At a meeting of   PENISTONE TOWN COUNCIL

Held on Monday 19th September 2005

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

PRESENT

The Town Mayor, Cllr Mrs B Hinchliff, and Cllrs  R Hinchliff, Mrs A Rusby, Mrs E Elders, D Harrison, J B Lucas, RN Gregory, Mrs CA Bradbury, P Hand Davis, Mrs N Collett, P Starling, J Unsworth, G Punt, D Lofthouse, A Simon and The Clerk.  Three members of the public were also present.

 

Prior to the meeting commencing a short presentation on the changes at the Scout Dyke activity centre was given by Chairman of the Trustees, Ron Carbutt and Centre Manager, Kevin Fitzpatrick.

 

MINUTES

The minutes of the following meetings were confirmed

                                    Penistone Town Council Dated 18th July 2005

Planning Meeting Dated 18th July 2005

Planning Meeting 17th August 2005

                                    Paramount Meeting Dated 14th September 2005 

 

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST

Cllrs B Hinchliff, E Elders and C Bradbury declared personal and prejudicial interest in the Agenda items relating to the Village Green and PAGE.

Cllrs Unsworth, Elders and Hand Davis declared a personal interest in the Community Partnership.

Cllrs Rusby, Unsworth and Harrison declared a personal interest in PAGE.

Cllr Bradbury declared an interest in Staffing issues.

Cllr B Hinchliff declared an interest in the Penistone Competitive Music Festival.

 

REPORT OF BARNSLEY MBC MEMBERS

Cllr Punt reported on the new regeneration funding for Penistone, following on from the MTI group. There will be money from English Heritage and Yorkshire Forward for the upgrade of derelict buildings in the Town Centre which will be administered by Barnsley MBC.  Concerns have been raised with regard to the Ambulance Service, which will be administered from Hoyland. SYMAS will be giving a presentation at the October Area Forum.  The new Community Minibus is to be launched from the Community Centre on Saturday

 

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Cllr Unsworth gave a brief report, informing the Council that the AGM will take place the following evening at Wortley Hall. Important discussion regarding the constitution and the application to apply for charitable status will take place.

 

YEAR END ACCOUNTS – EXTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT

BDO Stoy Hayward in Southampton has audited the year-end accounts to 31st March 2005. There are no issues arising from this audit for further action.  The Clerk was thanked for the work involved in preparing the accounts.

 

CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS AND AREA FORUM GRANT APPLICATION

The Clerk reported that many of the decorations had been damaged beyond repair during the stormy weather last year.  New lights have been purchased for the small trees but further work is needed on the frame decorations. An application for funding towards the cost of the lights erection and removal, together with the installation of a new external socket is to be made to the Area Forum.

 

Cllrs Hinchliff, Bradbury and Elders left the room for the following two items.  Cllr Lucas took the Chair.

 

VILLAGE GREEN APPLICATION BY SIMON HIRST

For information, the clerk brought a copy of the application dated January 2005 to the Council. This was noted.

 

REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM PAGE

Additional information had been provided with regard to the accounts of PAGE. The Town Council is divided on this and following discussion Cllr Unsworth moved that the request is noted and the decision is deferred to a later date. Seconded by Cllr Starling.

 

EXPENDITURE ITEMS

Moved by Cllr Hinchliff, seconded by Cllr Rusby and RESOLVED that the accounts for the General Account be paid.

Moved by Cllr Elders, seconded by Cllr Collett and RESOLVED that the accounts for the Paramount be paid.

 

It was moved by Cllr Lucas, seconded by Cllr Collett and RESOLVED that the following two items be deferred to the end of the Agenda.

 

·        Approval Of Recommendations Of Staff Working Party

·        Legal Action Against Penistone Town Council

 

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS  - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

 

GRANT REQUEST FROM PENISTONE COMPETITIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL

A letter has been received from Penistone Competitive Music Festival asking for a donation towards their costs. Moved by Cllr Harrison and seconded by Cllr Punt that a donation of £100 be given, as provided in the budget.

 

REPLACEMENT COMPUTER SYSTEM – FINANCE OFFICE

The computer system in the account office is outdated and struggling with the new programmes.

Several quotes have been obtained.  The most suitable package will cost £814.  Moved by Cllr Harrison, seconded by Cllr Punt and agreed that the system be purchased.

 

PARAMOUNT EQUIPMENT UPGRADE

For information - with the closure of the Odeon cinema in Barnsley, there is the possibility that the Paramount may be able to purchase some of the equipment no longer needed.  Some of the technology is superior to that owned by the Paramount.  The Paramount manager is to investigate this further.

 

 

 

IN COMMITTEE

For the following two items, in view of the confidential nature of the business it is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw.

 

·        APPROVAL OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF STAFF WORKING PARTY

Following discussion it was moved by Cllr Harrison, seconded by Cllr Unsworth and agreed that the report be accepted with the exception of the Pension provision which will be deferred to a further meeting.

 

·        LEGAL ACTION AGAINST PENISTONE TOWN COUNCIL

A claim against the Town Council has been filed at County Court by Kevin Grunill. The Chairman and the Clerk have visited Bury and Walkers solicitors.  The legal advice we have had to date is good. However, as this is in the small claims court the Town Council must be aware that they will need to pay their own legal costs regardless of outcome. The options are to increase the out of court settlement offer, or to defend the action. Much discussion followed. Cllr Starling moved that the offer be increased. Cllr Rusby spoke against this action and that the Town Council should defend its position in a public arena.  Cllr Unsworth seconded the motion to increase the offer.  A vote was taken, two for and thirteen against. Cllr Punt moved that the council contest  this claim and do not increase the offer, seconded by Cllr Lucas and RESOLVED to defend the action. A statement is to be made by the Chairman.