Crofton Parish Council
Minutes
of the Parish Council Meeting held on
Present: Councillors: Mrs K Duffy, Mrs G Towns, Mrs W
Wrigg, S Bennett, T Chalkley, S Duffy,
JR Hewitt &
P
Jacques
Residents: Mrs M Brown & Mrs C Dickinson.
District
Councillors G Isherwood
& A Manifield
The
Clerk: J F Shillitoe
Apologies: Councillors: Ms M Cummings, G Makin, G P Jackson, A
Ripley & J Voros
The chairman Cllr P Jacques
presided over the meeting.
04/148
PC Paul McMahon
presented the safe scheme report for July and August, generally the report
represented a good picture however there is still problems with youths
congregating throughout the parish.
Youths are
regularly moved on from
Paul explained that
he was now willing to issue Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO’s), but to do so
he needs help. Witnesses have to be prepared to come forward and identify those
associated with Anti Social Behaviour.
ASBO’s can be processed without publicly identifying any witnesses.
Paul sought and was
granted permission to spend safe scheme resources on identifying offenders who
can be issued with ASBO’s.
The chairman
thanked Paul for his attendance.
The priorities for the
summer to be:
Foot Patrol – As required,
concentrating on the village centre,
Monitor the
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
Monitor the area adjacent to
the Pavilion on Hare Park Sidings.
04/149 Ward Councillors
Cllr Isherwood informed members
that the ward councillors had worked hard in support of the Play Area
Association, Crofton Community Centre and Youth Services throughout the summer.
The planning application for
the new Youth Centre has been submitted and the closing date for objections is
24 September. If no objections are received officers using delegated authority
will decide the application.
Cllr Manifield advised members
that Crofton residents had made several requests for the removal of the seats
at
Following protracted debate
councillors agreed that the seats could be removed on the proviso that they
could be replaced in the future if there was a need for them.
04/150 Public
Participation Session
1.
Signage –
Cllr Jackson reported by proxy that the signage depicting the
mini-roundabout at the above junction was facing the wrong way.
The clerk to report the matter.
2.
Footpaths
It was reported that
signage at the junction of footpaths 4 and 5 needs replacing.
The clerk to inform the countryside unit.
3.
Allotments.
Mrs Dickinson
produced photographs of several allotments, which were not been kept up to by
the tenants and probably been used for purposes which contravened allotments
rules. Mrs Dickinson asked what action cllrs were taking to improve matters.
Cllr Hewitt
informed members that he was aware of the situation, he had discussed matters
with Cllr Voros and would be approaching tenants very soon.
04/151 Declaration
of Interests in Items on the Agenda
No declarations were made.
04/152 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.
04/153 Minutes
The following amendments to the
minutes of the meeting held on 21st July were made after which the
Chairman signed them as a correct record
.
·
04/129/4 – Mr
Salt to read Mr Shaw
·
04/134/2 -
Penultimate sentence to read
Cllr Cummings informed the meeting that
the Sure Start Scheme was in receipt of additional
funding and were looking into extending
the Children’s Centres into Crofton
04/154 Matters
Arising
1.
The clerk reported that Environmental Services were unable to assist with
this problem. Should matters deteriorate putting public health in danger they
would re-consider the case.
2.
Chinese Restaurant –
The clerk reported
that Environmental Services have referred this matter to Highways who are to
clean the offending area.
3.
Christmas Lighting
The clerk reported
that Wakefield MDC had made contact requesting approval for the sighting of a
permanent electricity supply to feed the Christmas tree.
As the proposed
sight was the same location as last year cllrs agreed to the request.
Cllr Ripley will be
meeting with a Paul Goddard towards the end of October to fully discuss the
provision of street lighting.
4.
Walton Reclamation Site.
Cllrs reported that work
on the Henry Daley Memorial clock has still not started.
It was agreed that the clerk contacts Allan Smith on the matter, Cllr
Isherwood to be copied in.
5.
Crofton Triangle
Cllrs reported that motorcycles
were still using the triangle site.
The clerk expressed the view
that without the support of the landowner, who was probably well
aware of what was taking place
at the site there is little anyone can do.
However the clerk
would speak to Ian Garratt to ascertain if anything further can be done.
6.
Trees –
Cllr Bennett
informed members that the offending trees have now been removed following the
intervention of Cllr Cummings.
However it wasn’t
accomplished without incident. Wakefield MDC workmen turned up on the allotted
day, not knowing which tree to remove until Cllr Cummings directed them in the
right direction. They then parked their vehicle, a small lorry and a transit
van on opposite sides of the road obscuring all visibility and then they
managed to fell the trees into the road.
Cllr Manifield
added that one of the residents who had asked for the tree removing volunteered
to fund a replacement. Leisure services had therefore arranged for her to be
invoiced, £168. Rather more than the
resident anticipated. The invoice has now been withdrawn.
04/155 Community
Facilities - Convenors Report
1. Parish Centre
The clerk informed cllrs that
Wakefield MDC had now surveyed the centre concluded that the building would
survive a good few years yet and was worthy of carrying out remedial works.
Cllr K Duffy reported that
despite the heavy rains of august the centre had remained reasonably dry and
there was nothing further to report.
It was agreed that the clerk
seeks quotations for replacing the roof.
2. Village Centre
Cllr Bennett reported that the
road had now been surfaced and was now liasing with the UK Coal over the
payment of the £1,000 grant towards the cost.
A meeting has been held with
Yorkshire Water over the outstanding water bill for the cricket club concluding
that the supply was that used by leisure services who maintain the square. The
outstanding account therefore is to be forwarded to leisure services.
04/156 Allotments
- Convenors Report
1.
Discussed at item
04/150/3
2.
The clerk reported,
that he had received further correspondence from Mr Salt..
Councillors noted
its contents advising the clerk to notify Mr Salt accordingly.
04/157
Mr Schofield
reported that T & D had recently visited the site and that the area was
looking reasonable.
04/158 Special
Services - Convenors Report
Slipper Football
Club
The Slipper
Football Club is seeking financial assistance for the purchase of two new
football nets.
It was agreed that
the Parish Council would make a grant of £180. This grant to be made using
powers granted under section 137 of the LGA 1972 amended.
04/159 Moorhouse
Opencast Liaison Committee
The clerk reported that Cllr
Ripley had attended a meeting of the liaison committee where plans for the
restoration of the site had been discussed.
Taking health and safety issues
into account the future size of the slurry tanks and positioning of adjacent
footpaths was agreed.
04/160 Old
Library Site
Nothing further to report.
04/161 Cleansing
Cllr Jacques reported that several new waste bins have appeared throughout the village, these will need to be monitored to ensure they are emptied regularly.
04/162 Planning
a.
Freightliner
The clerk reported
that Freightliner have appealed against Wakefield MDC refusal to allow them to
store coal trains at Santingley sidings.
Agreed that the
clerk send councils objections to the Planning Inspectorate.
b. Other applications
All other applications received
during the period were found to be acceptable.
04/163 Financial
Matters
a. Salary Review 2004/05
It was agreed that all salaries be increased in line with national recommendations, the effect being to increase the hourly rate for Mrs Hardwick and Miss Reid from £5.32 to £5.47 and to increase the clerk’s salary from £3,521.44 per annum to £3,618.28.
b. Internal Audit Report
The clerk presented
the audit report to councillors, stating that the accounts had been signed off
and forwarded to the external auditors.
Recommendations in the report included, more detailed S137 records and
quarterly I & E Accounts. The auditor also praised the detail of the risk
assessment.
Councillors noted
the contents of the report.
c. Accounts
The following accounts were
submitted and approved for payment.
£
Ms Reid 62.20 (Salary and Back Pay)
Mrs Hardwick 276.64 (September)
46.80 (Back Pay)
J F Shillitoe 1,138.47
P
PHS Group 183.16
Vale 178.43 (Plaques)
Slipper FC 180.00
04/164 Councillors Attendance
The clerk reported that he had informed Mr D Marshall that his position of Parish Councillor had been revoked following persistent absence.
It was agreed that the clerk
reports a casual vacancy to electoral services.
04/165 Crofton War Memorial
Discussions surrounded the
condition of the memorial and the responsibility for its upkeep.
It was agreed that the clerk
speak to leisure services and the British Legion in an attempt to determine
responsibilities before any further action is taken.
04/166 Correspondence
- Libraries
Newsletter
- Community
Assembly, Agenda and Minutes
- Standards
Committee Minutes
- Green Space
YLCA - Annual Conference
Minutes and Agenda
YRCC - Annual Report
-
Country Air
04/167 Parish
Matters
1.
Vicar
Cllr Jacques
informed members that a new vicar, Rev Leon Collyer has been appointed and
would be taking up his position at All Saints on Monday 27 September.
2.
Road Safety
Cllrs expressed
concern over the lack of care taken by pupils from the High School whilst
walking to and from school and during lunch times.
The clerk to
contact Mr Myers, asking that pupils be reminded of the basic road safety
principles
3.
Cllr Bennett
reported that the road surrounding the new manhole recently created in the High
Street to service the Bedford Farm development has still not reinstated.
The clerk to inform
Highways accordingly.
4.
Grass Cutting –
Cllr Bennett
informed members that the grass cutting team visited the area on 17 September
2004. It was raining and it was bin collection day. The operative cut around
the wheelie bins and around the trees not finishing off whilst depositing grass
all over the road and pavement.
Cllr Isherwood
agreed to take up the matter with leisure service.
5.
The clerk to
request the highways erect a no through road sign at the junction of
The clerk to
request that leisure services replace the perimeter fence and bollards adjacent
to Hare Park Sidings.
6.
Tree –
The clerk to
contact leisure services regarding a overhanging tree adjacent to
04/168 Date
of next Meeting
Tuesday 19th October
2004.
04/169 Matters
Discussed in Private
Minuted under item 04/158 and
04/163/a.
Chairman 19th
October 2004.