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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 3rd September 2007.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Present:
Cllr Bob Bowker (Chair - BB) Cllr Peter Coleman (PC) Cllr Maurice Fitzpatrick (MF)
Cllr Beth Hendy (Vice Chair – BH) Cllr Derek Hobson (DH) Cllr Tom Hoy (TH)
Cllr Fay Rouse (FR) (7)
Sue Wotton – Clerk (SW)
Ward Councillor Peter Parvin (PP)
Four members of the public
The Chairman opened the Meeting at 7.28pm and
invited questions from the public. One member of the public put a number of written
questions to Councillors pertaining to Affordable Housing and alleged illegal
bonfires and rubbish dumping on land in
Apologies for Absence:
Cllr Mike Evans and Gail Gosden (Assistant Clerk & RFO) - Family commitments
73. Personal & Prejudicial Interests ( i.e. Pecuniary / Non-Pecuniary)
Cllr Fitzpatrick - land at
74. Minutes of the Meeting held 2nd July 2007 and Matters Arising
Cllr Hendy proposed the Minutes as a true record, seconded by Cllr Fitzpatrick and signed by the Chairman as a true record. There were no matters arising.
75. Minutes of the Meeting held 26th July 2007 and Matters arising
Cllr Hobson proposed the Minutes as a true record, seconded by Cllr Hendy and signed by the Chairman as a true record. There were no matters arising.
76. Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting Held 16th August 2007
Cllr Hoy proposed the Minutes as a true record, seconded by Cllr Fitzpatrick and signed by the Chairman as a true record. Clerk had received telephone call from Ms Hubbard, MBC Planning Officer, stating that the Cherry Farm, Cross Drive Application is likely to be refused. (See Min. 81(ii))
77. Policing
(i) Police report, crime figures & ‘Safe Neighbourhoods Template’
Cllr Bowker introduced PCSO John White. John reported that he is the appointed PCSO for the Leeds Ward and can be contacted on 07772 226068. He will be involved in setting up PACT (Partners And Communities Together) will be inviting residents to form a Panel for this purpose and will also liaise with the Clerk regarding the ‘Safe Neighbourhoods Template’. John produced the crime figures for period 01-07-07 to 30-08-07 (copy on file), with four crimes having been reported. Cllr Coleman queried why the theft of the five dog fouling signs from the Sports Field had been recorded as ‘theft by finding’ when the signs had all be pulled down from their mountings and stolen - John agreed to speak to PC Thomas regarding this. John will keep the Clerk updated regarding his shifts and when on duty he will be patrolling the two Leeds Ward Parishes on foot, there currently being no funding for push bikes.
The Clerk gave details of a serious
injury accident that occurred in
Signed _______________ Chairman
(ii) Neighbourhood Watch
Cllr Bowker reported that a dog walker was recently seen to deliberately take a German Shepherd dog into the newly fenced-off play area at approximately 8.0pm one evening. This was a teenage male who got out of a car being driven by a female, the registration number of the vehicle was taken and has been reported to PC Thomas for appropriate action.
(iii) Report ERPPF Meeting 12th July 2007
The Clerk had previously circulated report (copy on file) to all Councillors.
78.
Ward Councillor, Peter Parvin had nothing of interest to report for the Parish. There was no update with regard to KIG and no application has been submitted to date in this respect.
79. Twinning Project and Signs
(i) Presentation by Twinning Steering Group Leader
Tony Skinner, leader of the Steering Group reported
that he had recently met with Mr Brian Coleman, a Scout Leader from
ACTION – Cllrs Coleman / Hoy
(ii) Twinning signs
Cllr Coleman produced the sample sign chosen by the Twinning Steering Group, to be displayed at the four entrances to the Parish. Councillors unanimously approved the sign, which would be placed on the notice boards and Parish Website for public viewing, Clerk to liaise with Webmaster.
ACTION – Clerk
(iii) Funding
Cllr Coleman reminded the Meeting that the Twinning Steering Group has no funding and that Tony Skinner is largely bearing the cost of postage, etc. personally. Cllr Coleman requested the Council consider funding the Group, initially in the sum of £50, to be used towards, postage, packaging, etc. Cllr Fitzpatrick proposed £50 funding to the Group, seconded by Cllr Hendy and unanimously agreed.
ACTION - RFO
80. Parish Website
The Parish Webmaster, Clive Stanley, introduced himself and asked whether the Parish Council was happy with current format and progress of the site. It was agreed by all that this was so, and the Clerk reported that she had received a number of very positive e-mails from residents. Mr Stanley reminded the Meeting that the six month trial period ends in November, when Councillors would need to review the success of the site and decide whether to continue its funding. Mr Stanley would include an advert for a 9th member of the Parish Council on the site.
81. Planning - Clerk
Applications:
(i) MA/07/1491 – Orchard Farm Nursery,
(ii) MA/07/1602 – Cherry Farm,
Signed _______________ Chairman
The Clerk had received two further Applications:- MA/07/1716 (Land off
Decisions (MBC):
(i) MA/07/1243 – Homefield,
(ii) MA/07/1244 – Pine Tree House,
(iii) MA/07/1207 – Residential Unit at Chartwood,
an application for a certificate of lawfulness for a proposed development being internal and
external alterations to existing residential unit to provide a two bedroom bungalow – approved
(iv) MA/07/1292 – 3 Wildwood Close,
(v) MA/07/1293 – 3 Wildwood Close, Kingswood – an application for a certificate of lawfulness for a proposed development being the use of one room of the dwelling as a psychotherapist practice, with one member of staff, one client at a time and up to a maximum of 6 people per day, with no deliveries or advertisements - approved
(vi) MA/07/1408 – 4 Greensand Ridge,
82. Finance Officer’s Report
The RFO had produced and circulated report to all Councillors in advance of this Meeting (copy on file)
(i) Invoices for payment:
£
Clerk – work & expenses 20 Jul to 20 Aug 2007 331.34
Ass Clerk / RFO – work & expenses 20 Jul to 20 Aug 2007 307.95
Clive Stanley Associates – Webmaster services 6 June to 16 Aug 2007 297.00
Playsafe Ltd (ROSPA) – Annual Play Equipment Inspection & Report 70.50*
S. Wotton – purchase UPSs x 2 and router for Parish Council 115.06*
(* payments to be ratified at next Meeting)
(ii) Payments for ratification:
Kingswood & Broomfield News for June edition 75.00
SLCC – Practitioners Guide 22.99
These payments were duly ratified.
(iii) Other:
Concurrent Functions review by MBC – Clerk had received letter from MBC regarding a review and the necessity to provide details of expenditure in respect of Concurrent Functions payments received – agreed for the Chairman and RFO to meet and deal / reply accordingly.
ACTION – Cllr Bowker / RFO
83. Review / Update Parish Plan
The Clerk reported that Cllr Evans had suggested the Parish Plan might need to be reviewed and, if necessary, updated. Some Councillors questioned whether this was needed, as it would appear that little or no notice of the Plan is taken and it would be both costly and time consuming for it to be updated. Cllr Hoy proposed inviting ACRK (Action with Communities in Rural Kent) representative to a Meeting of the Parish Council to give relevant information and advice – agreed, Clerk to arrange and to provide new Councillors with copy of existing Plan. ACTION - Clerk
Signed _______________ Chairman
84. Recreation & Sports Field
(i) Replacement Dog Fouling Signs
Cllr Coleman reported that one of the five stolen dog fouling signs has since been recovered. It was agreed to replace the signs and to erect additional ones giving notice that dogs are not allowed inside either of the fenced off, childrens’ play areas. Ass Clerk to check current MBC Byelaws in relation to the placing of these signs. ACTION – Cllr Coleman / Ass Clerk
(ii) Quote – Oak Tree
Cllr Coleman has only been able to obtain one quote in respect of the oak tree at the Sports Field, which overhangs a garden in Wildwood Close and needs to be reduced by 30%. He will endeavour to get two others before the next Meeting. ACTION – Cllr Coleman
(iii) Installation of benches and picnic tables
The benches and picnic tables have not yet been installed, Cllr Coleman agreed to contact Phil Tweddell to establish when this is likely to take place. Cllr Bowker will provide details of an anti-graffiti product that can be applied over other wood treatments. ACTION – Cllr Coleman
85. Sewage Issues Update – Clerk
The Clerk had received a letter dated 26th July 2007 from Mr Les Dawson, Chief Executive Officer of Southern Water in which he states “I will write to you again by 31 August with an update”. To date nothing further has been received, neither has the Clerk had any acknowledgement of the letter sent Recorded Delivery to Engineer, Paul Savage. Hugh Robertson, MP, had also written to Mr Dawson in support of the Parish Council. Cllr Hoy proposed the Clerk should write again to Mr Robertson re: lack of action by Southern Water. This was agreed and also for the Clerk to write further to Mr Dawson and to Ofwat. Cllr Parvin agreed to contact MBC Environmental Health in respect of this matter.
ACTION – Clerk
86. Illegal Dumping & Bonfires
Cllr Fitzpatrick reported that both landowners of
the two sites at
At this point, at 9.05pm, Cllr Bowker adjourned the Meeting for a discussion involving a member of the public. Cllr Bowker re-opened the Meeting at 9.17pm.
Cllr Hoy then proposed contacting Environmental Health regarding the result of their investigations into this matter and it was resolved that the Clerk should make relevant enquiries. ACTION - Clerk
87. Hearing Loops – Disability Discrimination Act Regulations
The Clerk had received correspondence regarding the provision of Hearing Loops at Meetings venues. Cllr Hoy will bring this matter to the attention of the Village Hall Committee at their next Meeting.
ACTION – Cllr Hoy
88. Correspondence File - Clerk
(i) Malcolm Froud – illegal dumping / Affordable Housing, Ashford Drive – Councillors had been provided with a copy of Mr Froud’s letter prior to this Meeting and it was agreed that this matter would be raised as an Agenda item at the next Meeting ACTION - Clerk
(ii) Citizen’s Advice Bureau (
(iii) KCC – Countryside Access Improvement Plan – agreed for Clerk to write to Footpaths Officer, Rob Schroeder before the next Meeting. ACTION - Clerk
(iv) KAPC Councillors’ Information Day – Saturday 22nd September 2007 – no Councillors attending
(v) ACRK – Invitation to join (Action with Communities in Rural Kent) – Cost of membership is £35.00 per annum, Cllr Hoy proposed the Parish Council should join, seconded by Cllr Coleman and agreed by all ACTION - RFO
(vi) Kent Police Authority – Policing Plan 2007/2010 – copies provided to Councillors, Webmaster and members of the public present
(vii) MBC – Register of Electors 2007 – these have now been delivered for completion and return
Signed _______________ Chairman
(viii) KHS dated 24th August re: request for additional signing – (see Min 5(i)) Clerk reported that following the injury accident on 29th August 2007, she has written further to KHS with details and asking the request for additional signing to be reconsidered as a matter of urgency
(ix) Government Office for the South East – Report of the Panel regarding The South East Plan (DVD) – Clerk to pass DVD to Cllr Evans for viewing and comment ACTION - Clerk
(x) Reminder letter – next KAPC Area Committee Meeting – Monday 17th September, Coxheath Village Hall, 7.30pm, Agenda to follow – Cllr Hendy is hoping to attend
89. Membership SLCC
The Clerk had received details and invitation for the Parish Council to join SLCC (Society of Local Council Clerks). As existing members of KAPC it was resolved not to join SLCC as they appear to have no additional services to offer than KAPC.
90. Items for next Meeting’s Agenda
(i) Affordable Housing – Cllr Evans
(ii) Tall Trees Play Area – Assistant Clerk
(iii) Village Hall Play Equipment – Cllr Hendy
(iv) Report – The South East Plan – Cllr Evans (See Min. 88(ix))
(iv) Illegal bonfires and dumping of waste – correspondence / questions from resident, Mr Froud
(See Min. 88(i))
91. Any Other Business
(i) Clerk has received annual play equipment inspection report from ROSPA which shows only minor work to be carried out and nothing requiring immediate attention. It was agreed that the Clerk should send a copy of the report to Phil Tweddell for his attention and action as necessary. ACTION – Ass Clerk
(ii) Weekly Refuse Collections – Clerk has received notification from Maidstone Borough Council that weekly refuse collections are ‘here to stay’, alongside new improved fortnightly recycling collections, details of which will be circulated in due course.
92. Parish Council Meetings
The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held at Kingswood Village Hall on Monday 1st October at 7.30pm.
There being no other business, Cllr Bowker closed the Meeting closed at 9.46pm.
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Signed _______________ Chairman