Parish Report Summer 06

CHAIRMANS REVIEW May 2005 TO May 2006

I would like to thank each and every one of the Councillors for the support they have given me over the last twelve months as Chair of the Council because without this team it would have been a struggle, so I can say that I have enjoyed every minute. We started May 2005 with ongoing problems that we needed to sort out as fairly and quickly as possible. We didn't have a permanent Clerk until Philip Dennis was appointed in August 2005. We had on going problems at the Parish hall with the floor that had started to break up and required resealing. This was done last summer, but unfortunately it took another three attempts to get it right but now at last it seems to have settled down. Thanks to the users for their patience. A halls and parks committee has been set up to discuss issues more thoroughly and has allowed more time to be devoted to each problem. They then report back to the main body of the Council with recommendations for them to ratify. Both Halls are in the process of being renovated and we hope to complete this by the end of the summer school holidays. We have also renovated the notice boards with full particulars of the Parish Clerk and have on order two more notice boards to be erected at both Barnby Dun and Kirk Sandall. We have this last year repaired play equipment and it is on line to be repainted. Sutton Road has been closed due to constant flooding and is at this moment being looked at for drainage to see if it can be reopened again.

We have secured grants from Yorkshire Rural Community Council for the erection of stone signs at the entrances of our villages, but unfortunately the stone has run out at the quarry we were quoted at, but we are endeavouring to re locate this and get on with the job in hand.

This council is very supportive of the community activities including the Sports Association and the Sports Ground. Only last month the council set up another small Committee to join forces with the Sports Association in a bid to try and develop changing facilities at the Sports ground. The cricket and football areas look in prime condition but have not got adequate changing facilities. The Pontefract cricket league has refused the right for the first team to play home games due to the lack of facilities. The only way that the Council can attract funding is for the sports ground to include junior football in their makeup and after the last meeting of all sections concerned are having difficulty in finding common ground. I sincerely hope that it can be found and we can go forward.

We have joined forces with Edenthorpe Council with the big issue of the day and that is Anti Social Behaviour. We have jointly and singularly met with the police many times to combat this rise in crime in our area. Things have to be done to make it safe on our streets.

Please use the phone and contact numbers as often as possible to highlight our needs for action on the Anti Social Behaviour we are experiencing at this time.

Christmas lights are being planned for both villages in the main shopping areas. Also we hope to have better lighting on our walk ways in both villages as well.

This is a good, hard working Council, but we need your support, ideas and input. We are listening and we are trying to improve the area for all, both young and old. Thank You for your continued support.

Cllr. John Berriman

THORPE MARSH LANDFILL

You may or not know that Banks have appealed against the DMBC Planning Committee's decision to refuse permission for a landfill site at the former ash disposable lagoon at Thorpe Marsh. There now will be a Public Inquiry later on in the year, can we ask for as many people to attend as possible to show public opinion against this application. We will let you know when and where it will be held nearer the date, it is hoped that it will be held in Arksey, Barnby Dun or Kirk Sandall. Anyone who would like to know when and where it will be held, please send me your email address to :-

cliff.hampson@btinternet.com

and as soon as I know, so will you.

Cllr. Cliff Hampson

THE GARDEN VILLAGES

At the time of writing we have just held our annual plant sale at Barnby Dun to raise funds for further planting. Unfortunately the weather was not kind to us and sales were down on last year. However we hope for better luck for our sale at Kirk Sandall. The winter planting in the containers is to be disposed of and summer planting is due to take place in the next few weeks. Further lamp post containers are to be placed down Top Road to make for a more colourful display. The group is very grateful for the kind donations that we have received and the loan of the greenhouses throughout the village. We have purchased small heaters and have been able to grow many of our own plants this year which saves our resources. The large Ash tree in the pinfold has been removed and we hope to tidy this in the near future. Seating in the two villages is also in hand together with litter bins. The group has been fortunate to secure the help of some very knowledgeable new members whose advice has been greatly appreciated. We hope that all the residents of Barnby Dun and Kirk Sandall will enjoy the summer planting.

Rosemary Lea

THE HALLS REPORT

It has been a good year with the start of two new "site managers", at each hall. These site managers are responsible for the cleaning and day-to-day organisation of the halls. They are able to do small DIY repairs and general painting etc making for efficient and economical running costs. The transformation is still on-going with the refurbishment of the hall. Security railings have been erected at the Assembly Hall as part of a program to reduce anti-social behaviour, with extra lights to be fitted around the car park. The cost of the security railings was covered by a grant from the "Community Safety Small Grants". As part of the same program the removal of the shrubs in the garden to reduce places that people can hide and the removal of the lower branch's of the mature trees to prevent these from being used as swings. The whole area will be re-seeded once these projects have finished. Also a sound system has been installed for the benefit of all together with a new interior clock.

The front of the Parish Hall took on a new look also with the renovation of the plastic facia boarding which was broken and in need of renovation. Have you noticed the new clock? This is looking very smart. The site manager has the front of the Hall looking very nice with more plans to possibly extend the area for more planting. The interior has been transformed with a number of areas being painted that were beginning to look rather run down. 60 new folding upholstered seats have been placed in the hall for your extra comfort. This next year should see the completion of the refurbishment of both Halls into something we can be proud of and not like something handed down from the 1960's. I look forward to this in anticipation. I would like to say a thank you to the Site Managers who are making these refurbishments a success.

Cllr. Paul Bissett Chairman Halls Committee

DENTONS GREEN PARK

Since we last talked things have not got much further but we have applied for a grant from WREN of £25,000 and it is hoped that £67,000 will be used from Section 106 money that is available. This will give us enough money to start the junior play equipment and move the basketball hoop. A further sum of money will be needed for the five a side football pitch and we are looking for funding for this. We will be told in late June if we are successful with the WREN bid for funding. Fingers crossed.

Cllr. Cliff Hampson

BARNBY DUN, EDENTHORPE AND KIRK SANDALL GALA

August 5th & 6th 2006

on TESCOS FIELDThe aim of this Gala is to unite the villages in a weekend of fun and community spirit. We hope to have a medieval battle re-enactment who is going to act out a battle. Further to permission, we are to have a display by the fire service. The local school are to be involved in many events as are local activity groups, such as dancing, Taekwando and line dancing. Various stalls where charities and others will be able to display and sell their goods. The scout group hope to have a marquee where youngsters can go and experience craftwork. We will have a small funfair featuring a small roundabout for the young children and a climbing wall for the older ones. Refreshments on both days. As you can imagine this is costing a lot of money, the Gala Committee are holding a few events over the next couple of months. Do try and support them, they have been working very hard behind the scenes to get this event going. George Currigan and myself will be helping from the Parish Council to raise prizes for the raffles and tombola's, please if you have anything no matter how small it will help leave them at Parish Hall or Assembly Hall with the Site Managers or one of us.

For any further information about the Gala, or stall hire.

Please contact Ann Fraser 885968.

Cllr. Karen Hampson

POLICE REPORT

During the past six months there has been a general deterioration in the behaviour of small groups of young people and young adults in our area. It has been and still is common practice for the group to gather outside the shops on Brecks Lane or on the field at the rear of Tesco's. We have witnessed some horrendous behaviour from unprovoked assaults to the intimidation and ‘Mickey' taking of the elderly. Your parents or grandparents could have been the victims

The Police have been forced to take action that normally is associated with deprived inner city areas, not the village we know. Children as young as twelve have been taken home drunk, being both a danger to themselves and others. Girls as young as thirteen have been found carrying condoms (very responsible but hardly the conduct I would suspect that parents would want). Unfortunately evidence also confirms that not only are these children drinking hard spirits but they are also smoking drugs and participating in substance misuse (glue and gas sniffing).

We have already seen several people prosecuted and awaiting prosecution for their behaviour. We also have the first ASBO on one individual with more to follow. If this order is breached the individual can face up to five years imprisonment. The Police have been meeting regularly with their partner agencies, the Parish Council and members of the public. We are all united that this kind of behaviour will not be allowed to ruin our village. Firm and positive action will be taken and where necessary prosecutions made.

Please be a responsible parent, not the parent of a yob or a yob with a criminal record. Remember this is your village and your community you have a part to play.

Information can be passed in confidence to South Yorkshire Police on

01302 385492 or via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.Do not just turn a blind eye and convince yourself that your child

would not behave in this manner as many already are.