1.

APOLOGIES – Had been received from Cllr. Prescott who is unwell.

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

Cllr Cuthbert advised that one letter of interest had been received from Mr Peter Duckworth.  Cllr. Cuthbert proposed that Mr Duckworth be invited to join the Parish Council as a co-opted member, Cllr. Stiles seconded and all Councillors were in favour.  As Mr Duckworth was in attendance he signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and took his seat.

The Clerk will continue to advertise for another co-opted member.

Clerk

4.

To approve: MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 12 July 2010

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

 Cllr. Cuthbert

5.

MATTERS ARISING

Affordable housing – To discuss current position

The Clerk distributed examples of the letter and survey that will be distributed with the October Village Newsletter. The Clerk will invite Tessa O’Sullivan from ACRK 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.  Cllr. Stiles requested that discussion be deferred to the next meeting when all Councillors had had opportunity to view.

Clerk

All

6.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT      August report from the NHW Co-ordinator

The co-ordinator’s report had been circulated to councillors.  Cllr Cuthbert read the short report for the benefit of the public.  The Clerk had attended the Police Surgery on 23 August.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME   

The meeting adjourned at 8.20 and immediately reconvened as no issues were raised.

7.

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES   KALC Swale Area Committee Meeting 6 September 2010

                                                             Report from attending councillor(s)

Cllrs. Cowan and Stiles had attended the meeting and Cllr Cowan had provided Minutes which had been previously distributed. The Minutes referred to a Kent County Council (KCC) scheme trialling bagged salt/sand mix for which volunteer parishes were needed.  Further information from KCC on this subject had been received on 13 September by the Clerk and was read to members by Cllr Cuthbert.  After discussion Cllr Cuthbert proposed that the Parish Council should not take part in this trial, Cllr Attwood seconded and all Councillors were in favour.  Cllr Cowan is not able to attend the next Committee meeting due to a prior engagement. The Clerk distributed the KALC own Minutes of the Meeting which had been received that day.

8.

PLANNING MATTERS

 i. Wellwood Farm – Enforcement Information – Nothing to report from Swale Borough Council (SBC) but it had been noted that some work is in progress.

ii. Grace’s Place – Update Nothing further to report

iii. Oakenpole Wood.  Update The tree officer has advised that he has received most land checks and will be assembling them on his return from leave.

iv. SW/10/0805ME  2 Soloman’s Cottages To advise Swale Borough Council decision

Permission granted by  SBC.

v. Tree Works Application TC /10/0069ME Eynesbury – To confirm comment made and report on Tree Preservation Order served by Swale Borough Council

Parish Councillors had made no objection to the proposed tree works at Eynesbury. SBC has served a Tree Preservation Order in respect of the Copper Beech tree on site.  Information regarding the application for work on the silver birch tree is still awaited

vi. SW/10/1057 RDM  Tawnyhill Kennels – To consider application for kennel block for retired dogs. Councillors viewed and discussed the application. Cllr Attwood proposed that no objection be made; Cllr Cowan seconded and all Councillors were in favour.  Clerk to contact SBC.

vii. SW/10/1080 & 1111 (Listed Building consent) Gardeners Cottage, Sharsted Court – To consider applications for extension and other works Councillors viewed and discussed these applications. Cllr Attwood proposed that no objections be made, Cllr Stiles seconded and all Councillors were in favour.  Clerk to contact SBC.

viii. Any other planning matter received by 13 September 2010

None received

Clerk

Clerk

9.

HIGHWAYS

i. Highways Update and notification of further work required.

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

Councillors viewed and discussed items on the latest Parish Portal.  The Clerk will report

1. the potholes on the Lynsted Road just over the M2 bridge up to Erriott Wood corner

2. that a road sign at the bottom of Wychling Hill is leaning

The Clerk will also remind the Swale Liaison Officer ( Kent Highway Services (KHS)) about the replacement Salt Bin for Chequers Hill.

The Clerk has received an invitation from the Swale Liaison Officer to hold a Parish Visit before the Winter Maintenance commences.  All Councillors were in favour of a visit being arranged, the Clerk will contact her for suggested dates.

ii. Drains in the Old Lenham Road – To consider Report from Clerk & letter from KHS Drainage Section

Councillors discussed at length the letter received from KHS regarding the drains in the Old Lenham Road and the report the Clerk had submitted following her meeting on 18 August. Cllr Attwood proposed that a letter of thanks be sent to KHS for arranging the have the drains/gullies emptied and cleansed on a 3 month schedule.  All Councillors were in favour.

iii. Parish & Town Council Seminar 29 October 2010 To consider invitation to attend.

Cllr Stiles indicated that he would like to attend this seminar.  The Clerk will make the necessary arrangements.

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

10.

PLAYING FIELD

i. RoSPA Report To discuss report

The Clerk had circulated the RoSPA report and advised that she had already discussed with Playsafety some of the obvious discrepancies in the report.  An attended inspection had not taken place due to bad communication. The Clerk advised that she had been informed that another inspector would be visiting the area this week and would check the discrepancies that had been raised.

Cllrs. Cuthbert, Jarrett and Duckworth agreed to meet at the Playing Field on Thursday 16 September to go through the report and list any anomalies which will then be presented to Playsafety. 

ii. Arboricultural Condition Survey – To discuss work to be done removing sycamore saplings

Cllrs. Cuthbert, Jarrett and Duckworth agreed to view the site and discuss the appropriate action at the above meeting.

iii. Picnic seats and kissing seat – repair, refurbish & installation report from Cllr Jarrett         

Cllr. Jarrett proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr Duckworth who as a member of the public had assisted him in installing the ‘kissing seat’ and for repairing and sanding/staining the picnic bench by the slide.

Cllr. Duckworth has agreed to sand/stain the picnic bench at the Garage End of the Playing Field when the weather permits.

Cllr Jarrett requested that a note of thanks to Mr Constable for making and donating the ‘kissing seat’ be included in the Village Newsletter now that the seat had been installed.  The Clerk has privately thanked Mr Constable.    

iv. Goalmouth area – to receive quotations for repairing the Garage End goalmouth    

Cllr Cuthbert advised that he had spoken to the 2 prospective contractors who had been uncertain of their ability to keep the area clear of the public while the turfing established itself.  After discussion Cllr Cuthbert suggested that a new specification be prepared for both goalmouths. Cllr Jarrett suggested that as the West End goal is presenting a particular problem with an existing tree root in the goalmouth deterring its use, it should be dealt with first.

Councillors agreed that Cllrs. Cuthbert, Jarrett and Duckworth should review the matter during their meeting on 16 September and draw up a new specification accordingly for presentation to all parties.

v. Wet pour surfacing to replace tiled areas – to discuss work required to the edgings and       insurance cover.

The work has been completed and following the spell of wet weather the raised edges are naturally smoothing down.  The Clerk advised that regarding insurance of the safety surfacing the cost of replacing the wet pour was lower than the cost for replacement using tiles.  Councillors agreed that the Clerk would inform the insurers of the change in safety surfacing and ask their advice regarding an appropriate sum insured.

vi. Cllr. Jarrett’s monthly report            

Cllr. Jarrett advised that the bins are being regularly emptied and the field mown.  He is concerned about the condition of the football net on the Garage End goal.  Cllrs Cuthbert ,Jarrett and Duckworth agreed to look at this matter at their meeting at the Playing Field on Thursday 16 September

GC,

MJ

PD

PD

Clerk

GC

MJ

PD

Clerk

GC

MJ

PD

11.

FINANCE

i. Councillors expenses – None

ii. Bank Mandate – Current position

The Clerk advised that Cllr Stiles is now able to sign cheques.  The paperwork has been received to enable telephone banking for the Clerk to be set up.  Councillors agreed that Cllr.Cowan should be a second authorized user for this system.  The Clerk will make the necessary arrangements.

iii. KALC Finance Conference 2010 – To consider training (information circulated)

Councillors had had the opportunity to view the information on the course.  No councillor wishes to take part.

Invoices for Payment

i. Confirmation of payment of Kent County Playing Fields Association subscription – Noted Approved at July meeting. Chq No. 000887 £20.00

ii. Confirmation of final payment to SSP for wet pour covering Noted. Approved at July meeting. Chq No. 000888  £1918.19.

iii. Playsafety Ltd  -  Safety Inspection of Playing field and equipment fee

The invoice for £88.13 had been presented.  Cllr Cuthbert proposed that the cheque be held until such time that a satisfactory response to the RoSPA queries was received.  If this was received before the next meeting payment of the invoice was approved. All Councillors were in favour.

iv. N Swatland – Half yearly invoice for maintenance of the Playing Field

Approved by all Councillors Chq. No. 000890  £115.00

v. Any other invoice for approval received by 13 September 2010  There were none.

Clerk

PC

12.

ADMINISTRATION AND SYSTEMS

Risk Assessment   Half yearly Review

The following amendments were approved.

Cllr Cowan’s name to replace Cllr Jones on front page to support the Clerk.  The Date of the Standing Orders to be updated.  Cllr Cuthbert referred to the War Memorial Risk Assessment and confirmed all was in order.  The Clerk had received an email from the War Memorials Trust regarding Listing of the Memorial.  Cllr Cuthbert agreed to contact them to determine what this involved.

Financial Regulations    Annual Review

Councillors were reminded that to bring the Regulations in line with the recently updated Standing Orders it would be necessary to make some minor amendments. Cllr Cuthbert proposed and Cllr Cowan seconded the following amendments:

11.1 (b) & (g) increase figure of £50,000 to £60,000.

        (i) increase figure of £300 to £500

All Councillors were in favour.  The Clerk will make the necessary alterations and issue a revised set of Regulations.

GC

Clerk

13.

CORRESPONDENCE

Fieldwork, Countryside Voice & Kent Voice – CPRE Magazines for distribution - Distributed

Vitalise – To consider request for donation – Request declined

Parish News – August Edition for distribution - Distributed

Clerks & Council Direct Magazine – For distribution – Taken by Cllr Duckworth

Already distributed

Local Engagement Forum Grant To consider a grant application The Clerk will ask Cllr Prescott if the deadline for applications is likely to be extended.

AONB Countryside Day 24 September 2010 Interested Councillors were asked to contact the Clerk by 17 September 2010.  Cllr Cuthbert is attending in a private capacity.

Kent Minerals & Waste Development Framework Consultation & Invitation to meeting at Lenham Community Centre 8 October 2010 - Noted

Kent Historic Buildings Conference 9 October 2010 Councillors were asked to contact the Clerk if interested

Electoral Arrangements correspondence from Swale Borough Council – to discuss correspondence and make comment on the Public consultation Notice if desired

Councillors had received information regarding the new Electoral Arrangements from 2011.  Opportunity was given to respond to the Public Consultation Notice regarding Executive Governance Arrangements, indicating which Option from either 1.a Leader and Cabinet Model or 2. Directly elected Mayor and Cabinet Model was preferred.  After discussion Councillors resolved that Option 1 was preferred.  Clerk to advise SBC

Invitation to Police Briefing for Parish Councils 19 October 2010 Noted            

Stakeholder E Newsletter - Noted

Faversham Sure Start Newsletter - Noted

Draft Street Trading Policy. Communication from Swale Borough Council for comment if desired. Information noted.  Councillors resolved not to make any comment.                       

Clerk

All

All

Clerk

14.

AOB – Information Items

Speed Limit Review Project – Update from Nick Chard Further information had been received today all of which councillors noted.

KCC Environment & Planning Countryside Access Report.  - Information from the Countryside Access Service - Noted

The Friends of Wisdom Hospice Walk – Sunday 10 October 2010 Noted

Mid Kent Downs Countryside Partnership Newsletter – The Kent Free Tree Scheme Noted. The Clerk will make mention of the Free Tree Scheme in the Village Newsletter

An invitation had been received for a member to attend the 2nd Rail Summit on 21st October 2010.  Cllr Stiles indicated that he would like to attend.  The Clerk will make the necessary arrangements

Clerk

Clerk