WHAT'S ON: Thurcroft

KIVETON PARK INDEPENDENT ADVICE CENTRE: A drop-in session, with no appointment necessary, will be held on Thursday 2-4pm at the Welfare Hall in Thurcroft. To contact (office hours) 01909 773966.

LITTLE SAINT’S TODDLER GROUP: Returned April 4 1.30pm.

FRIDAY CLUB: Returned April 5 5-6pm.

THURCROFT PARISH COUNCIL: Laughton Common update – the clerk referred to correspondence received relating to progress on the Hangman’s Lane Recreation Ground project, and resolved that the information be noted. Requests for financial assistance – Rotherham Holiday Aid and 2nd Rotherham (Thurcroft) Scout Group: it was resolved that the requests be referred to the Annual Grants meeting. Chairman’s update – the chairman referred to issues raised by him at the Area Assembly relating to motorbike and quad bike nuisance at the ex-Thurcroft Colliery site as well as road condition problems and fly-tipping: it was resolved that the information be noted. Reference was made to the completion of the fire risk assessment for the Gordon Bennett Memorial Hall. The floor buffer for the Gordon Bennett Memorial Hall had been condemned and a replacement was necessary, an estimate had been received. Estimates were being obtained for a replacement fire door. Chairman’s report – for the meeting of the council on March 31: correspondence received from RMBC, Rotherham Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule; Adrien Burke, South Yorkshire knotweed control; insurance renewal. Clerk’s Report – for the meeting on March 31 – began with a review of the effectiveness of internal control 2015/16: Scope of Responsibility, Thurcroft Parish Council is responsible for ensuring that its business is conducted in accordance with the law and proper standards and that public money is safeguarded, properly accounted for and used economically efficiently and effectively; the purpose of the System of Internal Control is designed to manage risk to a reasonable level rather than to eliminate all risks, this system has been in place during the year ended March 31; The Internal Control Environment, the key elements are detailed as to appoint a democratically elected credible chairman, the structural organisation of the council into relevant committees including a finance committee, the definition of the objectives of the council represented in financial terms by the creation of a realistic and robust budget, the reporting and approval of payments made to each full parish council meeting, current and deposit bank accounts payments authorised by the clerk plus two members from an approved signatory list, Imprest account payments authorised solely by the clerk, the council’s timetable of meetings with a minimum of ten full parish council meetings held within a municipal year, the appointment of a professionally qualified clerk and responsible financial officer as executive officer to the council dispensing financial and legal advice and discharging necessary administrative duties, the clerk also acts as compliance officer and ensures that the council’s procedures and internal control procedures are adhered to, the council reviews major risks annually and incorporates risk analysis into project planning, the appointment of an independent professionally qualified internal auditor, the council reviews the effectiveness of an internal audit annually, the existence of a fully elected 18 member council and the existence of Audit Commission-appointed external auditors; review of effectiveness, the Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2011 requires that the relevant body must conduct a review at least once a year of the effectiveness of its system of internal control which includes the arrangements for management of risk, the review of effectiveness of the system of internal control is informed by the work of the council members, the clerk and responsible financial officer, the independent internal auditor, the external auditor, risk management arrangements and the number of significant internal control issues raised within the year; significant internal control issues, none have been identified within 2015/16 although issues have been identified, the council strives for continuous proportionate improvement to its control environment and considers and addresses minor issues as they are identified, annual review of the effectiveness of internal audit: 1 Background, the council recognises that this is a key element in the creation of sound internal control and annually reviews its effectiveness, 2 current arrangements, scope and planning, is focussed on all systems and processes of financial control that support the creation of the council’s annual accounts and statements, independence:  the clerk/responsible financial officer maintains all accounting records for the council, the internal auditor operates totally independently from the clerk and RFO and has no input into the creation of the council’s annual accounts and statements, competence: this audit in undertaken by a CIPFA qualified accountant and operates to professional standards, relationships: information required to be channelled in the first instance through the clerk/RFO, the internal auditor has direct access to the council, Planning and Reporting: is time linked to the scope and takes account of risk as identified within the council’s major risk register; 2 development of the role of internal auditor and be invited to provide professional advice of the current scope and arrangements in the event of amendment to consider current practise revised terms of reference.

THURCROFT WELFARE COMMUNITY HALL BOWLING CLUB: The club is looking for new members. The club has qualified bowling coaches and provides all equipment along with free training sessions on Saturdays from May to the end of August 10.30am-noon. The club has 12 teams and 12 club trophies to play for over the season, usually on a Sunday. Once new members have registered with the British Crown Green Association and the South Yorkshire Crown Green Bowling Association (£32.10) for the first year, they only pay club fees which are currently £45 adults and £5 under 16s. Contact club secretary Alan Bucknall 01709 542050.

ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA MEMORY CAFÉ: Meet on first Tuesday of month at Gordon Bennett Memorial Hall, Green Arbour Road 1.30-3.30pm.

ROTHER VALE COMMUNITY BAND: This is a brass band set up to provide an opportunity for anyone who wishes to play or learn a brass instrument. The band practices every Saturday at Thurcroft Parish Church 9.30-11am. The band will provide new members with a brass instrument and expert tuition for a weekly subscription of £2. Contact Pam 07759 496810. The band will play at events, contact Pam 07759 496810. www.rothervalecommunityband.com or follow on Facebook Rother Vale Community Band.

THURCROFT FRIDAY CIRCLE: The meeting for April has been cancelled.

THURCROFT LIBRARY: Chatterbooks Monday 3.30-4.30pm, School Road, in term time.

THURCROFT COLLIERY AND VILLAGE WEBSITE:  Photographs and newspaper cuttings are wanted. All material sent in will be returned to the sender. Contact Fred Gething 01709 542461, [email protected], thurcroftcolliery.weebly.com. 

THURCROFT WALK AND TALK: The walk on April 6 was approximately seven miles in the Idle Valley.

ST SIMON AND ST JUDE’S PARISH CHURCH: The car boot/table top sale on April 2 was a success. The next one is on May 14 9am-noon then every six weeks. The money raised from the Easter raffle is to be divided between the Scout group and the youth club in the village.

THURCROFT WELFARE BAND: The Senior Band is playing on May 14 at the Mexborough, Swinton and Kilnhirst Royal British Legion spring fayre and on May 28 at Branton Garden Centre 1.15pm. The band practices each Tuesday and Thursday 7.15pm.