BROOMFIELD AND KINGSWOOD PARISH COUNCIL

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**Draft minutes  - to be approved at the next meeting**

Minutes of a Meeting of the Broomfield and Kingswood Parish Council held at Kingswood Primary School on Monday 14th May 2007 at 7.0pm after the Annual Parish Meeting.

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Present:

Cllr Nelson Bowker (NB – Chairman)        Cllr Peter Coleman (PC)

Cllr Mike Evans (ME)                              Cllr Maurice Fitzpatrick (MF)

Cllr Beth Hendy (BH)                              Cllr Tom Hoy (TH)

Cllr D Hobson    (DH)                              (7)

Sue Wotton (SW – Clerk)

Gail Gosden (GG – Assistant Clerk/RFO)

 6 members of the public.

Cllr Bowker (Chairman) asked if there were any questions from the public – there were two comments and one question raised.

Cllr Bowker opened the meeting at 9.19pm

Apologies for Absence

Cllr Marilyn Grant– on holiday

1.         Declarations of Acceptance of Office and Code of Conduct

(i)         The Clerk (SW) stated that the Parish council are required to pass a resolution adopting the Model Code of Conduct including paragraph 12(2) and post notice in the newspaper that the Parish Council has so adopted the Code. Proposal to accept the Model Code of Conduct by Cllr Fitzpatrick and seconded by Cllr Coleman, agreed by all. All Councillors present signed a Declaration of acceptance of Office, and additionally Cllr Bowker signed an acceptance as Chairman.

2.         Register of Interests

            All the Councillors present signed the registers of interest forms.

3.         Personal & Prejudicial Interests ( i.e. Pecuniary / Non-Pecuniary)

                No personal or prejudicial interests were declared.

4.         Minutes of the Meeting held 2nd April 2007

Cllr Coleman proposed the Minutes as being a true record, seconded by Cllr Hendy, and was signed by the Chairman Cllr Bowker.

5.         Actions / Matters Arising from Meeting held 2nd April 2007

            None required

6.         Planning

Applications:

(i)         MA/07/0777 – High Trees, Gravelly Bottom Road, Kingswood – construction of a single storey side extension –                                                                         no objections

(ii)        MA/TA/0064/07 – 1 Hunter, Kingswood – an application for consent to crown lift to give a clearance of 4 meters and to prune lower branches to clear neighbour’s house by 3 meters, one Sweet Chestnut tree subject to Tree Preservation Order number 40 of 2003                                                                                                                                    no objections

(iii)        MA/07/0905 – Great Ivy Cottage, Upper Street, Broomfield – erection of a two storey rear extension (Grade 2 listed) – dated 8th May, closing date for comment – 29th May

(iv)        MA/07/0906 – Great Ivy Cottage, Upper Street, Broomfield – an application for Listed Building consent for the erection of a two storey extension to existing structure - dated 8th May, closing date for comment – 29th May  (SEE ABOVE)

(v)         MA/07/0927 – Residential Unit at Chartwood, Gravelly Bottom Road, Kingswood – internal and external alterations to existing residential unit to provide a two bedroom bungalow – dated 10th May, closing date for comment – 31st May.  

A planning meeting for items iii, iv & v has been arranged for Monday 21st May at 1pm at the Village Hall Car Park.

Decisions (MBC):

(i)         MA/07/0514 – 3 Laurel Grove, Kingswood – part single storey, part first floor extension, 2 storey rear extension and single storey rear extension - approved

(ii)         MA/07/0233 – The Glen, Pitt Road, Kingswood – erection of extension to existing outbuilding to provide additional day space for occupiers of mobile homes - approved

Other:

(i)         MA/05/2053 & DOE Ref: APP/U2235/A/6/2016568/N – Land at The Cottage, Gravelly Bottom Road, Kingswood – erection of a single storey affordable starter home for a life long resident of Kingswood – Appeal allowed with Conditions by the Planning Inspectorate on 24th April 2007

(ii)         MA/07/0323 – Rowan House, Gravelly Bottom Road – erection of a detached affordable three bedroom dwelling – to be reported at MBC Planning Committee commencing 6.0pm on Thursday 17th May at the Town Hall.   Development Control Manager’s Recommendation is to ‘approve subject to Conditions’ – No Councillor is available to attend therefore the Council will be represented by the Assistant Clerk.

7.         Finance Officer’s Report – RFO

The RFO reported on the receipt of the precept payment, the completion of the ledger for 2006/07, the details of invoices that will be submitted for Vat refunds and the ordering and receipt of the new ledger. The RFO also explained about the payments to the Inland Revenue.  (Report attached)

(i)         Invoices for payment: 

                                                                                                                         £     Chq no

            Clerk - work & expenses 25th March – 20th April 2007                           612.81     1289

Ass. Clerk/RFO - work & expenses 24th March – 20th April 2007            303.52     1290

            Inland Revenue – 2006 / 2007                                                            2096.92     1288

            Inland Revenue April 2007                                                                   343.15     1291

            Viking Direct - stationery & ink cartridges                                             134.99     1287

(i)         Ratification:

                Colin Sims – fencing work at Sports Field                                         1550.00     1286         

Graphic DeSign – signs, fittings & erection dog

            fouling signs Sports Field                                                                   232.70     1294

Shaw & Sons Ltd – ledger                                                                   57.46     1292

The RFO told the Councillors that the payment of £2096.92 to the Inland Revenue was the payment for Tax and National Insurance for the Clerks, which included a Tax payment for the RFO which will be claimed back as the RFO was not due to pay TAX or NI for the last financial year, but because the PAYE had not been initiated tax had been deducted at basic rate. The RFO asked if she could pay the Council back the tax once it had been recovered.

Cllr Bowker asked for Councillors to agree to this, and it was agreed by all.

Cllr Coleman wished to extend the thanks of the Council to the RFO for all her hard work in sorting out the finances which had been in an incomplete and disorganised state.

8.         Updates:

Recreation & Sports Field

Cllr Coleman reported that the coppicing was now virtually completed, but that a resident from Wildwood Close had concerns about an oak tree to the rear of her property in the Sports Field. It was agreed to obtain an estimate for the work required.                                          ACTION – PC

Cllr Hendy reported that the play equipment from Playdale had arrived today, 3 days earlier than expected, and is due to commence erection on Thursday this week. Phil Tweddell has kindly agreed to store the play equipment.

Cllr Coleman advised the Councillors that now that the main coppicing was completed consideration should be given to fencing on the north side of the Sports Field. Cllr Coleman proposed that Colin Sims, who had completed the fencing to the west side of the Sports Field satisfactorily, and had  submitted a quote for the job should be asked to complete the fencing of the Sports Field at a cost of £750.82.  Cllr Hendy voiced concern about not getting three quotes. Cllr Coleman explained that it had proved extremely difficult to obtain three comparable quotes.  Cllr Fitzpatrick seconded the proposal and it was agreed by all.

Cllr Evans asked if a footpath could be created to replace a previous footpath. Cllr Coleman advised that a footpath was already established there although it was not on the definitive footpaths list.

Assistant Clerk informed the Councillors that she had asked Phil Tweddell on behalf of the Council about clearing the brambles at the edge of the Sports Field, where the coppicing had recently taken place and Mr. Tweddell had advised that the brambles be allowed to stay in place because it was now the only barrier between the Sports Field and the houses that had been previously shielded by the trees. Cllr Hendy asked if the removal of the brambles could be reconsidered in six months time when the coppiced trees had had a chance to grow and re-establish.

Sewerage & Drainage Issues

The Clerk informed Councillors that as a result of the meeting with Southern Water recently it has been agreed that CCTV investigations and further jetting will be carried out in order to establish the cause of the frequent blockages, and that this should be completed by late May. Southern Water requests that any resident who suffers future blockages report the matter to them to enable an accurate picture of the extent of the problems to be assessed. All blockages should be reported regardless of whether the matter is resolved privately, or a true record cannot be obtained.

Southern Water also reported that their Catchment Inspector has received information that some tanker drivers have been illegally discharging waste into the main sewerage system via manhole chambers, in the Kingswood area. They ask that any sightings of such activities be reported immediately. The Southern Water Emergency telephone number is 0845 278 0845.

Tall Trees Play Area

The Assistant Clerk informed Councillors that Peter Hockney from Planning at MBC had visited the site of the Play area and had been taken to visit the other open space facilities in Kingswood  by Cllr Coleman and herself. Mr. Hockney had then advised that there is potential to gain planning consent for the change of use to garden space if more information and details were given to the planning committee on a re-submitted application. He then offered his help with the re application. Mr. Hockney also offered to enquire whether planning consent for change of use to allotments would be required and has subsequently advised that the PC would need to apply for change of use consent.  The Assistant Clerk also informed the PC that an advisory figure of £2500 had been received from Mr. Tweddell, for the anticipated costs to create an allotment. Also after receiving advice from the National Society of Allotments & Leisure Gardeners Ltd., the area is sufficient for only one allotment. Mid Kent Water have been contacted about the costs of laying on a tap for running water, another minimum requirement, but as yet a reply has not been received.  Cllr Hendy recommended pursuing the garden space change of use application, as it was what has been originally agreed.               Agreed by all

9.         Correspondence File – Clerk

(i)         MBC – formal adoption of revised Code of Conduct

This item will be included on the agenda for the next Parish Council Meeting.

(ii)         Yalding Parish Council re: MBC Planning Enforcement Issues

This item will be included on the agenda for the next Parish Council Meeting

(iii)        Dr Felicity Simpson, CPRE, Kent re:

(a)     Affordable Dwelling at Rowan House

(b)     Kent International Gateway

These items will be included on the agenda for the next Parish Council Meeting

10.               Items for next Meeting’s Agenda

(i)         Cllr Coleman would like to discuss the Youth Club Bank Account

(ii)         Cllr Hendy asked that a Sports Field Sub committee be arranged to discuss contractual arrangements. Meeting arranged for Monday 21st at 7.30pm at the Village Hall Car Park.

                                                                                                                     ACTION – A/CLERK GG

11.        Any Other Business

(i)         The Clerk advised that the current Parish Council insurance policy expires on the 31st May 2007 and the renewal amount is £1009.88 – (There is 21 days from 1st June to renew) The Clerk has obtained an alternative quote form AON Insurance for £720.32. Cllr Bowker asked that the Clerk check that the alternative quote is comparable and inform him of her conclusion.

                                                                                                                        ACTION - CLERK

(ii)         Councillors’ Information Day – Saturday 17th June at Harrietsham Village Hall – this is available for any new Councillor that may wish to attend – cost as KAPC members - £64.62 per Councillor. Cllr Bowker recommended this course to the newly appointed Councillors. Assistant Clerk was asked to book four places provisionally to give the new Councillors an opportunity to check their availability.                                                   ACTION – A/CLERK

(iii)        Audit Workshop – Tuesday 3rd July, Guildhall, Faversham –only 10 places available at cost of £159 per delegate – The A/Clerk was asked to check whether or not this would be useful for the RFO to attend.                                                                             ACTION – A/CLERK

(iv)        The Clerk has received details of the Local Code of Conduct for Councillors and Officers dealing with planning matters. The Clerk will make copies for all Councillors and circulate them.                                                                                                   ACTION – CLERK

(v)         Police report received from PC Thomas.

There have been nine crimes reported in the period 01/03/07 to 10/05/07

Theft from a motor vehicle

Overnight 8 & 9 May. Bell Way. Door lock punched out – Tools stolen

Overnight 8 & 9 May. Lenham Road. Car entered by unknown means- Electical item stolen

Overnight 8 & 9 May. Lenham Road. Door forced – Tools stolen

Overnight 8 & 9 May. Elder Close. Car entered by unknown means – SatNav stolen.

14th April. Wildwood Close. Insecure vehicle entered and searched – nothing stolen.

Theft

6th April. Gravelly Bottom Road. Car wheels and gearboxes stolen.

Overnight 27 & 28 April. Lenham Road. Theft of copper cylinder from garden.

Overnight 29&30 March. Playing Field, Lenham Road. Hedging plants stolen from ground.

Assault

6th May. Gravelly Bottom Road. Common assault at the scene of an accident.

(iv)        The Clerk has received confirmation from Ben Hilden from Kent Highway Services that the signage at the junction of Charlesford Avenue and Ashford Drive will be investigated after

              reports have been received that traffic, including buses, drive into Ashford Drive because the sign for a ‘no through road’ is unclearly marked.

12.        Parish Council Meetings

The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held at Kingswood Village Hall on Monday 4th June 2007 commencing 7.30pm.

Cllr Bowker closed the meeting at 10.50pm

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