WOULDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the MONTHLY MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on TUESDAY, 4^th        

DECEMBER, 2007, in  the VILLAGE HALL, WOULDHAM.

                                                                                               

PRESENT:                   Mr. K Malkinson (Chairman), Mr. D Adams, Mr T Fulwell (arrived late), 

                                    Mrs J Head, Ms A Parnell and Mr R Stone.  

 

IN ATTENDANCE:   Mr R Dalton (Borough Councillor)

Mr D Davis (Borough Councillor)

                                    PC Dalton (Police)

Mr. M J Ross (Clerk)

MEMBERS OF

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: There were no apologies for absence.

 

2. MINUTES:  The minutes of the monthly meeting  of the Parish Council, held on the 6^th November,

2007, were proposed by Cllr. Stone and seconded by Cllr. Adams, to be a true record of the proceedings

of the Parish Council, and it was AGREED that they be signed by the Chairman.

 

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Members AGREED that matters arising from the

minutes would be dealt with under the appropriate heading as the meeting progressed through the

agenda.

 

4. POLICE REPORT: PC Dalton reported that there had been 4 crimes in the village, reported during

the month.   There were 3 assaults and 1 criminal damage.   Figures for crimes reported in the Laker

Road, Rochester Airport area were also reported and these amounted to 2 crimes – 1 theft from a

motor vehicle and 1 miscellaneous theft.

The Chairman raised a query regarding licensing authority activities which was dealt with by PC Dalton.

 

5. BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REPORT: Borough Cllr. Davis reported that the Borough

had now approved Condition 26 (footpaths, cycleways and bridleways) of Trenport’s application

for Peters Village.   As a result of this it would ultimately be possible to walk along footpaths

all the way to Eccles and also cycle along a similar route to Eccles.

Fly tipping in the Hill Road/Wouldham Common area, referred to last month, was continuing to

be a problem and Bor. Cllr. Davis asked if anyone had come up with any ideas as to how the

fly tipping in the area might be deterred.   It was suggested that a constant reminder about

reporting fly tipping when observed, should be included in the Parish Magazine article.

The adoption of Oldfield Drive was an ongoing issue, with Malcolm Appleby under pressure to

carry out a number of adoption of roads in the County.   However, it was envisaged that a

proposal to issue an adoption notice relating to this particular issue, within the next 2 months.

With regard to the issue of the Church car park, the Church did not own this land and had a

license only

The next meeting of the Parish Partnership Panel was scheduled for 6^th March, 2008.

 

6. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT: The Clerk reported that County Councillor Rowe

had sent an email setting out his report to the meting.  The email had been circulated to all

Members and a summary of this was as follows:

1.      The minutes of the Parish Partnership Panel held on the 1^st November, 2007, have

been circulated and the next meeting is planned for Thursday, 12^th March, 2008 at

7.30 pm at Kings Hill.   Items for the next agenda should be notified to Alison Parris.

2.      At the Joint Transportation Board held on the 3^rd December, an update was presented

on the Traffic Calming scheme.   It was reported that the works had been completed

but the installation and completion of permanent lamp columns was still awaited.

Please advise me of any concerns the Parish may have.

                                                                                                                                                               Action by

 

3.      At the last T&M Local Board, held on the 28^th November, an application was received

from Rochester Indoor Skatepark Club, who run an indoor skate facility and youth

club on Laker Road.   It received a grant of £8,000 to develop its work with young

people in Tonbridge & Malling.   I also gave it an additional grant of £2,000 to assist

with transporting young people from my county division to attend this exciting project.

Although located in easy access of Walderslade, this facility, I am lead to believe, is in

the Parish of Wouldham.   I have also asked for an additional £2,000 to be given

towards Wouldham C of E Primary School (green travel plans) footpath scheme.

Now that the Village sign has been completed, Wouldham is now able to be considered

for additional grants.  Just over £900 is still available this year if the PC have any plans

for projects that might qualify, please let Cllr. Rowe know.

 

7. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: A member of the public raised a question regarding the

bluebells planted on the Common and enquired whether English Nature had been consulted

before planting took place.   This was apparently desirable since being a SSSi site, English Nature

should be consulted before planting.

The same person raised the issue of Scarborough Lane and Margets Lane and the fact that a

decision had been made to keep these roads open rather than close them as was originally

proposed.   A number of reasons were being put forward for these roads to be closed and Members

AGREED that further discussion on this should take place at the January meeting of the PC.

Another member of the public raised the matter of parking along the High Street, particularly by

the bus stop which was outside his house.  The resident often has trouble getting in and out of his

gate and Members AGREED that the PCSO should be asked to investigate and see what action can

be taken.   If this action fails, then Members agreed that consideration should be given to installing

verge masters.

The other issue raised by this member of the public was in regard to dog mess on the High Street

and other areas around the Village.   It was suggested that contact should be made with the Dog

Warden at TMBC who could take the necessary action in this matter.

 

8.  PLANNING: (a) Planning applications considered and commented upon, by Planning

Committee:   

(i)                  Wouldham Primary School-Amended window and entrance steps for

proposed extension: No comments.

(ii)                Land between A228 and Hall Road-Proposed bridge across Medway-

Landscape maintenance: No comments.

(iii)               Land adjacent to 230 High Street-Proposed house: The PC feel that the

revised application has not addressed their concerns and they suggest a site

meeting with TMBC representatives, is vital before a decision is made on

this application.

(iv)              7 High Street-Demolition of side extension & erection of new 2 storey

house-Noise assessment: Object on the basis that the noise assessment

survey was not valid since, during the summer months the doors are open

and the hours of the pub extend beyond the 11pm quoted.

(v)       Medway Inn-Paved & walled area to front & side: No comments

 (b) Planning Consents issued:

(i)                  Peters Pit & Works – Proposed new village-Details of footpath, cycleway

& bridleway (Condition 26)

                               (c) Planning Applications refused:

There were no applications refused this month.

(d) Other Planning Issues:

Access road to rear of High Street: The Clerk reported that the KCC

Local Board had decided not to grant any funds for the Access Road

                                                                                                               Action by

 

Project.   The Clerk also informed Members that Martin Hunt, the

Engineer employed to design the access road, had indicated that

a start would be made on the project on the 7^th January, 2008, and

a sketch scheme produced for the PC’s consideration by the end of

January/early February, 2008

Peters Pit Development- Liaison Group: The Chairman reported.

that notes of the meeting of the Group, held on the 23^rd

November, would be circulated shortly.

 

9. STREET LIGHTING: Cllr. Adams reported that he had identified 4 street lights out in                      Cllr. Adams

Oldfield Drive and these had been reported.

 

10. HIGHWAYS & VERGES: General: Cllr. Head referred to the monthly spreadsheet that                Cllr. Head

was submitted to WKH  and asked if there were any other issues to be added for this month.

Cllr. Fulwell referred to water that was gathering at the top of Knowle Road.

 

11. FOOTPATHS/PROW: General: The issue of a permissive footath from Oldfield Drive to

the Allotments was raised and the Clerk confirmed that there had been no response from

Trenport todate.   Members asked for this matter to be ‘chased up’.                                                         Clerk

 

12. ALLOTMENTS: The Chairman reported that he had received confirmation from the

Allotment Assn. that they were interested in arranging a ‘Garden Show’, along with the

other 2 villages, next year.   It was AGREED that there should be liaison between the 3 villages

of Wouldham, Burham and Eccles and that Borough Cllr. Dalton act as intermediary in                              Bor. Cllr.

progressing this proposal.                                                                                                                          Dalton

 

13. RECREATION GROUND: There was a need for a further litter bin on the Recreation

Ground and it was AGREED that Headland Garden services be asked to make the necessary                   Chairman

arrangements to provide this.

                                                                                                                                                 

14. VILLAGE HALL: The Chairman reported that he, together with the Clerk, had met

with an Estate Agent and discussed the possible sale of the VH and the likely price that the sale

might realize.   The Clerk confirmed that he had now been advised by Ward & Partners that

the likely value depended on the conversion of the premises.   If it were converted into 2 units

the likely value of the VH would be approximately £140,000 but if it were converted to a single

unit the value would reduce to £125,000.

 

16. FINANCE: (i) General: The matter of Christmas Gratuities was discussed and it was

AGREED that these should be paid to the Clerk and to the Litter Warden, as provided for in the

Precept.   Cllr. Fulwell objected; however the Chairman explained that gratuities were agreed at

the Precept Meeting of the PC, months earlier.   The Chairman ascertained from Members the

objection did not have support.

(ii)              Bank Position:

Income this month: £2,072.00

                                    Current Account: £7,858.11 (less cheques for payment today)

Savings Account: £18,380.95

Building Society Account: £9,724.08                                                                           

 

 

 

 

(iii) Accounts for Payment:                                                                                            Action

 

Cheque No	Payee	Detail	Amount
2334	K Savage	Materials for children’s village signs	36.35
2335	Burham  Wouldham Church Fund	3 Quarterly payments for contrib.. to Parish Mag.	150.00
2336	Royal British Legion	Remembrance Sunday Wreath & Donation	50.00
Direct	EDF Energy	Street Lighting - Electricity supply: November, 07	22.96
2337  (	Headland Garden Services	Grounds Maintenance, 2007-As per schedule	1995.00
(	Headland Garden Services	Grounds Maintenance, 2007-Additional works as spec.	250.00
2338	BT	PC Quarterly Telephone a/c	80.52
2339	M J Ross	Sal: 750.00; Rent: 150.00; Exp: 38.40; Imp: 14.42	952.82
2340	J Harmer	Litter duties – October, 2007.	176.64
2341	M J Ross	Xmas Gratuity	150.00
2432	J Harmer	Xmas Gratuity	50.00

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            

 

All the above accounts were approved for payment.

(iii)               Grants: The Clerk reported, as referred to earlier in these minutes, that

           the PC’s application for a KCC Local Board Capital Project grant, namely

           for fees and planning application for the proposed access road, had been

           turned down by the Board.

 

16 SPECIAL REPORTS:  (a) Village Sign: There was nothing further to report on this

item and the project could now be regarded as closed.

                                             (b)Church News & Letter: Various subjects were agreed for

inclusion in the Parish News, but it was pointed out that the next edition would not be issued

until January, 2008, so that a further meeting of the PC would be held before that time and

an updated report for the Parish News would be prepared for the January issue.

In dealing with this matter Members asked for their appreciation to be expressed to the

Editor, whose help and work on coordinating the Parish News was much appreciated.

                                               

17.  CORRESPONDENCE:  The list of letters and other correspondence received during the

month was circulated to Members on the e-mail, so that any Member could request sight of any

particular item that they wished to read.

 

18. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The next meeting should be on the 1^st January, 2008.

However, in view of the fact that this was New Years Day, Members AGREED that the

January meeting of the PC should take place on the 8^th January, 2008.

 

19. COUNCILLORS/CHAIRMAN/CLERK: Cllr. Fulwell asked about the Access Road

scheme but it was pointed out to him that the employment of the Engineer was to develop

and produce a scheme which, if the PC agree with the proposals, will  be submitted to TMBC

for planning approval.

Cllr. Fulwell requested documents relating to his alleged assault on his neighbor Mr Kennard.

It was pointed out to him that these documents were private and as he was in litigation with the

PC over the matter, there could be no further discussion on the subject.

 

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.20pm

 

Signed as a correct record of the proceedings

 

 

Date: 8^th January, 2008.                                                            Chairman:………………………