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Minutes of the Meeting held on 20th December 2005
at the Belle Friday Centre from 7.30 pm
Present:
Councillors: English, (Chairman), Baxter, (Vice Chairman), Barrett, Champion, Bowling, Dawes, Darling, Jones and Disney.
Julia Kitt (Clerk)
1 Apologies
Apologies were received from Ward Councillors Barnicott and Butt together with K.C.C. Cllr Bowles who had prior meetings
2 Public Speaking
There were no members of the public wishing to address the Council.
3 Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest
4 Minutes of the last meeting
Proposed Cllr Disney, seconded Cllr Baxter and agreed that the minutes of the last meeting be confirmed as a true record.
5 Matters arising
The clerk confirmed the allotment tenants had been notified their tenancy would cease at the end of March 2006. It was agreed the clerk would check the terms of the allotment lease , then write to Mr Fox of our decision to end our agreement.
The clerk was asked to follow up the following items ;
- The clearance of the footway, Bogle corner to the School.
- Mr. Bessant for a response on the legality of the Design Statement.
6 Parish Plan
A draft Plan , that has been seen by all members of the Steering Committee, was circulated by Cllr Disney. Comments from Councillors were requested by 10th. January 2006.
Cllr Disney suggested that the way forward was for him to act as co-ordinator to act upon the recommendations. Members of the Steering Committee have already volunteered to take part in forming working groups and all Councillors are invited to participate. Cllr’s. English, Baxter, Bowling, Champion, Darling and Dawes agreed to assist.
Cllr. Disney will call a meeting of interested parties to discuss the formation of working groups that will take forward the prioritised actions contained in the overall Plan.
Cllr. Disney agreed to produce a final draft of the Plan by the end of January 2006 and investigate means of having the Plan published at a reasonable cost.
7 Joint Meeting with Teynham Parish Council
The meeting would take place at Teynham Village Hall on Tuesday 31st January 2006 from 7.30PM., the agenda to be circulated.
8 Tour of Parish, Ponds and Woods, with Virginia Hodge
As a result of an approach from The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV ) Cllr’s Baxter, Disney and English had met with their Officer, Virginia Hodge and carried out an informal tour of the parish. ( see Cllr Baxter’s report attached PndLKPC. 051 ).
Following this tour Cllr Disney agreed to contact the owners of the Pond at The Vallance with a view to having the pond surveyed professionally ( using a grant organised by LKPC. ).
9 Affordable Housing
Alaine Bunce, Housing Officer at S.B.C. had written to Millwood Homes confirming the Housing Association that would be used at St Pauls Court. E.R.H.A., the chosen Housing Association is currently discussing how the houses will be passed over to them.
Graham Thomas, Planning Officer at S.B.C. had written to E.R.H.A. commenting on the site chosen, the possible plans and other related issues.
According to the results of the Parish Plan the best estimate of demand is four rented units, this is in addition to the three at St Pauls Court.
Swale Borough Council are understood to be continuing their survey of possible “exceptions” sites for affordable housing in both Lynsted/Kingsdown and Teynham parishes. Any site serving Lynsted/Kingsdown would need to be on London Road or Lynsted lane, for access-to-services reasons. A joint site, serving the affordable housing needs of both Lynsted/Kingsdown and Teynham parishes is a possibility.
The Parish Council resolved to keep in close contact with developments in this important matter.
9 Review of Standing Orders
The revised document had been circulated previously.
Cllr. Barrett took the opportunity to point out the important changes, in particular the requirement for a quorum at meetings and the minimum attendance required at Parish Council and committee meetings for all councillors.
It was agreed that, by accepting these standing orders, councillors were agreeing to these requirements.
There were a couple of further changes, which were incorporated into the document.
These revised Standing Orders were adopted by the Council, proposed by Cllr. Disney and seconded by Cllr. Jones.
11 Terms of Insurance
Following recent questions from members the clerk confirmed details of the Council’s insurance cover, this is ;
Public Liability insurance of up to £5M.
This will cover events that the Parish Council convenes and to which at least one Parish Councillor attends. A disclaimer for all events held which are not Parish Council led is required, Cllr Bowling agreed to obtain the wording for this
12 Village of the Year
An advert in the Local newsletter for help in attaining ‘Village of the Year’ has had no response. It was agreed that this would be reviewed next year, as there was a considerable workload currently with the Parish Plan.
13 Finance
The precept for the year 2006/7 was agreed, a report is attached.
The Precept for £7,334 was agreed. Proposed by Cllr Barrett and seconded by Cllr Bowling. The following cheques were agreed for payment
The following cheques were proposed for payment, by Cllrs Disney and Darling and agreed
- ‘539£25.00C.P.R.E. subscription
- ‘540£17.59Lynsted Society, website hosting costs for the Parish Council
- ‘541 £23.20Parish Plan photocopying
14 Planning
The Planning schedule is attached
K.C.C. has agreed to finance the bus lay - by at the School. A planning application should be with the Council shortly.
15 Reports
KAPC Representatives Cllr Bowling and Cllr Darling were unable to attend the December meeting due to illness. Therefore no report was available.
Playing Fields See attached report
Lighting Cllr. Champion reported that all lights within the parish were in working order as at 20th. December 2005. A considerable increase in energy charges was noted.
Footpaths Nothing to report
Tree Warden Following the felling of a tree in the Conservation Area of Cellar Hill, Cllr. Baxter reported he had issued a warning notice about the felling of trees in the latest edition of the Newsletter..
Transport and Highways Nothing to report
Police Liaison No incidents to report in Lynsted.
Standards Committee Cllr Barrett reported the terms of reference for all committees would be available at the next Parish Council meeting.
The Standards Committee was in the process of putting together an application pack for members of the Parish applying to be Parish Councillor. This would include an application form, a job specification and a job description.
It had been decided that an interview for appointing new councillors was inappropriate. A means of rating candidates, based on the application form would be discussed at the next meeting . The procedure for applying to become a parish councillor was agreed by the Council. Once the application pack was complete, the Standards Committee would distribute copies to all councillors.
Committee membership, Duties of the Clerk and a Welcome Pack for Councillors would be on the agenda for future meetings of the Standards Committee.
Properties and allotments The Salt bin required filling the clerk to arrange.
Orchard Committee See attached report [submitted at meeting]
Website There was little response to a question put on the website for a newsletter to be automatically emailed
The time was 10PM, Cllrs Darling and Champion proposed that the meeting should continue, this was agreed.
16 Clerk’s Correspondence
- The R.S.P.C.A. said they would be looking into the welfare of the horses on Cambridge Lane, following a letter from a concerned resident.
- KCC Councillor Bowles had suggested a monthly meeting with all Chairmen/Clerks to discuss any important matters. This is due to many meetings clashing and he is unable to get to them all. The clerk to contact Cllr Bowles agreeing to his suggestion.
- K.A.P.C. News
- Swale Matters,
17 Any Other Business.
The Chairman reported he had been in discussion with the Head Teacher of Lynsted and Norton School regarding school security.
The Head Teacher wished to make it clear to members of the Parish Council that in no circumstances can the School disclose personal details about the staff or it’s pupils.
It was noted that Teynham Parish Council were holding a Public Meeting on 4th. January 2006 to which this Council had been invited to send a representative/s. This meeting was to discuss Omission Sites of the draft Local Plan.
Although we had already responded to Swale Borough Council regarding these sites within our parish the Chairman indicated he would attend this meeting along with members of the planning committee.
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.05 pm.
It was agreed the next meeting will be held on the 7th February at the Community Room Lynsted from 7.30PM
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