ACTION

1

APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Cllr Stone, Borough Councillors Dalton and Davis and County Councillor Peter Homewood.

2

MINUTES

The minutes of the minutes held on the 6^th October 2009 were proposed by Cllr Adams and seconded by Cllr Head, to be a true record of proceedings and it was AGREED that they be signed by the Chairman.

3

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. 

4

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr. Head declared a prejudicial interest in any issue that arose relating to grounds maintenance work within the parish. She also declared a personal interest in items relating to the Tramway and the Allotments. 

5

POLICE & COMMUNITY WARDEN’S REPORT

Community Warden, David Leipnik gave the following report-: There had been a report of about 20 young people with bags of alcohol located in Hall Road and PCSO Newby had been contacted. There has been a complaint of dog fouling again outside the Primary School. The Dog Warden had been contacted and arranged a site visit with a negative result. Bash the Trash has been arranged with Wouldham Primary School for 11 November. There was a report of young people in cars causing ASB, alcohol and litter on the tarmac area next to the school in the early evening.

Following a report from the Chairman on off road motor cycles and associated vehicle, the information had been passed onto PC Matt Townsend, Motorcycle Team.

The Community Warden had attended the following:-

• Officer safety training
• Professional witness course
• T&MBC update event including input from:- Trading Standards (Loan sharks), Community pay back scheme, Kent youth service, West Kent NhW, "You said we did", Homestart a children's charity for families with children under five years of age.

PCSO Allan Newby’s crime report was circulated to Councillor members prior to the meeting. There were 3 crimes reported last month:- 1 attempted burglary, 1 burglary and 2 thefts at the power sub station. Cllr Parnell asked what could be done to prevent theft at the sub station as this has happened before. PCSO would look into this and report back next month.

Vehicles parking on the pavement in the High Street would be receiving written notices. A letter from TMBC has been sent to residents regarding the proposed yellow lines in the village.

PCSO Newby, along with Community Warden Leipnik had escorted Wouldham School children across the High Street to attend the local Church for the Trafalgar Day service.

Off road motorbike checks have been conducted in the local woods resulting in 1 bike being seized in addition to several section 59 warning notices being issued for riding without a licence, insurance and no number plates. This applies to Quad bikes as well. This has been carried out in the local area of Wouldham, Burham and Eccles over the last couple of weeks.

Both Community Warden David Leipnik and PCSO Allan Newby left the meeting at 7.45 pm.

6

BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REPORT

The Borough Councillors report was circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting.

7

COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT

There was no report this month.

8

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

1 Member of the pubic raised concern about problems with parking at 27-31 High Street and requested an update on the proposed bollards for this area. Cllr Head advised that the work for the bollards has been approved by Kent Highways Services (KHS) and is on the list of work to be carried out by Ringsways but the PC understands that there is over a 5 month backlog of work to be completed by the contractor. Concern was expressed regarding the proposed yellow lines also for this area by TMBC. The PC confirmed that the proposed yellow lines are as well as the bollards and will not be instead of them. The Chairman AGREED to pursue the above further, writing a letter to KHS.

Concern was raised about Dog fouling on the recreation ground. The Clerk AGREED contact the Dog Warden. It was also reported that people are playing golf on the recreation ground causing damage to the grass. This would be monitored.

The member of public left the meeting at 8.10 pm

Chairman

Clerk

9

PLANNING :

Planning applications considered and commented upon, by Planning Committee:

Article 10 Consultation by Medway Council for outline planning permission for the development of up to 464,685 square metres of built employment floorspace for (use Classes B1(c), B2 and B8 – including open storage), and up to 245 square metres of floorspace for a business park management centre (class B1(a)) and retail unit(s) (Classes A1, A3 and A5), with associated infrastructure, landscaping, car parking and access at National Grid Property Holdings, Grain Road, Isle of Grain – It was AGREED that the planning Committee had ‘no comments’ to make on this application as it is out of the area of Wouldham.

(a)           Planning consents issued: None to report

(b)           Planning applications refused: none to report

Other Planning Issues:

The Clerk had written to the Planning Inspectorate with the comments as agreed at last months meeting following an appeal letter received for the Construction of free standing non-illuminated post sign at the junction of Laker Road and Rochester Road (TM/09/01483/AT).

Clerk

10

STREET LIGHTING:

Cllr Adams reported P2 was still outstanding. Cllr Adams had passed the lists/maps showing streetlight to the Clerk for photocopying for the Clerks file. Further to the Clerks query, it was confirmed that there are 2 streetlights in Hall Road maintained by the Parish Council. The clerk is currently compiling a list of streetlights for the PC’s Asset Register and insurance purposes.

Clerk

11

HIGHWAYS & VERGES

Cllr Head reported that she will be speaking to KHS regarding the resurfacing in School Lane.

The Chairman reported that the Clerk had received a number of emails from residents regarding the proposed yellow lines in the village. It seems residents think this is a PC generated request, which it is not. The Chairman asked Councillors, if approached, to advise residents that this is TMBC initiated proposal and the PC are against yellow lines in the Village as detailed in the Chairman’s email to Karole Reynolds, TMBC, circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting.

The Chairman reported that the Church is looking at the land behind it with a view to it becoming a public car park which could be used by the church as well, subject to available funding. He had been asked to see if Councillors would support this project. All Councillors AGREED to a project that would provide extra car parking for the village.

The Chairman advised that further to the PC’s enquiry into the Dairy Wharf area, he had been advised that the Wharf was going to be designated to TMBC to extend the footpath.

The Clerk informed Councillors that she had been invited to a KHS Parish Seminar on 24 November. Councillors AGREED that the Clerk should attend.

Cllr Head

Clerk

12

FOOTPATHS/PROW

Cllr Head reported that the Village spraying had not been done this year. Cllr Adams requested spraying in Pilgrims Reach and Cllr Head agreed to add this to the Parish Portal list. Cllr Adams also asked about the big willow tree in Oakfield Drive and Cllr Head confirmed that this is on the list of work to be carried out.

Concern was raised that the PC seems to be ignored by Highways when requesting work to be carried out. It was AGREED that the Chairman should talk with the 3 villages to see if they are encountering similar problems.

The Chairman advised that the Clerk had written to Lafarge regarding the Peninsular but had not received a written response todate.

The Chairman advised that he had attended a Valley of Visions meeting last week along with Cllrs Davis, Stone and the Clerk. The Clerk had circulated an email updating councillors on this prior to the meeting.

The Clerk reported that she had heard from Liz Guthrie, Landscape Officer, TMBC regarding the query raised on the trees adjoining a footpath to the east of Oldfield Way on Pilgrims Reach. She will survey with Enforcement and will then approach the developers to arrange replanting where necessary.

Cllr Head

Chairman

13

ALLOTMENTS

The Chairman had received an email from Andy Marr regarding several tenants currently on 3 months notice. Following discussion it was confirmed that the Allotment Society should make any decisions regarding allotment tenants and the PC will support their decisions. Cllr Savage asked if the water problems had been sorted out. The Chairman had not received a response from Andy Marr on this. The Clerk AGREED to contact Andy again on this matter.

Clerk

14

WOULDHAM COMMON

Cllr Head reported that the route of the cable has been pegged. The £1000 is non negotiable but they will have to have an inspection chamber so there maybe Wayleave money each year. The cable is not in a straight line as it has been directed around the Yew Trees. The area is going to be chipped.

15

VILLAGE HALL

The Clerk reported that the Village Hall Floor is to be sanded and re-varnished during the Christmas holiday period.

16

RECREATION GROUND

The Clerk reported that the cheque from TMBC had been received for the playground maintenance and work is due start mid November subject to parts required being delivered to the contractor.

17

FINANCE

General
Nothing to report

Bank Position as at 31/10/09

Current Account £13789.53

Reserve Account £18,915.13

Building Society £10,282.66

Income for October 2009

06/10/2009 BT Credit – Refund due £8.31

26/10/2009 TMBC Playground repairs £5,389.67

Accounts for Payment:

Direct EDF Energy Street Lighting – Oct.09 £23.95

2474 Sarah Egglesden Salary/Expenses £976.67

2475 J Harmer Litter Duties £232.00

2476 Headland Various Maintenance £150.00

2477 Staples Stationery £90.97

2478 Audit Commission Audit Fee - 2009 £327.75

2479 RBL Donation – poppy appeal £100.00

2482 HMRC NI/PAYE – Oct £62.99

2481 VHMC Loan £250.00

The following cheques were signed for the Village Hall Management Committee:

100603 J Harmer Village Hall Duties – Oct 09 £200.00

100604 KCC Supplies Paper towels £33.35

Grants
A grant had been applied for under County Councillor Peter Homewood Members grant for £2000 for the Village Hall floor and curtains. This has been agreed in principle by Peter but has to go before the Committee for approval. A grant has also been applied for the refurbishment of the Teen Shelter. This will be looked at by Peter in next years funding.

18

SPECIAL ITEMS – ITEMS FOR THE CHURCH NEWSLETTER – Cllr Parnell has AGREED to include dog fouling problems, litter picking around the school, talk at the school on the eco environment, beware of loan sharks information and ‘you said, we did’ booklet. The crime report details would also be included plus an update on Valley of Visions project also promoting the PC website including the link to Valley of Visions webpage on the community trail project for Wouldham.

Cllr Parnell

19

CORRESPONDENCE LIST: The list of correspondence received and letters sent during the last month had been circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting. 

20

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 1st December at 7.30 pm.

21

COUNCILLORS/CHAIRMAN/CLERK

Cllr Adams asked about Moat Housing. The Chairman agreed to contact to Moat Housing as he hasn’t heard anything.

Cllr Adams also raised a query on the Planning Terms of Reference circulated to the Planning Committee during the last month. After much discussion it was AGREED that the Clerk would amend point 5 to read ‘no objections’ instead of no comment. The Planning Committee AGREED to try out the new form to be circulated by email to record planning comments, as this would enable all of the planning committee to read each other comments/views on an application.

The Chairman asked Cllr Head if Headland could clear the footpath by the Bus stop next to the recreation ground.

There being no further business to discuss the meeting closed at 9.30pm.

Chairman

Clerk

Cllr Head