MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF AUCKLEY PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 11TH MARCH 2009 COMMENCING AT 7.30 P.M.
AT THE AUCKLEY PARISH CENTRE
· Present: - Mrs. J. Worthington (Chairperson), Mr. I. Butterfield (Vice Chairperson),
· Mrs. L. Allwood, Mr. S. Featherstone, Mr. G. Payne, Mrs. S. Platts, Mr. I. Swainston,
· District Councillor Mrs. P. Schofield
· Three members of the public
1. Mr. Hawley’s Report on Bid for Funding To Provide Play Equipment
Mr. Hawley updated Council on progress to obtain funding to provide new play equipment at
spoken with both Anne Simms of DMBC Community Parks Dept. and Debbie John-Lewis who is
dealing with the Section 106 monies awarded to the scheme. Mr. Hawley recommends that a bid is
made to‘Sport England’ in April. If this is unsuccessful it may be necessary to set up a separate
committee to bid for funding, rather than the Parish Council, and he also suggests it might be sensible
to make a start with the money available in order to secure the Section 106 funds.
RESOLVED – Council were agreed that a bid should be made to ‘Sport England’.
2. New Councillor to Sign Declaration of Acceptance of Office
Mrs. S. Platts was co-opted onto the Council at the February meeting, but was unable to attend on that occasion. Mrs. Platts was welcomed to the meeting and signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and completed a Register of Interests.
3. To Receive Apologies – Received and accepted from Mr. P. Cockett and Mr. G. Warrender.
4. To Receive Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interests
The Clerk, Mrs. M. Caygill, declared a personal interest in Item No. 15 b) - Planning application
to extend dwelling at No. 9 Myrtle Grove, Auckley.
5. To Approve Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting Held on 11th February 2009
The minutes were approved and signed as a true record.
6. Matters Arising From the Above Meeting
a) Narrow Entrance to Public Footpath No. 2 – DMBC Footpaths Officer appreciates Council’s
concerns, however as previously explained, she has been advised by the Authority’s solicitor that
the obstruction to the width of the footpath at this point would be considered de minimus, and she
is therefore
unable to take any action.
RESOLVED – It was agreed to write and point out that the narrow entrance is contrary to the
Disability Discrimination Act, and to also request a map of the footpath in relation to adjoining
properties.
b) Sandhill Rise Footpath Modification Order – DMBC Rights of Way Officer advises that the
Authority wishes to take a neutral stance in this matter, therefore the Parish Council will need to
prepare its own case in support of the application. Completed User Evidence Forms and Statements of Evidence supplied. Mrs. Worthington agreed to represent Council at an Inspector’s Inquiry,
c) Modification of Access Gate to River - The Clerk to Cantley with Branton Council has written
to the Environment Agency following discussions with the adjacent landowner to remove the
fencing. Mr. Holloway replies that he confirms the proposal to restore access is acceptable to the E.A. and thanks Cantley with Branton Council for meeting with the landowner and agreeing a way forward which all parties are happy with.
d)
Dilapidated Building,
e) Adoption of BT Telephone Kiosk - N Power has sent an Agreement to be signed before the firm
can take over the electricity supply. The approx. annual cost of electricity is estimated at £20.
BT Payphones reports that the kiosk legally becomes the property of the Parish Council on
14th March.
RESOLVED – Council approved the Agreement with N Power.
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6. Matters Arising (continued)
f) Traffic Lights at Airport Entrance - DMBC Highways reports that the configuration is currently
with the manufacturers of the equipment and will be tested in the factory before being installed
during March 2009.
g)
Traffic Lights at
undertaking a signal timing review of all the signals around the airport and this should be
completed within the next few weeks.
h) Horses on Land Adjacent to Public Footpath No. 2 - DMBC Footpaths Officer reports that he has
recently walked the footpath and could find no major problems. There were three horses at the side of the
bank grazing which caused him no concern.
The surface of the footpath was fine, although there was a large problem
with moles damaging and causing the footpath to be muddy in places, and he has
passed this on to the Environment Agency.
With regard to the horses being on the footpath – there are no laws
being broken and the farmer is within his rights to allow his horses/cattle to
graze there. There is no requirement for
a warning sign to be displayed.
RESOLVED – It was agreed to put this information in the April edition of the ‘Arrow’ and invite anyone with concerns to contact the Footpaths Officer.
i)
Mosham Quarry – DMBC
Highways Officer reports that a survey has been undertaken regarding the
ongoing ponding and the necessary works are to be
carried out in the near future.
j)
Hanson Quarry – Highways Officer reports that he has a meeting arranged with the
maintenance section with regard to the gullies, and any necessary works will be
undertaken and the quarry informed.
k)
Highway Potholes – The Clerk reported that potholes at several locations have been repaired. Community First Officer has advised that the
deep holes at
l)
Pavilion Repairs – Mr. Hargreaves of ‘Need A Hand’ has repaired the hole in the ceiling.
m) Encroachment Onto Recreation Ground – A
reminder to be sent to solicitors.
n)
Molehills on Village
Green – A reminder to be sent to Community First.
o)
Damaged ‘Myrtle Grove’
Sign – Pending.
p)
Purchase of Speed Gun – Pending.
7. Community Police Report
No Community Policeman was available to attend the meeting.
There were no matters to bring to the attention of the Police.
8. District Councillor’s Report
Mrs. P. Schofield reported on the Mayor’s proposed road safety scheme to install eight speed
cushions at a cost of £100,000 in an effort to reduce vehicular speed on the stretch of highway
between the Branton roundabout and
to these proposals.
Mrs. Schofield mentioned there are still problems associated with the Mosham Quarry.
9. To Consider Quotations From Gala
Committee to Improve Access to
Members of the Gala committee presented two quotations to undertake the following work:
Excavate and level soil at entrance to field and lay limestone
Widen the corner of car park and put in new kerbing
Take out two concrete bollards and replace with collapsible lockable bollards at entrance to field
Mr. S. Ritchie quotes the sum of £2182.88 + VAT
GNE Contracting quotes the sum of £807.25 + VAT (the firm will take out and replace the
two concrete bollards at no extra labour cost – there will just be the cost of two new bollards of
Council’s choice).
RESOLVED – Following discussion, Mr. Payne proposed that Council offer to pay GNE Contracting
the sum of £1,000 if they can include the two bollards in the price. The proposal was seconded by
Mr. Featherstone, and the motion was carried.
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10. To Discuss N Power’s Charge for Unmetered Supply
The Clerk reported that Council has received an invoice from N Power in the sum of £97.55
for administration costs but no consumption costs during the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008.
RESOLVED – Agreed to write and ask for an explanation and break-down of costs.
11. To Decide Items for Newsletter
It was agreed that the following items would be included in the April newsletter:
Adoption of BT Telephone Kiosk
Horses on Public Footpaths
Dogs fouling footways, public footpaths and recreation areas
A list of names and addresses of Parish Councillors and Clerk.
12. To Discuss Highway Matters
a) Street Lamps – DMBC to be informed of two street lamps going on and off intermittently at
b)
Bus Timetables
-
The Clerk to inform SYPTE there is no timetable in two
bus shelters – one near the Little Manor
House and one close to the junction of
c)
Condition of Gatehouse Roundabout
Grassed Area – The Neighbourhood Manager has advised
the Clerk that she is to pursue this matter.
13. To Discuss Recreation Matters
a)
Grass Cuttings on Recreation Ground – DMBC
to be informed that a resident of
thrown
his lawn cuttings over his fence onto the
b) Dog Bins – The Clerk to inform Community First that the dog waste bins require emptying.
14. To Receive Report on Meetings:
a) Charity Trustees’ Meeting – The trustees have submitted a draft constitution to the Charity
Commission and are awaiting a reply. An outing is to be arranged for Senior Citizens in July.
b) Hayfield Recreation Project Meeting – The committee’s application to ‘Sport England’ has been
refused. It has been suggested that the playing field should be prepared for use and possibly a teenage shelter installed. The committee is looking to some form of stakeholder event in order to gain publicity for the project.
15. To Consider Planning Applications:
a)
No. 09/00406/OUTM – Outline application for mixed use commercial and
industrial
development on approx. 9.6 ha
of land, Blaxton Quarry,
Unfortunately the CD containing all the details of this application is not available until the
following week, but Council will be able to make comments at the April meeting.
b)
No. 09/00490/FUL – Erection
of pitched roof extension to front, side and rear of detached
dormer bungalow - 9 Myrtle Grove, Auckley
Council had no objections to make in respect of this application.
c)
No. 09/00265/FUL – Erection of pitched roof porch
to front of detached house,
Council had no objections to make in respect of this application.
Electronic Planning Applications – Mrs. Worthington reported that DMBC intends to send all
planning applications electronically by the year 2010, which means that Parish Councils will have
to purchase a screen, projector and laptop computer in order to display the plans to Councillors and
members of the public at the monthly meeting. It has been suggested that Parish Councils apply for
a grant in order to purchase this equipment from the organisation ‘Awards For All’.
16. To Report Decisions Made by DMBC’s Planning Committee
Permission granted for the following application:
No. 09/00039/FUL – Erection of brick
building to replace existing timber structure, merger of
proposed structure with existing
masonry building with new monolithic pitch roof to cover existing
and proposed, erection of single
storey storage building (5.59m x 8.76m) and formation of new
pedestrian
access to
Finningley
Scout Headquarters,
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17. To Sign Cheques
Cheque no. 001972 - The Positive Internet Co. (Hosting web site) £143.75
Cheque no. 001973 - ‘Need A Hand’ (Replace damaged ceiling plaster board) £175.00
Cheque no. 001974 - Mr. B. Brackenbury (Erradicate moles on recreation area) £150.00
Cheque no. 001975 - South Anston Fire Extinguishers (Service extinguishers) £40.25
Cheque no. 001976 - DMBC (Emptying dog waste bins) £134.90
Cheque no. 001977 - N Power (Electricity charges for pavilion) £63.60
Cheque no. 001979 - NALC (Local Council Review) £13.50
18. To Receive Correspondence
a) DMBC’s letter – ‘Changes to Home and School Transport’. Mrs. Allwood has responded to
the letter.
b) DMBC has made a Temporary Closure Order for Public Footpath No. 4 Auckley and No. 10
Cantley to allow works to be carried out on riverbank.
c) ‘A Financial Study of Liability of the Eco-Towns Programme’.
d) Public Rights of Way Forum.
19. To Review Clerk’s Salary Scale
Pursuant to Section 1 (2) of the Public Admissions and Meetings Act 1960 it was resolved that the
public and press leave the meeting during discussion of the above, due to the confidential nature of
the item to be discussed.
20. To Confirm Date and Time of Next Meeting
It was agreed to hold the next meeting on Wednesday, 8th April 2009, commencing at 7.00 p.m. at
the Auckley Parish Centre.
Chairperson ………………………………