Page 1. Crofton Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 17 January 2012.

Present; Councillors, Chalkley, Bennett, Dart, Hewitt, Kimbley, Makin, Ripley, Schofield and Towns.

In attendance; 5 members of the public

District Councillors; Cummings and Manifield

A minutes silence was observed following the death of Parish Councillor Julius Voros

01/146 Report from W.Y.Police Officers working on Crofton Safe Scheme PS Jonathan Day, presented his report covering 20 Dec to 17 Jan.

Members were introduced to Inspector Richard Clare who was now responsible for Neighbourhood Policing. He informed members that he had 20 years service with the Police Force and had served 8 years as an Inspector. He was experienced in a number of areas such as serious crime and response situations, but was looking forward to working in Neighbourhood Policing.

Cllr Chalkley welcomed PI Clare to the meeting.

Cllr Cummings thanked the Police for attending the recent Community Café morning at the Parish Centre.

PS Day stated that there were future plans for the Police to engage with the community via social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.

He reminded all present the importance of reporting crime so intelligence could be gathered which would assist in reducing crime.

Comment was made about a disturbance at the Slipper Public House over the Christmas period, this had resulted in a report being submitted to the Licensing office and the premises being closed, Cllr Cummings stated she was aware of the incident and had spoken to PI Clare about invoking a licence review. This would result in a 28 day notice being served in which time the conditions of the licence would have to be complied with, failure to do so would result in closure. Cllr Bennett whilst acknowledging such action being taken, was concerned that should the licence conditions be adhered to, what would happen if there were further incidences after the 28 day period. PI Clare stated that if there was a continual breach they could approach the Magistrates to have the licence revoked.

01/147 Wakefield MDC District Councillors Report

Cllr Cummings updated members on previous matters raised and provided information to enquiries made individually by Parish Councillors.

Cllr Cummings commented on the death of Cllr Voros and stated he would be sadly missed, she also offered her thanks to Cllr Jacques who had recently resigned.

Members were informed that she was awaiting a report from Wakefield’s Library and Information Service to determine how library services would be provided in the future. There was concern amongst members that the report would not take into account the number of children using the facilities. The Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting with the Wakefield MDC Service Manager for Library and Museums to ensure all factors were being considered prior to any decision.

With regard to the unregistered land at Doncaster Road (see minute 12/130), a protection order had now been placed on the site and a resident had now been served

with a notice to remove the skip. The Police were also monitoring the site.

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Cllr Makin had received information that the bus shelter on Doncaster Road was not offering any protection against the weather to those waiting for a bus, Cllr Cummings was asked to approach Metro concerning the matter.

Cllr Hewitt commented that a type of swing which had been placed on the new play area at the Sidings was not the type which had been agreed.

Flooding had occurred on the bend in the road at Hare Park Lane and also on Shay Lane in the Holly Crescent area. Cllr Cummings was asked to report these incidences and seek a resolution.

Cllr Manifield had made further enquiries following the request received from the Clerk concerning problematic trees at Santingley Lane and Oak Street, which were in need of pruning. The trees were not the responsibility of WDH, so they were reluctant to take any action, he was to ask them to ensure they were not in a dangerous condition as this would ensure action was taken.

01/148 Public Participation session

A resident in attendance was concerned about the condition of the road surface on Harrison Road, comment was made that remedial works were planned.

A resident commented on the problem of youths congregating to the rear and within the archway of the shops on High Street, he was to consider putting a gate there to deter such practices, he wanted to seek the views of members on such an idea.

It was reported that tin sheets had blown off barns at Larkdale Farm onto the Sidings playing fields.

A resident in attendance asked if there was any news on the two proposed development sites within the village namely Bedford Farm and Priory Ridge.

Cllr Bennett stated that the LDF inquiry concerning this matter was being held on Tuesday 24 January at 2pm in the County Hall.

01/149 Apologies for absence

District Councillor; none received for Cllr Lodge.

Councillors; Wrigg none received for Cllr Affleck.

01/150 Declarations of Interest

None declared.

01/151 Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 December 2011, were signed as a true record by the Chairman.

01/152 Discuss matters arising from previous minutes

The Clerk reported that;

A response from WMDC Highways had now been received about the cost of supplying boundary signs, a standard sign would be approximately £350. It was agreed that the matter would be discussed further when the meeting with WMDC Officer Keith Bloomfield concerning traffic calming was arranged.

A further request had been made to for meeting with WMDC Officer Keith Bloomfield concerning traffic calming, as yet there had been no response.

A meeting with Spawforth Associates regarding 9lakes had been arranged for 22

February at 6.30pm in the Parish Centre.

District Councillors had been contacted about overgrown trees and what the

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responsibility of WDH was concerning this (see minute 01/147).

A response had not been received to the letter sent to a resident requesting correspondence be sent to the Clerk rather than to members.

WYFRA declined the offer of a meeting to discuss proposed cuts to fire cover within the area because the consultation period had closed. They would endeavour to keep the local community informed of any developments.

The Scout Group had been informed that although the request for a donation had been agreed in principle by members, incorrect information on the Accounts would need to be resolved before funding was given.

Having sought clarification from WMDC Planning about the removal of a hedgerow at 19 Weeland Road, he was informed that due to an exemption in the Hedgerow Act, the hedgerow was classed as a boundary therefore consent was not needed. Cllr Ripley was still concerned about the work being carried out at the property, he would provide the Clerk with further information for him to seek a response from Ian Thompson the WMDC Service Director for Planning.

01/153 Community Facilities

Report Parish Centre

Cllr Dart reported that;

Quotes had now been received for the improvement works for the Parish Centre (see minute 12/135), with the work planned to start within the week, members were concerned that further discussion should have taken place beyond that agreed by the working party, but were in agreement for the work to commence.

Report Village Association

Cllr Makin reported that;

The final repair work to enable the insurance claim to be progressed had commenced.

The anti-vandal paint and associated works had now been completed (see minute 12/135).

Report Allotments

Cllr Hewitt reported that;

The allotment collection day would take place on Saturday 21 January from 10am.

With regard to Crofton High School’s allotment at Pontefract Road, this was discussed under item 18.

Report Parish Cemetery

Nothing to report.

01/154 Discuss Traffic issues

Cllr Bennett informed members that the Parish Council was able to implement Highway works, an allocation had been made in the next financial year under budget heading s137, to enable this.

Cllr Ripley informed members of an early morning accident involving an individual who had been driving whilst under the influence of drink. It had occurred on Doncaster Road between the junction of Slack Lane and the entrance to Coppers Lake. Damage was caused to a house and the perimeter wall.

01/155 Parish Plan

Cllr Chalkley informed members that following the discussion concerning the precept, a budget of £250 was allocated for the production of the plan in the next financial year.

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01/156 Cleansing/Environment

It had been noted that there was a problem around the village with dog fouling, the Clerk was asked to contact WMDC Environment and ask them to cleanse the area.

There was an overgrown hedge causing an obstruction to the footpath between 18/29 Slack Lane, the Clerk was asked to contact WMDC Highway Enforcement for action to be taken.

The former betting office site was still considered a problem the Clerk was asked to contact Neighbourhood action to seek their assistance to resolve the problem.

01/157 Planning Notifications

Members offered no comment to the applications received.

With regard to clarification concerning Weeland Road see minute 01/152.

01/158 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.

Members agreed that a Precept request for £49942 would be submitted to WMDC.

01/159 Correspondence received

Members noted the content of the information received, in particular Note 6; Cllr Kimbley was provided with the documentation received from WYPA concerning the online survey.

01/160 Parish matters

Cllr Schofield was concerned that future Highway works carried out on Harrison Road, would not negate any of the markings proposed by the Parish Council. Cllr Bennett confirmed that if markings were already in place prior to any works carried out, they would have to be repainted.

01/161 Date of next meeting

Resolved; that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday 21 February 2012 at 7pm in Crofton Parish Centre, High Street, Crofton.

01/162 Members of the public and press were to leave before agenda no.18

It was agreed

01/163 Matters to be discussed in private

David Oxley from Crofton High School has informed Cllr Hewitt that since the status of the school had changed to an academy, his priorities had changed but they still wanted to develop the allotment site. The installation of a water supply had been stalled due to the problem of establishing ownership of the access road, the Clerk would check the title deed to see if it contained any information regarding ownership.

Following the death of Cllr Voros, it was confirmed that his allotment site would not be assigned to any other person and would be forfeit as per the Terms and Conditions of the tenancy.

Members agreed to co-opt Jayne Wilby to the Parish Council.

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