Page 1.                              Crofton Parish Council

 

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 20th May 2008.                            

 

Present;          Councillors,    Chalkley (Chair), Bennett, Duffy K, Hewitt, Jacques, Makin, Ripley, Towns, Voros and Wrigg.

           

In attendance;                       4 members of the public

                                                District Councillor Cummings and Lodge.

 

05/019                         Receive report from West Yorkshire Police         

PC Daley presented his report for the Safe Scheme covering the month of April 2008.

Cllr Towns asked if he was aware of problems that had occurred at Coppers Lake resulting from Crofton High School Year 11 pupils finishing. Cllr Voros stated that he had spoke to teachers and Police who were on High Street in anticipation of any problems, but the pupils had moved away perhaps knowing where the Police would be patrolling.

To avoid a repeat of this, the Clerk was asked to ensure it was on future agendas.

Cllr Hewitt asked for a heightened Police presence at the Sidings embankment area after 8.30pm.

Cllr Bennett had noted youths outside the Post Office on High Street using beer cans as a football and was concerned about such anti-social behaviour, he had also noted the occupants of a car, believed to be a silver coloured Peugeot 106, were observed on Springhill Drive in the early morning acting suspiciously.

PC Daley noted the concerns and requests from Councillors.

 

05/020                         Receive briefing from Wakefield MDC District Councillors

Cllr Chalkley asked Cllr Cummings to pass our thanks to Albert Manifield for the work he had done for the Parish, he also welcomed the newly elected District Councillor for Ward 5, Susan Lodge, Cllr Lodge offered to assist the Parish Council on any issues they may have, the Clerk gave his e-mail address to allow the flow of information.

Cllr Towns asked Cllr Lodge if she would be holding surgeries in the village, she replied that she would be introducing herself during the coming weeks.

Cllr Bennett asked that a letter, in addition to the e-mail already sent, be prepared giving thanks to the work done by the out-going Cllr Manifield.

Cllr Cummings;

Had noted that the sign on Shay Lane had yet to be replaced and also updated members on the proposed Crofton/Sandal cycle route.

Gave the Clerk information from BT about the intended removal of phone boxes from Crofton, of which there were two.

Was in the village the day the High School finished (see minute 05/019), she had noted two women with bags of alcohol, the matter was reported to PC Daley to investigate further.

Cllr Bennett made comment to Cllr Cummings about the waste collections and the number of bins that now needed to be collected, Cllr Jacques had noted that garden waste bins had not been collected on Ashdene Crescent on the required day, Cllr Cummings would investigate this and in response to Cllr Voros stating he had difficulty putting some of the bins out, she made members aware that there were

Page 2.

exemptions for elderly people, Cllr Chalkley suggested that an advert be placed in the Smoke Signal to inform all  elderly residents of this facility.

Cllr Jacques asked if Cllr Cummings would report the fact that the drainage system did not appear to be working properly on the Sidings.  

 

05/021                         Public Participation session

A resident in attendance informed members that a workforce from Metro had attempted to provide lighting to the bus shelter at Rectory Crescent, upon digging a hole they discovered there was no power source and so left, coincidently the street lighting then failed, she was informed that all street lighting failures should be reported to Amey on phone number 0800 783 1654.

Other residents in attendance asked if any action could be taken to improve the condition of the road leading to the Community Centre, members informed them that this matter had previously been discussed, it had been confirmed that after house number 36, the road was unadopted, responsibility did not rest with WMDC Highway Maintenance, it was the responsibility of the landowners or those that owned property adjacent to it, the Community Centre had been approached about the matter but they had been advised to not accept responsibility.

A representative from the Carnival Committee would enquire further about the above matter as they were seeking permission for certain road closures.

Members received information that horses had been seen using the Sidings, when the riders were approached and asked to desist from such actions they were abusive, it was suggested that local riding schools be approached about the matter.

Cllr Cummings reminded all those present about the Police meeting to be held the following evening. 

 

05/022                         Apologies for absence          

District Councillor Isherwood.

Councillors; Brown, Duffy S and Schofield

 

05/023                         Declarations of Interest

Cllr Bennett declared his interest with regard Planning and Highway matters

 

05/024                         Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 15th April 2008, were signed as a true record by the Chairman.

 

05/025                         Discuss matters arising from previous minutes

In response to the reply received from WMDC Traffic Dept about the request for a pedestrian crossing in Crofton, Cllr Towns informed members that she had noted 40 school children were crossing Doncaster Road at its junction with Pinfold Drive, to go to school, she asked that this be added to the request.

The Clerk was asked to respond to the letter received from the WMDC Transport Strategy Manager, members would provide him with a detailed response to enable this.

In order to establish ownership of land on Slack Lane, the Clerk would obtain an Ordnance Survey Map and contact Land Registry.

The Clerk would contact Crofton High School and ask them to replace the missing stone. 

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Members were in agreement that if the section of land at Pontefract Road was unregistered, the Clerk should ensure it was registered to the Parish Council, the Clerk informed members that this would incur a charge from a solicitor and Land Registry to do so. 

 

05/026                         Community Facilities

Report Parish Centre

Cllr Chalkley informed members that favourable comments were received about the facility following the recent elections.

Cllr Duffy noted that the fire extinguishers had now been placed on brackets and had the appropriate signage displayed.

Cllr Jacques commented, that a quarter page advert was to be placed in the Smoke Signal to make residents aware of the Centre’s availability for hire, also the planned change of the electric meter had not occurred due to the technician not keeping the appointment, the Clerk would re-arrange this. He also mentioned that extra furniture was needed, members were in agreement for these to be ordered and that a notice board should be purchased.

Report Village Association

Cllr Makin informed members that decorators had now commenced work.

With regard to the contract with PHS, it was agreed by members that the Clerk and Cllr Makin would discuss this at a later date and agree on a solution.

Report Allotments

Members having considered the request from an allotment holder to have extra animals on the garden, agreed to not give permission. There was concern that the Hare Park allotments could be subject to theft, it was felt this could be countered by ensuring the entry gate was locked.

Report Parish Cemetery

Cllr Schofield although absent, had informed the Clerk that he was pleased with the work done by T&D Contractors.

Cllr Ripley reported that the gate from Sandown Avenue leading into the cemetery appeared damaged (possibly by a contractors vehicle).

Members agreed to hold an inspection of the area on Saturday 31st May at 10.00 am.

 

05/027                         Discuss Traffic issues

Cllrs Chalkley and Ripley and the Clerk had met at the Cock & Crown public house, to observe the use of vehicles using the facility, it was generally felt that there was not a problem, but the junction of Pontefract Road/Cock Lane and Doncaster Road was not conducive to the avoidance of any traffic problems. It was suggested that making Pontefract Road a one-way system would help, but was unlikely to get approval.

 

05/028                         Parish Leases

Nothing to report.

 

05/029                         Cleansing/Environment

Cllr Bennett had observed the street sweeper in operation about the village and Cllr Jacques asked the newly elected Cllr Lodge, to enquire if the village could receive a substantial clean following the closure of schools for the summer.

 

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05/030                         Planning Notifications

Members raised no objections.

 

05/031                         Financial matters

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

Members were in agreement with the content of the monthly accounts.

The Clerk confirmed that the Internal Auditor had approved the accounts for 2007/08, they would now be subject to approval by the external auditor.

The motion by Cllr Chalkley to have the hanging baskets, was approved and agreed by members.

                                                                                   

05/032                         Correspondence received

Members noted the content of the information received, in particular,

Note 4; the Charter was given to Cllr Bennett for consideration.

Note 5; members were in agreement to give their support to the request for signs which would deter owners leaving dog faeces on footpaths.

Note 6; the handbooks were distributed to some members and the laminate flyer was taken for display in the Library.

Note 10; Cllrs Chalkley and Makin would give consideration to attending the event on behalf of the Parish Council.

 

05/033                         Parish matters

Cllr Ripley informed members he had attended the meeting on climate change on behalf of the Council, he suggested taking action to support the initiative, such as planting trees each side of The Avenue, he had approached the landowner who was agreeable to the suggestion.

Cllr Jacques noted that graffiti was still evident to the rear of the Youth Centre, the Clerk when responding to the High School (see minute 05/025), would ask them to deal with this matter.

Cllr Hewitt had noticed that trees at West Lane were covered in Ivy, this indicated that they could be in a dangerous condition, the Clerk would contact the officer from the WMDC Arboriculture department to alert him to their condition. 

 

05/034                         Date of next meeting

Resolved; that the next meeting to be held on Tuesday, 17th June 2008 at 7pm in                               Crofton Parish Centre, High Street, Crofton.

 

05/035             Members of the public and press were to leave before agenda no.18

It was agreed

 

05/036                         Matters to be discussed in private

Further to the report about Coppers Lake, it was agreed a separate meeting would be arranged to discuss this, the Clerk would consult with the Chairman and Vice Chairman on a suitable date and inform members upon confirmation.

 

 

Signed                                                                         Date                                               Chairman Crofton Parish Council