Due to water damage Doddington Village Hall was not available for this meeting.  The meeting took place at Palace Farm Hostel by kind permission of Cllr and Mrs Cuthbert.

1.

APOLOGIES   There were none.  All councillors present

Action

DECLARATION OF INTEREST Councillors were invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interest in any Agenda item.  There were none but the Clerk declared a personal and prejudicial interest in  Agenda Item 12 Affordable Housing

3.

VACANCY ON PARISH COUNCIL

One application had been received from Mr Phillip Haynes for the position of co-opted Parish Councillor. Cllr Cuthbert proposed that Mr Haynes be co-opted; Cllr Attwood seconded and all Councillors were in favour.

Mr Haynes signed the Declaration of Office and took his seat.

4.

To approve: MINUTES of the  Parish Council meeting held on 9 January 2012

The Minutes of the January Parish Council meeting were approved by Councillors and signed as correct by Cllr Cuthbert. 

5.

MATTERS ARISING.

Steps on Public Footpath ZR285  - update on work

Cllr Jarrett advised that the Public Right of Way Officer (PROW) has given the go ahead to the contractors to erect a barrier and install an additional step.   Work to take place when the weather improves. The PROW wishes to defer any work on the tread of the steps to see if there is any growth in the next few months.

Village Clear up Day – update from Clerk

Anne Ryman – Swale Borough Council (SBC) Cleansing Department is retiring in April.  Further advice is awaited concerning assistance with any litter pickers or black sacks for a Clear Up Day.  After discussion Cllr Cuthbert proposed setting Saturday 30 June 2012 for the village Clear Up day by which time more information should be available.

Parking on the pavements – update and  further discussion

The Clerk advised that she had contacted the Police on the non-emergency number 101 for advice. Cars that are illegally parked (those that prevent a member of the public using the pavement in a motorised scooter or when using/pushing a wheelchair or pushchair ) should have their registration numbers reported to 101 who will deal with the matter. Councillors should convey this information to the Clerk who will deal with it. Local rural police will be asked to look out for illegal parking in the village as they pass through.

Other vehicles which it is difficult for pedestrians to pass round or see at night could have a ‘Polite’ notice tucked under the windscreen wiper asking them to park more appropriately in future.  Cllr Duckworth agreed to draft an appropriate sign.

Clerk

PD

6.

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, MEETINGS & COURSES

Report on Member Briefing session on the Planning Enforcement Service 9 February 2012

Cllr Stiles had attended and circulated a report prior to the meeting.  He considered that a lot of information had been imparted in 45 minutes and the presentation had been well worth attending.

7.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME   

There were no members of the public in attendance.

8.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT January report from the Co-ordinator

The report was read out by the Chairman. A poster giving advice on Metal Theft prevention is displayed on the Village Hall Noticeboard.

9.

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN FOR THE PARISH –

Neighbourhood Planning Workshop 29 March 2012 -   to consider representation

Cllr Stiles expressed a wish to attend this event and suggested a second councillor also attend.  The Clerk will obtain further information.

Clerk

10.

PLANNING MATTERS

 i. Wellwood Farm – Update  

Cllr Stiles advised that the owner of the site had been determined and that it was on the market for sale.  He is waiting to receive confirmation from the Enforcement Officer that the Enforcement Notice had been served.

ii. Log cabin in Limekiln Wood – to advise action taken by Swale Borough Council and recent developments

Cllr Cuthbert had forwarded to Councillors details of information regarding planning consent for a shelter, received from the owner of the log cabin in Limekiln Wood, which had been burnt down in January, which had also been sent to SBC Planning Enforcement Section.

Councillors noted the Planning Enforcement Officer’s comment in her reply to the owner on 6 February 2012 concerning use and that any replacement shed would require re-application to SBC Planning Department.

A letter received from two other owners of land in Oakenpole and Limekiln Woods on behalf of other freeholders was read to the meeting.  The correspondents requested that the text be included in the Minutes and it is set out verbatim below:

“To: Doddington Parish Council

Re: Oakenpole/Limekiln Woods

We are Steve Jones and Lesley Coates who live in Tunbridge Wells and are speaking on behalf of the 13 freeholders of Oakenpole/Limekiln Wood. We do not function as a single group and currently have no formal association, but are nature-loving individuals whose aims are purely to enjoy peaceful countryside activity while maintaining the wood in the traditional way by regional coppicing and the promotion of biodiversity by the creation of small clearings and rides. This is done according to the rulings and advice of the Forestry Commission and local and national conservation bodies.

Recent events there, particularly the destruction by fire of a legitimately constructed rustic shelter, have caused us a great deal of alarm and distress. It must also be worrying for parishioners that crimes this serious are being perpetrated locally. Although casual vandalism seems the most likely explanation, we could not ignore the coincidence that this shelter has recently been discussed by the council and its legality queried. We also discovered to our surprise that the wood has been a topic of
discussion by the Council for more than a year, to the extent that it appears as a regular item on the Council’s agenda. No word reached most of us regarding any local concerns, perhaps because of our unconnectedness. In order to facilitate the exchange of information we feel it would be in all our interests to have a single channel of communication, so if there are any pertinent questions please don’t hesitate to contact us via steve@sandrock.fslife.co.uk or 01892 532580 and we will communicate the
information to the appropriate freeholder.

Steve Jones and Lesley Coates Feb 3rd 2012”

Councillors now consider the matter closed.

iii. SW/11/1464 & SW/11/1562 (Listed Building Consent)  Homestall Farmhouse – Garage and domestic storage outbuilding rebuild -     Permission granted – to note decision & conditions

Decision noted including the safeguarding of a Plane tree on site.

iv. SW/11/1526 Keepers Bungalow, Little Sharsted Farm – Proposed extension – To receive decision from Swale Borough Council

Decision still awaited

v. SW/11/1554 Gladden, The Street – Conversion of garage to habitable room for use by disabled person To consider application and comment

Councillors discussed the application at length.  Cllr Attwood proposed that no objection be made to the proposal; Cllr Jarrett seconded and all Councillors were in favour. Clerk to write to SBC

vi. Swale Rural Sustainability Study – to consider any response

Cllr Duckworth advised that Action with Communities in Rural Kent (ACRK) had received an email from Langley Park School for Boys confirming that they would not be offering any part of the site for Affordable Housing.

Councillors therefore agreed that a response to the Study should be sent to Peter Raine /Gerry Lewin advising that the School site has returned to educational use and requesting that the built up area of the village should remain unchanged from the Local Plan 2008.  Cllr Stiles will draft a letter for approval.

vii. Core Strategy

• Invitation to briefing on SBC Draft Core Strategy – Bearing Fruits 13 March 2012 – to discuss representation

Following discussion it was agreed that Cllrs Cuthbert, Haynes and Duckworth would attend.  Clerk to make arrangements

ii. Correspondence from Iwade Parish Council re. ‘Pick your Own Options’

– to discuss any response

     Councillors confirmed receipt of the correspondence from Iwade and agreed that no response was required.

viii. Any other planning matter received by 13 February 2012

Councillors had received information from KALC giving a further set of venues for those wishing to attend the KALC/CPRE Road shows ‘Supporting Communities and Responding to Planning Applications’. These are based at Elham, Benenden and Otford.  Any Councillor wishing to attend should contact the Clerk.

Clerk

TS/

Clerk

Clerk

All

11.

ADMINISTRATION AND SYSTEMS

Councillor Training - Planning conference

To advise dates and consider attendance.

The Clerk advised that 31 March 2012 was the date set for the KALC Planning Conference at Lenham Community Centre. Clerk to check with Cllr Stiles when booking form received to determine whether he is available to attend.

Clerk

12.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEME

Updating report from the Affordable Housing Group

The Clerk had declared an interest in this Item. 

Cllr Duckworth drew attention to his comment under Agenda Item 10 vii.i. concerning the School site.

He also advised that ACRK were waiting for a reply regarding Site 5 at the West End of the village where access is under discussion.

Cllr Duckworth agreed that he would put together a summary report for the next meeting

PD

13.

FINANCE

i. Councillors expenses – None

ii. Earmarked reserve allocation – To discuss possible projects

Councillors discussed this item at length and agreed that Cllr Cuthbert would approach Mr Roberts to determine whether he was aware of any particular village need.

 Invoices for Payment

i. N Swatland -  Maintenance in the Playing Field 2011 – 2012 2nd Instalment

Approved by all Councillors (Chq. No:000937 £120.00)

ii.CPRE Membership renewal – Annual subscription due 21 January 2012

Councillors discussed this item at length .Cllr Duckworth proposed that the subscription should continue for one more year, Cllr Stiles seconded.  A vote took place and a majority of Councillors were in favour

(Chq. No:0000939 £29.00)

iii. Payment to Mr Oldfield for rent of the Allotment garden site

Approved by all Councillors (Chq. No: 000938 £1.00)

iv. Any other invoice for approval received by 13 February 2012           

There were none             

GC

14.

PLAYING FIELD

i. KCC Landscape Services Survey

Part of the survey was completed after discussion; the Clerk will complete and send.

ii. Cllr Jarrett’s monthly report –           

Cllr Jarrett advised that all was in order and that the safety surfaces requiring treatment would be dealt with when the weather was suitable.  Cllr Haynes offered the use of his power jet machine.

Clerk

MJ/PD/

PH

15.

HIGHWAYS

i. Highways Update and notification of further work required.

– To discuss items on the Parish Portal and to report any new items

Page 1 Item 4  Dangerous tree on Chequers Hill

Cllr Stiles advised that Kent Highway Services (KHS) were trying to determine on whose land the tree was standing.

The Clerk was asked to report T junction signs (for Down Court Road) on Chequers Hill Road which have been hit and now not visible to traffic.

A member of the public had advised the Clerk that tree roots were growing through the surface of the refuge on Chequers Hill Road and could become a hazard.  Cllr Cuthbert will investigate and report back.

Cllr Haynes queried whether the debris at the bottom of Ladewood Hill had been cleared.  The Clerk was sure that it had but would investigate and if necessary speak to the Highway Steward to determine whether regular action is required.

ii. Drainage in the Old Lenham Road – to receive any reply from Kent Highway Services

The drainage inspectors for Swale Area and Maidstone area had been contacted but not further progress had been made.  Cllr Bowles asked the Clerk to send him a copy of the report from the Site Meeting in May 2011 in order that he may, in conjunction with Maidstone representatives, investigate further.

iii. Street Lighting – to consider report dated 22/11/2011 and draft KALC response

Councillors noted the information received and agreed that no comment was required.

Clerk

GC

Clerk

Clerk

16.

CORRESPONDENCE

Minutes of the Sittingbourne Local Engagement Forum 17 January 2012 & accompanying

‘You Said – we did’ - Noted

Support for Kent County Playing Fields Association – to consider nomination

Cllr Jarrett proposed that a nomination be made for the charity to win a grant from The Mall, Maidstone and agreed to undertake the task

Sure – Start Children’s Centres  - What’s on for February in Faversham – for display

Displayed on the internal  Noticeboard at Doddington Village Hall

Already Circulated

Faversham Local Engagement Forum ‘You said – We Did ‘ Update received 11 January 2012

Councillors noted under

‘ Action: To investigate the possibility of signs on the Doddington to Lenham route and discuss with KCC Members any possible funding for these signs ‘

the comment ‘The Action is ongoing and an update will be circulated when available’  had been made.

Cllr Bowles advised that in due course there may be funding available to erect a suitable warning sign at the A2/ Faversham Road junction.’

Mid Kent Downs e-bulletin January 2012 edition - Noted

To consider membership of ARCK

Cllr Cuthbert asked that this be put on the March Agenda.  He will determine whether the Village Hall is still a Member.

Rural Community of the Year Competition 2012 – to discuss

This correspondence had been forwarded to and discussed by the Doddington in Bloom group but the categories were not considered appropriate.

Swale Rural Youth Services Audit – to note receipt - Noted

Strategy for Sport and Physical Activity Consultation – to note receipt Noted

Chalkwell Buses to Faversham  – to discuss information received from Newnham Parish Council

Councillors discussed at length the information received from Newnham Parish Council and Cllrs Bowles and Prescott were able to provide answers to all the questions asked by members. If sufficient support is received Cllr Bowles is supporting the scheme through funding for 6 months. The Clerk will contact Newnham Parish Council to thank them for including Doddington in their scheme and to discuss the poster that is to be put in the next village newsletter.  Clerk to put piece in the Newsletter encouraging Doddington residents to respond to the scheme if applicable to them.

Late Correspondence

The Clerk had received a request from the National Westminster Bank to confirm signatories on the current account. The forms were completed; Clerk to return.  The Clerk recommended revising the mandate to include all current members at the next Parish Council meeting as she has obtained the relevant forms.

MJ

GC

Clerk

Clerk

17.

AOB –

Information Items

KALC Swale Area Committee Meeting – 5 March 2012  7.30 pm in the Council Chamber at Swale House - Noted

Swale Rural Forum 13 March 2012  7pm at Leysdown Noted

Cllr Haynes gave his apologies for the next meeting as he will not be available.  Cllr Duckworth also gave his apologies as he may not be available.