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Minutes of the Meeting held on 28th November 2006 at The Belle Friday Centre, London Road, Lynsted
Present:
Councillors; English, Baxter, Champion, Disney, Dawes, Darling, Barrett, Bowling and Jones
In attendance; Julia Kitt (Clerk)
1 Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Barnicott.
2 Public Speaking
There were no members of the public to speak
3 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Barrett declared an interest under Finances. The quote for headed paper was from Barrett & Co.
The Chairman asked if any other Councillors wished to declare an interest on the Agenda, but no one else wished to make a declaration.
4 Minutes of the last meeting
On page 50/2006 Item 9 Jennifer Shaw works for Action for Communities in Rural Kent.
On page 52/2006 under Tree Wardens report, the Parishioner was appreciative of the work done collectively by the Parish Council, not just the Tree Warden.
The minutes were agreed, proposed by Cllr Disney and seconded by Cllr Baxter
5 Matters arising
The road surface on Greenstreet outside householders including 178 and 180 London Road would be repaired during December. The contractors were three weeks late in starting
No correspondence had been received from Mr Planner about the missing seat on London Road, Cllr Disney said he would mention this at a meeting with him on the 29th November.
Cllr Disney had been in contact with Doddington Parish Council and hoped to hear from Newnham Parish Council with a view to target funding for the Parish Plan..
It was agreed that the clerk should write to Cllr Bowles to say we were interested in the planning course suggested by Mr Bessant of Swale’s Planning Department.
Cllr Barrett had notified the clerk about the missing finger post by Four Acres.
6 Complaint update
Cllr Bowling proposed and Cllr Champion seconded that the Report produced by the complaints committee be accepted by the Parish Council.
Cllr Barrett informed the Parish Council that the Complaints Committee had written to the Complainant on 1st November 2006 asking whether or not he wished the Report to be in the public domain. No response has as yet been received on this matter.
A further letter was received form the Complainant on 28th November 2006, addressed to Cllrs Barrett and English. This was received too late for consideration in the meeting and it was agreed that the letter be passed to the Complaints Committee to deal with.
Cllr Baxter proposed and Cllr Bowling seconded that the report be made public by being attached to the minutes of this meeting.
When Cllr Jones joined in the discussion on this item, Cllr Barrett asked if she did not feel that she should declare an interest on the grounds that she was married to the complainant. Cllr Jones replied that she did not feel this was necessary.
7 Resignation of Clerk
Four applications had been received, these would be discussed by Cllr Barrett, Baxter and English following the closing date
8 Affordable Housing
The meeting on the 7th November had taken place with Jennifer Shaw (A.C.R.K.), Aileen Bunce (S.B.C.) and members of Teynham and Lynsted Parish Councils. Possible sites within Lynsted and Teynham are still in negotiation. The three units at St Pauls court are of a high standard, they will be for /part purchase. The Planning application for two houses in John Nash close will also be handed over to Swale Housing. Alison Thompson requested a copy of the Design Statement.
9 Local Plan.
See attached report. Cllr Bowling proposed and Cllr Disney seconded a vote of thanks to Cllr Baxter for all the work he has done on this matter.
10 Kent Car share
Kent County Council were promoting this and asked for publicity. Cllr Baxter would write a piece in the newsletter and the clerk would let the website editor know.
11 Parish Plan
Ian Lewis of Swale Borough council’s planning department had been interested in the results of the survey completed on Greenstreet and was hopeful a consultant would take up the report and give some ideas of how the results could be achieved. Local businesses were keen
Cllrs English and Bowling met with Mrs Ward, Headteacher of Lynsted and Norton School to see if the hall could be used by the community. She agreed to the idea, preferably for educational needs but not for parties.
Mrs Ward was also interested in the pond at the school being cleared and used by the community as well as the school. Cllr Baxter agreed to get this project moving.
K.C.C. encourage a ‘clean up’ for Parish’s, it is generally a one off day involving the Parishioners and a ‘squad’ from K.C.C.
12 Finance
The Precept was agreed at £7,500 for the year 2007/8. The budget figures are attached
The following were proposed and seconded by Cllrs Bowling and Disney, agreed by the Council.
- ‘549 £141.00 Audit Commission 2005/6
- ‘550 £1,757.13 J Ktit Salary and expenses for the seven months to December
- ‘578 £58.66 R Baxter, reimbursed for the advert in the local paper
- ‘579 £141.18 Barrett & co, Headed paper
- ‘580 £100.00 Contribution to Graveyard upkeep costs to the Parochial Church Council
13 Planning
Cllr English reported on the planning meeting of the 13th November
14 Reports
Cllrs were reminded that a written report should be submitted prior to the meeting such that they can be read beforehand and not during the meeting.
- KAPC The next meeting was on the 4th December
- Playing Fields There were trees still to be felled, this would be done when weather permitted
- Lighting Cllrs English and Champion met with David Dunn of edf energy who agreed that little if any work had been done on the lighting column opposite the Vallance. He agreed to cancel the invoice for that work and replace the column, but not the light, for £586 which we would claim from our insurance. This quote had been agreed.
- Footpaths See attached report with a response from Michael Ellis, Footpath Manager at Kent County Council
- Tree Warden Nothing to report
- Transport and Highways Motorists using Lynsted Lane from the School to the A2 drive too fast. Accidents have happened at the Bumpit Road/ Lynsted Lane junction. The clerk would write to A Bowles to see what he could suggest. Speed limits in the past have been sought from the Police with a negative response.
- Police Liaison There had been some problems at Batteries Close with Fireworks which had been dealt with. Parking at the School at busy times was also an ongoing issue
- Standards Committee A meeting would be scheduled after Christmas
- Properties See attached report. It was agreed that we should paint the Bus Shelter now and again in the Spring. JTS systems would be asked to complete the job. They would also be asked to paint the Structure at St Peters Place to give it a ‘wood’ effect again. Cllr Dawes would plant ivy around it.
The Plaque at the Rose Bed on St Peters Place had rotted at the base, Cllr Champion agreed to look at this.
The noticeboard at Kingsdown requires a new plywood back. The map at Kingsdown is also the wrong way around. Quotes would be sought for a new one as turning it around would make the writing appear upside down.
The resident at no 4 Kingsdown place asked if the noticeboard could be moved as he wanted a dropped kerb. The Council would certainly look into this but would wait for the planning application first.
- Orchard Committee The Halloween event went very well this year. A profit of £300 was made. More Orchard projects in Kent were being started
- Website Updated biographies were on the website
15 Clerk’s Correspondence
- The countryside Alliance had requested we write to Jim Fitzpatrick MP in charge of Rural Post Offices to impress on him how important our local Post Office is. This was agreed.
- Mr Cheqwidden, Swale recycling, had asked whether we wished him to attend one of our meetings, this has already been done
- Policing Kent 2007/8 survey
- Teynham P C Minutes
- The Post Office, support
- KAPC Minutes
- The Playing Field
- Autumn Water Resources
16 Any Other Business.
- The milestone on London Road would shortly have the signage reversed.
- The white paper on reform of Parish Councils suggested major changes on finance and the Code of Conduct.
- Flooding occurred opposite Berkeley House on the outside of the layby. This would be reported to Swale Borough council.
- The clerk was asked to check what duty the Parish Council had with regard to the Disability Equality Duty.
- David Shaw of Swale In Bloom had contacted Cllr Baxter asking if he wanted any spring bulbs. Cllr Baxter and English had planted them at St Peters Place and the grass triangle by Berkeley House
It was agreed the next meeting will be held on the 9th January at the St Peter and St Paul community Room 7.30PM .
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20 pm.
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