Crofton Parish Council
Minutes
of the Annual General Meeting held on
Tuesday
16 July 2002 in The High School at 7.00 pm.
Present: Councillors: I Beckett, S Bennett, L
Coates, T Gomersall,
G
P Jackson OBE BEM JP, D Marshall,
A
Ripley & J Voros
Residents: Mrs R Salt, Mrs P Walker,
Mr Hewitt,
Mr
Hepworth, Mr Scott, Mr Jacques
&
Mr G Scofield plus three others
West
Yorkshire Police: PC Hawcroft
The
Clerk: J F Shillitoe
Apologies: Councillors: P Beckett, G Scargill
The chairman,
Cllr Ripley, presided over the meeting.
02/116 Public Participation Session
1.
Yorkshire Electricity Sub
Station – High Street
The clerk reported the he had received a reply from YE stating that, the
matter and been passed on to contractors who would visit the site in the near
future.
The clerk to follow up if no progress is made.
2.
Parish Cemetery
It was reported that
councillors had met with the contractors as planned and a schedule of work
agreed which concentrated on tidying the whole area with particular emphasis on
the garden of remembrance.
The waste bins to be fastened adjacent to the garage to prevent it being
pushed into the beck.
The gravedigger to be asked not to use the bins for surplus soil from
burials.
The wooden plinth to which the plaques are fastened in the casket area,
to be replaced by stone at an approximate cost of £1500.
3.
Speeding
Nothing to report
on this matter, PC Hawcroft to speak with traffic.
4.
Pontefract Road Flooding
Mrs Salt reported that works along Pontefract Road were now complete;
the next heavy rain would show whether or not the project has been successful.
5.
Refuse in Gardens
Residents of properties
adjacent to the High School complained about the amount of rubbish, which is
being thrown into their gardens by pupils of the High School.
Cllr Jackson agreed that he would take the matter to the school
governors and headteacher to look at possible improvements to the perimeter
fencing.
6.
Seat - Priory Ridge
Messrs Hepworth and
Scott, residents of Santingley Lane presented a case for having the seat at the
junction of Priory Ridge with Santingley Lane removed.
The seat has become a focal point attracting youths who make a nuisance
of themselves.
It was agreed that the matter be placed on the agenda for the next
meeting, in the meantime councillors would visit the site.
PC Hawcroft to include to area within the safe scheme.
7.
Hare Park Play Area.
Mr Hewitt reported that
raised the matter of youths vandalising the play area and driving cars onto the
playing fields.
Cllr Ripley informed those present that a meeting is to be held on 21
July at the site to discuss redesign and refurbishment of the site.
8.
Crofton Community Centre
Granville Marshall
addressed the meeting explaining the state of play as regards fund raising for
redevelopment of Nostell Miners Welfare.
In essence the project depends wholly on major organisation such as
Sports Aid and the Lotto making significant contributions towards the costs,
should these not materialise the project will fold.
However in support of all the applications for grants a set of accounts
and a long term funding plan has to be included. It is thought that if an
application is made without support from the Parish Council it would fail.
The Parish Council were therefore asked to consider making a pledge in
the region of three to four thousand pounds. If the project fails, no funding
will be required. If successful, funds
would not be required for at least eighteen months.
This matter was discussed fully in private at the end of the meeting where councillors agreed that they were prepared to pledge £4,000.
02/117 Declaration of Interests in Items on the Agenda
No verbal
declarations were made.
02/118 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.
02/119 Minutes
It was agreed that
the minutes of the meetings held on 18 June were a correct record and signed by
the Chairman.
02/120 West Yorkshire Police
PC Hawcroft
addressed the meeting.
Three weeks ago
whilst undertaking a covert operation in the Parish two plain clothes officers
observed several 15-17 yr old youths smoking cannabis, two of which were
arrested for possession.
A group of six
youths all under twelve were also observed trying to demolish a porto-loo for
which they were cautioned.
Off road
motorcycles have not presented a problem until recently with the sighting of a
car, trailer and two cycles on Hare Park.
Registration mark passed on to PC Hawcroft.
Cllr Marshall
asked if Wakefield MDC have a facility for off roading. PC Hawcroft to
enquire.
It was agreed that
council continue to support the safe scheme, a cheque fro £2,000 was drawn
accordingly.
The priorities for
August to be:
Foot Patrol –
Friday/Saturday 9.30 pm to 1.00 am concentrating on the village centre, Post
Office closing, windows rear of High School, Crofton Infants, Royal Oak etc.
Motorbicycles,
Hare Park Lane. – PC Whitworth with off road bike.
Speeding along
Harrison Road, High Street and Santingley Lane. - PC Whitworth to radar.
Seat – Priory
Ridge/Santingley Lane.
Observe property
in Hare Park Ave – Excess noise and disturbance of neighbours
Visit schools
early September to advise parents on the dangers of indiscriminate parking
adjacent to schools.
02/121 Matters Arising
1. Youth
Services
The clerk was
asked to arrange a meeting between Cllr Box, Cllr Jenkins, Ward Councillors and
the Parish Council to discuss the provision of youth facilities in Crofton.
2. 20 MPH Zone
The clerk reported
that Arriva Bus Company had indicated that they were not in favour of full size
ramps adjacent to the schools. On the assumption that Arriva will formally
object to full size ramps it is proposed to substitute the planned cushions
with wider ones, which fall between private car and bus.
The clerk was
asked to write back to highways reminding them that there are 1800 pupils at
the High School alone and that their safety should be considered prior to the
operating difficulties of Arriva. The
authority needs to positive, take control and introduce an effective traffic-calming
scheme, to assume that the bus company would object is a negative approach.
02/122 Community Facilities - Convenors Report
1. Parish
Centre
No report
available.
2.
Village Centre
Cllr Bennett
reported that the association had experienced problems with the alarm system,
probably due to BT work in the area affecting the red care system. All seems well at the moment.
02/123 Allotments - Convenors Report
The clerk reported that he contacted Mrs Brown advising that all
allotment should be tidied by the end of August.
The clerk to write to Cllr Feeney, over the use of three allotments for
which, he collects the rents.
It was also agreed that councillors visit the Pontefract Road site on 10
August 2002, to assess future usage to the area.
02/124 Parish Cemetery - Convenors Report
This matter
covered during the Public Participation session.
02/125 Special Services - Convenors Report
1.
Crofton Cougars ARLFC
Minuted under item
02/134/03
2.
Wakefield Hospice
The clerk reported that he had received a request from the Crofton Support Group of Wakefield Hospice for a donation to Hospice funds.
It was agreed that this matter be placed on agenda of the next meeting.
3. Crofton
Cricket Club
The clerk reported that he had received a request from the Cricket Club for financial assistance.
It was agreed that this matter be placed on agenda of the next meeting.
4.
Amber Hemingway
The clerk reported that a member of Shay Lane J & I School’s staff had approached him, to asked if the Parish Council could provide any assistance for Amber.
Amber has been selected to represent Great Britain in gymnastics at an event in Germany early September.
Due to there been no council meeting in August it was agreed that the Chairman liase with Amber’s parents and arrange for an appropriate grant to be made.
02/126 Moorhouse Opencast Liaison Committee
Cllr Gomersall
reported that sub group of the committee met on the 27th June to
consider those applications received to date for grant aid.
As only three
application had been received it was agreed that the deadline be extended to 30th
August when the sub committee would meet again.
02/127 Old Library Site
The clerk reported
that David Brown had made contact. He
was unable to make progress, as he had not yet had firm substantive replies
from Property Services and Highways.
02/128 Planning
1.
5 Dwellings – Hare Park View
The application was considered at length, after detailed discussions it
was agreed that council had no objections to the proposed development.
2.
Grass Verge adjacent to 521
Doncaster Road
It was reported that the owner of 521 Doncaster had published the fact
that he intended to adopt a piece of land adjacent to his property.
The clerk was asked to write to highways to ascertain if and to whom the
land was registered.
3.
Other Applications
All applications
received during the period were found to be acceptable.
02/129 Financial Matters
a.
Accounts
The following
accounts were submitted and approved for payment.
£
Mr J F Shillitoe 850.45
Ms Reid 96.00
Mrs Hardwick 249.60
Wakefield MDC 270.00
West Yorkshire
Police 2,000.00
Crofton Cougars 200.00
Firescreen 84.61
b.
Internal Auditor
The clerk explained, that as part of the new audit arrangements, the
Parish Council need to appoint an internal auditor to examine the accounts and
certify them as a correct record. The
role will be ongoing looking into both systems and physical accounts.
The clerk proposed that Paul Taylor, the Clerk of Walton Parish Council
be appointed as internal auditor for financial years 2001/02 and 2002/03. The charge for the 2001/02 audit to be £12
per hour.
Council found this proposal acceptable.
c.
2001/2002 R & P Accounts
The clerk presented a statement of accounts for financial year 2001/02
on which the annual return to the external auditors is based.
Councillors noted the contents and agreed that the figures be used.
d.
2001/2002 Audit Return
The clerk presented the annual audit return to council. Councillors found the return to be
acceptable and the chairman signed it accordingly.
The clerk did raise one area of concern, that being risk assessments on
council owned property.
It was agreed that the clerk would look into this matter, ask the
Playgroup for copies of their assessment and obtain the necessary paperwork for
the Village Association to carry out regular assessments of the Pavilion.
02/130 Casual Vacancy
Minuted under item
02/134/02.
02/131 Correspondence
Wakefield MDC - Minutes
- Libraries Newsletter
- Horizons, Environmental Action Forum
YLCA -
White Rose Update
-
Internal Audit
- Conduct of Councillors
- NALC, Draft Development Strategy
02/132 Parish Matters
1. Trees –
Springhill Drive
Cllr Bennett
raised the matter of the trees alongside Ashdene Drive.
The clerk to
contact the arbouriculturist to ascertain what action can be taken to stop
fruit falling on the verge, providing ammunition for wayward youths.
2. Harrison
Road.
Cllr I Beckett
informed council that Paul was endeavouring to persuade someone to take
responsibility
for the banking
between Harrison Road and the new Kingsway Homes.
The banking has
become a disgrace, full of debris and is in desperate need of attention.
02/133 Date of next Meeting
Tuesday 17th
September 2002.
02/134 Matters Discussed in Private
1.
Crofton Community Centre
It was agreed that
a pledge of £4,000 be made for the funding of the Community Centre Project.
2.
Casual Vacancy
The clerk reported that council now had the option to co-opt a
replacement for Mrs Burnett.
Three candidates were proposed;
Mr R West – Shay Lane
Mr Jacques – Ashdene Crescent
Mr Hewitt – Hare Park Lane.
After discussion it was agreed that Me Hewitt be co-opted on to council.
The clerk to write to all candidates informing them of the decision.
3.
Crofton Cougars
It was agreed that
a grant of £200 be made towards the purchase of two open age playing kits
Chairman 17th
September 2002