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.