1.

APOLOGIES   Apologies had been received from Cllr. Attwood which were accepted.   Cllr Bamford had given her apologies at the January Parish Council meeting which had been accepted.

Apologies had also been received from Cllr. Prescott who had a prior engagement.

Action

2.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST Councillors were invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interest in any Agenda item.  None were declared

3.

To approve: MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 10 January 2011

There was a typographical error in Agenda Item 7 viii. ,the date being shown as 2010 instead of 2011.  Cllr Stiles proposed that the 2nd sentence under Agenda Item 5i. be amended to read ‘Councillors are concerned that given the percentage (26%) returning the survey, there is not enough interest from villagers and that if the housing could not be filled with local people it would be extended to people outside the village which is not the intention of the scheme or of the Parish Council’ . After discussion all Councillors were in agreement.  The Clerk made the appropriate amendments and the Minutes of the January Parish Council Meeting were then approved and signed as correct by Cllr. Cuthbert.

4.

MATTERS ARISING

i. Affordable housing – to discuss response from Tessa O’Sullivan

All Councillors had received and read the response of Tessa O’Sullivan, Rural Housing Enabler for ACRK to the Clerk’s letter of 17 January 2011 expressing councillors’ concerns and noted the information gained by the Clerk from Swale Borough Council regarding the current waiting list for Housing Association properties in the Parish.

Cllr Cowan felt she should declare a personal interest as a family member might be interested in becoming involved with the rural housing scheme. Cllr Cowan completed the Member’s Interest Book.

Councillors discussed the matter at great length and Cllr Cuthbert proposed that a decision should be made to either not proceed any further or to take the next step and ask Tessa O’Sullivan to arrange a site search.  A vote was taken and the proposal to take the next step passed 4 votes to 1. 

The Clerk will email Tessa O’Sullivan, to advise that despite some unanswered questions and with some reservations the majority of the Parish Council would like her to start the site search.

British Legion Poppy Party – Councillors resolved not to take the matter any further as a Parish Council and passed the information to the Village Hall Committee

Clerk

5.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT      January report from the NHW Co-ordinator

Cllr Cuthbert read the report from the Co-ordinator.

6.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME   

Cllr Cuthbert reminded the public that Public Question Time was now a part of the meeting and its content would be minuted.

 A member of the public asked if the works in the pavement outside Lodge House could be lit at night.  The Clerk will try to see the contractors on site.

A member of the public asked if the potholes that are reappearing along the service trench alongside Lodge House could be reported.  The Clerk will deal with this.  Cllr Cuthbert reminded councillors and the public that Highways are now repairing the most dangerous potholes first.

Clerk

Clerk

7.

PLANNING MATTERS

 i. Wellwood Farm – Enforcement information   Update  

Nothing further to report.

ii. Grace’s Place – Update

Members discussed and noted the information received from Swale Borough Council Planning Department concerning outstanding Planning Application SW/06/0126 which is now under consideration.

iii. Oakenpole Wood.  Update

Swale Borough Council (SBC) is viewing the site following a report of some felling and the enforcement officer has been in communication with one of the owners.  Councillors were asked to advise SBC if any caravans are located on the land.

iv. Planning Application SW/10/1382 & SW/10/1383 The Gardener’s Cottage, Sharsted Court

Still awaiting decision from SBC.

v. SBC’s Core Strategy, Issues & Strategic Spatial Options     ‘Pick your Own’ Consultation – comment

The 4 options described in the SBC’s ‘Pick Your Own booklet’ were discussed at length with Cllr Stiles providing feedback from the meeting that he and Cllr Attwood had attended.

Cllr Cuthbert proposed that a group of Councillors should attend the Teynham Open Day on Monday 21 February.  Cllrs Cuthbert, Duckworth and Jarrett agreed to take part and will liaise to arrange a time convenient to them and to include Cllr Attwood if available.

As comment to SBC on the Consultation will be required on the day the Parish Council next meets on 14 March 2011, Cllr Cuthbert proposed that members approve the comment made by the attending group, subject to their viewing beforehand.  All councillors were in favour.

viii. Any other planning matter received by 14 February 2011

There were none.

GC/PD

MJ/KA

8.

HIGHWAYS

i. Highways Update and notification of further work required.

Councillors had received the Parish Portal information to 12 February 2011.  The Clerk brought attention to enquiry 21153 made by herself on 17 January regarding the potholes on Hopes Hill which is marked ‘Enquiry Resolved’.  The Clerk will seek further information on how this has been resolved.

The Clerk and Cllr Cuthbert had viewed the recently repaired potholes along the Down Court road past Palace House. Enquiry 18025 initially reported in November 2010.  Cllr Cuthbert expressed his disappointment at the poor state of this repair which the Clerk will report to the Kent Highway Services (KHS) Liaison Officer.

Following discussion councillors agreed that the Clerk would do the following:-

Report  the potholes that are reappearing just over the M2 motorway bridge at Erriottwood Corner.

Report a blocked drain between the drain opposite Sunnyside and the next one opposite ‘The Paddock’.

Enquire when the work is to be finished on the drain and inspection covers in the Ringlestone Road and why the ironwork was not lifted as stated at the Parish Meeting in November 2010.

Ask if the ‘Refuge’ between ‘Roseacre’ and ‘Palace Cottages’ can be cut back and swept.

Ask if Church Hill and the Old Lenham Road could be swept as there has been no response since the Parish Meeting with KHS in November 2010. As there had been no further response from KHS regarding the possible risk of water escaping from the fields along the Old Lenham Road the Clerk will advise KHS of landowner details together with advice that there is work under way in Borden Wood.

Cllr Stiles asked if there had been any response to the request for Mobile Speed Sites.  The Clerk will follow up with KCC.

Cllr Stiles advised that a number of youngsters on quad bikes without helmets or lights had been seen in the Parish recently.  Cllr Cuthbert will inform the Police Rural Task Force.

ii. Plough Monday – Feedback

Cllr Cuthbert read out a letter from Swale Borough Council dated 19 January 2011 approving the event.  For future reference the emergency services no longer have to be contacted.  Swale Borough Council Technical and Administration Office will deal with the necessary paperwork. Cllr Cuthbert will thank Hugh Robertson MP for his interest. 

The event took place as scheduled without incident.

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

GC

GC

9.

PLAYING FIELD

i. Damage to picnic bench – update

The replacement bench is in place. Reimbursement for the cost of the bench has been received from Zurich Insurers and a claim for its installation has been made. Cllr Duckworth is dealing will replacement of the commemorative plaque.

ii. Goalmouth area – update      

A member of the public has offered to source and purchase the soil and turf.  Cllr. Jarrett proposed setting a provisional date for undertaking the task.  All councillors were in favour and the date set was for the weekend of Saturday 19/Sunday 20 March

iii. Donated picnic bench – to discuss arrangements for positioning and treatment

Cllr Duckworth agreed to purchase a suitable stain/preservative and stain the bench.  He will also research suitable fixing goods.  £50 budget had been approved at the January 2011 meeting.

iv. Cllr Jarrett’s monthly report –           

Cllr Jarrett advised that the treating and marking of the football pitch had been done. The goalmouth at the garage end of the field is deteriorating.  There is an increase in rubbish being dumped in the woodland adjoining the playing field.  Parishioners are to be asked not to dump anything in that area.

PD

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10.

FINANCE

i. Councillors expenses – None

Invoices for Payment

i.   R J Oldfield Allotment Rent 2011

Approved by all councillors. £1.00 (Chq No: 000899).  The Clerk confirmed that she had received the Allotment Association’s remittance for the annual rent of £1.00

ii. Sheds & Shelters – Payment for replacement picnic bench

Approved by all councillors £85.00 (Chq. No: 000900)

iii. A Hunter – Payment for installation of replacement picnic bench

Approved by all councillors £85.00 (Chq. No:000901)

iv. Any other invoice for approval received by 14 February 2011

There were none.

11.

ADMINISTRATION AND SYSTEMS

KALC Planning Training Course 12 March 2011

Cllr Stiles will attend the course.  Clerk to make the appropriate arrangements. Councillors approved payment of the course cost of £72 at the next Parish Council meeting.

Child Protection Policy -  discussion on information provided by Cllr Cowan   

Councillors discussed the information provided by Cllr Cowan concerning Contractors working in the playing field and whether the Child Protection Policy in its current form was adequate.  After discussion councillors agreed that no significant risk was apparent but that the Clerk would contact KCC Landscape Services and ask them to confirm the existence of a Child Protection Policy, Health and Safety Policy and Risk Assessments to cover their work.

The role of the Designated Officer was discussed and the role of working with the statutory agencies was recognised.  Councillors agreed that no alteration was required to the Designated Officer role.

Insurance Quotation – information from KALC

KALC had confirmed that they were familiar with the company seeking to provide an insurance quotation and had heard nothing negative about them.  Councillors agreed that the Clerk would provide the information required to obtain a quotation which should be received by the April Parish Council Meeting.

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

12.

CORRESPONDENCE

Milstead & Frinsted School letter regarding consideration of Academy status - Noted

KALC Swale Area Committee Meeting Minutes 6 December 2010 & Agenda for March 2011 - Noted

Listing of the War Memorial The Clerk advised that the War Memorial was now listed.  In the advisory report English Heritage had stated that the site was not in the Conservation Area; the Clerk has written to advise that this is not the case, the site lies within the Doddington and Newnham Conservation Area.

Faversham Enterprise Partnership – ‘ Your Parish Council and Faversham.org ‘

Cllr Cuthbert read out the letter received offering the facility for Parish Councils to display monthly minutes and annual accounts on their website.  Councillors did not wish to take up this offer.

Parish News – Distributed together with KCC Community Safety Unit leaflet.  Inserts concerning Lighting and Play Equipment will be filed by the Clerk

BTCV Kent Heritage Trees Project – Distributed.  Poster advertising the Kent Heritage Tree Project – Launch Events to be displayed on the Notice Board

Environment Agency Flood Protection Exhibition Leysdown Isle of Sheppey 9 February 2011 – Noted.  Cllr Cuthbert and the Clerk had notified residents at risk of this event.

Invitation to join Action with Communities in Rural Kent After discussion councillors agreed that Cllrs Jarrett and Stiles would research the benefits of membership and report back at the next meeting.

Request for donation from Citizens Advice Bureau Councillors agreed to defer the matter to the April Parish Council meeting as a donation had already been made this financial year.

Already distributed

South East Water – closure of Hopes Hill – March 2011 Advisory posters are in place.  The Clerk informed councillors that there would be access to the Village Hall car park when Hopes Hill is closed in March.

Swale Rural Forum Minutes 11 January 2011 – Noted.

Closure of Ringlestone Road.     Refer to Highways Minute i.

Late correspondence

Age Concern – Councillors approved display of posters when space allows.

RoSPA inspection – Information had been received from Playsafety Ltd regarding the Annual inspection with a brochure.  Following discussion Cllr Jarrett proposed asking for an attended inspection, Cllr Cuthbert seconded and all councillors were in favour.  Cllr Duckworth proposed, given last year’s difficulty with the inspection, a clear 7 days notice of the inspection should be insisted upon.

All councillors were in favour.  Clerk to organise.

Forestry Commission Consultation – Deferred to the next meeting.

Cllr Cuthbert had received an unusual letter from a member of the public in Yorkshire which was passed to the Pantomime Director for response.

Clerk

MJ/TS

Clerk

PC

13.

AOB – Information Items

The Clerk advised that it had been necessary to replace the Parish Council printer. This had been budgeted for in the next financial year. A good deal had been obtained on printer cartridges at the same time and a similar on copier paper, all approved when discussing Precept and budgeting costs. These items to be put on the finance agenda under Clerk’s Expenses at the next Parish Council meeting.

Cllr Jarrett advised that there would be a dedication of the late Cllr Ian Woodhouse’s headstone on 20 February 2011.

Cllr Stiles requested that the Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations and The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge be put on the Agenda for the next meeting.

Clerk