At a meeting of PENISTONE TOWN COUNCIL

Held on Monday 19th February 2007

In the Council Chambers, Town Hall, Penistone at 7.00 PM.

 

PRESENT

The Town Mayor, Cllr Mrs N Collett and Cllrs JB Lucas, GL Collett, P Starling, J Unsworth, D Harrison, Mrs A Rusby, Mrs B Hinchliff, R Hinchliff, Mrs E Elders, A Simon, D Lofthouse, Mrs C Bradbury and the Clerk.  One Member of the public present.

 

APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were accepted from Cllr P Hand Davis and RN Gregory

 

MINUTES

The Minutes of the following meetings were confirmed as a true record.

Penistone Town Council dated 15th January 2007

Planning Meeting dated 15th January 2007

St John’s Community Centre dated 23rd January 2007

 

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST

Cllr Mrs C Bradbury declared an interest in item 7.1 Community Centre Hire Charges and 13 Application for Well Dressing

                                   

REPORT OF BARNSLEY MEMBER

Cllr Mrs B Hinchliff reported that Budget would be agreed this week.  Many of the offices have moved to the new Westgate Plaza.  Penistone Town Hall now has a Registrar service available on Thursdays.  The count for the May elections on Thursday 3rd will all take place in the Metrodome, Barnsley during the day on Friday. The newly refurbished libraries in Penistone and Barnsley have reopened. There appears to be far fewer non-fiction books than before.  Moved by Cllr Mrs Hinchliff, seconded by Cllr J Unsworth and RESOLVED that a letter be sent to the Chief Librarian regarding the reduction in reference books.  IT facilities are necessary but the core business remains books.

 

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP UPDATE

Cllr J Unsworth gave an update on the various projects and the possibility that a trading arm may be established to create a profit. The formation of a new South Yorkshire Rural Community Council to articulate the needs of our area, with involvement of both statutory and voluntary agencies.  Potentially, this is an important source of support for Town and Parish Councils with funding sources available.  There has been no progress on the National School project as the officer is awaiting a response from English Heritage regarding the possibility of a grant to fund the necessary internal improvements.

 

APPROVAL OF COMMUNITY CENTRE RECOMMENDATIONS:

Re: Hire Charges, Moved by Cllr Harrison, seconded by Cllr R Hinchliff and RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Community Centre Management Committee be approved.

 

Tenders for Boundary Wall, Moved by Cllr Harrison, seconded by Cllr R Hinchliff and RESOLVED that due to the nature of the business to be transacted, it is advisable that the public and press be excluded.  This item moved to the end of the agenda.

 

UPDATE ON ALLOTMENT PROVISION

The Clerk advised the Council that there had been no response yet from Barnsley MBC regarding the land to the rear of Park Avenue or the availability of any other.  However, Network Rail has been approached regarding the use of any suitable land adjacent the Trans Pennine Trail.

PARAMOUNT REPORT

Cllr P Starling reported on the success of this year's Pantomime.  The date of the next management meeting is 12th March 2007.  The new manager has several new ideas, which will be taken to that meeting.

 

EXPENDITURE ITEMS

Moved by Cllr J Unsworth, seconded by Cllr Rusby and RESOLVED that the expenditure items for the General Account be paid.

Moved by Cllr L Collett, seconded by Cllr R Hinchliff and RESOLVED that the expenditure items for the Paramount Account be paid.

 

SAFETY BARRIERS

The Town Council has been advised that the Penistone Police Station no longer have enough traffic cones to be used for community events.  Rather than purchase cones, which are a target for thieves, the clerk would like to purchase additional crowd control barriers for the various Town Council public events.  The cost would be approximately £500. Moved by Cllr L Collett, seconded by Mrs B Hinchliff and RESOLVED that additional safety barriers be ordered.

 

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT – HOYLANDSWAINE VILLAGE HALL, 

Moved by Cllr J Unsworth, seconded by Cllr Rusby and RESOLVED that due to the nature of the business to be transacted, it is advisable that the public and press be excluded.  This item moved to the end of the agenda.

 

REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION – PENISTONE WELL DRESSING

Moved by Cllr J Unsworth, seconded by Cllr Rusby and RESOLVED that due to the nature of the business to be transacted, it is advisable that the public and press be excluded.  This item moved to the end of the agenda.

 

QUALITY COUNCIL SCHEME - UPDATE

The Clerk reported that the Town Council meets the criteria for attaining Quality Council Status. A portfolio of work must be submitted including evidence of good practice.  The communication section needs updating as the Community Website has not been updated since July and it is no longer being managed.  The production of a quarterly newsletter will address this issue together with publication of the minutes.  Moved by Cllr L Collett, seconded by Cllr Mrs B Hinchliff and AGREED that the Council work towards achieving Quality Status in the next 12 months.

 

INVESTORS IN PEOPLE – FOR DISCUSSION

A discussion took place regarding the introduction of this scheme to the Town Council. It was generally not supported at this time as considered very expensive and of little benefit where correct procedures are already in place.

 

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS –

Participation session for members of the electorate in Penistone (10mins in total)

 

DIARY DATE

Invitation to the opening and Consecration of the extension to Stottercliffe Cemetery. The service is to be held in the cemetery on Tuesday 6th March 2007 at 2pm and will be conducted by the Mayor of Barnsley Cllr Margaret Morgan and the Bishop of Pontefract the Right Reverend Tony Robinson.