WHAT'S ON: Maltby

KIVETON PARK INDEPENDENT ADVICE CENTRE: A drop-in session, with no appointment necessary, will be held on Tuesday 1.30-3.30pm at the Customer Service Centre, Braithwell Road in Maltby. To contact (office hours) 01909 773966.

MALTBY TOWN COUNCIL: The meeting on February 4 was attended by 15 councillors, town clerk Mrs K Butler and members of the public. Members of the public asked why Hargreaves’ mechanical sweeper no longer travels on Rotherham Road to Hellaby roundabout. There was a request for some of the trees in the cemetery to be cut back as they are overhanging and there is no sun in certain areas. The public wished to know who is liable if a branch falls off a tree onto a headstone. An invitation had been received from South Yorkshire Housing to consult on new builds. A letter had been received from a resident regarding many issues including the roads, drainage, RMBC councillors and traffic. Prior to an RMBC officer coming to Maltby to look at the High Street, the following information was requested. What is MTC hoping to achieve?; is a working party established between the shops?; what shops are in Maltby?; what is the make-up of the shops – independent/national?; is there a link between the town council and the shops?; is there a wish/need for a shop local scheme?; what is the current footfall? It was resolved that Cllrs Andrews, Law and Price speak to the shop owners and forward the information to the clerk which would then be passed on to the RMBC officer. The clerk reported that she had met with Sam Fletcher, the new manager for Dignity which has overall responsibility for Maltby Cemetery. An agreement had been made for the clerk and the Dignity manager to meet once a month on site to discuss any problems which had been reported. The clerk reported that she had contacted the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and had been informed that they had not received any letter from MTC and that the letter had been reposted and a response is awaited. Discussion then took place on a Friends of Maltby Cemetery Group. It was resolved that the clerk contacts RMBC to ascertain if they are happy with a friends group for the cemetery. If given the go-ahead a poster inviting residents to attend a meeting will be displayed at the cemetery, on social media and on the MTC website. It was resolved that the clerk invites Vicky Hilton to a full town council meeting to speak about the Rotherham Carnival. It was resolved that subject to the satisfactory purchase of the land on Walters Road that funding streams are looked into for a new build. Also, that subject to funding being achieved for a new build, on completion of the new build, demolition of the Edward Dunn Memorial Hall will take place to make way for a car park. The clerk reported on the proposed cuts that are presently out for public consultation by RMBC. It was noted that several of the cuts could/will impact on the people of Maltby. It was resolved that the clerk speaks to RMBC Road Safety to enquire why the council is making dead-end roads and crescents 20mph when this speed is not achievable on them already. It was agreed that the Mayor’s Charity receives a £50 donation towards the Easter Egg Raffle under Local Government Act 1972 S137 (1). The clerk reported that a volunteer has begun working in the office for one day a week. York Glazier Trust has started work on the stained glass windows. The Annual Meeting is scheduled for May 5 which is the date of the local elections. It was agreed the meeting be moved to the following week: May 12.

MALTBY TOWN COUNCIL FUNDING WORKING PARTY: The meeting on February 18 was attended by four councillors and clerical officer Rebecca Murphy. It was resolved that Cllr Biggin be elected chair for the meeting. The meeting discussed Big Lottery and Heritage funding; public consultation; that Brinsworth have recently had a new build and have offered to give their help and advice; for the young people to do some artwork that could be incorporated into the new build; to relook at the plans for the new build; to look at borrowing streams; to look into cash assets; looking into admin, solicitors and searchers’ fees. It was resolved that Cllr Kirk contact SYFAB for information regarding funding and report back to the next meeting. Cllr Spilsbury would send Cllr Biggin a list of funders to look into and see what type of funding there is to apply for and report back. It was agreed that the clerk would look into funding courses which councillors could attend. It was resolved that the clerk explores the charitable trust status for the new build.

BEVAN CRESCENT COMMUNITY CENTRE: In the recent past, the Bevan Crescent Group raised over £120 for a charity called NEWLIFE which helps disabled and terminally children across the UK. Bevan Crescent has received a letter from this charity explaining how this money was spent on buying a new shed for a family who have a two year old child and who need room to store medical equipment. March 3’s meeting was well attended. The redecorating of the centre has now started. Keith Stringer holds his surgery in the centre every Thursday 10am-noon.

MALTBY ACADEMY: Mark Ansell, a BBC Look North journalist, is visiting the Academy to deliver a journalism workshop to Y7 and Y8 students. This is ahead of the students being involved in the BBC News project on March 17. Look out for this on Look North’s evening programme, or on social media. Maltby Academy is looking forward to Sport Relief activities next week. The Academy will be doing a week of different activities including a Dance-a-thon on March 18. A number of students from Y10 and Y11 will be taking part in the British Physics Olympiad. This provides them with an opportunity to demonstrate and gain recognition for their problem solving skills, their understanding of physics and their ability to manipulate data from unfamiliar situations. The AS Physics challenge will be taking place on March 18. The challenge takes the form of a one hour paper and students who perform well can receive certificates, prizes and an invitation to an award ceremony at the Royal Society in London. A group of students has visited the Town Hall in Rotherham following a competition. As part of the project, they had to assess the priorities for an imaginary town and then manage a budget to prioritise where the money should be spent in order to improve that town. They had to write and deliver a presentation to local councillors, other schools and members of the police force. They were then invited to visit the Town Hall to meet with the Mayoress of Rotherham, take part in a question and answer session and have a tour of the Town Hall. The Sheffield FC Scholarship students are in the first 11 Rotherham Schools football finals on March 19 at Wickersley 10am.

SALVATION ARMY: People can join the Salvation Army, Maltby, at any time. People are invited on Palm Sunday (March 20) 10am and 6pm, Good Friday 10am on the High Street in Maltby for an open air service, 6pm at the hall on Morrell Street, and Easter Sunday 10am and 6pm. All the Sunday worship services are held at the hall on Morrell Street S66 7LL.

ST BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH: On March 16 there is Holy Communion 9.30am, weekly Lent Group 7pm on Wednesdays and 2pm on Mondays – contact the rectory. St Bartholomew’s Church is located on Church Lane off the A634 Blyth Road S66 8JB. Arrangements for baptisms and weddings can be made in the church vestry 6-7pm on Mondays. Find St Bart’s on Facebook or www.stbartholomewsmaltby.org. Contact the churchwardens 01709 817781 or 01709 818729 or Rev Mike Rajkovic 01709 814914.

SURGERY TIMES: Cllr John Turner, who represents the Hellaby ward on Rotherham Council, holds a surgery at Brooklands Club on Rotherham Road, Maltby, on the fourth Tuesday of each month 5.30-6.30pm.