Crofton Parish Council

 

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on

Tuesday 16th December 2003 in The High School at 7.00 pm.

 

 

     Present: Councillors: Mrs K Duffy, Mrs G Towns, Mrs W Wrigg, S Bennett, T B Chalkley,  S Duffy,

                        P Jacques, A Ripley & J Voros

 

                        Residents: Mr G Schofield & Mr H Shaw

 

                        West Yorkshire Police PC P McMahaon

 

                        The Clerk: J F Shillitoe

 

     Apologies: Councillors: J R Hewitt, G P Jackson & D Marshall

                  

                 The Chairman, Cllr A Ripley presided over the meeting.

  

03/199       Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

 

                 Mrs Kathryn Duffy signed a declaration of acceptance of office and completed the register of members interests in the presence of the clerk

 

03/200       West Yorkshire Police

 

                 PC McMahon (Paul) presented the November Police report to the meeting.

 

                 Paul advised councillors that whereas November’s crime figures looked reasonable there have been a sharp increase in burglaries during the early part of December. However on a positive note, two offenders have been arrested and will be spending Christmas at one of her majesties Hotels.

 

                 Paul handed the results of the Golden River surveys carried out along Slack Lane and The High Street to the clerk, these results show that the average speeds through the 20 mph zone are well in excess of 20 mph.

 

                 It was agreed that the clerk arrange for someone from the Highways Division to come and discuss traffic calming throughout the village.

 

                 Paul advised that he was examining the legality of asking residents living within the 20 mph zone to place notices on their wheely bins advertising the speed limit. He asked councillors to consider sponsoring the scheme should it fall within current legislation. 

 

                 Cllr Chalkley asked that Paul thanked        safe scheme officers for their efforts on mischief night, Priory Ridge was certainly much quieter this years as a result.

 

                 The priorities for December/January to be:

 

                 Foot Patrol – As required, concentrating on the village centre, Crofton Library (Friday 6.30 to 7.00 pm.), Crofton High School, Crofton Infants, Royal Oak along with any other areas brought to the attention of the safe scheme officers.

 

            Monitor the Parish Cemetery.

 

            Discourage illegal use of motorcycles at Priory Ridge, Towers Close and adjacent land, High Street and Hare Park Sidings.

 

            Monitor parking in Walton View.

                

            Monitor the area adjacent to the Pavilion on Hare Park Sidings.

 

            Check the legislation covering 20 mph zones            

                              

03/201       Public Participation Session

 

1.      Christmas Tree

 

Residents and councillors expressed the view that the Christmas Tree was of poor standard with a few lights around the top.

 

Cllr Ripley explained that following recent works to the car park the base for the Christmas tree had been removed so the fact that there was a Christmas tree at all was down to some skilful negotiating. The standard of lighting was on a par with the rest of the authority and the parish would have to pay for anything additional.

 

It was agreed that the clerk and chairman continue discussions with the authority.

 

2.      Cock Lane.

 

       Residents informed councillors that cleansing services have still not visited the area.

 

The clerk to follow up.

 

3.      Waste Bins

 

                 The clerk to remind cleansing services of the two missing bins notified last month.

 

03/202       Declaration of Interests in Items on the Agenda

 

                 No declarations were made.

 

03/203       Minutes

 

                 It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 18th November be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

 

03/204       Matters Arising 

 

1.      Drama Hall

 

The clerk reported that Hutchinson demolition had carried out the demolition of the Drama Hall and that their contract included clearing the site and removing redundant materials.

 

The Design of the new youth centre had not yet commenced but it is hoped that construction work will commence towards the end of 2004.

 

 

 

2.      Resignation of Councillor

 

The clerk reported that the vacancy created by the resignation of George Scargill was currently being advertised. He would advise councillors at the January meeting how the vacancy had to be filled.

 

03/205       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.

 

03/206       Community Facilities - Convenors Report

 

                 1. Parish Centre

 

                 Cllr Ripley asked for a volunteer to take over the role as Parish Centre.

 

            After much discussion and deliberation Mrs Duffy agreed to take on the role, ably assisted by Mr Duffy.

 

                 Cllr Ripley advised that along with Cllr Chalkey he had visited the Parish Centre where an inspection of the premises had taken place. Cllr Chalkley had then prepared a risk assessment for the building.

 

                 The major areas of concern were;

 

                        The possibility of trapping figures in doorjambs,

 

                        Loose heater guards,

 

                        Glass splinters should damage occur to external windows.

 

                        Uneven flags

                       

                 It was agreed that Cllrs Ripley and Chalkley would fit figure protectors to the doorframes and re fix the heater guards.

 

                 The clerk, to check with the insurers, over laminating the windows and ask Mr Joyce to have a look at the flags. 

                              

                 2. Village Centre

 

                 Cllr Bennett reported that the abandoned vehicle at the sidings was now becoming more obvious as a result of the autumn fall of leaves.

 

                 The clerk to ask PC McMahon for assistance with this matter.

 

                 The clerk to also request cleansing services place Dog Waste Bins around the site.

 

03/207       Allotments - Convenors Report

 

Cllrs Ripley, Chalkley and Voros agreed to visit the allotment sites with the next week to carry out risk assessments

 

 

 

03/208       Parish Cemetery - Convenors Report

 

                 Mr Schofield reported that there was very little of concern to report this month other than someone had set a bonfire, the debris form, which had now been cleared.

 

                 Cllr Ripley reported that he had spoken with Mr Joyce regarding strengthening of the perimeter fence.

 

03/209        Special Services - Convenors Report

 

                 No matters to report this month.

 

03/210       Village Signage

 

            After discussion councillors formed the opinion that to construct signs similar to those in Walton was not financially viable (iro £10,500)

 

                 It was therefore agreed that the clerk contact Highways asking that they examine the signs at all the approaches to Crofton and repair, reinstate as necessary.

 

03/211       Moorhouse Opencast Liaison Committee

 

                 Cllr Ripley reported that the History Croup had returned £1000, which could now be used to fund another scheme.

 

                 Cllr Chalkley reported that, Crofton Juniors had still not received their grant of £1,000. Cllr Ripley agreed to investigate.

 

03/212      Old Library Site

 

                 Cllr Bennett reported that enforcement notices were to be issued to the contractors in an attempt to encourage them to complete works at the site.

 

03/203        Planning

 

                 1. Property extension – 30 Springhill Avenue

 

                 The clerk reported the works at 30 Springhill Ave have been completed in accordance with the planning permission granted.

 

                 2. Unitary Development Plan

 

                 Cllr Ripley presented details of a proposed submission to Wakefield MDCs Planning Department with regards to their papers issued as part of the UDP review of Affordable Housing and Sustainable Development.

 

                 It was agreed that the papers be submitted without amendment.

                

3. Other matters

 

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

 

 

03/204     Financial Matters  

 

                 a. Audit

 

                 The clerk reported that the external auditors, Mazars had returned to audit report without comment, indicating that everything was in order.

 

                 b. Accounts            

 

                 The following accounts were submitted and approved for payment.

                        £

                 Ms Reid                                           53.20

                 Mrs Hardwick                                 276.64

          Masars                                       411.25

          Wakefield MDC                           193.87

 

03/205     Correspondence

 

     Wakefield MDC - Minutes

                                                     - Community Assembly Minutes, 23 September 2003                                            

          Crofton Community Centre            - Agenda and minutes.

          YLCA                               - White Rose Update.

                                                     - Wakefield Branch membership

 

03/206     Parish Government Course – 5/7 March 2004

 

It was agreed to leave this matter to the January meeting when more information on the payment of members’ expenses may be available.

                

03/207       Parish Matters

 

1.      Springhill Drive – New Gas Main

 

Cllr Bennett reported that TRANSCO engineers have been surveying Springhill Drive with a view to replacing the gas main.

 

The clerk was asked to write to TRANSCO to ascertain the extent on the work.

 

03/208       Date of next Meeting

 

            Tuesday 17 February 2004.

 

03/209       Matters Discussed in Private

 

     Done discussed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Chairman                                                                           18th November 2003.