Page 1. Crofton Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 18 Sept 2012.
Present; Councillors; Bennett, Hewitt, Kimbley, Makin,
Ripley, Schofield, Towns and Wilby.
In attendance; 7 members of the public
District Councillors; Manifield and Cummings.
09/073 Report
from W.Y.Police Officers working on Crofton Safe Scheme PS Jonathan Day, presented his report covering 20
July to 17 Sept.
He introduced PCSO Bennett.
Members were informed that further to issues raised at the July meeting, patrols had been conducted at the car park, but no one had been observed driving the wrong way.
Speed checks had been carried out on Doncaster Road.
Patrols had been conducted around the Premier Stores area on High Street.
Cllr Makin reported that a large gathering of youths on Hare Park Lane were taking place on evenings (5 - 8pm), and felt the matter needed to be addressed. PCSO Bennett was aware of youths of school age gathering at lunchtime, she intended to contact Crofton Academy in order for them to take action over the lunchtime period whilst the Police would deal with the evening concerns.
There were incidents of dogs being poisoned in Coppers Lake, it was thought that rat poison was the cause of the problem. Cllr Ripley stated that the incident had been reported to the Environment Agency as it might be a problem with the water, information received confirmed this was not the cause, one indication being that there were no dead fish.
Cllr Towns was concerned about the amount of drugs that appeared to be circulating in the village.
Cllr Towns asked for PS Day to take action about the parking of cars in the following areas;
Smithy Close, when parents were collecting children, there were incidents of cars blocking entrances to driveways.
Outside the Royal Oak Public House, where cars were parking on the footpath.
Cllr Kimbley also reported that another vehicle was to be seen parking on the footpath opposite Brand Hill Drive.
Cllr Wilby had received information from a resident that buses (Arriva) were parking in front of the bungalows on Spring Lane adjacent to the triangle land, this was causing an obstruction to their driveway, PS Day noted this.
Cllr Schofield reported an increase in youths in the Cemetery grounds and the use of off road vehicles driving recklessly through the Ashdene area on most mornings and evenings, PS Day duly noted the report.
09/074 Wakefield MDC District Councillors
Report
District Councillors provided information to enquiries made individually by Parish Councillors, and gave an update on previous matters raised.
Cllr Cummings stated that comments concerning pot holes, weeds and overgrown nettles on the cycle track and the poor condition of the planters at the Post Office, had been reported and would be dealt with.
Following numerous comments made at the previous Parish Council meeting
Page 2.
concerning road safety and speeding on Doncaster Road, a report was to be sent to the Clerk for circulation to members.
Cllr Manifield stated that a meeting was to be held
concerning Hawthorn Court (see
minute 07/066), he was also aware of damage to the footpath on Shay Lane.
Cllr Ripley asked if the trees on the banking to the rear of 523 Doncaster Road
could be attended to.
There was a report of a water leak at the junction of the Weavers Green Public House and Slack Lane, although it had been inspected, the problem had not been resolved, Cllr Cummings was asked to enquire further.
Cllr Wilby informed District Councillors that an accident had occurred on the Hare Park play area, when someone had slipped whilst playing in the area where the sleepers had been replaced with boulders. She asked for a sign to be erected to avoid further incidents. Whist noting this, Cllr Cummings suggested that such incidents should be reported to Neighbourhood Action (0845 8 506 506).
Cllr Hewitt informed members that he had contacted the resident of a property on Church Road and asked that they cut back the hedge that was obstructing the footpath on Harrison Road.
A resident from Rectory Crescent, had contacted him about their property now being classed as a bedsit when they previously had not been, he asked Cllr Cummings to seek clarification.
Cllr Kimbley noted that the damaged reflective sign on the bollards on Harrison Road had not yet been replaced. He asked if more litter bins could be provided on Slack Lane, Cllr Manifield duly noted the requests.
Cllr Makin asked Cllr Cummings to offer thanks to WMDC for dealing promptly with a large gathering of youths on the Sidings following the end of school exams.
Cllr Bennett was still awaiting information concerning the inspection of trees on Springhill Drive (see minute 04/002, 05/020 and 07/056), he had noted that the bases were deteriorating.
The 20 mph speed sign near the junction of Hare Park Lane and High Street was facing the wrong way, Cllr Cummings duly noted this.
09/075 Public Participation session
A resident in attendance was concerned about the condition of the path/ginnel, which linked Thorntree Avenue to the High School. District Councillors duly noted this.
Residents were concerned about the deteriorating condition of the Childrens playground on Hare Park Sidings, also of concern was the number of youths using the facility which was deterring young children from attending. The residents were asked to report such concerns to Neighbourhood Action.
PCSO Bennett was also asked to patrol the playground.
The number of cars parking on Shay Court when collecting children from the nearby School, was concerning residents especially when children were playing in the area, PS Day duly noted this.
A resident felt the charging policy concerning a burial was unfair, an explanation was provided, with further discussion taking place under agenda item 18.
09/076 Apologies for absence
District Councillor; Heptinstall
Councillors;. Chalkley, Dart and Wrigg.
Page 3.
09/077 Declarations of Interest
None declared.
09/078 Minutes
of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 July 2012, were signed as a true record by the Vice Chairman.
09/079 Matters arising from previous
minutes
The Clerk reported that;
He had now received (by e-mail) the map showing the Rights of Way for Crofton, he would distribute to members.
Following the information received about the Bedford Farm development, members still felt strongly opposed to the scheme. The Clerk was asked to submit comment that further allotment land should be provided to that existing, due to the increase in population.
09/080 Community Facilities
Report Parish Centre
The Clerk reported that;
He had contacted an Electrical Contractor who was prepared to offer independant advice on the content of the quotes received for the improvement works, a meeting was to be arranged.
Cllr Makin reported that;
One of the goalposts had suffered damage, WMDC had been contacted and had repaired them as a temporary measure. As the existing posts were square they would need to be replaced with round ones to comply with legislation, therefore new posts would need to be purchased.
Lights were needed to be placed near to the Sports Pavilion to aid visibility, he was advised that planning permission would be needed and permission required from the landlord, that being WMDC.
Cllr Hewitt commented that the Hare Park Lane entrance to the Sidings was used more than the Shay Lane entrance by the WMDC Parks Maintenance team, he thought the Shay Lane entrance was more suitable for works vehicles to use. The Clerk would enquire if there was any reason for using the Hare Park Lane entrance.
Cllr Kimbley reported that vehicles were parking on the grassed area to the side of the Cricket pitch in order to watch the cricket.
Report Allotments
Cllr Hewitt reported that;
The water supply for Pontefract Road had now been connected (see minute 07/061).
He had noted that an allotment holder at Pontefract Road was not attending to the plot, he intended to contact them and refer them to the rules of the tenancy.
Page 4.
Further to the complaint received that a local builder, Wynn Exley, had dumped soil at the Hare Park allotments car park, Cllr Hewitt informed members that he had received a request and had agreed for the soil to be delivered as it would be of use for allotment holders. Cllr Towns thought that the request should have been agreed by members of the Council, but it was agreed that such a situation was to be dealt with by the Working Party.
Cllr Schofield had noted that rubble was being used to fill pot holes in the access road, but this was felt to be of benefit.
Cllr Kimbley asked when a new lock would be purchased to replace the one damaged (07/062), Cllr Hewitt duly noted the request.
Report Parish Cemetery
Cllr Schofield reported that;
Some trees were in need of pruning, he was not sure if they were subject to any Tree Preservation Order (TPO). The Clerk would meet with members of the Working Party and check the existing documentation in order to progress matters. A quote for the work would be obtained should the trees not be subject to any TPO.
09/081 Traffic issues
Further to Cllr Chalkley writing to WMDC Chief Executive Joanne Roney requesting her assistance in arranging a meeting with WMDC Traffic Officer Keith Bloomfield, Cllr Bennett informed members that he and Cllr Chalkley had now attended a meeting with him and Ian Thomson the WMDC Service Director for Planning, Transportation and Highways. A number of issues were discussed, the main concerns being crossing points and childrens safety.
Cllr Ripley commented on the congestion he witnessed whilst driving through the village one morning.
Cllr Towns had noted that more cars were parking in front of the Post Office on High Street, although this was private land which would need the shop owners to take action, the Clerk would report it to WMDC Highway Enforcement for comment.
09/082 Parish Plan
Cllr Bennett stated that the Parish Plan was now a defunct document, it was to be replaced with the Neighbourhood Plan.
09/083 Cleansing/Environment
Cllr Schofield noted that the street sweeper had been active within the village.
He also had noted that there was much dog fouling in evidence on High Street particularly outside the Royal Oak public house, he questioned why no Dog Wardens were patrolling. The Clerk was asked to report the matter
09/084 Planning
Notifications
Members duly noted the information received.
Cllr Schofield commented on the number of extensions on the
Ashdenes but thought not all had obtained planning permission, the Clerk would
liaise with Cllr Schofield and investigate further.
09/085 Financial matters
The Clerk having
informed members of invoices to be paid received no objections.
Page 5.
Members were in
agreement with the content of the monthly accounts.
Members noted that the External
Audit had been approved.
09/086 Correspondence received
Members noted the content of the information received, in particular
Note 6, the draft cycle strategy plan was passed to Cllrs; Kimbley and Towns for further reading.
09/087 Parish matters
Following comment about the condition of the Scout Hut, the Clerk informed members that he was to consult with Cllr Chalkley to formulate a solution, when
done, this would be circulated to members and be an agenda item for agreement.
The Clerk confirmed that the Mining Co-operative had now confirmed the hire of the Parish Centre to outline their Community Strategy
Comment was made about the former Catholic Church which was now in private ownership, there appeared to be little work being carried out, other than solar panels being installed.
Cllr Bennett provided information to members about the Library, he was to contact the Crofton Academy Headmaster, Jez Horsley, to arrange a meeting for further discussion to be held.
It was noted that trees at some properties on Doncaster Road, were obscuring the view to the right at the junction of the Cock & Crown Public House and Pontefract Road. The Clerk was asked to write to residents and seek their assistance in having them cut back.
Vegetation on the footpath area of The Avenue and the ginnel between Slack Lane and Pinfold Drive, had now been cut back by WMDC with assistance from the residents (see minute 07/065).
09/088 Date
of next meeting
Resolved; that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday 16 Oct 2012 at 7pm in Crofton Parish Centre, High Street, Crofton.
09/089 Members
of the public and press were to leave before agenda no.18
It was agreed
09/090 Matters to be discussed in private
Despite the objection raised, the decision made and agreed in March 2012 (see minute 03/189 and 05/036), regarding the cemetery charging policy was upheld.
A payment for advice received, would be met via the Chairmans Allowance.
Signed
Date
.. Chairman Crofton Parish
Council