Crofton Parish Council

 

                                                                   Minutes of the meeting held on

                                               Tuesday 11 March 2003 in The High School at 7.00 pm.

 

 

                 Present:                                    Councillors:                  S Bennett, D Crowcroft, T Gomersall,

                                                                                                     J R Hewitt, G P Jackson, A Ripley, G Scargill, & J Voros

 

                                                                 Residents:                     Mrs Baines, Mrs P Walker,  Mr & Mrs Scott &

                                                                                                     Mr G Schofield

 

                                                                 Wakefield MDC           Mr J Foster – Chief Executive

 

                                                                 West Yorkshire Police:  PC P Raworth

 

                                                                 The Clerk:                    J F Shillitoe

 

                 Apologies:                                Councillors:                  I Beckett & P Beckett

 

                 The chairman, Cllr Ripley, presided over the meeting. 

 

03/040      Presentation by Mr. J Foster, Chief Executive, Wakefield MDC            

 

                 Mr Foster introduced himself, he started at Wakefield MDC in January 2003, during the previous five years he had served as Chief Executive at Middlesbrough, the previous five in Tyneside.  An experienced local government officer, head hunted by Wakefield to help lift the authority.

 

                 The authority was rated in the bottom thirteen local authorities in England by the National Audit Office, the comprehensive performance assessment identified many weaknesses in the main stemming from poor leadership at senior officer level, a lack of direction and little forward planning. However there were still some strengths on which to build upon.

 

                 The Education Dept lead by John McLeod is an area of strength in Wakefield which has been commended by offsted, Social Services, however has been rated extremely poor.

 

                 Mr Foster explained that it would be his job in liaison with the politicians to turn things round.  In the first year he is tasked with producing an improvement plan in line with government guidance with the assistance on a lead officer from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The improvement plan will be complete and approved by April.

 

                 The help him achieve this his has brought in a new  Corporate Management Team, all Chief Officers with the exception of John McLeod (education) and Elaine McHale (social service) have been replaced, a new post of Director of the Environment has been created and this post will be filled shortly. 

 

                 Wakefield MDC employs 16,500 staff with a turn over of £750 million per annum serving 300,000 citizens, an organisation this size deserves the best. A team capable of returning the goods.

 

                 Cllr Jackson thanked John for giving up his time to speak to the council, he expressed the view that for many years the service offered by Wakefield had been poor and looked forward to changes.

 

                

                 Mr Foster explained that within a district the size of Wakefield you have many communities, communities which want the best service for them.  The task for his team was to ensure that the whole authority has a service which suits them.  Some communities have excellent youth facilities other don’t; improvements could be made by better community use of the many buildings owned by the authority.

 

                 Cllr Crowcroft asked when we might see signs of improvement.

 

                 Mr Foster explained that the new budget recently set in Wakefield, albeit a rise of 13% still leaves Wakefield with the lowest community charge in the whole of Yorkshire, this will raise enough money to improve services, new services were been introduced, which would be visible from April 2003.

 

                 The establishment of a rapid response team for example. A multi tasked, multi skilled team who will be deployed at short notice the anywhere in the authority to solve problems, clear up mess, anything that needs doing.

 

                 Also, a team which can be dedicated for periods of time to one area, to do anything, even clear up private land.  However, once cleared, should that area fall behind again, enforcement action will be taken.

       

                 There will be a rationalising of existing services; a Fly Tipping Service and a Car Removal Service have already been established.

 

                 Officers of the authority will be made accountable, replies will be more forthcoming and problem faced not forgotten.  A senior officer will be given responsibility for liasing with the Parish and Town Councils.

 

                 The chairman thanked Mr Foster for attending, adding that it was a pleasure to meet the a Chief Executive who appeared to be approachable and had his finger on the pulse. 

 

03/041      Declaration of Interests in Items on the Agenda

 

                 Cllr Scargill declared an interest in item 20, The lighting of the Church Tower.

 

03/042      West Yorkshire Police

 

                 PC Raworth (Paul) gave a breakdown of Februaries crime figures, these show 26 crimes in total including 11 vehicle related offences of which 4 were making off without payment from the Redbeck filing station and 1 burglary dwelling.  35 calls were received from the public, in the main nuisance calls from the Ashdene, High Street and Parish Cemetery.

 

                 Paul stated that during the year to date 56 hrs of officers time had been used on the safe scheme, leaving about £3,000 in the kitty.

 

                 Cllr Voros informed the meeting that last Friday whilst the landlord and chef of the Royal Oak were waiting to board a bus to Wakefield, a group of about twenty youths jumped the bus, throwing stones and hanging on to the side of the bus whilst it was trying to move off.

 

                 Mr and Mrs Scott reported that twice in a month they have had a wing mirror ripped off the side of their car, presumably by one or more of a group of twenty to thirty youths who often walk along Churchfields from Ashdene to the Cemetery.

 

                 Paul advised that safe scheme officers were aware of both incidents and would concentrate their efforts in those areas.              

 

 

                 The priorities for March/April to be:

 

                 Foot Patrol – As required, concentrating on the village centre, Ashdene, Churchfields and Parish Cemetry.

 

                 Continue to discourage anti social behaviour by the minority. Coppers Lake/Hare Park

 

                 Monitor the area adjacent to the Pavilion on Hare Park Sidings

                

                 The chairman thanked PC Raworth for his attendance. 

 

03/043      Public Participation Session

 

Cemetery

 

Mr Schofield advised that the bins have not been emptied and the tap isn’t working.  However on a positive note the concrete plinths were a vast improvement.

 

                 The clerk to pursue the emptying of the bins, Cllr Scargill to look at the tap.

      

03/044      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.

 

03/045      Minutes

 

                 It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 18th February 2003 were a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

03/046      Matters Arising 

 

                 1. Car Sales – Weeland Road

 

                 The clerk reported that this matter has been passed to the Planning Enforcement Officer, Amanda Dodson who will take the appropriate action.

                

                 2. Turf Accountant – Slack Lane

 

                 The clerk reported that, Building Services have visited the site and agree that the building needs attention; unfortunately they do not know who owns the property.  Enquiries at the land registry have been made; once ownership information is available the appropriate action will be taken.

 

                 3. Hare Park Avenue - Flooding from Cock and Crown Car Park

 

                 The clerk reported that the planning department had investigated this matter and report that no infringement of planning was evident.

 

                 Cllr Jackson expressed the view that even if this was the case, the drainage system was not adequate to cope with the amount of water form the car park, and the matter needed to be put right.

 

                 Cllr Ripley agreed to look into the matter.

 

03/047      Community Facilities - Convenors Report

 

                 1. Parish Centre

 

                 It was reported that the repair work to the roof had commenced and the the Play Group have all but finished work on the rubberised surface.

                

                 2. Village Centre

 

                 Cllr Crowcroft reported that there had been a small fire at the Pavilion, no damage had been caused but one of the fire extinguishers had been used and needed recharging.

 

                 The clerk to arrange.

 

03/048      Allotments - Convenors Report

 

1.      Hare Park

 

The clerk reported that the Pest Control Officers have now visited the Hare Park site.

 

The collection of rents took place on 22 February 2003, only one remains outstanding.

 

Cllr Hewitt reported that one of the tenants was keeping a dog on the site, which was creating a nuisance barking through the night.  He undertook to ascertain who was responsible and take the appropriate action.

 

2.      Pontefract Road.

 

The clerk reported that he had replied to Mr Salt’s letter as agreed at the last meeting. He has also written to Mr Smith regarding clearing the right of way and signing of the lease, he had had no further correspondence from either.

 

Cllr Ripley agreed to speak with Mr Smith.

 

03/049      Parish Cemetery - Convenors Report

 

                 The clerk reported that he had received a letter from Mr Hunter of Sandown Ave, asking that the fence be fastened to the steel post rather than his garage wall.

 

                 Cllr Scargill agreed to look into the matter.

 

03/050      Special Services - Convenors Report

 

                 The clerk reported that Mr Malcolm has submitted a request for financial assistance for a follow up trip Belarus.

 

                 It was agreed that this matter be discussed at the April meeting.            

 

 

03/051      Moorhouse Opencast Liaison Committee

 

                 Cllr Gomersall reported that the committee has extended the deadline for grant applications to 31 March 2003, this would be the last extension, grants and pledges would be made in April.

 

03/052      Old Library Site

 

       Cllr Jackson reported that a meeting had taken place between the school and officers of Wakefield MDC’s Planning and Highways Department.

 

                 Details of the facilities to be offered had been agreed; these included pedestrian access via the school end of the terminus and Walton View, vehicle access from the center of the terminus, fourteen parking bays and five bus bays alongside the terminus.

 

                 Cllr Bennett reported that the planning application had been submitted and rejected over a technicality, it had now been resubmitted and should be passed this tiem.

 

03/053      Wakefield MDC – Periodic Electoral Review

 

       The clerk reported that the Boundary Commission had returned its draft report on the Periodic Electoral Review for the District Wards, the recommendation was to create a new district ward to be named the Crofton, Ryhill and Walton Ward.

 

                 Birkwood Avenue was to be moved form the Crofton Ward to the Featherstone Ward, this would create the anomaly that the Parish of Crofton would be split between two district wards until such a time that the Parish boundaries can be adjusted in line with the district wards.

 

                 The recommendation therefore is to ward the Parish of Council into two wards, Crofton West (12 cllrs) being the bulk of Crofton and Crofton East (1 cllrs) being Birkwood Avenue.

 

                 Cllrs have had no strong objections to this, however if it means holding another parish election in 2004 at a cost to the Parish this was thought to be a little excessive.

 

                 The clerk to make representation on the matter.

 

03/054     Planning

 

All applications received during the period were found to be acceptable. The clerk distributed plans of the Bedford Farm application for information.

 

03/055      Financial Matters    

 

                 Accounts

 

                 The following accounts were submitted and approved for payment.

                                                                                         £

                 March

                

                 Miss Reid                                                       50.90

                 Mrs Hardwick                                              264.68

                 Mr Earle                                                         25.00

                 Wakefield MDC                                           125.00 (New lease)

                                                                                  3,034.09 (Priory Maintenance)

                                                                                       10.00 (Pavilion)

                 All Saints Parish Church                             2,000.00

 

                 April

                

                 First Impressions                                      4,032.50

                 Zurich Municipal                                       2,881.81

    

                       

03/056      Correspondence

 

                 Wakefield MDC                                   - Minutes

                                                                             - Changes to the constitution of School Governing Bodies

                                                                             - Libraries Newsletter, Issues

                                                                             - New lease, Hare Park Sidings                       

                                                                             - Community assembly elections.

                                                                             - Invite to Lord Mayor’s Civic Procession, 13 April 2003.

                

                 West Yorkshire Police                          - Invite to Community Forum, 6 March 2003.

 

03/057      Parish Matters

 

1.      Weavers Green/Ashdene

 

Cllr Bennett reported that the area of land between the Weavers Green Public House and the Supermarket was becoming littered with rubbish.

 

The clerk to report the matter.

 

2.      Dog Waste Bins

 

The clerk to ask the authority to provide more bins,

 

3.      Cock Lane

 

Cllr Bennett reported that Cock Lane is to be surface dressed during March.

 

4.      Elm Street/Santingley Lane

 

It was reported that the road surface at the junction of Elm Street with Santingley was breaking leaving large pot holes.

 

The clerk to report this matter.

 

5.      Hare Park Lane

 

Mrs. Baines reported that large potholes have appeared to the top of Hare Park Lane.

 

The clerk to report the matter.

 

 

 

 

03/058      Date of next Meeting

 

                 Tuesday 15th April 2003.

 

03/059      Matters Discussed in Private

 

                 1. All Saints Parish Church – Request for financial assistance.

 

It was agreed that the Parish Council make a grant of £2,000 towards the cost of lighting All Saints Parish Church Tower.

 

                 2. Adoption of Risk Assessment Plan, Standing Orders and Financial Regulations

 

Detailed discussions took place, amendments, deletions, additions and corrections were made to all three documents.

 

It was agreed to adopt all three as amended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 Chairman                                                                                                          15th April 2003