MEETING OF HATFIELD TOWN COUNCIL Monday 12th September 2016
Held at the Council Offices, Cuckoo Lane, Hatfield
Members Present
D Fiennes-Gregory (Town Mayor)
M Glynn K Knight
D Anderson Mrs P Sanderson
Mrs J Credland W Morrison
J Brown Ms L Curran
W Temperton-Ball Ms V Moate
Ms A Rutherford R Powell
Mrs M Curran
Mrs C McRoy, Town Clerk
Mrs S Fletcher, Assistant Town Clerk
41 ACCEPTANCE OF APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None
42 MATTERS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
A group in excess of 18 members of the public attended in respect of one issue one spokesperson initially voiced their concerns. The residents predominantly from Doncaster Road, Hatfield were concerned about the proposed residential development to be carried out on open land opposite their dwellings. A recent planning application had been granted, and concerns were expressed in respect of added pressures on local services for example schools, doctors and the infrastructure in general resulting in a detrimental effect on the community as a whole. The residents felt that they had not been kept informed of the progress of the planning application; a leaflet distributed to residents was incorrect and felt the Town Council did not support the residents.
The Chair advised the residents that Hatfield Town Council had submitted objections against the planning applications and subsequent appeals, however Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council have the responsibility to make the decisions on planning applications, and Hatfield Town Council do not have any authority on the final decision. The Town Clerk advised the residents the developers distributed the leaflet and the Town Council advised them information was incorrect. The Chair reiterated his comments and also advised that as residents they can make a further complaint to their Member of Parliament if they wished.
A resident of Hatfield attended the meeting to complain about the condition of Jubilee Fields in particular the lack of grass cutting, collection of grass cuttings and the lack of facilities for recreation ground users. The resident pointed out that she had contacted the Town Council on several occasions in respect of this via e mail.
The resident compared Jubilee Fields with Quarry Park (DMBC owned and maintained) both in relation to grass cutting and facilities.
The Town Clerk advised that DMBC are contracted to cut recreation grounds for Hatfield Town Council and have had difficulty this season maintaining the timetable for contracted cuts, moreover the DMBC owned sites appear to have taken priority despite repeated attempts to expedite matters as a paying client of their services.
There is an improvement and replacement plan for recreation grounds and equipment within the Hatfield Town Council Action Plan to be carried out over the next 5 years. The Town Clerk added that the improvement plans would be considered by the Burial and Recreation Committee to report back to full council with their recommendations. She stated there will be an opportunity to be more involved by being part of the planned ‘Friends of Jubilee Park’.
A member of the public asked where the meetings were advertised as residents were not aware. The Town Clerk advised that notices were displayed in the 5 Council Notice Boards, The Community Library, Hatfield Post Office and published in the Thorne Times (a free publication delivered in the area) and on the Town Council web site.
43 Agenda Item 11 was brought forward due to the subject matter being relevant for the members of the public attending.
UPDATE FROM WARD MEMBERS
Councillor Mrs Credland reported that she attended the planning meeting where the application for the residential development was being considered and spoke on behalf of Ward members objecting to the proposal raising concerns about the infrastructure and impact on schools etc., she added that Councillor Glynn attended the meeting on behalf of Hatfield Town Council to speak in objection to the proposal.
Councillor Ms L Curran in response to residents advised that unfortunately she was unable to attend this meeting however; she had submitted her objection against previous applications and appeals for this site and had worked in support of residents. Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council’s Planning Committee made the decision to approve the outline application. Councillor Glynn advised residents that the one avenue open to them is through a Judicial Review which is expensive. Councillor Powell pointed out that the land is within Flood zone 3 and Countryside Policy Area and as such any reserved matters application will have to address these issues. He suggested that when this reserved matters application is submitted it should be scrutinised and each individual resident should submit their observations.
44 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
45 TO CONSIDER THE EXTENT, IF ANY, TO WHICH THE PUBLIC AND PRESS ARE TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960
There are three items under Agenda Item 10b to be discussed.
46 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL TUESDAY 19th JULY 2016
The minutes of the Town Council held on Tuesday 19th July 2016 were subsequently approved as a true record and signed by the Town Mayor, Councillor Fiennes-Gregory.
47 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
a Further to minute 29 Councillor Powell asked if a solicitor had been consulted. The Town Clerk advised that she has received further information from the developer that the boundary responsibility has been passed to the individual homeowner.
b Further to minute 33a Councillor Mrs Credland and Councillor Ms Rutherford advised that a member of the public attended the Councillors Surgery to enquire about Housing 21 Project for retired people. Councillor Knight was in the Library and responded to the question and advised the member of the public his wife Borough Councillor Mrs P Knight would sort it out. Councillor Mrs Credland wished to remind other Councillors that those assigned to the Surgeries will respond to queries raised.
The Town Clerk asked for volunteers to attend the forthcoming surgeries and advised the community library will be imposing a £5.00 charge. The Town Clerk also advised that it was suggested at previous meetings to rotate the venue.
Councillor Mrs P Sanderson and Councillor K Knight volunteered for 8th October.
Councillor B Morrison and Councillor Mrs M Curran volunteered for 12th November.
Councillor Fiennes-Gregory and Councillor Ms L Curran for 3rd December.
The Town Clerk advised the October meeting may be held at Dunsville Community Centre with venue to be agreed for the others.
Resolved: To rotate surgeries around the area where possible.
Further Resolved: To pay £5.00 for the use of the Library.
c Further to minute 33b - Gilliat Land The Town Clerk advised that no further information is available yet, hopefully she would have an update on the valuation by the next meeting.
d Further to minute 33c - BMX cycle track. The Town Clerk reported that no other quotations had been received, DMBC landscape team have not been forthcoming and she is also looking into Grant Funding for the BMX track.
It was agreed that in principle the Councillors are in support of the provision of the BMX track, Councillor Morrison pointed out it is not only the build costs but also maintenance costs. No time constraints were put on for the quotations, Town Clerk will bring further quotations and information to a future full council meeting.
e Further to minute 33d – Proposed development Tyram Lakes. The Town Clerk asked if the Council still want the presentation by the developer who unfortunately could not attend this evening.
Resolved: The Town Clerk to invite them to next meeting in October.
f Further to minute 35a Cemetery Workshop - the Town Clerk advised that there is an agenda item under part B to update.
g Further to minute 35b – Cemetery Toilet - Councillor Glynn asked if the toilet had been replaced. The Town Clerk advised that the toilet had been cleaned the arm rest and grab rail are on order. Councillor Glynn enquired about the progress of the RADAR lock. The Town Clerk updated that a locksmith had advised a RADAR lock could not be fitted together with the existing lock. It had to be one or the other and a RADAR only one would prevent normal use of the facility. The Town Clerk advised that the regime of locking the toilets when cemetery staff were unavailable had so far prevented further instances of vandalism.
h Further to minute 36b - Planning Application 16/00015/Ref – The representations were submitted.
i Further to minute 37c – Anti Social Behaviour Abbey Fields - The Town Clerk reported that she had been down to the location with the Police and discussed thinning the trees out and continues to work with the Police. Councillor Ms L Curran added that the residents are still complaining together with no signage displayed to dissuade the activities. The Town Clerk added that the developer had passed boundary responsibility to individual householders. Signage is displayed and byelaws in place. Councillor Powell suggested checking the planning covenant for boundary information.
j Further to minute 37b – Dr Waters’ Gardens – Councillor Knight asked if a volunteer day had been arranged for the gardens. The Town Clerk reported that the clematis had been planted and the roses are to be planted and added the volunteer day is not set as the last one was poorly attended, when all staff back they will be able to accommodate weeding and grass cutting. Councillor Knight requested the matter be raised at the Burial and Recreation Ground Committee.
k Further to minute 38c – Ward members Report – Councillor Glynn reminded that it had been suggested Ward Members updates should be included with the Agenda, although it is appreciated some items come after this deadline.
Resolved: Ward members updates be included with Agenda
48 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 8TH AUGUST 2016
The minutes of the Planning Committee held on Monday 8th August 2016 were approved as a true record and signed by the Town Mayor, Councillor Fiennes-Gregory.
49 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
a The Town Clerk updated that the application considered at the meeting has now been withdrawn and the applicants are working with the Planners towards submitting an alternative application.
50 TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACTS
a Planning Applications – Received (no observations)
Resolved: The Town Council has no observations in respect to the following planning applications:-
16/01656/3FUL - Construction of extension to side following demolition of existing side extension (Being Application Under Regulation 3) - 53 Ingram Crescent Dunscroft Doncaster DN7 4JG
16/02067/TCON - Conservation Area Notification to fell one Silver Birch tree; being within the Hatfield - High Street Conservation Area - 67 High Street Hatfield Doncaster DN7 6RS
16/02047/FUL - Single storey rear extension via garage conversion - 101 Grange Avenue Hatfield Doncaster DN7 6QS
16/02083/FUL - Erection of detached double garage - 3 Wellington Road Lindholme Doncaster DN7 6DB
16/02174/FUL – erection of sngle storey extension to rear – 41 Harpenden Drive Dunscroft, Doncaster DN7 4HE
Draft Carr Lodge Design Code Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for public consultation
b Planning Applications – Received (observations)
Resolved: The Town Council has observations in respect of the following planning applications:-
16/00017/REF – Inspectorate reference APP/F4410/W/16/3154552 - Conversion of Gun Shop and erection of extension to form new dwelling - Gun Shop Bawtry Road Hatfield Woodhouse Doncaster. The above appeal has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in relation to the determination of planning application reference 16/00812/FUL by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. – This is a substantial building and no reason to refuse the application bearing in mind recent approvals by DMBC Planning Committee.
51 CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS
Items requiring resolution
a Prisons Liaison Committee – Councillor Temperton-Ball outlined some of the issues facing the residents of 200 properties in Lindholme. There has been little consultation from the Prison about works being carried out and issues with Yorkshire Water, street lighting etc. It is proposed to set up a prison liaison committee to enable the exchange of information, prompt discussion and decision making process. It is envisaged 4 meetings in the year. There may be a need to form a Management Committee in the future.
Resolved : That a Prison Liaison Committee be formed with Terms of Reference to be discussed at the next Policy & Resources Committee meeting.
Standing Orders were suspended at 21.00 hrs
b Christmas Lights Update - The Town Clerk reported that she had been in discussion with 3 contractors. Unfortunately some of the proposals require metal lamp columns and the majority in our area are concrete. The costs are approximately £2000 per settlement area per year. Due to the time constraints in setting up displays for this year another option is solar powered Christmas trees mounted in 2 halves around a column or on hanging baskets. The cost is £190.00 per tree requiring no specialist installation just the set up for the display period of 5 hours. The Town Clerk is awaiting permission from DMBC.