Page 1. Crofton Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 15^th June 2010.

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

In attendance; 2 members of the public

District Councillors; Cummings and Manifield.

06/037 Report from W.Y.Police Officers working on Crofton Safe Scheme

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

The report had been presented in a new format.

The Blue Subaru car (see minute 05/019), travelling around the village, had been stopped and questioned.

Cllr Hewitt had been asked to report that youths congregating in the archway at the shops on High Street, were abusive to a resident who had approached them, PS Day was asked to investigate.

There had been an incident of a youth exposing himself, Cllr Chalkley asked PS Day to enquire if he was a local person.

There were still problems with cars parking indiscriminately on Slack Lane, especially at school finishing time, PS Day was asked to show a presence to discourage this.

It was reported that police had driven past a car which was parked in a restricted zone,

without stopping to question the driver.

Cllr Jacques asked if previous parking problems could be noted on the police report to gauge what action had been taken to address the matter.

Cllr Bennett asked if the report could indicate in which areas of the village, burglaries were occurring.

Concern was raised that the report contained no incidents concerning alcohol or drugs, yet it was felt that there had been instances of these occurring.

Cllr Towns reported that there had been instances of vandalism on Pontefract Road, where grate covers had been lifted.

Cllr Hewitt made PS Day aware that youths were pouring vodka into orange juice bottles in an effort to avoid detection.

PS Day informed members that local licensed premises had been visited and reminded to adhere to the regulations with regard to the sale of alcohol, as increased activity was expected with the football World Cup commencing.

06/038 Wakefield MDC District Councillors Report

Cllr Cummings updated members on matters raised from the previous meeting;

The cycle track on the Sidings was now on the cleansing schedule with other paths in the Crofton area, although this news was welcomed, further information was given that the track to the bollards had been cleansed, it was the area from the bollards to Hare Park Lane that needed attention.

With regard to the black bin bags not being checked by refuse staff for their content, she was informed that collectors use their initiative to ascertain the contents of the bags.

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A WMDC Drainage officer would be attending the meeting to discuss flooding on Hare Park Lane, a water jetting machine was to be used to cleanse the drains.

Action was to be taken concerning the family on Beech Avenue.

A resident in attendance informed Cllr Cummings that there had been no action taken concerning the removal of debris from the land drainage channel (minute 05/021).

Following concerns raised by Cllr Chalkley (see minute 05/029) the gulleys were to be checked and water jetted where necessary.

Cllr Chalkley commented that although the centre of the village was being kept tidy, the top end of the village was now tidy and clean, Cllr Bennettt asked the District Councillors to engage further with residents and the cleansing teams, to ensure the effort was maintained.

Cllr Makin asked Cllr Cummings to convey a thank you to the Parks Department, for the efficient cutting of the Hare Park Sidings pitches in preparation for a tournament.

Cllr Cummings was asked to take action on the following matters;

The condition of Walton View.

The overgrown hedge to the pavement on Pontefract Road which was obstructing signage

The grass at Coppers Lake had not been cut, previously this was regularly attended to.

Debris and road chippings were evident on the road between Shay Lane School and the Thorntree housing estate.

To enquire if action had been taken concerning the boundary issue at Harrison Road, the Clerk would provide her with information to enable this.

The speed signs on Shay Lane entering and leaving the village were obscured by foliage.

Cllr Bennett reported that the waste collection vehicle parked irresponsibly on Springhill Drive, also following collections, paper and garden waste were left strewn over the road.

Grass cutting occurred in some areas of the Springhill estate, but not in others.

Hedges needed cutting on Springhill Avenue and Wentworth Drive.

The pavement at 25 Wentworth Drive was being damaged by the telegraph pole.

Cllr Duffy asked about the cutting of trees at 109 High Street.

Cllr Cummings informed members that there was a programme of works planned for the Youth Club, additional support was to be given by the Police to enable this.

Members were made aware that improvements to Coppers Lake were being planned, which may be carried out with the use of a voluntary group.

06/039 Public Participation session

Nothing to report

06/040 Apologies for absence

District Councillor Lodge.

Councillors; Healy, Ripley, Smithson, Voros and Wrigg.

06/041 Declarations of Interest

None declared.

06/042 Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting held 18^th May 2010, were subject to change prior to signing.

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06/043 Discuss matters arising from previous minutes

He had received no further news from the Dog Warden concerning the erection of a fence at Larkdale Farm. However they had been contacted by Cllr Cummings, who was informed that they would be taking photographs concerning this matter.

There was still no response to the letter sent to the Community Centre regarding parking of cars and litter at the re-cycle bins, Cllr Chalkley would consider contacting the Smoke Signal to highlight the matter.

A response had been circulated to members concerning fencing on the Sidings/Larkdale Farm, WMDC Parks & Public Realm were to establish ownership before considering any action.

Following the e-mail sent to the Scout Group requesting financial accounts, the Scout Group Treasurer had sent the accounts for the previous financial year, the current years accounts were yet to be agreed. Members would not consider funding until the accounts for the financial year ending March 2010 were received.

06/044 Community Facilities

Report Parish Centre

Nothing to report.

Report Village Association

Cllr Bennett reported that;

A ‘fun day’ was to be arranged by an organisation for the youths of Crofton, it was suggested that the Village Association facilities could be utilised, they were awaiting further information before a date was agreed.

Report Allotments

Cllr Hewitt reported that;

Condition reports had been issued for some allotments.

Allotment tenancies had been issued, as there had been four gardens recently vacated.

Cllr Duffy raised concerns about the accuracy of the waiting list and that procedure for Allotments Tenancies was not being followed.

Report Parish Cemetery

Nothing to report

06/045 Discuss Traffic issues

Following an offer from WMDC Highways to attend a Parish Council meeting, where they would explain how the programme of works are devised, it was felt that there were a number of other Highway matters to be addressed. Therefore it was agreed that the Clerk would arrange a separate meeting to discuss such matters before the August recess.

06/046 Parish Plan

Cllr Chalkley commented on the latest draft plan to be produced and which was issued to members.

Cllr Towns asked if any funding had been received towards the cost of the project, the Clerk explained that RAY (Rural Action Yorkshire, the organisation which could provide

funding), had been regularly consulted about the progress of the plan, when the project

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was completed a final cost would be presented for funding to be considered..

It was expected that the final draft would be produced by October 2010.

06/047 Cleansing/Environment

Comments were made in minute 06/038.

06/048 Planning Notifications

Members raised no objections to the information received.

Cllr Towns was aware that the Catholic Church was for sale and raised concern about what was likely to happen to the building and the land it was on. The Clerk was to be informed of the Agent advertising the sale, to enable him to make further enquiries.

06/049 Financial matters

The Clerk having informed members of invoices to be paid received no objections.

It was agreed that the cost incurred by Cllr Chalkley for printing could be paid by bank transfer.

Cllr Bennett provided information to members on the content of the annual accounts for the CVA. He would forward them to the Clerk for him to distribute to members.

06/050 Correspondence received

Members noted the content of the information received, in particular

Note 3; Cllr Duffy was given the Country Air magazine.

06/051 Parish matters

Nothing to report

06/0052 Date of next meeting

Resolved; that the next meeting to be held on Tuesday, 20^th July 2010 at 7pm in Crofton Parish Centre, High Street, Crofton.

06/053 Members of the public and press were to leave before agenda no.18

It was agreed

06/054 Matters to be discussed in private

Spawforth Associates were to be invited to a meeting with members, a possible date being 29^th July.

A meeting with Mr Smith to discuss land requirements at the Pontefract Road allotment site, was to be arranged after a meeting with the school representative had taken place.

Further to the enquiries concerning the ginnel leading to the Church from Ashdene Crescent, the use of Case Law concerning the Public Highway would be of relevance.

Signed _________ Date Chairman Crofton Parish Council.