FRINDSBURY EXTRA PARISH COUNCIL

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Item
Minute number     

1
197 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from:

Cllr Ken Bamber, on holiday

Cllr Gary Etheridge, at work

Cllr Tom Mason, Medway Council meeting

Cllr Geoff Moore, on holiday

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

An apology for late arrival was received from Cllr Mrs Etheridge.

2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND ALTERATIONS TO THE REGISTER

246

Cllr Miller declared a personal interest in item 10a, grant to Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, as a member of the Royal British Legion.

3
247 ANY OTHER BUSINESS OF AN URGENT NATURE

The Chairman wished to discuss a date for the December meeting.

4
248 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 22 SEPTEMBER 2005

It was proposed by Cllr Hicks, seconded by Cllr Mrs Coomber and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2005 be signed as a true record.

5 MATTERS ARISING
249 a C/09/05/3(199): “Mayor’s Year” Video Evening

It was confirmed Cllr Miller would show his video after the Planning Committee on 10 November. Apart from current parish councillors, former councillors would be invited, together with the Footpaths Officer. Cllrs Mrs Coomber and Mrs Hoskin would organise refreshments.

250 b C/09/05/21a(240): Medway Council Local Transport Plan

In Cllr Etheridge’s absence, there was no report

251 c C/09/05/21d(243): Kent and Medway Structure Plan

In Cllr Etheridge’s absence, there was no report

6 FOOTPATHS

252 a Representative’s Report

In Mr Levy’s absence, there was no report.

7 UPNOR
253 a Lower Upnor Car Park

The Chairman reported that the hedge had been cut back. The entrance to the Yacht club had been moved forward. The line of the public footpath needed to be established and the Clerk was asked to contact Vivienne Kent. It was unclear whether the fencing was temporary or permanent. Cllr Moore had given emergency keys to the two public houses.

254 b Upnor Society Report

The Chairman suspended the meeting to allow Mr Hunt to speak.

Mr Hunt said the Upnor Society wished to thank the Council for providing the new posts and chains. The rubbish bins were inadequate, it was felt there needed to be a bin by the steps on the footpath to Upper Upnor. The Society were wondering what was to happen to the hebe on the green at Lower Upnor. Patman’s Wharf was on the market. They had heard nothing from Taylor Woodrow about the “gateway” to the village by the church. There were split factions in Lower Upnor about traffic calming.

The Chairman thanked Mr Hunt and reconvened the meeting. He said that the Society had been asked to contribute to the removal of the hebe and had decided to leave it. It would be pruned in March. Cllr Hicks said that traffic calming had been investigated some time previously and said that Medway Council would carry out consultation.

255 c Environmental Enhancement Project

The documents had now been passed to the Chairman. Cllr Moore had indicated there was some land where the owners had not been identified.

8 PLANNING
a Applications

256 i MC2005/1961: 6 Grasmere Grove, Wainscott: Construction of 2 storey rear extension and a single detached garage to the rear

No objection.

257 ii MC2005/1610: 1 Brissenden Close, Lower Upnor: Installation of new French doors and Juliet balcony to first floor elevation

Cllrs Coomber, Mrs Coomber and Mrs Hoskin declared personal interests as they were acquainted with the applicant.

No objection.

258 iii MC2005/1950: Land at Royal Eagle Close, Medway City Estate: Car park

No objection

259 iv MC2005/1986: 24 Hollywood Lane, Wainscott: Outline application to demolish existing dwelling and replace with 3 apartment blocks

It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Bird and agreed unanimously that the Council objects most strongly to this application.

The existing dwelling is perfectly habitable and indeed has been significantly improved over the last few years.

2 of the 3 proposed apartment blocks are backland development.

Although the application is outline and there is no clear indication of how many apartments would be included, it can be assumed from the 21 parking spaces that there would be a minimum of 14 and possibly as many as 21. From the siting of the blocks and parking spaces as shown on the drawing, there would be very little communal open space. There would therefore be an over intensification of the use of the site and would appear "crammed" development.

The access onto Hollywood Lane would be opposite Holly Road. The Council makes reference to application MC2005/1651 for the construction of 12 dwellings on land currently occupied by 20 and 22 Hollywood Lane and its objections to that application.
Although not yet determined, were application MC2005/1651 to go ahead, there would be two access roads onto Hollywood Lane, very close to each other and opposite Holly Road. In addition, the comments about lack of parking space in practical terms for both residents and visitors apply equally to this application and the concerns over parking on Hollywood Lane itself are increased.

Apartment blocks are totally out of character with the area and would appear unrepresentative of the established street scene. The Council is of the opinion that to grant this application would set a precedent for more development of this sort not only in Hollywood Lane, but in other similar roads in the parish. Consequently the area might become dominated by apartment blocks giving a suburban feel and out of keeping with a rural area.

b Decisions

259 The decisions as listed on Appendix A were received.

260 c Appeals and Other Matters

None.

d Licensing Applications

261 i The King’s Arms, High Street, Upnor

No objection

262 ii Frindsbury Extra Memorial Hall

The Chairman declared a personal interest as the husband of the Secretary to the Hall Committee.

No objection.

263 e Minutes of the Planning Committee held on 13 October

Noted.

264 f Wainscott Development

The Chairman reported that he had learned from Brian McCutcheon that outline approval had been given.

9 FINANCE
265 a Bank Balances

The bank balances as listed on appendix B were noted.

266 b Cheques Signed Since the Last Meeting

The cheques signed since the last meeting as listed on Appendix B were ratified.

267 c Accounts for Payment

The accounts for payment (cheques 100920 – 100924) as listed in Appendix B were approved, with the addition of £470.94, Zurich Municipal (cheque 100925, replacement for cheque 100913 lost by payee); £52.99, KAPC (cheque 100926).

268 d Insurance for Youth Shelter

The premium was £45.34. It was decided to establish whose property the shelter was and who was responsible for its maintenance before proceeding. The Clerk said that in speaking to Zurich Municipal she had discovered the play equipment did not have all risks cover and she would add the items to the policy. An increase in premium was to be expected.

10  GRANT APPLICATIONS
269 a Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

Cllr Mrs Coomber proposed a donation of £50. This was seconded by Cllr Bird. The Chairman proposed an amendment to £100. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Etheridge. The amended motion was carried by 4 votes for, 2 against and 1 abstention. The grant to be made under LGA 1972 S 137 (cheque 101927). The wreath would be laid at 7.00 pm on Friday 11 November.

270 b St Dunstan’s

Cllr Mrs Hoskin proposed a grant of £50 be made to St Dunstan’s. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Coomber and agreed unanimously. Grant made under LGA 1972 S 137 (cheque 100928)

11 HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

271 a Traffic Scheme, Brompton Farm Road/Hollywood Lane

The Chairman had heard nothing more. Part of the Section 106 agreements for the Wainscott sites apparently include Brompton Farm Road and Hollywood Lane.

272 b Stonehorse Lane

In Cllr Bamber’s absence, there was no report.

273 c Wainscott School

It was agreed to send a copy of the school’s letter to Medway Council, expressing concern the school had had no response and requesting the parking wardens attend at school times.

274 d Cooling Road Corner

Following Stuart Hubert’s departure and reorganisation of portfolios, Kirit Patel was now responsible and the Clerk would contact him on his return from extended leave.

12 MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL’S LAND AND PROPERTY

a Recreation Ground and Hedges

275  i General Maintenance. A repair was needed to one of the swings. Park Leisure had been asked to quote for repainting the equipment. Under Health and Safety, specialist materials were now required.
The Chairman reported that he and Dick Dingwall would be meeting Roger Green of 4 Burnt House Close on 1 November.

276  ii Access. The gate had been installed but the fence was no longer available. Filmer Construction had been put in touch with Paul Schroeder who could help.

277 iii Brompton Farm Road Hedge. The Clerk would contact Kirit Patel in due course.

b Woodland, Lower Upnor

278  i Tree Warden. Lindsey Hargreaves had applied to be appointed a tree warden. This was agreed and the Clerk would contact BTCV.

279  ii Walnut and other trees. The Clerk reported on a verbal report by the arboriculturalist. No action would be taken until the written reports were received.

13 YOUTH

280 a Youth Club. 34 young people had attended the first evening. The Gospel Hall also has a youth evening on Fridays. Jenni Davis would be informed.

281 b Youth Shelter Light. The Clerk had spoken to Louise Warren, who would approach the MHS funding team.

14
282 LIGHTING

Cllr Miller said a light in Miller Way was on during the day and he had reported it.

15 RURAL LIAISON COMMITTEE
283 a Representative’s Report

No meeting.

b Projects

284  i Spring Bulbs. Cllr Mrs Etheridge was trying to contact the Youth Offenders Team to finalise a date.

285  ii “Welcome to the parish” signs. The Chairman would speak to Cllr Filmer.

16 KAPC/MAC
286 a Representative’s report

In Cllr Moore’s absence there was no report.

17
287 HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Cllr Mrs Coomber said there had been no meeting. There was a problem with the emergency exit at the back of the hall and an estimate for a new door was being obtained from Warmer Windows. The central heating and hot water to the kitchen were not working properly and were under investigation. Quotations were being sought to improve the stairs and this would probably be incorporated with the works for the extension. The Committee wished to thank the Council for supplying plans to the hall and the Chairman for help with the form for the licensing application.

18 POLICE MATTERS

288 a Police Liaison Committee representative’s report

Cllr Miller said the October meeting had been postponed. WPC Knight’s job was changing and she would no longer be the local beat officer. She would be thanked for her work in the parish.

289 b Neighbourhood Watch

Cllr Miller reported on a theft from a car in Cypress Court, Medway’s truancy policy and the theft of keys from houses for the purposes of driving away high value vehicles.

290 c Speed Watch

Speed Watch would be on the agenda for the next Rural Liaison meeting and Chris Buckwell was trying to arrange a demonstration in the Civic Centre car park.

19
291 WEB SITE

Nothing to report.

20
292 QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL

The Clerk reported on gaining the Certificate in Local Council Administration. She had arranged a meeting at KAPC to discuss the steps required towards gaining quality status. Parish Council members congratulated the Clerk on her achievement.

21
CONSULTATION

293 a Future of Kent Police

It was agreed to support Kent Police Authority’s view against mergers with other forces. The Chairman pointed out that Medway had 140 officers out of a total in the county of 3,630 and that less than one third were on duty at any one time.

294 b Local Development Framework

The Chairman reported on the consultation document. Chattenden would have 3,000 dwellings by 2021 and 2,000 after 2021. The first planning permission was not likely to be in place before 2009. He understood that Michael Parkes would like to attend a meeting to outline the proposals. MoD land east of Higham Road would have 184 dwellings and the RSME land at Upnor would have 100 dwellings by 2021. In Upnor a mixed development was proposed, with the residential part largely in Upper Upnor. Cllr Moore had previously advised the Chairman that the shop in Lower Upnor was likely to close due to lack of business. The Framework also proposed mixed-use developments on the site of the Civic Centre and the former Safeways store in Strood.

22 CORRESPONDENCE
295 a Medway Design Awards

Cllr Mrs Etheridge took the document.

23
296 REPORTS AND CIRCULARS

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

3 ANY OTHER BUSINESS OF AN URGENT NATURE
247 a December Meeting

Wednesday 14 or Thursday 15 December were suggested.


The Chairman closed the meeting at 10.35 pm

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