Page 1. Crofton Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 21 February 2012.

Present; Councillors, Chalkley, Bennett, Dart, Hewitt, Kimbley, Ripley,

Schofield, Towns, Wilby and Wrigg.

In attendance; 3 members of the public

District Councillor Cummings.

Cllr Chalkley welcomed new Parish Councillor Jayne Wilby.

02/164 Report from W.Y.Police Officers working on Crofton Safe Scheme Officers; PC Laura Wheatley and PCSO James Smith, presented the report on behalf of PS Day, covering period 17 Jan to 21 Feb.

Cllr Kimbley commented on anti social behaviour occurring in the ginnel to the rear of 37/ 39 Brand Hill Drive, he asked that the area be patrolled as youths gathered

there and needles were being discarded. It was thought that such behaviour had been happening a while, Cllr Cummings was asked to organise the cleaning of the area as there was a lot of cans and other debris associated with the youths.

Cllr Bennett informed members of information being publicised about the euro cylinder lock. There had been an increase in the number of burglaries due to criminals using a technique called ‘lock snapping’ which involves applying force and snapping the cylinder in two. Cllr Cummings was aware of the problem associated with the locks and stated the public should ring phone number 101 and ask for crime prevention advice.

Members were reminded of the PACT meeting on the 06 March, Cllr Cummings agreed to open the Parish Centre to enable this.

02/165 Wakefield MDC District Councillors Report

Cllr Cummings provided information to enquiries made individually by Parish Councillors, and gave an update on previous matters raised;

A meeting had now been arranged at the Town Hall at 10.00am on 27 February (see minute 02/170), concerning future Library provision.

Further to recent activity concerning traffic survey cameras and road counter strips being placed at the various junctions into the village and Doncaster Road, she had enquired with WMDC Planning but was informed it was not related to any specific development activity.

Having contacted WMDC Street Scene, the rubbish accumulated outside 91-93 High Street had now been cleared and bins removed until the property was next occupied.

A gully inspection had now been arranged concerning the reported flooding on the bend in the road at Hare Park Lane. Cllr Kimbley commented that the gully on Shay Lane in the Holly Crescent area had now been dealt with.

Metro officers were to carry out a site inspection of the bus shelter on Doncaster Road which was not offering any protection against the weather.

Cllr Kimbley commented on the amount of debris and the incidence of fly tipping to the rear of Holly Close, Cllr Cummings was asked to contact Neighbourhood Action and report the matter. Cllr Hewitt stated that the footpath sign on Hare Park Lane had still not been replaced,

he also asked Cllr Cummings to pass on thanks to the WMDC Highways Maintenance

regarding the good work done by the gritting team.

Cllr Bennett had noted that the container was still in place on Doncaster Road (see minute 12/130), Cllr Cummings duly noted the comment.

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Cllr Bennett was displeased with the response received from WMDC Highways with regard to arranging a meeting to discuss various Highway matters. Cllr Cummings was asked for her support to bring the authority to task about the response.

02/166 Public Participation session

The Licensee for the Slipper Public House complained that recent comments made in the Smoke Signal concerning visits by the Police, were unfair and not representative of events. The Police had only been called once in 3 years concerning disorder.

02/167 Apologies for absence

District Councillors; Manifield, none received for Cllr Lodge.

Councillor; Makin. W.Y Police; PS Day.

02/168 Declarations of Interest

None declared.

02/169 Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 January 2012, were subject to change prior to signature.

02/170 Matters arising from previous minutes

The Clerk reported that;

Further to the request for a meeting with WMDC Officer Keith Bloomfield concerning traffic calming, he had replied stating that he had passed the request to his Traffic Management Team who were to contact the Clerk.

Having contacted the WMDC Director of Planning about current development work at 19 Weeland Road, a Planning Officer had contacted the Clerk and informed him that an enforcement case had been raised. The enforcement team were to approach the owners and request that they either resubmit an application or reinstate the land to its original condition.

Further to contacting WMDC Street Scene about dog fouling, they were to arrange the compact sweeper to do an additional visit, dog wardens were to commence extra patrols and additional ‘pick up or pay’ stencilling was to be carried out.

Having contacted the WMDC Highways ASB Unit about an overgrown hedge on Slack Lane, Highway Technicians were to contact properties the length of Slack Lane and remind them that they were responsible for cutting back any vegetation to the border of their property.

An e-mail had been received from Emma Grunwell the WMDC Development Manager for Librarys and Information Services. Since a meeting had been arranged with the District Council and Crofton Academy (with the Parish Council also to be invited), she suggested that the result of this meeting be taken into consideration before arranging a separate one with the Parish Council.

Further to the report that tin sheets had blown off barns at Larkdale Farm onto the edge of the Sidings fields (see minute 01/148), Cllr Chalkley had visited the farm and discussed the matter with Mrs Baines, she had agreed to remove them.

02/171 Community Facilities

Report Parish Centre

Cllr Dart reported that;

Page 3.

A Fire Officer had attended the Centre to gather information. The Centre is classed as low risk due to its size.

A cover for the wall heaters (see minute 12/135), had been tried but had proved unsuitable and had therefore been removed. A guard was suggested as an alternative solution, it was agreed that one should be tried for suitability, also a quote should be sought for an alternative heater.

Following discussion members agreed to the renewal of the Smoke Signal advert.

Report Village Association

Nothing to report.

Report Allotments

Cllr Hewitt reported that;

All payments for Allotment Tenancies had now been received.

Allotments Tenancies that had not been renewed had been reallocated.

Crofton High School co-ordinator for the Allotments at Pontefract Road, Karen Deeley, had contacted him to seek permission to commence work on the Car Park area and commence excavation work for the water supply. As this had already been agreed in principle, permission had been given.

It was confirmed that in accordance with the rules, due to the death of Cllr Voros, his tenancy was forfeit, it therefore becomes available for reallocation.

Report Parish Cemetery

Cllr Schofield reported that;

A Sycamore tree had fallen down due it being diseased, fortunately it had not resulted in any damage. The Clerk was asked to obtain a quote to have it removed, members agreed that should the cost be no more than £500, then the Clerk was to give permission for the work to be commenced.

02/172 Traffic Issues

See minute 02/170.

02/173 Parish Plan

Cllr Chalkley asked if members had any comments or suggestions that they wanted adding to the plan, but none were received.

02/174 Cleansing/Environment

The Clerk was asked to contact WMDC Highways to request the annual cyclic gully cleansing.

02/175 Planning Notifications

Members duly noted the applications received.

Comment was made about the refused application for Ref. No: 11/02509/FUL a detached garage to rear of 15 Brand Hill Drive, Cllr Kimbley offered to ascertain the possible reason for the refusal.

02/176 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.

Following discussion it was agreed to review the Standing and Financial Orders of the

Parish Council on Sunday 04 March at 6.00pm.

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Members discussed the content of the information received regarding the supply of

hanging baskets. Since the recent quotation received offered a further discount, it was

agreed to accept the offer and keep the number of baskets to be displayed the same.

Having given due consideration to the request for a grant from the Community Cafe, members were in agreement to do so, the grant was £198.

Following discussion, members were in agreement that changes should be made to the bank account signatories for the Community Account.

02/177 Correspondence received

Members noted the content of the information received, in particular

Note 11; The Clerk was asked to reply and state that the Parish Council was not able to offer funding for an individual, it can only provide funds for groups which have the potential to benefit the whole community.

02/178 Parish matters

The owner of St Josephs Church had attended the Parish Council meeting prior to its commencement, to inform members that the facility would be available for use should the Parish Council, its members, or any residents, request it.

Cllr Hewitt informed members that youths had been playing football on the Sidings as late as 11.30pm.

Cllr Dart had noted some white line markings on Church Road at its junction with Harrison Road. This indicated that only this part was to receive attention and not some other parts of the road. Comment was made that perhaps the whole road was not adopted and therefore not subject to the planned work, the Clerk was asked to enquire if the whole length of the road was adopted.

The Clerk informed members that the Scout Group Executive Committee had recently met and had requested an Asbestos report and a copy of the Lease for the Scout Hut. The Clerk was to confirm there was no lease agreement but advise that one could be arranged. He would also enquire if there was a specific area they wanted the Asbestos report for.

Cllr Wilby commented on the condition of the railings in the WMDC owned area of the Cemetery. Due to a recent incident, she felt that they were potentially dangerous and should be reported. The Clerk would make further enquiries.

Members duly noted the meeting arranged with Spawforth Associates regarding the 9 Lakes project.

02/179 Date of next meeting

Resolved; that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday 20 March 2012 at 7pm in Crofton Parish Centre, High Street, Crofton.

02/180 Members of the public and press were to leave before agenda no.18

It was agreed

02/181 Matters to be discussed in private

There were none.

Signed ……………………………… Date………………….. Chairman Crofton Parish Council