PRESENT:

Cllr David Coomber

Chairman

Cllr Ken Bamber -- from item 22

Cllr Gordon Bird

Cllr Mrs Nancy Bird

Cllr Mrs Pam Coomber

Cllr Peter Hicks -- from item 10

Cllr David Miller

Cllr Geoff Moore

Mrs Roxana Brammer

Clerk

In attendance

Mrs Rita Bishop

Upnor Society

Cllr Bird proposed that Cllr Coomber be Chairman for the year. This was seconded by Cllr Moore and there being no other nominations, Cllr Coomber was duly elected.

51

Cllr Coomber signed his declaration of acceptance of office.

52

It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr Mrs Coomber that Cllr Bird be Vice Chairman for the year. There being no other nominations, Cllr Bird was duly elected.

53

Cllr Bird signed his declaration of acceptance of office.

54

Apologies for absence that were accepted by the Council were received from Cllrs Etheridge, Mrs Etheridge, Mrs Hoskin and Mason. Apologies for late arrival were received from Cllrs Bamber and Hicks. An apology for absence was also received from Mr Levy, Footpaths Officer.

55

None.

56

The Chairman said he wished to give a report before item 32.

8

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES

57

a

It was agreed members of the Planning Committee should be

Cllr David Miller

58

b

The Chairman } ex officio

Cllr Tom Mason

9

APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

59

a

The Chairman.

60

b

Cllrs Gary Etheridge and Geoff Moore.

61

c

Cllr David Miller

62

d

Cllr Mrs Pam Coomber

63

e

Ms Georgina Revell

64

f

Cllr Peter Hicks.

10

APPOINTMENTS TO OTHER POSTS

65

a

Mr David Levy

66

b

This post was vacant. The Clerk was asked to approach Mrs Marilyn Campbell of Lower Upnor.

RB

67

The Chairman said there would be no Chairman’s Allowance during the year.

68

It was proposed by Cllr Bird, seconded by Cllr Miller and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 April 2004 be signed as a true record.

13

MATTERS ARISING

69

a

Catherine Smith had not been able to use her influence to alter the decision and it was agreed that nothing more could be done.

14

FOOTPATHS

70

a

In Mr Levy’s absence, the Clerk gave his report. He apologised for not having attended the last meeting, he had been in hospital. Since he was discharged he had not been allowed to do anything, but expected to be able to continue in the near future. He had begun strimming before he was admitted to hospital and Mrs Williams had been carrying on in his absence. Both sides of the A289 had been done. He was aware the path at Four Elms Hill needed clearing by the steps and would do that as soon as he could.

22

UPNOR

71

a

The Chairman suspended the meeting to enable Mrs Bishop to speak. Her report is annexed to these minutes.

After discussion, it was agreed the Upnor Society could prune the large bush on the green at Lower Upnor. Other issues raised by Mrs Bishop’s report would be passed on to Medway Council where appropriate. The Clerk reported that he Upnor sign was nearly ready and it was agreed the unveiling of this could be part of the celebrations for the 800^th anniversary of the London Stone.

72

b

Cllr Moore reported on a meeting with Groundwork, who would put forward a timetable and proposals.

15

PLANNING

a

Applications

73

i

74

ii

No objection.

75

iii

The Clerk with advice from Cllr Moore was delegated authority to make a recommendation based on a comparison with the original drawings.

GM RB

76

iv

No objection.

77

v

No objection.

b

78

c

Appeals and Other Matters

79

The appeal decision as listed on Appendix A was noted.

80

d

Noted.

81

e

The Chairman had not finished evaluating the Strategy and would report to the next meeting.

DC

16

FINANCE

82

a

The bank balances as listed on appendix B were noted.

83

b

None.

84

The accounts for payment (cheques 100831 - 101832) as listed in Appendix B were approved.

85

d

None.

86

e

The Clerk would be attending the next training day for AQA qualification on 11 June.

17

GRANT APPLICATIONS

87

a

In Cllr Mrs Etheridge’s absence, the item was deferred.

18

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL’S LAND AND PROPERTY

89

a

b

RB

19

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

92

a

No response had been received to the letter to John Edwards.

93

b

The Chairman had heard nothing to report.

94

c

The Clerk had asked Doug Coleman for confirmation about the ownership of the boundary hedge and whether planning permissions would be required for the gates.

95

The Chairman reported the letter had been circulated to most of the parish, except for 70 outlying properties. The letter had elicited two negative responses – the letter from Andy Doran and from Mr Shackleton of Wainscott Walk. The Chairman would respond. Positive responses had been received from Mr Williams of Jarrett Avenue and a lady in Brompton Farm Road.

96

Nothing further to report.

23

RURAL LIAISON COMMITTEE

97

a

The next meeting would be held on 16 June.

b

24

KAPC/MAC

100

a

The next meeting was on 16 June.

101

Cllr Mrs Coomber reported that the alterations to the windows would start the following week. She had been contacted by Robert Jeal who was starting up a new junior football team. Permission for use of the pitch had been given some time ago. He proposed to hold 3 matches each Saturday and wanted to use the hall’s kitchen facilities and to make more use of the hall.

26

102

a

The next meeting was on 20 July. Cllr Miller commented on the official minutes of the meeting held on 20 April, which did not agree with what he said.

b

Cllr Miller said only one crime had been reported since the last meeting, a burglary in Miller Way. A talk on drugs had clashed with the last Liaison meeting and had been rearranged. A new watch for Hollywood Lane was being organised. Cllr Miller had received a telephone call from Mr Williams of Jarrett Avenue who had volunteered to help with distribution of the newsletter.

104

The slides of Rodney Williamson’s presentation had been copied to all councillors.

105

Nothing to report.

29

CONSULTATION

106

a

No one was available to attend the meeting on 7 June. Cllr Bird would respond to the document.

GB

30

CORRESPONDENCE

106

a

The letter from Catherine Smith was noted.

107

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

108

The Chairman said that the report stated that the Medway constituency would be renamed Rochester and Strood. The Medway Council Chatham Central ward would transfer to the Chatham and Aylesford constituency and the Rochester South and Horsted ward would transfer to Rochester and Strood.

109

110

The Clerk withdrew for this item.