1.

APOLOGIES – Had been received from Cllr. Jarrett who is unwell and Cllr Attwood who is away on business. Apologies accepted.

Action

2.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST Councillors were invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interest in any Agenda item.  No interests were declared.

3.

VACANCY ON PARISH COUNCIL

Neither Chairman nor Clerk had received any letter of interest in the vacant post of co-opted councillor.

The Clerk will continue to advertise the post.

Clerk

4.

To approve: MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 13 September 2010

The Minutes of the September Parish Council Meeting were approved and signed as correct by

 Cllr. Cuthbert.

5.

MATTERS ARISING

Affordable housing – To discuss current position

The Clerk advised that approximately 230 surveys had been distributed and it was hoped that all corners of the Parish had been covered. Tessa O’Sullivan from ACRK expects to be able to attend the December Parish Council meeting to present the results.

Community Led Planning – To discuss booklet from ACRK

The booklet is still in circulation.  Councillors discussed the issues relating to Village Appraisals and Parish Plans and resolved to defer to the next meeting for general discussion

Listing of War memorial – to discuss reply from War Memorials Trust & letters from English Heritage

Councillors had received copies of the letters received from English Heritage and discussed the merits of listing the War Memorial  The Clerk will respond to English Heritage explaining ownership of the site and correcting some parts of the preliminary report.  Newnham Parish Council has been informed of this development by the Chairman.  The Clerk will email the correspondence received to them so that they can respond should they wish to.

Swale Borough Council LEF Further information from Cllr Prescott

Cllr Prescott advised that grant applications for the current funding could be made up to the end of February 2011.

Clerk

6.

THE CHEQUERS INN  -  To discuss current situation

The Chairman reported that a letter to Shepherd Neame approved by all councillors concerning the future of The Chequers had been delivered on 7 October 2010 to which a response is awaited.

7.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT      September report from the NHW Co-ordinator

Cllr Cuthbert read the report from the Co-ordinator.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME   

The meeting adjourned at 8.25 and reconvened at 8.40.

8.

PLANNING MATTERS

 i. Wellwood Farm – Enforcement Information – Nothing further to report.

ii. Grace’s Place – Update Cllr Prescott advised that the Local Development Framework was recommending its removal from the sites list until a planning application for the site had been received.

iii. Oakenpole Wood.  Update Nothing further to report.

iv. Tree Works Application TC /10/0069ME Eynesbury To advise decision from SBC on silver birch tree. Tree work on the silver birch has been approved by Swale Borough Council.

v. SW/10/1057 RDM  Tawnyhill Kennels –  To advise decision from SBC Decision awaited.

vi. SW/10/1080 & 1111 (Listed Building consent) Gardeners Cottage, Sharsted Court – To consider applications for extension and other works Application withdrawn on 27 September 2010.

vii. Tree Works Application TC/10/0095AJS – to consider application and comment

Councillors viewed and discussed the application for tree works on a sycamore tree at Avondale.  Cllr Cuthbert proposed that no objection be made.  Cllr Stiles seconded and all Councillors were in favour. Clerk to inform Swale Borough Council

viii. Planning Application for an Airstrip at Frinsted – to consider implications for Parish and comment

Councillors discussed the implications to the Parish should this application for change of use to a private airstrip be approved.  Cllr Cuthbert proposed that a letter of concern be sent to Maidstone Borough Council Planning Department. All Councillors were in favour. Cllr Stiles agreed to prepare a draft for approval.  Deadline 18 October 2010

ix. Any other planning matter received by 11 October 2010

None received

Clerk

TS

9.

HIGHWAYS

i. Highways Update and notification of further work required.

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

The Clerk will report a pothole in the side of the carriageway between Down Court Road and Church Lane.

ii. Parish Portal Report from Swale Liaison Officer – To discuss report

Councillors had received the report on the first year of use and the Clerk commented on the pros and cons of the system.

iii. Parish Visit – to confirm date of visit and discuss content

A revised date of Thursday 28th October 2010 has been suggested by Kent Highways Services.  Several members were keen to attend.  The Clerk will finalise time of day and liaise with those attending.  Cllr. Cowan requested that a reminder be made regarding the Salt Bin replacement on Chequers Hill as this item had suddenly disappeared from the Parish Portal report.

Clerk

Clerk

10.

PLAYING FIELD

i. RoSPA Report To discuss second report

A report dated 15th September following a second inspection had been distributed.  Councillors agreed that this report was accurate and that any items requiring attention had been dealt with and that there was nothing further to be done.

ii. Arboricultural Condition Survey – To report on work done removing  and treating sycamore saplings

Cllr Duckworth reported that the sycamore saplings by Greenwood bungalow had been dealt with and removed. Cllr Cuthbert thanked Cllr Duckworth for organising the work. Cllr Duckworth confirmed that the Clerk had sent a letter of thanks to those who had helped. Councillors agreed that a regular check should be kept on these trees to ensure they do not grow up again.

iii. Picnic seats –  refurbish  report from Cllr Jarrett      

Cllr Duckworth confirmed that he had treated the picnic bench at the garage end of the playing field. 

iv. Goalmouth area – update 

Cllr Cuthbert advised that he had sent out revised specifications to 2 contractors.  One quotation had been received and it was agreed to wait for the second to arrive before a decision was made.

v. Wet pour surfacing to replace tiled areas – to report advice received from the insurers

The Clerk confirmed that she had reported to the insurers that all surfaces were now wet pour coverings. The insurers advised that it was the responsibility of the Parish Council to determine whether any revision to the sum insured was necessary.  The replacement cost per square metre is known.  Cllr Duckworth agreed to measure up the wet pour areas (ex roundabout where the cost is known) and report further so a figure can be arrived at.

vi. Cllr. Jarrett’s monthly report            

A report was not available as Cllr Jarrett was unwell.

PD

11.

FINANCE

i. Councillors expenses – None

ii. Clerk’s pay tax & expenses July – September 2010

   Pay in lieu of holiday (1st half yearly payment)

Approved by all councillors – ( Chq. No: 000891 £739.74, Chq. No. 000892 £13.28, Chq. No. 000893 £35.06)

iii. Half yearly Accounts for approval

Cllr. Cowan had inspected the financial papers, a few minor alterations had been made and all was now in order.   Cllr Duckworth asked some questions on the accounts which were answered by the Clerk.  Cllr Cuthbert proposed that the Half Yearly Accounts be accepted, Cllr Duckworth seconded and all Councillors were in favour.

Invoices for Payment

i. Playsafety Ltd  -  Safety Inspection of Playing field and equipment fee – to confirm payment

As agreed in the September Parish Council Minutes payment was made following a satisfactory second report on 30 September 2010. (Chq No. 000889 £88.13 )

ii. Any other invoice for approval received by 11 October 2010  There were none.

12.

ADMINISTRATION AND SYSTEMS

Child Protection Policy              Annual Review and appointment of replacement Designated Officer

Councillors discussed whether the Policy and associated documents were still required as the Youth Council had been suspended.  It was agreed that the documents should remain in force. Cllr Cowan agreed to take over the position of Designated Officer and asked the Clerk to seek advice on our responsibilities regarding contractors on the playing field.  Cllr Duckworth had also identified some issues in the documents and agreed to discuss these with Cllr Cowan after the meeting.  Cllr Cowan will bring proposed amendments to the next meeting. .

PC

Clerk

13.

CORRESPONDENCE

LCR Magazine for distribution Taken by Cllr Duckworth who will pass on.  Councillors with internet access were reminded that they can log on to LCR Online.

Grant Aid for Victim Support – To discuss request for funding

Councillors discussed the request but declined to offer support.

ERHA Newsletter for distribution Taken by Cllr Cowan

Parish News – September Edition plus Legal Briefing on ‘The Independence of Parish Councils’

Internal Audit’ – For distribution & discussion Distributed

Consultation on guidance to support equine related land use in the Kent Downs AONB to comment on the letter from The Director of Kent Downs AONB

Cllr Cuthbert asked that Councillors view the consultation document for discussion at the November Parish Council meeting.  Deadline for comment on consultation is 19 November 2010

Formal Notice of the Preparation of KCC’s Minerals & Waste Core Strategy: Regulation 25 ‘Issues’ Consultation

Councillors were asked to look at the consultation for discussion at the November Parish Council Meeting.  Deadline for comment on consultation is 19 November 2010

Already distributed

Open Day at Torry Hill Chestnut Fencing            24 September   Noted.  Cllr Duckworth commented that he had attended this event.

Future of Older People’s Provision in Kent  - Consultation

Councillors briefly discussed the information provided.  No councillor wished to attend the Roadshow presentation but asked to be kept informed of the consultation progress.  Clerk to arrange.

Mobile Interactive Speed Indicator Device & KCC Delegated Community Budgets from Cllr Bowles

Councillors discussed suitable locations for a Mobile Speed Indicator sign to submit to Kent County Council as requested following discussions Cllr Bowles has had with Parishes concerning road safety. The locations chosen were

The Street – from The Retreat to Doddington Service Station

The Street – from The Chequers Inn to Church Hill

Chequers Hill – from Whitelines to The Chequers Inn

The Clerk will submit these suggestions to KCC for consideration.

Councillors noted that allocation of the delegated community budgets would now be arranged through a ‘You Decide’ public event.  The Clerk distributed information on which groups had been allocated KCC Community Grants up to 21 September which she had received at the recent Faversham LEF

All

All

Clerk

Clerk

14.

AOB – Information Items

Census 2011 To note information from the Census Liaison Manager - Noted

Note change of time of meeting to 7.30pm from November - Noted

Cllr Duckworth asked a number of questions relating to the Risk Assessment on the War Memorial which were answered by the Chairman and the Clerk.