March 2012 minutes

Doddington Parish Council

Chairman: Graham Cuthbert 886365, Vice Chairman: Kevin Attwood 886395,

Mike Jarrett 886823, Terry Stiles 886071, Peter Duckworth, Sheila Bamford, Mr Phil Haynes

Clerk: Mrs Wendy Gaze 886435

Notes of meeting held on Monday 12th March 2012.

Village Clear up Day 30 June 2012 –

Cllr Jarrett will ask at the next Doddington in Bloom meeting whether they are able to supply sufficient ‘litter pickers’ for the event. Start time was agreed at 10.00 am.

Parking on the pavements – Cllr Duckworth had produced for approval a suitable notice for councillors to put under windscreen wipers of inappropriately parked vehicles requesting they do not park thus in the future. The Chairman was agreeable to his name and telephone number being put on the Notice and all councillors approved the notice.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT February report from the Co-ordinator

The report was read out by the Chairman.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

A member of the public raised the issue of cess pool emptying in the early morning at The Retreat end of the village causing difficulties to passing vehicles and the possible dangers this caused. After a full discussion councillors recommended that liaison between neighbouring properties might resolve the situation.

A member of the public raised the issue of potholes outside Yew Tree House and was advised that this would be dealt with under the Highways Agenda Item.

PLANNING MATTERS

Wellwood Farm – Update

The SBC Enforcement Officer has been informed that the property is on the market for sale. He has confirmed that the Enforcement Notice has been served. Cllr Stiles advised that the Estate Agent and all prospective buyers are aware of this fact.

SW/11/1526 Keepers Bungalow, Little Sharsted Farm – Proposed extension – Permission granted

SW/11/1554 Gladden, The Street – Conversion of garage to habitable room for use by disabled person - to receive decision from Swale Borough Council Decision still awaited

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEME

Cllr Duckworth advised that Tessa O’Sullivan had confirmed that land at Site 5, adjacent to The Retreat, appears to be acceptable to SBC planners and KCC highways. The next step is to confirm the land is available at a viable value and the village will be consulted with a proposal and indicative layout after that.

PLAYING FIELD

Cllr Jarrett advised that all was in order and that the hedging plants obtained by the Parish Council had been planted by the Doddington in Bloom group. Cllr Haynes reminded all that work on the mossed areas of the surfacing should take place as soon as possible as a hosepipe ban was imminent

HIGHWAYS

The Clerk will report the following 2potholes on Hopes Hill in the dip by the woodland.

The Clerk had sought an update from the Highway Steward regarding work on the potholes in the service trench from Yew Tree House to Lodge House and was advised that this will be completely replaced after April 1st.

The Clerk had sought information from the Highway Steward regarding the junction at Ladewood Hill. The Steward agreed that the area would benefit from regular (2-3 monthly) sweeping after which a white line showing right of way could be put in place.

Drainage in the Old Lenham Road

Cllr Bowles had requested information on the drainage issues following a site meeting in May 2011.

A reply had been received from Alison Lewis (Drainage Swale Area) the drainage system for the whole road and its side roads would be cleansed and jetted and that the 3mth inspection programme would remain.

HGV Data Study following on from Faversham LEF Councillors noted the result of HGV Traffic Movement Investigation , dated 24 February 2012. A 24 hour 7 day week period , for the period 24 – 31 January 2012, requested by Cllr Bowles and sited at the white gates between Doddington and Newnham. The conclusion was that ‘ The data collected shows that the HGV usage reflects only a very small percentage (5.95% Westbound, 4.6% Eastbound) of the traffic movements along this road. It is expected to see around 6% of traffic being that of HGV’s on a primary route like this, and as such, this road falls within this parameter.’

Date of Next Meeting: Monday 16 April 2012 at 7.30 pm - NB 3rd Monday in the month to avoid Easter