Parish Council Minutes for 1st November 2004Minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh, commencing at 8.00pm under the chairmanship of Cllr J Knock. PRESENT Cllrs. P.Croft, A.Johnston, J.Knock, G.Marchant, M Pollard, A. McCarthy, C.Stratton-Brown, and R.Sykes. IN ATTENDANCE Cllr Mrs A Cook, SPC G Eade, and the Clerk Mrs C Phillips. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllr L Featherstone. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 04 which had been previously circulated were on the proposal of Cllr Croft, seconded Cllr Marchant, approved and signed as a correct record by the Chairman. MATTERS ARISING THEREFROMRugby on the Green The Clerk had heard from Duncan Aldiss the club secretary, who had assured the Council that Public Liability cover is now in place. The Club is hoping that negotiation with Mountains in Hildenborough may result in their having a permanent home there. As far as the match on 6 November is concerned, this will be the last played on the Green. Chairman's announcement Cllr Knock informed Members that it was his intention not to seek re-election as Chairman in May 05 and to serve out the remainder of his term as a Councillor. The Chairman was assured of the absolute confidence of the Council, by the Clerk. Members unanimously endorsed this sentiment. REPORTSYouth Conference Report It was agreed that " The Parish Council supports the setting up of a Youth Forum and is willing to assist in any way." The matter is part of the Parish Plan development and will be taken forward. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Bennie, thanking him for attending and asking him for possible representatives. SPC EADE regretfully informed Members that he had resigned from the Police, this had been a hard decision but certain matters made it impossible to remain. The Council thanked SPC Eade for all his work in the Parish. After SPC Eade's departure it was agreed to arrange some way of marking the Council's appreciation. CLLR MRS COOK reported on budgetary savings of £2.5m which were proposed over the next five years. The Council was investing in an increase in recycling, air quality monitoring, and the completion of the Planning Local Development Plan. Voluntary Services are not being cut. The KCC will be taking back overall responsibility for highways provision. It had not previously been thought that grass cutting would be included but this had now been agreed. RHT update A lively discussion had been had at the meeting on 4 October, about the revised location plan. This had been circulated to Members but wider circulation had been vetoed by the RHT due to the very initial outline, which would undoubtedly be subject to revision over time. This had upset those parishioners attended. It was understood that the RHT would hold an Open Day in December or January, which would allow all parties sight of plans, house design, and all matters pertaining to the proposal. Notification would be given to those on the current list and wide publication would be undertaken. WKHA update Concerns had been voiced by the residents of the Forstall on 4 October about the design of the proposed houses and other matters which had been discussed in Council before submission to the SDC. Cllr Mrs Cook said that she had spoken to the Planning Officer about the roof and the possibilities of a ½ hipped design for the roof, this was not thought to be likely since it would result in an abnormally high roof. VILLAGE HALL update little further to report, the plans had been discussed by the Council and it was understood subsequent to the submission of the comments that there were concerns about a yew tree by the RBL building. The Clerk had, after discussion added a rider that if necessary the Council would ensure that a replacement tree would be planted. This addition was approved. KAPC The chairman outlined the reasons that Quality Parish Council had not been signed up to. It was agreed to re-circulate the Quality parish Council requirements. Cllr Featherstone had indicated that he was unable to continue as a representative on the Sevenoaks Area Committee and Cllr Stratton-Brown agreed to replace him. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERSClerk to order a noticeboard and dog waste bins for the end of Greenview Avenue and the Powder Mills. Clerk and Chairman to get information on the triangle from the safe. The Village sign to be re-instated on Saturday 6th. Disquiet was recorded over the petty theft and vandalism which had occurred on Hallowe'en by one group of youngsters. They had been recognised and it was a matter for those residents as to whether matters were taken further. It was agreed that this matter be put in the magazine. Concerns over the rise of petty vandalism within the Village were discussed. PARISH PLAN The Action Plan had been discussed and amended with the deletion of reference to the Village Sign ( now back in situ) and the addition of railway services and the need to recruit a parish constable. The adoption of the Parish Plan was proposed by Cllr Stratton-Brown and seconded by Cllr Marchant and approved unanimously. A vote of thanks was extended to Cllr Pollard for spearheading this scheme and to the Steering committee for all the work that had been done to achieve the current document. Cllr Pollard undertook to detail target dates and nominate members to tasks on a rolling quarterly basis. A Parish Council website was currently under discussion. Mrs Cook added her congratulations to the Council for the production of the Parish Plan. CORRESPONDENCEAll receiver relevant correspondence had been circulated to Members. These were noted. It was agreed that the correspondence relating to the KCC Local Board to be an item on the December Agenda for further discussion. TREESThe Clerk reported on the recent meeting which she and Mr Penn had had with Mr Bateson from Bartletts Tree Surgeons. It had been agreed that the Swamp Cypress/Dawn Redwood was too large to move with any guarantee of survival so it was felt that a more appropriate solution would be to trim the overhanging branch of a neighbouring Oak. Also, Mr Bateson had suggested that all the trees would benefit from having the turf removed from immediately around their trunk as this stops the tree from having to compete with grass for available nutrients. Also that a general fertiliser applied each year would help with their general well being. It was agreed to get a short informative from Mr Bateson for inclusion in the Parish Magazine. Ben Larkham had been asked to inspect the chestnut outside The Chestnuts. RAILWAYS, LOCAL BUS 210, COMMUTER BUS K5Cllr Knock had referred to a letter in the Courier from Tony Russell referring to changes to the current service, these included the possible removal of the direct link to Gatwick. It was agreed to write to the SRA voicing concerns over the retrograde step of withdrawing the hourly service to Gatwick and Horsham. PLANNINGThe following application had been received for comment: SE/04/02559/FUL 5Knotley Hall Cottages, Chiddingstone Causeway Demolition of store and undercroft. Addition of utility Room, first floor bedroom (part of) over ex-flat roofed area of kitchen and glazed bay to sitting room. Most of these cottages had been extended/altered and the Council had NO OBJECTIONS to the proposals listed subject to neighbourliness. A Tree notice had also been received for works at Old Kennards, it was agreed that Cllr Croft and the Clerk should visit and make recommendation. The following decision notices had been received: SE/04/01559/LDCEX Little Barnetts Farm, Powder Mill Lane, extension to residential curtilage. GRANTED SE/04/01010/FUL 7 The Forstall, Leigh Wooden shed to rear of garden GRANTED SE/04/01672/FUL Land west of 6 Wyndham Avenue, Leigh Single terrace of 3 bedroom/5person (shared ownership) cottages and associated works. GRANTED SE/04/01735/FUL The Firs, High Street. External and internal alterations GRANTED SE/04/02053/FUL Pump Cottage, High Street Demolition of garage, construction of 2 storey side and rear extension and loft conversion. GRANTED FINANCIAL MATTERSThe quotation for the works to the Green by Landscape Services to provide the following during the 2005 season was approved
The question of the £100 credit had been resolved in that additional work had been undertaken with no charge. The bill being submitted by Mr Brooker was not in line with Council payments and the Clerk agreed to write to Mr Brooker, however on this occasion it was agreed that it should be paid. The following accounts were presented for payment:
The Clerk withdrew from the meeting whilst Members discussed her salary. It was resolved that her gross salary should be increased to £305 per month retrospectively to April 04. Cllr Sykes undertook to work out the PAYE and pension contribution increase and this would be paid in December. Matters for the Clerk's further attentionRecognition of SPC Eade's contribution to the Parish. SKB regarding footpath. There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.20 with thanks from the Chair. Signed............................
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