Page No. 67
Minute Book No. 2
HEMSWORTH TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes 2011/12
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
28 June 2011
Present: Councillors Upson (Chairman), Draper, S. Gilliver-Cooper, S.L. Gilliver- Cooper, Hardacre, Kenyon, Leach, McIntyre, Pickin, Richardson, Swift, Westmorland, Wilson & Wootton.
Apologies: Councillor Womersley.
18 members of the public were in attendance.
The Chairman welcomed the members of public to the meeting and informed them that complaints had been received from members of the public and Councillors over the noise being made whilst the Town Council are conducting their business and respectfully asked that members of the public do not speak whilst the meeting is in progress.
75 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mr Warren – Hemsworth: As Chairman of the Town Council are you still of the opinion that everyone should work together?
Mr Pringle – Hemsworth: I asked a question at the last Town Council meeting, however on receiving the Question & Answer information my question bore no resemblance to what I asked.
The Chairman asked Mr Pringle if after reading out his question he could give the Clerk the information to ensure that the question is recorded correctly. The Chairman stated that it may be advisable for the Town Council to consider all questions asked by the public to be put in writing in the future.
Mr Pringle read out his question and then provided the Clerk with the details.
Mr K. Hirst – Hemsworth: Why have Saul Construction undertaken repairs for the Town Council at the old Council offices when this man does not live in our area and why has he been given the job to do as he is a multi-millionaire and our own people are struggling for work.
Mr Evans – Hemsworth: Are there any financial implications on this Town Council having a meeting earlier with WMDC.
Page No. 68
Minute Book No. 2
HEMSWORTH TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes 2011/12
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
28 June 2011
75 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME - continued
Mr K. Hirst – Hemsworth: At the Resource Centre at Kinsley there is a play area for children so why does Hemsworth Town Council wish to build another play area at Hemsworth Water Park which is so close by?
Mr Barrett – Hemsworth: It is time for the Windsurfer to open one way or another so I am asking for a referendum and to take a vote now
Mr C. Tibbetts – Hemsworth: I asked a question at the last meeting and was unhappy how this question was recorded as my main point was that I was raising the issue of the number of electors in the East Ward against the other four wards.
Gary Tinker – Hemsworth: At the allotment site at Sandygate why has there never been road plainings on the paths for over 20 to 30 years and why have the paths never been maintained.
Gareth Tinker – Hemsworth: What do you spend the allotment rent money on?
Gary Tinker – Hemsworth: I asked a question last year about the site where the garages was sited at Sandygate Lane and would like to know what is going to happen to this land. Does it belong to the Town Council and if it does why is this not maintained.
Mr Barrett – Kinsley: I have asked for a referendum and I want a vote now.
Chris Tibbetts – Hemsworth: Can you tell me why a live idea, a nature park, was not included as an alternative on the Consultation questionnaire but the re-opening as a public house, rejected by the Council on more than one occasion, was?
Mr Pringle – Hemsworth: In relation to the Standards Board and Code of Conduct and the fact the Town Clerk only gives advice and guidance to the Council, then in relation to past Councillors; Mr Wootton, Mr Gorton & Mr West, did the Clerk not give advice to these councillors in relation to their conflicts of interest?
Page No. 69
Minute Book No. 2
HEMSWORTH TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes 2011/12
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
28 June 2011
75 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME - continued
At this point in the meeting Mr Pringle demanded the note back from the Town Clerk that he had written his first question on and approached the Clerk and snatched the note from her.
The Chairman informed Mr. Pringle that his conduct was disrespectful and unacceptable.
Mr Evans – Hemsworth: People are struggling to hear what is being said so would the Council please buy a microphone sound system.
I also keep asking about the S106 agreement and Christmas Lights which I have still not had answers too.
Gareth Tinker - Hemsworth: When Saul Construction moved onto Sandygate, what happened to the palisade gate and fencing?
Ms Thorley – Hemsworth: Why did you have a Consultation Day when there was a vote taken at the ATM to have the Windsurfer open back up as a pub by a vote of 29 to 16
76 TO RECEIVE DISCLOSURES BY MEMBERS OF INTERESTS IN MATTERS UNDER CONSIDERATION
Personal
Personal Interests which are Prejudicial
Councillor Pickin declared a personal interest in Agenda items 8b & 8e and a personal interest which is prejudicial in agenda items 8g, 11, 13, 14 & 16a.
77 ANNUAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Councillor Kenyon requested to raise matters relating to the minutes which he wished to be discussed. The Chairman stated that at this point on the agenda the council is being asked to approve the minutes of the previous meeting and the only question that it should be asking is whether what is recorded in the minutes is a true record of discussions/decisions at the last meeting.
Councillor McIntyre proposed that the minutes be moved as a true record. This was seconded by Councillor Westmorland.
RESOLVED: That by a vote of 9 for, 4 against and 1 abstention, the Minutes of the Annual Town Council meeting held 17th May 2011 as detailed in Minute Book No. 1, pages 001 - 020 were confirmed as a true record.
Page No. 70
Minute Book No. 2
HEMSWORTH TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes 2011/12
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
28 June 2011
78 COMMITTEE & SUB COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Councillor Richardson highlighted the takings for the Water Park and Community Centre in April and wished to discuss these points. The Chairman stated that no discussion would be taking place at this point of the meeting however a budget report giving details of the first quarter would be issued in the next two weeks and that he would have an opportunity to raise points at a future meeting.
Councillor Kenyon requested information in relation to payments made in March & April 2011 of which the Clerk responded accordingly and requested further information in relation to Cheque No. 713588 & 713600.
Councillor Kenyon wished to raise an item relating to Minute No. 74a and the Chairman stated that due to confidentiality this matter would be discussed at the end of the meeting.
Councillor Richardson requested clarification on the additional information that the Clerk is to obtain in relation to the covenant. The Chairman responded accordingly.
PAGE NO. COMMITTEE DATE
021 - 045 Leisure & Recreation 31st May 2011
046 - 049 Finance 7th June 2011
050 – 051 Finance Sub 19th April 2011
052 - 063 Finance Sub 25th May 2011
064 - 066 Policy 14th June 2011
RESOLVED: that the minutes of committees and sub committees, as detailed in Minute Book No. 1, be adopted.
The minutes were moved as a true record.
79 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
RESOLVED: That in accordance with Minutes No. 351 (14/11/95), the accounts for payment as examined and approved under Minute No. 057 of the Finance Committee held on 7th June 2011, be confirmed for payment.
80 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
RESOLVED: Members received and confirmed the notes of the Annual Town meeting held 26th May 2011 that had been circulated with the agenda (pages 75 – 84 of these minutes).
Page No. 71
Minute Book No. 2
HEMSWORTH TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes 2011/12
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
28 June 2011
81 CORRESPONDENCE
The Town Clerk reported on the following items of correspondence:
a. Yorkshire Internal Audit – Final visit re: Audit of Accounts for year ending 31st March 2011
It was agreed that the report received be noted.
b. Kinsley & Fitzwilliam Resource Centre – letter of appreciation
It was agreed that the letter of appreciation received be noted.
c. Boar Cottage – Letter of appreciation
It was agreed that the letter of appreciation received be noted.
d. Alzheimer’s Society – Letter of appreciation
It was agreed that the letter of appreciation received be noted.
e. Royal British Legion (Hemsworth Branch) – Letter of appreciation
It was agreed that the letter of appreciation received be noted.
f. YLCA – Training & Development Programme 2011
It was agreed that the details be circuited to all members and anyone interested in attending any of the training sessions would contact the Clerk.
g. YLCA – Planning Seminar
It was agreed that the information be noted.
82 TO DETERMINE AND APPOINT MEMBERS TO SERVE ON COMMITTEES.
The Chairman informed members that this matter has arose at the Annual Town Meeting and the Vice Chairman had agreed that the matter would be referred back for the Council to reconsider. Discussion took place on this matter and Councillor Richardson proposed proportional representation on committees. This was seconded by Councillor Kenyon.
At this point in the meeting the Chairman issued a warning to the members of the public who were disrupting the meeting and requested quiet whilst the Town Council conducted its business.
The Chairman also issued a warning to Councillor Kenyon for being disruptive and not respecting the Chair.
RESOLVED: That by a vote of 4 for, 9 against and 1 abstention, the proposal for proportional representation on committees was defeated.
Page No. 72
Minute Book No. 2
HEMSWORTH TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes 2011/12
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
28 June 2011
83 THE WINDSURFER P.H. REFURBISHMENT PROJECT
The Town Clerk reported on the following:
a. Consultation day and the results of the questionnaires (refer to Minute No. 050)
The Clerk gave details of the Consultation Day and the results of the questionnaires received which asked about the future use of the Windsurfer and the two alternatives being proposed (one was to return to a Public House and the second was conversion to a Café and indoor soft play area); That out of 312 completed questionnaires received (verified by Councillors S. Gilliver-Cooper & Wilson) then 123 said they would prefer a Public House, 180 said they would prefer a Café and indoor soft play area and 9 said none of those two options.
It was agreed that the information be noted.
b. To update members on the decision taken by the Town Council in relation to the refurbishment project and the tenders received
The Clerk gave details of the decision taken by the Town Council in relation to the refurbishment project and the tenders received.
Councillor Westmorland proposed that this Town Council moves forward with the refurbishment project and accepts the lowest tender received. This was seconded by Councillor Swift.
RESOLVED: That by a vote of 9 for and 5 against the proposal was carried and the Clerk was given authority to instruct the Consultants to accept the lowest tender and progress this project.
At this point in the meeting the Chairman issued a further warning to Mr Hirst (Snr) for being disruptive. Mr Hirst continued to shout at the Chairman who moved Standing Order 10b. A vote was taken and by 9 votes for and 5 against, the motion was approved and Mr Hirst was asked to leave the meeting.
84 CONSULTATION DOCUMENT: RELAXATION OF PLANNING RULES FOR CHANGE OF USE FROM COMMERCIAL TO RESIDENTIAL
It was agreed that the information that had been circulated to all members be noted.
Page No. 73
Minute Book No. 2
HEMSWORTH TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes 2011/12
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
28 June 2011
85 WAR MEMORIAL – OUR LADY OF GRACES, KINSLEY
The Town Clerk gave details to members on issues surrounding the War Memorial in Kinsley and that following discussions with the Property Administrator that she had received from the Diocese of Leeds an email confirming that they would gift the land where the memorial is sited to the Town Council who would in-turn maintain this site. The Clerk explained that the only cost to the Council would be the legal fees associated with the transfer of land documentation.
RESOLVED: By a unanimous vote Members agreed to accept the gift of the land and approved the legal fees associated with this matter.
86 HEMSWORTH MARKET
The Chairman gave details to members on matters discussed at a meeting held earlier in the evening in relation to Hemsworth Market.
Members discussed in general how they wished to keep the market running in the same location in Hemsworth, the costs implications, a petition of support to keep the market open and to work with the Market Traders on these matters. Councillor Draper raised concerns over the Town Council taking over a service that was failing.
Councillor Upson proposed that authority be given to the Clerk to send an expression of interest to WMDC and request additional details. This was seconded by Councillor Westmorland.
RESOLVED: That by a vote of 14 for and 1 abstention the proposal was carried for the Clerk to write to WMDC stating Hemsworth Town Council’s expression of interest in the future running of the market and explore all avenues with Market Traders & the Community. It was further agreed to obtain from WMDC additional information in relation to current running costs, rental of land and the area of land currently used so that further discussions could take place and a final decision could be made.