MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING OF AUCKLEY
PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 10TH MARCH 2010,
COMMENCING AT 7.00 P.M.
AT THE AUCKLEY PARISH CENTRE
1. To Receive Apologies - Received and accepted from Mr. I. Butterfield and Mr. S. Featherstone.
2. Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interests – None received.
3. Matters Arising From the Last Annual Meeting – Nothing of note.
4. Chairperson’s Report
Mrs. Worthington reported on the following issues:
Highway Matters:
A request has been made for DMBC to introduce a 20 mph limit on roads near and outside schools.
Council has highlighted the safety implications for pupils crossing
Council has co-operated with residents of The Green with regard to blocked drains and sewerage problems,
has met with the Water Authority and liaised with DMBC and Ward Councillors re. this matter.
Flooding problems on
Public Rights of Way have been maintained.
Dog Fouling – Council continues to highlight this problem and would urge anyone who witnesses owners
allowing their dogs to foul without cleaning up to report the details, as Council would wish to prosecute
where necessary. Thanks go to the majority of dog owners who are responsible and clean up after their pets.
Path Along Riverbank - Auckley and Cantley with Branton Parish Councils lobbied the Environment
Agency, as a consequence of which an obstruction was removed and residents are now able to walk along
the path parallel to the riverbank. The possibility of providing a bridge across the river has been shelved
for the foreseeable future due to lack of funding.
Precept – The precept has been increased to £28,000 which is a very small rise on each household, and was
considered necessary in order to provide new play equipment on
apparatus removed some time ago due its unsafe condition. Unfortunately efforts to obtain funding from
various organisations have met with negative responses. However, there are monies available via a 106
agreement, and the Ward Members are thanked for agreeing for - 2010/2011 – to allocate Government
funding delegated to Local Authorities for play resources. Negotiations are continuing and it is hoped to
have the equipment in place later this year.
Red Telephone Kiosk,
competition with pupils from local schools to put forward suggestions for its use. The winning suggestion
was to provide a shelf/pen which will enable anyone purchasing cards from the adjacent shop to utilise the
facility to write their messages.
Proposed Gating of
consulted with regard to a proposed gating order to prohibit vehicular access in order to eradicate fly
tipping, poaching and other anti-social activities. This issue will be discussed later in the evening at the
Parish Council meeting.
Police - Council has liaised with the Police and contributed towards a speed camera, together with most
other Parish Councils – the sum being £332.
Council has been in contact with the Police regarding anti-social behaviour – particularly on the play areas
and the copse along
Bus Services – Members recently met with the External Relations Manager of South Yorkshire Passenger
Transport Executive to discuss issues relating to bus services and this proved very informative.
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Web Site – Council continues its aim to communicate with residents, the website is regularly updated and
articles relating to the village are printed in quarterly issues of the ‘Arrow’ newsletter.
Blocked Public Right of Way – A Public Inquiry decided that a pathway leading from Sandhill Rise to
everyone who gave evidence at the Inquiry and a member of the Ramblers’ Association who represented
Council at the hearing.
Resignation of Councillor – Council is sorry to lose the services of Mr. Peter Cockett. He has done so
much for the youth of the village over many years in terms of football and as a Parish Councillor, and
Council thanks him for his efforts - he will be missed. It is hoped to fill this casual vacancy at the April
meeting, so if anyone is interested, now is the time to act.
Carol Singing – A questionnaire was included in a recent edition of the ‘Arrow’ to gauge residents’ views
as to whether the carol service should continue to be held on the night of the Christmas Market, or on a
separate night. A decision is to be made at the March Parish Council meeting.
Trimming of Trees – A contractor was engaged to trim trees at the rear of Sandhill Rise which were
overhanging and obstructing light of neighbouring properties.
Council Representation – Some members of Council are represented on various bodies, i.e. Parish Councils’
Joint Consultative Committee, Airport Community Sub Committee, Airport Consultative Committee,
Parish Councils’ Airport Liaison Group,
Parish Centre Committee.
Thanks From the Chair - Thanks are extended to the following:
Residents and local groups who continue to support the Council
Mr. and Mrs. White for tending the tubs on
years by a resident who sadly passed away last year.
Marilyn Cockett and her team for staging the wonderful Christmas Market
Auckley Gala Committee for the Annual Show and Disco which are very well attended.
PC Pyle, Sgt. Price and PCSO Maria Pratt who attend Council meetings and report on local issues
The Neighbourhood Manager and her team
Ward Councillor Patricia Schofield
Council Handyman, Mr. Baker who does a sterling job and never complains when it is cold and raining.
Councillor Geoff Payne for his efforts in getting the Youth Club off the ground – housed in the Centre
at
Members of the Council who give their time freely for the benefit of the Parish and its residents. It is a
pleasure to be part of such a dedicated and professional team.
The Clerk for her sterling efforts – her commitment is greatly appreciated.
5. Issues Raised by Members of the Public
Residents of properties along the rural part of
regarding anti-social activities that are currently occurring on the lane, these include: fly tipping, the
dumping of semi-toxic waste, cars being burnt-out, poaching, etc. The residents have recently met with
Officers from DMBC’s Neighbourhood Services to discuss a proposal to gate off part of the lane in an
attempt to eradicate these problems. The proposal would restrict vehicular access but allow entry to
pedestrians and horses. It is planned to leave one gate open during the day and both would be locked at
night. Council, as owner of land
on
Members of Council will discuss this matter at their meeting later in the evening.
A local farmer mentioned that the Environment Agency does not dredge the River Torne every year as
was the practice in earlier years.
Chairperson ………………………………