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At the Belle Friday Centre, London Road Lynsted
Present:
- Councillors: English, Bowling, Barrett, Baxter, Champion, Jones
- In attendance: KCC Cllr Bowles, Ward Councillor Barnicott, Liz Attwood (Clerk)
1 Apologies
Apologies were received from the following who were unable to attend:
- Cllr Disney, due to attendance at Teynham PC meeting
- Cllr Darling, due to work commitments
- Cllr Dawes, due to difficulty attending during school holiday times.
2 Public Speaking
There were no members of the public present.
3 Declarations of Interest
The Chairman asked if any Councillors wished to declare an interest in any items on the Agenda.
Cllr Baxter advised that he wished to declare an interest under 12.6.1 on the Agenda due to the proximity of the abandoned vehicle to his home. No other Councillors wished to make a declaration.
4 Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 28th February 2007
The following alterations were requested to the minutes:
- Item 7 –“incorporated” to be replaced with “ considered for incorporation”
- Item 8 – “ Bill Roland “ to be replaced with “Bill Ronan”
- Item 13.4 – last line should read “Cllr Dawes reported that the kissing gates had been installed at both ends of ZR263.
Subject to these amendments, it was agreed that the minutes could be endorsed by the Chairman. This was proposed by Cllr Baxter and seconded by Cllr Bowling.
5 Matters Arising from the Previous Meeting held on 28th February 2007
There were no matters arising which were not covered by an Agenda item
6 Affordable Housing
Cllr Disney was not present and there was nothing to report
7 Local Plan Review – Cllr Baxter
Nothing to report.
8 Parish Plan – Cllr Disney
Update on Funding for Improvements to Greenstreet
Cllr Disney has prepared a written report which had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. It was noted that the current proposal was for Lynsted to lead the initiative, (rather than have a joint Committee as previously proposed) including requesting funding; Teynham PC to be involved and to nominate two observers. This was proposed by Cllr Baxter and seconded by Cllr Bowling.
Cllr Champion advised that he was not in agreement with this proposal until such time as either Teynham were fully involved in a joint Committee as per the playing fields, or the work was confined to the south side of the A2. The proposal did have majority support. It was noted that following Cllr Disney’s attendance at the Teynham PC meeting on the same night, that Teynham PC’s views on this issue would be clearer.
Since the paper had been prepared, Bill Ronan of KCC had confirmed agreement to funding totalling £2,000 which would be put into PC’s main bank account, pending opening of a separate bank account for the project. It was agreed that the bank account would be set up initially with three co-signatories – Cllrs Disney, English and Baxter; this was proposed by Cllr Barrett and seconded by Cllr Bowling. It was noted that the outstanding funding was still being sought by Cllr Disney.
Environmental Working Group
Litter – Teynham Parochial Primary school had carried out a successful litter pick in and around the school grounds on March 7th. Cllrs Butt, Sharman and Baxter judged the subsequent litter poster competition which was won by Jessica Jenner, age 9, who was presented with a book token prize. Photographs and press coverage were arranged by KCC’s Clean Kent campaign, who also provided equipment. Lynsted with Norton School’s litter pick has yet to be arranged, although a poster completion has been held which has yet to be judged.
9 Phase 2 Footpath
Cllr Disney had received an e-mail from Cllr Ferrin which stated that the second phase would require private land acquisition and that a retaining wall to be constructed and that the cost of the work would be “quite significant and frightening to the Parish Council.” It was noted that this was contrary to what the Parish Council had been previously advised at a meeting between Mr Haratbar and Cllrs Baxter and English. The Parish Council had always been led to believe that Phase 2 would be more straightforward and thus less costly than the original section.
Cllr Barnicott advised that he was still attempting to get this as an Agenda item for the Swale Joint Transportation Board.
Cllr Bowles requested that he receive a copy of recent correspondence received from Kent Highways and suggested that we wait until after the May election and then request a site meeting.
10 Finance
Payments to be Agreed
It was agreed that the following payments should be made:
- Cheque 594 - KAPC subscription for £326.05
Draft end of year accounts presented at meeting. Accounts not yet completed as Clerk unable to get bank statements until bank receives authorisation letter with two authorised signatories. As a result figures, though indicative of the financial situation, were not final.
The following items were highlighted on the draft as presented:
- The Income and Expenditure Account showed that income had decreased slightly and expenditure had increased so that the deficit for 2006/7 was likely to be greater than that for 2005/6.
- The most significant change was increase in Clerks’ salary and expenses of £1,500 from previous year.
- Cllr Jones requested that “Project Costs” item be renamed as “Orchard Project costs”
- Donations made by the Parish Council had decreased significantly from previous year from £475 to £190 due to no donation being made to Lynsted with Norton newsletter.
- It was agreed that donation of £250 should be made for 2005/6 financial year.
- It was confirmed that donation to Victim support during 2004/05 was one-off.
- Figure for asset value to be obtained from 2007-8 budget work.
Clerk advised that Julia Kitt had verbally confirmed willingness to undertake internal audit, though timescales and cost had not yet been confirmed.
2007/8 Subsidiarity Allocation
It was noted that Subsidiarity figure for 2007/8 had not been advised to Parish Council. Clr Bowles advised that SBC budget allocation for this item was broadly the same as last year so it was likely that Subsidiarity would be of same order, i.e. in region of £3.500.
As agreed at a previous meeting when Subsidiarity was advised, availability would be advised in the parish newsletter and applications for founding encouraged. An application for funding had already been received from Lynsted PCC for a contribution of £647 towards construction of a path to the north doorway of the church. It was noted that two estimates of cost were required.
Clerk had confirmed with Laurence Young that situation with Subsidiarity for previous years was as indicated in the previous minutes and thus that £1,000 which was currently allocated to Parish Plan was still available. Lawrence Young had indicated that allocation was flexible and could be changed. In response to a query from Cllr Jones, it was confirmed that subsidiarity was not shown in year end accounts.
11 Planning
Summary of the Planning Meeting of the 19th March 2007
The following planning application had been received.
- SW/07/07177 Access road to Kingsdown Farm, Kingsdown - The Planning Committee had not objected to this application.
Summary of the Planning Meeting of the 26th March 2007
The following planning applications had been received.
- SW/07/0287 Conversion of public house into 4 flats, London Road (Teynham PC) - The Planning Committee had not objected to this application, subject to the following:
- Materials used to match the existing building and are in keeping with neighbouring buildings.
- the roof lights are of the “conservation” type, rather than velux, and flush with the roofline
- The Victorian post box in the south eastern elevation - a distinctive feature in the street scene – is retained.
- SW/07/0298 Approval of Reserved matters – Amethyst Nurseries
This application was effectively a replacement of a previous application SW/06/1289 which had been withdrawn, though smaller in scale. The is had been confirmed by the SBC Case Officer. The Planning Committee had not objected to this application but made the same comments as per previous application that the building was to be for horticultural use and not set precedent for sensitive edges and development into the Lyn Valley.
- SW/07/0254 Garage Conversion to Form 4x bedroom + 1 bathroom facility. The George public House, London Road
The Planning Committee had not objected to this application but was concerned that no provision was being made for additional parking.
The following SBC planning decisions had been received.
- SW/07/0053 Notification of Grant of Permission to Develop Land at no.9, The Vallance,
The following planning correspondence had been received
- SW/07/0160 Notification of SBC Planning Committee Meeting (Redevelopment of site at no. 67 London Road, Teynham into 4 apartments)
Letter from SBC Enforcement Officer, Peter Hinckesman clarifying SBCX position as to why enforcement action not proposed at Four Acres, Toll House end no. 4 St Peter’s place.
Matters Arising From Planning Meetings
There were no matters arising from the Planning meetings.
Report on KAPC Planning Course – Cllr Baxter
Cllr Baxter had attended this course and a written report had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. The main message from the course was that the County Council was steadily handing over strategic planning to the SE regional authority. As part of this, there was a danger that protection of countryside by designations (AONB, Green Belts etc) may be slackened, as traditional and historic boundaries were being lost. Speakers' notes would be circulated to Councillors.
Cllr English recorded a vote of thanks to Cllr Baxter for attending the course and producing the report.
12 Reports
- Kent Association of Parish Councils (KAPC) – Clr Bowling
No report received. Cllr Bowling had been unable to attend the previous KAPC meeting and it was not clear whether Cllr Dawes had been able to attend.
- Playing Fields – Cllr Champion
The landscape services contractor had commenced work on site to cut trees – work due to finish by 13th April. Fencing contractor to commence on site on 17th April.
- Lighting – Cllr Champion
Cllr Champion advised that all existing lighting was currently operational. The Clerk confirmed that a credit note had been received from edf against the original edf invoice for work at the Vallence.
Request for Additional Street Lighting Tickham Lane
A request from a resident had been received via KCC for additional street lighting. This had been considered by Cllr Champion. Cllr Baxter proposed that although the council was sympathetic to the resident’s circumstances, additional street lighting was not appropriate as it would cause light pollution and could create a precedent for illumination in the countryside. Clerk to write to resident to this effect.
- Footpaths - No report received.
- Tree Warden – Cllr Baxter - Nothing to report.
- Transport & Highways – Clerk
No response had been received since Clerk had filled in county lengthsmen form for following:
- Flooding outside Jeffries, Claxfield Lane
- Flooding outside Kumara, Kingsdown Road
The clerk advised that the KCC liaison Officer, Hayley Bass had offered to attend with engineer to discuss the county lengtshman scheme. It was agreed than this should be arranged for a meeting post the elections. This was proposed by Cllr Champion, seconded by Cllr Baxter and unanimously agreed.
Alleged Abandoned Vehicle at Cellar Hill
The Council had been approached by a resident in Cellar Hill to complain about a vehicle opposite no.13. The vehicle, registration N320 AKN had been parked in the same position adjacent to the highway for more than a year and was in a poor state of repair. It was unanimously agreed that Clerk should report matter to SBC.
- Police liaison – Clerk - Nothing to report.
- Standards Committee - Nothing to report.
It was noted that after the election the Standards Committee would need meet to consider a number of items. These included review of standing orders to look at quorum, items from KAPC Progressive Council Course and Clerk’s hours of working.
- Properties Committee – Cllr Champion
Cllr Champion had prepared a written report detailing properties inspection. It was agreed that Cllr Champion should get an estimate from J&Y systems for all the items listed in the report as requiring attention. Clerk to use county lengtshman form to report need for footpath clearance beside Lynsted Lane seat. Cllr English recorded a vote of thanks to Cllr Champion for the all work he had carried out on this item.
- Orchard Committee – Cllr Baxter
- Cllr Baxter advised that Blossom Day was arranged for Sunday 29th April, 12-3pm, posters to placed in notice boards. Noted that help was need on a number of fronts. Orchard website has been updated to include feature film clips from a 2006 event.
- There will be a Bat Identification walk on Tuesday 22nd May at 8pm, starting at Lynsted Church.
- The Orchard would soon be benefiting from publicity from a number of sources:
• An article by Robert Bullard on the Project is due to appear in the Daily Telegraph in late April
• The Orchard would appear in the July entry of the Rover Cottage Dairy for 2008.
• Photographs of the Orchard in Bloom will be taken by Michael Paul for “Delicious” magazine.
Cllr English recorded a vote of thanks to Cllr Baxter for the all work done in connection with the Orchard Project.
- Website – Cllr Barrett
An updated report on the Parish website was received. Report still very encouraging. A Google search facility had now been provided to aid navigation.
13 Clerk’s Correspondence
The following correspondence was received and sent round for distribution :
- CPRE
a.Countryside Voice spring 2007
b.House & Gardens 2007, discounted entry for CPRE members
c.Fieldwork – March issue of CPRTE magazine
d.E-mail dated 7th March, various issues
- KAPC
a.Membership Information Pack for 2007/8 year, plus renewal of annual subscription
b.Minutes of Swale Area Committee held on 5th March 2007
c.Parish News March 2007
d.Notice of Clerk’s information Day 16th May 2007
- ACRK : no correspondence
- SBC
a.Funding Advice leaflet, February 2007
b.Nomination Packs for Forthcoming Elections – sent out as required, not circulated
- Kent Highways
- Southern Water Winter 2007 update
- Letter from Land Registry to register land, Option B ticked
- Publicity Leaflet on Tour De France
- Clerks and Councils direct March 2007 Issue
- KCC letter from Heritage Conservation Team offering to give presentation on Sites & Monuments Record and work of Heritage Conservation Group
- Letter from Department of Constitutional Affairs re Memorial safety – advise not applicable
- South East of England Regional Assembly Regional Housing Strategy Questionnaire – Cllr Disney to respond, , not circulated
- South East of England Regional Assembly Draft Project Plan for consultation for revised apportionment of primary land-won aggregates – Parish Council has declined to respond, not circulated
- Notice of Public Information Day for East Kent Hospitals, Saturday 21st April
- NALC
a. Leaflets in support of the election
- Minutes of Teynham Parish Council, November, December and January meetings
14. Chairman’s End of Term Report
Cllr English gave an end of term report. The over riding priority of the term had been the provision of the missing footway link in Lynsted Lane, although phase 1 had been achieved, which represented a considerable improvement in itself; it was a disappointment that phase 2 was still outstanding.
The many successes during the term included the formation of the Orchard Group, the publication of the Parish Plan and the commissioning of a Design study for Greenstreet, funding for which is now being sought.
Other noteworthy items included the increasing amount of new legislation which has increased the burden on Parish Council and required considerable efforts by the Standards Committee in evaluation to ensure understanding and compliance by the Parish Council.
One of the negatives was the complaint received regarding the running of the Parish Council. Although KAPC ruled that no one member had a case to answer, dealing with the complaint had required a considerable amount of time and effort, which could have been spent benefiting the community.
Cllr English declared his sadness at coming to the end of his Chairmanship and wished those seeking re-election every success in the future.
15 Local Election Update
Cllr English confirmed that by now all candidates should have received their nomination papers. As there were 10 candidates for 9 positions an election would be held, the last time this had happened had been 15 years ago.
Cllr Jones confirmed that she would not be seeking re-election. Cllr Baxter thanked Cllr Jones for all her work over the last 10 years she had served as Councillor.
16 Any Other Business
The next meeting would be held after the elections and would most likely be arranged for Tuesday 15th May at the Belle Friday at 7.30 pm. Cllr Bowles offered apologies for himself, Cllr Barnicott and Cllr Disney as the proposed date for the meeting coincided with SBC’s “Mayor Making” event.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.10 pm.
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