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WOULDHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Monthly meeting of Wouldham Parish Council on 2nd June, 2009.
Present: Mr K Malkinson (Chairman) Mr. D Adams, Mr T Fulwell,
Ms A Parnell, Mr K Savage and Mr. R Stone
In Attendance: Mr R Dalton (Borough Councillor)
Mr. D Piepnick (Community Warden)
Mr. M J Ross (Clerk)
There were no members of the public present.
- APOLOGIES: Apologies were received from Counillors Davis and Head,
together with those from County Cllr. Rowe and Borough Cllr. Davis. Action by
- MINUTES: The minutes of the AGM and the normal monthly meeting of the
Parish Council, held on the 7th May, 2009, were proposed by Cllr. Adams and
seconded by Cllr. Stone, to be a true record of the proceedings and it was
AGREED that they be signed by the Chairman.
- CO-OPTION OF NEW COUNCILLOR: The Clerk advised that he had
received a letter from Mr Ken Savage offering himself as a Councillor.
The Chairman stated that he, together with the Clerk, had met Mr Savage
to discuss the role of councillor and what that involved and Mr Savage had
indicated that he was happy to assume this role and the responsibilities that
went with it. Members AGREED that Mr Savage should be co-opted on to the
PC. Accordingly the Clerk asked Mr Savage to completed the
Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which he duly did and which was
endorsed by the Clerk as Proper Officer. It would also be necessary for
Mr Savage to complete the form Register of Members Interests which
the Clerk had asked TMBC to provide and when this had been completed by
Mr Savage, he would forward it to TMBC to process.
The Chairman then invited Mr Savage to join the meeting.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES: Members AGREED that
any matters arising from the minutes would be dealt with under the appropriate
heading, as the meeting progressed through the agenda.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest.
- POLICE & COMMUNITY WARDEN’S REPORT: The Community
Warden reported, on behalf of the Police, that there had been 5 crimes
reported this month. These were 2 cases of theft from a motor vehicle, 1 case
of burglary other than dwelling, 1 general burglary and 1 assault.
The Community Warden went on to report on various activities that he had
been involved in during the past month and suggested that consideration might
be given to providing a litter bin on the Common. The PC AGREED that Clerk
TMBC be approached to see if they would provide such a bin.
- BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REPORT: Borough Cllr Dalton stated that
he had only 1 item to report and that related to the River Warden Scheme
which was a scheme that was developed by the Medway Valley Countryside
Partnership and Age Concern. The sessions would commence on 26th June
and would run every other Friday thereafter.
Action by
8. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT: County Cllr. Rowe had provided a
written report which the Clerk had circulated. In it County Cllr. Rowe thanked
the PC for their co-operation over the past 10 years and stated that it had been a
privilege and pleasure to represent the Parish over this time.
There was not a lot to report but dates to note were 8th June – Joint Transport
Board, 10th June – Joint Local Board. He also made the point that although,
with effect from 4th June he would no longer be a county councillor, he would
continue with Kent Police Authority for another 2 months so would be available
on Police issues for a little while longer.
9. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: There were no members of the public present.
- PLANNING: (a) Applications commented upon during
the month:
i.
The
Mews Cottage, 622 Pilgrims Way-Lawful development
Certificate – Office use of
ancillary building – No comments
(b) Applications
approved:
i. Land between A228 on west bank of Medway &
Peters Pit/Works
on east
bank-Construction of single carriageway road crossing
incorporating segregated pedestrian and cycleway (Issued by
Medway
Council.)
ii.The Mews Cottage, 622 Pilgrims Way-Lawful
development cert.-
Office use
of ancillary building.
(c) Applications refused:
i. 6 Cornwall Crescent – Erection of pair of semi detached
houses
(d) Other Planning Issues:
Access Road: The Clerk reported that Lloyd Hunt
Associates had advised him of the fact that they had
submitted the planning application for the access road
to TMBC.
11. STREET LIGHTING: Cllr. Adams reported that, at long last all street lights
in the Parish were now in working order and at present there were no
outstanding issues, apart from the light illuminating the car park.
12. HIGHWAYS & VERGES: The Clerk reported that he had been advised by
WKH that, following the Parish’s approach to enquire about the possibility of
taking over cutting the grassed areas, they had advised him that Jacobs had
stated that the contract for amenity cutting provided for 10 cuts per year and
they could not see a situation where the Parish’s contractor worked on the same
areas as that of WKH’ contractor. Members expressed surprise at the fact that
10 cuts per year were envisaged and if this were so, they would be satisfied with
such a standard but asked the Clerk to verify with WKH that the 10 cuts per year Clerk
was realistic.
The Clerk also advised that he had obtained plans of the grassed areas within the
Parish that would be cut.
13. FOOTPATHS/PROW: The Clerk reported that he had been advised by David
Munn of KCC Footpaths, that new contracts for the maintenance of footpaths
had been let and these included a penalty clause if work was removed from the
contract. Consequently KCC could not agree to the Parish taking over the
maintenance of footpaths within
Wouldham. However, as a result of the
new Action by
contracts let savings had been achieved and if the PC felt additional cuts were
desirable, these might be able to be undertaken by KCC’s contractor.
14. ALLOTMENTS: There was nothing to report on allotments this month but
Member’s AGREED that a report should be obtained from the Allotment Assn Clerk
for next month’s meeting.
15. WOULDHAM COMMON: The Chairman reported that the picnic bench and
bench seat had now been installed on the Common. In the light of the fact that
some people visiting the Common were creating fires at varying locations,
Members discussed the possibility of creating a fire pit, which should ensure
that all fires lit, were located in the one place.
It was also suggested that a notice board should be provided stating that this was
Wouldham Common and was a public area under the control of Wouldham
Parish Council. Members AGREED this proposal and instructed the Clerk to Clerk
approach TMBC in connection with the provision of the sign.
16. VILLAGE HALL: There was nothing to report under this item this month.
17. RECREATION GROUND: The Clerk informed Members that the outline
planning consent obtained from TMBC for the provision of a building on the
Recreation Ground car park, was due to expire at the end of July, being the
expiration of 3 years. Members AGREED that this permission should be
renewed and authorised the Clerk to contact Development Control at TMBC and Clerk
establish the procedure for arranging the renewal.
The section of the railings along Knowle Road that had been removed, was also
referred to. The piece of rail was kept within the grounds of the Village Hall for
safekeeping and it was AGREED that Headland Garden Services should be asked
if they would arrange for this to be refitted.
18. FINANCE: (i) General: The Clerk pointed out that the PC’s membership of the
Kent County Playing Fields Assn. was due for renewal. The renewal fee was
£10.00 and Members AGREED that this was worthwhile and should be renewed.
(ii) Bank Position: Income for Month – Nil
Current Account - £8,976.62
Savings Account - £18,910.39
Building
Society - £10,159.28
(iii) Accounts for Payment:
Cheque No
|
Payee
|
Detail
|
Amount
|
|
2435 |
TMBC |
Fee for applying for planning
consent to access road |
167.50 |
|
Direct |
EDF Energy |
Street Lighting -
Electricity supply May, 2009 |
23.95 |
|
2436 |
Glasdon
|
Phoenix
seat & tamper resistant cover caps |
417.39 |
|
2437 |
BT
|
PC
Quarterly a/c |
97.79 |
|
2438 |
Staples
|
Cannon
photocopier toner |
117.65 |
|
2439 |
MCL
Mechanical Handling Ltd.
|
Supplying
bases for picnic table & seat and fixing same |
552.00 |
|
2440 |
Arkadia
|
Fee
for preparing PC Accounts & Return to Audit Com |
172.50 |
|
2441 |
M J Ross
|
Sal:
768.75; Rent: 150.00; Exp: 40.64; Imp: 13.60 |
972.99 |
|
2442 |
J Harmer
|
Litter
duties-Mayl, 2009 |
183.36 |
|
2443 |
Kent County
Play Fields Assn.
|
Renewal
of Annual Membership |
10.00 |
|
2444 |
Burham/Wouldham Church
Fund |
PC contribution to Parish
Magazine |
150.00 |
|
2445 |
TMBC |
Fee for plng. application
for renewal of bldg. on Rec. |
167.50 |
All the above accounts were passed for payment.
Action by
(iv) Annual Return to Audit Commission: The Clerk presented
the Return for the Audit Commission, which had been prepared by the PC’s
Accountants. Members were asked to approve this so that the Clerk could
submit this to the Commission by the 30th June, 2009. Cllr. Fulwell asked for
more time to study the figures but the majority of Members AGREED
the Return and authorised the Clerk to submit the Return as required. Clerk
The Clerk also advised Members that, at long last he had received the
approval of the Audit Commission to the Return for 2008, which had been
submitted at the beginning of July last year but which had taken some
considerable time to get approved. Members duly noted the approval.
(v) Grants: There was nothing to report this month.
19. SPECIAL ITEMS: Items for Church News: It was AGREED that the crime
figures, the fact that the picnic furniture was now installed on the Common and
that the PC were contemplating installing a fire pit should be included, together Clerk
with anything else the Clerk may deem appropriate.
20. CORRESPONDENCE: The list of correspondence received during the
month had been circulated to Members.
21. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on 7th July, 2009.
22. COUNCILLORS/CHAIRMAN/CLERK: Cllr. Parnell enquired about the
repairs that were necessary to the car park. It was agreed that the matter
should be on the agenda for the next meeting.
She also raised the question of when the seat on the Green opposite the shop
would be provided and was advised that the repairs were in hand and it was
hoped to put the seat in position as soon as these repairs had been effected.
Cllr. Parnell also suggested that, in view of the Clerk’s impending
departure, a farewell party should be arranged and members AGREED that this
should take place at a date to be arranged and the Chairman undertook to make Chairman
the necessary arrangements.
The Clerk referred to the email previously circulated, regarding the Sustainable
Community Strategy and the fact that the PC were required to comment by the
9th July. There were no comments to be made.
The Clerk also stated that he had received an approach from the Kent Air
Ambulance enquiring whether the PC might consider having a textile bank
which would help raise funds for the Air Ambulance. It was pointed out that
there was already a textile bank within the re-cycling centre but suggested that
the Clerk establish with the Air Ambulance, whether they might be able to Clerk
arrange to substitute the Air Ambulance one for the existing unit.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 8.45pm
Signed as a correct record of the proceedings.
Date: 7th July, 2009. Chairman……………………….
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