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Crofton Parish Council

 

     Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 20th July 2010.                             

 

Present;          Councillors,    Chalkley (Chair), Bennett, Duffy, Healy, Hewitt, Jacques, Makin, Ripley, Schofield, Towns and Voros

           

In attendance;                       3 members of the public

                                                District Councillor Cummings and Manifield.

 

07/055             Report from W.Y.Police Officers working on Crofton Safe Scheme

PS Day presented his report for the month of June 2010.

Cllr Towns voiced her concerns about road safety on Doncaster Road and asked if PS Day, could provide her with information on accidents that had occurred in the area, specifically at the junctions of Pinfold Drive and Pontefract Road. PS Day would enquire about the statistics, the District Councillors also offered to supply the information requested.

Cllr Jacques asked PS Day to ensure there was a Police presence in the village to coincide with the termination of High School for the summer break, to deter a repeat of the previous year’s anti social behaviour.

Cllr Bennett again reiterated the concern expressed at the previous meeting (see minute 06/037), that the report contained no incidents involving alcohol or drugs. PS Day confirmed there had been no drug related incidents reported, but suggested that a reason for this may be how an incident is reported, eg; an incident may have a ‘nuisance youth’ code as opposed to a ‘drug’ code applied.

It was mentioned that even students at the school were concerned that there was a ready supply of drugs available but yet the report would infer there was no prevailing problem.

Cllr Voros asked that the area via the archway leading to the rear of the shops on High Street, be patrolled to deter youths from gathering and using alcohol, PS Day duly noted this request.

 

07/056                         Wakefield MDC District Councillors Report

Cllr Cummings had provided the Clerk with a report providing information to several requests which had been asked of her at the previous meeting (see minute 06/038). This was circulated to all members prior to the meeting.

Cllr Manifield commented on PACT (Police and Communities Together) meetings that were now regularly taking place, he encouraged members to show their support by attending.

Following previous comments made about flooding, Cllr Ripley commented on the ponding on Doncaster Road (near the junction with Pinfold Drive) that had occurred as a result. He had previously been informed that concrete had got into the drain following the erection of new street lighting by Amey, but the problem had still not been resolved. Cllr Manifield was asked to make enquiries to resolve the matter.

Cllr Chalkley commented on the sign that had been erected on Weeland Road by WMDC on behalf of Sharlston Parish Council, it was not on the boundary and he had received complaints from residents who felt it was causing confusion.

Cllr Bennett asked if there was any further news regarding the pot holes previously

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reported (see minute 05/020). Cllr Cummings would investigate both matters further.

District Councillors were also asked to resolve the following;

There was an overgrown hedge on Santingley Lane that was forcing pedestrians onto the road.

Overhanging tree branches in Coppers Lake and cracks to the footpath, were causing difficulty for walkers.

Cllr Duffy stated that dog bins were not being emptied.

A resident provided information on an overgrown hedge by the Shay Lane bus stop.

There was an overgrown hedge causing problems for pedestrians on Hare Park Lane, however this would be resolved by the Clerk as it concerned the allotments.

Cllr Ripley informed members that he had also reported directly to WMDC, a number of footpaths that needed attention.

Cllr Voros had observed Highways staff repairing the roads in the Springhill area of the village, he enquired why they were not dealing with the pot holes at the same time and was informed it was not on the rota to do. He felt that this was not an efficient use of resources, so contacted the District Council, after some negotiation they eventually agreed to add the work onto the rota.

 

07/057                         Public Participation session

A resident who was also an allotment tenant, expressed his concerns about the number of rats at the Hare Park allotments. It was suggested that the recent flooding caused by blocked drains may have contributed to the increased activity.

Although rat poison had been placed by Cllr Hewitt he felt that this was not enough and suggested that other tenants had placed rat poison to help contain the problem,

Further to this comment, the Clerk was asked to write to all allotment tenants to inform them that the placing of rat poison was the responsibility of the Parish Council (via Cllr Hewitt), they should not carry out the procedure themselves.

The resident was asked to contact Cllr Hewitt, to help him identify the specific areas that needed treating.

A resident informed members that the padlock for the shutter at the pavilion was broken (see minute 07/062).

 

07/058                         Apologies for absence          

District Councillor Lodge

Councillors; Smithson and Wrigg.

 

07/059                         Declarations of Interest

None declared.

 

07/060                         Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 15th June 2010, were signed as a true record by the Chairman.

 

07/061                         Discuss matters arising from previous minutes

The Clerk reported that;

WMDC Parks and Public Realm had confirmed ownership of the fence on the Sidings (at the top side of the play area), and that it would be repaired.

 

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The Clerk was asked to contact WMDC and confirm on which day this would occur so members could be present.

The meeting with Spawforth Associates concerning the 9 lakes project, had been arranged for 7pm Thursday 29th July at the Parish Centre.

There had been no further response from WMDC Highways Management, concerning a meeting with them.

Following the enquiry made to WMDC Rights of Way to have the ginnel from Ashdene Crescent through the Churchyard become a Right of Way, an application would need to be submitted. After giving due consideration, members asked the Clerk

to proceed with obtaining the necessary documents to enable this.

 

07/062                         Community Facilities

Report Parish Centre

Cllr Jacques reported that a cladding panel had been broken as a result of vandalism, arrangements were to be made to replace it.

Report Village Association

Cllr Makin reported that;

The Cricket Club had been asked to replace a lock which they had to cut off as they had lost the key.

Crofton High School had enquired about using the Sidings football pitches for occasional matches during September, October and November. Members were agreeable to this request.

The 20th August had been agreed for the youth day (see minute 06/044).

Cllr Bennett presented the annual accounts for the CVA, members were satisfied with their content.

Report Allotments

Cllr Hewitt reported that;

Gooseberry bushes were being constantly stripped of their produce, this was attributed to bird activity.

Cllr Bennett had noted sheep were on the Hare Park allotments, he made comment about the rules not being adhered to concerning which animals were allowed.

Report Parish Cemetery

Cllr Schofield informed members that he had approached a fence erector who was installing fencing at Shay Lane School, to enquire if he would supply a quote for the installation of fencing at the cemetery. Having considered the different options within the quote, members agreed to choose the green coloured large palisade type fencing.

The Clerk would check the procedure within the financial standing orders before any order was issued.

 

07/063                         Discuss Traffic issues

Further to an article in the Smoke Signal which commented on drivers who having committed an offence should be educated, implied that they would not be prosecuted.

Cllr Towns suggested to members that this could be misleading.

 

07/064                         Parish Plan

Cllr Bennett informed members that the plan was in the final phase of consultation.

Following the previous weeks plan meeting, it was decided to hold a public meeting

 

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at the High School in September. The Clerk was asked to arrange this and inform members accordingly.

Cllr Chalkley was intending to give a power point presentation at the meeting.

 

07/065                         Cleansing/Environment

Nothing to report.

 

07/066                         Planning Notifications

Members raised no objections.

 

07/067                         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 and quarterly accounts.

Cllr Chalkley discussed an invoice received from Wright Educational Services, for the supply of badges for the Crofton Open Gardens initiative. Since this was a community scheme, members agreed that it should be paid and the cost classed under s137.

                                                                       

07/068                         Correspondence received

Members noted the content of the information received, in particular;

Note 3, Cllr Bennett was given the WMDC Transportation 8 Highways design guide to study and submit comments.

Note 6; members agreed to the request from Mr Birch, the mining engineer, to attend a Parish Council meeting, the Clerk would invite him to the October meeting.  

Note 8; the Clerk was asked to thank Dr.Berry for informing members on his efforts to twin Sharlston with a French Town.

 

07/069                         Parish matters

Cllr Duffy informed members that a resident had voiced their dissatisfaction with the work carried out by the contractor when removing trees from the Copse.

Cllr Jacques commented that there appeared little progress in resolving the problems of the Scout Hut. It was agreed that notification would be sent to the Scout Group informing them that they had failed to comply with the requests given to them.

Cllr Bennett commented on the condition of the hanging baskets in Crofton, having observed other areas within the district, he felt that they were not colourful enough given the time of year.

 

07/070                         Date of next meeting

Resolved; that the next meeting to be held on Tuesday, 21st September 2010 at 7pm in                               Crofton Parish Centre, High Street, Crofton.

 

07/071             Members of the public and press were to leave before agenda no.18

It was agreed

 

07/072                         Matters to be discussed in private

There were none.

 

Signed                                                                         Date                                        Chairman Crofton Parish Council