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Draft minutes - to be approved at the next meeting
Minutes of a Meeting of the
held at Kingswood Village Hall on Monday 7th January 2008.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Present:
Cllr
Bob Bowker (Chair - BB) Cllr Peter Coleman (PC) Cllr Mike Evans (ME)
Cllr
Maurice Fitzpatrick (MF) Cllr Derek Hobson (DH) Cllr Tom Hoy (TH)
Cllr Fay Rouse (FR) (7)
Sue Wotton – Clerk (SW)
Gail Gosden – Assistant Clerk / RFO (GG)
10 members of the public
Cllr Bowker explained to members of the public that at Parish Council meetings, in law the public have no rights to speak, but this Council opens its meetings with questions from the public as a concession only. Therefore one minute per person will be allowed for such questions or statements, or meetings can and do overrun due to the time taken up by public participation.
A number of questions were asked and a written statement was read out by a member of the public that was thereafter handed to the Clerk – retained on file.
Cllr Bowker opened the meeting at 19.57pm
Apologies for Absence
Cllr Jamie Gosden - attending work related training course
Cllr Beth Hendy - illness
172. Personal & Prejudicial Interests
Cllr M Fitzpatrick declared an interest in Min 180 - Affordable Housing. The Clerk had handed out a fact sheet giving advice regarding Councillors’ interests to all members prior to the start of the meeting, together with an accompanying letter. Paul Fisher, MBC Legal Services following a request for additional information by the Clerk, had supplied this fact sheet.
173. Minutes of the Meeting held 3rd December 2007 and Matters Arising
Cllr Evans proposed that the minutes be accepted as a true record, seconded by Cllr Coleman and being unanimously agreed, were signed by the Chairman
Matters arising:
(i) Min 152(iii) – Clerk replied 17/12/07 to letter of 14/11/07 from Mr Riley, Ashford Drive Action Group regarding Affordable Housing, copy circulated to all Councillors
(ii) Clerk had replied 19/12/07 to Mr Froud’s written questions contained in a letter to the Parish Council dated / handed to Chairman 03/12/07, copy circulated to all Councillors. Mr Froud, on 20/12/07, e-mailed the Clerk to express his satisfaction with the response.
(iii) Min
153(ii) – Clerk had contacted Mid Kent Water by telephone regarding a leak at
west end of
(iv) Min 164 (i), (ii) and (viii) – relevant details forwarded to Nigel Cuming, Chairman Village Hall Committee / Rural Transport Warden on 12/12/07, together with accompanying letter.
(v) Min 164 (vii) - SECAmb responder group. Clerk had sent e-mail dated 13/12/07 inviting representative from SECAmb to attend PC meeting on 4th February, but has had no response to date.
174. Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting Held on 17th December 2007 and Matters Arising*
Cllr Evans proposed the minutes be accepted as a true record, seconded by Cllr Fitzpatrick and being unanimously agreed, were signed by the Chairman.
175. Policing
(i) Police report and crime figures – PCSO White reported that the tyres that had been dumped at the Sports Field have been removed. There were no reported crimes in the last month. PCSO White reported that the number of people attending the PACT meeting in December was disappointing.
(ii) Neighbourhood Watch - Cllr Bowker
reported that a concave road mirror on the
A report from Mrs. R Bowker, main Neighbourhood Watch Co-coordinator, was read out to Councillors - retained on file.
176.
177. Planning
Applications:
(i) MA/07/2193 –Great Ivy Cottage,
(ii) MA/07/2194
– Great Ivy Cottage,
(iii) MA/07/2427 – 24 Charlesford Avenue,
(iv) MA/07/2374 – Oakleigh,
Decisions (MBC):
(i) MA/07/2087 – Nine Oaks,
(ii) TA/0118/07
– Land adjacent to Foxwood,
(iii) MA/07/2218
– The Whispers,
(iv) MA/07/2215 – Cockspur Farm,
(v) MA/07/2234 – 1
Lenham Road,
178. Finances and Finance Officer’s Report
RFO report attached. Cllr Evans requested that KAPC be asked if ex-gratia payments can be made for out of pocket expenses. ACTION – Ass Clerk
(i) Invoices for payment
£ Chq No
Clerk – work & expenses 20 Nov to 20 Dec 2007 543.65 366
Ass Clerk / RFO – work & expenses 20 Nov to 20 Dec 2007 357.34 367
HMRC – Employers & Employees PAYE & NI contributions 174.98 368
Audit Commission – External Audit 2006 293.75 369
Clive Stanley – Webmaster services / KIS training & travel 44.00 370
Rose-Marie Bowker – NHW expenses 132.00 371
Phil Tweddell – grass cutting / maintenance 21/07/07 – 16/12/07 221.00 372
Phil Tweddell – installation of benches – Sports Field 176.00 373
Victim Support – donation 50.00 378
(ii) Payments for ratification
Kevin Funnell – Interim Audit 60.00 363
Derek Hobson – Printer ink 14.99 364
Derek Hadlow – Expenses re: maintenance of Broomfield Green 75.00 365
Cllr Fitzpatrick proposed these payments be ratified, seconded by Cllr Evans and agreed by all.
(iii) Financial Regulations
The RFO read out the recommended amendments to the Finance Regulations as a result of a recent review following the internal audits.
Cllr Evans proposed that these amendments be adopted in the Finance Regulations, seconded by Cllr Coleman and agreed by all.
(iv) Other
Annual Return 2006/2007 – The RFO reported that she had received from the Audit Commission the approved Annual Return for 2007. The only comment that had been made was to cancel and write back old and outstanding cheques. The RFO informed Councillors that this had already occurred and had been inspected during the interim audit in November.
Parish Precept 2008/2009 – The RFO reported that the precept is due to be discussed at the F & GP meeting to be held on Thursday 10th January ready for submission by the end of January.
Chairman’s Allowance – RFO Report attached refers.
Pensioners’ Outing 2008 – The RFO reported that the costs of the Pensioners outing in 2006 was £1300.00 and for 2007 was £593.00. Cllr Hobson proposed that a further Pensioners outing in 2008 should be funded, seconded by Cllr Fitzpatrick and agreed by all. Clerk will investigate likely venues, costs, etc. for next meeting. ACTION - Clerk
Victim Support – A letter has been received requesting a donation. Cllr Coleman proposed that a donation of £50.00 be sent, seconded by Cllr Fitzpatrick and agreed by all. ACTION – RFO
179. Sewage Issues Update and Correspondence
The Clerk had received a further letter dated 3rd January from Mr Dawson at Southern Water, which she read out to Councillors – retained on file.
Cllr Fitzpatrick then referred to the fact sheet that had been handed out to members by the Clerk. He felt this was an attempt to ‘silence him’ and declared that his interest is ‘on behalf of the whole village, not only for his benefit’. The Chairman once again advised Cllr Fitzpatrick that it is the responsibility of individual members to make their own decision regarding interests. (See Min.172 – declaration of interest in Affordable Housing).
Cllr Fitzpatrick then reiterated several points covered at previous meetings. Cllr Bowker requested Cllr Fitzpatrick to compile a report containing any new and relevant information for the next meeting and recording, and Cllr Fitzpatrick requested one of the Clerks meet with him for this purpose. Cllr Evans asked whether Cllr Fitzpatrick would be supplying any new information at this meeting, Cllr Fitzpatrick stated he was not. This being the case, Cllr Evans suggested there was no need for minuting in this respect.
The Clerk reported that an e-mail had been received
dated 3rd January 2008 from Mark Thompson, Asset Needs Manager at
Southern Water stating, “Southern Water can confirm that there is a private
sewer running at the rear of 20-28 (Ashford Drive), this discharges into the
public sewer running along the northern boundary of No. 28, exact point
currently unknown”. His e-mail further
reiterates that maintenance is the responsibility of the owners of the
properties. Mr Thompson also states
that, “The requirement concerning new builds and compliance with Building
Regulations is under the control of Maidstone Borough Council. Concerning Southern
Water and new developments, we have carried out a capacity check relating to
the development of land adjacent to
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.08pm for a brief recess and re-opened the meeting at 9.25pm.
The Clerk reported that she has, to date, had no response from the article in the December issue of the Village News asking local residents to advise her of any sewage problems, blockages, etc. they have experienced.
180. Affordable Housing – Clerk
(I) Draft site plan – Councillors were provided with the
draft plan by Architect, Richard Daniels, at the last meeting on 3rd December, for their consideration. Cllr Fitzpatrick voiced concerns regarding
the closeness of the proposed housing to his property at
(ii) Working Party – The Clerk had today spoken to Richard Hall, Rural Housing Enabler, when it had been suggested that relevant representatives from Orbit, MBC Planning, Architect, etc. and including Mr Hall, be invited to attend the next Parish Council meeting on 4th February to give an update to Councillors and public on progress thus far, and to answer questions. Cllr Rouse proposed that the Clerk invite relevant parties to attend the meeting, this was seconded by Cllr Hobson and agreed by all. ACTION –Clerk
181. Recreation & Sports Field
(i) Quotes – for the repair to damage of the main gate post – The Ass Clerk advised that she has now received a quote from Kingswood Fencing who had erected the gate originally. Cllr Coleman requested that Kingswood Fencing be asked if the quote will include matching the paintwork to the existing colour and proposed that they be requested to repair the gatepost. This was seconded by Cllr Fitzpatrick and agreed by all. ACTION – Ass Clerk
(ii) Installation of benches – The Ass Clerk reported that the seating is now in place and had forwarded e-mail photos to Councillors for their information.
(iii) One-off bid – Cllr Rouse reported that she had submitted the bid to MBC in mid December and will follow up on the progress of the application. ACTION – Cllr Rouse
182. Tall Trees Play Area
The Assistant Clerk reported that planning approval had now finally been received to change the use of the Tall Trees Play Area to garden space. She will arrange a meeting with Mr. & Mrs. Stubbles and Mr. Keenor to discuss the lease, etc., once she has spoken with the MBC Legal department.
ACTION – Ass Clerk
183.
(i) General update The Clerk reported that there have been no more meetings of the JPG during December. However, a meeting had taken place between JPG representative, John Horne, and MBC’s Rob Jarman and Alison Broom. Matters discussed included a request for further details of the KIG Business Plan; the employment and impact issues for the suggested 3,500 workers on site; the ecology and visual impact of the development; a review of the public health implications and impact of such a development upon this area, and the statutory consultations on Highway, Police and Public Safety issues. The Clerk will notify Councillors with dates of further meetings when known.
(ii) Future
funding – Joint Parishes Group. The
Clerk has received a summary of charges in relation to opposing the KIG
application, re: setting of 2008/9 Precept at F&GP Meeting on 10th January. For this Parish (1304
electorate) the amount would be £234.00 for three months consultancy work,
based on 15 member Parishes. An e-mail
has today been received from a resident living in
184. Road Signs
(i) Additional signs
(ii) Ashford
Drive /
185. Twinning
–
(i) Twinning signs – Cllr Coleman advised that there was nothing further to report at this time.
(ii) Gifts
for
Cllr Coleman reminded Councillors of the Twinning Committees social meal to be held on Sunday 27th January at the Weald of Kent Golf Club and that there are still seats available.
186. Annual General and Parish Meetings 2008
The Clerk advised Councillors that last year the AGM and the Annual Parish meetings had taken place during one meeting and that it had meant a very long evening with little time to discuss other business. Cllr Bowker suggested that the two meetings be held on different evenings, the AGM in May (12th), and the Parish meeting the following month, in June (2nd). This was agreed by all.
187. KAPC – Area Committee Meeting & AGM
Cllr Evans will attend the meeting on the 17th January at the Town Hall and report at the next meeting.
ACTION – Cllr Evans
188. Correspondence File - Clerk
(i) Village Hall Bookings Officer – confirmation of 2008 Parish Council Meetings
(ii) Dr Felicity Simpson, CPRE – re: KIG Application
(iii) Groundwork Kent & Medway – community projects development – passed to Cllr Rouse
(iv) Hugh Robertson – acknowledgment letter of 13 December re: sewage issues
189. Items for next Meeting’s Agenda
(i) Kent Air Ambulance – request for funding, referred to F & GP meeting 10th January
190. Any Other Business
(i) Clerk had received Christmas cards on behalf of the Parish Council from: Clive Stanley - Webmaster, James & Kerry Wotton - Graphic DeSign, Phil Tweddell – Silva Property Services, Maidstone Borough Council and KAPC.
(ii) Freightliner dates have been notified as follows:
Saturday 9th February 2008, 10.15am to 11.30am and (Easter) Sunday 23rd March, from 2.45pm – 3.45pm, both attendances will be at the Village Hall car park.
These details are now displayed on the Parish Web Site and a poster has been prepared for display on the notice boards
191. Parish Council Meetings
The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held at Kingswood Village Hall on Monday 4th February at 7.30pm.
There being no other business Cllr Bowker closed the meeting at 9.57pm.
Signed Chairman