Page 1.                                    Crofton Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 20th April 2010.                             

 

Present;          Councillors,    Chalkley (Chair), Bennett, Duffy, Healy, Hewitt, Jacques, Makin, Schofield, Smithson, Towns, Voros and Wrigg.

In attendance;                       6 members of the public

 

04/001             Report from W.Y.Police Officers working on Crofton Safe Scheme

PC Day presented his report for the month of March 2010.

Cllr Chalkley stated that as a result of the feedback received from youths at the youth engagement open evening,(see minute 04/010), what became apparent was the number of youths from neighbouring villages that were in Crofton. This was a result of other villages not providing facilities or services. PC Day was asked if he could make enquiries about utilising the Youth Club to a greater extent.

Although PC Day had provided members with graphs/charts providing information on Crime and ASB for the past two tears, Cllr Bennett stated that although the information was useful, figures had been requested.

Cllr Smithson informed members about a problematic family which had recently been housed on Beech Avenue. PC Day was asked if he could investigate further and involve the NPT and WDH, it was thought that an ASBO against members of the family were not being enforced.

Cllr Hewitt asked if PC Day would take action against the previously reported white van which was still in attendance on Hare Park Lane.

When asked for further information regarding the stolen vehicles from Doncaster Road and Hare Park Lane, PC Day was unable to divulge any further information, Cllr Hewitt expressed his frustration concerning this.

A resident in attendance thanked the Police for attending at the Sports Pavilion to disperse youths causing a nuisance.

Cllr Towns commented that a Deer was seen at the junction of Slack Lane at 7-30 am.

 

04/002                         Wakefield MDC District Councillors Report

Cllr Cummings was not in attendance due to the impending District Elections.

She had forwarded a report which was read by Cllr Chalkley.

In response to the statement that the cycle track on the Sidings had been cleaned, Cllr Jacques disputed this, it would be reported to Cllr Cummings.

Cllr Wrigg acknowledged the information received that the garage site was owned and operated by WDH.

Members reported that there had been a gulley clean around the village.

Cllr Cummings would be asked to report on the following comments from members;

Cllr Bennett had observed that the grass cutting team had cut the same area three times, he thought the staff could be deployed more effectively ie  litter picking.

The WMDC waste collection vehicle had been observed parking outside the Chemist on High Street, between 3 and 4 pm, due to its size this had caused an obstruction.

Black bin bags were not checked by refuse staff for their content, they were just being

thrown into the back of the vehicle.

Clarification was sought concerning where rabbit waste and straw was to be disposed.

Page 2.

04/003                         Public Participation session

A resident in attendance presented pictures which showed the disruption caused to residents on Middle Lane, due to the number of cars attending a recent rugby festival at the Community Centre. The Police had been contacted about the situation and an officer had attended to help ease congestion.

PC Day stated that he would speak to the Community Centre as they were responsible for making arrangements for such events.

Cllr Chalkley told the residents that the Parish Council would also send a letter to the Community Centre Manager to reinforce the above action.

A resident informed members that the entrance gate to the Sports Pavilion was now being closed on a regular basis.

It was noted that football players were leaving strapping on the pitches following games, a resident asked that the matter be brought to the attention of the teams officials.

A resident had noted that the lights at the Sports Pavilion were being left on overnight, but this was due to a switch problem which would be rectified.

The Clerk was asked to contact WMDC Rights of Way about the outstanding work to be done to the track leading to the Pavilion building.

A resident from Pinfold Drive wanted to know when trees to the rear of their property would be removed, Cllr Chalkley confirmed that once money for the new financial year had been received, an order would be placed to action this.

Another resident complained that the short stay car park (former Library site) was being used as a football pitch, he was advised to keep a record of the times this occurred to enable an anti social behaviour report to be produced, Cllr Makin would also report the matter to PC Day.

 

04/004                         Apologies for absence          

District Councillors; Cummings, Lodge and Isherwood

Councillor Ripley

 

04/005                         Declarations of Interest

None declared.

 

04/006                         Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 16th March 2010, were signed as a true record by the Chairman.

 

04/007                         Discuss matters arising from previous minutes

Although the Clerk confirmed that an acknowledgement had been received from CE Electric confirming the sub station on High Street would be cleaned, this had not yet occurred, the Clerk would enquire further.

Further to the Dog Wardens report which had been circulated to members, the fence that was to be erected to stop the dogs causing a problem on the Public Right of Way

(adjacent to Larkdale Farm), had not been actioned. The Clerk was asked to contact

the dog warden and ask them to enforce the request

With regard to the reported incident (see minute 03/188) involving dogs causing an

Page 3.

obstruction to the public on the Sidings, rather than request an order be made and a sign erected to prevent dogs causing an obstruction, the Clerk was asked to contact WMDC Parks & Public Realm, to ask them to repair the boundary fencing between Larkdale Farm and the Sidings.

 

04/008                         Community Facilities

Report Parish Centre

Nothing to report.

Report Village Association

The insurance claim for the burst water pipes had now been submitted.

Report Allotments

Cllr Hewitt reported that there had been recent activity involving the issuing of allotment gardens to new tenants and the cancellation of existing tenancies.

It was agreed to hold an informal meeting of members of the allotment working party and tenants, this was to be held on Sunday 25th April at 6pm.

The Clerk was asked if there had been any further news from Crofton High School, concerning their project for the Pontefract Road allotment site, but there was nothing to report other than that an application had been received.

Report Parish Cemetery

Cllr Schofield stated that the water tap had been stolen, he would arrange a replacement.

 

04/009                         Discuss Traffic issues

Cllr Chalkley informed members that he and Cllrs; Wrigg and Schofield, had been in attendance on Shay Lane/Harrison Road, to make observations and take readings, in order to produce a survey about the amount of traffic and pedestrians using the road on a school day morning. Cllr Bennett suggested that the information could be used to lobby WMDC to have a pedestrian crossing placed there. The Clerk asked Cllr Chalkley to send the survey and he would send a letter in due course.

The Clerk informed Cllr Towns that he had now contacted the WMDC School Travel Plan advisor (see minute 03/196), but was still awaiting a report from them.

 

04/010                         Parish Plan

Cllr Bennett informed members that a discussion concerning the development of the draft plan had taken place on the 13th April in the Parish Centre.

They had received feedback from a discussion of the draft plan that had been held at the local Darby & Joan Club.

The parish plan team had also arranged a youth engagement open evening, the event had been very productive in ascertaining information from the youths.

Cllr Makin stated that following the support and feedback received from the youths, it would be appropriate to lobby WMDC Family Services about utilising the Youth Club.

Cllr Bennett informed members that the draft plan had been cross referenced with the LDF policy, as they would soon be ready to prepare the final draft.

 

04/011                         Cleansing/Environment

Nothing to report.

Page 4;

04/012                         Planning Notifications

Further to planning application; Ref. No:10/00397/FUL for 523 Doncaster Road, the  Clerk would submit comment raising concerns about safe access and free flow of traffic.                                         

Members also discussed the retrospective application for a brick boundary wall, Ref No.09/02373/FUL for 108 Springhill Avenue. The Clerk was asked to submit a comment, but it was noted that the application had already been approved.

 

04/013                         Financial matters

The Clerk having informed members of invoices to be paid received no objections.

Members were in agreement with the content of the monthly and quarterly accounts.

Members agreed to accept the draft accounts for the new financial year.           

Members agreed to the appointment of an Internal Auditor, the Clerk would contact the auditor used the previous year.

                                                                                   

04/014                         Correspondence received

Members noted the content of the information received, in particular;

Note 5; a member of the Parish Council agreed to be in attendance at the Crofton multi agency group meeting, to discuss a solution to incidents of anti social behaviour.

 

04/015                         Parish matters

Members discussed the current situation concerning Coppers Lake. Cllr Bennett felt that WMDC appeared to be not taking responsibility for its future, it was felt that a meeting should be arranged to see what the future plans were, members agreed.

Members discussed the letter received from the Ministry of Justice concerning War Memorial maintenance. It was resolved that the Parish Council would be prepared to undertake any maintenance work needed.

Cllr Hewitt informed members that the collection of bulk waste was no longer a free service offered by WMDC, a charge had now been introduced.

Cllr Healy commented about the amount of litter visible in the village.

Cllr Smithson enquired what could be done about the amount of refuse and debris to be found at the recycle bins at the Community Centre. The Clerk would write to them about this and other matters (see minute 04/003).

 

04/016                         Date of next meeting

Resolved; that the next meeting to be held on Tuesday, 18th May 2010 at 7pm in                               Crofton Parish Centre, High Street, Crofton.

 

04/017             Members of the public and press were to leave before agenda no.18

It was agreed

 

04/018                         Matters to be discussed in private

There were none

 

Signed                                                                         Date                                        Chairman Crofton Parish Council