Newnham Parish Council

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Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Newnham Parish Council
held on Thursday 13th June 2006 in the Village Hall, Newnham

 

Present:
Cllrs S. Gunner, J. Llewellin, C. Dartnell, J. Kirby, D. Monk, A. St Clair Baker, V. Buckett, Swale Cllr C. Prescott and one member of the public.

1. Cllr Gunner welcomed all and opened the meeting

2. Apologies for absence - County Cllr A. Bowles (SBC) tendered his apology

3. Approval of Minutes of the last Meeting
The minutes were approved and signed. Although some copies of the minutes quoted ` Andrew Hempstock, the signed copy was correct as Duncan Hempstock.

4. Matters arising from the previous Minutes
Doddington School
- at the meeting on 05.06.06 the Chairman of Governors, Les Roberts, advised that KCC were asked to decide on the viability of keeping the school open and expect their comments by the end of July. At the moment December 31st 2006 is the proposed date of closure. The question of whether the free travel to Milstead School offered would be extended to new pupils as well as current pupils will be put to the Governors.
Village Website - Cllr Llewellin reported that Alistair Clinton was working on the site and that a pilot version would be ready for the next meeting scheduled for 16.10.06. Volunteers were required to help with the compilation of information and items. Clllrs. St.Clair Baker, Buckett and Gunner volunteered. A meeting with Cllr Llewellin, Alistair Clinton and Newnham and Doddington Volunteers is to be arranged. Cllr Llewellin will visit local business to discuss their inclusion on the website and will also attend the next Doddington Parish Meeting. Item to be placed in the next edition of the Parish Newsletter requesting items for the website.
Parish Accounts - these have gone to Duncan Hempstock for audit but have not yet been returned.
Football Posts - Cllr Monk has made the necessary repairs and they are now secure. The net will be replaced once the fire-damaged section has been mended.

5. Planning Applications
Two applications had been dealt with before the meeting and comments sent to SBC
SW/06/0550 HVM Case 17365 New dwelling house - plot adjacent to 3 The Street - no objection
SW/06/0559 RDM Case 13933 Single Storey dwelling - land adjacent to Lower Champion Court. This was an outline application for replacement of the existing chalet. A letter of objection was sent based on the following - Site is within a conservation area; a precedent could be set for further development; additional access would be required on to a busy road; existing chalet has not had full residential use prior to this application.
SW/06 Case Crown reduction and thinning of 2 lime trees at 39 The Street - no objection.

6. Village Hall Committee report -a date has not yet been received from the builder for damp proofing and no interior decoration will take place until that has dried out fully. A date for the plumber is also still awaited for repairs to radiator and toilets. Upgrading of lighting and wiring is to be investigated. Booking rates are due for revision shortly.

7. Treasurer's Report - no change

8. War Memorial -
a specification had been received but has not been accepted. It seemed unlikely that the October date for funding application will now be met. It was thought that quotations must comply with a correct specification or be disqualified. Further consultation will take place between the two parishes. It was agreed to decide on ratio of funding once costs are known.

9. Housing Needs Survey - no results had been received to date.

10. Correspondence Received
05.05.06 - SBC Planning Application List
09.05.06 - SBC Planning application - New dwelling house - Plot adjacent to 3 The Street
11.05.06 - SBC Planning application - Single storey dwelling - Land adjacent to Lower Champion Court
13.05.06 - Clerks & Councils Direct - May publication
13.05.06 - Local Council Review - May publication
13.05.06 - Shaws Catalogue
17.05.06 - SBC Planning application - 39 The Street - crown reduction and central thinning of 2 lime trees
19.05.06 - Doddington School Chairman of Governers re public consultation meeting re possible closure of school - 05.06.06
22.05.06 - SBC Planning Application List
22.05.06 - The Playing Field Newsletter
23.05.06 - SBC - Faversham Area Forum - Public Session 7pm 27.06.06 Alexandra Centre
24.05.06 - Gerry Cassell - Land at Lady's Wood, Newnham Lane - re development by stealth, including subsequent email correspondence.
29.05.06 - Kent Highway Services Parish Council briefings - 26.06.06 at Aylesford with posters and cards to hand out to residents where necessary
30.05.06 - Glasdon - Seating Products catalogue
30.05.06 - Kent & Medway - Formal notice of Intention to Adopt Structure Plan
30.05.06 - SBC Planning Application List
31.05.06 - KCC - Bill Ronan - 2nd meeting with Cllr A.ndrew Bowles - 20.06.06 Hernehill PH
31.05.06 - Mid Kent Downs Steering Group re next meeting 8.06.06 then 07.09.06 together with minutes of previous meeting
05.06.06 - SBC Monitory Officer, Mark Radford re Register of Members Interests - request to sign either document and return
06.06.06 - KCC - re new Minerals Development Framework - invitation to comment - Cllr Llewellin to study this document.
08.06.06 - SBC - Swale Youth Strategy 2006-09 and Funding Advice Publications
12.06.06 - SBC - Consultation on Draft Ospringe Parish Design Statement - comments by
24.07.06. Paperwork circulated for discussion at the July meeting.
13.06.06 - SBC Planning Dept. email from Graham Thomas re Schoolboy Scramble Club
12.06.06 - SBC Planning Application List

12. Any Other Business
a) A resident, Mr. G. Cassell, had written expressing concern of "development by stealth" regarding recently purchased woodland at Ladyswood. He had also corresponded with the SBC Planning Department and conservation bodies. During the subsequent discussion, other areas were also identified. It was agreed to contact Swale Planning department and request advice on what action they are planning to take.
b) Cllr Gunner will be attending a presentation on 26th July by Kent Highway Services explaining the new structure. Posters will displayed on the notice board and availability of business cards for the use of residents mentioned in the Parish Newsletter.
c) Clean Up day - 1st July - most of the councillors volunteered to help on the day.
d) Cllr Buckett to check on issue question on the Swale Youth Strategy document.
e) Notices of Unchanged Interests and Declaration of Acceptance were signed for retention and return to the SBC Monitory Officer.

OPEN FORUM ADJOURNMENT - no questions

13. Date of Next Meeting - As the Parish Meeting had been omitted from the May meeting, this would take place before the next meeting on 13th July 2006 at 8pm in the Village Hall, which will include election of officers.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.35pm