MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF AUCKLEY PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 14TH
MARCH 2007 COMMENCING AT 7.30 P.M.
AT THE AUCKLEY PARISH CENTRE
1. To Receive Apologies – Received
from Mrs. L. Hunter.
2. Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interest
Mrs. J. Worthington declared a personal interest in Item No. 23 b) (Planning application to erect
pitched roof extension at No. 32 The Hollows, Auckley)
Mr. P. Cockett declared a prejudicial interest in Item No. 7, (Request for funding towards landscaping
at front of Auckley Parish Centre), and left the room whilst this item was being discussed.
3. To Approve Minutes of the Previous Meeting Held on 14th February 2007
The minutes were approved and signed as a true record.
4. Matters Arising from the Above Minutes
a) Christmas Celebrations – It was agreed to hold the carol singing round the tree on Tuesday,
11th December. This will be held the same day as the Christmas Market.
b) Auckley Coat of Arms – Mr. Cockett reported he has been in contact with the organisation dealing with armorial bearings.
c) Flooding, Main Street - The Clerk to contact Highways Officer, Mr. Worthington re. this matter.
d) Sewage Problems – A reminder to be sent to DMBC.
e)
Re-siting
of Bus Shelters and Provision of Railings,
f) Public Footpath No. 2 - DMBC Footpaths Officer reports that she has inspected the footpath and arranged for the wooden post, which presumably once formed part of the stile, to be removed. This will have the effect of widening the footpath at this location. Stiles on rights of way prevent certain groups of people from using the way and make it difficult for many more, and will be removed where possible. Therefore she does not intend to ask the householder to replace the stile
RESOLVED – Another letter to be sent advising the officer that Council considers the path is still
too narrow at this point.
g)
River
h) Council Web Site – Awaiting a CD and other information from the Web Master.
i)
Transfer of Monies Between Accounts - A
mandate form has been signed by all the signatories which allows the Clerk to
transfer funds either by telephone or visiting the bank. A form also signed to cancel the Liquidity
Manager Account and open the Bonus Saver Account to obtain higher interest.
j) Joint-Funded Community Warden – A meeting has been arranged at Blaxton Village Hall on 22nd March to discuss this matter.
k) Proposed Diversion of Public Footpath No. 7 - Footpaths Officer advises there has been some support for the proposal, but objections have been received from the 3 Ward Members. A meeting to be arranged for all interested parties. The Parish Council has objected on the grounds that it does not want residential development to take place in the future. For the objection to be valid it needs to be in connection with current proposals, not possible future ones. The criteria for making a diversion order is that it is necessary for development – any objection needs to show that it is not necessary.
l)
Request for Dog Bins,
m)
Fencing at
n)
Registration of Charity Land – Pending.
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4. Matters Arising (continued)
o) Request for Information From District Councillors – The clerk has written to Mrs. Woodock and
Mr. Jones to ask if they could inform Council of any issues affecting the Parish, and inviting them
to attend Council meetings. No response has been received up to now.
5. Community Policeman’s Report
P.C. Sowerby reported that crime figures since 1st January 2007 were as follows:
Burglary 7
Theft 12
Theft of vehicle 3
Theft from vehicle 1
Damage to a vehicle 4
Damage 10
Assault 4
Other Crime 7
There were 11 detected crimes giving a 22.92% detection rate.
P.C. Sowerby is to take up residents’ complaints regarding anti-social behaviour and alleged drug
misuse with Inspector Payling and arrange a meeting with residents and the Parish Council.
P.C. Sowerbv reported that he has patrolled the village on several occasions recently, but only found
groups of teenagers sitting talking on the play area or in front of the shops, however he will continue
to monitor the situation. He will contact Mike Ward, Police Safety Officer, to advise on possible
barrier gate for car park.
6. District Councillor’s Report
Mrs. Schofield reported on the following:
Community First Officer - Andrea Law is now the Community First Officer for our area.
Phase
April 2007.
18 new green buses have been purchased for the new bus routes in
7. To Consider Request From
Trustee of Parish Centre For Funding Towards Landscaping of
Revd. Dr. Ottewell writes to report that the new Parish Centre is now open for business. There is still
some work to be done, particularly the grounds and car park, and wonders whether the Parish Council
would consider making a donation of £2,500 towards this scheme.
RESOLVED – Following discussion Mr. Featherstone proposed that Council donate the sum of
£2,500 towards the project, this was seconded by Mrs. Cockett, and agreed by Council, subject to
the provision of a costing of the final scheme as required by audit regulations. The Clerk to also
mention that, in view of the regular flooding
that occurs on
drainage should be provided on the car park to prevent further problems.
8. To Consider Request to Fund Wall Clock for Parish Centre
Council considered a request from a resident to fund a wall clock for the Parish Centre.
RESOLVED – Following discussion a proposal was made by Mr. Featherstone to fund the purchase
of a wall clock the cost of which does not exceed the sum of £300. The proposal was seconded by
Mrs. Cockett, and the motion was carried.
9. To Consider Request from Library Service For funding Towards Children’s Summer Activities
Doncaster Library Service will again provide events for children during the Summer holidays,
featuring storytellers, puppets, magicians, etc. The current cost per event is now £100 -£150.
RESOLVED - Following discussion it was agreed to give a donation of £250 for 2 events to be
staged in Auckley.
10. To
Consider Request From
The Association requests permission to use the football field and pavilion to hold the Gala on
Saturday, 18th August, and for the children’s Disco on the evening of 17th August. In view of
Council’s continued commitment to supporting village events would Council again consider funding
the insurance and extra public toilet facilities.
RESOLVED – Permission given for the use of the facilities. Council will consider the application
for funding when it receives a copy of the
audited accounts for the last Gala.
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11. To
Discuss Possible
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.
Council is still in consultation with YLCA regarding this ongoing matter.
12. To
Discuss Land at
Unfortunately, YLCA was unable to reply in time for the meeting. To be discussed at April meeting.
13. To Discuss Charity Outing
Discussion took place on whether to organise another outing for senior citizens funded by the charity
rents, and another suggestion put forward was to also hold a children’s Christmas party.
RESOLVED – It was agreed to put an item in local newsletter asking residents for their suggestions.
14. To Discuss New Schedule for Emptying Wheelie Bins
Concerns were expressed regarding the new schedule for collecting household refuse fortnightly
instead of weekly. There are fears that this practice will trigger infestation with vermin and flies and
lead to unpleasant odours.
RESOLVED – It was
agreed to write to Mayor Martin Winter to enquire why
the decision to only empty once a fortnight when other Councils, including Bolsover District
Council, continue with weekly collections.
15. To Discuss Encroachment of Recreation Ground
Further information is awaited from Council’s solicitor.
16. To Discuss Update Report from Play
Equipment Funding Manager
The CVS Officer who was to advise Council on funding applications has informed the Clerk that she
is no longer available to assist. She has made a few enquiries into the funding opportunities currently
available, and they appear to be very restricted at the moment. It may be beneficial to set up a group
external to the Parish Council. Mrs. Cockett is to give the Clerk details of another individual who
may be able to assist.
17. To Discuss Swedish-Style Homes
Mr. Cockett has visited the residents and taken photographs of the dwellings. The houses were
installed in 1948 to accommodate farm labourers, and their predicted life span was 60 years.
St. Leger Homes has informed the residents that new windows will be installed sometime in the
Summer of 2007, and this will be followed by external painting of the dwellings.
18. To Decide Items for April Newsletter
It was agreed to feature items on:
a) Auckley Residents in Partnership
b) Suggestions for Senior Citizens’ Outing and Children’s Christmas Party
19. To Discuss Highway Matters - No issues raised.
20. To Discuss Recreation Matters
a) Letter From
Developer – A developer currently building houses adjacent to
to ask whether Council would permit him to fill in the ditch at the entrance to the recreation
round. This would avoid him having to build a retaining structure on his property to prevent
landslip of soil from the gardens of the new properties onto the recreation ground. If Council
would allow him to infill the ditch he would be prepared to donate the sum of £10,000 to Council.
RESOLVED – Council Members discussed this matter at length and decided they were unable
to accede to this request. There could be implications with future drainage and problems with
boundary disputes. It was therefore agreed to write and inform the developer that the onus is
on him to provide a retaining structure.
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20. To Discuss Recreation Matters (continued)
b) Request For Gate At Car Park Entrance – Following residents’ complaints regarding anti-
social behaviour, it was agreed to obtain quotations for the supply and erection of a barrier gate
across the entrance to the car park. To be considered at the next meeting.
21. Update Report on
Council was informed that some progress has been made – a limited company has been set up.
The sports hall and squash court appear to be in reasonable condition, but it is unclear what services
will be provided in the community hall.
22. To Make Comments on the Draft Charter
Members with any comments to make were asked to contact Mrs. Hunter who will raise them at
the next Parish Councils’ Joint Consultative Meeting.
23. To Consider Planning Applications:
a)
No. 07/00387/FUL – Erection
of detached house on approx. 0.02 ha of land,
Land Adjacent
Council raised objections to this development for the following reasons:
i) Infill development on a very small plot where a neighbour’s garage will have to be demolished to provide enough room
ii) Windows in the attic will mean the dwelling is taller than adjacent buildings and will be totally out of character with the surrounding area
b)
No. 07/00563/FT – Erection
of first floor pitched roof extension to front of detached house,
32 The Hollows, Auckley
Council had no objections to make on this development.
c)
No. 07/00402/FULM – erection
of 6 industrial units (B1, B2, B8) on plots 11-16 (Forming
Phase 2 of
Council expressed concerns that additional traffic would be generated, and wondered whether the old sewage system would be adequate to cope with more development.
d)
No. 07/00275/FULM – Erection
of residential development comprising of 18 apartments
together with associated works
on approx. 0.27 ha of land,
Land bordering Hurst Lane and the railway line, Poplar Way, Auckley
Council reiterated its earlier objections to this development.
e)
No. 07/00744/OUT – Outline
application for erection of two semi-detached houses on
approx. 0.04
ha of land,
Land between
Council raised objections to this development for the following reasons:
i) Infill development
ii) Dwellings built across a road which has been in existence for over 50 years
iii) Concerns that there will be no emergency access for emergency vehicles
f)
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,
Council had made its comments when consulted on the planning application. These
comments will be sent to the Planning Inspector, and Council did not wish to make any
further remarks regarding the development.
24. DMBC’s Planning Decisions
a ) No. 06/02443/COU – Change of use of
vacant land to domestic curtilage,
Land adjacent to 17 Walnut
Avenue, Auckley
Planning permission refused for the following reasons:
The Local Planning Authority considers that the proposed change of use would have a
detrimental impact upon the open character of the surroundings. The area is characterised by
green open spaces on the roadside and between buildings, that make a considerable
contribution to the environmental quality of the area, and the proposed change would have an
adverse impact upon this character and visual amenity, contrary to the provisions of
Policy RL2 of the Doncaster Unitary Development Plan adopted 1998.
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24. DMBC’s Planning Decisions (continued)
b) No. 07/00243/FUL – Erection
of part two storey/part single storey pitched roof extension to
side
and flat roof porch extension to front of detached house
2A Briar Close, Auckley
Planning permission granted.
25. To Sign Cheques
Cheque no. 001737 – NALC (Local Council Review) £13.50
Cheque no. 001738 - N Power (Electricity for pavilion) £56.10
Cheque no. 001739 - DMBC (Hire of Hayfield Lane School for meeting) £49.50
Cheque no. 001740 - Auckley Parish Centre (Hire of Centre for meeting) £22.50
Cheque no. 001741 - Mr. H. Baker (Handyman’s wages 28 hours + refuse sacks) £163.63
Cheque no. 001742 - DMBC (Donation for Children’s Summer Activities) £250.00
Cheque no. 001743 - Positive Internet Company (Hosting of web site) £146.88
26. To Receive Correspondence:
a) Application for inclusion in the pharmaceutical list at Ellers Lane/Main Street Junction
The application has been successful.
RESOLVED - Council agreed to support the local surgery if it appeals against the decision.
b)
c) Public Rights of Way Forum 22nd March
27. To Confirm Date and Time of Next Meeting
It was agreed to hold the next meeting on Wednesday, 11th April 2007, commencing at 7.00 p.m.
at the
Chairman ………………………….