Crofton Parish
Council
Minutes
of the Parish Council meeting held on
Tuesday
16th September 2003 in The High School at 7.00 pm.
Present: Councillors: Mrs G Towns, Mrs W Wrigg, S Bennett,
T
B Chalkley, J R Hewitt, S Duffy, P Jaques,
G
Scargill & J Voros
Residents: Mrs P Baines, Mrs A Brown, Mrs P
Walker, Mrs R Salt, Mr & Mrs Smith, Mr H Shaw & Mr G Schofield
Play
Area Association Paula Baker
& Helen Tate
West
Yorkshire Police PC
P McMahon
The
Clerk: J F Shillitoe
Apologies: Councillors: G P Jackson, A Ripley & D Marshall
In the absence of
both the Chairman and Vice Chairman, Cllr G Scargill was proposed, seconded and
agreed as chairman for this meeting.
03/141 West Yorkshire Police
PC McMahon
outlined details of July and August’s crime report stating that the crime
figures for the period were a vast improvement on June’s figures, this may be
as a result of increased police activity in the area. Special Constables have
been used widely throughout the parish and Police Vans have been operating in
the district. Paul also reported that there appears to be an increase in
motorists not wearing seatbelts. Action against these motorists will be taken.
Residents raised
the issue of off road motorcycles and reported the case of an elderly resident
been knocked from her wheelchair.
Pc McMahon
informed the meeting that the force had a new operation, operation deli, which
had been set up the combat illegal motorcycles. He undertook to pass the information onto the team.
Mr & Mrs Smith
raised the issue of traffic speeds and cars parking on the pavement along
Churchfields
Pc McMahon agreed
to visit the area to assess the problem, if the parked vehicles were causing an
obstruction tickets could be issued to the owners.
Children using the
cemetery as a playground and the dangers associated with such activities were
raised by several residents and the question of, what can be done? posed.
PC McMahon
informed the meeting that this area was a high priority to the police but
unfortunately they could not police the area 24/7.
The clerk to ask
Mr Myers to raise the matter during school assembly.
Mrs Salt raised
the matter of The Priory Centre children using foul language, the Chairman
informed Mrs Salt that this was due to a lack of social skills rather than an
infringement of law, very little the police could do on the matter.
The priorities
for September/October to be:
Foot Patrol – As
required, concentrating on the village centre, Post Office closing, Crofton
High School, Crofton Infants, Royal Oak etc.
Monitor the Parish
Cemetery during High School lunchbreak.
Discourage illegal
use of motorcycles at Priory Ridge/Meadowfields.
Check vehicle
speeds along Ashdene Avenue and Churchfields
Check Churchfields
for vehicles obstructing the pavement.
Monitor the area
adjacent to the Pavilion on Hare Park Sidings
The chairman
thanked PC McMahon for his attendance.
03/142 Play Area
Association
Paula Baker and
Helen Tate addressed the meeting regarding the association’s plans and
requirements for the re-construction of children’s play areas at the existing
Hare Park Lane Site.
The overall plan
is the construct three different play areas for infant, junior and senior
children, starting with the seniors. Wakefield MDC have been involved from the
very start, they are to provide the site, maintain the area when complete and
provide insurance cover for the area.
The estimate cost
of the scheme is £100,000, in order to raise match funding grants for the
amount the association are seeking a pledge of £2,750 from the Parish Council,
this along with grants from local industries would provide to starting point
from which the “snowball” would role collecting match funding on its way
around.
The chairman
thanked Paula and Helen for their presentation, the council would discuss the
matter further in private and inform them of the outcome.
03/143 Public Participation Session
1.
Parish Cemetery
Mrs Brown addressed the meeting, explaining that mindless vandals have
seriously damaged her husbands memorial stone.
The cemetery had become a play area for children who have no respect for
anything.
Mrs Brown asked what the council was going to do to safeguard the area
and who is going to pay for the damage to the memorial.
The chairman explained that the council along with the Police do
everything in their power to make the area safe, but unfortunately resources
are not available to police the area 24/7. As for the cost of repairing the
memorial, memorials are private property and the cost of maintaining them falls
to the family
As this point Mrs Brown expressed her dissatisfaction and left the
meeting.
Mr Smith asked if it would be possible to close the footpaths which run
through the cemetery or at least restrict access for cycles.
The chairman thought it would be very difficult to close the footpath as
it is necessary for access to the church, the clerk to make enquiries regarding
installing cycle barriers.
2.
Hare Park Sidings.
Mrs Baines reported
that the wooden fencing between Hare Park Lane and the sidings was slowly
disappearing.
Cllr Bennett agreed to raise the matter at the next Village Association
meeting.
3.
Residential Development – Slack
Lane/High Street
Mr Shaw asked if cllrs had seen the detailed plans of this development
and if so had they objected to the properties being three storeys high. Three
whole building was throwing a shadow on Rectory Crescent.
The chairman replied that the council had objected to the development on
Highways grounds and therefore not had sight of the detailed plans.
It was agreed that the council obtains detailed plans for any future
development.
03/144 Declaration of Interests in Items on the Agenda
No declarations
were made.
03/145 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.
03/146 Minutes
It was agreed that
the minutes of the meeting held on 15th July were a correct record
and signed by the Chairman.
03/147 Matters Arising
1.
Youth Centre
The clerk reported that Wakefield MDC have now applied for planning permission to demolish the Youth Centre along with adjoining corridors.
Residents reported that Elderberries growing in the area to the rear of the Drama Hall needed removing and the Drama Hall kitchen door needed boarding up.
The clerk to pass this on to the High School.
2. Geo Atkins
The clerk reported that these premises have now been demolished and the
site cleared.
3. Copse – Pinfold Drive
The clerk reported that T&D Contractors had asked if council
required the elderberry trees removing from the copse.
This was agreed.
4.
Doncaster Road/Weeland Road
Cllr Bennett reported that the owners of this site have approval for the
development and permission from Wakefield MDC to site their safety barriers
within the Highway line. Should the development not be completed in a
reasonable time scale the owners will be asked to reinstate the site and remove
the fencing.
The clerk was asked to notify Mr Pearson of the situation.
03/148 Resignation of
Councillor
The clerk informed members that he had notified electoral services of Cllr Gomersalls resignation, but as yet was not in a position to advertise the vacancy.
03/149 Community Facilities - Convenors Report
1. Parish
Centre
Cllr Scargill
reported that T & D Contractors, The Playgroup and himself now held keys
for the new gate lock.
2. Village
Centre
Cllr Bennett had
nothing new to report, the same irritating problems were still occurring.
03/150 Allotments - Convenors Report
The clerk outlined the situation with regards the Pontefract Road
Allotments, expressing amazement at the reaction of some residents adjacent to
the site.
03/151 Parish Cemetery - Convenors Report
1. Wakefield
Express
Cllrs voiced
concerns over the recent press coverage of the re-opening of the Shaw family
grave and the reaction of Mr Kershaw to the overspill affecting the grave of
his daughter Gemma.
The clerk reported
that he had been in constant touch with Mr Kershaw, apologising for any
distress caused whilst informing him that the gravediggers methods were common
practise, assurances had been given that extra care would be taken with any
future re-openings.
Cllrs had been
angered by the express’s comment that nobody from the Parish Council was available
for comment. The chairman explained
that the express had tried to contact the clerk at 1.00 pm with a 3.00 pm
deadline for comment, the clerk was unavailable due to work commitments.
Normally Cllr Jackson acts as press spokesman but unfortunately he was
unavailable also.
New cllrs asked
why all press statements are channelled through Cllr Jackson. The chairman
explained that this practise was to ensure that the council agreed line was
quoted and not individual views, which had happened in the past.
2. Maintenance
The clerk reported
that Mrs Waite of Churchfields had made contact, asking that the grass cuttings
placed in the beck be removed.
The clerk had
instructed T & D Contractors to carry out the work.
03/152 Special Services - Convenors Report
It was agreed that a donation of £50 be made to relate.
2. Gemma Storey
Gemma had written requesting financial assistance with a trip to
France. Having been selected to play
Rugby League for England U19s she had already played in Russia but funds were
tight and the cost of the trip to France would be £500.
It was agreed that a grant of £100 be made to Gemma.
03/153 Moorhouse Opencast Liaison Committee
The clerk reported
that Cllr Ripley had attended the last meeting. Very little to report, other
than, work at the site was progressing to plan.
The community fund
has £1000 remaining to distribute and unfortunately the Village Associations
bid had been turned turn, following an objection from one member who felt that
the Parish Council should fund this work. Cllr Ripley will be taking this
matter up at the next meeting.
The clerk asked
for a volunteer to replace Cllr Gomersall as Parish Council representative on
this group, unfortunately there were no takers.
03/154 Old Library Site
Cllrs observed
that works on this project were almost complete and that the facility was
already well used.
Cllr Bennett
reported that like many other project, the contractors have completed 95% of
the work and then left site. Wakefield
MDC is in the process of getting the contractors back to site to finish off.
03/155 Planning
1.
Land at Doncaster Road.
Cllrs reported that Mrs Ramskill appears to be demonstrating vehicles
once a month between the hours of 7.30 and 9.30 am, making it very difficult
for planning officers to observe.
It was agreed that the matter be held until Cllr Ripley returns from
holiday in order that he can contact the appropriate planning officer.
2.
Hare Park View and Bedford Farm
The clerk reported
that approval for 7 dwellings at Hare Park View and 15 dwellings at Bedford
Farm had been granted despite the Parish Councils objections to the Bedford
Farm development.
Cllr Ripley
appeared before the planning committee to voice councils objections without
success however he asked that the Parish Council write to the Chief Officer
expressing concerns over the housing types approved. None of the sites approved
recently contain any affordable housing for those attempting to get a foot on
the property ladder.
This course of
action was approved.
3.
Other matters
All other
applications received during the period were found to be acceptable.
03/156 Financial Matters
Accounts
The following
accounts were submitted and approved for payment.
£
August
Vale 118.28 (Plaques)
Ms Reid 53.20
Mrs Hardwick 276.64
Mr Joyce 151.50
Yorkshire
Electricity 160.13
Yorkshire Water 21.85 (P Centre)
83.68 (Allotments)
September
Ms Reid 53.20
Mrs Hardwick 276.64
Mr G Terry 180.00 (Cemetery Plinths)
Miss G Storey 100.00
Relate 50.00
03/157 Correspondence
Wakefield MDC - Minutes
-
Community Assembly Meeting, 23 September 2003
-
Area Panel Meeting, 18 September 2003
-
Libraries Newsletter
-
Survey into Walton Traffic Calming Scheme
-
Wakefield Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, Newsletter
-
The Citizen
YLCA -
Annual Conference
-
Wakefield Branch minutes and agenda
-
Association minutes and agenda
-
White Rose Update
YRCC -
Country Air
Mr Murphy -
Information re fluoridation of Water supplies.
West Yorkshire
Police - Annual
Report
-
Minutes of Normanton Police Forum
The Boundary
Committee - Final
Recommendations
Wakefield
Community Strategy - Fast Forward
Malcolm Stead - Belarus
feedback
03/158 Parish Matters
None raised.
03/159 Date of next Meeting
Tuesday 21 October
2003.
03/160 Matters Discussed in Private
1.Crofton Play
Association
After discussions
it was agreed that the Parish Council would agree to pledging £2,750 towards
the cost of re-constructing the Play Area in Hare Park Lane, however this would
be subject to the association clarifying the situation regarding planning
permissions. Should planning permission
be required the Parish Council also reserved its rights the comment freely.
Chairman 21st
October 2003.