ACTION

1

APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Borough Councillors Dalton and Davis.

2

MINUTES

The minutes of the meetings held on the 2^nd March 2010 were proposed by Cllr Stone and seconded by Cllr Parnell, 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 declares 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.

The Chairman declared a personal interest in any issues that arose relating to Lafarge.

5

POLICE & COMMUNITY WARDEN’S REPORT

The police report had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. PCSO Newby went through the report for the benefit of the Members of the Public. Further dates had been agreed for a mobile police station in the 3 villages; 17^th April and 29^th May. Councillors are welcome to attend. Both PCSO Newby and PC Wilkinson reported a problem with anti-social behaviour in a particular area of the village that they were trying to resolve.

Community Warden Leipnik reported: -

·         He had attended the ‘Trickster’ event. This was a theatrical presentation with regard to bogus callers. About 110 people attended along with many partnership agencies.

·         Attended a Community Safety event, assisting with a crime survey for TMBC.

·         He had received a report of a missing cat – no update had been received todate.

·         Attended the 3 villages ASB meeting.

·         Attended a Disability Awareness course.

·         He has been working on the ABC (air, brakes and chain) of looking after your bike. This project is aimed at Year 6 children.

·         A report on fly tipping in Hall Road had been received and he is working with the enforcement Officer from TMBC. 109 bags of dog faeces were collected in Hall Road and this has resulted in a dog bin being installed here.

The Chairman advised that he had also attended the ASB meeting but this meeting was not minuted this time due to confidential nature of the meeting.

PCSO Newby advised the Parish Council that he may be forced to retire and may have to leave as early as 20^th May. PC Wilkinson pointed out that there is already enough work for 3 officers in the 3 villages and urged the Parish Council to write a letter of support in favour of Allan remaining a PCSO.

As there were no further questions, PCSO Newby, PC Wilkinson and Community Warden Leipnik left the meeting at 8pm.

6

BOROUGH COUNCILLORS REPORT

There was no Borough Councillor’s report.

7

COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT

There was no County Councillor’s report.

8

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Two members of the public informed the Parish Council of anti-social behaviour incidents in their road. The police are aware of this situation. The Chairman agreed to report this at the next ASB meeting. It was also agreed to write in the Church Magazine asking parents to take responsibility for their children.

The two members of public left the meeting at 8.05pm

9

PLANNING:

Planning applications considered and commented upon, by Planning Committee:

TM/10/00429/FL – Single storey side and rear extension, loft conversion and associated front dormer and construction of front balcony at 14 Trafalgar Close - The Planning Committee had no objections to this application.

(a)                Planning consents issued:

TM/00094/FL – Single storey rear extension to replace existing lean-to:- Granted Permission

(b)                 

(c)                Planning applications refused:

(d)                 

(e)                TM/10/00062/FL – Raise the existing roof level to allow a rear loft conversion with a rear dormer at 73A High Street – Refused to Permit

(f)                  

Other Planning Issues:

TM/09/03077/LDP – Lawful Development Certificate Proposed: single storey rear extension 4m in depth and 6.1m in width at 5 Rectory Close – certified by TMBC

Cllr Adams requested further information regarding the rules for a Lawful Development Certificate regarding the size of an extension. It was AGREED that the Clerk would contact Development Control to request further information on LDC’s.

Clerk

10

STREET LIGHTING:

Cllr Adams reported that there were not any street lighting problems this month.

11

HIGHWAYS & VERGES

Cllr Stone reported that they had been a further accident at the traffic calming in Wouldham Road. It was AGREED that the Clerk would contact Julian Cook again regarding the painting of posts white.

Councillors had been emailed the latest plan and details of Karole Reynold’s letter regarding the proposed prohibition waiting plans in Wouldham following the Joint Transportation Meeting last month.

Clerk

12

FOOTPATHS/PROW

The Clerk had emailed Councillors the design for the gateway sculpture the Valley of Vision’s Community Trail for their approval. All Councillors approved the design and the Clerk would inform Jennifer Smith at VOV.

The clearance work been done on route 1 of the trail. Cllr Head suggested that a sign with ‘all dogs to be kept on a lead’ would be appropriate for the start of the trail by the river. This would be looked into during the final stages of completion of the trail.

The Clerk reported that Cllr Savage’s wife is assisting with the designs for the interpretation panels and a meeting is to be held along with Jennifer Smith (VOV) on 20^th April to look at the designs. Both the Chairman and Cllr Stone will also attend a meeting along with the Clerk at VOV to meet with the designer for the Trail Leaflet on 21^st April.

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk/

Chairman/Cllr Stone

13

ALLOTMENTS

Beekeeping on the Allotments was discussed. All Councillors AGREED that Bee keeping should be allowed on the allotments as long as it is done in a safe and proper manner. The Clerk would write to Andy Marr informing him of the Parish Council’s decision.

The Chairman reported on a problem at the allotments with one particular allotment where a 6ft fence has been erected with a gate, a water pipe put in and an offensive notice on the allotment fence. It was AGREED that the Parish Council should write to the Allotment Association informing them that this allotment holder is breaking the rules.

The Chairman informed the Clerk that Andy Marr’s wife has collected all of the allotment rent cheques and it was AGREED that the Clerk would arrange collection of these. Cllr Head had also passed on the Headland Allotment rent cheque to the Clerk.

The Chairman had spoken with the Allotment Association about the use of water and had warned that the rent would have to be reviewed if excessive water bills continued.

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

14

WOULDHAM COMMON

Cllr Head advised that EDF are still waiting for agreement to the scheme from all of the landowners. Once this has all been agreed, funding can be released for the scheme. Headland has done some further scrub clearance last month.

15

VILLAGE HALL

The new curtains had been put up in the Village Hall. Cllr Stone advised that the VHMC would be looking into getting the Laurel outside the Village Hall cut back.

16

RECREATION GROUND

There was nothing to report.

17

FINANCE

General: The Clerk had received an ‘outturn’ statement from TMBC, confirming that the Parish Council had spent the money received under the 2009/10 Financial Arrangements. The Clerk confirmed that the allocation had been spent and the Chairman signed the statement which the Clerk would then return to TMBC.

Bank Position as at 31/03/10

Account £100.00

Reserve Account £18,766.09

Building Society £10,289.47

Income for March 2010

30/06/09 Interest updated Nationwide account £6.29

21/12/09 Interest updated Nationwide account £0.52

31/03/10 NatWest –Reserve Account Interest £2.83

Accounts for Payment:

Direct EDF Energy Street Lighting – March. 2010 £13.70

2511 Sarah Egglesden Salary/Expenses £1023.51

2512 J Harmer Litter Duties – March. 2010 £197.20

2513 HM Rev & Customs NI/PAYE £62.99

2514 KALC Subscription £368.50

Cheques issued prior to meeting

2509 David Webster Ltd Repair of Car Park Light £195.64

2510 SJS Property Mgment Allotment Rent £323.13

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

100622 J Harmer Village Hall Duties – March 2010 £200.00

100623 TMBC Business Rates £215.28

100624 Sarah Egglesden Village Hall Curtains £520.00

100625 KCC (KCS) Toilet Rolls £6.17

Clerk

18

SPECIAL ITEMS

Items for the Church Newsletter – Cllr Parnell AGREED to report on anti-social behaviour.

Approval of Financial Regulations, Risk Assessment and Asset Register – All Councillors AGREED to approve the financial regulations and the risk assessment documents circulated prior to the meeting. The Clerk informed Councillors that she had not circulated the Asset Register as yet as she had forwarded this onto the Parish Councils insurer’s as some amendments needed to be made to update the insurance. This document would be circulated during the month for information only.

Cllr Parnell

Clerk

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 6^th May 2010 at 7.30 pm. This would also be the Parish Council’s AGM.

21

COUNCILLORS/CHAIRMAN/CLERK

Cllr Adams asked if the Parish Council would write a letter of support for PCSO Newby. It was AGREED that the Clerk would write a letter of support.

Cllr Adams raised concern over Cllr Fulwell’s recent comments in previous Parish Council meetings and his emails circulated to Councillors. Cllr Adams felt the that the majority of his information in his emails was incorrect and it was a waste of Parish Council’s time dealing with these issues, especially when Cllr Fulwell did not then turn up to the Parish Council meeting. Cllr Adams asked what procedures could be taken to remove Cllr Fulwell from the Parish Council, as his behaviour was unacceptable towards other Parish Councillors.

The Chairman informed the Council that the Clerk has been in contact with the Chief Solicitor’s office regarding Cllr Fulwell’s email over the Chairman’s alleged prejudicial interests in the Maths School Meeting (4/2/10). Although waiting for a full answer, the initial conversation indicated that it had been acceptable for the Chairman to attend this meeting, as Lafarge were not present at the meeting.

The Chairman advised that the Parish Council receive notes on all meetings that he attends on behalf of the Parish Council so that all Councillors are kept up to date. All Councillors offered their continued support to the Chairman, noting the time and effort that both the Chairman and Cllr Stone spent on Parish Council work and AGREED that the Chairman should continue to represent the Parish Council at any further Maths School meetings.

Cllr Parnell had a concern that the Maths School building plans in School Lane may start off as 3 properties but could end up as 20. Cllr Stone advised that at this stage the Maths School did not have to advise the Parish Council of any of its plans and there is no reason to suggest the planning application would be for more than 3 properties. Cllr Parnell also raised concern at the potential loss of parking in the Tramway if planning permission is granted for a property here. The Chairman advised that he has asked the Maths School, on behalf of the Parish Council, to consider leaving some parking for the village in the plans and linking this with the Parish Council’s access route from the recreation ground car park.

The plans for Knowle Pit were discussed. The Parish Council may not be interested in the pit if this was only available on a lease, as a long lease would be required to obtain any grants and then there is the issue of what would happen to pit at the end of the lease.

Cllr Head advised that the KM free tree has been received and Headland will arrange the planting of this on a suitable location on the recreation ground.

There being no further business to discuss the meeting closed at 9.15pm.

Clerk