C/05/2008/1-31
 

PRESENT:

Cllr David Coomber

Chairman

In the chair from item 17

Cllr Geoff Moore

Vice-chairman

In the chair items 1- 16

Cllr Trevor Archer

Cllr Mrs Valerie Archer

Cllr Gary Etheridge

From item 7

Cllr Mrs Jane Etheridge

From item 7

Cllr David Miller

Cllr Paul Ribbons

Mrs Roxana Brammer

Clerk

In attendance

Mr David Levy

Footpaths Officer

Mr Graham Simpkin

Graham Simpkin Planning Consultancy

Item

Minute number 2008/9

Action point

1

48

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

It was proposed by Cllr Miller, seconded by Cllr Archer and agreed unanimously that Cllr Coomber be elected Chairman for the year.

2

49

CHAIRMAN’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

It was agreed to defer this item until Cllr Coomber’s arrival

3

50

ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

It was proposed by Cllr Archer, seconded by Cllr Ribbons and agreed unanimously that Cllr Moore be elected Vice-chairman for the year.

4

51

VICE-CHAIRMAN’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

Cllr Moore signed his declaration of acceptance of the office of Vice-chairman.

5

52

APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from

Cllr Mrs Pam Coomber

indisposed

Cllr Peter Hicks

working away from home

Cllr Mrs Brenda Hoskin

family commitments

Cllr Tom Mason

on holiday

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

Apologies for late arrival were received from Cllr Coomber, attendance at Medway Council Standards Committee and from Cllrs Gary and Mrs Jane Etheridge.

6

CODE OF CONDUCT

53

a

Declarations of Interest and Alterations to the Register

None.

54

b

Standards Committee

Deferred until Cllr Coomber’s arrival.

7

APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES

55

a

Planning Committee

Chairman                         ) ex officio

Vice-Chairman                )

Cllr Trevor Archer

Cllr Mrs Valerie Archer

Cllr Mrs Pam Coomber

Cllr Gary Etheridge

Cllr David Miller

56

b

Finance Committee

Chairman                         ) ex officio

Vice-Chairman                )

Cllr Mrs Jane Etheridge

Cllr Peter Hicks

Cllr Mrs Brenda Hoskin

Cllr Tom Mason

Cllr Paul Ribbons

8

APPOINTMENTS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OTHER BODIES

57

a

Rural Liaison Sub-committee

Cllr Coomber

58

b

KALC Medway Area Committee

Cllrs Moore and Ribbons

59

c

Police Liaison Committee

Cllr Miller; alternate Cllr Archer.

60

d

Memorial Hall Management Committee

Cllr Mrs Pam Coomber

61

e

Upnor Residents Association

Cllr Moore; alternate Cllr Hicks.

9

APPOINTMENTS TO OTHER POSTS

62

a

Footpaths Officer

Mr David Levy

63

b

Tree Wardens

Mrs Marilyn Campbell, Mrs Lindsay Hargreaves and Mrs Karen Seymour.

64

c

Youth

Cllr Ribbons

10

65

ANY OTHER BUSINESS OF AN URGENT NATURE

None.

11

66

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 24 APRIL 2008

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Archer, seconded by Cllr Miller and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2008 be signed as a true record.

12

67

MATTERS ARISING

No matters were raised.

15

PLANNING

a

Applications

68

ii

MC2008/0808: Mockbeggar Farm, Town Road, Cliffe Woods: Change of use of building from agriculture to B8 use and buildings B-G from agriculture to B1 business use, minor alterations to buildings and associated parking

The Chairman suspended the meeting to enable Mr Simpkin to speak.

Mr Simpkin gave the applicant’s apologies and said he was substituting for him. He explained the economics of the buildings within the farm and the thoughts behind the application. Entrance to the buildings would be separate from the entrance to the site used by working farm vehicles. He outlined the requirements for a contamination survey by the planning authority and said a bat and owl survey would also be carried out. An outline travel plan would also be submitted. He responded to councillors’ questions on the various points.

The Chairman thanked Mr Simpkin and re-convened the meeting.

13

FOOTPATHS

69

a

Representative’s Report

The Chairman suspended the meeting to enable Mr Levy to speak.

Mr Levy had almost completed clearing FP118 and 129, but the weather had been

a problem. He had met Highways Inspector Jane Ovenell, who would deal with the broken stile on FP118 and who would get the path from Wainscott School to Frog Island cleared. When the weather improved he would attend to the path at Four Elms Hill.

The Chairman thanked Mr Levy and reconvened the meeting.

Cllr Miller said that the path along Hoo Road had been removed by Crest Nicholson.

14

UPNOR

70

a

Upnor Residents Association

Cllr Moore said that the AGM had been held on 29 April and there were new officers. The Chairman was Derek Evans and the Secretary was Debbie Charleston. They would be holding a cricket match and quiz night.

71

b

Lower Upnor Riverside Project

The Clerk reported the planning application fee would be £680. This was proposed by Cllr Mrs Etheridge, seconded by Cllr Ribbons and agreed (cheque 101136). If a wildlife report was required, this could be obtained from Kent Wildlife Trust for £200. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Etheridge, seconded by Cllr Moore and agreed the Clerk be delegated to commission a report for this sum, if required. 

72

c

Car Park, Lower Upnor

Cllr Moore reported on a meeting called by the Arethusa Venture Centre. It had also been attended by Colin Dack and Phil Moore of Medway Council. The Arethusa Venture Centre had replaced the padlock on the gate and left it open if a car was still there when they wanted to lock up. There was an issue with lights shining into the high level bedroom windows of the Centre. The lights were on sensors and it was suggested they be replaced by lights on timers as part of the Riverside Project. This might help deter people leaving cars in the car park after dark.

2

73

CHAIRMAN’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

Cllr Coomber signed his declaration of acceptance of office.

6

CODE OF CONDUCT

74

b

Standards Committee

The Chairman reported that the Standards Committee was going through changes. Complaints were now dealt with locally and committee members would receive training. The Monitoring Officer might meet parish councillors.

15

PLANNING

a

Applications

75

i

MC2008/0801: 35 Jarrett Avenue, Wainscott: Conversion of loft to form bedroom with en-suite and associated works

No objection.

76

ii

MC2008/0808: Mockbeggar Farm, Town Road, Cliffe Woods: Change of use of building from agriculture to B8 use and buildings B-G from agriculture to B1 business use, minor alterations to buildings and associated parking

No objection.

77

b

Decisions

The decisions as listed on Appendix A were noted.

c

Appeals and Other Matters

78

i

Manor Farm

Nothing to report.

79

d

Licensing Applications

None.

80

e

Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting Held on 8 May 2008

Noted.

16

FINANCE

81

a

Bank Balances

The bank balances as listed on appendix B were noted.

82

b

Cheques Signed Since the Last Meeting

None

83

c

Accounts for Payment

It was proposed by Cllr Miller, seconded by Cllr Moore and agreed the accounts for payment (cheques 101133 – 101134) as listed in Appendix B be approved, with the addition of £209, Clive Stanley (cheque 101135).

84

d

Internal Audit

Mr Askham had carried out the internal audit and had no concerns.

85

e

Account 2007/8

It was proposed by Cllr Coomber, seconded by Cllr Etheridge, and agreed the accounts for the year to 31 March 2008 be adopted and signed by the Chairman

and Responsible Financial Officer.

86

f

Audit Annual Return 2006/7

It was proposed by Cllr Coomber, seconded by Cllr Etheridge, and agreed the Annual Return and Statement of Assurance be signed by the Chairman and Responsible Financial Officer/Clerk where indicated.

87

g

Chairman’s Allowance

It was proposed by Cllr Ribbons, seconded by Cllr Moore and agreed the Chairman’s allowance for the year be £200.

17

88

GRANT APPLICATIONS

None.

18

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

89

a

Stonehorse Lane

Judith Masey’s e-mail was discussed. It would be brought to the attention of Medway Council.

RB

90

b

Hoo Road

A discussion took place about the parking on Hoo Road and traffic difficulties with deliveries to the Crest Nicholson development site.

19

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL’S LAND AND PROPERTY

91

a

Recreation Ground

Park Leisure had started the repaint of the fence and equipment.

92

b

Woodland

The Clerk reported that the tree at the rear of 34 Brissenden Close was not in the SSSI and she had instructed the tree surgeon to deal with it on the original terms as soon as there were no birds nesting.

93

c

Allotments

The Clerk reported on a meeting with the allotment holders. Sarah Bright had been elected as their representative in liaising with the Parish Council. They had requested mowing of the grass paths, compost bins, taps at either end of the site and a simple bench. The Clerk would obtain quotations.

RB

20

94

LIGHTING

Nothing to report.

21

95

YOUTH

Cllr Ribbons and Cllr Etheridge reported on their investigations about containers that could be adapted for use as a youth shelter. Cllr Ribbons said there was a drainage problem. The Clerk was asked to investigate the need for planning

RB

permission for a converted container, rather than a purpose built youth shelter. Cllr Archer said he was against the idea.

22

RURAL LIAISON COMMITTEE

96

a

Representative’s Report

The Chairman reported on the meeting held on 27 May. Cllr Hicks had been re-elected Chairman and he had been re-elected Vice-chairman. Presentations had been given by Roy Smith on the Youth Service, Mark Johnson on the Local Transport Plan and Brian McCutcheon on Kingsnorth, Thamesport, the BP windfarm and other strategic matters. He had refuted a press report that Kingsnorth was the site of a proposed nuclear power station by saying the LPG terminal at Grain would make it too dangerous. The Chairman and Cllr Marsh of Allhallows Parish Council had been re-elected to serve as parish representatives on the Standards Committee, together with Cllr Buckwell of St James Isle of Grain Parish Council if the Standards Committee agreed to a third representative. Inspector Robin Wharfe had stated that the Police Liaison Committee would be reinstated.

97

98

99

100

101

b

Projects

i    Wainscott Village sign. On-going

ii   Cooling Road/Brompton Farm Road corner. No further progress.

iii  Spring bulbs. On-going.

iv  Play equipment. On order.

v   Playpark repaint. Commenced.

23

KALC/MAC 

102

a

Representatives’ Report

No meeting.

24

HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

103

a

Representative’s Report

In Cllr Mrs Coomber’s absence, Cllr Archer reported the lights had been renewed.

104

b

Hall Improvements/Extension

The Clerk reported Peter Bown was still investigating the balance of £5,000 from the S106 money.

25

POLICE MATTERS

105

a

Police Liaison Committee representative’s report

Cllr Miller had nothing to add to the Chairman’s report on the Rural Liaison Committee meeting.

106

b

Neighbourhood Watch

Cllr Miller reported the NHW Conference would be held on 17 June. John Haddaway had warned of theft of number plates and advised the use of anti-tamper screws. The outlet for garden shed crime was boot fairs. Trading Standards were warning people to be aware of bogus callers. Cllr Mrs Etheridge suggested that Cllr

RB

Miller be nominated for the Safer Kent Awards.

107

c

Speed Watch

The Clerk has spoken to Inspector Robin Wharfe, who had agreed the impetus had been lost and said he would speak to WPC Ann Jeffries.

26

108

WEBSITE

Nothing to report.

27

CONSULTATION

109

a

Southern Water – Draft Water Resources Management Plan

The Chairman would read the document.

DC

28

CORRESPONDENCE

110

a

Camp for Climate Change

Philip Jones of E-on had offered to speak to the Parish Council about the proposed camp for climate change at Kingsnorth in August. He would be attending the July meeting of High Halstow Parish Council and it was suggested members attend that meeting if they were interested.

29

111

REPORTS AND CIRCULARS

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

30

112

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

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

31

113

CLERK’S FEE

It was agreed the fee charged by the Clerk would be increased to £12.75 per hour with immediate effect. Car mileage would remain at 40p per mile.