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WOULDHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the MONTHLY MEETING
of the PARISH COUNCIL held on TUESDAY,
2nd SEPTEMBER,
2008, in the VILLAGE HALL, WOULDHAM.
PRESENT: Mr. K Malkinson (Chairman),
Mr. D Adams, Mrs J Head, Ms. L Morgan,
and
Mr R Stone
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr R Dalton (Borough Councillor)
Mr D Davis (Borough Councillor)
Mr. M J Ross (Clerk)
MEMBERS OF
THE PUBLIC: There were no members of the
public present. Action by
1. APOLOGIES: Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs.
Fulwell and Parnell, County
Cllr. Rowe,
PC Dalton and PCSO Honeysett.
2. MINUTES: The minutes of
the monthly meeting of the Parish Council, held on the
1st July, 2008 were proposed by
Cllr. Head 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: In the absence of representatives of the
Police, the Clerk advised
members that he had been provided with the latest crime figures for the period 27th June to the
31st August, 2008. There had been 6 crimes reported in the Village comprising 1 assault, 2
criminal damage, 1 arson, 1 attempted theft and 1 theft from a motor vehicle. For Laker Road
there were 2 crimes – 1 theft miscellaneous and 1 theft from a motor vehicle.
The Clerk also referred to the fact that PCSO Honeysett had raised the litter situation at Laker
Road which, apparently, was very bad and had asked if arrangements could be made for a
Litter pick in the area. Borough Cllr. Davis stated that he would take the matter up with the Bor. Cllr. Davis
Borough and see what could be arranged.
It was also reported that parking on the pavement outside Wouldham Court was again becoming
a problem and PCSO Honeysett had enquired when the proposed bollards in this locality, would
be provided. Cllr. Head stated that they were on the Spreadsheet as being requested and she was
hopeful that they would be installed soon.
PCSO Honeysett had also enquired about the possibility of utilising the school car park out of
hours so that local residents could use these to alleviate the parking problems. However, Cllr.
Adams stated that he doubted this would be agreed because the school was secured and locked
out of hours and there could be problems with insurance,etc.
5. BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REPORT: Borough Cllr. Davis reported that
despite the
objections to the ANL proposals failing to obtain refusal by KCC
Planning, the Action Group
were working on the problem and had met with the Police. Discussions had raised
suggestions for such safety measures as a light warning of a bend as you
enter Burham Village
from the Bluebell Hill direction and ensuring a speed limit of 30mph was
imposed on lorries
using the roads, with 20mph within the villages. Borough Cllr. Dalton reported that Burham
Parish Council met on Monday evening regarding suggestions of speed
restrictions on the lorries
and it appeared that there would be no major contractor but the landfill
would be undertaken by a
variety of contractors. It was
envisaged that there would be random checks on loading lorries,
etc. and it had now been intimated that it was possible that an
extension of the July, 2009 time
Action by
limit might be granted.
It was also reported that the planning application for the Greenway had
been approved, with a
condition that priority must be given to southbound traffic in order to
avoid a build up of traffic
outside the houses in Hall Road.
The scheme would be reviewed after a period of time.
6.
COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT: The Clerk referred to the fact that he had
circulated
County Cllr. Rowe’s report and Members confirmed their acceptance of the
contents. The report, summarized, was as follows:
1.
The
T&M Joint Local Board meet on the 2nd September, with the main
item to be
considered being the collection and disposal of
waste.
2.
The
T&M Joint Transportation Board meet on the 8th September. There are no
specific items that affect Wouldham
but the latest proposals for Medway Valley
A228/A20 Corridors Outline Public
Transport Strategy will be presented, which
will include some reference to the
Peters Village Housing development.
3.
T&M
Parish Partnership Panel will meet on 11th September, with Cold
Calling
Controlled Zones forming part of the agenda.
4.
T&M Youth Advisory Group is scheduled to meet at Hadlow Youth Club
on 29th
September.
5.
Inside
Track – issue 127 will be sent out shortly
6.
Requests
have been received from Wouldham Guides and Valley of
Vision/Wouldham School, for support
in the form of a local members grant with
an environmental/community project.
7.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: There were no
members of the public present.
8. PLANNING: (a) Planning
applications considered by the Planning Committee:
(i)
Peters Village – Main
on-site road network, landscaping and public
open spaces: No comments
(ii)
Squires Hall, Starkey
Castle – Single storey side extension: No
comments
(iii)
Land east of 11 School
Lane – Details of validation contamination
report: No comments
(iv)
Land east of 11 School
Lane – Erection of two additional dwellings:
The PC object to this application and feel that this
is “piggy back”
planning. The maisonette above the garages would put
living quarters
too close to the boundary of the power station and
other reasons were
given to justify the objection to this application.
(v)
Peters
Village-Construction of Greenway link: The PC wish to ensure
that the traffic lights will give priority to south
bound traffic to ensure
no
build up of traffic outside 113 Hall Road and the PC are pleased to
note
that there is no provision for street lighting along this road, thus
ensuring
its continuance to be regarded as a rural road.
(vi)
Land west of Rochester
Road-Proposed industrial development:
The PC object to this application most
vehemently. They are of the
opinion
that the land is not brownfield and never has been, trees and
hedgerows
are affected and the infrstructure is not in place to cope
with
the additional traffic these new units would generate.
Action by
(b) Planning
Consents issued:
(i)
Peters Village –
Additional infrastructure & associated
landscaping as part opf new construction and
improvements
to existing rights of way.
(ii)
Peters Village –
Construction of new and improvements to
existing highways between Peters Village and junction
of
Pilgrims Way/Rochester Road.
(iii)
Peters Village –
Construction of Greenway link between
Peters Village & Wouldham
(iv)
Peters Village –
Development platforms, main on-site road
network, landscaping & public open spaces.
(v)
Squires Hall, Starkey
Castle-Single Storey side extension
(c) Planning Applications refused:
(i) 15
School Lane – Erection of two dwellings
(d) Other Planning Issues:
Access road to rear of High Street: The Clerk confirmed that a
meeting had been arranged, by the
Consultants employed, with TMBC
Planning to discuss the plans for
the proposed road. It was envisaged
that a progress report would be
possible at the next meeting of the PC. Clerk
ANL Application: The Clerk reported a letter received
from Aylesford
PC, forwarding the notes of a
meeting that had been held between
representatives from KCC, Police,
TMBC (Cllr. Davis) and Aylesford,
Burham and Wouldham PC’s. The results of this meeting and other
issues pertaining to it, had been
dealt with under the Borough
Councillors item.
Planning Enforcement: The Chairman referred to 2 cases
that had
been notified by TMBC, whereby a
possible breach of planning control
may have taken place and further
investigations were being carried out.
These related to Nashenden Farm,
where it was alleged that car breaking
and siting of caravans were possible
breaches.
9. STREET LIGHTING: Cllr. Adams reported that he was not aware of
any lights out.
The Clerk reported that DW Lighting’s contract for the maintenance of
the street lights the PC
had responsibility for, was due for renewal and in this respect, they
had submitted an invoice
to cover the maintenance for the next 12 months. This would be dealt with under ‘Accounts
for Payment’. Members AGREED to
the renewal for a further year.
10. HIGHWAYS & VERGES: General:
It was understood that the monthly spreadsheet had
been discontinued by WKH.
However, Cllr. Head advised Members that she had taken the
opportunity to take a representative of WKH round the village pointing
out all the issues that
were on the spreadsheet but were still outstanding. He had confirmed that all the issues
identified were valid.
The Clerk reported the receipt of the Safety Audit (Stage 3) relating to
the Traffic Management
Scheme. It was pointed out that
this was only an interim report relating to the road narrowing
part way down Knowle Road and the full and final report on the whole
scheme was still awaited.
The Clerk also referred to several complaints about the dangers relating
to some parts of the
Scheme but it was confirmed that these could be addressed when the final
report was received.
The Clerk confirmed that a place had been booked for Cllr. Head, at the
Kent Highway Services
Seminar scheduled to take place on the 14th October.
The Clerk also referred to the fact that TMBC had notified him of the
fact that a TPO had been
made on a number of trees in within the grounds of properties Hall Road.
Action by
KHS had notified the PC that a joint scheme with Medway Council
providing for the
installation of triple road humps, was proposed for Laker Road. Work was due to commence
on the 18th August.
The Chairman stated that the Community Liaison Officer of KHS had asked
for a meeting with
himself and the Clerk, to discuss issues that are of concern to the
PC. The meeting would
take place sometime within the next month and when a date was known he
would liaise with
Clerk/Chairman
Cllr. Head to discuss the issues that need to be raised.
The Chairman referred to the point raised by Cllr. Parnell regarding the
provision of a flower
display at the entrance to the village and suggested that the PC might
consider taking the
suggestion a little further with, not only a floral display at the
entrance to the village, but also
hanging baskets from lamp posts within the village. Burham PC had provided such and it was
suggested that the Clerk consult with the Clerk of Burham PC to
ascertain likely costs so that Clerk
the viability of the scheme could be determined. It would also be necessary to consult KCC
Highways to obtain their views on the provision of flowers on the verge
and from lamp posts.
It was understood that the verge area at the entrance to the village,
was owned by Lafage
and it would be necessary to seek their agreement, either to allow the
display or to transfer the
Clerk
land to the PC’s ownership.
11. FOOTPATHS/PROW: General: The Clerk reported that he had now
received a reply
from David Munn of KCC PROW who had confirmed that it would be possible
to transfer
responsibility for maintaining the footpaths in the Parish to the
PC. He advised that KCC
were shortly due to renew contracts for clearance work and was prepared
to allow Wouldham
to undertake the work in this parish arranging to pay the same rate as
that paid to their
contractor. The Clerk advised
that invoicing for the work would be in arrears and the PC
would need to ensure that they submitted their invoice by the 31st
March in each year.
Members AGREED to accept these conditions, subject to carrying out an
exercise to
determine what the work was likely to cost the PC were they to take it
over and in this
connection it was AGREED that Headland Garden services be asked to
provide a quotation,
based on the maps of footpaths provided by David Munn.
12. ALLOTMENTS: There was nothing to report on the allotments this
month.
13. RECREATION GROUND: The Clerk reported that ROSPA had
carried out an inspection
of all the play equipment on the Recreation Ground and apart from some
minor issues that
require attention, there is nothing major in the report needing
action. The invoice for this
inspection was amongst the accounts for payment and amounts to £88.13
which was
substantially less than the Engineers Report charge by Zurich Insurance
which, for this renewal,
would have been £564.28.
The repair required on the window of the Teenage Shelter was again
raised and Cllr. Stone Cllr. Stone
undertook to action the matter.
The piles of earth on the perimeter of the Recreation Ground were
confirmed as still being there
and the Clerk confirmed he had spoken to a representative from EDF
Energy who had Clerk
undertaken to arrange for the contractor to remove these piles of earth,
if they were still in place.
14.
FINANCE: (i) General: The Clerk reported that he had
received notification from
TMBC that
changes were to be made to the Scheme of Financial Arrangements with Parish
Councils
for 2009/10. Because central
government were reducing their support funding the
Borough
would only receive an increase of 0.4% with the consequence that they would
only
be
increasing the funding to Parishes under this scheme, by the same amount. Comments
had been
invited but the PC accepted the situation and had no comments to make.
Action by
(ii) Bank Position:
Income this month: Nil
Current
Account: £4,775.82 (Less cheques for payment today)
Savings Account: £18,718.26
Building Society Account: £10,016.01
(iii) Accounts for Payment:
Cheque No
|
Payee
|
Detail
|
Amount
|
|
2382 |
Tudor
Plumbing & Heating |
Extension of allotment
water supply |
587.50 |
|
2383 |
J
Savage |
Fee for compiling posters
for ANL demo |
17.40 |
|
2384 |
Ms
J Harmer |
Litter duties – July, 2008. |
220.80 |
|
2385 |
SE
Water Ltd. |
Water supply to allotments |
14.81 |
|
2386 |
Staples |
Stationery items |
56.72 |
|
Direct |
EDF
Energy |
Street Lighting -
Electricity supply: July & Aug. 2008 |
47.90 |
|
2387 |
DW Lighting
|
Annual Maintenance Contract
Renewal |
376.00 |
|
2388 |
Shaw & Sons
|
Chairman’s Insignia (To be
claimed back from Insurers |
1733.00 |
|
2389 |
Smiths Gore
|
Allotment Rent for half
year due 25/09 |
323.13 |
|
2390 |
Playsafety Ltd.
|
Safety Inspection of Play
Equipment |
88.13 |
|
2391 |
BT
|
PC’s Quarterly Telephone
Account |
87.52 |
|
2392 |
M J Ross (July & August)
|
Sal: 1537.50; Rent: 300.00;
Exp: 86.08; Imp: 55.73 |
1979.31 |
|
2393 |
Ms
J Harmer |
Litter duties – August,
2008 |
176.64 |
|
2394 |
Arkadia |
Fee for preparing a/c’s for
2008 Return to Audit Com. |
141.00 |
All the above accounts were approved for payment.
(iv)
Renewal of PC’s Public Liability Insurance: The Clerk reported
that Zurich Municipal had submitted a renewal quotation of £3,259.18 together
with a charge
of £564.28 for an Engineer’s Report on the play equipment, making the
cost of the renewal a
total of £3,823.46. However, a
quotation from Norwich Union, obtained through Came & Co.
for the same cover as that offered by Zurich, amounted to £2,998.38,
which together with the
fee of £88.13, paid to ROSPA for
the inspection of the play equipment, would make a total
cost of the insurance £3,086.51.
This would be £736.95 less than the quote from Zurich, for
exactly the same cover and therefore Members AGREED that the quote from
Norwich Union, Clerk
offered through Came & Co., be accepted.
(v)
PC’s Financial Return to Audit Commission for 2008: The Clerk
presented the Financial Return for the parish, which was to be submitted
to the Audit
Commission. The accounts had
been checked by the Parish’s accountant who had, from the
Accounts, prepared the Return.
Members AGREED to accept the Return as shown at Clerk
Appendix A, and authorized the Clerk to submit this to the Audit
Commission.
(vi)
Grants: Cllr. Morgan referred to the need to submit a grant
application to KCC. Members
discussed the matter and AGREED that a Local Members
Grant be applied for, to enhance the common facilities. The grant sum to be sought would be
£2,000 and Cllr. Morgan would arrange for this to be submitted via the
Clerk. This sum Cllr. Morgan
would cover the cost of picnic facilities and other enhancements to the
Common.
16 SPECIAL REPORTS: Church
News & Letter: Apart from the crime figures, it was left
to the Clerk’s discretion, in consultation with the Chairman, as to the
subjects to be included in
Clerk
the Parish News, which would be for the July /August period..
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 will be on the 7th
October, 2008.
Action
by
19. COUNCILLORS/CHAIRMAN/CLERK:
Cllr. Adams raised the question of re-opening
Old Church
Road , which had been closed by Trenport.
He felt that, despite an earlier
approach to
see if they would consider re-opening it which they had refused, a further
attempt
should be made to see if they would reconsider. Accordingly it was AGREED
that the
Clerk write to Trenport and ask them to reconsider their decision and re-open
Old Clerk
Church
Road.
Cllr. Adams
also suggested that an item might be included in the Parish News seeking
anyone in
the Village who were keen to see a new village hall/community centre
provided
for the Village, to volunteer to serve on a Steering Group that the PC would
set up in
consultation with the Village Hall Management Committee. Ideally they would
have some
expertise to offer such as ability to prepare a business plan, etc.
There being
no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.20pm
Signed as a correct record of the
proceedings
Date: 7th
October, 2008. Chairman:………………………
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