PRESENT

The Town Mayor, Cllr Mrs B Hinchliff and Cllrs Mrs A Rusby, D Lofthouse, R Hinchliff, G J Punt, D Harrison, J Unsworth, N Collett, P Hand-Davis, N Gregory, Mrs C Bradbury, P Starling, E A Elders and Wendy Kitchen (in the absence of the Clerk). Two members of the public were present.

ABSENT

Apologies for absence were accepted from Cllrs A Simon and JB Lucas.

115/05 MINUTES

The minutes of the following meetings were confirmed as a true record:

Penistone Town Council dated 20^th February 2006

Planning dated 20^th February 2006

Road Safety Advisory dated 13^th March 2006

St John’s Community Centre dated 14^th March 2006

At a meeting of the Yorkshire Day Committee on 20^th March 2006, the Committee voted 4 for and 1 against to change the venue to Penistone Grammar School and the Parade route be changed to – Community Centre to Church., then from Church onto Market St, down Church St, up Shrewsbury Rd and back round Market St to Community Centre. Moved Cllr Mrs Collett, seconded Cllr Starling that these changes be accepted and items relating to the venue and route in the Yorkshire day minutes of 24^th January 2006 be rescinded. Vote of 8 in favour, 1 against with 2 abstentions. This was carried.

116/05 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST.

Cllrs Unsworth, B Hinchliff, Rusby, Punt, Gregory, Harrison and Collett declared an interest in Penistone Grammar School.

Cllr Elders declared a financial interest in Yorkshire day.

117/05 REPORT ON MOTTRAM BYPASS – MR S SPINKS

Mr Spinks gave a report on the effects this by-pass would create, along with a list of questions which need to be answered by the Highways Agency. Moved Cllr Punt, seconded Cllr Mrs Collett and RESOLVED that Penistone Town Council would work in conjunction with adjacent Parish Councils, the C.P.R.E. and Mr Spinks to present a case to the Highways Agency and inspectorate to alleviate the problems presented by the Mottram/Tintwhistle by-pass. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the Highways Agency based on suggested points made by Mr Spinks.

118/05 REPORT OF BARNSLEY MEMBERS

Cllr Mrs B Hinchliff reported that all Council members were extremely busy at the moment getting ready for the elections. Cllr Punt reported that Penistone roads had been granted 26% of repairs, there is a full list of the roads to be improved in the Community Centre office, if anyone had any others to add he would try to get them added to the list.

119/05 COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP UPDATE

Cllr Unsworth reported that St John’s Church had received approval for £100,000 grant for improvements inside the Church. The Community Partnership are looking at new premises and e-learning at the Library was going ahead.

120/05 NATIONAL SCHOOL

Cllr R Hinchliff reported that there is interest from other parties in the purchase of the National School. Moved Cllr R Hinchliff, seconded Cllr Bradbury and RESOLVED that a letter is sent to the Wakefield Diocese expressing the Town Council’s interest in acquiring the building for the benefit of the Penistone Community and that a Trust be formed to manage the project.

121/05 PENISTONE GRAMMAR SCHOOL – FOUNDATION TRUST

Moved Cllr Mrs Rusby, seconded Cllr Mrs Collett and RESOLVED that Cllr D Harrison continue as Governor for a further 4 years.

122/05 PARAMOUNT REPORT

Cllr Mrs Elders reported that film admissions were very good, with the best attended matinee being Mrs Henderson presents. The recent “Mercury” concert was a sellout and the effects were superb. ”Memories are Made of This” was also a success and the group have made another booking for June. The Operations manager has built up an excellent rapport with film distributors and we are getting more films on release.

123/05 STAFFING ISSUES

Due to the confidential nature this item was moved into private session.

124/05 EXPENDITURE ITEMS

Moved by Cllr Mrs Collett, seconded by Cllr Mrs Rusby and RESOLVED that the expenditure items from the general account be paid.

Moved Cllr Mrs Elders, seconded Cllr R Hinchliff and RESOLVED that the expenditure items from the Paramount account be paid.

125/05 SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

No members of the Penistone Town Council area were present.