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WOULDHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the MONTHLY MEETING
of the PARISH COUNCIL held on TUESDAY,
1st APRIL, 2008,
in the VILLAGE HALL, WOULDHAM.
PRESENT: Mr.
K Malkinson (Chairman), Mr. D Adams, Mr T Fulwell, Mrs J Head,
Ms A
Parnell and Mr R Stone.
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr R Dalton (Borough Councillor)
PC Dalton (Police)
Mr. M J Ross (Clerk)
THE PUBLIC: There were 7 members of the public
present. Action by
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies
for absence were received from Bor. Cllr. Davis.
2. MINUTES: The minutes of the monthly meeting of the Parish Council, held on the
4th March, 2008
were proposed by Cllr. Parnell and seconded by Cllr. Stone, 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. VACANCIES FOR
COUNCILLORS-CO-OPTION: The Clerk reported that he had received a
letter from Mrs. Lesley
Morgan, offering herself for co-option onto the Parish Council. He circulated
copies of her letter of
application, setting out her experience, etc. and suggested that he deal with
the
necessary paperwork over the
next few weeks with a view to Members formally co-opting her on to the
Parish Council at the May
meeting. Members AGREED to this course
of action.
5. POLICE REPORT: PC Dalton reported
that there had been 3 crimes reported in the Village during
the past month. These were 2 assaults and 1 instance of theft of a motor
vehicle. In the case of the
Laker Road area, there was 1 crime reported
being that of theft.
PC Dalton also advised members that, in future
there would be 2 full time police officers covering the
area (the area comprised Wouldham, Burham,
Eccles and Walderslade), together with PCSO Caroline
Honeysett.
The Clerk reported that he had received an
invite from Kent Police Authority for a representative to
attend a conference dealing with “Rural
Policing”, being held on the 8th April at the Ashford International
Hotel.
He asked if anyone was interested in attending but no member indicated
an interest.
6. BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REPORT: Bor. Cllr. Dalton reported that he
would be
attending the Rural Policing Conference and asked if there were any
questions that Members
would like him to ask. Members
agreed to consider this and put forward any agreed questions
via the email system.
He also advised members that Borough Cllr. Davis was continuing with his
attempts to ensure
the adoption of Oldfield Drive and had stated that the street lights
were now fixed but there
continued to be a problem with the plastic bollards to be fixed and the
verge to be sorted.
Cllr. Adams felt that these were minor matters that shouldn’t affect the
adoption but suggested
that the Clerk be asked to write to the Management Company to ask that
these issues be dealt
with immediately. Members
AGREED to this proposal.
Borough Councillor Dalton referred to the Newsletter issued by Trenport
Investments regarding
the delays in the timetable for the development of Peters Village and
particularly the bridge
crossing. The projected
timetable for the start was now changed from Autumn, 2007 to
Spring of 2009. He confirmed
that the delays were of a financial nature, with the bodies
involved in permitting the bridge crossing, seeking large sums for the
rights to cross the river and
negotiations were continuing.
He assured members that the development of Peters Village was
Action by
still dependent on the bridge
crossing and the requirement of the planning consent that the
bridge would be in place by the time the first 150 houses were built,
was still applicable.
A recent tour of the Village by Waste Officers of TMBC, together with
representatives of Veolia
Environmental Services had determined that the bin on the Recreation
Ground should be re-
sited.
The Kent Clean Team would be in the area in the week following the
meeting of the PC and
sought directions as to areas within the Parish that Members would like
to see tidied up.
The areas of the Black Robin and the high water tide mark by the river
were suggested.
Borough Councillor Dalton also stated that he was proposing to try and
arrange a litter pick in
the Village in mid May and was keen to publicize the event and in this
connection suggested
that an approach might be made to the school to see if some of the
children might be involved.
Councillor Adams undertook to raise the matter at the school. Cllr. Adams
7.
COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT: County Councillor Rowe had submitted a Report
and this
had been circulated to Members. The
main content of it was as follows:
1.
At the
last T & M Joint Transportation Board Meeting, it had been reported that
the works on the Traffic Management Scheme in
the Village, had been completed
with the exception of the connection of
permanent lamp columns.
It was also reported that the Medway Valley Initiative,
consisting of improved
cycling and walking routes in the Medway Valley, was
undergoing assessment as
part of the Borough Cycling Strategy. This continues to need to be monitored
closely.
2.
At the
Parish Partnership on 6th March, 2008, the Parish Charter for T
& M was
accepted, a copy of which the Parish has. This should be of interest.
3.
County
Councillor Rowe is arranging a meeting with the Head of Wouldham School
with a view to progressing some minor
development project that Cllr. Adams is
interested in promoting.
8.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: A number of
the public were in attendance from Church Place
and were concerned about the
current problem where the owner of the frontage land was demanding a
fee for allowing them to park
on the land. The practice of parking
on the land had been in being for
many years and the
representatives of the residents at the meeting were looking to the PC for
support in
their battle with the
landowner. It was explained that this
was a matter between themselves and the
owner of the land and the PC
could not get involved. The PC would
however, be quite happy to support
the residents in their legal
actions and various alternative actions were discussed including purchase of
the
land by either the residents,
the PC or the Borough Council. Bor.
Cllr. Dalton confirmed that he was
looking into various ways
that he might be able to assist the residents. In the meantime TMBC had
issued a statement to the
Kent Messenger confirming that this was a private matter between the residents
and the landowner. All Members agreed that the best way
forward for the residents was for them to
seek professional legal
advice on their position bearing in mind the number of years that they had
enjoyed
parking on the land.
9. PLANNING: (a) Planning
applications considered by the Planning Committee:
(i) 156
High Street – New vehicular access: No comments
(ii)
Land west of Rochester
Road, Rochester (Airport Estate)-change of use:
The PC continue to
be of the opinion that there are serious doubts about the
capacity of the road system and feel
strongly that brownfield land should be
developed before any encroachment
onto greenfield land takes place.
(iii)
Peters Village-Reserved
matters-Development Platforms, main onsite
road network, landscaping etc.: The PC consider the
surface of the
bridleway totally unsuitable for horses and are
adamant that it needs to
be of a softer, more horse friendly surface. Also the surface proposed
Action by
could be very dangerous to horses in wet weather
because it could
become extremely slippery.
(b)
Planning Consents issued:
(i)
The Barn, Rochester
Road-Amendment – provision of roof light
(c) Planning Applications refused:
(i)
7 High Street-Demolition
of side extension & erection of new 2 storey
dwelling
(d) Other Planning
Issues: The Clerk
reported that he had received
notification from KCC that there
were changes to the planning
application process proposed and
these would be coming into
effect from the 6th
April, 2008.
He also reported that the appeals by
Jonathan Crawley, in respect
of enforcement notices issued
relating to 4 & 5 Chalken Cottages,
Portland Road, had been dismissed by
the Inspector and the
works to correct the situation had
to be carried out.
Access road to rear of High Street: The Clerk reported that he had
received a further plan from Lloyd
Hunt Associates with the
revised layout of the proposed
access road. The Chairman
confirmed that the plan showed the
access road as agreed by the
planning committee and Lloyd Hunt
Associates had been
instructed to proceed with the
necessary consultations with
Malcolm Appleby of Kent Highways.
Three Villages Liaison Group: Aylesford PC had put a suggestion
to TMBC that, in the light of the experience of
the temporary
traffic lights that had been operating at the
Pilgrims Way/Bull
Lane junction recently, they felt that this had
substantially
improved safety at this junction and called
upon TMBC to
consider providing permanent traffic lights.
In submitting this proposal, Aylesford PC had
looked to Burham
and Wouldham PC’s to support them in this
request. However,
after some discussion there was a divergence of
opinion and the
Chairman put the matter to a vote. The vote was 2 councillors
in favour of supporting Aylesford PC’s proposal
with 3 members
against and 1 abstainer. It was therefore determined that the PC
would not support the proposal for traffic
lights at this junction. Clerk
10. STREET LIGHTING: It was confirmed that
the street lights that were reported out in Hall
Road, were still out and it was suggested that the Clerk should contact
KCC’s Street Lighting Clerk
Dept. to try and ensure that they were repaired as soon as possible.
11. HIGHWAYS & VERGES: General:
Cllr. Head referred to the Spreadsheet for April and
enquired whether members had any items to add but there were no other
issues raised.
12. FOOTPATHS/PROW: General: The surfacing of the footpath
by the school had not been
carried out as promised by Paul Lunn.
This may be due to the fact the weather has not been
suitable for the work and Cllr. Stone undertook to consult Paul Lunn to
determine exactly when
the work would be done.
The direction post at Hill Road was broken and it was suggested that an
approach should be
made to David Munn at KCC PROW to arrange for its replacement.
Action
13. ALLOTMENTS: The Clerk reported that he had been advised by
Cluttons, the agents acting
for Trenport Investments, that as from the 1st April,
2008, Smiths Gore would be taking over the
management of the allotments and all rents due from the PC thereafter
should be paid to them.
The Clerk also advised Members that having read TMBC’s Open Spaces
Strategy, it would
appear that they do not view the allotments warrant a mention in the
schedule of allotments
within the Borough. Indeed nor
do they place any credibility on the Common which is referred
to as “low quality/low value open space with very poor access, litter,
overgrown and safety
vulnerable” This is definitely
not correct and the Clerk suggests that he make representations to
TMBC to point out that the PC take exception to these remarks and that
the Common is likely
to receive a grant from the Big Lottery Fund and in any event, work has
been carried out on the
Common in recent months, with bluebell planting and other works, to
improve it. Significant
other works are also proposed in the near future. Members AGREED that the Clerk should Clerk
make representations to TMBC on both the allotments and the Common, on
the lines described.
14. RECREATION GROUND: The Clerk advised Members that he had received a report on
the condition of the play equipment from the Engineers at Zurich
Insurance. There were no
significant areas that required works but a number of minor issues
needed to be attended to.
It was AGREED the Clerk mark up a Schedule of the report, showing the
repairs required and
pass this to the Chairman so that he can consult with Headland Garden
Services to see if they
would be able to effect the necessary repairs identified,
Cllr. Stone informed Members that his source for getting scalpings for
the car park, had advised
that the works on Bluebell Hill had used these up and there was no
spare. Consequently it
would be necessary to find another source at a reasonable cost and he
undertook to follow this Cllr. Stone
up.
15.
VILLAGE HALL: Cllr.
Stone reported that the Management Committee meeting,
scheduled for the 31st March, had been cancelled because
there had been insufficient action
on issues that needed to be addressed.
The meeting would now take place on the 14th
April.
16.
FINANCE: (i) General: There were no general issue to be
raised.
(ii) Bank Position:
Income this month: £729.00
Current
Account: £2358.77 (less cheques for payment today)
Savings Account: £18,466.10
Building Society Account: £10,016.01
(iii) Accounts for Payment:
Cheque No
|
Payee
|
Detail
|
Amount
|
2361 |
Cluttons |
Half year rent on
allotments |
323.13 |
Direct |
EDF
Energy |
Street Lighting -
Electricity supply: March, 2008. |
22.96 |
2362 |
Lloyd Hunt Associates
|
Fees for acting on Access
Road |
998.75 |
2363 |
Burham Village Hall
|
Part year rent for
storage-1/10/07-29/02/08 |
50.00 |
2364 |
M J Ross
|
Sal: 750.00; Rent: 125.00;
Exp: 41.60; Imp: 13.74 |
955.34 |
2365 |
J Harmer
|
Litter Duties-March, 2008 |
176.64 |
2366 |
KALC
|
Membership of KALC for
2008/09 |
359.68 |
All the above accounts were
approved for payment.
(iv) Chairman’s Insignia: The Clerk stated that Messrs Shaw
&
Sons, who
were making the new Chairman’s insignia, had enquired about the colouring of
the
various
items within the Crest. It was AGREED that the Church be brown, the
ship black, the
horse white
and the corn etc. yellow, all set on a blue background with the cross dividing
the
crest into
4 quarters, red.
Action by
(iv)
Grants:
The Clerk drew
attention to the letter from KCC, already
emailed to Members, with particular reference to the deadline dates for
the receipt of
applications for grant.
Consideration needs to be given to subjects for grant application in the
near future.
17 SPECIAL REPORTS: Church
News & Letter: Various subjects were agreed for
inclusion in the Parish News, including crime figures and the litter
picking scheme.
18. 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.
19. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on the 6th
May, 2008.
20. COUNCILLORS/CHAIRMAN/CLERK: Cllr.
Adams enquired about the progress on
seeking a
financial reurn from Smurfitts for cardboard.
The Clerk would progress the matter. Clerk
Cllr. Head
asked how many allotment plots had been let bearing in mind the income of £360,
which, at
£15 per plot, suggests there are 24 plots let.
The Clerk
advised Members that there were 5 items of correspondence that warrant drawing
their
attention
to. These are 1. The Kent Association
of Parish Councils had changed its name to the
Kent association of Local Councils.
2. An email from TMBC asking for
information regarding the
distribution of ‘Here & Now’ within
the Village and Members stated
that some of the outlying properties
did not appear to receive copies. Clerk
3. An email from Jennifer Winters of the
Valley of Visions seeking
answers to a number of questions about
publicizing the opportunities
that are available.
4. Kent Primary Care Trust seeking comments
on the rurality of an
area that does not include Wouldham,
but covers Walderslade to
the west and Stockbury to the east.
Members agreed that some 75% Clerk
of the area was rural.
5.
KCC – Draft Permit Scheme – A request for answers to a
questionnaire. Since this was a
KHS originated document it was
passed to Cllr. Head to deal with. Cllr.
Head
There being
no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.40pm
Signed as a correct record of the
proceedings
Date: 6th
May, 2008. Chairman:………………………
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