Crofton Parish
Council
Minutes of the Parish Council
Meeting held on
Tuesday 15th June 2004
in The High School at 7.00 pm.
Present: Councillors: Mrs
K Duffy, Mrs G Towns, Mrs W Wrigg, S Bennett, T Chalkley, S Duffy, P Jacques
A Ripley
& J Voros
Residents: Mrs P Baines, Mrs C Dickinson, Mrs R Salt, Rev
A Jordan, Mr. B Murphy &
Mr G
Schofield
West Yorkshire Police: Pc
P McMahon
District
Councillors Ms M Cummings,
G
Isherwood & A Manifield
The Clerk: J F
Shillitoe
Apologies: Councillors: GP
Jackson & JR Hewitt
The chairman Cllr
P Jacques presided over the meeting. Cllr Jacques opened the meeting by
welcoming and congratulating the three district councillors on their recent
election to Wakefield MDC. He also explained that Dr Beal had had to postpone
his visit until July.
04/109 West Yorkshire Police
1. Safe Scheme
Pc McMahon (Paul) presented his report for May, stating that the Parish
was reasonable quiet at this time; he had therefore stopped ‘chasing’ youths on
Friday evenings, switching resources to early mornings. Paul introduced Pc
Laybourne one of the officers working on the safe scheme.
The usual list of priorities had been addressed, officers were making
regular visits to the cemetery, trouble at the Health Centre seems to have
subsided and a motorcyclist had been stopped and warned, should he be stopped
again the motorcycle will be confiscated.
The placing of the slow down stickers on wheelie bins had gone smoothly,
however, Paul reported that some of them have subsequently been removed.
Paul reported that he had made enquiries into the use of Crofton
Triangle by off road motorcycles. It transpires that the owner is planning to
lease the area to two guys who want to establish an off road club on the site.
The site would be managed professionally; earth bankings (bunds) would be
established to prevent noise pollution and security improved to deter use
outside of club hours. The club could meet up to 28 times a year.
Cllr Chalkley reported that he had visited the site to monitor noise
levels. On site, a level of 80 DBs was recorded, 67 DBs in Brandhill and 75 DBs
from a passing car, whilst stood at the side of Shay Lane. To compare, levels
of 75 DBs had been recorded during the council meeting. In summary, the noise
levels were not excessive, the major problem being the continuous drone of the
machines.
Cllr Chalkley added that anyone considering taking a lease on the site
to operate such a club would have to be well insured and very secure to ensure
non-club members are kept out.
Cllr Bennett reminded members that the site should be undergoing
restoration as part of the planning conditions imposed following the extraction
of shale at the site.
It was agreed that the clerk contact planning to ascertain the position
regarding restoration of the site.
The priorities for July to
be:
Foot Patrol – As required,
concentrating on the village centre, Crofton High School, Crofton Infants,
Royal Oak, Medical Centre along with any other areas brought to the attention
of the safe scheme officers.
To look into youths playing
ball games in Sandown Avenue.
Monitor
the Parish Cemetery.
Discourage
illegal use of motorcycles at Priory Ridge, Towers Close and adjacent land,
High Street and Hare Park Sidings.
Address
problem with youths in the vicinity of Rectory Crescent
Monitor
the area adjacent to the Pavilion on Hare Park Sidings.
04/110 Public Participation Session
1.
Skate
Park – Hare Park Lane.
Mrs
Salt asked who would be responsible for the insurance of the Skate Park when
constructed.
Cllr
Ripley advised that Wakefield MDC would control the site once operational;
therefore, the site would be covered by their insurance.
2.
Wayside
Markers – Lodge Lane
Mrs
Baines reported that several wayside markers along Lodge Lane are damaged and
in need of replacing.
The Chairman informed Mrs Baines that the
matter had already been reported.
3.
Sandown
Avenue
Residents
of Sandown Avenue expressed concerns over the following matters.
·
Youths playing ball
games in the street and on the parking areas adjacent to garages.
·
Motorists seemingly
unaware that Sandown Avenue is a dead end travelling at excessive speed.
They asked if it would be possible to erect
signs forbidden Ball Games.
The chairman advised that, as the area was
privately owned it was down to the landowners to arrange.
Cllr Ripley advised that when the traffic
order reduced the speed limit to 20 mph Highways wouldn’t consider traffic
calming due to the short length of the avenue.
It
was agreed that the clerk would advise safe scheme officers asking that they
include
Sandown
Ave on their evening patrols, contacts Highways asking for a No Through Road
sign to be erected at the junction with Harrison Road.
4.
Crofton
Carnival – 26 June 2004.
Mrs
Dickinson reminded members that the carnival would be held on 26 June 2004 and
that councillors were asked to join the opening parade.
Cllr Jacques and Chalkley advised that they
would join the parade; Cllr Ripley also agreed but may be a little late.
5.
Stocks
Lane.
Reverend Jordan asked if the council could
assist with the removal of the skip sited in Stocks Lane.
The
clerk to contact Highways.
6.
Walton
Reclamation Site.
Mr
Murphy asked if members could they could request that the Countryside Unit look
into Rail Tracks recent closure of the access to the reclamation site from the
Oakenshaw area.
It was agreed that the clerk contacts Virginia
Moulton accordingly.
7.
Hanging
Baskets
Mrs Dickinson
reported that whilst erecting the hanging Paul Hamby had parked his vehicle in
a dangerous position on more than one occasion.
Cllr Chalkley
agreed to have a word with Paul.
04/111 Declaration of Interests in Items on the Agenda
No declarations were
made.
04/112 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.
04/113 Minutes
It was agreed that
the minutes of the meetings held on 15th May were a correct record
and signed by the Chairman.
04/114 Matters Arising
1. Youth Services
The clerk reported that he had written to the Chief Executive, copied to
Wayne Jenkins and Lister Baynes but has yet had received no reply.
Cllr Manifield informed members that now that Cllrs Cummings, Isherwood
& himself were elected representatives for the ward, they are in a position
to pursue matters relating to the new centre. One of their first actions would
be to meet with Jim Winters, Deputy Education Officer, Lister Baynes and Cllr
Wayne Jenkins.
Cllr Isherwood informed members that WMDC might take the unusual step
convening a planning meeting during August. If so, he was hopeful that plans
for the centre would be discussed.
Cllr Bennett informed members that the architects have held a
pre-planning meeting with planners, a step in the right direction.
2. Henry Daley Memorial
The clerk to
remind Leisure Services, that the Henry Daley Memorial Clock needs attention.
3. Lighting Columns
The clerk reported that the lighting columns rejected by AMEY had in the main been rejected due to the fact that they already contain ‘furniture’, street signs, litterbins and the like.
The clerk also reported that due to the general poor state of the
columns throughout the parish, replacement would commence in 2005, all plans
for hanging baskets and lighting decorations therefore need to be finalised in
order that AMEY can make the necessary arrangements.
It was agreed that Cllr Ripley lead a small sub committee which will
assess the requirement then meet with AMEY.
04/115 Community Facilities - Convenors Report
1. Parish
Centre
Cllr K Duffy
reported that the grass had been cut; Cllr S Duffy reported that he had not
been able to locate a switch to isolate the heaters.
It was agreed that
Cllr S Duffy turn off the individual heaters, the clerk contact Joe Jennings to
carry out an electrical survey of both the Centre and the Pavilion.
The chairman
reported that Cllr K Duffy and he had visited the playgroup in an attempt to
familiarise themselves with the workings of the group.
Ailsa Scattergood had explained that the Playgroup operates as
a registered charity; it is open three mornings a week with 18 infants at a
cost of £3.50 per session. The income is used to settle expenses, pay wages and
provide extra facilities, a non-profitable group. The group are also planning
to expand to four sessions a week, beginning in September.
Discussion took place on the future of the centre and the fees
to be charged.
It was agreed that
the clerk contacts WMDC over the survey for the centre but irrespective of its
contents the fees to be increased to £10 per session. The clerk to notify the
playgroup accordingly explaining that the charges for the centre had not been
increased in the last fourteen years.
2. Village
Centre
Cllr Bennett
reported that he was still battling with Yorkshire Water over an unpaid account
relating to the Cricket Square. A meeting is to be held with Yorkshire Water
Engineers to address the problem.
04/116 Allotments - Convenors Report
1. Hare Park
Cllr Voros reported that Dave Hill was erecting an additional shed on Mr
Whiteman’s allotments for which no permission has been sought.
The clerk to write to Dave Hill asking for an explanation as to what the
shed is to be used for and as he was now occupying Mr Whiteman’s allotments are
his allotments surplus to requirements.
2. Pontefract Road
The clerk reported that he had received a reply from The Yorkshire Local
Councils Association regarding the use of the site. The only area of concern
mentioned was that the lease with Mr Smith ought to have been for 1 year rather
than three years. Thus making it easier to let allotments if requested to do so
by six or more residents.
A request from six or more residents would have to be considered by the
council but legislation does not compel the council to make more plots
available, if it considers that the existing provision is sufficient.
The clerk to inform Mr Salt accordingly.
04/117 Parish Cemetery - Convenors Report
Mr Schofield
reported that the fence had now been re-erected but no supports had been
attached.
It was agreed the Mr Schofield and Cllr Ripley meet with Mr Joyce to
discuss how best to strengthen the fence.
T & D have visited and everything was reasonably tidy however the
soil and flower bins were unsightly and would be more aesthetically pleasing if
screened in some way. Mr Schofield and
Cllr Ripley agreed to look into this.
Mr Schofield asked how long it took to manufacture the memorial plaques
as several had been on order for some weeks.
The clerk explained that as the plaques are cast in brass, Vale wait
until they have enough orders to produce a worthwhile batch. Timescales
therefore vary depending on the number of orders received.
The chairman reported that he had
agreed that Robb Jennings lay 25 flags at a cost of £40 plus materials. Council
agreed this action.
04/118 Special Services - Convenors Report
1. Home Start
It was agreed that the clerk contact Home Start to ascertain if any
Crofton Parishioners benefit from the work of the group.
2. Crofton Scouts
The clerk reported that the
scouts have requested that the Parish Council continue to fund their use
of schools premises. It was agreed that the council would continue
04/119 Moorhouse Opencast Liaison Committee
Cllr Ripley
reported that no meeting had been held, matters were however progressing to
schedule.
04/120 Old Library Site
The clerk to
contact the Highways Department asking if they could arrange for the offending
kerbs to be dropped.
04/121 Cleansing
Cllrs reported that the pavement sweeper had been around the
village but needed to visit on a more regular basis, also, a WMDC employee had
been spotted on Harrison Road trying to clean the road without any equipment.
The clerk reported
that he had received indications from Slack Lane Juniors and The High School
that pupils would participate in the poster competition.
It was agreed that
the clerk contact the remaining schools again, the closing date for entries to
be October half term.
04/122 Planning
The clerk reported
that the application by Freightliner to use Santingley sidings has been
refused.
All other
applications received during the period were found to be acceptable.
04/123 Financial Matters
The following
accounts were submitted and approved for payment.
£
Ms Reid 53.20
Mrs Hardwick 276.64
Mr Joyce 258.32
Mr Schofield 116.68 (Builders supply)
Yorkshire Water
99.97 (Allotments)
22.24 (P Centre)
Vale 60.81 (Plaque)
Firescreen 62.28 (P Centre)
04/124 Correspondence
Wakefield MDC - Minutes
- Libraries Newsletter
- Community Assembly, Agenda and Minutes
West Yorkshire Police -
Consultation Strategy
YLCA - Notice of Annual Conference
All Saints Parish Church - Letter
of thanks.
04/125 Parish Matters
1. Health Centre - Seat
The clerk to contact the manager of the Health Centre in an attempt to
determine, who is responsible for the upkeep of the adjacent seat.
2. Bedford Close - Seat
The clerk to contact the Paul Harvey, WMDC Housing Manage, requesting
that necessary repairs be carried out to the seat in Bedford Close.
3. LEA Property – Theft of Stone
The clerk to contact the LEA, advising them, that stone were been
removed from the walls adjacent to the High School. Suggesting that the
copingstones be reset.
4. Footpath – Middle Lane to Wragby
The clerk to request the countryside unit examine footpath no 12, which
is badly overgrown.
5. Slack Lane – Doncaster Road to Weaver green.
The clerk to contact highways, reporting that the footpath adjacent to
the Weavers Green needs clearing of weeds and requesting that a footpath be
established opposite, to link into the Doncaster Road crossing point.
04/126 Date of next Meeting
Tuesday 20th July 2004.
04/127 Matters Discussed in Private
Minuted under item 04/118.
Chairman 20th
July 2004.