THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF AUCKLEY PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 12THOCTOBER AT 7.00 P.M.
AT THE AUCKLEYSCHOOL
- Present:- Mrs. J. Worthington (Chairperson) Mr. I. Butterfield (Vice Chairperson),
- Mrs. M. Cockett, Mr. P. Cockett, Mr. S. Featherstone, Mrs. L. Hunter, Mr. I. Swainston
- Police Inspector Payling
- Community Police Officer Mark Payling
- Community First Officer Nicki Clarkson
- Three members of the public
Before the meeting commenced Community First South Officer, Nicki Clarkson, gave a report on the
Restructuring of DMBC. The Borough has been divided into 5 areas, with Mr. Ali Ajman as Senior
Manager. Community First is responsible for Neighbourhood Services, Grounds Maintenance, Tree
Trimming, Waste Services and Community Safety Wardens. Community First works closely with the
Police in a joint exercise to tackle anti-social behaviour, including problems with litter and graffiti.
1. To Receive Apologies – None received.
2. Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interests– None declared.
3. To Approve Minutes of the Previous Meeting Held on 14th September 2005
The minutes were approved and signed as a true record.
4. Matters Arising from the Above Minutes
a)Parking, Church Close – Further sightings reported of a car parked alongside No. 5. A reminder to be sent to DMBC if no response is received within 2 weeks.
b)Opening Hours of Chinese Takeaway – Mrs. Schofield has informed the Clerk that the licence
has been approved until 11.30 p.m.
c)Painting of Houses at Ellers Lane – Mr. Williams of the Business Investment Team advises that a works programme is to be decided in October, but cannot guarantee the houses will be included.
RESOLVED - Council agreed to contact Mrs. Schofield and ask her to arrange a site meeting,
with Parish Council representation.
d)The AuckleyCharityLand - The Clerk and Revd. Ottewell met with Mr. Nears of Peel Holdings
to discuss the charity land at Hurst Lane as the land may be required for the motorway link road.
RESOLVED – Council to write to Revd.Ottewell and inform him that Council Members feel strongly that any proceeds from the possible sale of the land should only be used for the benefit of Auckley Parishioners, and ask him to kindly keep Council informed of future developments.
e)Flashing 30 mph Sign, Mosham Road - DMBC advises that the signs themselves have no role in
enforcement and merely perform a dynamic warning function encouraging drivers to check their
speed. An accurate assessment is difficult without the co-operation of a Police patrol car, but
these are not often available. However, engineers will visit the site and make a general
assessment by observation and order any remedial action deemed necessary.
RESOLVED – Council to write again and ask, in view of the sign having no role in enforcement
but merely a guide, whether engineers could calibrate the speed using an ordinary vehicle, rather
than wait until a Police vehicle is available.
f)Branton Auckley Newsletter – Michelle Sidebottom, editor of ‘The Branton and Auckley Arrow’
newsletter attended the meeting and informed Council that the newsletter will be delivered to all
dwellings in the Auckley Parish. It was therefore agreed that Council would provide information
for the publication. Mr. Cockett proposed that initially Council submit enough material to cover
half a page on alternate months, this was seconded by Mr. Featherstone, and agreed.
RESOLVED – Council agreed to supply enough information to cover half a page once every
2 months beginning in December.
g)Residents’ Requests for Tree Trimming - Mr. Featherstone is to meet with ‘Need A Hand’ to
Obtain a quotation to carry out trimming of trees on recreation ground.
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4. Matters Arising (continued).
h)Drainage Problems, RiversidePark – Pending.
i)Traffic Lights, A638/Hurst Lane Junction – Pending.
j)Possible Provision of Barriers at Riverside Park – Pending.
k)Hayfield Recreation Project – Pending.
l)Unregistered Land at Main Street – Pending.
m)Blocked Drain at The Green – Pending.
n)Conifer Trees on Grassed Area, Sandhill Rise – Pending.
5. Police Report
Inspector Payling reported on the following:
Safer Neighbourhood Team – The Team consists of an Inspector, Sergeant, and 7 Constables, and
they will be joined by 8 Community Support Officers next April. Inspector Payling is confident that
the Team will be in a better position to engage with the community, whilst providing more visibility.
This in turn will help them to tackle the issues of crime and anti-social behaviour with greater
effectiveness. These changes will mean that P.C. Sowerby’s area will be reduced, and he will have
more time to spend in the villages on his beat.
Central Call Centre – There are no plans in place to establish a ‘local call centre’. He is aware of
complaints re. lack of response to calls, and would advise that there has been a recent improvement in
the response to calls – they should now be answered within 6 rings.
Police Transport - At the moment there is 1 car between 3 Officers, but he is hopeful that another
vehicle will be provided, and possibly a third.
P.C. Sowerby reported that he is planning an operation in Bawtry to tackle anti- social behaviour, and
this will be repeated in other areas. He reiterated that all incidents should be reported first to Sheffield.
6. District Councillor’s Report
Mrs. P. Schofield was unable to attend and sent her apologies.
7. To Receive Auditor’s Report
The Auditor notes that the balances held by Council appear high. This is an acceptable practice should
there be saving for capital expenditure as long as the money is invested in a high interest account and
is ‘ring fenced’ for that specific purpose. If not he recommends that balances are reduced to a more
appropriate level. Accepted level of reserves is usually no more than twice the level of the precept.
There were no other issues to bring to Council’s attention.
RESOLVED – Council accepted the report and asked the Clerk to transfer monies to the Treasury
Reserve Account.
8. To Consider a Quotation to Supply and Erect Sign
Beacon Signs has submitted a quotation to supply and erect a metal sign with the wording
“No Horses On This Area” at a cost of £90 plus VAT. RESOLVED – Council agreed to accept quote
9. Christmas Celebrations
a)To Consider Quote to Supply Christmas Trees – Plevey’s quotes the sum of £680 plus VAT to supply, deliver, erect and eventually remove 2 x 20 foot Norway Spruce Trees. Mr. Cockett proposed that Council accept the quote, this was seconded by Mr. Featherstone, and agreed.
RESOLVED – Council agreed to accept Plevey’s quotation.
b)Christmas Market and Request for Memory/Wish Tree - ‘Auckley Hall 4 All’ (fund-raising group for the Auckley Parish Centre) intends to hold a traditional Christmas Market around The Green on 13th December and has applied to DMBC for the road to be closed from 4.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. The group asks permission to use the village Christmas tree as a memory/wish tree with people writing their personal messages on a card to be tied to the tree.
RESOLVED - Council had no objections to make on these proposals.
‘Friends of AuckleySchool’ – The group is happy to serve drinks during the carol singing, if
Council approves, but would like to ask for a donation per drink on this occasion with a view to hopefully raising money for the school. They would simply have a collection box on the serving
table. Mr. Butterfield proposed this be allowed, seconded by Mr. Featherstone and agreed.
RESOLVED - Council agreed that the organisation could have a collection box for donations.
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10. To Consider Resident’s Request For Provision of Seat
A resident has written to ask whether Council would consider installing a comfortable seat on the
riverbank near the waterfall, approx. 100 yards from the wooden footbridge, and encloses a brochure
featuring benches made from recycled plastic.
RESOLVED – Council has made no provision for a seat in the current budget, but is to ask DMBC
whether it has any surplus funds for this project.
11. To Discuss Encroachment of Recreation Ground and Gate Across Passageway
a) Encroachment – The resident has been given 28 days to remove the encroachment. Members to
check whether this has been carried out.
b)Gate across Passageway – The resident in question writes to point out that the gate was in fact
erected by the occupant of No. 27 with some assistance from himself, and the approval of the
occupier of No. 31. All 3 properties have the legal responsibility for the maintenance of the
footway which is only there to give access to the rear of their properties. It has been done so to
make a reasonable attempt to increase the security of their properties.
RESOLVED – It was agreed to write to solicitor and ask him to clarify ownership of the path
and whether members of the public have prescriptive rights over the path, given they have used it
for 30 years.
12. To Discuss River Torne Footbridge Project
DMBC advises that one of the outcomes of the May meeting was for DMBC to draw up a creation
agreement for a public right of way with the Environment Agency, subject to the route being closed
during the hours of darkness, but having sought legal advice it transpires the Authority cannot enter
into a creation agreement subject to such limitations, as it is beyond the scope of the legislation.
Based on a theoretical discussion with the Environment Agency, it would appear that the Agency is
considering passing ownership of the land to either DMBC or the Parish Councils involved, and the
Parish Council’s opinion in principle would be appreciated. Members had earlier been informed that
Cantley with Branton Parish Council had also been consulted and decided not to purchase the land.
RESOLVED - Following discussion it was agreed that Council did not wish to purchase the land
but suggested that DMBC be invited to take on ownership as the Authority is already responsible for
all other public rights of way, and in fact the new path will join up with two other DMBC paths.
13. To Discuss Future Venues for Meetings
Members discussed the possibility of hiring either the HayfieldLanePrimary School or the Hayfield
ComprehensiveSchool for alternate monthly meetings.
RESOLVED – Quotations to be obtained in time for the November meeting.
14. To Consider Residents’ Response to Provision of Bollards
Three replies from residents to be sent to DMBC Highways Officer for consideration.
15. To Discuss Highway Matters
a) B1396 Traffic Count – DMBC advises that the vehicle/pedestrian count undertaken by DMBC on
21 September provided very similar figures to the original one in January - a total of 38
pedestrians, including 9 children were recorded. During the September count it was noticed that
pedestrians were crossing on the LidgettGardens side of the junction and outside the count area.
In order to derive a conclusive survey a further count is to be carried out centred on School Lane.
RESOLVED – DMBC to be asked to inform Council when next count will take place.
b)Parking on Junctions – Community First to be informed of unauthorised parking of vehicles
on the School Lane/Spey Drive junction, and opposite the ThorncliffeGardens cul-de-sac.
c)Pedestrians Crossing B1396 – Complaints have been received that pedestrians are having
difficulty crossing the road to reach the bus stop adjacent to the Eagle and Child car park.
RESOLVED – DMBC to be asked to provide a pedestrian refuge island at this location.
16. To Discuss Recreation Matters
a)Vandalised Pavilion Meter Cubicle – The Clerk has twice reported the damage to N Power.
RESOLVED – Council agreed to ask Community First to take up this matter with supplier.
b)MemorialGarden – Agreed to ask ‘Need A Hand’ to trim bushes and generally tidy up the area.
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16. To Discuss Recreation Matters (continued)
c)Spring Bulbs – DMBC is to supply Council with free bulbs. Suggested locations for bulbs were
grass verges alongside Brooke Farm, the B&K Garage and the Hayfield Lane Community Centre. The Clerk to check with Vicar re. possible planting of bulbs in front of AuckleyChurch.
d)Electricity Charges – The Clerk to check with N Power whether another account is available
to supply electricity to the pavilion without a standing charge.
17 Report on Meeting to Discuss Auckley Parish Centre
Council was informed that there are plans to build the Parish Centre in stages beginning as soon as
possible with the main hall, kitchen and toilets, then other rooms will be added when more money
becomes available. A qualified Project Manager is required, and it is hoped to use local labour.
18. Report of Parish Councils’ Airport Liaison Meeting
It was reported that 5 Parish Councils were represented at the meeting, and noise and traffic issues
were the main items considered. Discussion took place as to whether or not to continue with the
Liaison Meetings. It was decided to continue with meetings for the present time.
19. Report of Airport Community Meeting
It was reported that in the first 20 weeks of operation the airport had dealt with 400,000 passengers,
and 36 destinations are planned for the future. Easyjet is to operate a flight to Geneva, P&O and
Princess Cruises hope to use the airport for their Fly Cruises.
20. Report of Noise Monitoring Meeting
Council was informed that Peel is attempting to gain more control of air space around the airport.
A number of complaints have been received regarding noise and aircraft flying off track. A tracking
system will soon be in operation which will reduce the number of aircraft going off track.
21. To Nominate A Parish Council Representative On To Airport Transport Forum
Claire Wilson (Peel)has agreed that Auckley Parish Council can have a representative on the forum.
RESOLVED – Council agreed to nominate Mr. Cockett to serve on the Transport Forum.
22. To Discuss Planning Applications:
App. No. 05/03079/FUL – Erection of single storey shop extension with store room (7.71m x 6.60m
following demolition of existing store room to rear of shop/post office and internal alterations to
convert existing kitchen to form part of extended shop - Post Office, Hayfield Lane, Auckley
RESOLVED – Following discussion, Council did not wish to make any objections to application.
Extension of Dwelling at No. 2 The Paddocks – The Clerk to obtain extension plans for consideration.
23. Signing of Cheques
Cheque no. 001573 – Mr. A. Siddons (14th Web Site update) £35.41
Cheque no. 001575 - DMBC (Supply and erect football post sockets) £421.54
Cheque no. 001576 – DMBC (Supply and maintain hanging baskets) £251.00
Cheque no. 001577 - BDO Stoy Hayward LLP (Annual audit) £141.00
Cheque no. 001578 - Peter Fowler Electrical (Electrical check & heater) £699.40
24. To Receive Correspondence
a)Conclusive map of registered common land and open country
b)DMBC Minutes
c)South Yorkshire 2nd Transport Plan
d)DMBC’s advice on riparian landowner’s responsibilities
25. To Confirm Date and Time of Next Meeting
It was agreed to hold the next meeting on Wednesday, 9th November 2005, commencing at 7.00 p.m.
at the Hayfield Lane Community Centre.
At the close of business time was set aside for public participation. No issues were raised by
members of the public, and the meeting was closed.
Chairperson ......