DRAFT MINUTES of the MEETING of SILKSTONE PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday
3 APRIL 2017 at 6.45pm at Silkstone Sports Pavilion.

PRESENT
Chair: Cllr Meryl Liddell

Councillors: Richard Leech, Derek Liddell, Debra Smith, Richard Bell, Steve Fletcher, Ron Stier and Susan Wareham.

In attendance: 2 members of the public.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
A member of the public advised that grates have not been cleared, and drew attention to wall damage along Conroyd Wood caused by a car accident. This has now been rectified. ML advised that the Parish Council will engage contractors to repair damage to the wall below the recently-removed tree at Conroyd Wood.

Cllr Ron Stier advised that he has forwarded the Council’s sympathies to Cllr Paul Hand-Davies following his wife’s recent injury.

Cllr Derek Liddell reported his view that heavy vehicles have been using Silkstone Common as a short-cut route following diversions on the A628. This will be reported to BMBC.

Cllr Derek Liddell reported the recent merger of Rural Action Yorkshire and North Yorkshire and York Forum.

Cllr Richard Leech once again raised the problems of blocked gullies on the A628 and dangerous damage to the steps on the path between Towngate and Manor Park. BMBC has still not acted to remedy either of these problems.

Cllr Leech questioned whether heavy pruning on trees on the Waggonway was properly carried out.
Cllr Meryl Liddell was pleased to announce that a local resident has been appointed as a volunteer Internal Auditor.

16-205 APOLOGIES

RESOLVED to accept apologies from Cllr Andrew Browell, and Karen Canadine, Parish Clerk.

16-206 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

RESOLVED to note Cllr Stier’s declaration of interest, in respect of payments to the Handyman.

16-207 HUSKAR COMMUNITY ROOMS UPDATE

RESOLVED to note a verbal report from Linda Jackson regarding current bookings and accounts.

A new treasurer has been appointed, and several changes will improve financial systems. End of year accounts will now be prepared by the new treasurer and presented in due course. The Huskar Community Rooms are operating at a profit.

The vending machine is producing a reliable source of revenue. Rental income stream is good, with utilisation of daytime slots improving, and a growing number of user groups.

Damage caused by the break-in has been repaired, except the door frames which function but are looking bad. Litter is a problem and some anti-social behaviour has been observed.

All building snags have now been completed, but problems remain with obtaining income from solar panels. Lack of ventilation and management of the heating system is causing some difficulties, as is the shortage of parking.

16-208 MINUTES

RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Silkstone Parish Council meeting held on Monday 6 March 17 as a true and accurate record.

Cllr Meryl Liddell advised that the new handyman has now started.

RESOLVED to note the minutes Silkstone Playing Fields Committee dated 3 March 17.

Cllr Leech advised that the Committee is considering options to alleviate car parking difficulties during the cricket season. There will be no Rock in the Rec this year.

RESOLVED to issue a letter of thanks to the Rock in the Rec Committee.

16-209 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

None.

16-210 SILKSTONE WAR MEMORIAL

RESOLVED to note a verbal report from Cllr Bell.

Frank Brammall’s name has now been added to the war memorial, and thanks were made to the Barnsley Chronicle for its article on this. Cllr Bell hopes to organise a commemoration event.

Quotations for cleaning and repair are being received, and options for annual monitoring of the lean in the cross are being explored.

16-211 SILKSTONE RECREATION GROUND

RESOLVED to note the removal of a tree, and that works on the Trim Trail are underway.

RESOLVED to note a loose-fitting manhole cover which requires repairs.

RESOLVED to note that no issues were raised in respect of health & safety.

16-212 INVOICES FOR PAYMENT

Date / Payee / Description / Total
16-Mar-17 / Profell Tree Services / Tree work in Orchard Wood / 620
03-Apr-17 / YLCA / Annual membership 1 april 17 - 31 March 18 / 707.00
24-Mar-17 / RAM Masonry / Addition of F Bramall name to War Memorial / 240
16-Mar-17 / BOS Office Supplies / Spring Newsletter / 518.29
01-Mar-17 / Charge card / Carpet for Pavilion & card charge / 489.00
20-Feb-17 / Yorkshire Water / Use of water / 32.87
03-Mar-17 / Yorkshire Water / Use of water / 9.44
01-Feb-17 / Colin Waring / Handyman / 624.00
05-Mar-17 / E.on / Gas bill (pavilion) / 80.43
05-Mar-17 / E.on / electric bill (pavilion) / 47.06
03-Apr-17 / Employees / Payroll + Tax & NI + Pension / 1,612.97
4,981.06

RESOLVED to approve the invoices for payment schedule dated 3 April 2017 summarised below:

All payments include VAT where applicable.

16-213 MEETINGS

Cllr Richard Leech / Penistone Town Council meeting attended by Dr Alan Billings South Yorkshire PCC
Playing Fields Committee
Twinning Society
Meeting with the Chair and new Internal Auditor
Cllr Meryl Liddell / Meeting with new Internal Auditor
Meetings with Cllr Debra Smith regarding Summer Fete and payroll
South Yorkshire branch meeting YLCA
Huskar Community Rooms meeting
Meeting with new handyman re handover from Colin Waring,
Cllr Derek Liddell / NALC lobby day at Portcullis House, Westminster
Cllr Debra Smith / Meetings with Chair re Summer Fete and Payroll
Cllr Ron Stier / Penistone Town Council Meeting
Silkstone Common Good Companions
Cllr Steve Fletcher / Playing Fields Committee
Meeting with Streetscape re the Trim Trail
Cllr Richard Bell / Meeting with Rotherham’s re War Memorial works
Meeting with Chilli Lodge re summer fete/charity night

16-214 CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTE

Huskar Community Rooms / Request for permission to use a bouncy castle – permitted subject to proof of operator’s public liability insurance
Trains / Email regarding industrial action on 8th April – no trains will operate to Silkstone Common
Bothams / Email regarding annual works to playing fields. RESOLVED to delegate authority to Chair and Vice-chair to place order for works subject to confirmation that sums are within the agreed budget
E.on / Letter to confirm that new contract has started.
DEFRA / Letter regarding nitrate pollution – to be handed to groundsman.
Barnsley AGE UK / Letter re Social Inclusion Initiative – RESOLVED to invite correspondent to address a Council meeting
Barnsley MBC / Letter regarding Governance reviews – KC to consider attending meeting
Resident / Letter from resident regarding inadvertent negative impact of recent works in Orchard Wood. RESOLVED to ask CARE to resolve this problem.

16-215 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED to note that the next meeting of Silkstone Parish Council will be the Annual Meeting on Monday 8 May 2017 at
6.45pm at Silkstone Sports Pavilion.

RESOLVED to note that the Annual Parishioners Meeting will be held on Monday 10th April 2017 at Silkstone Common Methodist Church at 7.00pm.

Chairman’s Signature / Date

The Chair closed the meeting at 8.06 pm

Silkstone Parish Council 3 April 2017