MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF AUCKLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 10TH MARCH 2010 COMMENCING AT 7.00 P.M.

AT THE AUCKLEY PARISH CENTRE

 

·        Present: -  Mrs. J. Worthington (Chairperson),  Mr. I. Butterfield (Vice Chairman), Mrs. S. Platts,

·        Mr. G. Payne, Mr. I. Swainston, Mr. G. Warrender.

·        Police Sgt. Stuart Price

·        Mr. Michael Eardley, Neighbourhood Services

·        Eight members of the public.

1.   To Receive Apologies – Received and accepted from Mr. S. Featherstone.

2.   Declarations of Interest – None received.

3.   To Approve Minutes of the Meeting Held on 10th February 2010 – The minutes were approved and

      accepted as a true record.

4.   Matters Arising from the Above Meeting

      a)   Casual Vacancy on Council – The Clerk has been informed that, following the resignation of

            Mr. Cockett, no request has been received for the vacancy to be filled by a poll, therefore the Parish

            Council will fill the vacancy by co-option at its April meeting. 

b)      Provision of New Chamber for Christmas Lights – DMBC’s Lighting Engineer advises they are

awaiting for some cable to complete the operation.

c)       Provision of New Play Equipment  - The Clerk to ask the Neighbourhood Manager for an update.

d)      Request for 20 mph Zones – A reminder to be sent to the Mayor.

e)       Derelict Building, Hayfield Lane – Enforcement Officer reports that after speaking to the Planning

Officer no progression has been made towards the submission of a formal application, therefore he has instructed the owner to remove the building within the next 28 days. 

f)        Double Yellow Lines, Ellers Lane – Highways Officer reports that he has had the lines inspected and

their condition is satisfactory for the moment.  However, Council has been advised by the Police that as minutes of the meetings are available to the public there is an audit trail back to this matter and therefore, to ensure the lines are enforceable, Council should write and ask DMBC to re-lay the lines.

g)       Fishing Rights on River Torne  - Gavin Holloway of Environment Agency has spoken with the

      Fisheries Agent who deals with all the Agency’s fishing rights.  The fishing club should not be

      making restrictions on who can fish at Auckley and should be offering day tickets.  The Fisheries

      Agent will be speaking to the club to clarify these points with them.  If the situation does not change

      Council should let him know and he will follow this up.

h)       Listed Buildings in Auckley – In reply to Council’s query the Planning Dept. advises there are three

Listed Buildings in Auckley as follows:

St. Saviour’s Church, Main Street

The Old Vicarage, Main Street

A pair of semi-detached Swedish prefabricated houses on Ellers Lane.

       i)   Sandhill Rise Footpath  - DMBC’s Footpath Officer advises that she is looking into the possibility of

            stencilling a ‘Waymark’ sign onto the lighting column at the entrance to the path.  The Clerk reported

            that the gate was still in situ earlier in the week but was open.

i)         Encroachment of Recreation Ground – Council was informed that some work has been undertaken to

clear the site, but the resident has not complied fully with the Order to remove all trees.

RESOLVED – Agreed to ask Council’s solicitor to write to the resident and request that he complies with the Court Order, otherwise Council will apply to the Court once more.

j)        Query Regarding Riverbank Path – DMBC’s Footpaths Officer advises that a path will be referred to

      as a permissive path if the landowner enters into an agreement with the users.  There is no formal

      legal status known as a permissive path.  As there is nothing in writing he will contact the

      Environment Agency to clarify the status of the path.

 

 

 

 

 

Page 2

 

4.  Matters Arising (continued)

     k)   Footpath No. 7 – DMBC’s Footpaths Officer advises that an order to provide footpath signs where the

           path leaves the new access road and a worksheet to provide a ‘Waymark’ post at junction of footpath

           and Hurst Wood are already in the system.  Due to a freeze on spending this work has not been carried

           out, but it is anticipated this will be done early in the new financial year.  It is not intended to site a

          ‘Waymark’ post in the wood because these posts disappear very quickly, but arrangements will be

           made for vegetation to be cut back on the path through the wood.

5.  Community Police Report

     Sgt. Price reported on the following:

     Crime Figures – Eight crimes have occurred since the last PACT meeting.  Two people were arrested the

     previous night for racing their cars along Common Lane.

     Speed Camera – The speed camera was operated 7.5 hours in the village and 4 tickets issued in that time.

     Common Lane – Police have been monitoring the lane because of anti-social problems and spoken to

     many drivers and searched a number of cars. 

     Schoolchildren’s Protest Re. Speeding – Some of the children at Hayfield Lane Primary School have

     expressed concerns regarding motorists speeding on Hayfield Lane outside the school and have

     asked whether they can stand outside the school holding placards to protest about this matter. 

     Arrangements have therefore been made for the children to stand outside the school after assembly on

     the morning of 25 March.      

     Sgt. Price thanked members of the public for their support in reporting incidents to the Police.

6.  District Councillor’s Report – No Councillor was able to attend.

7.  To Discuss Proposed Gating Order at Common Lane and to Consider Contribution

     Towards Cost of Planning Application

     The Neighbourhood Officer reported that DMBC has monitored Common Lane over a 5 week period and

     found the following problems:  Criminal damage, dumped commercial and domestic waste,  drugs, drums

     of suspect waste , burnt-out cars, etc.

     He advised that a meeting in February was attended by the occupiers of the 5 properties on the rural

     part of Common Lane and landowners who all expressed support for the lane to be gated in order to

     deal with the anti-social activities currently occurring along the lane that are causing immense concern.

     DMBC will supply and maintain the gates and deal with legal issues.  The landowners will be expected to

     share the cost of the planning application which is £335.

     RESOLVED – After hearing all the information relating to this matter, members of Council agreed to

     support the proposed gating order.

     Mr. Warrender proposed that Council pay the total cost of  the planning fee i.e. £335, Mrs. Platts seconded

     the proposal, and the motion was carried.

8.  To Discuss Activities at Willow Farm

     DMBC’s Planning Officer, has sent Council a detailed copy of ‘A Flood Modelling Study’  of the farm

     which has been submitted to the Planning Dept.   Council made comments on the report as follows:

     There are concerns regarding the flood profiles which appear to suggest that without the flood defences on

     Willow Farm other areas have the potential to flood.  If the flood defences indeed do their job to protect

     the farm will it not put these areas at risk?  

     Council has no reason to question the results of the report, but considers the Environment Agency’s policy

     has been contravened, i. e. that it would not allow any development on a flood plain.

     Council also queries whether anyone has investigated the potential for further subsidence in the future,.

9.  To Decide Date of Christmas ‘Carols Round the Tree’

     Only a minimal response received from residents on whether the carol singing should remain on the same

     night as the Christmas Market or held on a separate night. 

     RESOLVED  On being put to the vote a majority of members voted to hold this event on a separate night

     and it was therefore agreed to hold the carol singing on Tuesday, 21 December 2010, subject to the band

     being available to accompany the singing on that date.

    

    

     

Page 3

 

 

10. To Discuss Suggestion to Provide Santa’s Grotto

      The Clerk is to contact the resident who made the suggestion and enquire whether the date decided for the

      carol singing is acceptable.

11. To Discuss Removal of Concrete Bollards

      Council discussed how to dispose of concrete bollards which were replaced with collapsible metal

      bollards, and left lying on the grass..  Mr. Eardley offered to arrange for them to be removed, and this

      offer was accepted.

12. To Decide Items for Newsletter

      Council agreed to submit items relating to the following:

            The Hayfield Lane Primary School’s  planned protest against speeding motorists outside the school 

            The co-option of a new Parish Councillor at the April meeting   

            The proposed gating of Common Lane  

13.  To Carry Out Review of Effectiveness of Internal Audit

      A review of the effectiveness of the internal audit is a risk assessment of the internal auditor and the work performed, to be undertaken before the end of the financial year.  Council carried out an assessment on the following:

·        Scope of Internal Audit  - It was agreed that the internal audit is covering all the relevant risks.

·        Independence – Council was confident that the internal auditor is sufficiently independent, unbiased and objective.

·        Competence - It was agreed that the Internal Auditor is knowledgeable enough to undertake the audit – he is a very experienced Parish Clerk.

·        Relationships – Council was confident that the responsibilities of Members, Clerk and Internal Auditor are defined and the Auditor has direct access to the Clerk and Chairman.

14. To Discuss Highways

      a)   Potholes – Potholes were reported on Common Lane, outside No. 43 Main Street, and on

            Hayfield Lane in front of the Hayfield Lane Primary School.

b)      Water Ponding – It was reported that severe ponding of water has occurred in front of No. 43

Main Street and at the corner of First Avenue.  Mr. Eardley advised Council that the Neighbourhood Team is already aware of the drainage problems on First Avenue.  He has noted the reports of potholes and flooding and will report them to the appropriate departments.

c)       Hurst Lane – Members reported they were very pleased with the road improvements so far at Hurst Lane and look forward to the time when the works have been completed.

15. To Discuss Recreation Matters

      Council discussed whether anyone would be interested in receiving the old megaphone, now that it has

      been replaced with a more sophisticated model.  It was agreed to ask whether the Hayfield Lane School

      could make use of it. 

16. To Make Comments on Draft Supplementary Planning Document Consultation

      DMBC has published a draft Supplementary Planning Document about Development and Flood Risk

      for public consultation and sets out in detail how national, regional and local policy in relation to flooding will be applied in the planning process.  The consultation has been circulated to members.

      This was noted.

17. Report of Meetings:

      a)   PACT Meeting held 8 March – Mrs. Worthington reported that concerns were raised that the PCSO

            responsible for Auckley and surrounding villages has a very large area to cover.  The meeting was

            advised that the matter is being looked into, as the concern is shared by both DMBC and Police..

b)      Hayfield Lane Recreation Project  - Mr. Swainston reported on a recent Directors’ Meeting.  The proposed scheme has been costed out and looks to be on target for funding, and they are preparing to put plans in.  There is a proposal for a small business area and cafeteria.  Hopefully there will be some progress by October.

 

 

 

Page 4

 

18.  To Consider Planning Applications:

       a)   No. 10/00268/FUL – Erection of chimney to external side wall of detached dwelling

             7 Dursley Court, Auckley

             Council to point out that Auckley is a smoke-free zone.

b)      No. 10/00324/FUL – Erection of four bedroom detached house with integral garage on approx.

0.05 ha of land

Land Adjacent 1 Beech Avenue, Auckley

Council is concerned this is yet another infill development.  The increase in the number of residents will have an adverse effect on local services, and problems with the old inefficient sewerage system will be exacerbated.  

19.  To Consider Planning Matters:

       a)   Tree Preservation Order August 2008, The Green – DMBC gives notice that a decision has been

             made by the Council not to confirm the above Tree Preservation Order, due to an agreement being

             reached on amended plans for the extension of the adjacent supermarket.  These plans are considered

             to provide an acceptable balance between the retention of existing trees and replacement planting.

b)      Display of Non-Illuminated Sign at Blaxton Quarry – DMBC’s Enforcement Officer is to investigate

a sign advertising kitchen equipment situated at Mosham Quarry.   This may take some weeks.

20.  Signing of Cheques

       Councillor Training Day – Council agreed to fund Mrs. Worthington to attend a Councillor Training Day

       on ‘Employment’ at a cost of £45.

       Cheque no. 002106  -   Positive Internet Co. (Z Hosting for web site)                                    £146.88

       Cheque no. 002107  -   Positive Internet Co. (Two yearly Domain Registration)                       £58.75

       Cheque no. 002108  -   N Power (Pavilion electricity  supply)                                                  £41.01

       Cheque no. 002109  -   Bible Lands Trading (Supply 250 carol sheets)                                    £38.95

       Cheque no. 002110  -  Auckley New Parish Centre (Hire room for March meeting)                 £24.00

       Cheque no. 002111  -  Arrow Publications (Items published in newsletter)                             £111.63

       Cheque no. 002112  -  YLCA (Supply ‘Standing Orders’)                                                      £27.00

       Cheque no. 002115  -  P. Barrass & Sons (Tree trimming & removal)                                    £352.50

       Cheque no. 002116  -  YLCA  (Training day for Councillor)                                                    £45.00

21.  To Receive Correspondence

       a)   Invitation to Visit Airport  - Members of Council have been invited to visit the airport on 28 April

       b)   Minutes of the Consultative and Sub-Consultative Airport Meetings January – December 2009

       c)   Dates of Street Audits sent by Neighbourhood Services.

       d)   Public Rights of Way Seminar

22.  To Confirm Date and Time of Next Meeting

       It was agreed to hold the next meeting on Wednesday, 14th April 2010, commencing at 7.00 p.m. at the

       Auckley Parish Centre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                          Chairperson …………………………….