Crofton Parish
Council
Minutes of the Parish Council
meeting held on
Tuesday 17th June 2003
in The High School at 7.00 pm.
Present: Councillors: J
R Hewitt, G P Jackson OBE BEM JP,
P
Jacques, D Marshall, 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
The Clerk: J F
Shillitoe
Apologies: Councillors: S
Bennett & T Gomersall
The chairman Cllr
A Ripley presided over the meeting.
03/101 West Yorkshire Police
PC P McMann gave
PC Whitworth’s apologies.
The Chairman and
PC McMann give a brief outline of the meeting held last week. To summarise, it
was agreed that the police would produce a monthly written report for
councillors which would identify areas of crime in broad terms. Should a particular geographical area within
the village appear to be particularly troublesome then a more detailed report
would be produced.
The report would
also include a summary of police resources used along with a summary of where
time had been spent. The report would be based on activity within an area
defined by councillors and exclude the Red Beck café.
PC McMann
presented the report for May, Cllr Scargill informed him of several trespasses
and an attempted break in on Meadowfields Close.
The chairman
thanked PC McMann for his attendance.
03/102 Public Participation
Session
1.
Railway Bridge -Hare Park Lane
Mrs Baines also reported
that Network Rail’s contractors; Jarvis had carried out works to the main line
rail bridge in Hare Park Lane, leaving the pavement and surrounding area in a
dangerous condition.
The clerk to contact Jarvi/Network Rail.
2.
Pot Holes – Hare Park Lane.
Mrs Baines reported that the
potholes in Hare Park Lane are not at its junction with the High Street but in
the vicinity of no 23.
The clerk to report the matter to highways.
3.
Turf Accountants – Slack Lane
The clerk reported
that Wakefield MDC have now traced the owners of these premises as
Geo Atkins of
Nottingham. Notices have been served on
the owners to make the premises secure, should these notices not be adhered to
WMDC will carry out the necessary work and bill Atkins accordingly.
Cllrs reported that the rear of the premises have now been vandalised,
exposing asbestos
The clerk to report this to building services.
4.
Drama Hall
Mr Schofield drew the condition of Drama Hall to councillors’ attention; the building was an eyesore, all the windows boarded up and elderberry trees growing from the walls. The building either needs renovating or demolishing.
Cllr Jackson reported that discussions on the provision of a new Youth Club had been resurrected, with meetings between the High School, LEA and Youth Services scheduled in the near future.
It was agreed that the clerk write to the LEA requesting an update on future plans for the Drama Hall and Youth Club.
5. Shay
Lane J & I School
It was reported that the hedges at Shay Lane J & I School need trimming.
The clerk to report to the authority.
6. Crofton Cemetery Tap
Mr Schofield asked that a letter of thanks be forwarded the Mr Brian Collier for the work he had carried out to the tap at the cemetery.
This action was agreed.
7. Parish Centre
Mrs. Salt informed the meeting that she was holding coffee mornings to raise funds in aid of Wakefield Hospice and the Community Centre on Saturday mornings at the Parish Centre.
Mrs Salt thanked the Parish Council for the use of the Parish Centre on Saturdays.
8. Street Signs
It was reported that the Holly Close sign needs replacing.
03/103 Declaration of Interests in Items on the Agenda
No declarations
were made.
03/104 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.
03/105 Minutes
It was agreed that
the minutes of the meeting held on 17th May were a correct record
and signed by the Chairman.
03/106 Matters Arising
1.
Wall – Harrison Road
It was reported that
Wakefield MDC had commenced work on rebuilding 26 metres of wall. The existing wall is to be taken down and
stored at Normanton, the offending trees removed, the banking regarded and the
wall rebuilt.
2.
Service Road – Sewage Works
It was reported that some clearance work had been carried out along the
road but as soon as debris was cleared more appeared.
The clerk was asked to write to contact Cllr Beckett and Wakefield MDC
suggesting that a long-term solution be sought. Perhaps the land owner, Wakefield MDC and Yorkshire Water could
arrange for the road to be gated and fenced, allowing access the those who
needed it whilst keeping the fly tippers out.
03/107 Crofton Carnival
The clerk reminded the meeting that the carnival was on 28 June this
year the opening ceremony to be undertaken by Lord St Oswald.
This was noted, all present agreed that the event was a credit to the
village and was growing every year, for which the organisers need to be
thanked.
The clerk to congratulate the carnival committee.
03/108 Community Facilities - Convenors Report
1. Parish
Centre
Cllr Scargill
reported that he had misinformed council two months ago, stating that repairs
to the roof had been carried out when in fact they hadn’t.
The repairs have
now been carried out.
The wall has been
kicked over by vandals and contractors engaged to rebuild it.
The supply of a new
porto-cabin was mentioned several months ago, when Cllr Beckett agreed to make
some enquiries since which time no progress has been made.
The clerk to ask
Cllr Beckett for an update.
2. Village
Centre
Nothing to report.
03/109 Allotments - Convenors Report
Nothing to report.
03/110 Parish Cemetery - Convenors Report
Cllr Scargill
reported that councillors had met with T & D Contractors to discuss grounds
maintenance.
It was agreed that
the cemetery grass be cut fortnightly throughout the growing season, the waste
bins to be emptied fortnightly throughout the year and the garden of
remembrance to be visited fortnightly and kept tidy throughout the year.
T & D agreed
to provide a price for the work.
The clerk to draw
up a new contract accordingly.
Mr Joyce has also
been asked to erect a steel RSJ to which the cemetery fence adjacent to Sandown
Ave could be secured.
It was suggested
that one of the concrete plinths in the casket area needs turning, however a
consensus on this could not be reached. It was agreed that a site visit be made
to finalise this matter.
The clerk was also
asked to remind Kevin Graham to use the soil bin for any surpluses.
03/111 Special Services - Convenors Report
Nothing to report
03/112 Moorhouse Opencast Liaison Committee
Cllr Ripley
reported that the liaison committee were scheduled to meet on 19th
June 2003, from which Cllr Gomersall should be able to make a report.
03/113 Old Library Site
Nothing further to report.
03/114 Planning
All applications
received during the period were found to be acceptable.
03/115 Financial Matters
Accounts
The following
accounts were submitted and approved for payment.
£
Vale
59.14 (Plaque)
Ms Reid 53.20
Mrs Hardwick 276.64
Yorkshire Water 20.10 (P
Centre)
44.03
(Allotments)
Firescreen 27.03 (P Centre)
03/116 Correspondence
Wakefield MDC - Minutes
- Draft Municipal Waste Strategy
- Area Panel meeting – 19 June 2003
- Community Assembly Meeting – 26 June 2003.
- YRCC Meeting – 24 July 2003.
03/117 Parish Matters
1.
Land between Meadowfields Close
and Springhill Ave.
The clerk to
determine who owns this area of land and request that the area be tidied.
2.
Council Property – 30 Santingley
Lane.
The clerk to contact housing, informing them of unsociable behaviour by
the tenants of
30 Santingley Lane.
3.
Graffiti – Hare Park Lane
Following recent publicity surrounding a new system for the removal of
graffiti, Cllr Hewitt requested that cleansing services be asked to visit Hare
Park Lane and remove graffiti from adjacent walls.
4.
Copse – Pinfold Drive
Cllr Jackson reported that he had been contacted by Mr Rogerson of 9
Pinfold Drive, requesting that the trees within the copse be trimmed.
The clerk reported that this was already in hand.
5.
Crofton Library
Cllr Jackson informed the meeting that school governors have approached
the LEA requesting that the facilities at the library be extended. Should it be necessary the Parish Council
may be requested to assist.
It was agreed that the Parish Council would support the school.
03/118 Date of next Meeting
Tuesday 15th July 2003.
03/119 Matters Discussed in Private
1. Co-option of Councillors
After discussion it was agreed that the following be co-opted
as councillors.
Mrs Wendy Wrigg –
7 Thorntree Avenue
Mrs Glenda Towns –
23 Wentworth Drive
Mr Trevor Chalkley
– 2 Scott Drive
Mr Shaun Duffy – 4 Richmond Court
The clerk to write
to all candidates successful or not thanking them for their interest.
Chairman 15th
July 2003.