mell Homes Ltd was given to members, ie 78 dwellings on land off Bawtry Road. MrMell advised he would welcome the parish council’s views in due course regarding ideas as to what issues are important for the village with regard to s.106 funding.

Ms T Plumb, representative of a Hatfield group was in attendance and advised if the Inspectorate does not receive objections, then Policy 13 would be adopted by DMBC. The west of the borough is protected by green belt but the east is not and it is felt the same protection should apply. The Chairman advised the issue would be dealt with further in the Agenda.

4

 WARD COUNCILLORS’ REPORT/NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM REPORT
No ward member was present at the meeting.

MrRacjan gave a short resume of officers’ duties in the area. The anti-social behaviour team can be brought into the area whenever necessary. He advised his attendance at parish council meetings is anticipated to be on a quarterly basis.

5

 REPORT FROM PACT MEETING
Cllrs D and Mrs M Lindley attended the last meeting and information for members would be circulated.

6

TO APPROVE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 16.8.11.
RESOLVED the minutes be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

7

MATTERS ARISING FROM ABOVE MEETING
a) Lighting footpath Blenheim Drive/rear of Church - MrRacjan advised the area of land currently in ownership of Taylor Woodrow will be transferred in the near future to DMBC. Whether or not lighting will be provided will be considered at that time.

b) Upgrade re grit bin provision - MrRacjan was requested to follow up the suggestion of bins being provided, ie if the parish council were to purchase bins and spread same at the appropriate time, would DMBC provide the grit.

c) Information from Area Manager
Monies from fines re dog fouling if the parish council were to employ a dog warden
MrRacjan supplied the council with a job description but it was pointed out that the originalrequest was to have such a person on secondment from DMBC. MrRacjan will pursue this suggestion and also gain information regarding the fines situation.

Litter issues near airport site, Old Bawtry Road –
MrRacjan is to speak with officials at the Airport to see what measures can be put in place and he was advised that some plane spotters had recently been seen clearing up the litter left by irresponsible persons.

d) Further information re sale of land Blaxton/Finningley
Cllr Johnson has circulated members with information available via the website.

e) Response from DMBC- suggestions to prohibit parking on verge, Wroot Road
MrRacjan will take photographs and discuss with highway officers for a decision.

8

FINANCIAL MATTERS

a) Notification of BIB payments
£60.00 Need A Hand Ltd (flower beds) BIB17
£70.97 J Worthington (Bullguard half cost 2 yr renewal/fax cartridge BIB18
£120.00 Need A Hand Ltd (hedge/cutting grass, village hall area) BIB19
£59.40 Arrow Publications (newsletter, September) BIB20

b) Signing of cheques
£21.10 C Hampson (printing of newsletters 700 x A4) 100730
£50.00 Royal British Legion Poppy Day Appeal (wreath,s137 donation) 100731

c) Request from DRI for donation towards Family Room for patients/visitors
RESOLVED, with the Chairman’s casting vote, not to make a donation.

9

PLANNING ISSUES
A) Applications
None received.

B) Decision notices
11/01918/OUT - REFUSED

C) Notification of Application Appeals
11/00013/ENFNOT - DMBC advise appeal against enforcement action for alleged unauthorized siting of Caravan in addition to existing caravan on site with temporary permission under ground F land north west of Wroot Road – R Spencer – has been withdrawn.
RESOLVED to note the information and to advise the Planning Officer that the caravan has been resited into the adjacent 36 acre site.

D) Report on meeting with planning officer, current/future developments in the parish
The members who attended the meeting with Mr S Cardwell felt it was very positive and reported on issues discussed.
Concerns were raised that if all applications were to be granted there is no indication that this would benefit the village. Mr Cardwell is to look into the s106 situation and has agreed to have another meeting in due course.

E) DMBC Core Strategy, Policy 13
RESOLVED to object to Policy 13 by writing to the Mayor, Planning Officer and Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP, as follows:
• To adopt the policy would make a poor situation with regard to travellers/gypsies worse
• Unfairness of the west to east policy with regard to green belt status
• It is imperative that DMBC designates sites for travellers which would alleviate the problem, there are already 78 sites within the Borough and it is felt these adequately meet the need
• Advice in the past has been that land designated as green belt or countryside policy is the same, but clearly this is not the case

10

 TO FURTHER CONSIDER PROVISION OF ALLOTMENTS
Pending.

11

 ISSUES RELATING TO POND
a) Information from Willow Bank
The Chairman is to again request the necessary information from this company.

b) Willow Trees at pond, report of site meeting with Conservation Officer
The officer advised he would prefer if the trees were not cut back. However, it was pointed out this was contrary to advice from contractors who feel there should be a clearance of 6ft above the water line. The Ecologist Planner at DMBC writes to say the main problem is the feeding of the ducks and that the trees should be not be cut back unless it is definitely identified that the branches cause the problem. Further discussion after response as per a) above.

c) Access r/o Pond
Two members met with the resident who first raised this issue and have spoken with parishioners who know the history of the area. The latter advised that was only a very narrow (door width) path to the rear of the pond. Another resident stated that some years ago the pond had been moved back to the hedge.
RESOLVED to advised the resident in writing of the above findings.

d) Ducks – it was reported that the birds have been treated against flu, wormed and given anti-biotic powders.

12

 REPORT ON VILLAGE HALL ISSUES
It was pointed out that a dance class now takes place on Saturday mornings and, because the parish council surgeries run from 10-11am this causes disruption re the timescale.
RESOLVED that members could meet with residents in the rear room if not too noisy, otherwise they can discuss issues in their vehicles. After six months the parish council can reconsider the timing of the surgeries.

13

ISSUES RELATING TO JOINT PLAYING FIELD
a) Information from Blaxton Parish Council re proposed meeting
It was reported that Blaxton PC will make a decision at its October meeting.
RESOLVED that availability of our village hall be ascertained for an evening meeting.

b) Byelaws in relation to dogs
Email received from Legal Section to Cllr Johnson (JPF) stating Finningley does not appear to be covered by the byelaw in respect of Open Spaces. There is a further byelaw which deals with dog fouling and Blaxton’s other parish field is covered by same. Evidence is necessary to enforce any byelaws.
RESOLVED to discuss at next meeting when Clerk has obtained information re byelaws previously made by Finningley PC and the Home Office.

Cllr Johnson left the room whilst the following item was discussed.
c) Donation towards Architect’s fees
Letter received from the JPF Committee requesting contribution of £500 towards the cost of preparing and submitting the plans for proposed new pavilion.
RESOLVED to discuss at next meeting when members have seen the contract between the Architect and the JPF committee. Cllr Elder advised he would produce a copy of the plans.
Cllr Johnson then returned to the meeting.

14

 INFORMATION RE POSSIBILITY OF EMPLOYING DOG WARDEN
See item 7c.

15

REQUEST FROM DMBC TO TAP INTO PARISH COUNCIL SURGERY SESSIONS
It was felt that some residents may wish to speak with members in confidence.
RESOLVED to advise MrRacjan that if there are issues which arise specially with his department then these will be referred to him and if he has a document to hand to note such concerns then such can be completed and returned.

RESOLVED to suspend Standing Order 1z to allow time for the remainder of the business to be transacted.

16

 RIGHT OF WAY ENFORCEMENT, DRAFT POLICY DOCUMENT
RESOLVED to note the document.

17

HIGHWAY ISSUES
a) Parking on pavements, information from DMBC
Photographic evidence from a resident was produced showing a vehicle parked across the length of the pavement area. The Clerk has contacted DMBC querying enforcement powers.
A penalty charge notice can be issued to a vehicle parked on a pavement, within the highway boundary, and parked in contravention of a TRO, ie single/double yellow lines. Officers cannot issue to a vehicle parked on a pavement if no other restrictions apply. The police do still hold powers to issue to vehicles parked on pavements if deemed to be obstructive or dangerous and the SNT monitor the situation through the borough.
RESOLVED to advise resident to ring DMBC 736000 whenever this nuisance occurs.

b) Street naming new development off The Green
DMBC has forwarded 3 other suggestions via the developer.
RESOLVED to comment that none are considered appropriate and that Manor Farm Court is the preferred option of the parish council, further the parish council’s view should take precedence.

c) Highways & Footpaths Patrol
Members have completed the patrol and items raised will be forwarded to DMBC.

d) Buses arriving late for Finningley passengers
Information has been received regarding a number of buses arriving late to pick up passengers. Cllr Mrs Lindley has contacted SYPTE on this matter when it was confirmed the problem was due to incidents on the A1.

18

 FURTHER COMPLAINTS FROM FVCG RE LITTER AT OLD BAWTRY ROAD AND SUGGESTION THAT BOLLARDS BE ERECTED TO PROHIBIT VEHICULAR ACCESS AND WOULD THE PARISH COUNCIL SUPPORT A PETITION
See item 7c).
It was felt, following visits by members and the Clerk along Old Bawtry Road, who also report the problem to DMBC where appropriate, that there has not been a prolific amount of litter recently and black sacks are attached to the perimeter fencing. Also members were of the opinion that if vehicles were prohibited drivers would merely park elsewhere.
RESOLVED to reply to FVCG as above, pointing out litter clearance has been carried out by plane spotters, and in view of above the parish council would not support a Petition.

19

 PROVISION OF WREATH, REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY, AND DONATION
RESOLVED to order a wreath and to make a donation, ie total cost £50.

20

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

21

 TO RECEIVE AND NOTE CORRESPONDENCE
Information from DMBC that this can be viewed on line at

http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/housing/our_housing_plans_Housing_Strategy_2011

RESOLVED to note the information.

22

TO CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 18 October 2011 at 7pm in the Village Hall.

 

The meeting closed at 10.25p.m.

 

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