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Highlights from the meeting of 5th September, 2006.
1. Invited presentation: ‘Waste recycling in Swale: plans and aspirations.’ Peter Chegwidden, Recycling Officer, Swale Borough Council. This was a talk suggested by the Environment Working Group of the Parish Plan.
Mr Chegwidden explained that Councils had to meet recycling targets set by the Government. Landfill was no longer supported: the number of remaining disused quarries was limited, and the escape of toxic materials from such facilities was a problem. Swale’s performance had declined in recent years, but was due to rise again with the availability of increased funding. The county waste-to-energy incineration unit at Allington would be operational soon. It would have a recyclables sorting facility associated with it.
Districts are responsible for waste collection. Swale is currently assessing tenders for a 7-year contract.
During 2007-8 a scheme will be introduced whereby glass, paper, cardboard and plastic are collected on one week, and general waste on the next. (See August News Letter, p26, for more details).
Swale would like to collect garden green waste, as well, in due course, the system possibly involving a mega-composter. A pilot scheme is under way to assess special digesters for kitchen waste.
In response to lively questions, Mr Chegwidden said that households with limited room for the extra wheeled bin could negotiate a modified arrangement, flies need not be a problem if lids and closures were kept tight, recyclables would be collected mixed – and sorted centrally later, about 100 authorities now use a fortnightly, alternating collection, as proposed for Swale, and the same type of ‘conventional’ vehicle would be used for both collections.
In thanking Mr Chegwidden, the Parish Council pledged to help promote, and cooperate with, any reasonable scheme.
2. Parish Plan. Specific lottery funding was currently available for the purchase of land for village halls. The Parish Plan survey had revealed a desire of parishioners for their own hall. A first stage in pursuing this would be to locate possible sites. The suitability and availability of Lynsted and Norton School as a community hall resource was also being considered. The extent of the need for a village hall had to be considered.
The Physical Facilities and Road Safety working groups had been merged, with a separate group considering Rural Traffic.
3. Swale Local Plan. The Parish Council had objected to Swale BC’s proposal to add the Stones Farm , Bapchild, area to the Draft Local Plan as a site for 600 houses. The objection is on the grounds of loss of valued countryside, increased traffic on the A2 and questionable need for the houses.
4. Planning. The following applications had been discussed at Planning Meetings on 14th and 29th August:
- SW/06/0917/8. Sign and lettering. Dover Castle public house, London Road. No objection in principle, but concern about the intensity of lighting.
- SW/06/0793. Extension, 9, the Vallance. No objection.
- SW/06/0935. Conservatory at 1, St Pauls Court. No objection.
Planning determinations by Swale BC:
- SW/0524/5/6/7. Extension and alterations. Jeffries, Claxfield Road. Plan B. Refused.
- SW/06/0935. Extensions at Japonica Cottage, Ludgate Lane. Withdrawn.
5. Footpaths. The stile with a reported insecure treadboard at the junction of ZR 263 with the south side of Cambridge Lane had been repaired.
6. Properties. Graffiti had appeared on the Bus shelter near Batteries Terrace. They would be painted out.
7. Orchard Committee. The Opera Picnic on 20th August attracted over 60, and was enjoyed by all. The Project ran a stall at the Village Fete, and sold copies of the new (£3) booklet: ‘Cherries: Cultivation in Kent and Selected Recipes.’ A modest ‘Continuity Fund’ is being built up, from any income from events. This will help keep the Orchard going as a community resource after Lottery Fund support ceases in 2007.
NOTE. Full minutes, once signed and adopted, are available for inspection at Teynham Library, or, by appointment, via the Clerk (phone 522 653). The next meeting will be on Thursday 26th October at the Belle Friday Centre, London Road. The Meeting starts at 7.30pm. Parish Council meetings are open to the public, who are warmly welcome to attend. Parishioners may make a brief oral statement at the beginning of the meeting.
R Baxter.
Publicity Representative.
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