The meeting was held
virtually using ZOOM software. All
members could be seen and heard using
the audio and video functions.
Present: Cllrs: E Fairclough (Chair), K Shaw, S Birkby, T Saunders,
J Carlon, P Lee, S Leith and C Pearson.
In attendance: Ward Councillors F Heptinstall and M Cummings, the Clerk to the Council
and two members of the public.
88.
To receive apologies and approve reasons for absence.
Apologies were received from Cllr A
Manifield (WMDC Ward Councillor).
Resolved to note the reasons
for absence.
89.
To receive declarations of interest.
None.
90.
To approve the minutes of the council meeting held
on 6th October 2020.
Resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 6th
October 2020 without amendment as a true and
correct record of the meeting.
91.
Public forum session – To permit members of the
public to make representations, answer questions, and give evidence in respect
of any item of business included in the agenda.
None.
92.
To receive a report on the SAFE scheme and police matters.
The Clerk circulated the August and September
reports prior to the meeting and shared the October report at the meeting.
The Chair noted reports of an indecent exposure
had been logged and gave details of the incident.
A member highlighted what appears to be an abandoned
vehicle on Oakenshaw Lane, which the Chair would report to SAFE scheme officers
as the nominated liaison representative.
Resolved to note the reports.
93.
To receive a report from WMDC Ward 5 Councillors.
Cllr S Leith joins the meeting.
A member reported concerns with
lights on the approach from Crofton into Walton being removed, which were located
on the brow of a hill. It was debated the positioning of the lights being on the
brow of a hill was not ideal but their removal and replacement with arrows was
even more concerning.
Cllr F Heptinstall gave a brief
report on COVID-19 cases currently standing at higher levels than back in April
2020.
Cllr M Cummings reported the following:
·
Meetings
at WMDC had resumed and updates will be circulated via the Newsletter. Specifically, due to staff self-isolating, waste
operative levels were reduced, which may impact household recycling with a plan
to reduce collections to once a month if necessary.
·
Bereavement
restrictions remain unchanged.
·
Quotes
for the replacement planters were received and Councillors will progress through
the ‘directed works’ initiative meaning the work will need to be awarded to
ENGIE under WMDC protocols.
·
Drains
on The Balk were due to be flushed and this was confirmed by a member.
·
No
further updates or correspondence received on the Golf Club fly-tipping.
·
Highways
has considered the request for the potential reduction of speed limits on Oakenshaw
Lane but maintained accidents on this stretch are within the acceptable level
and as such no further action was required.
·
Parking
Enforcement Officers have visited Shay Lane and will continue to do so
following reports of traffic failing to stop at the Zebra crossing and inappropriate
parking.
·
Some
free packed lunches for children were delivered in the Walton over the half
term.
·
Request
for updates on the broken playground equipment have been received. The Clerk
confirmed this was due to be inspected and if possible repaired in the next 24
hours by Kompan.
·
Proposed
diversions for works on the bridge on Doncaster Road may in result in increased
traffic through the village.
Cllr Carlon noted there are
concerns the diversions as result of the bridge closure on Doncaster Road could
lead to wagons going through the village and becoming stuck under the low
bridge on Oakenshaw Lane. It was also
suggested Highways review the network and respond why this is one of very few
stretches of road with a national speed limit.
It was suggested Cllr Cummings request
a virtual meeting with Highways to consider the speeding throughout the
village, diversions, and increased traffic as result of works on Doncaster Road
and addressing the problem with wagons.
A Councillor renewed a request for resurfacing
on School Lane and repainting of ‘Keep Clear’ markings near the School Lane
bridge.
Resolved to note the reports.
94.
To approve accounts to be paid, already paid under delegated powers and
income received during October 2020.
The Clerk submitted details (copy attached
to minutes) of accounts paid totalling £2,312.15 for October 2020, and income
received of £2,774.36, which includes CIL Monies of £1,939.56.
The account balances at the end of October
2020 are:
Current a/c: £3,529.02
Barclays Business Res a/c: £35,630.57
HSBC deposit a/c: £50,914.16
Total £90,073.75
Resolved to approve the financial statements
and payments.
95.
To ratify decisions, as scheduled made to date by the Clerk under her delegated
authority.
The Clerk submitted a schedule of decisions
made under her delegated authority from 29th September to 27th
October 2020 to be ratified by the Parish Council.
Resolved
to ratify the decisions taken by the Clerk/RFO under her delegated
authority and to publish the list of decisions on the Parish Council website.
96.
To receive a breakdown of the budget categories relating to budget 2020.
Cllr Lee shared
his own report and calculations of the anticipated forecast/deficit.
It was
generally agreed efforts would be made to install a water boiler to the mains, have
the floor polished within the hall and to investigate the drainage before financial
year end. The Clerk was asked to
investigate if the paving outside the hall could be repaired using the existing
slabs instead of purchasing new.
It was
agreed full refurbishment of the Tennis Club would be unlikely pending the
feasibility report and therefore it was forecasted the spend would reduce to
£1,000. It was also identified that £1,500 has been saved on SAFE scheme.
Members
were reminded to withhold discussing confidential information regarding
employees in a public forum.
Resolved to incorporate the alternations into the budget
review scheduled for November to consider the forecasted position at year end.
97.
To consider correspondence received.
The Clerk summarised the correspondence
received over October 2020 and noted a consultation has been launched by WMDC on
the Local Plan for 2036. As the deadline is 9 December 2020, proposals can be discussed
with the Planning working party and recommendations submitted at next month’s
meeting.
The Clerk raised a request from the
Chair of the HOW project to access Parish Council records to assist with the Heritage
trail. The noted there may be GDPR implications but it was also acknowledged the
information is of public record. The information held has not been indexed and
is due to be filed at National Archives.
Resolved
(i)
To respond to the Chair of the HOW project asking for details of the
information required so that this information could be retrieved.
(ii)
The
Clerk to liaise with the Planning working party on any recommended responses to
the Wakefield District Local Plan 2036 Publication Draft Plan Consultation.
(iii)
To note all other correspondence.
A representative of Walton Florist
was in attendance regarding item 12 of the agenda. The Chair agreed to bring this
forward.
98.
To
consider request by Walton Florist to install a poppy installation at the War
Memorial in advance of Remembrance Sunday.
A representative from Walton Florist to request
of a poppy installation could be displayed over the stone War Memorial monument
in advance of Remembrance Sunday to raise funds for the Royal British Legion. A
member note advice from the War Memorial Trust which recommends items should
not be hung or affixed to stonework as this could cause damage and detracts
from the monument.
An alternative suggestion was debated to
install the poppy installation from the Bus Shelter or behind the War Memorial
subject to the School’s permission as this was their land.
Resolved to allow access to the War Memorial to place the installation behind
the War Memorial subject to permission being granted by the School.
99.
To consider planning applications validated and
decided in October 2020.
There
have been 1 application validated and 4 applications decided since the last
meeting.
Resolved
to note all the other validated and
decided applications.
Given the potential for resolving to exclude
the public and press, the Chair deferred the planning items (9.2 and 9.3) to
the end of the meeting.
100.
To
consider writing to the planning authority regarding the temporary planning permission
for ‘The Van’ on Oakenshaw Lane.
It was noted temporary planning permission was issued in March 2018 and
expires in March 2022. Members felt it
was important to prompt the planning authority not to allow the temporary permission
to overrun and to address the necessary recommendations by the Planning Inspector.
Given the location is on a shared boundary, it was considered appropriate to co-ordinate
a response with Crofton Parish Council. Given the current public health pandemic,
any communication would be best delayed.
Resolved to
defer reconsideration of the matter in March 2021 and September 2021 with a
view to writing to the planning authority at this time.
101.
To receive an update on Village
Hall hiring and Christmas preparations.
A professional fire risk assessment took place and resulting report with
recommendations will be circulated once received.
The Clerk has reviewed use of the hall under the new tier system
guidance and all 4 regular hirers are permitted continued use of the hall. Three hirers are exempt for activities with
children and indoor exercise classes and the fourth is permitted to continue as
the hall follows COVID-safe protocols based on advice provided by ACRE.
The Hall will however be closed between 5th November to 2nd
December to all booking due to the national lockdown period.
The Clerk confirmed Working for Walton (W4W) wish to source and erect a
Christmas tree outside the Village Hall as in previous years. The scheduled
date would be during lockdown period. A risk assessment has been provided prior
to lockdown being announced. A member felt the tree should not be installed during
the lockdown period due to the negative perception this could cause and the
potential lack of social distancing.
Members believed social distancing could be achieved. The motion to
delay until after lockdown period was abandoned if W4W was able to confirm they
could comply with national restrictions during the lockdown period.
Resolved
(i)
to
note the report on hiring;
(ii)
to
confirm with W4W if they can comply with national restrictions and if not,
delay installation to after 2nd December 2020.
102.
To receive and update and
further recommendations from the Tennis Club working party on uses for land
formerly known as the Tennis Club.
The Clerk also reported working party members met virtually on 14th
October 2020 and recommend the study focus of a report be on sporting activities
as this is the area in which the Council require technical advice. It was considered
a garden/seating area(s) could be incorporated around/within perimeter of the land.
Having reviewed the sporting
activities not included at Brook Farm, as discussed at last Council meeting, it
was recommended Netball and volleyball on a tarmac surface, adult outdoor gym
equipment, 5-aside and walking football pitches (best surface subject to
advice), and a separate petanque area be considered. It was felt this accommodates for both genders,
from teen to seniors. It was recommended cricket, hockey, tennis, bowling green
and artificial bowls be excluded. A member noted 5-aside would be offered at Brook
Farm.
The areas of advice within the
report would be focused on other potential pitches on the identified surfaces, costings
and funding, changes to the pavilion to complement the facility, removal of
hedges/trees to accommodate requested activities and what the ongoing/maintenance
obligations are.
The Clerk was tasked to approach fellow
clerks through various outlets/forums, YLCA, WMDC and SLCC for draft feasibility
study requests and resulting reports or to share experiences/advice.
The Clerk noted the WMDC officers advised
any feasibility report would need to include certain items to assist with
securing grant funding.
Resolved
(i)
To
prepare a specification for the feasibility report with a view to requesting quotes
in line with Financial regulations;
(ii)
Arrange
a meeting with WMDC officers for advice on specification following the lockdown
period.
103.
To consider reducing the Leylandii
trees bordering the recreation ground and tennis club.
The Clerk noted the next tree survey was due in July 2021.
Discussions were held on reducing the leylandii trees by two thirds or
removing completely. It was felt delaying
any action pending receipt of the feasibility report or the tree survey,
whichever is earlier.
Resolved to
defer pending receipt of the feasibility study or the next scheduled tree
survey.
104.
To receive
an update on Remembrance Sunday.
The Clerk reported
the Remembrance Service was still allowed to go ahead following national
restrictions being announced due to a legal exemption for the event to take
place. Spectators were legally permitted to attend subject to following all
relevant guidance on mixing with other households and social distancing.
The Clerk
also advised a member of the Crofton Silver Band has agreed to play the Last
Post and recommended a donation would be appropriate as a thank you. A proposal
of £25 and £50 was made, with a seconder for £50.
Resolved
to donate £50 as a thank
you to Crofton Silver Band.
105.
To
consider and approve amended terms of reference for Working Party:
Amended
terms of reference were shared to incorporate maintenance of the Facebook page
and website following its development.
Resolved to
adopt the proposed terms of reference without amendment.
106.
To
consider the Facebook content page proposal to prepare a Social Media Policy for
adoption by the Parish Council.
The Clerk reported Cllrs Saunders and Leith had been monitoring the Facebook page and posting some agreed comments during the Clerk’s recent annual leave.
Members of the working party met virtually on 16th October to discuss the accessibility statement and draft social media policies. Minor amends have been made to the accessibility statement (as reported in the delegated decisions table) and Facebook page – information section.
A draft Facebook content proposal was shared. It was recommended a focus would be made to post updates on Parish Council decisions and actions. A member confirmed the social community Centre had a Facebook page and therefore a link would be added to this page. Discussions were held on the community page section and restricting postings to charitable and village events in line with our policy on displaying items within in the Village Hall Noticeboard, including ‘lost and found’ items. The Clerk confirmed a notice was included on the Noticeboard to promote activities held within the hall. It was felt advertisements on these activities were acceptable.
Resolved to incorporate the Facebook content page proposal into a draft Social Media Policy at the next meeting.
107.
To consider
request for a grant from Walton Community Library (WCL) towards new fixtures
and fittings.
Cllr
Lee presented a motion in respect of the WCL’s intended relocation to Engie’s
community hub. It was agreed with the
building developer that WCL will seek to raise funds from the village to facilitate
the move by, where relevant, providing new fixtures and fittings to supplement
those which can be transferred from the old premises in the school building.
The items which WCL intend to buy are outlined in a recent maildrop
leaflet that has been delivered to all homes in the village. The leaflet also
invites residents to make individual contributions to help the overall funding. The Council is asked to resolve to makes its
own contribution in the sum of £1,000.
It is recognised this figure is in excess of the grant amount
usually made available to applicants but, given the importance of the library
and the very wide range of activities it organises for the benefit of Walton,
including the schoolchildren, it is suggested that a one-off contribution of
£1,000 is appropriate in these special circumstances.
The grant should be conditional on WCL demonstrating
that there is in place a lease of the new premises which will guarantee
security of tenure.
A
member asked if it was appropriate for Cllr Lee to declare an interest to which
he felt it was not given he did not have a controlling interest in the library.
Another member felt all members had an interest as it was a community facility.
The Chair
noted the Council budgets £1,000 for grants of which £217 had been spent. It
was possible to offer the difference. Cllr
Lee noted funds could be used from the Contingency budget.
The
Clerk advised the Council could use ‘virement’ from contingency budget to
balance an overspend and could make a discretionary grant under its Grants
Donation policy in this circumstance. A vote was held and passed.
Resolved to offer a discretionary grant to WCL in the
sum of £1,000 towards its fixtures and fittings subject to it demonstrating that there is in
place a lease of the new premises which will guarantee security of tenure.
108.
To consider dates for Council meetings
for 2021.
The
Clerk suggested dates for Council meetings in 2021.
Resolved
(i)
to suspend Standing Orders 3a – meetings to be held on the first Tuesday,
due to School and bank holidays
(ii)
accept suggested dates with the exception to 4th May be delayed
to 11th May.
Items 9.2 and 9.4 deferred from
earlier.
109.
In view of the confidential nature of the business concerned, to resolve
to exclude the Press and Public to consider advice allotment area at the
Waterton Green development.
Resolved
(i)
To exclude
the public and the press under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act
1960 s1(2).
(ii)
The
Planning working party to meet and make recommendations to discuss potential solutions
to move forward with the development, subject to the receipt of advice.
110.
In view
of the confidential nature of the business concerned, to resolve to exclude the
Press and Public to land registry searches on School Lane.
Resolved to defer item for consideration at the next meeting due to timing
constraints.
Meeting closed at 22.50pm.