At a meeting of the Penistone Town Council
Held on
In The Council Chamber at
Prior
to the meeting commencing, Mrs Gower, Head Teacher of Penistone Grammar School
outlined consultation plans for the new school.
PRESENT
The
Town Mayor, Cllr Mrs N Collett and Cllrs J Unsworth, D Harrison, Mrs
A Rusby, JB Lucas, GL Collett,
P Starling, Mrs C Bradbury, Mrs E Elders, Mrs B Hinchliff,
R Hinchliff, P Hand Davis and The Clerk
ABSENT
Apologies
for absence were accepted from Cllr N Gregory, A Simon and D Lofthouse.
MINUTES
The
minutes of the following meetings were confirmed as a true record
Penistone Town Council dated 17th July 2006
Planning Meeting dated 17th July 2006
Planning Meeting dated 17th July 2006
Paramount Management meeting 11th
September 2006
Matters arising
Cllr Harrison
as Chairman of the Yorkshire Day Committee thanked all who had helped and taken
part in the days celebrations which were a
huge success. The accounts cannot
be finalised until all funding has been received. A meeting will then be called.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
Cllr
Mrs B Hinchliff reported that the planning
application for affordable housing has just been received at Barnsley. Springvale School parents and governors have
been disappointed with the response regarding traffic issues. Cllr Unsworth asked
about the timing of the Penistone Library closure for refurbishment. It will be closed from October to February
which is the same time as central library.
The
Sports Development Officer post has now been replaced by a Healthy Lifestyle
Officer – Lee Thompson. The Upper Don project has appointed a project officer,
Esther Mander with funding from Leader+. John Hislop has been appointed to the Living Heritage
post. The AGM will be held on Tuesday 26th September at 7.30 at St
Andrews Church.
Cllr
Harrison reported that a request has been received that the Town Council erect
a ‘No Thoroughfare’ sign at the Allotment site.
Entrance can be gained from either end and people are using it as a
public thoroughfare. Unfortunately two
of the allotment holders have suffered theft from their plots. It was moved by
Cllr Harrison, seconded by Cllr Rusby and RESOLVED
that the Council purchase appropriate signage, supporting the request of the
tenants.
Mr
Clapham letter asked for views on how the local bus services could be
improved. Cllr Mrs Collett
read a letter from a resident requesting a direct bus link between Penistone
and the Hospital. The letter included a
solution of slight deviation from the current services route which would
provide the requested stop. Moved by
Cllr Mrs Collett, seconded by Cllr JB Lucas and
RESOLVED that this letter be copied to Mr Clapham. Cllr Unsworth
expanded on the actual review. Since
deregulation there is a reduced service due to the socio-economic climate. All
bus companies wish to send buses on the most profitable routes and are not
interested in rural routes. The review
is looking to enforce a quality of service contract.
A
vacancy has arisen for a representative governor and the trust requested a
nomination from the Town council. Moved
by Cllr Mrs A Rusby, seconded by Cllr L Collett and RESOLVED that Cllr R Hinchliff
be appointed.
This
item was moved to the Planning Agenda.
GENERAL ACCOUNT –
Moved by Cllr Mrs A Rusby, seconded by Cllr JB
Lucas and RESOLVED that the accounts paid for July and August be approved.
PARAMOUNT ACCOUNT – Moved by Cllr Starling,
seconded by Cllr Rusby and RESOLVED that the accounts
paid for July and August be approved.
GENERAL ACCOUNT –
Moved by Cllr Mrs A Rusby, seconded by Cllr R Hinchliff and RESOLVED that the expenditure items for
August and September be paid.
PARAMOUNT ACCOUNT – Moved by Cllr Starling, seconded by Cllr Bradbury and RESOLVED
that the expenditure items for August and September be paid.
Cllr
Starling referred to the minutes of the previous weeks meeting. Film attendance is very poor at the moment
and this is reflected nationally by the quality of films. A full programme of
live events is coming up to Christmas.
The digital sound and projector is being installed this week. Rob
Younger is leaving at the end of the month and the Councils thanks for all the
work he has done must be formally recorded. A further discussion regarding the
Paramount Manager’s Post is required to approve the recruitment plan, job
description and salary details. Cllr Starling moved that this be moved into
private session excluding the public and press, seconded by Cllr Mrs Rusby.
OFFICE SPACE FOR MAYOR AND
COUNCILLORS – CLLR MRS COLLETT
Cllr
Mrs Collett asked that the available office space in
the Community Centre be reconsidered and possibly arranged better. At present the Clerks office is too small and
there is no where for councillors to hold meetings or make phone calls. Cllr L Collett added that the Town Clerks office should be in the
Town Hall building. It is not a
professional image to meet people in such an overcrowded area. Cllr Harrison
reported that this had been looked at before, possibly converting what is
currently the caretakers storage area into a joint administration space with
the general office. Cllr Unsworth suggested that the
Mayor, Cllr Harrison and Deputy Mayor explore the possibilities.
Our internal auditor Derek Dalton wishes to retire
from this position but has recommended a replacement. Cllr Collett
suggested that the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor Elect meet this person with the
Clerk. Moved by Cllr Rusby,
seconded by Cllr Harrison and RESOLVED that these Cllrs
be given delegated authority to appoint. Cllr Unsworth
moved that Derek Dalton be thanked for all his support over the years.
51/06 NATIONAL
SCHOOL PROPOSALS
Project officers from the Community Partnership have
put together a proposal for the future of the National School which has been
seen by Councillors. A discussion
followed which included the poor state of the building, the fact that it is
within the curtilage of the Community Centre, the
difficulties with the Charity Commission and the long term plans that the
Council has had to purchase the property. All agreed that the building needs
restoring back for community use. Cllr Hinchliff advised the Council that a meeting of the
Trustees has not taken place. Moved by Cllr Hinchliff,
seconded by Cllr Collett and RESOLVED that the Town
Council request a meeting with the Trustees to discuss the future of the
building.
Moved by Cllr L Collett,
seconded by Cllr Bradbury and RESOLVED that a letter of support be forwarded
from the Town Council in support of Penistone FM’s application for a full
licence.
53/06 “ADOPT A
PATH” SCHEME
The launch of the above scheme will take place on 15th
October at Langsett.
This is run by a sub group of the Penistone Environment Group, which
aims to keep open, maintain and improve the paths of Penistone East and West.
Councillors are invited to attend. Cllr Collett moved the letter is noted.
A letter has been received from St Johns Church,
inviting the Council to participate in the Christmas Tree Festival. All Councillors were in favour of the Town
Council supporting this project.
At Penistone Agricultural Show, the Mayor was presented
with an engraved skate from John Wilson Skates, a specialist Sheffield firm who
appear at the show each year. The skate is to be displayed in the Council
Chamber and is engraved – ‘John Wilson Skates, Made in England, EEF Sheffield
HD Sports Ltd. Cut and marked by Edward
Pryor’.
No members of the public present.