|
Lynsted with Kingsdown Parish Council.
Annual Parish Council Meeting, 27th May, 2008.
Chairman’s Report for 2007/8.
The year commenced with the results of the four-yearly election of councillors. This saw the arrival of Mark Jones on the Council. Unfortunately Julie Barrett, a key long-serving member, resigned from the Council for personal reasons. At the Annual Parish Council Meeting, Tom English felt he had to stand down as Chairman, and was thanked for his 31 years on the Council, for 11 of which he occupied the chair. Bob Baxter was elected in his place. Cllr English was elected as Vice-chairman. Later in the year the vacancy left by Cllr Barrett was filled, as we were able to welcome back Bernard Broughton, of Kingsdown, for a second term with us.
Cllr Jones introduced some fresh ideas on governance and related matters that caused some alarm with colleagues who were concerned with the prospect of an increasing work-load, particularly for the Clerk. The upshot was the convening of special, and at times very lively, meetings openly to discuss these differences of opinion. This culminated eventually in an extra-ordinary session aimed at to prioritising the Parish Council’s activities. This served to illustrate just how much we were involved in – and how little could realistically be dropped!
On the subject of meetings, we broke with tradition by holding the Annual Parish Meeting in March, well away from the Annual Parish Council Meeting (the ‘AGM’) in May. We explained the work of the Parish Council at the APM to an audience of nine parishioners – a larger attendance than for many a year!
The amount of work carried out by the Council proved a problem later in the year, when our skilled Clerk, Liz Attwood, found that she could not manage within the prescribed hours. She had other commitments, and departed in August. We had to manage without a clerk for five months, and I owe a considerable debt of thanks to fellow councillors for pitching in to help keep us going, in particular to Frank Champion for ‘managing the books’ during this period.
Another shock came in January when three councillors, including the chairman, were reported, by a parishioner, to the Standards Board for England for allegedly failing to declare an interest in an matter concerning affordable housing. The Board referred the investigation back to Swale Borough Council to be dealt with locally. The matter remains unresolved at the time of writing.
Sadly, we had to bid farewell to Yvonne Bowling, who decided to resign, after five years of devoted service to the community.
Despite these events, substantial progress continued to be made.
Much has been achieved with the project to deal with traffic congestion and improve the environment of ‘Greenstreet’, the settlement along the A2 on either side of the parish boundary. Under the leadership of John Disney, an agreement has been drawn up between the two parish councils, a joint committee formed, substantial funds attracted, and a consultant’s proposed scheme exposed to public consultation. The community looks forward to practical action on a major priority of the Lynsted with Kingsdown Parish Plan. Cooperative action with Teynham Parish Council also continues via the Joint Playing Fields Committee, who have removed elderly trees, and made substantial progress on clearing vegetation during the year. Vandalism and trespass remain a challenge.
Completion of Phase 2 of the footway along Lynsted Lane, in order to make the route safe for pedestrians, remains a major aim of the Parish Council. We understand that KCC has it on its budget for 2009/10. Our discussions with householders along the route revealed an encouraging ‘support in principle’.
The Park Farm Community Orchard Project continues to go from strength to strength, despite the expected cessation of the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Successful Cherry Day and Blossom Day events were held for the benefit of the community. (Halloween, 2007 was unfortunately cancelled due to bad weather). The Orchard is now part of a network of community orchards across Kent, and receiving notable radio, television and newspaper coverage. We remain indebted to Orchard owner Philip Neaves for his continued support.
We were pleased to see an affordable housing development next to Vigo Farm in Lynsted Lane granted permission. This was a site identified by us in association with Swale Borough Council, Teynham Parish Council and Action with Communities in Rural Kent, as one of the sites suitable for low-cost housing specifically to meet the demonstrated local need.
We have, during the year, formally commented on 32 planning applications in, and just over the border of, our parish. Cases of vandalism, fly-tipping, pot-holes, malfunctioning street lights and blocked footpaths etc. have been reported promptly. Complaints on various matters from parishioners have been dealt with, within the powers of a parish council.
We continue to be grateful to Nigel Heriz-Smith for maintaining an effective website for the Parish Council.
The accounts remain comfortably in the black, but care will need to be taken in a world of increasing costs. Regrettably we needed to increase our precept for 2008/9 mainly to cover increased staff costs.
The appointment, in January, of Charles Bennett as Clerk resulted in a steady return to clerical normality. In particular, Charles did a magnificent job of preparing the accounts for the auditors. So greater the shock, then, to receive his tender of resignation at the end of his probationary period, on the grounds that he felt ill-equipped to deal with all of the wide range of Clerk’s duties. This was not a view shared by any of the members. At the time of writing we are seeking a means by which at least Charles’ skill with figures can be retained.
Before closing, I must pay special thanks to my Vice-chairman, Tom English, who has provided unswerving support and valued advice to me throughout the year.
It has been something of a roller-coaster year, but we have a wide spectrum of experience and skills in the Council. Provided we all pull together, I am confident that we can cope effectively with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Bob Baxter,
Chairman. 24th May, 2008. ChairRept.081
|
