Parish Report Winter 05

May we take this opportunity to wish everyone in the Parish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the councillors.

Chairs Report

It doesn't seem a year since I was writing in the Parish Report saying about flowers in the village, the old school being refurbished, more roadside seating, the Pinfold brought back to glory and a Sports Facility in the area. Two out of the five have been achieved and the seating is on its way. The Pinfold and the Sports facility are on the way and are currently in the planning stage. Let's hope in twelve months time I am reporting that these have been completed.

It is with regret that I have to report that Monica Taylor, clerk to this council for 27 years unfortunately died in November. All the parish councillors and all the many friends she made in the council connected business over the years would like to thank her for the service to the community in all it's aspects that she touched upon. A seat with a plaque has been erected at the front of the Parish Hall in Barnby Dun and a plaque on the wall at the assembly Hall in recognition to Monica's service to the community.

Philip Dennis from Blaxton has the permanent task as our new Parish Clerk He was selected from four very competent applicants and we are finding him a very informative clerk. Since Philip started in this position he has done a sterling job of organising the filing cabinets, the many folders, the umpteen records and has quickly got up to speed with the many of the projects in hand at this very moment. Thank you Philip for your splendid effort. Bookings for the halls to Philip on 771233.

The Old School looks splendid with the grand refurbishment and has now opened its doors. More information telephone Angie 01302 885092

TARA at Kirk Sandall have organised skip days in the Parish this last year and the Flower bed at the Brecks Lane shops. This is an organisation fully backed by the Parish Council.

Ann Angel and her friends helped to get the canal banks cut by talking to the British water board so that we can now again walk from Kirk Sandall to Stainforth.

Sheila Wilson has had the promise of a bus from Wilfreda to start running again in the New Year around the parish to pick passengers up and take them to town twice a week.

This is people power and people who care for the villages should ask the council for support of these issues. If you have a cause or ideas that you feel is important to the village, like lighting or a Multi Use Games Area for the youth, road crossing or the like contact me or one of the councillors and we will try our very best to support you and help you in any way.

Many thanks go to the Sports Association and unsung hero's who have maintained the Sports Fields at Glass Park and kept them in first class condition. It is worth a walk down the canal bank from Barnby Dun to St Oswalds Church at Old Sandall, through the Glass Park, over the Sports Field and back home. It is surprising how many people have not visited this wildlife area here on our doorstep.

Grass verges and hedging bothers me greatly as I pass through the villages. The untidiness it causes when it is not cut and cared for. It becomes a haven for rubbish, Tin cans, Bottles, Papers, Pizza boxes, Fag Packets and the like are all found there. When I approach DMBC they tell me that it is the owner, ie: the farmer who is responsible for the hedging and one metre of grass on the verge is the responsibility of DMBC, and the long grass is for the wild life. I personally think that behind the hedges there are acres and acres of land for the wild life and if they get too close to the road they are likely to get squashed. The cutting of the grass and the roadside hedges should be cut regularly by DMBC as this is everyone's garden, passing by or being a resident.

This is our village and we want to keep it in such a way that we can be proud of it.

Cllr. John Berriman Chair to the Council

Sports Facility

We have written to Pilkingtons for permission to erect a changing facility. As yet we have not had a positive reply. On this complex there is a Cricket ground and a full sized Football pitch together with Junior football pitches all in this one area. There is also a skate ramp next to the vast car park. To the rear of the Sport Field is the Glass Park area for walking through. I have been surprised how many people have not visited the Sports area. Have a walk after the turkey and stuffing at Christmas, you will be surprised and let us have your comments.

Cllr Kevin Abell

Parish Precept

The Parish Precept stands at £87,100, this has been the same for the last 3 years, and this is money that you the residents pay. The Parish Council has continually strived to keep the precept at this level and still provide services to the community. The Parish Councillors are all working towards a common goal of improving the village's amenities. We as a council are trying to fund a sports facility, which is a much needed facility in both our villages. We would wish to see more seating in the area, something for the youth of the villages to spend time at or in, an improvement in our play areas. These all come at a cost and unfortunately DMBC does not pay for these facilities. The Parish Council had a revue of outgoings and incomes and the revenues at both Halls proved to be a problem. We were paying large bills to contractors for work carried out on repairs/maintenance to this end we had a revue and have drastically reduced this cost by using local companies and getting competitive quoting for the jobs carried out. We have unfortunately had to increase the cost of hiring the halls and the amenities available, this has been a bitter pill to swallow for some of the hirers but in an effort to balance the books this is one step that had to be taken. We have tried to hire the halls more but this is proving more difficult with the introduction of other facilities in the area. The total costs of running the halls are £47,508 with only £13,332 income (figures from last year's accounts) this shows a deficit of £34,176 being paid out of the precept. This doesn't include the cost of repairing the Parish Hall for the removal of asbestos which came to a total of £13,000. We then looked at the costs involved with the cleaning / caretaking of the halls and tried to balance this with the hiring of the halls, again there was a deficit. As such we have elected to try a new approach to solve the problem. This has been trying times for all, but as elected Parish Councillors we have a responsibility to ensure we have best value from the precept to the benefit of all our community. Contrary to the rumours the halls are not going to close they are alive and kicking.

Cllr. Paul Bissett

Parish Council and Landfill

Since at least the beginning of the 1980's our Parish Council has a long, successful record of safeguarding the quality of life of residents of the parish. to this end, we have opposed proposals such as:-

Residential development at Armthorpe Lane, under the power lines and destroying Brecks Wood.

A CEGB proposal for a coal wharf on the canal at Barnby Dun

Leigh Environmental proposed toxic waste incinerator on Poylpipe site on the Kirk Sandall industrial site.

The car storage depot on Thorpe Marsh power station site.

Our opposition to the Planning Application for part of the Thorpe Marsh site to be used for landfill, submitted to Doncaster Council earlier this year was inevitable. As you may well know the application was turned down but we will continue to oppose the development at Thorpe Marsh at a Public Inquiry.

As Local Authorities nationwide are working towards recycling the majority of their waste and Government Policy is to tax waste sent to landfill so heavily it will not be financially viable, the use of Thorpe Marsh for landfill is as unnecessary as it is unwelcome.Individually and collectively, your Parish Councillors oppose the principal of managing waste by means of landfill.

Cllr. Liz. Jeffress

The Garden Villagers

Our group of amateur enthusiasts has now been formed for just over a year. We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 6.30pm in the Parish Hall, Barnby Dun to discuss and plan the financing and planting around the two villages.

Initially we planted small planters with summer bedding plants. The planting of large quantities of bulbs followed this, these certainly made an impact last spring and brought lots of acclaim from residents. As an independent group we have received funding from "YRCC" and "Awards For All". We have also received donations from individuals in the form of both cash and plants, for these we are extremely grateful. We are also grateful for the help received from "Community First" in the placing of all the planters. The funding has allowed us to purchase large containers and lamppost baskets that give more impact. It has also helped in the purchase of plants. I must emphasise that all planning, planting and watering of the displays throughout Barnby Dun and Kirk Sandall has been executed by members of the Garden Villages.

We are on a steep leaning curve, but hope that everyone has enjoyed the efforts of our first year. As summer comes to an end we have been fortunate to secure greenhouse space to produce cuttings for planting next year, this will reduce costs.

We aim to have another plant sale next year, so if you have green fingers and would like to donate, why not start splitting plants to help boost our funds. We could also benefit from some more enthusiasts from Kirk Sandall to swell our ranks and give knowledge of the area.

If you are interested in helping, donating plants or seeds, our chairman John Berriman, 884081 or Dave Telford, 883496 would love to hear from you

Rosemary Lea

Dentons Green Lane Play Area

For many years now the area has been allowed to become run down, with the forming of the Friends of Dentons Green Park this is about to change. As you may well have seen we have managed to secure funding to fence around the play area and youth club. This is the start of a full scale revamp of the play area. In the coming months it is hoped to put new play equipment for the juniors and a five-a-side football pitch. The play area will comprise of swings, see-saw, a climbing frame and a roundabout, seats will be placed for parents and litter bins for rubbish.

Cllr. Karen Hampson

Assembly Halls Computer Room

The Assembly Halls Computer Room is undergoing an update and with the computers from the Parish Hall, Barnby Dun we now have eight computers for the use of residents located there.

Last year we held courses, which were very popular to the local residents.

After this work has been completed the Parish Council intend to put on a variety of "Start up" computer courses for anyone in the village, these courses will be free of charge and we hope to start them in the new year. The tutors will come from Doncaster Collage who will provide extra laptops if needed. The courses will run for ten to twelve weeks, two hours per week.

If enough interest can be shown we will once again link the computers to the Internet and open the room as a "Cyber Café" with Family History courses .

Please fill in the form at the bottom of this page and return it to me so I can gauge the amount of interest there is in this project.

Thank you for your help in this matter.

Cllr. Cliff Hampson

(Phone 885656 or by email cliff.hampson@btinternet.com)