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Minutes of the Meeting held on 7th February 2006 at the Community Room, Lynsted from 7.30 pm
Present:
Councillors: English, (Chairman), Baxter, (Vice Chairman), Barrett, Champion, Bowling, Dawes, Darling, 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. Cllr Jones was on holiday
2 Public Speaking
There were no members of the public wishing to address the Council.
3 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Barrett’s spouse had quoted and received the order for printing the Parish Plan
4 Minutes of the last meeting
Proposed Cllr Barrett , seconded Cllr Baxter and agreed that the minutes of the last meeting be confirmed as a true record.
5 Matters arising
- Footway Clearance. Glenn Smith, from the Highways agency had requested a site meeting. Cllr English and the clerk to attend. Time to be agreed.
- The Salt bin had yet to be filled despite assurances that it had. The clerk to chase
- Andrew Bowles had yet to respond to the clerk on the timing of Phase II of the Footway on Lynsted Lane.
- The Interactive sign on the A2 was schedule to be in place by the second week of February 2006
- Cllr Bowling agreed to check the wording of the disclaimer that would be given to any group using the Orchard at Park Farm where no member of the Parish Council is present.
- A quote for £90 to attend to the Jubilee bed had been received from J & Y systems. This would be accepted.
6 Local Plan update - was reported to the Council Meeting
The Parish Council had already objected to the omission of Area of High Landscape Value status for the Lyn Valley from the Local Plan re-deposit Draft. A further written representation, providing maps, pictures and further argument for the need to protect this distinctive feature had been lodged. A copy of this had been passed to Teynham Parish Council for its information, because part of the Valley is in their parish.
The Parish Council had received notification that Swale Council intends to make no changes to the Draft Local Plan in response its objection, expect for proposing some increased protection for rural lanes. The final decision, however, was in the hands of an independent Inspector at the Public Inquiry due to start in April. Time will tell if he agrees with the Parish Council’s objection, and alters the Plan in the Parish Council favour
Village Design Statements
The Borough Council had recommended that Design Statements become mere‘material planning considerations’ rather than ‘supplementary planning guidance’. This is a serious downgrading of a document that took many hours of Parishioners time to complete and is a step back from encouraging local communities to influence change in their Parish.
The Borough Council state that that this change is outside of their control and is necessary to implement the Local Plan. The Parish Council have asked what specifically requires the Design Statement to be sidelined and what they may do in order that this may be avoided.
The Design team will be kept up to date with this information when a response is received from Swale.
Cllr Baxter was thanked for his work on this item.
7 Parish Plan Update
The application for funding for the Parish Plan would be finalised shortly. The Parish council would initially fund £1,500 for the printing of this document with a view to £750 being refunded. £750 was the maximum grant available from the current funders.
It was agreed that 600 copies of the document would be ordered, the document should be finalised within three weeks.
Cllr Disney would look into putting the Plan on the internet.
The Launch date would be Saturday 25th March at the Community Room from 11AM. The invitations would be sent out shortly.
Cllr Disney was thanked for all his work on this project
8 Joint meeting with Teynham Parish Council
This was held on the 31st January and was very informative. The minutes were available from the clerk to Teynham Parish Council and were attached. Affordable housing would be discussed under item 9.
There were a number of working groups discussed., one for Environmental issues, parking outside the Co-op, the Greenstreet Street scene, traffic calming measures these would be monitored such that the momentum would not be lost.
The meeting was considered a success and an annual joint meeting would be held.
Both Parish Councils would contribute to the cost of the hall.
Hugh Robertson, M.P. for Swale had tabled the potential loss of the Post Office at Greenstreet but it appeared that it would remain.
9 Affordable Housing
Both Teynham and Lynsted Parish Council’s require rented accommodation only. Teynham may only need six units as four are already up for planning permission by Swale Housing and four are required by Lynsted. Sites are being reviewed, a walkabout was suggested with Graham Thomas, Planning Officer, Swale Borough Council and Alaine Bunce, Housing Officer also of Swale Borough Council and members of each Parish Council. The minutes of the Joint meeting suggested the clerk of Teynham Parish Council had this matter in hand.
10 Cllr Disney would attend the Consultation on a new strategic Health authority and Primary Care Trust for Kent and Medway
11 Finance
The following cheques were proposed for payment, by Cllrs Barrett and Darling and agreed
- ‘542 £17.29 Cllr Baxter, Local Plan submission costs
- ‘543 £43.28 Seeboard, supply and fit P42 control to light at Lynsted Lane/Ludgate Lane
- ‘544 £39.46 J Kitt expenses This included £20 in WHSmith vouchers for Lynsted and Norton School. It was agreed that this should be given three times a year. £5 for each class
12 Planning
SW/05/1343 2.75M high chain link fence to enclose a tennis court at Jeffries, Claxfield Road, Lynsted was granted permission by Swale Borough Council.
There had been no meetings of the Planning committee since the last Parish Council meeting. There had been an application from K.C.C. concerning the proposed bus layby at Lynsted and Norton School. As support of Parish Councillors was known to be unanimous, and the idea had originated with the Parish Council no meeting was held and no objection was lodged.
SW/05/1343 2.75M high chain link fence to enclose a tennis court at Jeffries, Claxfield Road, Lynsted was granted permission by Swale Borough Council.
The Cherries, Cambridge Lane, The Parish Council was aware that the period allowed for the occupants to vacate the site, following the dismissal of the Appeal against Enforcement, will come to an end in February.
There would be a public inquiry about the gypsy site in Upchurch.
Some planning decisions were outstanding from Swale, the clerk would look into this matter.
13 Reports
- KAPC No meeting to report
- Playing Fields The Joint meeting touched on many items for discussion by the Management committee. Particularly commitment by Parish Councils and requesting funds from them. The possibility to have the area as an open space would be looked into by the Management Committee. The felling of the Poplars had been contracted for by Landscape Services
- Lighting Cllr. Champion reported that all lights within the parish were in working order as at 7th February 2006. The light opposite no 36 Cellar Hill was overgrown with ivy.
- Footpaths A member reminded the meeting there had not been a Footpath report for a number of meetings. It was agreed the Clerk should ask Cllr Jones to make a report in time for the next meeting. At this stage Cllr Bowling stated she would be happy to stand down from the Footpath Committee. Cllr Dawes having previously shown an interest in Footpaths agreed to take over Cllr Bowlings position. A copy of the Footpath map would be given to Cllr Dawes by either the clerk or Cllr Bowling. A boundary fence had been erected by Mr Fox bordering ZR277, this made the path quite unpassable with the hedge on the other side. Mr Ellis , K.C.C. Footpaths, would be asked to trim the hedge.
- Tree Warden A replacement tree would be planted where the Silver Birch in Cambridge lane had been felled.
- Transport and Highways A report for the County lenghsmen would be completed, any comments would be noted. The dip outside 178-180 London Road would be noted
- Police Liaison There was nothing to report within Lynsted. Graham Mart continued to police the area and noted that Teynham and Lynsted were not mentioned at the last Police meeting at Swale.
- Standards Committee The last meeting was postponed. At the next meeting application for membership to committees would be discussed. The next meeting would be on the 20th February at One Cellar Hill.
- Properties and allotments Cllr Champion agreed to contact J & Y Systems to begin the small jobs around Lynsted and Kingsdown.
- Orchard Committee A report was tabled. A draft of a document , disclaiming public liability responsibility for events in the Community Orchard that were not organised by the Parish Council was discussed. It was not adopted, pending further legal advice. A risk assessment had to be completed for every event held at the Orchard. The Orchard Project at Park Farm was beginning to receive favourable publicity on a wider front, with articles in ‘Family Circle’ and English Nature’s ‘Heritage Counts’
- Website A report was presented at the meeting.
14 Clerk’s Correspondence
- C.P.R.E. would send a monthly newsletter by email
- Oast to Coast
- Heritage Counts
- Mid Kent water, hosepipe ban notice
- Canterbury and Coastal NHS Annual Report
- The Playing Field
- Swale Matters
- Kent Trails
- Parish News
- Clerks and Councils Direct
- Friends in Swale CAB Draft Transport strategy
15 Any Other Business.
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.35 pm.
It was agreed the next meeting will be held on the 21st March at the Belle Friday Centre from 7.30pm .
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