THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF AUCKLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 10TH JANUARY 2007 COMMENCING AT 7.00 P.M.

AT THE AUCKLEY SCHOOL

 

  • Present: - Mrs. J. Worthington (Chairperson), Mrs. M. Cockett, Mr. P. Cockett, Mrs. L. Hunter,
  • Mr. I. Swainston.    Mr. I. Butterfield (Vice Chairman) was present from Item No. 19.  
  • Three members of the public
  • District Councillors Mrs. P. Schofield and Mrs. Y. Woodcock

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

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

3.  To Approve Minutes of the Previous Meeting Held on 13th December 2006

     The minutes to be amended by the addition of the following to Item No. 19 – “Following discussion,

     Council agreed to recommend that Option 1 be implemented.  Mr. Houghton to be informed of this

     decision.  The minutes were then approved and signed as a true record.

4.  Matters Arising from the Above Minutes

a)      Christmas Celebrations – It was reported that the Christmas tree at Hurst Lane was seriously  vandalised shortly after being installed – lights had been dragged off, and attempts made to pull the tree out of its socket.   In view of the damage, costing in the region of £250, Council was undecided whether to continue providing a tree at this location.  The matter will be considered later.  The tree sited at The Green had developed a lean to one side, and staff from Plevey’s had been out twice to correct it.  One possible suggestion for the lean is the socket the tree is lodged in may have been affected by mole activity.  A quotation to replace the socket is awaited.                     

b)      Provision of Speed Bumps – A reminder to be sent to Highways Officer.

c)      Provision of Signs Bearing Coat of Arms – DMBC advises that to have some kind of village marker sign other than the standard traffic type sign supplied by the Local Authority would need approval from Highways with regard to safe site locations and also approval of the proposed design for the signs.  If installation work is not carried out by DMBC then Council would need to complete a Section 171 Agreement which gives authority for work to be carried out within the boundary of the public highway.

RESOLVED   Council discussed whether it wished to continue with enquiries re. the coat of arms

leading ultimately to provision of new village signs.  Mr.Cockett proposed Council continue with the project, and this was seconded by Mrs. Hunter.  The motion was carried by a majority.

d)      Flooding, Mosham Road – Community First Officer reports that the gulley pots in the area adjacent to Lidgett Gardens have been cleared and cleansed, and do appear to be running.  All correspondence and photographs have been sent to Highways Authority.  Initially they will jet out the system, but he feels this will only be a temporary fix.  Further investigations will be made by Highways, and Community First will make enquiries regarding progress.

e)      Missing “School” Signs – Highways Officer advises that the missing sign on Hayfield Lane opposite the Adult Education Centre has been replaced, but the sign on the approach to the crossroads from the direction of the airport has not been replaced, and he will chase this up.                                   

f)        To Consider Joint-Funded Community Warden – A meeting has been arranged for 25th January at

Blaxton Village Hall.  The Parish Council to be represented at the meeting. 

g)      Flooding, Main Street -  A reminder to be sent in 2 weeks.

h)      Provision of Pedestrian Refuge – DMBC advises the scheme has been programmed into the current works schedule, and it is anticipated that work will commence on site during March.

i)        Missing Rubbish Bin in Bus Shelter – Community First reports there were problems with the current bin – the door was sprained and was forever being left open.  It has therefore been removed and will be reconditioned and re-installed elsewhere.  This will then make the bus shelter qualify for a new bin allocated by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive which will be fitted in the New Year.  Meanwhile the site will be monitored. 

j)        Open Day at Former Officers’ Mess – St Mary’s School and Hill House intend to apply for permission to convert the former Officers’ Mess and surrounding area into a private school.

Mr. and Mrs. Cockett attended the Open Day and viewed proposed plans for the layout of the buildings and grounds, sporting facilities, etc.

k)      Registration of Charity Land – Pending.

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4.  Matters Arising (continued)

l)        Public Footpath, River Way – A reminder to be sent in 2 weeks.

     m)  Sewerage Problems – Pending.

n)   Land at Main Street – Pending.

o)   Swedish-Style Houses – Pending.

5.  Community Police Report

     Community Police have not attended a Parish Council meeting for several months. The Clerk to write  

     and enquire why the Police are unable to attend and, if too busy, would it be possible for them to

     supply Council with crime figures for the area.

6.  District Councillors’ Reports

           Councillor Mrs. Woodcock gave an update on the following:

a)      Planning Application for Apartments, Hurst Lane – Planning Officer, Mrs. Jones advises that if amended plans are little different from the original plans, then amended ones are not sent.

b)      Speed Limit, Gatehouse Lane – District Councillors have monitored traffic problems, and have met on site with Paul Hart to request a reduction in the speed limit to 30 mph, without success.

Following two recent accidents, Mrs. Schofield will be taking up this matter with Highways. 

c)      Speed Limit, Hurst Lane Near Hayfield School - Some improvement work to be carried out in front of the school to improve safety, i.e. the two bus shelters to be re-located and new barriers installed.  Mrs. Woodcock to supply Council with a plan of the proposal.

      Councillor Mrs. Schofield reported on the following:

a)      Wheelie Bins – New green bins will be delivered to the Auckley area in week commencing

      26th February, and the first green bin collection will be Friday, 16th March.

b)      Willow Farm – Planning permission has been granted, subject to a number of conditions.

c)      Revocation of Licence – The Licensing Sub-Committee has revoked the licence of a club situated at Bradford Row in the interests of public safety, following reports of violent behaviour at the premises.

d)      Council Rates – Mayor Winter has recommended that rates be increased in line with inflation, but rates for the Police and Fire Service, also included in the bill, are still to be decided.

7.  To Consider Quotation to Replace Pavilion Roof Tiles

     ‘Need A Hand’ quotes the price of £145 to supply and replace damaged roof tiles on pavilion.

     RESOLVED – It was agreed to accept the quotation.

8.  To Discuss Possible Sale of Charity Land

     Pursuant to Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies admission to 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.

     RESOLVED – Following discussion it was resolved to continue enquiries.

9.  To Discuss Rent of Town Close Charity Land

     Council’s Land Agent has contacted the tenant of the charity land and persuaded him to agree to the

     rental increase of £280 with effect from March 2008, without the need for serving the Notices and

     going to arbitration.  A Memorandum has been sent to the tenant for signature, and once this has been

     received it will be passed on to Council.

10.To Discuss Venues for Parish Council Meetings in 2007/2008

      RESOLVED – It was agreed to enquire whether the new Parish Centre would be available in time for

      the Parish Council meeting on 14th March and, if so, make a provisional booking for the hall and

      cancel the booking for Auckley School scheduled for that date.  Council agreed to continue to hold

      meetings on alternate months at the Hayfield Lane Primary School.     

11.To Consider Items for February Newsletter

     It was agreed to feature the following items:

     Council’s Precept,

     Carols Round the Tree,

     Vandalism of Christmas Tree

     Delivery of Green Wheelie Bins.

 

 

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12. To Discuss River Torne Footbridge Project

      Council is awaiting further information from DMBC.

13. To Discuss Encroachment of Recreation Ground

      Council’s solicitor has written to the resident in question advising him on future action, and the

      resident has now handed Council a lengthy letter stating his case.   Unfortunately this correspondence

      was only made available the day before the meeting, so members had been unable to study it in detail.

      It was therefore agreed to discuss this matter at the February meeting.

14.To Discuss Highway Matters

     The following matters were raised and will be reported to Community First:

a)      Street Lights – Several street lights on Hurst Lane between the railway bridge and the Hurst/Hayfield Crossroads are unlit. 

b)      Ponding – Following heavy rainfall water is ponding across the whole width of the road at Eastfield Lane.

c)      Road Markings – There are still white road markings on the A638 indicating a right turn into Hayfield Lane, although the lane is now permanently blocked off to traffic.

d)      Damaged Bollard, Manhole Cover and Missing Directions Sign  - The Clerk had earlier reported to Community First a damaged bollard on the pedestrian refuge near Rushley Close, a loose manhole cover near Bell Butts Lane, and a missing sign at the School Lane/Main Street junction.

15.To Discuss Recreation Matters

     Double Rating Grant – DMBC has awarded Council a Double Rating Grant of £383.00 for the

     2007/2008 financial year.  This is an increase of £13.00 on the 2006 grant.

     Rodent Infestation – Council was informed that a number of residents have been plagued with mice in

     their homes.  It was pointed out that Environmental Services can visit and take necessary action, but a

     fee will be charged.

16.Report of Meeting with Funding Manager Re: New Play Equipment Project

      The Clerk has met with CVS Officer, Louise Williams, who has advised that prior to an application

      for funding some consultation is required in order to show there is a clear need for the equipment.

      Her suggestion is to contact the Headteachers of the 3 schools in the Parish and ask whether she can

      address the pupils during assembly, and also give out questionnaires.  The Clerk is currently liaising

      with the schools to arrange the visits.

17.Robin Hood Airport Airspace Change Proposal

     Peel Airports is proposing changes to the current airspace arrangements, due to the exceptional growth

     of airport traffic.  The Parish Council is asked to give comments before 14th March 2007.  A compact

     disc has been supplied, but some pages are blank, however, members can find the details on the

     airport’s web site.  To be discussed at the February meeting.

18.To Discuss Standards Board’s Publication, ‘Town and Parish Standard 08’ 

     The publication, circulated to all members, gives details of the revised Model Code of Conduct which

     will be released shortly for public consultation. 

19.To Consider Planning Applications

      a)  No. 06/03383/FUL – Erection of two 2 storey extensions to existing offices,

           Hangar 3, Robin Hood Airport, Hayfield Lane, Auckley

           Council had no objections to make on this application.

     b)  Appeal No. 06/00110/NONDET – Certificate of Lawful Use for existing use of quarry to

          include storage of oils, plant, vehicles, equipment, scrap metals and timber, vehicle repairs,

          repair of heavy goods vehicles, plant and equipment and retail sales of bitumen, gravel and

          minerals not extracted from the site  -  Blaxton Quarry, Mosham Road, Auckley

          Council had earlier made its comments to the Planning Authority, and these will automatically be

          sent to the Appeals Inspector.  Members did not wish to add anything further to these comments.

20.Doncaster Council’s Planning Decisions

     Planning permission granted to the following application:

     No. 06/02829/RET – Retention of fence and gate posts,

     6 Laurel Square, Auckley.

 

 

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21. Signing of Cheques

      Cheque no. 001715 – Mr. A. Siddons  (Update web site)                                                         £35.41

      Cheque no. 001716 -  South Anston Fire Extinguishers (Service appliances)                              £29.38

      Cheque no. 001717 -  Doncaster & District Charitable Funds (Donation)                                £126.50

      Cheque no. 001718 -  J.W. Bichan (Cleaning out dyke)                                                          £199.75

      Cheque no. 001719 -  ‘Need A Hand’ (Supply & fix bolts to pavilion doors)                            £72.00

      Cheque no. 001720 -  Mrs. M. Caygill (Purchase of copier)                                                   £110.98

      Cheque no. 001721 -  Mr. H. Baker (andyman’s wages H Handyman’s wages + mop bucket)                              £165.43

22.To Receive Correspondence  

     a)  YRCC’s Conference to be held on 3rd/5th March

     b)  SYPTE – Changes to some bus routes.

23.To Confirm Date and Time of Next Parish Council Meeting

     It was agreed to hold the next meeting on Wednesday, 14th February 2007, commencing at 7.00 p.m.

     at the Hayfield Lane Primary School.

 

 

     At the close of business time was set aside for public participation, and the following item was raised:

     A resident asked why the road was being dug up at School Lane/Ellers Lane.  Members replied that

     the most likely reason was to lay electricity cables, however, they would make enquiries to clarify the

     situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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