At a meeting of PENISTONE TOWN COUNCIL

Held on Monday 18^th July 2005

In the Council Chambers, Town Hall, Penistone at 7pm

PRESENT

The Town Mayor, Cllr Mrs B Hinchliff, Cllrs JB Lucas, R Hinchliff, P Hand Davis, Mrs A Rusby, D Harrison, RN Gregory, Mrs E Elders, J Unsworth, Mrs N Collett, Mrs C Bradbury and The Clerk

ABSENT

Apologies for absence were accepted from Cllrs G Punt, P Starling, A Simon and D Lofthouse.

MINUTES

The minutes of the following meetings were confirmed

Penistone Town Council Dated 20^th June 2005

Planning meeting Dated 20^th June 2005

Special meeting Dated 27^th June 2005

Road Safety meeting Dated 27^th June 2005

Yorkshire Day meeting dated 4^th July 2005

St Johns Community Centre Dated 4^th July 2005

Paramount meeting Dated 19^th July 2005

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST

Cllrs B Hinchliff, C Bradbury and E Elders declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the Agenda item relating to PAGE. All left the room when the item was discussed.

Cllrs Rusby and Unsworth declared a Personal Interest in the agenda item relating to PAGE.

Cllr Unsworth also declared a personal interest in the Community Partnership

Cllr Hand-Davis declared a personal interest in the Community Partnership.

REPORT OF BARNSLEY MBC MEMBERS

Cllr Hinchliff reported that the High Street is to be resurfaced during August. Progress is being made with the new schools and academies . The Supermarket project is now moving forward again. The plans are those presented in January 2004 at the public meeting in the Paramount. The consultation document is in the clerk’s office. The lairage site is not part of this development but will be covered under a further project with English Heritage and the Penistone Redevelopment team.

Cllrs Unsworth and Hinchliff declared a personal interest in the Schools scheme. Cllr Unsworth raised concern that the new PFI scheme insists on new build but the budgeted figure for nine schools may not be enough. The plan for Penistone Grammar School is 1500 11-16 year olds and 300 over 16. The scheme will probably be a mix of new build and improvements to existing buildings.

Cllrs Gregory, Rusby, Harrison and Collett declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in the Penistone Grammar School.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Cllr Unsworth reported that there was to be a meeting of the Regeneration Group that week and schemes to be discussed would be managed workspace, e-learning, the library and English Heritage. The partnership is looking to achieve Charitable Status – limited by guarantee.

FIRE SERVICE UPDATE

With the absence of Cllr Simon it was agreed to defer this item until the next meeting.

BT’S PROPOSALS TO RE-ALIGN PAYPHONE PROVISION TO MEET CONSUMER DEMAND

The Clerk read the letter outlining proposals to remove the Payphone situated on Victoria Street and change two public phones, one on Manchester Road, Millhouse Green and one on Green Road to a cashless facility. Cashless phones can still access the emergency services, operator controlled and reverse charge calls together with charge card and credit card facilities. These are more economically viable. Moved by Cllr Harrison, seconded by Cllr Unsworth and RESOLVED that the council agree with the recommendations of the consultation document.

REVIEW OF TOWN AND PARISH ALLOWANCES

The recent review by the remuneration panel has made recommendations regarding the level of a Basic Parish Allowance. It also approved the payment of a Travel and Subsistence allowance to members for attending meetings outside their own boundaries at the same rate and conditions as Barnsley members, the AMAP rate. Cllr B Hinchliff moved that we accept the document and its recommendations, seconded by Cllr Collett.

ACCOUNTS – FIRST QUARTER TO 30^TH JUNE 2005

The council considered the first quarters accounts. Moved by Cllr R Hinchliff, seconded by Cllr Rusby and RESOLVED that the council accept the General Accounts. Moved by Cllr Bradbury, seconded by Cllr Elders and RESOLVED that the council accept the Paramount accounts.

EXPENDITURE ITEMS

General Account - Moved by Cllr Lucas, seconded by Cllr R Hinchliff and RESOLVED that the council accept the expenditure items.

Paramount Account – Moved by Cllr Collett, seconded by Cllr Rusby and RESOLVED that the council accept the expenditure items.

REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM PAGE

Cllrs Hinchliff, Bradbury and Elders left the room. Cllr Lucas took the Chair.

The Clerk read the letter to the council from Mr Wright, Park Avenue requesting financial assistance towards the legal costs incurred by PAGE applying for Village Green status.

A discussion followed and it was agreed that further information was required before an informed decision can be taken. It was moved by Cllr Collett, seconded by Cllr Unsworth and RESOLVED that the decision be deferred to a later meeting. The following information is to be obtained, the status of the group and a copy of their accounts.

PARAMOUNT MEETING

Cllr Elders referred Councillors to the minutes of the Paramount meeting. The admissions have not been as good as we had hoped but the hot weather has been a contributing factor. There is to be a new print of the classic West Side Story which we hope to screen. Several films have been obtained on release for the summer. From September there is a wide variety of live events for all ages. Rob, Kath and Derek Dalton have successfully worked together to streamline the paperwork. Mr Dalton must be publicly thanked for his support and help of the Paramount.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

No one to speak