Page 1.

Crofton Parish Council

 

     Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 17th February 2009.                             

 

Present;                      Councillors, Chalkley (Chair), Duffy K, Hewitt, Jacques,

Makin, Ripley, Schofield, Towns and Voros

           

In attendance;           District Councillors; Cummings and Lodge.

                                    West Yorkshire Police Inspector Brear and PC Hall

 

02/162                         Receive report from West Yorkshire Police         

PC Daley presented his report for the month of January 2009.

With regard to the reported number of assaults, Cllr Towns asked if they were separate incidents, PC Daley confirmed it was one incident.

With regard to the seizing of alcohol, Cllr Towns asked how and why it was in the possession of children, PC Daley believed it was being brought from outside the Crofton area. He did confirm that the children were taken home to face their parents and to account for their conduct.

Cllr Voros commented that he had seen youths handling £20 notes and thought that it did not help the situation.

In answer to the suggestion that they should be taken to a Police Station and detained was not a legal option for the Police to take.

Cllr Chalkley welcomed the recently appointed Inspector Brear and PC Hall to the Parish Council meeting.

Inspector Brear introduced herself to members of the Parish Council, she spoke of her experience within the force and her future duties with the NPT; and issued to all members a copy of the ‘Policing Pledge’, which states what the public can expect from the West Yorkshire Police.

In response to what further action could be taken to avoid the ongoing problem of youths with alcohol, Inspector Brear stated that they would monitor any occurrence of repeat offenders, further action to be introduced would be to engage youth workers and other agencies, that could offer support and to liaise with the Manager of the local supermarkets, specifically Asda, to ensure they complied with the law with regard to the sale of alcohol to youths.

The Clerk was also asked to send a letter on behalf of the Council in support of this.

Cllr Ripley asked Inspector Brear the reason for the increased activity in the use of the Police helicopter over Crofton, she was not aware, but would investigate and provide a response.

 

02/163                         Wakefield MDC District Councillors Report

Cllr Lodge provided members with the following information;  

A new bin would be sited outside the Parish Centre on the 24th February.

Following a request from Cllr Brown, trees at the junction of Shay Lane and Thorntree Avenue would receive some attention. It had been noted that work had been commenced on other trees within the village.

Cllr Cummings provided members with the following information;  

She had received notification from the Clerk that a can cage was not required, (see minute 01/158).

Page 2.

 

A meeting had taken place concerning the condition of Middle Lane, present at the meeting was Richard Fuller the Nostell Estates Manager.
She had attended a meeting with Paul Harvey the WDH Estate Manger, about the Cold Calling pilot scheme, however this matter was still in the planning stages.

Following information provided by Cllr Jacques (see minute 01/145), she informed members that the play area at the Sidings would be re-furbished.

Cllr Chalkley had noted a grate missing on Bedford Close and asked Cllr Cummings to report this.

Cllr Schofield had noted that the condition of the footpath along Weeland Road from its junction with Doncaster Road was in need of repair, Cllr Cummings was asked to report this matter.

Cllr Schofield thought that Weeland Road, in the area opposite to the said footpath, would make a suitable area for Arriva to place a bus stop/shelter, since the service along Pontefract Road had been discontinued.

 

02/164                         Public Participation session

None in attendance.

 

02/165                         Apologies for absence          

District Councillor Isherwood

Councillors; Bennett, Brown, Duffy S and Wrigg.

 

02/166                         Declarations of Interest

None declared

 

02/167                         Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 20th January 2009, were subject to change before being signed as a true record by the Chairman.

 

02/168                         Discuss matters arising from previous minutes

The Clerk reported that;

Despite WMDC Planning acknowledging the request about the current usage of the Crofton Arms, they had yet to conduct their enquiries.

WMDC Building Control had inspected the former shop premises on Hawthorn Avenue, but no further action was to be taken as the building was considered to be secure and did not present a danger.

WMDC Transportation & Highways were contacted about extended times for parking on Slack Lane and the potential hazard caused by cars parking on High Street opposite Sainsburys, but no response had yet been received

WMDC Traffic Management had been contacted about possible traffic calming measures at the junction of Cock Lane and Pontefract Road, the Clerk was still awaiting a reply, Cllr Cummings had also been sent a copy of the enquiry.

 

02/169                         Community Facilities

Report Parish Centre

Cllr Jacques reported that;

Several bookings had been received including a new one from a local choir group.

 

Page 3.

 

Report Village Association

Nothing to report

Report Allotments

The Clerk reported that not all allotment payments had been received, there were instances of short payments and a returned cheque.

After careful consideration, members agreed to the request for the name on the lease correspondence for Pontefract Road, to change from B.W.Smith to B.R.Smith.

Report Parish Cemetery

Cllr Schofield reported that;

There had been an instance of a displaced memorial stone, thought not to be from natural causes, the matter had now been resolved.

Following discussion, it was agreed that cemetery charges for residents would remain the same for the new financial year.

 

02/170                         Discuss Traffic issues

Nothing to report.

 

02/171                         Parish Leases

WMDC Property Services having been contacted about the land lease of Priory School, stated that no documents could be found, the Clerk was asked to send copies of the original lease to enable further investigation.

 

02/172                         Cleansing/Environment

Cllr Towns commented that the area of land at 29a Slack Lane, was in a poor condition with much litter and debris, the Clerk was asked to contact the neighbourhood action team for them to attend.

Cllr Jacques suggested that a bid in the region of £100 be placed to purchase the land, the Clerk would make further enquiries but made members aware that solicitors costs associated with this type of purchase could be quite substantial.

Cllr Jacques also commented on the amount of litter and debris visible to the rear of the property at 91 High Street, it was suggested that the neighbourhood action team be asked to attend at this site as well as the above.

Cllr Schofield had noted the amount of dog waste that was visible on High Street between All Saints Church and the parade of shops, Cllr Chalkley commented that the problem of dog fouling in the village, was exacerbated by children who, when walking dogs, were not picking up the waste.

 

02/173                         Planning Notifications

Members raised no objections.

 

02/174                         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 accounts.

The Clerk confirmed that WMDC had agreed to the precept request from the Parish Council.

 

 

 

Page 4;

                                                                       

02/175                         Correspondence received

Members noted the content of the information received, in particular

Note 6; correspondence which detailed the contact details, was distributed to Councillors.

 

02/176                         Parish matters

Cllr Schofield informed members that a resident whose gate entrance was on the road leading to All Saints Church had placed a notice stating no parking.

Cllr Towns informed members that cars were being sold at the junction of Weeland Road/Pontefract Road, she stated if the matter became a regular occurrence, she would inform the Clerk to enable him to take action.

Cllr Ripley asked the Clerk if there had been any response to the e-mail sent to the WMDC Public Rights of Way Officer, asking him about specific clauses in the leases for the Sidings playing fields, which would not allow for the construction of a cycle track. The Clerk stated that there had not been a response, Cllr Ripley suggested that the Officer be invited to a meeting to offer an explanation.

With regard to the agenda item concerning the planting of trees on The Avenue, Cllr Ripley stated he had contacted the landowner who had no objection to the suggestion, but did not want trees planting in a position which would encroach into his land. WMDC Highways wanted them placed a specific distance from the road which would result in an encroachment of the land.

The initiative would not proceed unless an alternative solution could be found.

 

02/177                         Date of next meeting

Resolved; that the next meeting to be held on Tuesday, 17th March 2009 at 7pm in                               Crofton Parish Centre, High Street, Crofton.

 

02/178             Members of the public and press were to leave before agenda no.18

It was agreed

 

02/179                         Matters to be discussed in private

There were none.

 

 

Signed                                                                         Date                                        Chairman Crofton Parish Council