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STAINFORTH TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD
ON TUESDAY 5TH DECEMBER 2017 AT 6.30P.M.
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, STAINFORTH.
PRESENT: Councillor Mrs. L. Crosby in the chair.
Councillors: Mrs. A. Abbott, K. Allsopp, Mrs. J. Bolton, S. Bolton, P. Bedford, W.S.Q. Cook, D. Moore, Mrs. I. Moore, E. Nesbitt, Mrs. M. Nesbitt, J. Waggitt, the Town Clerk, Mrs. K. Evans and the Deputy Clerk, P. Goodman.
Also Present: Public x 10
Public Participation: A Mayor’s award was given to Miss Lilianna Whittaker who helped lay the Mayor’s wreath at the Remembrance Day Service.
Domestics were announced by the Mayor.
1. TO NOTE APOLOGIES AND APPROVE REASONS FOR ABSENCE.
RESOLVED to accept all apologies and approve reasons for absence for the following members:
G. Derx
Mrs. P. Pilkington.
2. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF ANY INTERESTS. Invited by the Mayor and Cllr. Mrs. A. Abbott declared her interest in item 5.
3. TO APPROVE & RATIFY THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS: circulated prior to the meeting. Cllr. Allsopp questioned the process of signing off the minutes from previous meetings. The Clerk explained that all Councillors present approve the previous months minutes regardless of whether they attended or not. Ward Councillor Ken Keegan reiterated that this is the way it is done. RESOLVED they be signed by the Mayor:
(a) Town Council meeting held on 21.11.2017.
4. TO APPROVE ACCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL MATTERS – Listed on a separate sheet.
(a) To consider Christmas gift for voluntary member of staff at Cemetery. RESOLVED that a gift of £100.00 be given to Mr. Fullerton.
(b) To discuss heritage signs for the Town – The Clerk explained that this item had been deferred due to alterations in the design. The new estimated cost is in excess of £5000.00 and the Clerk suggested deferring this item to the budget meeting where it can be discussed further. Cllr. Cook stated that it would be nice to have the signs in place for the Tour De Yorkshire in May. Agreed to defer to budget meeting for discussion.
(c) Request for donation – DN7 Food Bank. RESOLVED that a donation of £200.00 be given to this group under S137 Powers.
4. TO APPROVE ACCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL MATTERS….continued….
(d) Cllr. Allsopp – Christmas donations to Food Bank families. This item was deferred from the last meeting and the Clerk once again informed members that the TC has no legal power to enable them to make donations to individuals and that S137 payments are capped at £200.00 per group. A lengthy discussion was held with some members feeling that there are a lot of under privileged people in the town and the Council cannot be seen to give to some and not all. Members agreed to try and do what they can to help the foodbank families and it was eventually agreed that Stainforth 4 All and the DN7 Hardship Fund would apply for a grant and the money would be passed on to the Food Bank from there. Noted.
5. TO CONSIDER CEMETERY MATTERS. RESOLVED that press & public be excluded, Public Bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960.
(a) Request for plastic headstone – Mrs. S. Jackson. The Clerk reported that having spoken to Carpenters stone mason he confirmed that the headstone in question does in fact have health and safety concerns and he refuses to fit the headstone on that basis. Cllr. Allsopp asked to see the headstone and members confirmed that having spoken to an expert this is not necessary. Cllr. Waggitt highlighted the fact that if damage were to happen to the TC staff would be to blame. The Mayor expressed her concerns over allowing this and going against the rules which would set a precedent for other people. A vote was held with 7 members voting to refuse permission for the headstone. Therefore carried. Clerk to write to Mrs. Jackson.
6. TO CONSIDER ITEMS OF CORRESPONDENCE. None.
7. TO CONSIDER PLANNING MATTERS. None.
8. TO REPORT ON POLICE MATTERS. Members reported damage to vehicles on New Park Estate which is becoming a regular occurrence. The Clerk was asked to request CCTV be placed in the area.
9. TO CONSIDER WELFARE GROUND MATTERS. Nothing to report.
10. TO CONSIDER HIGHWAYS MATTERS. A short discussion regarding the cost of road sweepers was held. Noted.
11. TO DISCUSS MAYOR’S CHARITY. The Mayor reported that she is continuing with her fund raising. Noted.
12. TO DISCUSS THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN. Cllr. Bedford, Chairman of the NDP Working Group, reported that the consultations have started with groups, organisations and businesses and the response is positive so far.
13. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON M18 LINK ROAD AND COLLIERY SITE. The Clerk read aloud an email she had received from Helen McLoughlin at Waystone which states that they are awaiting a clear delivery programme from DMBC Highways for the link road. A discussion was held and the Clerk was asked to clarify what the email meant and invite Helen to a TC meeting. Noted.
14. SERG – REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO STORE EQUIPMENT IN TC GARAGE. After a brief discussion it was agreed that permission would be given to SERG to use the Town Council garage to store their gardening and litter picking equipment. SERG representatives thanked members. The Clerk thanked Cllr. Waggitt for clearing the garage recently. Noted.
Clerk’s note: Cllr. S. Bolton left the meeting at this point, 7:15pm.
15. TO CONFIRM THE DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – confirmed as TUESDAY 16TH JANUARY 2018 at 6:30pm in the Council Chamber.
There being nothing further to discuss the meeting was closed at 7:30pm.
4. ACCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL MATTERS.
BACS payments made between 1.11.2017-28.11.2017:
Torne Valley / Work boots, Cem / 73.50DMBC / Refuse collec'n, cem / 972.00
Millenium Quest Ltd / Installation of Christmas Lights & Storage / 1,656.00
Manor Tyres / Puncture Repair / 12.00
Manor Tyres / Seal Repair / 24.00
W.S.Q. Cook / Refund, Photo's donated to S4All / 160.00
K. Evans / Refund, Remem'ce Day Wreath / 10.00
K. Evans / Refund, Refreshments & Cups, Remem'ce Day / 22.69
Pest-Kill Direct / Annual Service, Cem / 320.00
J. Hepworth / Accountancy Services qtr end 30.9.2017 / 97.20
HMRC / M7 Conts / 1,230.78
DMBC / Grounds Main'ce 2nd Quarter / 306.00
Safety Testing UK / Machine Store Extension / 840.00
K. Evans / Refund, Toilet Rolls, Pav / 15.94
S. Abbott / Refund, Plants, Cem / 8.95
Amazon / Digital Voice Recorder / 52.99
Signed Mayor ………………………………………………….……16th January 2018