Crofton Parish Council

 

                                                       Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on

                                            Monday 2nd February 2004 in The Parish Centre at 7.30 pm.

 

 

                 Present:                                                Councillors:      Mrs K Duffy, Mrs G Towns, Mrs W Wrigg, S Bennett, J R Hewitt, G P Jackson,

                                                                                                     P Jacques, D Marshall & A Ripley

 

                                                                             The Clerk:        J F Shillitoe

 

                 Apologies:                                            Councillors:      T Chalkley, S Duffy & J Voros 

                                                                                                    

                 The Chairman Cllr A Ripley presided over the meeting.

  

04/021      Crofton Parish Centre

 

                 Cllr Ripley opened discussion by stating that the centres’ roof was leaking again. Mr Kelly had examined the roof and agreed to carry out repairs free of charge.  However this would not solve the ongoing problem.                  

 

                 Discussion took place around the age and condition of the building, was it worthwhile maintaining, would there be any potential in rebuilding.

 

                 Cllrs were reminded that there are to be community facilities at the new youth centre, Crofton Community Centre is in the process of being redeveloped and The Pavilion is available most days.

 

                 It was agreed that the clerk obtains quotations for replacing the existing roof with a pitched roof and also investigates the feasibility of redeveloping the Parish Centre or perhaps liquidating the asset using the return to extend other facilities elsewhere in the Parish.    

 

04/022      Precept 2004/2005

 

     The clerk presented details of the estimated expenditure for the financial year 2003/2004 along with a suggested budget and precept for the year 2004/2005.

 

Cllr Jacques raised the issue of cleansing, suggesting that the Parish Council engages a part time employee perhaps ten hours per week to keep the area clean and tidy, sweeping pavements and clearing litter.

 

Whilst cllrs agreed with the sentiment behind Cllr Jacques proposal, they felt that Wakefield should be encouraged to carry out this work. 

 

It was agreed that the Parish Council request a meeting with John Foster and John Skidmore to discuss the matter fully. Also, full use to be made of the Neighbourhood Action and Rapid Response Teams 

 

After detailed discussions it was agreed that the budget for 2004/2005 would be set at £45,165

broken down into the following headings.

 

·        Administration                                                          15,200.00*

·        Cemetery                                                                   2,000.00

 

·        Parish Centre                                                             1,490.00§

·        Allotments                                                                     210.00

·        Donations                                                                  5,000.00#

·        Village                                                                      13,300.00

·        Hare Park                                                                   7,965.00

 

*Includes £8,000 expenditure on safe scheme.    £5,453.50 Loan charges

§Charges for the Parish Centre to remain unchanged at £5.00 per session

#Includes continued funding WMDC Education Premises for use by the Rainbows,                       Guides, Brownies and Scouts      

 

It was agreed that a precept a £40,000.00 be set, the balance to be met from reserves.

 

The clerks salary to be increased in line with the national pay award for local government officers.

                                        

04/023      Pontefract Road Allotments

 

                 Cllr Ripley briefed councillors on the latest situation concerning the disagreement between tenants at the Pontefract Road site.

 

                 Councillors had been requested to visit the site by Mrs Salt to examine work carried out to the perimeter wall of 21 Pontefract Road to allow access to the site by Mr. Smith. Whilst on site matters became a little heated and tempers frayed.

 

                 It was agreed that the clerk writes to Mr. Smith advising him that the only permitted access to the site is from Doncaster Road and also to advise him that under the terms of his lease no structures should be erected on the land without prior consent of the landlord. Therefore the new gate which has been erected either needs to be dismantled or consent sought.

 

                 The clerk to also write to Mr. Salt advising him that the Parish Council can not condone abusive behaviour from its tenants and should there be any reoccurrence Mr. Salts lease will be terminated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Chairman                                                                                                                      17th February 2004