PRESENT:

Cllr David Coomber

Chairman

Cllr Trevor Archer

Cllr Mrs Valerie Archer

Cllr Mrs Pam Coomber

Cllr Gary Etheridge

Cllr Peter Hicks

From item 4

Cllr David Miller

Cllr Geoff Moore

Cllr Paul Ribbons

Mrs Roxana Brammer

Clerk

In attendance

Mr David Levy

Footpaths Officer

Items 1-7

Item

Minute number 2007/8

Action point

1

101

DECLARATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

All members present signed their declarations of acceptance of office under the Code of Conduct adopted on 15 May 2007.

2

102

APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from

Cllr Mrs Jane Etheridge

Medway Council meeting

Cllr Mrs Brenda Hoskin

Indisposed

Cllr Tom Mason

At work

It was proposed by Cllr Coomber, seconded by Cllr Etheridge and carried unanimously that these apologies be accepted by the Council.

An apology for late arrival was received from Cllr Hicks.

3

CODE OF CONDUCT

103

a

Declarations of Interest and Alterations to the Register

Cllr Coomber and Cllr Mrs Coomber declared personal interests in item 9a(iii), planning application for 246 Brompton Farm Road , because they live in close proximity to the applicant.

104

b

Standards Committee

The Chairman reported on a meeting of the Standards Committee. There had been a review of investigation and determination procedures and the Standards Board procedure had been adopted. Interests affecting most people in an area would no longer have to be declared. There was a vacancy for an independent member on the Committee.

4

105

ANY OTHER BUSINESS OF AN URGENT NATURE

None.

5

106

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15 MAY 2007

It was proposed by Cllr Hicks, seconded by Cllr Moore and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2007 be signed as a true record.

6

107

MATTERS ARISING

No matters were raised.

7

FOOTPATHS

108

a

Representative's Report

The Chairman suspended the meeting to allow Mr Levy to give his report.

Mr Levy said the wet weather was making it difficult to keep the paths clear. Mrs Williams had cleared both sides of the by-pass twice. The steps on FP119 at Four Elms were clear and he had cleared the path from its junction with Higham Road to half way across the barley field. He had received a complaint about the path from the Sans Pareil but so far had not been able to investigate. He referred to the section of FP119 by the pond at Islingham Farm which was dangerous as there was a drop, it either needed better signs or a better fence. He had not been able to check the path near the tithe barn yet. He reported that the signs about motorbikes that had been put up at Lodge Hill appeared to have been effective.

The Chairman thanked Mr Levy and reconvened the meeting.

The Clerk was asked to contact Medway Council about the problem at Islingham Farm.

8

UPNOR

109

a

Upnor Residents Association

Neither Cllr Moore nor Cllr Hicks had been able to attend the last meeting. It was reported that Taylor Woodrow appeared to be demolishing the old house at Sandacres. Cllr Hicks said he would take this up with the planning officer.

110

b

Environmental Enhancement Project

Emma Powell had finished the final drawings. A meeting of all the partners would be held the following Tuesday.

9

PLANNING

a

Applications

111

i

MC2007/0978: 2-8 Cooling Road, Frindsbury Extra: Demolition of warehouse and workshop buildings and construction of one apartment block consisting of 3 three bedroom flats, 15 two bedroom flats and 9 one bedroom flats with associated parking and landscaping

After discussion, it was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Etheridge and agreed the Council object as follows:

Frindsbury Extra Parish Council is not opposed to the principle of development on this site. However, the Parish Council objects strongly to this application.

The Parish Council's previous objections to a development of flats on this site remain. I quote the comments on the two previous applications on this site:

“The applicant himself states: ‘(The site) is completely surrounded by 2 storey terraced houses and semi detached bungalows'. The Parish Council considers that the proposed 3 and 4 storey blocks of flats are totally out of keeping with the area. They would be a dominant feature in the street scene and would cause loss of amenity to surrounding residents, not just in Cooling Road but in Chatsworth Drive and Chartwell Close to the rear. There would be potential for overlooking of private gardens. The access to the site is shown as opposite Hilltop Road. The extra traffic generated by 24 flats would increase traffic congestion, especially at busy times of the day. It is in close proximity to Hilltop Primary School and the controlled crossing that has just been constructed to help schoolchildren and their parents. The Parish Council is therefore objecting on highway grounds.
 It would appear from the drawings that 24 parking spaces are to be provided, one for each flat. In an area of inadequate public transport it is likely that car ownership for each flat will be at least 2. One parking space is not only not enough, but provides no visitors' parking whatsoever. It is inevitable that parking will overspill onto Cooling Road which is unsuitable at this point or into Hilltop Road, near the school, which already has parking problems.”

and

“The applicant himself states: ‘(The site) is completely surrounded by 2 storey terraced houses and semi detached bungalows". The Parish Council considers that the proposed 3 and 4 storey blocks of flats are totally out of keeping with the area. They would be a dominant feature in the street scene and would cause loss of amenity to surrounding residents. Even though this application shows the blocks to be closer to Cooling Road than the earlier application for 24 flats on the site residents of Chatsworth Drive and Chartwell Close to the rear would still be affected and the potential for overlooking of private gardens remains.
The access to the site is shown as opposite Hilltop Road. The extra traffic generated by 24 flats would increase traffic congestion, especially at busy times of the day. It is in close proximity to Hilltop Primary School and the controlled crossing that has been constructed to help schoolchildren and their parents. The Parish Council is therefore objecting on highway grounds. It is considered that the number of parking spaces to be provided is insufficient. In an area of inadequate public transport it is likely that car ownership for each flat will be at least 2. Visitors' parking should also be provided. It is inevitable that parking will overspill onto Cooling Road which is unsuitable at this point or into Hilltop Road, near the school, which already has parking problems.”

The current application is for one block of flats, but it is 4 storeys. The top floor is in the roof space however the fact remains the building is still higher than the surrounding houses and there are inevitably windows for these top floor flats that will overlook the surrounding properties, as will the windows to the third storey. The whole building would be too dominant in the street scene and change the character of the area.

No lifts are provided in a four storey building. This is a serious omission and will cause difficulties for elderly residents and those with babies and small children, not to mention anyone delivering heavy goods to the flats.

The parking provision will be even more of an issue than outlined previously as there are to be less than one parking space per flat. It is noted that all flats are to be “affordable housing” but this does not mean residents will not be able to afford cars. The Parish Council disputes the statement that the site is easily accessible and says again that the area has poor public transport. All residents will have visitors and there is no parking provision for them. Parking on street is already difficult enough in Cooling Road and Hilltop Road opposite. It is noted that secure provision is being made for bicycles. This is to be welcomed but not to the detriment of, or instead of, car parking spaces.

The position of the entrance vis à vis Hilltop Road and the proximity of a primary school remains an objection, as previously stated.

Should the planning authority give planning permission, or should permission be given on appeal, the Parish Council requests that Section 106 money is made available for the specific use of Hilltop Primary School .

112

ii

MC2007/1007 : 14 Wainscott Walk, Wainscott: Construction of a single storey side and rear extension (demolition of conservatory)

No objection.

113

iii

MC2007/1013 : 246 Brompton Farm Road : Construction of a single storey side and rear extension (demolition of conservatory)

No objection

114

iv

MC2007/0995 : 56 Higham Road, Wainscott: Construction of sloped roof over bay windows to front

No objection

115

v

MC2007/1026 : Castle Autos, 37 Wainscott Road, Wainscott: Construction of screens to car wash area

No objection

116

b

Decisions

The decisions as listed on Appendix A were noted.

c

Appeals and Other Matters

117

i

MC2007/0577 : land r/o 48 Hollywood Lane : Construction of 4 bedroomed detached home with garage

This application had been considered at Medway's Development Control Committee the previous evening. Cllr Hicks said it had been granted with various conditions, but none specific to the public footpath.

118

d

Licensing Applications

None.

119

e

Minutes of the Planning Committee held on 14 June

Received.

10

FINANCE

120

a

Bank Balances

The bank balances as listed on appendix B were noted.

121

b

Cheques Signed Since the Last Meeting

The cheques signed since the last meeting were ratified.

122

c

Accounts for Payment

It was proposed by Cllr Etheridge, seconded by Cllr Moore and agreed the accounts for payment (cheques 101053 – 101057) as listed in Appendix B be approved, together with £64.39, British Telecommunications (101058), £67.10, Southern Water (101059), £176, Clive Stanley (101060) and £760, Daniel Godden (Green Acre Landscapes) (101061).

123

d

Chairman's Allowance

This had been set in the budget and agreed at £100. However £120 had already been spent. It was proposed by Cllr Archer, seconded by Cllr Hicks and agreed that £150 be vired from reserves.

124

e

Training and Seminars

KAPC had arranged a further training day for councillors on 11 July. Cllrs Archer and Mrs Archer had found the day they had attended very useful. Cllr Ribbons had been booked in but had not attended. It was agreed he should be booked in to the course on 11 July.

11

GRANT APPLICATIONS

125

a

Rangers Expedition

Victoria Wright of Lower Upnor had asked for help towards an overseas expedition where she was representing the Frindsbury, Wainscott and Hoo Rangers. The Council did not have the powers to give a grant to her as an individual. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Coomber, seconded by Cllr Hicks and agreed a grant of £50 be made to the Rangers under S19 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

12

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S LAND AND PROPERTY

126

a

Recreation Ground

It had been too wet to spray the weeds.

127

b

Woodland

Nothing to report

128

c

Green, Lower Upnor

The new turf was growing well.

13

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

129

a

Traffic Scheme, Brompton Farm Road/Hollywood Lane

The sign and solar panel had been installed.

14

130

LIGHTING

Nothing to report.

15

131

YOUTH

Nothing to report.

16

RURAL LIAISON COMMITTEE

132

a

Representative's Report

A meeting had been held on 26 June. Cllr Hicks had been elected Chairman and Cllr Coomber, Vice-chairman. Talks had been given by Peter Stokes of the CAB on the rural outreach advice service, Martin Hall who was now Director of Greening gateway Kent and Medway and Catherine Smith on the shoreline management plan and on the Chattenden/Lodge Hill new settlement. The Secretary of State for Defence had announced that the MoD would re-locate to Bicester and release land for settlement. This would now be a regular item on the Committee's agenda. There had been an update on Speedwatch. The Chairman and Cllr Alan Marsh had been ratified as the parish representatives on the Standards Committee. There would be regular police attendance, Inspector Wharfe and PC Harris would attend the next meeting on 31 July.

133

134

135

136

b

Projects

i   Seats, Lower Upnor . On-going.

ii   Wainscott Village sign. On-going.

iii  Kick wall. Installed.

iv  Cooling Road/Brompton Farm Road corner. On-going.

17

KAPC/MAC

137

a

Representatives' Report

A meeting had been arranged by Rodney Williamson for 18 July

18

HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

138

a

Representative's Report

The next meeting was on 11 July. The CCTV cameras had been painted over again.

139

b

Hall Improvements/Extension

Nothing to report.

19

POLICE MATTERS

140

a

Police Liaison Committee Representative's Report

Cllr Miller had attended the meeting on 5 June. The draft terms of reference had been discussed. There had been a suggestion that an independent person be appointed Chairman. The Community Safety team had been added. The meeting had been attended by representatives from 3 parishes and 5 neighbourhood watches. No PCSOs had been present. The next meeting was on 9 July.

141

b

Neighbourhood Watch

Cllr Miller reported there had been a bogus caller burglary in Hollywood Lane .

142

c

Speed Watch

The Clerk reported that a meeting for involved parishes and their volunteers had been arranged for 25 July, but WPC Tait was on a course and it would have to be re-scheduled for September.

20

143

WEBSITE

The Clerk gave Mr Stanley's report:

In the past 12 month rolling period, we have had some 19,505 hits on the Frindsbury Extra Parish Council website. For the last complete month of May 2007, the statistics counted 2,040 hits, the second highest number for the past year. [Note: A proportion of these hits were from me, as Webmaster, accessing the site to upload information or check web site consistency, plus numerous internet ‘robot crawlers' visiting the web pages gathering data for indexing or to populate search engines directories.]  

The most popular viewed web pages during the month of May 2007 were the About the Parish; the Links and the Walks web pages. Recent additions have included a new informative web page about Upnor Castle and the events to be held there; notices about other local events and the Kent Police Safer Neighbourhoods newsletter plus the Clerk's 2007 Annual Report, as well as the usual PC Meeting minutes and agendas. Visitors to the web site that used internet search engines (rather than typing in the address direct) used these search terms the most: “Frindsbury”, “school buildings” and “allotments”.

.

21

144

STANDING ORDERS

It was proposed by Cllr Etheridge, seconded by Cllr Hicks and agreed that Standing Orders be amended following adoption of the new Code of Conduct and the item stood adjourned until the next meeting under standing order 84.

22

CONSULTATION

145

a

Kent Downs AONB Management Plan Review

Noted.

23

CORRESPONDENCE

146

a

Invitation to Kent Downs AONB Countryside Day

Received.

147

b

Gordon and Nancy Bird

The letter of thanks from Mr and Mrs Bird was received.

24

148

REPORTS AND CIRCULARS

The reports and circulars as listed on the agenda were received.

25

149

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

It was proposed by Cllr Etheridge, seconded by Cllr Hicks and resolved to exclude the press and public from the following items on the grounds that the items concerned a contract

26

150

AGREEMENT FOR PROVISION OF SERVICES OF CLERK

The agreement with R B Consultants was signed by the Chairman.

27

151

FEE

It was agreed the fee charged by the Clerk would be increased to £12 per hour from 15 May. Car mileage would remain at 40p per mile.