At a meeting of PENISTONE TOWN COUNCIL

Held on Monday 20th November 2006 in the Council Chambers,

Town Hall, Penistone at 7.00pm.

PRESENT

The Town Mayor, Cllr Mrs N Collett and Cllrs  JB Lucas, N Gregory, P Hand Davis, GL Collett, D Harrison, R Hinchliff, Mrs B Hinchliff, P Starling and the Clerk.

 

ABSENT

Apologies for absence were accepted from Cllrs Mrs A Rusby, J Unsworth and D Lofthouse

 

Cllr Mrs Bradbury arrived 5 minutes late and brought apologies from Cllrs Elders and Simon

 

MINUTES

The Minutes of the following meetings were confirmed

              Penistone Town Council dated 16th October 2006

Planning Meeting dated 16th October 2006

              Road Safety Advisory Meeting dated 14th November 2006

 

Moved by Cllr Harrison, seconded by Cllr RN Gregory and RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Road Safety Committee be acted upon.

 

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST

None declared.

 

REPORT OF BARNSLEY MEMBERS

Cllr Mrs Hinchliff reported that the Co-op had requested a judicial review on the Town Centre Development plans, which will result in delaying the project.

 

The Area Boards survey will continue with representatives from all agencies, i.e. PCT. Membership of the Area Forum includes Parish Council representatives from Silkstone and Langsett and a representative from Churches together.  Mrs Gower was thanked for her past contribution.

 

A meeting at Penistone Grammar school will discuss the possibility of land sharing with Adult Learning.  The Old Headmasters house and Fulford Hall should remain.  The Charity Commuissioners have been approached.  Penistone Town Council has several members on the foundation governor’s board.

 

Cllr L Collett asked why Penistone Town Council was not represented on the Area Board and that two Parish Councillors had expressed an interest.  Moved by Cllr Collett, seconded by Cllr Starling and RESOLVED that the Area Forum officer be asked what process had undergone to select the second Parish Councillor.  If there was a vacancy why weren’t other Parishes advised.

 

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP UPDATE 

Deferred to a later meeting in the absence of Cllr Unsworth.

 

OPERATION MISCHIEF

A letter from Inspector Edwards was read to the council advising of the reduction in reported crime over Operation Mischief. As Halloween and Bonfire night see a rise in crime the Operation was the response by South Yorkshire Police and joint agencies towards anticipated problems of antisocial behaviour. Cllr L Collett moved the letter be noted.    Cllr Mrs Hinchliff added that much work had been done locally with the Community Safety Network group.

 

COMMUNITY CENTRE REPORT

Cllr Harrison reported that a meeting of the Community Centre Committee is due to be arranged. Barnsley MBC have prepared a specification for the boundary wall which has been sent to contractors to tender.  When the quotes have been received the meeting will be arranged. There have been problems with the drains, which have been more complex than originally anticipated but are now resolved. Consideration has been given to improving the arrangements for administration office space. Several ideas have been discussed but until the future of the It suite and Adult learning is confirmed this cannot be finalised.

Moved by Cllr Mrs Hinchliff, seconded by Cllr L Collett and RESOLVED that the Adult Learning department be approached again with a copy of the agreement.

 

ALLOTMENT PROVISION

The clerk read a letter from Barnsley MBC regarding the land behind Park Avenue.  This land is administered by Strategic Housing who is looking into the possibility of leasing the land to Penistone Town Council for Allotment purposes. Cllr Mrs Hinchliff reported that various companies have looked at building on this land but access problems have prevented this. This should be pursued due to the long waiting list.  Allotment holders would have pedestrian access.  Moved by Cllr Mrs Hinchliff, seconded by Cllr L Collett and RESOLVED that the council peruse this additional land for allotment purposes.  Cllr Starling added that within the agreement it must be stated that an Allotment Society must be formed within the Community Partnership for management purposes.

 

HALF YEAR ACCOUNTS TO 30th SEPTEMBER 2006

The Clerk reported on the half year accounts to 30th September 2006, providing an analysis against budget expectations.  Moved by Cllr R Hinchliff, seconded by Cllr JB Lucas and RESOLVED that these be accepted.

 

PARAMOUNT REPORT

Cllr Starling gave an update on the Paramount activities.  The Halloween Evening had been a huge success with the added benefit of keeping youngsters occupied.  From the Half-year accounts it can be seen that the accounts are good.  The Sound system installation is ongoing.

The new manager has been appointed and Joe Littlewood will be joining us in the New Year from Chesterfield Art College.  The workshop, which had been postponed, will be rescheduled when he is in post.  Films coming soon include The History Boys, A Good Year and Casino Royale.

 

EXPENDITURE ITEMS FOR APPROVAL

Moved by Cllr R Hinchliff, seconded by Cllr RN Gregory and RESOLVED that the expenditure items for the General Account be paid.

Moved by Cllr P Starling, seconded by Cllr R Hinchliff and RESOLVED that expenditure items from the Paramount account be paid.

 

TOWN TWINNING

Cllr Mrs N Collett has been sounding out opinion within the Town about the possibility of Town twinning with a town in the South of France and is now seeking agreement to look at the implications of Town Twinning.  Cllr Mrs Hinchliff said that this had been looked into about eight years ago unsuccessfully, as the town in France seemed uninterested.  France would be a more accessible place for twinning with.  Cllr Mrs Collett had discussed the possibility with Nigel Bath the Twinning Officer at Barnsley MBC.

 

Cllr L Collett said it must not be restricted to the South of France as we need to think of somewhere closer and suitable.  It should be a similar sized community with similar socio economic backgrounds.

 

Cllr Mrs Hinchliff said the Grammar School already has connections with exchange students and perhaps this could be further explored. The Council were unanimous in looking into further Town Twinning 

 

 

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS