Crofton Parish Council

 

                                                      Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on

                                                Tuesday 18 June 2002 in The High School at 7.00 pm.

 

 

                 Present:                                                Councillors:      S Bennett, L Coates, T Gomersall,

                                                                                                     G P Jackson OBE BEM JP, A Ripley, G Scargill

                                                                                                     & J Voros

 

                                                                             Residents:         Mrs R Salt, Mrs P Walker, Mr Hewitt,

                                                                                                     Mr Jacques & Mr G Scofield

 

                                                                             The Clerk:        J F Shillitoe

 

                 Apologies:                                            Councillors:      Mrs I Beckett, P Beckett & D Crowcroft

 

                 The chairman, Cllr  Ripley, presided over the meeting.

 

02/ 98       Public Participation Session

 

1.      Yorkshire Electricity Sub Station – High Street

 

Mr Jacques asked if any progress had been made with Yorkshire Electricity over this item.

 

The clerk informed the meeting that the matter had been reported but as yet he had had no reply.

 

2.      Parish Cemetery

 

            Cllr Scargill reported that he was to meet T & D Contractors at the cemetery on Wednesday 19th June at 10.00 am. To discuss the condition of the cemetery, all welcome to attend, residents included.

 

The clerk reported that he had contacted John Skidmore at Cleansing Services regarding the emptying of the bin. It was reported that another large bin had appeared adjacent to the church, which was being emptied, perhaps this could be the source of the problem.

 

The chairman agreed that he would speak to Mr Skidmore to ensure that the correct bin was emptied in the future and that recompense for three months of failure to do so was made to the parish.

 

3.      Speeding

 

                 The clerk reported that he had reported this matter to the police.

 

4.      Pontefract Road Flooding

 

Mrs Salt reported that following corrective works along Pontefract Road the area opposite the lay by was still flooding.

 

The clerk to report this matter to the engineering division of WMDC.

 

 

 

 

 

5.      Pontefract Road HGV’s

 

            Mrs. Salt reported that HGV’s above the weight limit of 7.5 Tonnes were using Pontefract Road as a shortcut to the village.

 

The clerk to report this matter to the police.

 

6.      Access to The High School

 

            Mr Hewitt asked if there would still be access between the High School and Hare Park once the perimeter fence was complete. 

 

Cllr Jackson replied that there would, but only for staff and pupils and only during school hours.

 

02/ 99       Declaration of Interests in Items on the Agenda

 

                 No verbal declarations were made.

 

02/100      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.

 

02/101      Minutes

 

                 It was agreed that the minutes of the meetings held on 21 May were a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

02/102      Matters Arising 

 

                 1. Youth Services

 

                 Cllrs asked if any news had been forthcoming regarding the provision of a new youth centre.

 

                 The clerk replied that he had no further information but would contact Paul Beckett on his return from vacation.

 

                 2. 20 MPH Zone

 

                 The clerk reported that he had received a reply form Wakefield MDC stating that they were considering the suggestion of replacing the small road platforms adjacent to the schools with full width platforms.  They consider the lead in ramps to the platforms to be adequate and that the herringbone surface was standard across the authority.

 

                 Cllr Bennett asked that the engineering division be reminded that they have installed platforms with shorter lead in ramps in South Hiendly, Sharlston and Normanton.      

 

 

 

 

 

 

02/103      West Yorkshire Police

 

                 Cllrs noted that uniformed Police had been seen patrolling the village on foot over Sunday lunch times.

 

                 This was highly gratifying so long as their time was not been funded from the safe scheme.

 

                 The clerk to invite PC Hawcroft to attend July’s meeting.

 

                 The priorities for July to be as in June:

 

                 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.

 

02/104      Community Facilities - Convenors Report

 

                 1. Parish Centre

 

                 Cllr Scargill reported that the fire equipment had been serviced.

 

                 2. Village Centre

 

                 Nothing to report.

 

02/105      Allotments - Convenors Report

 

Cllr Voros reported that no progress had been made on the condition of the Oak Street allotments.

 

The clerk to write to tenants once more giving them one month to put matters in order or have their tenancies terminated.

 

02/106      Parish Cemetery - Convenors Report

 

                 Cllr Scargill stated that all matters had been covered during Public Participation.

 

02/107      Special Services - Convenors Report

 

1.      Crofton Community Centre

 

            The clerk reported that he had received a request from the Community Centre (Nostell Miners Welfare), requesting a pledge of financial support should they be lucky in obtaining enough grant aid to commence the project.

 

After lengthy discussion it was agreed that the clerk inform the Community Centre that the Parish Council was not in a position to commit any funds to the project whilst financial planning was still extremely vague.

 

 

 

 

2.      Crofton Cougars ARLFC

 

            The clerk reported that he had received a request from the Crofton Cougars for financial assistance towards the purchase of new playing kits.

 

It was agreed that this item be placed on the June agenda.

 

02/108      Moorhouse Opencast Liaison Committee

 

                 Cllr Gomersall reported that sub group of the committee was to meet on the 27th June to consider those applications received to date for grant aid.

 

02/109      Old Library Site

 

                 Cllr Jackson reported that a meeting involving himself, the headteacher Mr Myers and David Brown from Design Services had taken place.

 

                 David Brown had agreed to discuss matters with highways and then contact the clerk.

    

02/110      Planning

 

1.      5 Dwellings – Hare Park View

 

Residents and cllrs raised concerns over this proposed development, in particular the access arrangements.

 

It was agreed that the clerk check the status of this area of land and liaise with the chairman prior to making representations over the application

 

2.      Other Applications

 

                 All applications received during the period were found to be acceptable.

 

02/111      Financial Matters    

 

                 The following accounts were submitted and approved for payment.

                                                                                         £

                 Ms Reid                                                        48.00

                 Mrs Hardwick                                             249.60

                 Vale                                                              56.94 (Memorial Plaques)

                 PHS Ltd                                                      113.34

                 Firescreen                                                     33.61                                                                 

 

02/112      Correspondence

 

                 Wakefield MDC                                   - Minutes

- Libraries Newsletter

- Horizons, Environmental Action Forum

                 Countryside Agency                             - Vital Villages Update

                 Childcare Information Service               - Newsletter

                 Audit Commission                                - Appointment of External Auditors

                 DLTR                                                  - Consultation Paper on Investigation of Misconduct

                

                 YLCA                                                  - White Rose Update

                                                                             - Advice note on Race relations                                                                

                                                                             - Executive Committee Minutes

                  

02/113      Parish Matters

 

                 1. Casual Vacancy

 

                 Cllrs asked what progress has been made with filling the vacancy.

 

                 The clerk replied that advertisements had been posted and by next meeting members should know whether the vacancy is to be filled be election or co-option.                         

 

                 2. Santingley Lane

 

                 It was reported that the surface of Santingley Lane had recently been sealed with tar and stone chippings, unfortunately potholes were not repaired prior to the exercise.

 

                 The clerk to write to the engineering division asking that they effect repairs to all holes along Santingley Lane and at the junctions with the minor road especially Oak Street.

 

                 3. All Saints Parish Church

                

                 Cllr Scargill reported that remembrance area at the Church is to be restructured and tidied in the near future.

 

                 4. Crofton Web Site

 

                 Cllr Jackson reported that a group of Parishioners are developing a village web site (www.crofton.org.uk) for which they are canvassing support from all interested parties in the Parish Council.

 

                 It was agreed that the Parish Council would support the project.

 

02/114      Date of next Meeting

 

                 Tuesday 16th July 2002.

 

02/115      Matters Discussed in Private

 

                 Minuted under items 02/107/ 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 Chairman                                                                                                                      16th July 2002