PRESENT
Councillors: Graham Cuthbert (Chairman) Susan Hanson Kevin Attwood
Cllr Roberts
Ian Woodhouse (Vice Chairman) Amicia Oldfield Sara Jones
Others: Cllr Prescott Pier Vousden (Clerk)
5 members of public
1. APOLOGIES - Cllr Bowles, apologies
accepted. Action
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST - None
3. MINUTES - of the previous meeting held on 10th July were approved
by all Councillors
4. MATTERS ARRISING
i. War Memorial - Cllr Cuthbert advised that the specification
for new steps had been approved by Newnham PC and was out for
tender, quotes were expected by end of September. Cllr Cuthbert
will prepare application for funding.
ii. Doddington Funding for Village Interpretation - Cllr Oldfield
advised the new website was almost finished and that she would
be submitting the application for Funding for Village Interpretation.
Domain name: twokentvillages.org.
iii. BT exchange - Cllr Woodhouse advised that the Landowners
of the BT exchange had not yet responded to the Parish Councils
suggestion that the Parish Council pay for a replacement fence
or alternatively be permitted to grow plants over the existing
netting. Cllr Woodhouse to chase Landowners.
iv. Neighbourhood Watch - meeting to be held on 18th September,
all villagers invited to attend relaunch. New NHW signs required
at each entrance to village, cost £25 including erection.
Cllr Cuthbert proposed that the signs and the 1st NHW meeting
is funded by the Parish Council. Cllr Woodhouse proposed a budget
of £100. This was seconded by Cllr Roberts and agreed by
all Cllrs.
GC
AO
IW
5. YOUTH COUNCIL
Cllr Roberts reported that members of the Youth Council and Cllr
Jones had met on 11th September. Youth Council members to conduct
a user survey for the playing field and apply for funding to SBC
and other agencies. Proposals include a youth shelter with solar
lighting to be located at the top of the playing field; bench
seats to be repositioned. Spring horse to be repositioned and
replaced with a roundabout.
YC/
BR
6. DODDINGTON IN BLOOM SUB COMMITTEE
i. Adoption of Minutes - None (next meeting 12.9.06)
ii. Funding - £344.40 unspent funds held by Parish Council
- bulbs to be purchased.
iii. Sallie Shaw, Swale in Bloom coordinator proudly reported
that Doddington had been awarded a Silver Guilt award, the certificate
was presented Cllr Cuthbert. The award is in recognition of community
effort, youth council involvement, allotments, community church
yard maintenance. Thank you to everyone involved especially to
the Doddington in Bloom Committee for all their hard work.
7. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME A member of the village advised that
an enquiry was being heard at Lenham village hall on 12.9.06 in
respect of the footpath at Lady Margaret Manor.
8. PLANNING MATTERS
i. SW/05/0474 Shepherds Croft/Moonfield Farm. Cllr Attwood
advised that SBC enforcement officers were dealing with gate and
fence issue. No action from SBC, matter closed until further developments.
ii. Wellwood Farm- Cllr Prescott reported that SBC enforcement
officers have requested that a retrospective planning application
be submitted or that the structures be pulled down. Cllrs noted
that the gardens were now open for cream teas.
iii. SW/06/0126, Graces Place, Land at Homestall Road, change
of use to residential for
one mobile home, tourer and utility shed. Cllr Attwood advised
that there were nothing new to report.
iv..SW/06/0739, Palace Farm, Change of use of field to campsite
for 25 tents. Permission granted by SBC.
v. SW/06/0819 Sunnydale, The Street, rear extension Permission
granted by SBC.
CP
9. FINANCE
i. Cllrs Expenses: Cllr Roberts £7.50 publication for Youth
Council, funds to be taken from Youth Council budget. (chq no
000697) Cllr Cuthbert, purchase of joining link for swing seat
£11.00 and refreshments for Swale in Bloom judges £20.75.
(chq no 000698) Expenditure approved by all Cllrs
ii. Clerks OneTel £2.46
iii. Nick Swatland, playing field maintenance ½ year payment
£115, approved (chq 000695)
iv. KCC Landscape Services, gang mowing ½ year payment
£152.62 approved (chq 000696)
v. ROSPA Playsafety Ltd, report £81.08 approved (chq 000694)
10. HIGHWAYS REPORT
i. Cllr Woodhouse advised Highways were investigating the flooding
by the water works and would be submitting proposals to address
the problem, road to be resurfaced with anti skid.
ii. Cllr Woodhouse advised that permission had been received from
Mr Oldfield to relocate the sign out of the canopy of the tree
at the east end of the village. The Parish Council extended their
thanks to Mr Oldfield.
11. TRAFFIC CALMING REPORT
Cllr Woodhouse reported that Kent Highways had undertaken a speed
comparison check between playing field and Chequers Inn. The
check shows that there are significant speed reductions, however
it was reported that over 100 vehicles had been travelling at
over 50 mph. Alan Ross Kent Highways are committed to making the
scheme work and will be making recommendations for alterations
to the scheme, full report available from Cllr Woodhouse.
12. PLAYING FIELD
i. ROSPA Inspection Report - Cllr Cuthbert updated Cllrs regarding
ROSPA recommendations. Minor works required to the slide, spring
horse, junior swing, cradle swing, works were low or medium risk,
Cllr Cuthbert to undertake minor repairs and adjustments to comply
with ROSPA recommendations. Full report available from Cllr Cuthbert
or the Clerk. Vandals have removed some bolts from the swing,
Cllr Cuthbert to purchase new 'J' hooks, £25 expenditure
approved by all Cllrs.
Cllr Woodhouse reported that Landscape Services have adjusted
the new gates so that they shut properly as.
Litter Bin - Cllr Woodhouse to contact Mr Dave Hill, to report
at next meeting.
Damage to safety surfacing, repair kit has been purchased, however
kit not suitable because hole is too deep. Cllr Jones to obtain
a quote from Wickstead Leisure for the repair. Clerk to submit
an insurance claim.
GC
Clerk
IW
SJ/
Clerk
13. ADMINISTRATION AND SYSTEMS
" The Clerk reported that the Annual Return had been externally
audited and that there was no issues. All finance documents are
available for inspection by the public, please contact the Clerk.
Notice has been placed on the village Notice Board. Cllrs thanked
the Clerk for her work.
" Electoral Register - residents reminded to complete electoral
role registration.
Clerk
14. CORRESPONDENCE
" SBC Consultation on Preferred Additional Housing Site -
noted
" Mid Kent Downs Steering Group meeting 7 September - noted
" KCC Kent Waste Development Framework consultation - noted
" BTCV Tree Warden Scheme - request for donation declined,
Cllr Cuthbert to be removed from register.
" KCC Annual Plan 2006/07 - noted
" Encams, Local environmental quality, a town and parish
council guide - noted
" Kent AONB Countryside Day 22 September Cllr Cuthbert to
attend
" Action with Communities in Rural Kent - Funding for new
parish plans-deadlines 30.9.06 & 31.12.06. Cllrs do not have
time to submit application. Possible application next year
" Doddington School, future development of site - discussion
deferred to next meeting. Cllr Attwood to contact Cllr Bowles
to establish KCC's intentions for the site.
"
KA
15. A.O.B.
" Cllr Roberts advised that Kent Downs AONB has produced
Sounds in the Downs CD, which the Doddington Youth Drama Group
took part in.
" Cllr Hanson expressed concern that paper collection every
two weeks. Now that the school is closed, large piles of paper
outside homes may be a hazard.
" Cllr Prescott advised that Cllr Bowles had funds available
for environmental projects £1,000. funding was also available
under Leader Plus ESF for special joint village projects. Lynstead
were considering a project. Cllr Jones volunteered to contact
John Disney for further information. Cllr Woodhouse raised the
possibility of a jointly funded Community Warden, it was agreed
to await proposals from Lynstead.
" Cllr Prescott advised that SBC would be introducing new
waste disposal collections. Recycle bins with separate compartments
will be made available by end of 2006/2007. There may be a charge
for garden waste.
" Cllr Cuthbert reported that the Discovery and Adventure
cycle group had used the playing field as a stopping off point.
Between 50 - 100 riders had stopped, trampled flower bed, left
rubbish and used the field as a toilet. Cllr Cuthbert has contacted
the group co-ordinators to complain. Future use to be planned.
Programme of rides for 2006/07 to be obtained.
SJ
GC
Meeting closed at 9.45
Date of Next Meeting:
Monday 9th October 2006