Crofton Parish Council

 

Minutes of the meeting held on

Tuesday 15 April 2003 in The High School at 7.00 pm.

 

Present:                        Councillors:      S Bennett, D Crowcroft, T Gomersall,

                                                                        G P Jackson OBE BEM JP, A W Ripley, G Scargill & J Voros

 

                                         Residents:            Mrs P Baines, Mrs R Salt, Mrs P Walker, W Cook,

                                                                 M J Dungworth, P Jaques & G Schofield.

 

                        West Yorkshire Police:  PC Paul McMann & PC John Whitworth

 

The Clerk:             J F Shillitoe

                       

 

            Apologies:                   Councillors:      J R Hewitt & D Marshall.

 

The Chairman Cllr A W Ripley presided over the meeting.

 

                

03/060       Declaration of Interests in Items on the Agenda

 

                 No declarations made.

 

03/061       Public Participation Session

 

1.      Middle Lane

 

It was reported that Middle Lane was becoming a dumping ground for fly tippers and general rubbish. 

 

The clerk to contact cleansing services over the matter.

 

2.      Parish Centre

 

Mrs Salt asked if it would be possible to use the Parish Centre for charitable fund raising events (Wakefield Hospice and Crofton Community Centre).

 

Mrs Salt was asked to liaise with Cllr Scargill over the matter; he could then check the diary for available dates.

 

3.      Parish Cemetery – Lighting

 

Mr Cook asked if the Parish Council could approach Wakefield MDC’s street lighting department regarding the possibility of providing street lighting along the footpath through the cemetery from Stocks Lane to Ashdene Crescent.

 

It was agreed that the clerk contacts Malcolm Halstaed over the matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

03/062       West Yorkshire Police

 

                 PC Whitworth (John) introduced PC Paul McMann, the safe scheme officer working with Crigglestone Parish Council.and apologised for PC Raworth’s absence.

 

                 The crime figures for the month show 32 crimes in total, these include 3 Burglary others, 5 damage to motor vehicles, 10 damage to buildings (5 at the High School) and 1 assault.

 

                 John asked if Stocks (Church) Lane is maintained at public or private expense as the owner of a untaxed van parked adjacent to the stocks claims that the road is private.  Councillors informed Pc Whitworth that the road is an adopted road maintained at public expense.

 

                 The Coppers Lake and Hare Park areas of the village have been surprisingly quiet over the last month; John therefore asked Cllrs if they had any new priorities, which need addressing.

 

                 Cllrs asked that the safe scheme officers keep the whole parish under review, should any one area or areas stand out apply the required resource. One area of concern is the riding of motorcycles through Priory Ridge and Meadowfields.

 

                 Cllr Scargill asked that officers re-visit the problem of cars parking adjacent to schools.  A mother pushing a pram whilst accompanying her infant to Slack Lane Infants School was reversed into recently by another parent parking their vehicle.  PC Whitworth undertook to get the Senior Traffic Warden to come and spend some time in the parish.   

 

                 The priorities for April/May to be:

 

                 Foot Patrol – As required, concentrating on the village centre, Post Office closing, Crofton High School, Crofton Infants, Royal Oak etc.

 

            Discourage illegal use of motorcycles at Priory Ridge/Maedowfields.

 

            Continue to discourage anti social behaviour by the minority. Coppers Lake/Hare Park

 

            Monitor the area adjacent to the Pavilion on Hare Park Sidings

                

                 The chairman thanked John Whitworth and Paul McMann for making time available to attend the meeting.        

 

03/063       Matters to be Discussed in Private

 

                 It was proposed, seconded and agreed that the public and the press be excluded during discussions involving staffing and the financial status of outside organisations.

 

03/064       Minutes

 

                 It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 11th March 2003 were a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

03/065       Matters Arising 

 

                 1. Car Sales – Weeland Road

 

                 The clerk reported that Wakefield MDC enforcement officers have been unable to sight any

            vehicles being advertised for sale in the vicinity of Weeland Road. They ask if the complainant could keep a diary of any such events on which future enforcement action can be taken.

 

                 Cllr Jackson commented that whatever action the enforcement officers had taken appears to have finally got to the culprits involved.

 

                 The clerk to respond to the enforcement officer accordingly.

                

                 2. Turf Accountant – Slack Lane

 

                 The clerk was asked to follow up this matter with Wakefield MDC.

 

                 3. Wakefield MDC – Periodic Electoral Review.

 

                 The clerk reported that the proposed warding of the parish, if agreed, would not come into effect until the May 2007 elections.  Hopefully by this time the district and parish boundaries should have been brought into line removing the necessity to ward the parish.

 

                 4. Hall Park Ave – Flooding from Cock and Crown Car Park

 

                 Cllr Ripley reported that he had spoken to planners and residents regarding the flooding of Hall Park Avenue.

 

                 As a result residents are now in dialogue with the brewery.

 

03/066       Community Facilities - Convenors Report

 

                 1. Parish Centre

 

                 Cllr Scargill reported that repairs to the roof have now been carried out,

                

                 2. Village Centre

 

                 Cllr Bennett reported that,

 

            Repairs to the water system at the Pavilion are now complete.

 

                 The association are experiencing a spate of mindless behaviour, users of the pavilion showing no regard for the facilities or fellow users.  When the culprits are identified they will be barred from using the facilities.

 

                

 

 

 

                 Cllr Bennett enquired whether the contents of the pavilion were insured.

 

                 The clerk informed him that they were not.

 

                 It was agreed that the association would provide the clerk with a valuation of the contents in order that insurance cover can be arranged.

 

                

                 3. Priory Centre

 

                 The clerk asked if the association had agreed on the level of grounds maintenance required at the Priory Centre.

 

                 Cllr Bennett reported that the association were to meet on 1 May, when a decision would be made.

 

03/067       Allotments - Convenors Report

 

1.      Hare Park

 

Cllr Voros reported that the Pest Control Officers had visited the site on two occasions, the results were very disappointing and vermin was still a problem.

 

It was agreed that the clerk contact pest control expressing the council’s dissatisfaction at the service received. Also to obtain comparative prices rentokill 

 

2.      Pontefract Road.

 

The clerk reported that he had received a further letter from Mr Salt.

 

All councillors present reported that they had had the opportunity to read the letter and agreed that its contents be noted.

 

Mrs Salt asked if she could have a copy of the lease, the clerk expressed the view that as the document was in the public domain a copy could be made available when agreed by all parties. 

 

03/068       Parish Cemetery - Convenors Report

 

                 Cllr Scargill reported that the tap has been repaired again and T & D have emptied the waste bins, whilst emptying the bins T & D reported that someone has been dumping catering waste.

 

                 All present were asked to be vigilant and to make known that the practice of dumping rubbish in the cemetery would not be tolerated. 

 

03/069        Special Services - Convenors Report

 

                 It was agreed that Mr Malcolm Stead be awarded a grant of £100 towards his forthcoming trip to Belarus.

 

03/070     Moorhouse Opencast Liaison Committee

 

                 Cllr Gomersall reported that the final closing date for applications for grants had now passed and that final awards would be made at the next meeting.

 

03/071      Old Library Site

 

       The clerk reported that he had received a copy of the design showing the alterations to the bus turning circle and the layout of the car parking area, along with a note asking for comments and confirmation that the Parish Council was to contribute £25,000 to the scheme.

 

                 It was agreed that the clerk writes expressing approval of the design and to state that £25,000 was available but only if ownership of the site be transferred to the Parish.

 

03/072     Planning

 

                 All applications received during the period were found to be acceptable.

 

03/073       Financial Matters    

 

                 The following accounts were submitted and approved for payment.

                        £

                

                 Miss Reid                                            50.90

                 Mrs Hardwick                                  264.68

                 Mr Earle                                           35.00 (Paid to Cllr Scargill)

                 Mr Joyce                                        520.00

                 Mr Stead                                        100.00

          PWLB                                     2,726.75

          Wakefield MDC                            305.00 (Hare Park Leases)

                                                               10.00 (Oak Street Rent)

                                                             145.70 (Pest Control)

                                                             144.40 (Scouts rent at Infant School)

                                                             555.00 (P Centre Rates)

                                                             156.28 (P Centre Trade Waste)

          Mayfair Security                         458.25

          Firescreen                                     71.68

          YRCC                                          25.00

          YLCA                                         516.00

                 PHS Ltd                                            137.63

                

03/074       Correspondence

 

     Wakefield MDC - Council Minutes

                                                     - Community Assembly Minutes           

                                                     - Joint WMDC/YCLA Minutes

 

          YLCA                               - White Rose Update

                                                     - Advice Note, Elections

- Advice Note, Accounts and Audit Regs 2003

- Joint Executive Minutes.

                

          West Yorkshire Police                    - Normanton Forum, Minutes

 

          Countryside Agency                 - Parish Plans

 

 

 

 

 

03/075       Parish Matters

 

1.      Electricity Sub Station – High Street.

 

The clerk to contact Yorkshire Electricity again, asking that the site be cleared of debris.

 

2. Middle Lane - Flooding

 

The clerk to request that the countryside service investigate flooding towards the end of Middle Lane.

 

3.      Junction of Meadowfields Drive with Meadowfields Road.

 

The clerk to report that the Meadowfields Drive street sign at its junction with Meadowfields Road is missing and needs replacing.

 

4.      Street Lighting

 

The clerk to report that lamp no 4 on Meadowfields Road needs a new door.

 

03/076       Date of next Meeting

 

            Monday 19th May 2003.

 

03/077       Matters Discussed in Private

 

          Minuted at 03/069.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                

 

 

 

Chairman                                                                               19th May 2003