THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING OF AUCKLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 12TH MARCH 2008 AT 7.00 P.M.

AT THE AUCKLEY PARISH CENTRE

 

  • Present – Mrs. J. Worthington (Chairperson), Mr. I. Butterfield (Vice Chairman),
  • Mr. S. Featherstone, Mrs. L. Hunter, Mr. G. Payne, Mr. I. Swainston, Mr. G. Warrender
  • District Councillor Mrs. Y. Woodcock
  • P.C. Brian Pyle
  • Three members of the public

1.  To Receive Apologies – Received from Mr. P. Cockett

2.  Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interest – None received.

3.  Matters Arising from the Last Annual Parish Meeting – All issues have been dealt with.

4.  Chairperson’s Report

     Mrs. Worthington reported on the following issues:

     Revd. Dr. David Ottewell – Early last year the sad news reached us that Revd. Dr. David Ottewell

     had died suddenly.  This came as a great shock to the Parish Council and the community.  In

     commemoration, and after liaising with the Trustees, the Council is purchasing a seat which will be

     installed in the near future on the area fronting the Parish Centre.

     Number of Councillors – Last May the number of Council Members was increased from 7 to 9 and

     Geoff Payne and Gary Warrender were welcomed onto the Parish Council.  During the year Marilyn

     Cockett left the Council, due to her many other commitments, and Lynn Allwood was co-opted in her

     place.

     Christmas Market - Marilyn Cockett is still a familiar face in the village, being involved with the

     football club and is the guiding light in organising the annual Christmas Market.  A thank you to her

     and all the residents who give their time to arrange such an event.  The Christmas carol service, held

     on the same evening, raised the sum of £150 for the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

     Precept – The Parish Council conducted its budget exercise in December 2007 when it was decided to

     increase the precept slightly from £22k to £23k to take account of projects in the pipeline.

     Play Equipment – The play equipment at Riverside Park was removed some time ago because of its

     poor condition and also to comply with health and safety requirements.  The Parish Council has

     engaged Messrs. Hawley and Partners to progress bids for funding from various agencies in order that

     the equipment can be replaced as soon as possible.  Replacement costs will be in the region of £100k

     so this is no easy task.

     Riverside Park and Copse - Council spends quite a substantial sum maintaining the areas it owns. 

     Grass cutting, maintenance and tree and hedge trimming form a large part of the budget.  Following a

     number of break-ins at the pavilion, and to prevent further damage, palisade fencing was erected, and

     this appears to have done the trick.

     Anti-Social Behaviour – This has been a cause for concern during the year and Council has been

     liaising closely with Police representatives.  Residents adjacent to the car park at Riverside Park had

     been suffering nuisance and, as a result, the Parish Council provided a gate to prohibit vehicular access

     after dusk, and the residents take turns in locking and unlocking the gate.

     Council is pleased to welcome PC Brian Pyle, stationed at Robin Hood Airport, who attends our

     meetings and is very pro-active.

     Road Safety – The Parish Council has continually over the years lobbied the Highway Authority in an

     effort to improve safety for school pupils on all roads leading to and outside all three schools in the

     village.  Council conducted its own survey of pedestrian numbers crossing Main Street at Lidgett

     crossroads and Hurst Lane, and forwarded details to the Highway Authority.  Council’s part has been

     to provide impetus and table practical ideas in an effort to ensure that appropriate measures are taken

     before a serious incident occurs.  Local schools have also been involved.  Council has recently written

     to Mayor Winter on these issues, and a response is awaited.

     

    

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4.  Chairperson’s Report (continued)

     Flooding and Sewage Problems - As many will know there have been problems during the year with

     severe ponding, flooding and sewage issues.  Council has for some time been in communication with

     DMBC Environmental Services and the Water Authority and hopefully the serious problems which

     existed previously will now have been resolved.

     Planning Applications – Council comments and makes observations on planning applications but

     cannot approve or reject, this responsibility lies with the Planning Authority.  However, members of

     Council do try to make constructive and practical comments so that their views can be taken seriously

     by Planning Officers and the Planning Committee at DMBC. 

     Parish Council Matters – Council communicates with the public in various ways – residents can raise

     issues at all its meetings prior to commencement of formal business, minutes are displayed on notice

     boards and the web site, and Parish Council articles are included in the ‘Arrow’ newsletter which is

     delivered to each household on a regular basis.  Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each

     month in the Parish Centre commencing at 7.00 p.m. (apart from August).   Everyone is welcome to

     come along and listen to discussions and see how Parish Council business is conducted. 

     Thanks from the Chair

     Mrs. Worthington concluded by thanking all her colleagues for their attendance and the work they do

     at, and away from, meetings. They are all unpaid and so much of what they do goes unnoticed but

     greatly benefits the community.  Ward Councillor Patricia Schofield who attends Council’s monthly

     meetings was thanked for all the interest she takes in Parish matters.

     Thanks were given to Parish Handyman, Mr. Baker who gets on with the job in an efficient and

     capable manner.

     The Garden and Allotment Association were thanked for planting bulbs on behalf of the village, and

     also for their hard work in organising the Gala each year which is a community event enjoyed by

     everyone.

     Finally, Mrs. Caygill was thanked for being a professional and competent Clerk.

5.  Issues Raised by Members of the Public      

     Planning Application No. 08/00467/FUL Erection of single storey extension to side and single storey

     extension to rear including pitched roof over existing shop – Spar Supermarket, Ellers Lane, Auckley

     Residents who attended the meeting expressed their opposition to the proposed development for a

     number of reasons:

     The development will generate increased customer and delivery traffic.

     Air conditioning fans at side and a chiller unit at the back will be closer to residents’ properties

     and create a noise nuisance.

     Existing drainage problems will be exacerbated.

     Loss of a grassed verge and trees

     The pitched roof will not be in keeping with the existing property.

     Council agreed to bear these comments in mind when discussing the application.

     Rubbish Dumped at Common Lane      

     A resident who discovered rubbish dumped at Common Lane also found documentation bearing the

     name and address of a Doncaster resident. He was advised by e wasH ‘Flag’ that any identifying literature

     found at the scene of discarded rubbish must be left on site for DMBC staff to find before they can

     instigate proceedings against the offender.

 

 

 

    ighway

 

 

                                                                                                Chairperson ………………………………