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At the Belle Friday Centre, Lynsted
Present:
Councillors: English, Baxter, Champion, Dawes, Disney, Jones
In attendance: Liz Attwood (Clerk)
This meeting was specially convened to allow timely consideration to be given to planning applications whilst there was no Planning Committee in place. The opportunity was also taken to discuss other pressing business.
1 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from the following who were unable to attend:
Cllr Darling, due to work commitments.
Cllr Bowling, for family reasons.
2 Recognition of Cllr English role as Chairman
Cllr Baxter proposed a vote of thanks for the huge contribution Cllr English had made to the Parish Council in the 31 years he had served to date, in particular the 11 years he had served as Chairman.
Cllr Disney also wished to record his acknowledgement of the contribution of Cllr Barrett to the Parish Council as he had not been present at the 15th May meeting.
3 Time Set Aside for Members of the Public to Address Council
Four members of the public were present in order to address the Council following the letter sent by Mr Tamsett, which is discussed below as an Agenda item.
Mr Tamsett addressed the Council. The land in question, off Cellar Hill, is owned by Mr Parsons who feels the land is now too much for him to manage and is considering a number of options - whether to sell the land, develop it or pass it on to his sons. Mr Tamsett expressed the view that the site is likely to be developed anyway but that Mr Parsons wished part of it to be allocated in some way to the benefit of the Community.
The letter written to the Parish Council had proposed affordable housing, but there were other possibilities. One suggestion would be to create an alterative access via the GPO to improve parking and traffic flow in the Cellar Hill area. Mr Tamsett said that Mr Parsons was looking for views from the Parish Council and so would be willing to consider anything the Parish Council would suggest.
4 Declarations of Interest
The Chairman asked if any Councillors wished to declare an interest in any items on the Agenda. No one wished to declare an interest.
Cllr Jones queried why none of the Councillors declared an interest under the Agenda item to discuss Mr Tamsett’s letter for Affordable homes, as three Councillors owned properties directly bordering the land in question. Cllr Jones further said that any members of the public present would be at a loss as to why this did not represent a conflict of interest.
Cllr Baxter, in response, stated that the letter and thus the Agenda item sought to ascertain whether there was a need for affordable housing, rather than the merits of the site. Cllr Disney acknowledged that Mr Tamsett’s address to the Council had broadened the issue; however the Agenda item was to discuss the contents of the letter, which was a narrower issue. Cllrs Baxter, Disney and English all confirmed that, on this basis, none of them felt that there was any conflict of interest under any Agenda item.
Cllr Jones stated that this was playing games and that the rest of the Parish Council were seeking to hide behind Mr Tamsett’s letter and the public was not being served well in constraining the discussion.
Cllr Disney further clarified that had the Parish Council received a planning application in respect of this location then he would have declared an interest on the basis of the proximity to his property. Cllr Baxter further clarified that the Parish Council would not normally consider speculative letters of this nature would await a planning application, but had agreed to discus this as an Agenda item as this was an item where the Parish Council had an interest.
5 Letter from Mr Tamsett re Use of Land off Cellar Hill for Affordable Homes
Cllr English reiterated that the contents of the letter called for a statement on affordable housing and this was what would be discussed.
Cllr Disney summarised the current situation with regards to affordable housing. As part of the LKPC Parish Plan process in 2005, the demand for affordable homes for LwKPC was assessed at 10 homes. Subsequently at SBC’s initiation, EHRA, SBC and both Lynsted and Teynham Parish Councils identified a number of possible sites, which were taken forward by EHRA. Currently the number of homes built, approved or proposed would fully satisfy the demand from both parishes. Cllr Jones aksed for the location of the site where 12 homes were being considered. Cllr Baxter stated that this would not be disclosed with members of the public present, as commercial negotiations were ongoing.
Cllr Jones stated that he found the discussion regrettable as Mr Parsons was offering something in good faith to the benefit of the Parish, which the Parish Council wasn’t even prepared to discuss properly and the way this was being handled risked damaging the good name of the Parish Council.
Cllr Baxter reiterated that the Parish Council’s remit was only to consider planning applications submitted by SBC.
Cllr Disney recommended that if the applicant wished to pursue the idea of affordable housing that he should contact either SBC or Alison Thompson at EHRA directly. At this stage, the members of the public left the meeting.
6 Outstanding Documentation to Be Received by the Clerk
The Clerk confirmed that all members had submitted all outstanding documentation, prior to, or at, the meeting, i.e.
- Register of Members Interests
- Declaration of Election Expenses
- Notice of Acceptance of Office
- Committee & Working Group Membership Form
7 Minutes of the Previous Planning Meeting held on 1st May 2007
Cllr Champion proposed that the minutes of the previous planning meeting should not be approved at this meeting and should be left until the new Planning Committee was in situ. There was no seconder for this proposal as the remaining members felt it had been agreed that the Parish Council would meet in lieu of the Planning Committee on this occasion.
The minutes of the Planning meeting were therefore accepted as a true record of the meeting by those who had been present.
8 Matters Arising from the Previous Planning Meeting held on 1st May 2007
There were no matters arising from this meeting which were not covered by an Agenda item.
9 Planning Applications:
The following planning applications had been received:
9.1 SW/07/0496: Storage of Workers caravans when seasonal workers have left
The Parish Council were not aware of any objection by neighbours. Cllr Champion proposed that there should be no objection. This was seconded by Cllr English and unanimously agreed. Clerk to write to SBC with this decision.
9.2 SW/07/0448: Change of use from retail to residential, 90 London Road
It was noted that the residents were already using the original retail space as living accommodation and that no building alterations were proposed or required for the change. Cllr English proposed that there should be no objection. This was seconded by Cllr Champion and unanimously agreed. Clerk to write to SBC with this decision.
9.3 SW/07/0526 (Teynham): 2 storey side extension, 1 Sandown Cottages, London Road, Teynham
Cllr Baxter advised that this property was outside of the Conservation Area. It was noted that the drawings had no dimensions but that the extension seemed to balance development at the other side. Cllr Baxter proposed that there should be no objection but urged that materials and design should be in keeping with the original building as per paragraphs 20, 21 and 22 of the Lynsted Design Statement. Clerk to write to SBC with this decision.
10 Planning Decisions
The Clerk advised that the following planning decisions had been received from SBC:
10.1 SW/07/0017: Change of use for 137-139 London Road
Planning application had been refused on the grounds that a mixed A3 and A5 take away restaurant was proposed (rather than A3 only) and the lack of adequate provision for parking and loading could lead to parking on the highway and also the proposal to replace timber boarding with uPVC calling.
10.2 SW/07/0160: Land adjoining 67 London Road.
Planning application had been refused as the scale and height would not be in keeping with existing building alongside and would fail to preserve or enhance the Conservation Area.
10.3 SW/07/0298: Amethyst Nurseries, new dwelling.
Planning application allowed.
10.4 SW/07/0254: The George In (Garage Conversion)
Planning application allowed.
11 Other Planning Matters
There was no other planning business to discuss.
12 Interim Arrangement for Committee & Working Group membership
Cllr Baxter stated that it was important to have Committees in place ASAP. Cllr Baxter proposed that as soon as he had finalised membership of the Committees and Working Groups, that they should become operational without the need to wait on another full Parish Council meeting. This was seconded by Cllr English and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Champion advised that he had urgent business to attend in respect of the joint Playing Fields Committee. Cllr English proposed that the Parish Council give Cllr Champion delegated authority to act on its behalf until the new Committees were in place. This was seconded by Cllr Disney and unanimously agreed.
13 Councillor Vacancy
Cllr Baxter advised that it was desirable that the Councillor vacancy left by the departure of Cllr Barrett be filled ASAP.
Cllr English advised that he had spoken to the Monitoring Officer who advised that so long as the vacancy is advertised in a public place for 2 weeks, the candidate can be agreed at the next full Parish Council meeting.
Cllr Baxter had produced a draft vacancy advert and proposed that this be placed in the notice boards. After some discussion it was unanimously agreed that the Clerk should put vacancy notices in notice boards, library, and church porch and arrange for it to be posted on the website, giving the applicants 2 weeks to apply in writing. This should enable a decision on the successful candidate to be made by the June Parish Council meeting. It was agreed not to publish in the parish magazine as this would delay filling of the post.
14 Future Parish Council meeting
The Clerk tabled a proposed meeting schedule for the rest of the year. Meetings generally to be held on a Tuesday commencing 7.30pm. It was agreed that the next meeting should be changed from 26th June to Monday 25th June to avoid clashing with Teynham PC meeting. Meeting to start at 8pm on this occasion as otherwise there would be difficulty obtaining quorum.
In addition it was noted that neither the Chairman or Vice chairman would be available to attend the proposed Greenstreet meeting, currently scheduled for 3rd July. Cllr Disney to liase with Teynham PC Clerk to rearrange ASAP.
Apart from that the above, no other changes proposed. A revised meeting schedule is attached.
Cllr Jones apologised in advance that he would be unable to attend the 22nd Jan meeting due to holiday.
Cllr Dawes apologised in advance that she would be unable to attend the 7th August meeting due to holiday.
14 Any Other Business
Cllr Jones queried whether an additional entrance could be inserted into the playing field fence where unauthorised access was being gained. Cllr English clarified that the fence and location of the access were a requirement of the lease and the current unauthorised access resulted in trespass across a farmer’s field and thus had to be prevented.
Cllr Jones was advised that the additional site for affordable homes which was still at negotiation stage was at Vigo Farm – this had been discussed at previous Parish Council meetings and was documented in the minutes.
Cllr Jones offered the use of his company’s conference call facility should Councillors wish to avail of it in order to facilitate the short term problem of lack of Committees.
Clr Dawes advised that a large building had been constructed near to Amethyst nurseries and queried whether this should have had planning permission. Cllr Baxter agreed to seek clarification from SBC.
The next meeting would be held on Monday 25th June at the Belle Friday Centre, and would commence at 8pm.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.25 pm.
Meeting Dates agreed on Wednesday 23rd May
All meetings to start at 7.30 pm unless otherwise indicated
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LwKPC meeting
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Location
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Note
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Teynham PC meeting
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15/05/2007
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Community Room, St Peter & St Paul’s Church
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AGM
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23/05/2007
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Belle Friday
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Additional meeting
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25/06/2007
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Belle Friday
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Meeting on Monday to avoid clashing with Teynham PC. starts at 8pm.
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26/06/07
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07/08/2007
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Community Room, St Peter & St Paul’s Church
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Cllr Dawes unable to attend
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31/07/07
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18/09/2007
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Belle Friday
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Cllr English unable to attend
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11/09/07
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30/10/2007
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Community Room, St Peter & St Paul’s Church
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23/10/07
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04/12/2007
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Belle Friday
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Precept meeting
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27/11/07
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22/01/2008
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Community Room, St Peter & St Paul’s Church
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Cllr Jones unable to attend
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15/01/08
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04/03/2008
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Belle Friday
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