MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING OF AUCKLEY
PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 9TH MARCH 2011,
COMMENCING AT 7.00 P.M.
AT THE AUCKLEY PARISH CENTRE
1. To Receive Apologies – Received and accepted from Mr. I. Butterfield.
2. Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interests – None received.
3. Matters Arising From the Last Annual Parish Meeting
Residents of properties along the rural part of
concerns regarding anti-social activities occurring on the lane, and had met with Officers from DMBC’s
Neighbourhood Services to discuss a proposal to gate off part of the lane to try and eradicate these
problems. This item will be discussed under ‘Matters Raised by Members of the Public’.
4. Chairperson’s Report
Mrs. Worthington reported on the following issues:
Council has had another busy and eventful year which is the last of the current 4 year term of office,
as elections take place in May. In 2010 Council was sorry to lose firstly Mr. Cockett who resigned due to
his commitments. He has worked hard within the community and is still carrying out his duties with the
Christmas Fayre. Mrs. Julia Staniforth was welcomed onto the Council to replace Mr. Cockett. A short
time later Mrs. Lynn Allwood resigned and her place was taken by Mr.
Fletcher.
contribution to the Council and was particularly adept at organising the Senior Citizens’ Outing. Lastly, our
Handyman, Mr. Baker, who dutifully carried out his duties in all weathers, decided to say goodbye and
Mr. Plowright was appointed in his place.
Police - Representatives from SY Police , PCSO’s and the Neighbourhood Team have attended meetings
from time to time and Inspector Cowling has advised that hopefully Beat Managers will attend meetings on
a quarterly basis, subject to operations.
Traffic Matters - Council has tried over a lengthy period of time, but without success, to persuade DMBC to
implement 20 mph zones outside our schools, but the Mayor has advised that the current speed limits in
Auckley are correctly set. Council will continue to fight this decision, but it may take some time. Council
is aware of the congestion outside our schools at pick up and drop off times and PCSO’s and Community
Wardens have visited, and the situation is being monitored.
DMBC has been contacted with regard to parking of vehicles outside the
shops on
Traffic Warden has been requested to visit and hand out tickets where appropriate.
was the chance to ride down the runway in a mini-bus and visit the control tower, and it was a very
interesting day. The airport wishes to be good neighbours and one of our members, Mr. Swainston
regularly attends meetings of the Airport Sub-Committee when issues of noise etc. are raised.
Red BT Telephone Box, Ellers Lane
Council has recently accepted a quotation to have this structure painted inside and out.
recently
been completed on phase 4 to the rear of Sandhill Rise and along
will take place at the ensuing meeting to have work done on the next phase which includes trimming back
bushes
where it is planned to have the play equipment installed. Also at the entrance to
River Way, some steps have been provided which has improved access onto the park.
Meetings – Members of Council attend meetings of other bodies: - The Airport, Diamond Jubilee
Committee, PCJCC, Charity Trust, Parish Centre Committee and meetings of the Hayfield Centre
Committee which is looking into community facilities on land belonging
to Peel Airports off
Members also attend seminars arranged by the Yorkshire Local Councils Association and other agencies.
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Dog Fouling - Sadly some owners allow their pets to foul the football pitch and others do not seem to care that their dogs ‘deposit’ on pavements throughout the parish. Recently DMBC was contacted to prosecute one owner but, unfortunately, this could not be pursued due to ‘time out’. The Parish Council would like to thank the majority of residents who are very responsible dog owners.
Bus Service - In January, members attended a meeting with a representative from SYPTE and ‘First’ Buses, following concerns from residents that buses were not leaving Doncaster on time, arriving late, etc. The meeting did prove helpful and members were assured that measures would be taken to overcome the problems. It was agreed that a further meeting may be held later in the year.
Condition of Roads in Winter - The recent winter has been particularly bad and Council has been in touch with DMBC regarding the clearing of roads and pavements. The Authority seems to have tried its best within the Borough, and the Neighbourhood Team informed the Parish Council that a 4x4 vehicle was at their disposal if any persons were unable to access doctors or chemists.
New Play Equipment - Council is in negotiations with a play equipment company to
install play equipment on an area at
Bus Shelter,
Pumping Station,
Parish Precept - The precept has not been increased for 2011/2012 and remains at £28k. Some of the precept goes towards paying the handyman and the clerk, and maintaining various sites and equipment.
Double Rating Grant - Parish Councils has for some years received a ‘Double Rating Grant’ reimbursement from DMBC. Recently, however, we have been advised that, due to cuts which the Authority has to make, we will no longer be receiving these funds.
Mud on Roads - Council has contacted DMBC with regard to the amount of mud, soil deposited on the highway outside a quarry in the parish, and the owner has been advised this must be cleared on a regular basis. It is a danger when the road is wet or there is ice on the highway.
Planning Applications - Council has commented on approximately 40 planning applications during the year. Council has no role other than to make comments and observations. Decisions lie solely with DMBC. There are concerns regarding DMBC’s Core Strategy insofar as no Green Belt land is designated on the eastern side of the Borough and Council’s concerns have been forwarded to DMBC and CPRE.
Donations
During the year donations were given to
Royal British Legion (also covering a wreath), the sum of £900 was donated to
the Show Committee whose members do sterling work in organising the Auckley
Show, £500 to DRI towards the refurbishment of a room for relatives of gravely
ill patients, and £750 to the Vulcan
Youth Club towards its costly insurance premium. Recently the children of Auckley and
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Gating Order on
Village
Activities - The members of the committees who
organise the Christmas Market and the Auckley Show were thanked for their hard
work and commitment for what have become wonderful community events. Thanks are
also extended to residents who have watered tubs on the grassed triangle at
Thank You to Everyone Associated with the Council
Mrs. Worthington thanked SY Police and the Beat Manager, PCSO’s, CSW’s, members of the Neighbourhood Team and DMBC Officers who have helped get the play project off the ground. Thanks also to the local Ward Councillors for attending meetings and taking forward issues raised by Council and the public.
Mrs. Worthington concluded by praising members of Council who give their time freely and make a valuable
contribution to the meetings, and the Clerk for her efforts.
5. Issues Raised by Members of the Public
a) Dog Fouling – A resident expressed
concerns with regard to dogs fouling pavements on
and other streets in the Parish. Mrs. Woodcock is to take this up with DMBC.
b)
Parked Cars – A resident wondered whether the Traffic Warden could patrol in
the village due to motorists who continue
to park outside the shops at
c)
Slurry Tankers – It was reported that slurry tankers being driven on
the highway. Mrs. Woodcock will make enquiries regarding this matter.
d)
Pumping Station,
that, following complaints from residents
that the new concrete roof makes the building look like an industrial
warehouse, Severn Trent has met with residents and agreed to improve the look
of the building by providing some PVC windows and also supply trees worth £100
for residents’ gardens as a screen.
e) Proposed Gating Order – Residents who attended the meeting expressed grave concerns that the Highways Act under which the Gating Order is to be implemented does not allow access to pedestrians
and horse riders. Many of the people present regularly walk the lane and were very concerned that the
Act would restrict their freedom to walk a right of way which has been in existence for many decades.
A resident who lives near the proposed gated area did make the point that it was local residents living in
the rural part of the lane, supported by the farmers, who originally requested some form of gating and
this was then taken up by DMBC, with the understanding that only vehicles would be prohibited and
pedestrians and horse riders would have unrestricted access to the lane.
Members of the public present were asked for their views on the proposed Gating Order, and they voted
unanimously to object to the proposal by a show of hands.
Council will make a decision on this matter later in the evening.
Chairman ……………………………..