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.