Parish Council Meeting – 26 November 2025
Present: Cllrs T. Hames, A. Lagden, J. Barker, E. Spurdens, C. Wheatley, and Ms J. Kendall Clerk
Apologies: District Cllrs. B. Mayhew and J. Craig
No members of the public attended the meeting.
1. Cllr Hames took the role of chair and welcomed all to the meeting.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 24.9.25 were approved: Proposed Cllr Wheatley, Seconded Cllr. Spurdens.
3. Matters Arising:
Signage for the new boundary: Cllr Barker reported that Dt Cllr Ayre had forwarded a quote from Richard Hobman at WMDC for £5200. This was more than expected especially as the boundary signs would need replacing by WMDC anyway. ACTION: the Clerk will ask for a breakdown of the quote from Dt Cllr Ayre. It was agreed to go ahead with the signage with reservations about the cost.
Ackworth Parish Council have got back to us with queries about the necessity of moving the boundary sign on Station Road. Cllr Hames and the Clerk replied but there has been no response.
Telephone Box renovation: Cllr Spurdens reported that she has received an estimate of £670 for the work. It was agreed that this should go forward in the Spring and be covered by CIL funding. ACTION: Cllr Spurdens will contact Steve Collins.
Village Hall land ownership: Cllr Hames reported that there are complications with the Adverse Possession and the solicitors cannot proceed without further information. He continues to spend much time following up requests from the solicitors. It was agreed with the village hall committee at the meeting on October 2nd that they wish to retain ownership, and the Parish Council will pay the legal fees as per the quote received for this work. ACTION: The village hall will need to be valued and Cllr Hames will proceed with this. Cllr Hames was thanked for his hard work with this issue.
Signage on verge on Doncaster Road: Cllr Hames reported that Dt Cllr Mayhew had contacted WMDC who stated that they have informed the owners that the sign must be taken down within 30 days. ACTION: Cllr Hames will contact Dt Cllr Mayhew to enquire about progress.
Yorkshire Water: Cllr Barker reported that there had been significant overnight disturbance in the Rigg Lane area caused by three tractor- pulled tankers running in convoy hourly through the night between 7th and 10th November from the Hardwick Road works to the Ackworth Treatment works off Rigg Lane. She had raised a complaint on behalf of the residents and was told it was necessary due to a pollution risk at the Hardwick Road site. Cllr Barker requested that if tankers had to be run could this please not be between midnight and 5 am. A tractor-pulled tanker is still occasionally running during the day. It was agreed to monitor the situation as the use of tankers between the sites is becoming more frequent and is concerning in view of the new houses under construction off Hardwick Road potentially adding to the problem.
Welcome leaflet: Cllr Hames has distributed the Welcome poster to residents now living within the new Parish boundary. Cllr Hames was thanked for his time and effort.
4. Accounts
Cllr Barker reported that the current balance is £10751.34. The CIL money balance is £7729.90, part of which must be spent by Autumn 2026. There were no unexpected expenses. She gave out a spreadsheet showing expenditure.
5. Highways
Cllr Wheatley reported that Dt Cllr Ayre emailed to say that WMDC states that the speed bumps have been reassessed as not adequate and Martin Barnes (Head of Highways) has confirmed that they are now on the programme of works to be completed next year. He is awaiting a response to the road signs which he has chased again.
Work is due to be completed on the A1 on December 6th.
6. Planning
Cllr Lagden reported that he had circulated a video on the sale of the school. There has been some interest. It is not known whether it is deemed suitable for commercial use. There has been no decision as yet on the Mayfield storage unit. There has been an application for foul water drainage at number 26-28 Darrington Road.
After discussion regarding proposals for a development of 190 new houses in Carleton it was agreed to comment saying there is concern about greenbelt development, increased traffic through the village and effects on infrastructure that is already struggling. ACTION: Cllr Lagden will respond.
- 7. Correspondence
YLCA training courses and bulletins were forwarded to councillors as relevant.
Register of Electors.
Mr Roy Donaldson sent details of the commemoration he had organised to publicise together with a Remembrance Day poster. ACTION: the Clerk will write to say thank you.
Concerns from a resident following the Labour Party newsletter about the hedge at the Doncaster road junction and the lack of road markings were forwarded to Dt Cllr Mayhew.
Requirements from Auditors for .gov email addresses for councillors – this is a matter to watch.
Cllr Wheatley reported that she had contacted Dt Cllr Mayhew re the overhanging allotment hedge and received a reply from WMDC that this is now the responsibility of the Parish Council. This will now be maintained annually.
Response made to NALC toilet survey.
Community Safe Places – the village hall has been identified by WMDC.
8. AOB
Cllr Spurdens reported that she has been asked about waiting lists for the garages. None are currently available but when one becomes vacant it will be advertised through the website and notice board.
9. Date of the next meeting: 7.30pm Wednesday 28th January 2026.
The meeting closed at 9.00pm.
AGENDA
Chair: Cllr T. Hames
1. Welcome, Attendance and Apologies
2. Minutes of the last PC meeting 24th September 2025
3. Matters Arising:
· Speed bump review GA
· Boundary signage JB/GA
· Telephone box repair ES
· Land ownership village hall TH
· Signage on Doncaster Road TH
· Waterboard nuisance JB
· Welcome leaflet TH
4. Accounts: Cllr. Barker
· CIL
5. Highways: Cllr Wheatley
6. Planning: Cllr Lagden
7. Correspondence
· Remembrance Day JK
· Overgrown hedge at the junction and road marking JK
· Allotment hedge CW
· Register of Electors JK
· Community safe places TH
8. Any Other Business
9. Date of next meeting: Wednesday 28th January 2026 – 7.30
Wednesday 26th November 2025 at 7.30pm
AGENDA
Chair: Cllr T. Hames
1. Welcome, Attendance and Apologies
2. Minutes of the last PC meeting 24th September 2025
3. Matters Arising:
· Speed bump review GA
· Boundary signage JB/GA
· Telephone box repair ES
· Land ownership village hall TH
· Signage on Doncaster Road TH
· Waterboard nuisance JB
· Welcome leaflet TH
4. Accounts: Cllr. Barker
· CIL
5. Highways: Cllr Wheatley
6. Planning: Cllr Lagden
7. Correspondence
· Remembrance Day JK
· Overgrown hedge at the junction and road marking JK
· Allotment hedge CW
· Register of Electors JK
· Community safe places TH
8. Any Other Business
9. Date of next meeting: Wednesday 28th January 2026 – 7.30pm