Crofton Parish
Council
Minutes
of the Parish Council meeting held on
Tuesday
15th July 2003 in The High School at 7.00 pm.
Present: Councillors: Mrs G Towns, Mrs W Wrigg, S Bennett,
J
R Hewitt, S Duffy, P Jaques,
G
P Jackson OBE BEM JP, A Ripley,
G
Scargill & J Voros
Residents: Mrs P Baines, Mrs P Walker, Mrs R Salt
Mr
G Schofield
West
Yorkshire Police PC P
McMann, PC J Whitworth
The
Clerk: J F Shillitoe
Apologies: Councillors: S Bennett, T Chalkley & D Marshall
The chairman Cllr
A Ripley presided over the meeting.
03/120 West Yorkshire Police
PC McMann outlined
details of June’s crime report stating that generally crime figures were up and
that Crofton was no worse than many other similar areas. Car crime as always is
an area, which needs to be improved.
PC Whitworth
presented copies of the crime prevention leaflet for distribution to all houses
within Crofton, the chairman thanked him for this and arranged to meet with
councillors to distribute the leaflets.
PC Whitworth
informed councillors that he is retiring from the force on 25 August, and this
therefore would be the last meeting he would be attending in his capacity as a
police officer.
Councillors wished
John all the best for the future and thanked him for all the work he had put
into Crofton over the years.
The chairman
thanked PC McMann for his attendance.
03/121 Public Participation
Session
1.
Parish Cemetery
Mr Schofield reported
that T & D Contractors were still leaving the grass cuttings in the
cemetery, tipping them in the beck. This was becoming a nuisance to residents
especially during the hot weather as the cuttings rot away. Also the cemetery
had become a playground for children who continuously litter the area and
damage the tap. The area was also becoming a dog toilet.
The clerk to speak to T & D and ask the Smoke Signal to run a
further article. Cllr Jackson to ask the
Headteacher to mention the matters during school assembly.
2.
Fluoridation of Water Supply.
Mr. Murphy raised
concerns over the fluoridation of water supplies by many of the water companies
throughout the country, a practise which many consider dangerous and should in
his opinion be discouraged at all cost.
It was agreed that the clerk ask a representative of Yorkshire Water to
attend a future meeting to address the council.
3.
Social Services
Mr. Murphy ask if someone from social services could attend a
meeting to explain how formula funding of care homes is operated in Wakefield.
The clerk to contact Elaine McHale asking that she attend a future
meeting..
03/122 Declaration of Interests in Items on the Agenda
No declarations
were made.
03/123 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.
03/124 Minutes
It was agreed that
the minutes of the meeting held on 17th May were a correct record
and signed by the Chairman.
03/125 Matters Arising
1.
Drama Hall
Cllr Jackson reported that WMDC have approved capital expenditure of £400K for the provision of a new youth facility. The existing youth club is to be demolished in the near future in order to make the area safe.
The Drama Hall will stay under the control of the High School; both buildings will be available for community use.
2. Wall – Harrison Road
It was noted that work
on the retaining wall adjacent to Harrison Road was complete. The clerk to
thank John Foster for his assistance with this project.
3. Geo Atkins
The clerk reported that WMDC have served enforcement notices on Geo
Atkins to make good their premises on Slack Lane. If the enforcement notices
are not adhered to WMDC will carry out the work and invoice Atkins accordingly.
4.
Copse – Pinfold Drive
Cllr Jackson reported that the work on the trees in the Copse had been
completed and residents were happy with the results.
5.
Crofton Library
Cllr Jackson Reported that WMDC have agreed to conducting a feasibility
study into the possibility extending the library.
03/126 Resignation of
Councillor
The clerk informed members of the resignation of Cllr Gomersall.
The clerk to write to Cllr Gomersall thanking him for his contribution
to the Parish Council, also to inform electoral services.
03/127 Appointment of
Committee Convenors
The following were
appointed as convenors to the councils committees.
Community Facilities - Cllr Bennett, Crofton Village
association
-
Cllr Scargill, Parish Centre
Allotment - Cllrs Hewitt
& Voros
Parish Cemetery - Cllr Scargill
Special Services - The Clerk
03/128 Appointment of
Charity Trustees
Cllr Jacques informed members that Cllr Coates and Gomersall had
resigned from the Trustees, replacements were therefore required.
Cllrs Towns and Wrigg volunteered and were accordingly appointed.
The Trustees therefore new comprise, Mr Crowcroft, Cllr Jacques, Cllr
Mrs Towns and
Cllr Mrs Wrigg.
03/129 Community Facilities - Convenors Report
1. Parish
Centre
Cllr Scargill
reported that repairs to the wall and gates have been completed satisfactorily,
nothing else of note to report.
2. Village
Centre
Cllr Bennett reported
that minor repairs had been carried out to the rear store-room doors.
Cllr Bennett also
reported that the Village Association was experiencing difficulty with some of
the member clubs attending committee meetings paying subscriptions and generally
taking responsibility. Certain groups were not being good neighbours, leaving
the building dirty and untidy, not locking the gates, etc.
It was agreed that
the clerk write to the association secretary asking that he remind member clubs
that the running of the association should be combined effect and not left to a
few stalwarts.
03/130 Allotments - Convenors Report
Cllr Ripley reported that there were still problems with boundaries and
leases relating to the Pontefract Road site.
Cllr Ripley undertook to meet with the various parties to resolve
matters.
03/131 Parish Cemetery - Convenors Report
Nothing further to
report.
03/132 Special Services - Convenors Report
The clerk reported that he had a request from the Play Area Association
for a pledge of support in their bid to secure funding.
It was agreed that the association attend the next meeting to put
forward their case.
03/133 Moorhouse Opencast Liaison Committee
Due to Cllr
Gomersall’s resignation there was no feedback available. Cllr Ripley took an action to ascertain the
current situation regarding the distribution of grants.
03/134 Old Library Site
The chairman
reported that he had agreed terms for the lease of the Old Library Site from
WMDC and sanctioned payment of the Parish Councils contribution towards the
cost of the scheme as previously agreed. Work would commence on 21 July 2003.
Members ratified
these actions.
03/135 Planning
1.
Land at Doncaster Road.
The chairman reported that he had contacted the planning department
regarding the possible use of land by Mr Ramskill for purposes for which he
hasn’t got the relevant permissions.
2.
Hare Park View
It was reported that the application to develop 7 dwellings at Hare Park
View was to be considered by the planning committee on 25 July 2003.
3.
Bedford Farm
Cllr Ripley reported that the clerk and he had been contacted be a Mr
Siddall, a consultant representing Mr Rogerson, Snr.
Mr Siddall had
requested permission to come to a future council meeting to discuss development
of Bedford Farm.
Cllrs discussed
the details of the conversation and agreed that Mr Siddall be advised the
council did not wish to meet with him prior to any formal application. They would comment on any application
through the normal planning process.
4.
Unitary Development Plan
Cllr Ripley advised members that Development Plans are living documents,
always being reviewed and amended. Whilst the current UDP is not due for review
until 2006, work will have already started in some quarters. Land owners and developers will already be
making representation to Planning authorities.
It was agreed that the clerk keep in touch with the authority to ensure
that the Parish council are within the consultation loop from the start.
5.
Other matters
All other applications
received during the period were found to be acceptable.
03/136 Financial Matters
Accounts
The following
accounts were submitted and approved for payment.
£
July
Ms Reid 53.20
Mrs Hardwick 276.64
Mr Shillitoe 911.54
Mr Terry 170.00
Mr Kelly 550.00
Mr Schofield 4.91
WMDC 25,000.00
71.00
PHS Ltd 137.63
Beaumonts 146.88
West Yorkshire
Police 2,000.00
August
Vale 118.28 (Plaques)
Ms Reid 53.20
Mrs Hardwick 276.64
Mr Joyce 151.50
Yorkshire
Electricity 160.13
Yorkshire Water 21.85 (P Centre)
83.68 (Allotments)
03/137 Correspondence
Wakefield MDC - Minutes
-
Community Assembly Meeting – 23 July 2003.
-
The Citizen
Yorkshire and
Humberside Assembly - Consultation on
RPG12
YLCA -
Annual Conference
Cllr N Hazell - Grass
cutting at Catholic Church
Halcrow -
Transport Survey
Office of The
Deputy Prime
Minister - New Ethical Framework
-
Providing Indemnities
03/138 Parish Matters
1. Bombardier – Doncaster Road
The clerk presented
a letter form Mr & Mrs Schofield of 5 Kingsley Close detailing problems
that they and their neighbours are experiencing with noise levels from the
Bombardier works, especially at night time.
WMDC Environmental
Health have visited the site on several occasions and issued warnings to
Bombardier, these warnings have been ignored, so enforcement notices have been
issued.
The council agreed
that district appeared to be in full support of residents and taking matters
forward as quickly as the law allows.
Mr G Schofield
agreed to keep council briefed on any developments.
2. Seats.
The clerk to report that the seat adjacent to Sycamore Flats and the
seat in Bedford Close were in need of repair.
3. Land at Junction of Doncaster Road with Weeland Road.
Questions were raised over the development of this site, who owned it? has
planning permission been sought etc.
Cllr Bennett agreed to look into the matter.
4. Cock Lane
It was reported that Cock Lane is littered with debris again.
The clerk was asked to contact the fly tipping team.
03/139 Date of next Meeting
Tuesday 21 October
2003.
03/140 Matters Discussed in Private
None discussed.
Chairman 16th
September 2003.