1.

APOLOGIES –Cllr Attwood and Cllr Hanson both on holiday, apologies accepted.

Action

2.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST – None

3.

MINUTES – of the previous meeting held on 13th March were approved by all Councillors

4.

MATTERS ARRISING
i. War Memorial – Cllr Cuthbert advised that a full works specification and invitations to tender prepared, await quotes for works. 
ii. Doddington Funding for Village Interpretation –  Cllr Oldfield advised that two quotes for Doddington website were pending.
iii. BT exchange – The Clerk chased BT by phone; BT indicated that they would require a site inspection; Cllr Woodhouse has agreed to meet with BT.  No further contact from BT.  Clerk to chase again. 

GC

AO

Clerk

5.

YOUTH COUNCIL 
Cllr Roberts reported that the initial meeting of young people on 13th March had been very positive with six young people expressing interest in forming a Youth Council. Two young people had attended the Doddington in Bloom meeting and had put forward some good ideas.   It was very disappointing that only one young person had attended the first Youth Council meeting on 3rd April.  Cllr Roberts to contact all prospective members to establish reasons.

BR

6.

DODDINGTON IN BLOOM SUB COMMITTEE

• Adoption of Minutes – Minutes of the sub-committee were adopted by the Parish Council, and signed by Cllr Roberts. (copy attached)
• Donations – A further donation of £50 from Mr & Mrs Wright, the PC extended their thanks.
• Insurance for community events has been arranged via Cornhill Insurance
• AOB – shrubs to be delivered to Cllr Cuthbert.  Community shrub planting on 8th April.

7.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME   
Doddington Primary School is under threat of closure. This is due to the drop in the number of pupils to 21 across all year groups in Sept 2006.  School Governors decided that a satisfactory education could not be delivered with only  21 pupils, therefore in the best interest of pupils, the  Governing Body has very reluctantly, but unanimously decided to ask the local authority to start the procedure for the closure of the school. Concern was expressed by letter from a member of the public.    Cllr Woodhouse proposed that a letter of support is sent to the School Governors, this was seconded by Cllr Cuthbert.

Clerk

8.

PLANNING MATTERS
      i. SW/05/0474 Shepherds Croft/Moonfield Farm. Await advice from SBC.
      ii. Wellwood Farm- on-going building works. Await advice from SBC
      iii. SW/06/0126, Graces Place, Land at Homestall Road, change of use to residential for 
     one mobile home, tourer and utility shed.  Await decision from SBC.
      iv. TC/06/0027, Doddington Primary School, felling of various Ash & Sycamore trees. Await  
     decision from SBC.       
v.SW/06/0320, 4 The Retreat – Utility and WC extension.  Application considered by all Cllrs. No objections raised.                              

9.

FINANCE

• Cllrs Expenses – none
• Doddington Youth Club – Cllr Roberts advised that the Youth Club had purchased new equipment, including pig-pong table. Cheque £244.93 approved by all Cllrs, (chq no 000682)
• KAPC annual subscription £176.27 approved by all Cllrs (chq no 000681)
• Clerks annual salary review.  In line with NALC recommendations the new hourly rate of £9.589 was approved by all Cllrs.
• SBC Grant, balance of £583 has been received towards the safety surfacing.
• Parish Grant Scheme – funding allocation 2006/2007 £2080

10.

HIGHWAYS REPORT
i. Cllr Woodhouse advised that the Old Lenham Road has been resurfaced, gullies still need clearing. Full report regarding maintenance priorities provided by Cllr Woodhouse – copy attached. 

11.

TRAFFIC CALMING REPORT
Cllr Woodhouse advised works were now expected to be completed by end April. On-going concern expressed regarding some features; entire scheme to be evaluated by Kent Highways on completion.

12.

PLAYING FIELD
i.  ROSPA Inspection Report – Cllr Cuthbert to arrange for damaged grass around play equipment to be replaced, this will be done on 8th April (Doddington in Bloom shrub planting day). Cllr Jones advised that a quote for rubber grips for spring horse and new child swing seat had been received.  Swing seat £75 + VAT; rubber grips 2 x 50 pence.  Spend approved by all Cllrs.  Cllr Cuthbert advised that he had checked the new gates and that they were operating properly.  Wooden bench seats to be treated with preservative as part of Doddington in Bloom community works.
Cllr Woodhouse advised that in memory of their late son Jamie Haynes, Mr & Mrs Haynes would like to donate a hardwood seat and a 6’ horse chestnut sapling grown by their son Jamie, for the playing field.  Cllrs were very happy to accept the gift, Cllr Woodhouse to liaise with Mr & Mrs Hayes regarding the proposed location of the seat and tree.

SJ

IW

13.

ADMINISTRATION AND SYSTEMS

• Schedule of Assets updated to show new gates to playing field – Clerk to obtain quote for increased insurance cover for safety surfacing and gates
• AGM – it was agreed that due to low numbers of public attending the PC meetings that a guest speaker would not be invited to the AGM.

Clerk

14.

CORRESPONDENCE

• Maidstone Local Development Plan, affordable housing consultation doc - noted
• Mid Kent Downs Steering Group, planned meetings – 08/06, 07/09, 07/12, 01/03/07 - noted
• KAPC Swale Area Committee meeting – 05/06 – Cllr Jones will try to attend
• Doddington Primary School, – the school offered their can bank to the PC, offer declined.
• Kent Police, neighbourhood policing - noted

Clerk

15.

A.O.B.

• Cllr Jones advised that she will be standing down as Chairman at the AGM.
• Apologies extended by Cllr Bowles for the May meeting