Crofton Parish Council
Minutes
of the Parish Council Meeting held on
Present: Councillors: Mrs K Duffy, Mrs G Towns, S Bennett
T
Chalkley, S Duffy, JR Hewitt,
G
P Jackson, P Jacques, G Makin, A Ripley & J Voros
Residents: Rev Mrs A Jordan, Mrs M Brown,
Mrs
R Salt, Mrs J Scott, Mr B Murphy,
Mr
G Schofield and Mr C Stead.
District
Councillors Ms M
Cummings
The
Clerk: J F Shillitoe
Apologies: Councillors: Mrs W Wrigg, G Isherwood &
A
Manifield.
The chairman Cllr P Jacques
presided over the meeting.
04/191
PC Paul McMahon
presented the safe scheme report for October; which again showed that the
underlying levels of crime throughout the village were relatively low, the main
area of concern still been the anti social behaviour of a minority of youths. A
substantial amount of resources had been deployed on 4 November, mischief
night, resulting in a reasonably quiet night.
Cllr Chalkley
presented a letter of appreciation from residents in which they express there
thanks to Paul and his colleagues for keeping the village under control during
bonfire weekend.
Chris Stead
informed members that the scout’s bonfire had been disrupted by a dozen or so
youths causing a nuisance towards the end of the evening. The youths refusing
to leave when asked, fighting amongst their selves whilst trying to goad event
stewards.
This behaviour had
upset many of those attending the event, which until this year had run for 24
yrs virtually trouble free.
Mr Stead said that
organisers would have to seriously look at whether the event should go ahead
next year, the mindless few yet again affecting the enjoyment of over 700
parishioners.
PC MaMahon offered
Mr Stead support, stating that if organisers contact him prior to next years
event he would assist with policing and with the Parish Council’s permission
arrange for safe scheme officers to be present. Mr Stead thanked Paul for his
offer.
Cllr Hewitt
observed that the bonfire site had yet to be cleared of debris, this should
have taken place the day after the event. Mr Stead and Mrs Scott assured
members that the site would be cleared at the weekend.
Cllr Jackson informed members that there had been trouble with youths congregating around the Shay Lane / Harrison Road seat, making excessive noise and using bad language. A local resident after having remonstrated with them had part of a signpost thrown at his front door. The incident was reported and three officers attended.
PC MaMahon agreed to keep an eye on the area.
The priorities for the
December 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 monitor use of the seat at
the junction of Shay Lane and Harrison Road.
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 and seat on Santingley Lane.
Monitor the area adjacent to
the Pavilion on Hare Park Sidings.
04/192 Ward Councillors
Cllr Cummings presented a short
report.
·
An informative meeting took place between ward
councillors and Ian Thompson the Chief Planning Officer re Crofton Triangle. It
transpires that under the Quarries Regulation 1999 the landlord has a Health
and Safety obligation the secure the site. Wakefield Planning Department will
therefore be requesting that the Health and Safety Executive contacts the landowner
reminding him of his obligations. Cllr Cummings to forward notes of the meeting
for information.
·
Planning Department have confirmed that access to the
Webfell site should have been made closed off and restored to its former
condition by the landlord on completion of works.
The Planning Department
are to take the matter up with the landlord.
·
Road Traffic signs depicting speed humps have been
repositioned to face the correct way.
·
The erection of perimeter fencing at Hawthorn Court has
commenced.
·
Maureen is to be a member of Shay Lane J & I
Governors.
Cllr Jackson asked if
Cllr Cummings could take a look at the plans for the perimeter fence to the
Youth Club, the position of the fence is far from ideal and should be built
from stone to replace the original not metal as planned. Cllr Cummings agreed
to investigate the matter.
Concerns were
expressed over the possibility of the travellers relocating from the Power
Station site to the Webfell site should planned road works adjacent to the
Power Station reduce the size of the existing site.
Cllr Cummings
expressed the view that should the road works ever take place the existing
Travellers site would not be affected in any way.
The chairman thanked
Cllr Cummings for her report.
04/193 Public
Participation Session
1.
Footpath – Slack Lane
The clerk to contact Highways concerning the creation of a footpath
opposite the Weavers Green on Slack Lane.
2.
Footpaths – Moorhouse Opencast
Mrs Salt asked if there
were any maps of the footpaths across the opencast site.
Cllr Ripley explained that no new maps had been produced but he could
provide the details.
3.
Rectory Crescent
Members were informed that Rectory Crescent didn’t appear of any of the
road maps.
The clerk to write to the relevant authorities.
04/194 Declaration
of Interests in Items on the Agenda
No declarations were made.
04/195 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.
04/196 Minutes
The following amendments to the
minutes of the meeting held on 19th October were made after which
the Chairman signed them as a correct record
·
04/176/ 3 To add
forth paragraph:-
Cllr Jackson
proposed that the Parish Council take on responsibility for the War
Memorial
undertaking remedial works necessary. This was
agreed.
·
04/184/a To read.
The clerk reported
that Frieghtliners’ appeal would not be heard until September 2005.
Cllr Jackson raised
the issue on rail transport suggesting that the Santingley Lane site from which
Frieghtliner wished to operate would make an ideal location for a Railway
Station.
Cllr Jackson proposed
that the Parish Council contact the Passenger Transport
Executive once again to
continue the debate over providing a station at Crofton.
This was agreed. The
Transport Secretary and Local MP to be copied in.
04/197 Matters
Arising
1.
Pinfold
The clerk reported
that he had spoken with Mr Bacon who had agreed to examine the fallen tree and
tidy up the Pinfold.
04/198 Community
Facilities - Convenors Report
1. Parish Centre
The clerk reported that
following a request from the playgroup the chairman had agreed to the parish
centre roof being temporally covered with a tarpaulin in an attempt to stem
rain water coming through the roof. The cost of this work had been £80.
The clerk continued by
informing members that several contractors had now been asked to submit
quotations for re roofing the Parish Centre.
Andersons estimate that the quotation should be in the region of 7 to 8
thousand pounds.
Councillors agreed that once
the clerk had received sufficient quotations the chairman be given delegated
authority to approve works up the value of ten thousand pound.
Cllr Duffy also asked the clerk
to look into the provision of a new notice board.
2. Village Centre
Cllr Makin reported that all
was well at the village Association.
04/199 Allotments
- Convenors Report
1.
Hare Park
Cllr Hewitt reported
that following the receipt of letters from the clerk tenants had been in touch
to discuss the condition of their allotments.
These tenants now
understood the councils’ position and would be making efforts to put things in
order, tenants had also agreed to release allotments for allocation to people
on the waiting list.
A positive start,
the clerk would be writing to more tenants in due course.
04/200 Parish
Cemetery - Convenors Report
The clerk to remind
T & D that work on the trees at the cemetery was still outstanding.
04/201 Special
Services - Convenors Report
Nothing to report.
04/202 Moorhouse
Opencast Liaison Committee
Cllr Ripley informed members
that now that the opencast had finished, the restoration works completed and
all the community funding distributed the liaison committee had held its last
meeting.
It was therefore agreed that
this item could now be removed from future agendas
04/203 Old
Library Site
Nothing further to report, it
was agreed this item could also be removed from future agendas.
04/204 War
Memorial
Having had the
opportunity to visit the Doncaster Road Memorial members discussed the
condition of the memorial.
The general
consensus was that the memorial was in fair condition but in need of minor
works, the following being required;
Memorial to be
cleaned.
Memorial base to be
sand blasted
Perimeter walls to
be pointed.
New timbers to
seat.
New gate
Grass to be treated
with weed killer and brambles cut back
The clerk to speak
with contractors and arrange site meetings with chairman.
04/205 Cleansing
Cllr Jacques expressed the view that after an enthusiastic start standards were once again beginning to fall.
It was agreed that the clerk contacts John Skidmore to arrange a follow up meeting.
04/206 Planning
a. App No
04/99/67627 – Extension of Communications Tower at Oakenshaw Grange Farm
It was agreed that
the parish Council write to the Planning department in Support of Mr Murphy’s
objections to the proposed extension.
b. Other applications
All other applications received
during the period were found to be acceptable.
04/207 Financial
Matters
Accounts
The following accounts were
submitted and approved for payment.
£
Mrs Dodson 54.70
Mrs Hardwick 284.44
J F Shillitoe 971.05
WMDC 3,503.85
Mr J Lund 80.00 (Parish Centre roof)
Vale 59.14
N Power 58.94
04/208 Casual Vacancy
The clerk reported that
electoral services have advertised that no request to fill the vacancy by
election had been received, the Parish Council could therefore co-opt.
It was proposed,
seconded and agreed that Mr George Schofield be co-opted to fill the vacancy.
04/209 Correspondence
Wakefield MDC - Council
Minutes
- Standards
Committee Minutes
WDCSP -
Crime and Drugs Audit 2004.
Wakefield West NHS - Your Health
magazine.
West Yorkshire
Police -
Independent Advisory Group.
YRCC - Country Air
-
Agenda for Annual meeting
-
Position Statement on Affordable Housing
YLCA - Details of
Seminar on Councillor Skills
-
Advice note on Freedom of Information Act
-
Advice note on new statutory disciplinary and grievance
procedures in the workplace.
-
White Rose Update
-
Diary of branch meetings.
Valuation Office - Details of
business rating for parish Centre.
All Saints Parish Church - Letter detailing
current situation with installation of new fuel tank.
04/210 Parish
Matters
1.
Doncaster Road / Slack Lane
The clerk to
contact highways, the hedgerow adjacent to the junction of Slack Lane with
Doncaster Road is obscuring the vision of motorists and needs cutting back.
2.
Seat - junction of Shay Lane and Harrison Road
Following recent trouble centred around this seat Cllr Jackson asked if members would consider removing the seat.
Members debated the issue, deciding that, as this was the first reported incident in that area they would monitor the situation for the time being, if the problems persist then the seat should be removed.
3. 2 Church Hill
Cllrs reported the hedge belonging to 2 Church Hill was overhanging the footpath and needed cutting back.
The clerk was asked to write to the owners of the property.
4. Bus Stop – 523 Doncaster Road.
The clerk to contact metro asking them to cut back bushes overhanging the footpath adjacent to the bus stop.
5.
Sandown Avenue
The clerk to request that highways replace the sign informing motorists that Sandown Avenue is a cul-de-sac.
6. Speed Campaign
The clerk to contact Joanne Posanby to ascertain whether there were any plans to follow up the sticker campaign conducted in May
7. Manorfields Avenue
Cllr Chalkley informed members that following the development of Priory Ridge, Manorfields Avenue had become a through road, which was now being used extensively as a route to the top end of the village.
The clerk was asked to contact highways to see if there were any traffic management measures that could be put in place to safeguard motorists using this route whilst protected residents from the increasing amount of traffic.
8. Youth Problem
The clerk to invite Mr Myers to a council meeting in the near future to discuss the behaviour of youths whilst travelling to and from school and during lunch break.
04/211 Date
of next Meeting
Tuesday 14th
December 2004.
04/212 Matters
Discussed in Private
None discussed.
Chairman 14th
December 2004.