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At the Belle Friday Centre, London Road Lynsted
Present:
Councillors: English, Disney, Bowling, Baxter, Champion, Darling, Dawes
In attendance: Liz Attwood (Clerk)
1 Apologies
Apologies were received from the following who were unable to attend:
- Cllr Jones, due to a conflicting engagement
- Cllr Barrett, due to holiday
- KCC Cllr Bowles & Ward Councillor Barnicott, due to a conflicting engagement
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. No one wished to make a declaration.
4 Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 13th February 2007
It was agreed that the minutes could be endorsed by the Chairman. This was proposed by Cllr Baxter and seconded by Cllr Champion.
5 Matters Arising from the Previous Meeting held on 13th February 2007
- Item 11.3 Clerk had contact SBC re clarification of boundary with Teynham PC. Steve Bessant had called and given further assurances on this issue. Despite this, it was noted that since then a planning application for premises on the Teynham side of London Road had not been received by Lynsted.
- Item 11.4 Clerk to clarify whether Cllr Barnicott considers issue of caravan at Four Acres to be closed.
- Item 12.3 Clerk had confirmed that a yearly cleaning of lighting globes was included in edf contract. Although edf could not confirm when this had been undertaken, they promised to do all globes again. Cllr Champion confirmed that globes seemed generally brighter. Tree outside Dadmans had been trimmed by resident to prevent damage to lighting globe.
- Item 12.6 Salt bin outside Berkeley house had been filled.
- Item 14.1 Cllr Dawes reported that fly tipping which had been done on public property in vicinity of Toll Road had been removed.
6 Affordable Housing – Cllr Disney
EHRA had arranged for open day on Saturday 24th March for the 3 shared ownership homes, prices starting at £98,000 for a 49% share. Notification had been received too late for inclusion in the Parish Newsletter. Clerk to put in notice boards, post office and library. Cllr Baxter to arrange publication on website.
Cllr Disney advised that plans for Vigo Farm would include provision for renewable energy. Developers will advise when they have a design.
It was agreed this would be kept as Agenda item for future meetings as further units were being proposed - these would most probably be for rent. Originally demand estimated at 10 or 12 homes had not yet been satisfied.
7 Local Plan Review – Cllr Baxter
Inspectors report expected October this year and comments made during the Inquiry process will be incorporated in the Final plan. The Planning Group has finished this section of its work.
Cllr Disney advised that the Local Development Framework Review Process had begun and the 1st review Panel meeting was being held, item therefore to be kept as regular Agenda item.
8 Parish Plan – Cllr Disney
Environmental Working Group
Cllr Disney advised that the Environmental Working Group is currently the most active, report received from Cllr Disney and available from Clerk.
Renewable energy - Articles would appear in the Parish magazine and website summarising the meeting on harnessing renewable energy held on 6th February.
Ponds - Work would concentrate on the ponds near Aymers and at the school. The Environment Agency were not concerned with the work so long a there was no contamination of water sources. The search for funding continues Sally Evans of the mid Kent Downs AONB was interested in proposing funding but her grant had not been agreed. Group also in liaison with Bill Roland of KCC.
Litter - Both Teynham and Lynsted with Norton Schools were organising a litter pick in their vicinity, though it was noted that this would not include the Green Street area due to traffic hazards. Cllr Butt had arranged for £10 book token prize for the best litter poster for both schools, Parish Council to present the prize. The litter pick in the Green Street area was to be timetabled for later in the year.
Green Street Cllr Disney proposed to set up a joint Committee with Teynham for the purposes of securing funding for the Green Street area. This was proposed by Cllr Disney and seconded by Cllr Darling. It was noted that the Committee would have to have its own bank account. Cllr Disney to provide draft terms of reference, on the basis of the Joint Playing Fields Committee. Clerk to write to Teynham PC with the hope that draft paper would be considered as an Agenda item at the 6th March meeting.
9 Complaint Update – Cllr Disney/Barrett
All Councillors had received a copy of the latest correspondence from the Complainant dated 9th January. The Complaints committee had met and a report was submitted prior to the meeting.
Based on advice received from the KAPC, the Complaints Committee felt that all the issues raised in this letter had already been dealt with; either in the Report or in previous correspondence with the Complainant and thus the Complaint is considered closed. It was proposed that any further correspondence to be channelled through the Clerk, who will refer the Complainant to the Report and previous correspondence.
The Parish Council felt it had done all it can to establish the mechanism to deal with this complaint and to see that due process has been followed. It was agreed that although a formal compliant is a serious matter that an appropriate amount of time had been spent on this subject to date.
Cllr Baxter proposed that the Parish Council support and commend the Complaints Committee in the discharge of its duty, adopt the actions the Committee proposes and consider the matter closed. This was seconded by Cllr Bowling. Clerk to write to Mr Jones to this effect.
10 Report on Progressive Council Course
Course attended by Clerk on 24th Jan, highlights had already been circulated. There were a number of items of interest with regards to procedures and law in terms of format of Agenda, including how items such as Any other Business and Matters Arising should be dealt with and how minutes recorded how decisions were reached.
Budget item by Rodney Williamson put forward the view that that a truly Progressive council would seek to have a higher, rather than a lower, precept so it would do more for its electors and take risks if necessary to achieve this. Items such as including a Parish Basic allowance to facilitate a more truly representative council were suggested.
KCC is looking a section 106 agreements, hope is that some benefit will be passed down to parish council – still to be determined. Local Government White Paper and Model Code of Conduct also touched on. Consultation paper for latter circulated as Clerk’s correspondence.
It was noted that there were a number of publications which the Parish Council did not possess and it was agreed that these should be purchased –
- Latest edition of Local Council Administration – 7th edition, @ £51.95
- The Local Council Clerks Guide, @ £10.75
- The Parish Councillors Guide 18th edition, @£13.50
Full course notes circulated after the meeting. It was agreed that Standards Committee should look at any procedural issues raised by the Course.
11 Finance
Subsidiarity
Clerk had clarified with Lawrence Young, the situation with regard to Subsidiarity :
YearAmountAllocation
- 2004/5 £3,468to Phase 2 Footpath
- 2005/6 £6,289to Phase 2 footpath
- 2005/6 £1,000to Parish Plan
- 2006/7 £3,653un allocated prior to meeting
Clerk to get Laurence Young to confirm above in writing, in particular that £1,000 was still available for Parish Plan work, also to allocate 2005/6 grant to Phase 2 footpath ASAP.
Clerk had been in correspondence with Kent Highways on phase 2 footpath. Indications are that it is planned for delivery in 2008/9, though not listed in 5 year Transport plan and unlikely to know for definite, probably until March 2008 when it goes through PIPKIN, investment prioritisation model. Also not clear whether Parish Council contribution makes any difference to the outcome. Clerk to ask Cllr Barnicott to raise issue at next meeting of Joint transport Board, copy to Cllr Bowles.
Expenditure
- Cheque no. 585 for £115 had been sent to J&Y systems for flower beds at St Peters Place
- Cheque no. 586 for £17.85 signed to Lynsted with Kingsdown society for 6 months of website hosting. Although expenditure agreed, Clerk to clarify with John Jackson the terms of agreement with Society, as not clear from the invoice.
- Cheque no. 587 for £58.75 signed to KAPC for Planning Information Day.
- Cheque also to be raised for purchase of publications as per item 10 of minutes.
Clerk to provide Cllr Disney with updated spend on no.2 account.
Audit
Noted that John Jackson who undertook internal audit was unable to do this anymore. Two suggestions put forward, Julia Kitt, previous Clerk, or auditor of Joint playing field accounts. This was proposed by Cllr Disney, seconded by Cllr Bowling.
Clerk also advised that new price structure set for next 5 years had been sent by Audit Commission.
12 Planning
12.1 Summary of the Planning Meeting of the 13th February 2007
The following planning applications had been received.
- SW/07/0053 Application for Planning and Listed Building Consent for Detached Garage at no.9, The Vallence - No objection but concern expressed at lack of detailed dimension in planning application.
The following SBC planning decisions had been received.
- SW/06/1328 Notification of Grant of Permission to Develop Land, Berkeley House
- SW/06/1300 Notification of Grant of Listed Building Consent, Lynsted Park, Lynsted
- SW/06/1357 Notification of Permission to Develop Land, Lynsted Park, Lynsted
- SW/06/1174 Notification of Grant of Outline Permission to Develop Land – redevelopment of existing vacant site of 2 x 3 bed semi/d houses with off road parking at Former garage site adjacent 4 John Nash Close, Lynsted
- SW/06/1326 Certificate of Lawfulness of Existing Use for erection of outbuilding ancillary to use at Vicarage Farm House
12.2 The following planning correspondence had been received
- SW/06/1289 Notification of withdrawal of application by Amethyst Horticulture - Notification of Appeal against enforcement notice at the Black Lion for installation of dormer windows – stating that the Parish Council wish non-compliant windows to remain.
- Parishioner objection to SW/07/0017 (Teynham PC) Change of use from part residential use to fast food restaurant and storage use, 137 - 139 London Road. It was noted that a copy of this application (for Teynham Parish) had not originally been received by this Parish Council, to be reviewed at Planning meeting after PC meeting.
12.3 Matters Arising From Planning Meetings
KAPC Planning Course - It was agreed that Cllr Baxter should attend the KAPC Planning Course to be held on 17th March at Teynham Village hall and provide a report at the next meeting. This was proposed by Cllr Bowling and seconded by Cllr Dawes.
12.4 Other Planning Issues
None discussed
13 Reports
- Kent Association of Parish Councils (KAPC) –Clr Bowling
None received. There had been a meeting in December, which was circulated as Clerk’s correspondence.
- Playing Fields – Cllr Champion
Cllr Champion had produced report for Teynham Parish Magazine, which, when approved would be included in Lynsted magazine. Contract to mend fence is on schedule, this will be done after April when funds available. Committee had difficulty contacting landscape services contractor to cut a number of trees down and remove trunks, Contractor would not be paid unless work carried out.
- Lighting – Cllr Champion
Cllr Champion advised that all existing lighting was currently operational as of Monday 20th February. Noted that although lamps post opposite Vallence was in place it still only had a prime finish. Need to check that when invoice come sin that it is correct.
Clerk confirmed that a once yearly cleaning of globes was included in the edf contract and that an additional clean had been requested. Cllr Champion confirmed that the brightness did seem to have improved.
- Footpaths – Clerk had received following report from Michael Ellis:
ZR 259ZR259 is passable, vegetation having been cut back and KCC in the process of getting the landowner to repair/remove collapsed fence.
ZR 263Fallen tree cleared and metal gates installed
ZR 264Fallen tree cleared
ZR 266Fences have been removed
ZR 271Now open, poly tunnels have been cut through and the odd tree removed from the path.
ZR 274Written to relevant landowners re stiles, vegetation cut round stile at Lynsted Park
ZR277Part of the hedge has been removed from ZR277 and another fence has been temporarily repaired and will be re sited when it replaced to increase the width of the path.
Cllr Jones reported that the kissing gate to the left of Cellar Hill xxxx
- Tree Warden – Cllr Baxter
Nothing to report.
- Transport & Highways - Clerk
Clerk had filled in county lengthsmen form for following:
Flooding outside Jeffries, Claxfield Lane
Flooding outside Kumara, Kingsdown Road
- Police liaison - Clerk
It was noted that Clerk has received correspondence that the Community Support Officer post was vacant. Parish Council concerned that there seemed no immediate prospect of this being filled.
Cllr Champion advised that he was now on the Police Community Panel and had attended a meeting in Maidstone. It was noted that police had been called in response to a complaint of motorbikes near the playing field but that they had been too busy to respond.
- Standards Committee
Nothing to report.
- Properties Committee – Cllr Champion
Notice board at Kingsdown had been repaired. Bus shelter painting still outstanding. New sign required for rose bed at St Peter’s Place.
Noted that next property inspection would be carried out in March.
- Orchard Committee – Cllr Baxter
Report received and circulated prior to the meeting. A meeting had been held with the bat expert, there would be no bat survey this year but an evening stroll was planned for the 22nd May.
- Website – Cllr Baxter
An updated report on the Parish website was received. Pages read per week increasing and continued increase in number of unique visitors per month (2,640 in January 2007).
14 Clerk’s Correspondence
The following correspondence was received and sent round for distribution :
- Funding Advice, November/December issue – bi monthly newspaper from SBC
- Clerks & Councils Direct, January issue
- The Bulletin, Winter issue from ERHA
- KAPC
a.Parish News – January issue,
1.notice of Planning Training Day Teynham 17th March
2.Petition to end Operation Stack
b.Minutes of December meeting of KAPC Swale Area committee
- SW/06/0526/0527 Appeal by Mr & Mrs Jones for extensions, loft conversion at Jeffries, Claxfield Road. Appeal is subject to an Informal Hearing. Date of hearing will be advised when arranged. Representations required by 5th March 2007.
- ACRK :
a. Invitation to enter Kent Village of the Year Competition. Parish Council decided not to enter
b.Invitation to join ACRK - £35 for a years subscription
c.Rural Community Opinion Survey 2007
- Letters from Southern Water re becoming inaugural winner of Corporate Communications Awards, also lifting the ban on hosepipes and water sprinklers
- SBC
a.re A New Cultural Development Plan for Swale – asking the Parish Council for its vision for “culture” in the Parish and what role it wishes the BC to take to achieve it
b.Swale Transport Strategy 5 year plan 2006-11 – no mention of any Lynsted schemes
- Kent Highways
a.E-mail from Hayley Bass, new Liaison Officer for Swale. Seeking to visit Parish Councils with Inspector to talk about any issues we may have
b.Leaflet “understanding how we make our roads safer in winter”
c.Leaflet “understanding how we will respond to you”
d.
- Eastchurch Parish Council, notice of Sky Sheppy 2009
- Enjoy England Guide to Celebrating ST George’s Day 23rd April 2007
- Citizens Advice Bureau – Winter Spring 2007 news letter & request for donation to help fund Faversham Office
- Consultation Paper on Revised Model Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members – comments to be sent by 9th March 2007 to be adopted by May 2007
- Mid Kent Downs Steering Group – Minutes of Meeting 7the December and Agenda for meeting 7th March 2007, Wormsill Village Hall
- Audit Commission – Appointment of External Auditor, proposing Alun Williams and notice of new fees for 2006/7 which will be held for 5 years
- NALC Review of the Quality Town and Parish Council scheme
- EHRA Posters to advertise affordable housing at St Paul’s Court – open day 24th March
- Faversham and Swale East Area Forum – minutes of meeting held 20th January
In addition to the above, it was noted that the following had been received :
- edf lighting bill to end December 2006.
- Bank account statement for No. 1 account.
15 Any Other Business
Cllr English noted that this meeting which had originally been planned for the 20th February had had to be postponed due to lack of quorum. This was the first time that this had happened in his recollection. Agreed that Standards Committee should consider reviewing the quorum as threshold was much higher than NALC guidelines.
Cllr Disney advised of Green Grid initiative, related to Thames Gateway covering Medway, Swale and Thanet where green spaces would link urban spaces with dry valley beings used for connectivity.
Clerk requested to contact SBC Monitoring Officer re key dates for May elections
It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday 10th April at the St Peter and St Paul’s Community Room, Lynsted Church at 7.30 pm.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.35 pm.
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