SITLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council held at Netherton Junior & Infant School on 5th July 2011 at 7.15p.m.
Present:- Councillor R Bennett in the Chair.
Parish Councillors H Kirkpatrick, W Newsome, J Newsome, D Walker, R Aspinall, R Morton & A Shaw.
District Councillor Drysdale.
One resident attended the meeting and P.C. Findlay attended for the Police Safe Scheme Reports agenda item.
Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillor N Brook.
58.
Declarations of Interest.
Councillors J Newsome, W Newsome, H Kirkpatrick and R Morton declared an interest in Netherton Sports and Social
Club agenda item and Councillor R Bennett declared an interest in the Co-option to vacant Parish Councillor vacancies
and all completed and signed the relevant form.
59.
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 7th June 2011
It was proposed by Councillor Morton seconded by Councillor J Newsome and Resolved – That, with the amendment to
Minute number 57 ‘Report from the Employment Committee’ to state ‘..the Clerk had agreed to continue in post until 31 st
March 2012..’, the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 7th June 2011 be approved as a correct record and
signed by the Chairman.
60.
Co-option to vacant Parish Councillor posts
The Clerk reported that, as agreed at the Parish Council Meeting held on 7th June 2011, as the two vacancies for
Middlestown Ward remained unfilled further adverts had been placed in the parish noticeboards, on the website and in the
Netherton column of the Wakefield Express. As a result two people, Margaret Bradley and Janet Bennett, had registered
an interest in filling the vacancies and were in attendance. It was proposed by Councillor J Newsome, seconded by
Councillor Morton and resolved that Margaret Bradley and Janet Bennett be co-opted to the vacancies in Middlestown
Ward and both completed and signed the ‘Declaration of Acceptance of Office’ form and joined the meeting.
61.
Communications Received.
The following correspondence had been brought to the attention of members in the Clerk’s report:Letters:
Pear Technology – Land Management Support
West Yorkshire Police – Receipt of Safe Scheme payment
LCR – Summer edition of magazine
Resident of Middlestown – Letter & petition against building wind turbines in the parish
Voluntary Action Wakefield – ‘Celebrate & Develop your Community Building’ event 19th July 11
YLCA – Joint Annual Meeting 2011
e-mails:
NALC – Councillors’ Notifications Under The Data Protection Act 1998
YLCA – Relaxation of planning rules for change of use from commercial to residential
Wakefield Together Partnership – Local Area Forum Meeting 7th July 2011
Wakefield Council – New agenda for council 15th June 2011
Sustainable Gov Ltd – Public services efficiency update
Wakefield Council – Notice of cancellation of Code of Conduct training
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust – Information request on wind turbine reports
NALC – Communities in Action Conference – Sheffield 19th July 2011
YLCA – Development Control Seminars
YLCA – Planning seminars
National Coal Mining Museum – Invitation to event on 24th June 2011
YLCA – Training & Development Programme 2011
YLCA – Power of Well Being training
NHS Wakefield District – Annual Meeting & Update on Health Service Reforms
LCR Online – News update
Coxley News – Request for articles
Wakefield Council – New Minutes for Council 15th June 2011
Action Planning – ‘Inspire Your Board’ Conference
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Communications Received (continued).
Since the Clerk had prepared his report the following items of correspondence had been received:
Letters:
Wakefield Council Electoral Services Office – Register of Electors Monthly Update
Clerk & Councils Direct – July 2011 magazine
Voluntary Action Wakefield – Celebrate & develop your community building event
e-mails:
Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council – Request for support
YLCA – Working with your Council course
DSC e-news – Nominations for social change awards
All correspondence was noted.
62.
Potential for the siting of wind turbines in the parish
Councillor R Bennett introduced the agenda item explaining that the discussion and subsequent decision was limited to
the potential for a phase II feasibility study.
Councillor Aspinall requested clarification of the Parish Council aim of protecting green belt land whilst considering
allowing a turbine to be built on green belt land. Councillor J Newsome commented that the Parish Council had a
responsibility to all parishioners and should therefore collect as much information as possible before the public was
consulted and they would therefore be able to make their views know to the Parish Council by assessing all the relevant
facts and these views could then be taken into account by the Parish Council.
It was proposed by Councillor W Newsome, seconded by Councillor Morton and, by a vote of eight for and two against,
resolved that the Parish Council should apply for grant funding to enable a phase II feasibility study on the potential to
site wind turbines in the parish to be commissioned.
63.
Police Safe Scheme Reports
P.C. Findlay circulated information and provided details of crimes in the Parish in June 2011 which showed nine reported
crimes in Middlestown and three in Netherton. Of these seven related to theft, three to damage to vehicles, one to other
damage and one, in Middlestown, to burglary from a dwelling. In addition there were five reports of anti-social
behaviour.
Discussion took place on the continuing problem of large vehicles using Blacker Lane in Netherton and the Clerk was
requested to contact Wakefield Council Highways Section to arrange a meeting over this and other traffic issues in the
parish.
The Clerk informed the meeting that he had received a report of motorcycles riding on Emroyd Common and had
discussed the issue with Safe Scheme Officers and P.C. Findlay agreed to further investigate progress.
64.
Planning Applications.
The Clerk reported that since he had written his report the following new applications had been received:Application
Name of
Location
Description of Application
Type of
Number
Applicant
Application
11/01122/FUL
Mr & Mrs
31 Bar Lane,
Construct of 1 no 10kw wind turbine Full Planning
Goodwin
Midgley
on a 15.08m high monopole mast in
assoc with exist farm (resub)
The application was noted.
65.
Planning Decisions.
The Clerk reported that no notifications of planning decisions had been received since he had written his report.
66.
Applications for Memorials
The Clerk reported that the following application had been received and, due to urgency, had been approved by
Parish Councillors Morton and J Newsome:
Lawnstone – Netherton Cemetery Grave 118 Section A – Barbara and Kenneth Birkinshaw.
The application was noted.
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67.
Report from the Finance Committee
Councillor J Bennett declared an interest in the Internal Audit Report 2010/2011 agenda item and completed and signed
the relevant form.
The report from the Finance Committee meeting held on 23rd June 2011, the minutes for which had been circulated with
the Clerks’ report, was discussed:
Internal Audit Report 2010/2011 – the Clerk informed the meeting that the Parish Council procedures and controls had
been shown to be satisfactory and the only comment worthy of action was to review banking arrangements which had
already been agreed at the 5th April 2011 Parish Council meeting. It was proposed by Councillor J Newsome, seconded
by Councillor Shaw and resolved to accept the comments in the report.
Application for a Grant – The Clerk informed the meeting that the Finance Committee had considered a grant
application from Coxley Live/ Coxley Players and were recommending approval of a one off grant of £500 towards
running costs and equipment for the event with the stipulation that income and expenditure accounts be submitted within
two months of the events taking place.
After discussion it was proposed by Councillor Kirkpatrick, seconded by Councillor W Newsome and resolved that the
recommendation of the Finance Committee be accepted and, in pursuance of the power conferred by Section 137 of the
Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and being of the opinion that the expenditure satisfies the requirements of that
section, a grant of £500.00 be approved on the proviso that accounts for the event be submitted to the Parish Council
within two months of the event taking place.
2011/2012 Financial Report – The Clerk informed the meeting that the budget monitor for the three month period to 30 th
June 2011, a copy of which had been circulated with the minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting, had been reviewed
and that the estimated position as at 31st March 2012 was for a balance of £23,393. The Clerk explained the assumptions
in arriving at the estimated position and that commitments for the cost of the new allotments in Netherton, the double
running costs for the replacement Clerk and cost of the accountants report on Netherton Sports and Social Club were
excluded from the estimate and therefore would require funding from the balance.
It was proposed by Councillor Kirkpatrick, seconded by Councillor W Newsome and resolved to accept the
recommendation of the Finance Committee and monitor the financial position and cash flow throughout the financial
year.
Authorised Signatories for Parish Council Bank Accounts – The Clerk informed the meeting that the authorised
signatories for the parish council bank accounts required amending to reflect the changes to Parish Councillors and it was
proposed by Councillor J Newsome, seconded by Councillor W Newsome and resolved that the recommendation of the
Finance Committee be accepted and a revised mandate to allow all current Parish Councillors to be authorised signatories
be submitted to the bank.
68.
Approval of Payments
It was proposed by Councillor J Newsome, seconded by Councillor Walker and Resolved that the payment schedule be
approved , as recommended by the Finance Committee.
69.
Training courses for Parish Councillors
Discussion took place on training courses available and it was resolved that Councillors Aspinall, Shaw, J Bennett,
Bradley and Morton be booked onto one of the ‘What Councillors Need to Know’ courses and to enquire if YLCA were
running Power of Well Being Courses and if Wakefield Council were arranging Code of Conduct training courses.
Discussion took place on attendance by two Parish Councillors on the Annual Conference and it was resolved that, as
Councillors J Newsome and W Newsome had expressed an interest in attending the conference two places should be
booked.
70.
Update from the YLCA Wakefield Branch Annual Meeting
Councillor Kirkpatrick reported that she had attended the YLCA Wakefield Branch Annual Meeting which she had found
useful as it allowed Councillors and Clerks to meet, network and share ideas and the next branch meeting was to be held
on 10th September 2011 at South Kirkby Council Offices.
Councillor Kirkpatrick outlined items discussed which included the Parish Charter, the training programme which
included the Annual Conference, the Localism Bill, loan sanctions by the Secretary of State from the Public Loans Board,
accounting regulations and the Certificate in Local Council Administration course which would begin in October 2011.
The report was noted.
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71.
Netherton play area update report
The Clerk reported that the work to install the new play equipment had been completed and he had received the guarantee
and Inspection and Maintenance Pack from Record RSS, that the perimeter fence and gate had been erected and the
benches and waste bins were on order. It was agreed that the re-seeding of the play area should be discussed at the
September 2011 Parish Council Meeting.
The report was noted.
72.
Update on the creation of new allotments in Netherton
The Clerk reported that the notice and fee to Wakefield Council Highways Section informing them of the intention to
create the entrance to the new allotments in Netherton would be sent following the Parish Council Meeting and that it was
the intention to obtain quotations for work to create the entrance and parking/ storage areas and to install a water supply
to the new allotment site and Netherton Cemetery for presentation to the September 2011 Parish Council Meeting.
73.
Update report on Netherton Sports and Social Club
The Clerk reported that a further meeting had been held with Reed Smith Accountants to discuss the financial position of
Netherton Sports and Social Club and related issues and accounts and a report, a copy of which was circulated prior to the
meeting, were discussed.
The Clerk outlined the current financial situation of Netherton Sports and Social Club and the issues that the Management
Committee faced and the legal and other issues that required addressing by the Parish Council before a decision on the
purchase of the freehold could be taken.
The recommendations from the Parish Council Working Group were considered and it was proposed by Councillor
Aspinall, seconded by Councillor Shaw and resolved that that, in pursuance of the power conferred by Section 137 of
the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and being of the opinion that the expenditure satisfies the requirements of
that section, a grant of £5,000.00 be approved towards the running costs of Netherton Sports and Social Club, that the
Working Group would continue to meet with the Netherton Sports and Social Club Committee to monitor the situation,
that a solicitor be engaged to provide legal advice on various issues and to explore options for obtaining loans or external
funding towards the purchase of the club.
74.
Report from the Funding Fair
Councillor Shaw informed the meeting that he had attended the Funding Fair held at Hall Green Community Centre on
21st June 2011 and outlined the groups represented but reported that the emphasis was on voluntary and community
groups and that it appeared it would be difficult for the Parish Council access any of these funding sources.
75.
Vacancies on Parish Council Committees
The Clerk informed the meeting that there was currently one vacancy on each of the Cemeteries, Finance, I.T. and
Communications and Netherton Village Hall Trust Management Committees and, after discussion, it was proposed by
Councillor J Newsome, seconded by Councillor Morton and resolved that Councillor J Bennett should be appointed to the
Cemeteries Committee, Councillor Morton to the Finance Committee, Councillor Shaw to the I.T. and Communications
Committee and Councillor Bradley to the Netherton Village Hall Trust Management Committee.
76.
Dates for Parish Council Committee Meetings
A suggested schedule for Parish Council Committee Meetings that had been circulated with the Clerks’ report was
discussed and it was agreed that Councillor J Newsome would arrange the date for the Cemeteries Committee, Councillor
Kirkpatrick the Allotments Committee, Councillor R Bennett the Employment Committee, Councillor W Newsome the
Recreation and Amenities Committee and the Clerk the Netherton Village Hall Trust Management Committee.
77.
Emroyd Common
The Clerk informed the meeting that a number of issues around Emroyd Common had been received from residents and it
was agreed that these should be investigated by the Recreation and Amenities Committee.
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78.
Report from the Employment Committee
The minutes of the Employment Committee Meeting held on 21st June 2011 were considered by the meeting:
Employment of a Handyperson/ Gardener
The suggestion from Councillor R Bennett that, to deal with the gardened areas in the cemeteries, the land leased by the
Parish Council adjacent to 1 Church Lane, Netherton and, perhaps, undertake ‘odd jobs’ the Parish Council should
investigate the possibility of appointing someone as a Handyperson/ Gardener was discussed. It was proposed by
Councillor J Newsome, seconded by Councillor Kirkpatrick and resolved that the Employment Committee should further
discuss the issues that would need to be resolved such as supply of tools, transport and related issues, storage and
management of the employee and present options for consideration by a future Parish Council Meeting.
Appointment of a replacement Parish Clerk as a result of the resignation of the current post holder
Discussion took place on the appointment of a replacement Clerk as a result of the resignation of the current post holder
and the various issues and options highlighted at the Employment Committee.
It was proposed by Councillor J Newsome, seconded by Councillor Kirkpatrick and resolved that the budget for the
replacement Clerk be increased to the equivalent of a full time post of 37 hours per week to cover the identified workload,
as recommended by the Employment Committee.
It was proposed by Councillor Kirkpatrick, seconded by Councillor Morton and resolved that option three of the
recommendations from the Employment Committee, to appoint a part time Parish Clerk on between 26 and 32 hours per
week with the balance used to appoint a part time Clerical Support Officer, should be chosen and that details of the
appointments should be discussed by the Employment Committee with options and a timetable presented to the
September 2011 Parish Council Meeting with a view to advertising the Clerks’ post during September 2011.
It was proposed by Councillor J Newsome, seconded by Councillor W Newsome and resolved that options should be
explored to create a Parish Council Office as recommended by the Employment Committee.
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