Wentworth Partnership Meeting

12 October 2006

 

Held at Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates, Estate Office at 6.00 pm

 

In attendance:              

 

N Chaplin (NC)                         Chair – The Wentworth Village Community Association

D Hunton (DH)                         Chair – The Wentworth Parish Council

            A Barber-Lomax  (ABL)           Agent – Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates & Meeting Chair

            J Ratcliff (JR)                           Wentworth North Area Assembly Support Officer

            K Brisland (KB)                        Neighbourhood Champion RMBC 2010

            M Hill (MH)                             Community Planning Officer RMBC

 

Apologies:

 

L Stevenson                              Wentworth Parish Council / Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates / The Wentworth Village Community Association

 

1.         Minutes of the Meeting held 12th July 2006

 

            Approved.

 

2.         Matters Arising

 

It was suggested that PC Paling be invited to future meetings.

 

3.         Social and Welfare

 

a.       Community Association Management Committee

 

NC reported that, following a successful rescheduled AGM, the Management Committee now has a full compliment with new recruits including Lindy Stevenson, Mandy Sales and Julie Chester-Bristow.

 

b.      Bonfire Night

 

Due to take place on Saturday 4th November.  DH raised question over traffic which the Community Association have considered with the Local Authority who requested a contribution towards the costs of traffic management.  DH pointed out that it should not be necessary to pay for this service and KG is to speak to Inspector Tattersall and JR to Andrew Lee of the Neighbourhood Management Team for Wentworth North.

 

c.       Future Community Events

 

Some form of New Years Eve function will be arranged for the village and Christmas party’s for the children as per last year and a village day is planned during summer 2007.

 

d.      Ice-Cream Van

 

DH highlighted the fact that the van currently represents a health issue and safety hazard.

 

e.      Interregnum – Holy Trinity Church

 

Continues.  DH pointed out that, as a result, evening services are intermittent.

 

 

 

4.         Governance

 

a.       RMBC Visit – 26th July 2006

 

ABL reported that a successful visit had been made by Assistant CE Lee Adams, Policy Officer Emma Bridge and Investment and Development Officer David Edmundson and that the profile of the Wentworth rural community was, as a result, hopefully more likely to receive consideration with future policy.  In this respect, ABL had been provided with an early draft of the Rural Strategy which he recommended the Parish Council consider when circulated for public consultation.

 

b.      Appointment of New Community Planning Officer

 

Michael Hill was welcomed to the meeting and will liaise with NC and DH over future community initiatives. 

 

c.       Parish Plan

 

Some considerable discussion took place.  MH is investigating RMBC derived funding to help move the Parish appraisal forward to form a Parish Plan although Wentworth falls outside the usual funding stream designated areas.  DH outlined his frustration at Wentworth’s continuing inability to source funding, something which he has taken up with the local MP.  All of the RMBC representatives confirmed that they would do their best to help the Parish Plan move forward, for which the Parish Council and Community Association are principal drivers.

 

d.      Village Design Statement

 

ABL circulated a draft copy of the Design Statement which will soon be finalised and circulated to the Parish Council and RMBC Conservation Officer etc.

 

e.      Parking

 

DH indicated that current parking opposite the Bistro is causing a problem for residents of Friars Cottages.  ABL will raise this with the proprietor of the Bistro although her staff are parking legitimately.

 

Conversation turned to parking along Church Drive which DH suggested the Estate could improve by widening the tarmac road to provide parking space.  ABL highlighted the availability of the school car park as an alternative, pointing out that the Estate was not in favour of urbanising the village street scene any more than necessary.

 

f.        OAP Warden

 

RMBC are currently considering the possibility of providing a warden service to Friars Croft residents.  DH pointed out that the service should not be restricted to Friars Croft only and that there are a considerable number of OAPs within the Village as well as the Barrow Almshouses.

 

5.                  Built Environment

 

a.       Street Lighting

 

ABL reported that he awaited news from Highways as to the level of funding available from RMBC.  Progress seems to have ground to a halt and ABL will chase Richard Jackson and Alan Lewis.  The RMBC representatives present will also do the same.

 

b.      Village Signage

 

As above.  Current street nameplates are to be repainted and fixed directly to adjacent walls rather than retained on stilts.

 

c.       Wentworth Park Entrance

 

ABL circulated details of prospective pillars and gates and confirmed that formal planning, highways and conservation area applications will shortly be made.

 

d.      West Hall Fold – Car Park

 

Currently being installed.

 

e.      Clayfield Lane – Car Parking

 

Due to be installed Spring 2007.

 

f.        The Kennels Stack Yard Field – Building Removal

 

Progress halted due to Yorkshire Electricity Boards failure to shroud overhead cables.

 

g.      Private Graveyard

 

ABL reported that the Beech hedge and paling fence fronting the burial ground would shortly be removed and replaced with iron railings.

 

h.      Friars Cottages – Garages

 

ABL indicated that there were no current proposal to replace the existing array of garages in this private parking area.

 

i.        Church Drive

 

ABL reported that an application had been made for the removal of one tree and raising of the crown of others.  He also confirmed that the gate onto Hague Lane should shortly be repaired or replaced as required.

 

7.         Date of Next Meeting

 

Thursday 11th January 2007 at the Estate office.