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Crofton Parish Council

 

 

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held  20th February 2007.                             

 

Present;          Councillors, Chalkley (Chair), Bennett, Duffy K, Duffy S,

Hewitt, Jacques, Ripley, Schofield, Towns and Voros

 

           

In attendance;                        1 member of the public

                                                District Councillors; Cummings and Manifield,

 

Apologies for absence           District Councillor Isherwood.

Councillors, Brown, Makin and Wrigg.

 

 

02/754             Receive report from West Yorkshire Police           

PC Daley presented his report for the Safe Scheme covering the months of December 2006 and January 2007. Cllr Hewitt made it known to PC Daley that a black Vauxhall Corsa car was regularly being seen at the Hare Park Lane bridge, presumably the occupants were involved in mischief of some nature, PC Daley noted this, Cllr Hewitt also asked for details on the theft from persons, he was informed that this was an exercise bike. Cllr Jacques commented on having observed PC Daley conducting early morning patrols to alleviate traffic problems on Slack Lane. Cllr Duffy(S) asked about persistent problems with Post Office vans (see minute 12/720) PC Daley confirmed he had specifically spoken to the drivers and had approached the Post Office Master and asked for their co-operation in avoiding delivering and collecting in peak times. Cllr Bennett pointed out that there was a rear entrance door accessed via the private road that could be used by the drivers, PC Daley having been informed of this option would investigate further. Cllr Schofield asked if PC Daley would also give consideration to cars being parked along the stretch of road from The Royal Oak public house to the T junction with Slack Lane, this was causing difficulties for people alighting from the bus. Cllr Towns made PC Daley aware of the problem of youths congregating on the footpath between Springhill Avenue to the Priory Ridge estate (see minute 11/703), she reminded him that PC McMahon had stated that it was his intention to patrol this area so could PC Daley now follow up on that action. PC Daley was informed that beer cans and other debris were being left on the car park at the Walton Nature Reserve, he confirmed that this had been reported to him at the Walton PC meeting.

 

02/755             Receive briefing from Wakefield MDC District Councillors

Cllr Cummings informed members that Cllr Isherwood had returned to work, she reported that the problem of pot holes on Sandown Avenue reported last month, would be rectified in the new financial year, the Headmaster of the High School had been asked for his support to ensure that the problem of congestion on Wednesday evenings (see minute 01/738) would be avoided. There would be a street surgery held on the Ashdene Estate during the 08th March 2007. Cllr Manifield informed members that they had asked WMDC Highways to take stock of the whole of the Crofton area

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with regard roads and footpaths and to include a survey about signs, establishing which were considered useful and those that were not.    

 

02/756             Public Participation session

A member of the public in attendance raised concerns about dog fouling within the village, she was asked to contact Neighbourhood Action on telephone number 08458 506506.

 

02/757             Declarations of Interest

Cllr Bennett declared his interest with regard Planning and Highway matters

 

02/758             Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 16th January 2007, were signed as a correct record by the Chairman.

 

02/759             Discuss matters arising from previous minutes

The Clerk informed members that despite a reply from MP Jon Trickett he had not been able to arrange an interview, the Clerk suggested writing to the Wakefield Express to which members agreed. Since issuing the summons, an apology had been received from the individual dealing with the No Tipping sign, in view of this it was decided not to make a complaint to the Director of Corporate Services. Members decided to wait and see the response from Elaine McHale the Director of Family Services for WMDC, before deciding any further action.

 

02/760             Community Facilities

Report Parish Centre

Cllr Duffy(K), suggested to members that they should help paint the outside of the building following the recent refurbishment work, members agreed to do this at an some time in the future. She also informed members that the resident in the house next door to the centre, had experienced blocked drains and this may be caused by problems with the Parish Centre, the Clerk informed members that he had used a hose pipe to run water through the drains and he was satisfied that there was not an immediate problem, members agreed it would be appropriate to have the drains cleaned at some time in the near future. Cllr Jacques informed members that he obtained quotes from several sign makers and suggested the PC accept the one from Briggs Signs, members agreed to do so.

Report Village Association

Cllr Bennett informed members that PHS, the sanitary services supplier, had yet to contact Cllr Makin, it was suggested that the Clerk make enquiries to find an alternative supplier.

Report Allotments

Cllr Hewitt informed members of the improvements made to the Hare Park and Oak Street allotments due in part to the ordering of skips to support a general clean up, but also by care being taken in choosing new allotment holders.  He informed members of the allotment committee meeting to be held on Sunday 25th February at the Parish Centre. Cllr Voros had been informed of the poor condition of Mr Salts’s garage site at Pontefract Road which was ironic given the fact that he had made several complaints against the Parish Council, none of course justified.

 

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Report Parish Cemetery

Members were informed by Cllr Schofield that the garage roof had been vandalised,  verbal and written quotes had been received for the cost of repairing this, it was agreed to accept the written quote from Robinson Roofing, the Clerk was asked to contact him to confirm acceptance and agree a start date.

 

02/761             Discuss Traffic issues

Nothing to report.

 

02/762             Parish Leases

Members agreed that the lease for the car park should be signed, subject to changes to the wording of some clauses.

 

02/763             Cleansing/Environment

Cllr Jacques commented on his disappointment in the new Neighbourhood Environment Manager June Rothwell, her appointment had not resulted in an improvement to the village, the Clerk was asked to invite her to the next meeting.

Cllr Bennett commented that the bench removed from the end of Slack Lane by the owner due to damage caused to it had left exposed bolts.

 

02/764             Planning Notifications

Members raised no objections.

 

02/765             Financial matters

The Clerk informed members of invoices to be paid, Cllr Towns questioned the payment due for the Priory Centre and why the PC paid for the facility, it was explained that it ensured sporting facilities were provided for the youth of the village.

The attached monthly accounts were submitted and approved.

Members duly noted that the precept had been accepted by WMDC.

                                                                                   

02/766             Correspondence received

Members noted the content of the information received, in particular note 5; the Clerk was asked to apply for the amount due to Crofton from the fund. Note 6; the Clerk was asked to write to the Site Manager and give him the contact details for the Secretary of the Crofton Village Association. Note 7; the Clerk was asked to inform Metro that the Parish Council do not want the brick shelters to be demolished and with regard note 13; it was felt that the secretary of All Saints Church should apply directly, as the Community Centre had previously done so, the Clerk was asked to be supportive and supply the contact name and address of the person to approach within WMDC on the matter.

 

02/767             Parish matters

Further to the meeting with the YRCC, members decided to have a follow up meeting, it was agreed this would be Sunday 18th March 2007 at 7pm in the Parish Centre. Cllr Schofield was concerned that dropped kerbs had been used on the alterations to the house on Church Hill, Cllr Bennett stated that this was not a problem as long as the

 

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residents adhered to the specific use granted for this alteration. Cllr Bennett commented that he felt there was a lack of lighting on the pathway from Springhill Avenue to Meadowfields Close,  the Clerk was asked to contact Paul Stevenson the Traffic and Engineering Design Manager and ask for more lighting.

Cllr Voros felt that the drains needed cleaning as there seemed to be build up of water on the Slack Lane/High Street area, the Clerk would contact Highway Maintenance to make them aware of the problem. Cllr Duffy(K) reminded councillors that they were to make recommendations for adding trees to the tree preservation order.  

 

02/768             Date of next meeting

Resolved; that the next meeting to be held on Tuesday, 20th March 2007                               at 7pm in Crofton High School, High Street, Crofton.

 

02/769             Members of the public and press were to leave before agenda no.18

It was agreed

 

02/770             Matters to be discussed in private

It was decided not to attend a training event.

 

 

 

Signed                                                                          Date                                         Chairman Crofton Parish Council