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Minutes of a Meeting of the Broomfield and Kingswood Parish Council held at Kingswood Village Hall on Monday 8th May 2006 at 7.30pm.
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Cllr Nelson Bowker (NB) Cllr Peter Coleman (PC)
Cllr Jody Evans (JE – Vice Chair) Cllr Mike Evans (ME)
Cllr Beth Hendy (BH) Cllr Pat Lyne (PL) (6)
Sue Wotton (SW – Clerk)
Borough Cllr. Peter Parvin (PP)
PC Stuart Thomas
There were four members of the public present, and no public questions.
JE opened the Meeting at 7.35pm and apologised for the postponement of the Annual General Meeting, due to the Chairman’s work commitments
Cllr Sue Clarke (SC) Bereavement
Cllr Neil Harrison (NH) Hospital appointment
Cllr Dave Law (DL- Chairman) Work commitment – Crown Court
Cllr Coleman Sports Field
Cllr Lyne Village Hall, Kent Messenger newspaper
Cllr Bowker raised issue regarding Minute 245(ii) (Policing - Neighbourhood Watch) stating he had not given details of the property mentioned in that Minute, as per NHW policy.
Cllr Coleman pointed out a typing error at Minute 247 (Planning) – property name should read, ‘Sylvan Crest’ and not ‘Sylan Crest’, as shown in the Minutes.
The Minutes for this Meeting were then approved and signed by the Vice Chair as correct, proposed by ME, seconded PC.
(i) Cllr M Evans reported that he had not been able to secure a Leader for the summer Play Scheme
(ii) Cllr J Evans reported that she has not yet been able to establish procedure regarding the inspection of play equipment, and will do so to report to the next Meeting ACTION - JE
(iii) There will be a Meeting of the Sports Field Committee immediately following the re-arranged Annual General Meeting to be held on Monday 22nd May
(i) Police
Liaison Visit: PC Stuart Thomas reported
4 crimes since the last Meeting - Fraudulent use of bank card, theft of a
garden trampoline, theft of a motor vehicle parked in the woods at
PC Thomas
also reported the replacement of reflective marker posts in
(ii) Neighbourhood Watch: Cllr Bowker reported a general upsurge in shed thefts and vehicle crime, also ‘knockers’ from Talk Talk, which although legitimate, had been operating late into the evening and there were reports of ‘pushy’ tactics. PC Thomas stated this had been reported to Trading Standards and there had been a positive response from Talk Talk, who are concerned that their sellers comply with their Codes.
Cllr J Evans thanked PC Thomas for attending the Meeting, and he left at 7.55pm.
270.
Cllr
Peter Parvin reported on the Borough elections held on 11th May. The Leadership of Maidstone
Borough Council will not be known until 17th May, but will either be
run by the Conservatives who gained 27 seats, or by a coalition. There was nothing to report specific to
ME made comment and wished it Minuted, regarding the seeming disregard of local views and the Parish Plan by Maidstone Borough Council when making Planning decisions, when the Parish Council is elected to represent local, tax paying residents and it doing its best so to do. Cllr Parvin agreed, but explained that increasingly, powers regarding decision making are being taken away from the Borough, and even the County Councils, by Central Government, so little, if anything, can be done.
271. Planning
Applications:
(i) MA/06/0490 – Erection of 2 no.
semi-detached dwellings – Adjacent to
(ii) MA/06/0645 – The Glen, Pitt Road, Kingswood – Erection of a day room and WC block – refuse on following grounds:, 1 - each mobile home is self-contained, 2 - insufficient detail shown on Application, regarding number of toilets, etc. and use of the proposed ‘day room’
(iii) MA/06/0728 – Averydene,
replacement detached garage with games/gym area above – approve, request condition re: not to be used for residential purposes
ACTION - Clerk
Decisions:
(i) MA/06/0269 – Sylvan Crest,
(ii) MA/06/0124 – Land adjacent
to
(iii) MA/05/0090/CO2 – Land
adjacent to Chipsdene,
No. 4 bedroom detached house – approve submission of details received 10 April
2006, pursuant to condition 9, being details of drainage.
Other:
(i) The Forge, A20, Broomfield – Cllr M Evans stated that some residents have expressed concern regarding the number of vehicles kept (allegedly often 20+, particularly vans) and worked on at the premises, in respect of establishing commercial, previous use. Additionally, an off-road motorcycle circuit has been developed at the rear of the premises, and whilst it does not appear to be advertised, it is thought that people using the track may be paying for that use. Cllr Bowker believes the property is a listed building. Clerk requested to write to MBC and inform them accordingly
ACTION - Clerk
(ii) MA/04/1659 – 19 Chestnut Drive,
installation of dormer windows to the front and rear as shown on drawing number(s)
01, 02 & 03 received 13/08/04 and as amended by additional documents being
additional
information received on 27/10/04 – Notification of an Informal Hearing into this Appeal will be
held commencing 10.0am on Tuesday 4th July 2006 at
272. Finance Officer’s Report
(i) Current Account Balance (as at 03/04/06) 200.00
Reserve Account Balance (as at 03/04/06) 40,762.08
Precept payment received via BACS on 18/04/06 20,295.00
(ii) Invoices for payment:
Cheque No.
Clerk – April 498.29 1178
Grammer & Co – Printing
April Echo# 27.12 1179
P. Chandler – delivery April Echo 20.00 Cash*
*Clerk reported having only £5 cash remaining and requested cheque for cash in sum of £95 with which to pay Mr Chandler for the next five months. Proposed by Cllr Lyne, seconded by Cllr Coleman – agreed by all 1180
#Cllr Hendy had observed that there appear to be a lot of spare copies of the Echo left in the Post Office each month. Every household in the Parish receives a copy, therefore Cllr Hendy suggested printing fewer copies, thus reducing the printing costs. Agreed – Clerk to liaise with Editor, Nigel Cumin.
ACTION - Clerk
(iii) 2003/4 Accounts - ratify for re-submission to Audit Commission – Clerk reported that the questions posed by the Audit Commission in respect of these Accounts, had now been answered and the Annual Return forms were ready to be re-signed and returned as requested, once agreed by the Parish Council, although on-going enquiries were in hand regarding the bank reconciliation for the year, with Accountants Berry & Co. It was agreed by all, that the forms are now in order and that the Clerk and Chairman should sign and return same. ACTION – Clerk
(iv) Invoices presented for payment, received after publication of monthly Agenda – following Cllr Bowkers query in this respect, Clerk had obtained relevant advice from KAPC. After discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk be given authority to make payments as per Standing Orders, with ratification at the next Meeting of the Parish Council
(v) Clerk reported that the
Annual Insurance premium with
273. Sports Field
(i) Footpath access – Cllr Coleman reported that enquiries are continuing, to establish alternative suitable and safe foot access to the Sports Field. Clerk reported that Maidstone Police Crime Reduction & Architectural Liaison Officer, John Grant, is not now able to attend a Meeting regarding this matter, but he has provided information and literature on the subject, as has resident, Jackie Clarke.
(ii) Meeting of Sports Field Committee – 2nd Meeting arranged for 12th April was also cancelled due to non-availability of Councillors. A Meeting will now take place following the re-arranged AGM on 22nd May. Clerk had received a telephone call and today, a forwarded an undated letter from Mike George, regarding the Football Club Contract and the Club’s continued use of the pitch at the Sports Field next season – to be discussed at Meeting on 22nd May – Clerk to inform Mr George accordingly. ACTION - Clerk
Clerk reported having today
received a telephone call from resident, David Hayward, regarding the
possibility of a local
ACTION - Clerk
(iii) Phase II Play Equipment – Cllr J Evans suggested that Phase II of the Play Equipment and the fencing of the area should now be considered. This matter will also be discussed at the Meeting of the Sports Field Committee on 22nd May, following the re-arranged AGM.
Additionally, Cllr Lyne reported that the basket ball hoop recently installed at the Village Hall car park was proving very popular with young and old alike. It is being well used during the daytime and evenings, and can, therefore, be haled a great success.
9.05pm – request from member of the public regarding Agenda Item 14 (iv) relating to a letter received from Mr R Schroeder regarding Agenda Item 14(iv) concerning the rebuilding of the Shant Hotel at the Chartway Street Nursery Site. He wished the matter to be discussed at this point, as he needed to leave the Meeting. Cllr J Evans informed this member of the public, that without a Planning Application, and having only a letter from Mr Schroeder, the matter could not be discussed. Cllrs Bowker and Hendy both stated that the Parish Council would disqualify itself from discussing the matter at a future date, should they do so now. The member of the public then left the Meeting.
9.10pm – Cllr J Evans suspended the Meeting for refreshments, resuming at 9.20pm.
274. Roads
(i) Street Monitor – Nothing to report from Val Clarke
(ii) Dog waste bin,
(iii) Defects update – Clerk reported little
progress other than that previously outlined by PC Thomas. She had e-mailed Earl Bourner at KCC
Highways regarding the continuing flooding issues in
(iv) Quiet Lanes Scheme – Cllr M Evans has retrieved the map previously marked by himself and Cllr Coleman. The Scheme appears to have collapsed and he will therefore meet further with Cllr Coleman and Transport Warden, Nigel Cumin, to examine whether the Parish Council should fund something locally, within the Parish. ACTION - ME
(v) M20 re-surfacing/noise meeting – Cllr Coleman and Transport Warden, Nigel Cumin will represent the Parish at the Public Meeting to be held at Lenham Community Centre on 19th May. The Clerk has displayed a poster advertising this meeting, should any residents also wish to attend.
(vi) Report re: ‘Community Transport in the Channel Corridor’ – Nigel Cumin, Rural Transport Warden. Clerk had received apologies for absence from Nigel, who will now present his report at the next Meeting.
ACTION - NC
Cllr Coleman reported that
the evergreen hedge surrounding the property at the junction of
275. Parish Plan
Cllr M Evans has started analysing the Village Consultation carried out in 2004. Whilst it has been stated that MBC does not now take Parish Plans into account when making Planning decisions, Parish Councils are advised that it is still better to have a Parish Plan, than not. Cllr Evans will continue the analysis in respect of housing development in the Parish in order to meet the needs of local people and residents in the best way possible, and to establish whether it is worth updating the Parish Plan. Cllr Evans will report back to the next Meeting. ACTION - ME
276. Village Appraisal
Cllr Bowker queried what, it anything, had been done with the Village Appraisal, which was dealt with as
at Item 275 above. Cllr Coleman suggested that should it be considered necessary to carry out a further
Appraisal, that this should be done after May 2007, when a new Parish Council will be elected. Agreed.
277. Parish Council Notice Board
Cllr Coleman confirmed that the grant from Cllr Parvin’s budget had been received and he had also established that Planning Permission is not required for the new notice board, on the dimensions and location provided to MBC. Cllr Coleman to progress. ACTION – PC
278. Neighbourhood Watch Signs
Cllr Bowker has the matter in hand, and will shortly be submitting the application forms in respect of the new signs. Payment for the signs has to be made with the forms, authorisation for this payment having been previously agreed. (Minute 238, 6th March 2006). ACTION - NB
279. Correspondence
(i) Letter received from MBC offering a new Graffiti Removal Service
(ii) Details given of Civic Parade & Service, Sunday 21 May
(iii) Maidstone Local Development Framework: Consultation – letter regarding preferred method of receipt of further consultation documents - agreed to request paper format
ACTION - Clerk
(iv) Mr R Schroeder – letter received regarding building of a new Shant Hotel at the Chartway Street Nursery Site - Clerk to reply (see above) ACTION - Clerk
(v) Letter received from Leeds & Broomfield C of E Primary School stating they wish to be involved in the Twinning Project. Headteacher, Steve McGill, also states he is willing to serve on the Twinning Committee. Letter passed to Cllr Coleman who will liaise with organiser, Tony Skinner. Cllr Coleman agreed to represent the Parish Council
280. Items For The Next Meeting’s Agenda
(i) Alleyway - Laurel Grove : Gravelly
(ii) Parish Plan : Housing – Cllr M Evans
(iii) Litter around the Parish – Cllr P Lyne
(iv) Co-opting of residents to assist Councillors with Parish Council issues – Cllr M Evans
ACTION - Clerk
281. Any Other Business
(i) Cllr Coleman suggested organising an outing and/or meal for the pensioners of the Parish, as the Parish Council provides play equipment, etc. for the children, but does little for older residents. Proposed venues for an outing included Sissinghurst, Chartwell and Ightham Mote, all of which are not too far to travel and reasonably flat for walking. This was considered a good idea and Cllrs Hendy and J Evans offered support in helping to organise such an event. Cllr Lyne will attend the Drop In at the Village Hall tomorrow, to gauge interest from the pensioners present and to establish whether this suggestion is worthy of action. ACTION - PL
(ii) Cllr M Evans queried whether the Parish Council’s laptop had yet been repaired / returned – Clerk has been informed that it has now been repaired and should be returned within next 48 hours.
(iii) Information from DEFRA requesting registration of owners of small flocks of poultry (-50) in regard to Avian Flu. DEFRA is creating a database in order to inform/advise owners in the event of a local outbreak. Any resident keeping poultry is requested to register by telephoning KCC’s Contact Centre on 08458 247902, and provide their name / address and number / type of birds kept. Details to be published in the June editions of the Village News and B & K Echo.
ACTION – Clerk / NC
(iv) Local
Authority Byelaws in
(v) Cllr
Coleman raised the issue of formal Parish Council notices being removed without
authority from the Parish Notice Board located outside the Village Store in
282. Parish Council Meetings
The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held at Kingswood Village Hall on Monday 5th June following the Annual Parish Meeting which commences at 7.30pm.
Vice Chair J Evans closed the Meeting at 10.10pm
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